The Dental Place

You may believe you are doing all the right things when it comes to brushing your teeth, but a quick review may reveal a couple of things you didn’t know. Your dentist is a wealth of information when it comes to brushing habits, and welcomes the opportunity to share that knowledge with you during your dental visits.

Brushing Tools

How often do you replace your toothbrush? Probably not often enough. If you brush for two minutes twice every day, the bristles on your toothbrush begin to wear down in three to four months. If you continue to use a toothbrush with worn bristles, you may not be getting your teeth as clean as you may think.

You should replace your toothbrush at least four times a year making sure the toothbrush you acquire carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If you should become ill, you should replace your toothbrush to prevent recontamination.

You should be using a toothbrush with soft bristles. While a hard bristle brush may seem like it would do a better job of cleaning your teeth, it can actually do more damage than good resulting in premature gum erosion and wearing away precious dental enamel.

Your dentist may recommend an electric toothbrush to help prevent brushing with a heavy hand. An electric toothbrush does all the work – you provide the guidance. And a timer will alert you when you’ve brushed the recommended two minutes.

Brushing Technique

You should brush two minutes twice a day, but did you know there is a correct way to brush? Using small circular motions, focus on a section of teeth at a time making sure you brush the front, back, and top of all teeth. Do not “scrub” your teeth – minimal pressure is all that is needed to clean your teeth. Brush gums and your tongue as well to keep them healthy.

Make sure you store your toothbrush correctly. Rinse it thoroughly following use and store it upright allowing it to dry out between uses. Make sure it does not touch other brushes that may be stored in the same container to prevent cross contamination.

Finally, since many foods and beverages contain acids that can soften dental enamel, you should wait at least thirty minutes to brush after eating or drinking. Feel free to rinse, but you can damage enamel if you brush too soon.

For more information or to schedule your next visit, contact our team at The Dental Place today.

Did you know that dental checkups are very thorough? Dental examinations can reveal a number of oral health and general wellness concerns. With routine checkups and cleanings, your dentist can help you stay on top of your oral health and overall wellbeing. Following are four important aspects of dental examinations that you might not know.

Your Teeth and Gums Can Reveal Health Concerns

The state of your teeth and gums can reveal more than just oral health concerns. The health of the mouth and body is connected. Many oral health conditions coincide with general ailments, including chronic health problems like impaired immunity, fungal infections, and diabetes.

Your Dentist Can Tell if You’re Stressed Out

Are you losing sleep and peace of mind to stress? An oral healthcare provider might notice that you’re stressed out before you vocalize it. For instance, many people clench and grind their teeth – a habit called bruxism – as a response to stress. This habit can wear down your dentition and inflame your gums. The trained eye of an oral health professional might notice the effects of bruxism long before you do.

A Dental Checkup Can Save Your Life

During checkups, the health of the entire oral cavity is evaluated. On top of examining the condition of structures like teeth, bones, and gums, dentists and specialists look for signs of oral cancer.

Oral cancer screenings are an important part of checkups. Cancers that develop in the oral cavity can be fatal, but a person’s chances of survival are far greater when oral cancer is detected and treated as early as possible.

Regular Appointments Save Money and Time

Keeping regular appointments for checkups and cleanings can do more for you than just reveal issues; it can save you time and money. When problems are detected early on, they are less expensive and time consuming to treat.

For example, a small cavity is normally treated with a conservative restoration called a “filling”. Without treatment, that cavity will deepen and widen, making a filling ineffective. Larger areas of decay and damage require larger restorations like inlays and crowns, which are more costly and time consuming to receive.

Call The Dental Place today to reserve a checkup and cleaning with our dental team.

Parents may not realize it, but baby bottles can put their infants and toddlers at risk for tooth decay. When drinks containing sugar, such as fruit juice or soda or even milk or formula, come into contact with a baby’s teeth for an extended period of time, they can contribute to decay. The sugars in those drinks will serve as a source of nutrients for the bacteria that create acidic byproducts of digestion, which in turn cause cavities. Babies face a similar risk when parents dip pacifiers in sugar or honey before giving the pacifier to a child.

Fortunately, parents can take steps to prevent baby bottle decay. Refrain from putting your child to sleep with a bottle, unless the bottle contains water. The risk of decay is increased while your baby is asleep because saliva production goes down, making less of it available to clear away the sugars.

You can be taking other steps to promote optimal oral health for your baby, as well. Did you realize that it’s recommended for a child to see a dentist for the first time before his or her first birthday? This gives the dentist a chance to observe your child’s baseline at the beginning of dental development and monitor your child for any changes or deviations that may be cause for concern.

Parents can also begin a basic oral hygiene routine for their infants. With very young babies whose first tooth has not yet erupted, the gums can be cleaned gently using a wet washcloth.  When your child’s teeth begin to come through, you can begin using a soft toothbrush and non-fluoride toothpaste.

It’s important to protect your child’s baby teeth from decay, which can be caused by a child’s bottle habits. When your child loses baby teeth prematurely, it can have negative effects for the permanent teeth that will follow. Prevent these outcomes by limiting your child’s consumption of sugary beverages, and schedule a check-up for your child by his or her first birthday.

Contact our team at The Dental Place for more tips like these!