Dental Care Checklist for Adults

þ     Don’t let dental visits slide! Adult life can sometimes be a juggling act and it may feel like you just can't find the time for a dental visit. But making time for regular dental visits now can help keep you out of the dental office in the future.

 

þ     Brush and floss daily, even if it’s late. You've heard this a million times by now, but the importance of regular brushing and flossing can never be emphasized enough. Even if you've been good about your oral hygiene all your life, resist the temptation to let it slide for even one day; the longer plaque stays on your teeth, the more destructive it becomes.

 

þ     Eat well-balanced meals. When you're juggling work, home and kids, it can be tempting to turn to fast food, soda and sugary snacks as a way to save time and feel more energetic. But sugar is a tooth decay demon and can cause you to crash after that initial "sugar high." Be sure to integrate plenty of fresh vegetables into your daily meals and eat fruit, nuts and celery or carrot sticks as snacks.

 

þ     Exercise regularly -- it's good for your teeth! Studies show that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle -- exercise and eating right -- are 40 percent less likely to develop advanced gum disease.

 

þ     Consider treating yourself to cosmetic dentistry. Whether you want a quick boost or a complete smile makeover, there are plenty of cosmetic dental treatments available to help you achieve your dream smile. One-hour laser teeth whitening treatments can make your teeth 8-10 shades whiter, and porcelain veneers can mask stained teeth, chipped teeth or crooked teeth.

Making Dental Visits Easy for Kids

With your help, dental visits can be a positive – even fun – experience for your kids. Our staff will spend a lot of time with your kids to help them feel comfortable and understand what they can expect. You can help us make their next visit a successful one by working with us to accomplish this goal!

 

Here’s what we suggest:

 

·        Use only positive words when answering your kids’ questions. Soft, easy, fun and play are good words to use.

 

·        Avoid using words like pain, hurt, needle and shot. These words make kids (and many adults) scared and anxious.

 

·        After treatment is completed, you can help continue the positive experience by praising your child and referring to the fun time they just had.

 

·        DON’T ask negative questions like: Did it hurt? Were you scared? Did you get a shot? These comments could make your child think that there was a reason to be afraid even though they were cooperative and had a good time. It might also make them afraid of future visits.

 

If your child receives any kind of anesthesia, assure them that their “tickly” or “sleepy” tongue will go away in no time. Most kids don’t mind the numbness, and some even think it’s fun – that’s a good thing.

A Fun Eggsperiment from Crest Kids... just in time for Easter!

Preparation

This experiment takes five to six days. If you are doing this experiment at home, we recommend you start on a Thursday or Friday afternoon, so that you can perform all the steps right after school or supper.

This experiment uses eggs to represent teeth and vinegar to represent the acids that are made by plaque bacteria, which cause tooth decay and cavities. Both eggshells and teeth can be weakened by acid, which is why good dental hygiene is so important.

What you will need:

• 4.6 oz tube of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste (active ingredient: sodium fluoride)
• glass measuring cup
• fresh eggs without cracks (use several in case one gets broken by accident)
• ordinary vinegar
• teaspoon
• plastic wrap
• marker
• clear nail polish
• paper towels

Conducting the Eggsperiment

Follow these easy steps:

1. Allow eggs to warm to room temperature. With clean hands, wash the egg with water and dry with the paper towel.


2. Empty the entire tube contents of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste into the measuring cup and pat down with a teaspoon to level toothpaste and remove any air bubbles.


3. Mark one side of the egg with a marker and cover this mark with clear nail polish to protect it from the vinegar.


4. After the nail polish has dried, place the egg into the measuring cup, marked side down so the Crest toothpaste covers half the egg. Make sure the egg does not touch the bottom of the cup.


5. Cover the cup tightly with plastic wrap and leave it in a safe place at room temperature for at least four full days (96 hours).


6. After the treatment, with clean hands, rinse the Crest toothpaste off the egg with warm tap water and let the egg dry overnight.


7. Pour enough vinegar into the clean measuring cup to cover the egg, and then carefully place the egg into the vinegar with the spoon. Rest the spoon on top of the egg to keep it submerged under the vinegar, and cover the cup with plastic wrap. You’ll notice bubbles starting to form on the side of the egg that was not treated with Crest.


8. Leave the egg in the vinegar until the untreated side (the unmarked side) of the egg softens. This will take 7 to 13 hours.


9. After 7 hours in the vinegar, remove the egg and check if the side not treated with Crest has softened by tapping it very lightly with your finger or a pen. If soft, go on to step 11.


10. If the untreated side is still hard, put the egg back into the vinegar. Check the egg every hour or two afterwards until the untreated shell has softened.
    
    Note: If you are not going to be home after the egg has soaked for 7 hours, take the egg out of the vinegar and wash it in warm water. Write down how many hours it was in the vinegar. As soon as you return, put the egg back into the vinegar and continue checking it every hour or so for softness. But be sure not to leave the egg out of the vinegar for more than 12 hours.


11. When the untreated side is soft, remove the egg and gently wash it with warm tap water. The egg is very fragile now so be careful.

The Conclusion

By gently tapping both sides of the egg, you can now see two effects:

• Acid has made the side of the shell not treated with Crest soft and weak.
• Crest Cavity Protection (with sodium fluoride) has protected the shell and kept it hard and strong.

This experiment shows the importance of brushing to keep teeth strong and healthy and protected from acid attack.

The Impact of an Impacted Tooth

A tooth is considered impacted when it only partially grows through the gums. This can happen because another tooth blocks it, or it grows in crookedly. The third molar typically erupts from age 17 to 21 and is the last tooth to appear, which is why it’s the most likely tooth to become impacted – there’s usually no room left for it.

 

Although an impacted tooth does not always lead to pain or discomfort, the impaction can cause other problems. A partially erupted tooth can create an opening in the gum where food and other particles can accumulate, leading to gum infection. Impacted teeth can also develop tooth decay, and they can also push on adjacent teeth, causing all your teeth to shift.

 

For these reasons, it’s usually recommended to have wisdom teeth extracted before the age of 21. The younger you are the better (and faster) the surrounding tissue and bone will heal. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the symptoms if you’re over 21, though.

 

No matter what age you are, if an impacted tooth is causing you pain, soreness, sensitivity or inflammation, come in for a visit. Better to get treatment than unnecessarily endure pain and discomfort!

 

Persistent pain or an infection usually means the tooth will need to be removed. Sometimes this can be done right in the office. Otherwise, we can give you a referral to a recommended oral surgeon.

Quoted from Dental Wellness Center March 2014 Newsletter

Home Remedies for Toothaches

Home Remedies for Toothaches

Anyone who’s had the bad luck to be waylaid by a toothache knows that few experiences are more miserable. You want relief and you want it now. While home remedies may temporarily ease discomfort, the only way to get lasting toothache relief is to see a dentist.

 

Until you get professional help you may get some temporary relief using these toothache home remedies:

 

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Some toothaches are caused by trapped food particles. Use dental floss to remove anything wedged between teeth. This ensures a clean mouth and provides toothache relief.

 

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Toothaches can often be eased with pain relievers. Consider applying ice to the affected area as an additional toothache remedy.

 

Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic containing benzocaine. This is a tried and true temporary toothache remedy.

 

Avoid very hot or very cold foods. Toothaches lead to sensitive teeth, so treat them gently.

 

Toothaches won't just go away. Your ultimate toothache remedy will come from a dentist. Toothache remedies depend on the source of the problem; an X-ray will usually be used to check for decay or other dental problems. Then your dentist can perform the appropriate dental treatment, such as a tooth filling, tooth extraction or root canal.

Remember, toothache remedies can't top prevention! The best way to stave off toothaches is to practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and brushing. Another great toothache remedy is your dental visit; it helps your dentist prevent and identify problems before they become serious. 

Dental Wellness Center offers our patients an after hours phone number that you can always call when our office is closed if a dental concern arises... you can trust that you will reach a member of our staff on this line and that you will be taken care of.  We do not use an outside "answering service" to take care of our patients because you are our priority!

Cavities FAQs

Cavities FAQs

Most of us have had at least one. Some of us have quite a few. So what makes cavities so persistent, keeping more children out of school than any other disease? Usually, the answer is simple: not enough brushing your teeth, flossing and visiting the dentist. Snacking on sweets and slurping sodas doesn't help either. But rather than feel guilty, get informed.

 

Q: What's the difference between tooth decay and tooth cavity?

A: Good question! Most people think tooth decay and tooth cavity are the same thing. But they're not. Tooth decay refers to a gradual process during which bacteria in the mouth produce acids that destroy the surfaces of teeth. Over time, tooth decay can erode enamel to the point that a hole, or cavity, forms.

 

Q: How do I know if I have cavities?

A: Cavities are one of the first things your dentist looks for during a regular dental exam. X-rays allow your dentist to diagnose whether you have dental cavities and how extensive they are. Sometimes a tooth cavity is visible to the naked eye; if you see black holes in your teeth, those could be signs. Another cavity red flag is a toothache or sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks.

 

Q: How do dentists treat dental cavities?

A: Treatment depends on the size of the cavity and the degree of damage. Although many dental cavities are treated with fillings, onlays may be necessary to treat large cavities affecting the cusps of teeth, while cavities affecting the areas in between the cusps may be treated with inlays. In some cases, dental crowns are used to protect a tooth from further tooth cavity damage. Dental sealants are often applied to children's teeth as a preventative measure against cavities.

 

Still have questions about cavities or other dental problems? Your dentist will be happy to answer them during your next checkup.

Be Careful With Toothpicks

Be Careful With Toothpicks

Most dentists agree that toothpicks should be used sparingly as a method of teeth cleaning and should never be considered a substitute for brushing teeth and flossing. Fact is they should be used only when a toothbrush or floss is not available, for example, when you are in a restaurant and have food trapped between teeth.

 

Toothpicks that are used overzealously can damage tooth enamel, lacerate gums, and even cause a broken tooth in severe cases. People who have bonding or veneers can chip or break them if they aren't careful. Overly aggressive use of toothpicks can severely wear the roots of teeth, especially in cases where gums have pulled away from the teeth and leave teeth with root surfaces exposed, notably in the elderly.

 

Toothpicks date back to 3,500 BC when the earliest known oral hygiene kit featuring a toothbrush was found at the Ningal Temple in Ur. In China, a curved pendant, made of cast bronze was worn around the neck and used as a toothpick. In 536 BC, the Chinese mandated a law that required the use of the toothpick because their armies suffered from bad breath. In the Old Testament, it is written that "one may take a splinter from the wood lying near him to clean his teeth."

 

Today, most toothpicks in the United States come from "toothpick trees" in Maine. The tree is a white birch which has its trunk cut into thin sheets that are cut again to the thickness and length of toothpicks.

 

Dentists can tell when they have a habitual toothpick user in their dental chair. There are the tell-tale signs of toothpick marks. So use them if you have too, but don't make it a habit. Brush and floss instead.