Did you know that your oral health is directly related to your overall health? A nutritious meal at lunchtime plays an important role in your (and your family’s) energy and focus throughout the day and could make a big difference on their overall health. Packing a teeth-friendly, healthy lunch doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming so long as you plan ahead. Here are a few easy tips to keep you and your family’s teeth and gums healthy at lunchtime:

Crunchy veggies

Crunchy vegetables—like carrots, cucumbers, celery, and broccoli—are probably the best snack for your teeth, period! The high water content of these vegetables helps dilute natural sugars in your mouth and washes away food particles while you eat. The easiest way to make veggies even yummier is to include a dip like hummus or salsa.

Cheese

Cheese is high in calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that help keep tooth enamel strong. Cheese also increases saliva in your mouth, which acts as a natural defense against cavities and gum disease. Other dairy products, like milk or yogurt, are also good things to pack!

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Going to regular six-month or yearly checkups can mean the difference between seeing the dentist once or twice a year versus needing weeks of costly treatment sometime in the future. Here are 3 reasons to see your dentist regularly.

Cleanings

No matter how diligent you are with brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can still build up around your teeth. The best, and easiest, way to remove this is to get your dentist to clean it off during a regular visit. Plus, who doesn’t love that squeaky-clean feeling?

Preventative Treatment

Regular trips to the dentist will ensure small problems are caught or treated before they become big problems. In addition to looking for signs of tooth decay, your dentist will also evaluate the health of your gums, check for broken teeth and examine your mouth for any indications of diabetes or vitamin deficiencies.

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When it comes to your child, it’s never too early to develop good oral hygiene habits. In fact, the quicker they learn, the healthier their teeth and gums will be in the future! Here are five easy oral care tips for your kids:

1. Lead by example. It’s easy to show your son or daughter how to brush, but brushing with you can make the experience more impactful. By showcasing your good habits, they’ll be more likely to build those habits, too.
   
   
2. Use fluoride toothpaste from the start. According to the American Dental Association, fluoride is one of the most necessary ingredients to help prevent tooth decay at an early age.

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Having sensitive teeth can mean anything from getting a mild twinge of pain when you’re eating ice cream to having severe discomfort that can last for several hours. Sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including brushing too hard, tooth decay, gum disease, a cracked tooth, or the use of too many whitening products. And if you suffer from it, you know how frustrating it can be! However, there are a few things you can do to help.

Use the Right Toothbrush: Use a toothbrush made for sensitive teeth, or at least a soft to medium bristled brush. A softer brush helps avoid putting any extra pressure on your teeth or gums. Brush in small circles and avoid brushing too hard.

Choose a Special Toothpaste: A toothpaste made for sensitive teeth will contain fluoride and use a non-abrasive formula. After consistent use for a couple of weeks, it will help ease the pain associated with brushing and flossing.

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Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in all water sources, including the ocean. Some foods also contain fluoride and it’s often added in small amounts to public water supplies around the world to help strengthen teeth and reduce tooth decay. Because research has also shown that fluoride reduces cavities in children and adults, as well as repairs the early stages of tooth decay, it is very common for dentists to use it.

How does it work? 

The process by which fluoride helps your teeth can get a little scientific but here’s the gist: when it reaches your teeth, it’s absorbed into your enamel. It then helps repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus, which are the materials that keep your teeth hard and strong. This process is called remineralization and it helps to rebuild your enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Benefits of Fluoride

There are many benefits to using fluoride. It helps to:

• Ward off the growth of harmful mouth bacteria
• Rebuild or remineralize your weakened tooth enamel
• Minimize the loss of important minerals from your teeth
• Stop or reverse the early signs of tooth decay

Schedule an Appointment Today

Make an appointment with us today to learn more about fluoride and other ways we can help you achieve a strong, healthy, gorgeous smile!

Worried that your smile isn’t as white as it used to be? You’re not alone. Tooth discoloration and stains on your teeth are common and can happen for a variety of reasons. The good news? Many of these stains are treatable and preventable.

First, let’s discuss tooth discoloration. There are three types:

• Extrinsic Teeth Stains: An extrinsic tooth stain is staining on the surface of the tooth. They are typically caused by smoking or by regularly drinking coffee and tea, wine or soda. This type of tooth stain responds well to regular dental cleaning, proper brushing, and the use of over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and rinses.

• Intrinsic Teeth Stains: An intrinsic tooth stain is staining below the surface of the tooth. An intrinsic tooth stain is harder to remove than an extrinsic one but it can be done, and may require professional bleaching.

• Age-Related Teeth Stains: Age-related teeth stains combine the results of both intrinsic and extrinsic tooth discoloration over time. Because the core tissue of your teeth, the dentin, naturally yellows over time, teeth discolor with age.

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TMJ, short for Temporomandibular disorder, refers to a variety of conditions that affect the temporomandibular (TM) joints, jaw muscles and facial nerves. TMJ is the most common non-dental related chronic facial pain complaint and affects more than twice as many women as men.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is pain around the ears. Other symptoms may include:

• Headaches and neck aches
• Tenderness of the jaw
• Jaw pain or soreness that is more noticeable in the morning or afternoon
• Jaw pain when chewing, biting or yawning
• Clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth
• Sensitive teeth without the presence of another dental problem 

What causes TMJ?

Some common causes of TMJ disorders include:

• Arthritis or other ailments affecting the joints
• Misaligned bite or jaw
• Jaw dislocation or injury
• Stress is also thought to be a factor in TMJ. Stress can cause people to tense up and may cause TMJ if they specifically clench or grind their teeth.

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So, you cracked your tooth. We can help! The right treatment is essential to protecting your injured tooth. The right treatment, however, largely depends on the type of injury your tooth has suffered and the extent of the damage.

Types of cracks

• Minor cracks. Also called “craze lines,” these are surface cracks that only affect the enamel. Minor cracks rarely need treatment, but your dentist may smooth out the surface of your tooth with a polishing treatment and may suggest ways to prevent future cracks.
• Cracked tooth. This type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way to the nerve. Though the tooth stays in place, the crack gradually spreads. Sometimes, cracks can be repaired with filling material and may need a crown. However, if the pulp of your tooth is damaged, you may need a root canal or an extraction.
• Split tooth. This means that the tooth has split vertically into two separate parts. With such an extensive crack, it’s unlikely the entire tooth can be saved, but your dentist may be able to save a portion of it. In some cases, endodontic treatment, like a root canal, may be needed.
• Vertical Root Fractures. Vertical root fractures are cracks that begin in the root of the tooth. These don’t often show any signs or symptoms until the surrounding gum or root have become infected. Treatment may involve a complete extraction of the tooth or, if the remainder of the unaffected tooth can be saved, endodontic surgery is sometimes appropriate. 

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Dental veneers are thin covers made from resin or porcelain that adhere to your teeth to give them a healthy, more classically shaped look. And while they’ve been around for many years and are becoming increasingly popular, you may not know too much about them. Here are facts about dental veneers you should know.

Veneers can be a solution for sensitive teeth

For people with sensitive teeth or weakened enamel, veneers can provide a protective shield for your teeth. With your natural teeth still underneath, the veneer acts as a layer of defense against those pesky hot and cold foods and drinks that can cause pain!

Veneers an alternative to whitening treatments

If you’ve tried all the whitening toothpastes there are to buy and your stubborn stains are still present, don’t despair! Veneers are an effective way to whiten your teeth. No matter what caused the stains, translucent veneers can be created in a natural-looking shade to give you a brighter, whiter smile. Plus, they are stain-resistant, meaning you can keep your new white smile fresh for a long time without having to worry about more whitening treatments!

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If given the choice, most people would choose to just use mouthwash over flossing. We get it—it's easier and faster to swish some minty mouthwash around in your mouth than it is to precisely floss between each tooth. Good oral care, however, is more about effectiveness than it is about convenience. And while mouthwash is a great recommended addition to your oral health routine, flossing is critical and can’t be replaced by mouthwash alone.

Let’s discuss mouthwash first. There are two categories of mouthwash: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic rinses are geared more toward temporary relief of bad breath, while therapeutic rinses aim to remove plaque buildup, help prevent cavities, and kill harmful bacteria. Therapeutic mouthwashes typically contain fluoride and other antimicrobial agents.

Flossing, on the other hand, is crucial for gum health, making it easy to see why it can’t be replaced by mouthwash. It provides necessary abrasion that works to dislodge food and plaque that can get stuck between your teeth and up close to the gumline. People who floss regularly report less sensitivity, lower levels of gum inflammation and bleeding, and less plaque and tartar buildup. And the best part? Studies show that flossing at least once a day also helps prevent periodontal (gum) disease.

Schedule an Appointment Today 

Overall, the best oral care routine would include brushing, flossing, and mouthwash (in that order), in addition to regular dentist visits. So, make an appointment with us today! We look forward to being a part of your oral health routine.