Is it Safe to Visit My Dentist Now?
We understand there’s a lot of uncertainty about what is safe and what is not in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it’s still an ongoing situation, it’s considered safe for you to visit your dentist for routine patient care. The American Dental Association has advised dental offices on steps and precautions to take to help protect patients and staff. Here at Michael Fernandez Family Dentistry, we’re taking extra steps to keep you safe, too. Here are a few of our new protocols and office enhancements amidst the pandemic:
- We take your health seriously. In addition to every member of our team wearing a mask at all times, all of our staff members directly involved in patient care will be wearing face shields and gowns when appropriate.
- We’re screening our staff and our visitors. In addition to screening staff daily for symptoms, we’re also screening patients prior to all appointments. This screening protocol will include a brief questionnaire, as well as taking patient temperatures in an effort to identify any potential risk for transmitting COVID-19.
- We’re purifying the air and routinely disinfecting the office. We recently had in-duct air purifiers installed in the office, both of which purify every cubic inch of air that our central air conditioning system reaches. We’re also taking extra precautions with cleaning our reception areas by wiping down all surfaces with approved cleaners. We’ve also removed magazines and the coffee machine to cut down on shared surfaces.
- We’ve staggered appointment times. In an effort to limit the number of patients in our office at a time, we’re staggering appointment times.
Why Soft Toothbrush Bristles are Your Best Choice
We all know that brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of maintaining good dental health. But did you know that choosing the right kind of toothbrush also matters? With all of the toothbrushes available on the market today ranging from soft to medium to hard, electric and manual, it can be difficult to know which toothbrush is the best one for you.
Soft is better
When choosing a toothbrush, whether electric or manual, it’s best to opt for a soft-bristled brush. Anything coarser will actually wear away your enamel and gums. The same advice goes for pressure in brushing—harder brushing does not equal better brushing. Many people brush too hard, especially with hard-bristled toothbrushes, and can damage sensitive gum tissue and their gum line. Thus, softer brushes cause less irritation while still effectively removing plaque and tartar buildup.
What Are Implant-Retained Dentures?
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They’re typically made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals. While most dentures rest directly on the gums, dentures that attach to implants are called implant-retained dentures.
Advantages of Implant-Retained Dentures
Because implant-retained dentures are attached to implants, they are much more stable than traditional dentures. Because they shift less, they are usually more comfortable to wear and allow for easier eating and less worry about becoming loose or falling out.
Implant-retained dentures can also help preserve your jawbone and keep it strong and intact. Because traditional dentures are used to replace missing teeth, the jawbone can deteriorate over time and result in receding gums and a collapsed smile. However, because implant-retained dentures work with the implants that act as natural teeth and roots, they fuse with your jawbone in a way that keeps it healthy and stable.
Top 5 Winter Dental Tips
You may not think of oral hygiene when cold winter weather hits, but you should. As we head into the cooler months, it’s important to know how to help keep our lips, teeth, and gums healthy. Below are five tips to help keep your oral health in tip-top condition while you fight the winter chill.
1. Don’t forget your lips! Dry and chapped lips are a common problem in cold weather. Your lips are a part of your overall oral health and it’s important to protect them from exposure to cold weather, high winds, and UV rays (even on those overcast days). Wearing a daily lip balm with at least an SPF 15 and drinking plenty of water to hydrate your skin can help protect your lips this winter.
What Are All-on-4® Dental Implants?
All-on-4® Dental Implants are an alternative to conventional dentures and serve as a permanent solution to missing teeth. Surgically placed into your jaw, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Also referred to as full arch dental implants and implant hybrid bridges, they are custom-created for your mouth and have many advantages over conventional dentures. Some of these advantages include:
- All-on-4® dental implants are a full set of implants designed to replace your entire upper or lower set of teeth. They act as a more permanent and natural-looking alternative to dentures.
- According to The American Academy of Periodontology, they are superior to traditional dentures when it comes to preserving bone structure and function. The full implants replace some of the tooth roots and integrate with the jawbone, which helps keep the jawbone intact. With traditional dentures, the bone that previously surrounded your tooth can weaken and deteriorate over time, resulting in a collapsed smile.
How Many Times a Day Should I Brush My Teeth?
Twice a day keeps the germs away! According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. The general rule of thumb is to brush before each meal and before bed. And remember, you should brush your teeth for approximately two minutes each time you brush.
Brushing alone, however, isn’t everything. A proper dental hygiene routine consists of a healthy diet, brushing, flossing, and then rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash.
Why do I need to brush my teeth so often?
When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque (that sticky white film that clings to your teeth and contains bacteria). After you eat a meal or snack that contains sugar, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that break down tooth enamel and eventually cause cavities. Plaque that isn't removed can also harden into tartar which makes it even harder to keep your teeth clean. Even more seriously, plaque and tartar build-up can lead to gum inflammation and gum disease, which further increases your risk for oral health issues!
How Does CEREC® Technology Work?
CEREC® Technology, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, is a state-of-the-art method of creating natural tooth restorations. We’ve been using CEREC® technology since 2006 to make crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and veneers out of ceramic material to restore the natural beauty and function of your teeth.
What does CEREC Technology mean for you?
One of the biggest advantages of CEREC® is its convenience. Typically, we can make crowns or bridges in our office on the same day as your visit. Using CEREC® technology is also more comfortable for many patients as it eliminates the need for biting on the traditional impression trays which can be messy and cause many people to gag. Plus, no more plastic temporary crowns that fall off!
3 Ways to Improve Your Dental Hygiene Routine
Chances are you already know the basics of good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day, floss, avoid sugary foods. But what else can you do to improve your oral health routine? Here are 3 more tips to keep your smile happy and healthy.
- Make dental hygiene a part of your entire day. While it’s obviously important to make time to brush and floss regularly, there are other things you can do throughout the day to improve your dental hygiene. To make each day better for your teeth, try including these small habits: don’t snack or drink anything except water before bed, chew sugar-free gum after you eat to remove food particles that stick to your teeth, and stay hydrated all day to encourage natural saliva production!
- Start with your back teeth. Starting a brushing session with your back teeth is a great way to give the back of your mouth the attention it deserves! Cleaning your back teeth is essential because all of those nooks and crannies in your molars make them more susceptible to gum disease, cavities, and decay.
- Brush your tongue. Brushing your tongue is a great addition to your oral health regimen. Your tongue is a perfect place for bacteria to grow and it’s important to take a few extra seconds to brush this area. Not only can plaque and germs live on your tongue and sneak into the crevices between your teeth causing cavities, but an unbrushed tongue can also lead to bad breath. Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to keep your mouth healthy!
Schedule an Appointment
We’d be happy to talk to you more about creating a healthy dental hygiene routine. Make an appointment with us today and we’ll get you on your way to a better smile!
What Should I Do if I Lose a Filling?
Dental fillings are an incredibly common type of dental restoration used to treat cavities and decay. And while fillings are strong and built to last for many years, sometimes things happen and they fall out. Here are a few tips on what to do if this happens to you.
Find the filling and keep it clean and safe
When your filling falls out, rinse it off with water and keep it in a resealable plastic bag. Bring it to your dentist’s office because it may be reusable if it’s not broken.
Carefully clean around the affected tooth
Gently rinse your mouth and brush the affected tooth to remove any food debris that may have become lodged in the exposed area. Stop brushing if you feel any pain, as this could be due to an exposed nerve.
Call your dentist
After you’ve cleaned your mouth, call your dentist to see if you can make an appointment for that day or the next day. At the appointment, your dental team will assess the affected area and look for any damage. Sometimes your dentist may recommend replacing the filling with another filling or, depending on what happened, they may suggest a dental crown. Dental crowns cap the entire tooth and provide even more protection than a filling.
What to Consider When Searching for a Dentist in Virginia Beach
When you’re looking for a new dentist, you’re searching for more than someone to just clean your teeth. Your dental health, and your family’s, is a crucial part of your overall health and so choosing a dentist that’s right for you is an important decision. So, how do you find the best dentist for you? Here are some important factors to keep in mind.
Services provided
Another factor to consider when choosing a dentist is if they offer a variety of services that work for your needs. Maybe you don’t need a bridge or porcelain veneers right now, but you might one day—and you don’t want to have to start all over again when you do!
If you’re also searching for a dentist for your family, you will want to consider someone who offers a variety of services, from children’s dentistry to cosmetic, restorative and emergency dental care. Typically, you can find all the services offered on the practice’s website.
What Causes Tooth Loss in Adults?
As a kid, a loose tooth meant a fun visit from the Tooth Fairy. But losing teeth as an adult isn’t nearly as exciting. Adults only have about 25 permanent teeth, making tooth loss a potentially serious ordeal. Here are a few major causes of tooth loss adults and tips on how to improve your oral health:
Your Daily oral Care Regimen May be Lacking
Your dentist is your first line of defense against tooth loss, so make sure to keep your regular cleanings and check-ups. Your dentist will check your teeth for any problems — like cavities, oral cancer, and other diseases — and address any issue before it’s too late.
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, and using an anti-plaque mouthwash can also help keep your teeth healthy and strong, as it eliminates harmful bacteria from lingering and weakening your enamel.
Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth at night can cause breakage, sensitivity and possibly even tooth loss. If you think you grind, gnash or clench your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to wear while you sleep.