Frequently Asked Questions about Children’s Oral Health
Helping your child develop good oral health habits not only benefits their smile, but is also vital to their overall well-being. Cavities are one of the most prevalent diseases among children. If a cavity, or other oral health issue, remains untreated, it can cause discomfort and affect common tasks like eating, speaking and even learning in school. Teaching your child how to properly care for their teeth as well as visiting the dentist regularly ensures that your child keeps their teeth healthy for a lifetime. We’ve put together a list of ten common questions asked about children’s oral health. 1. When should I start brushing my child’s teeth? You can start good oral health habits from birth. Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a wet washcloth or gauze after feedings. Once teeth emerge, you can use an infant tooth brush and a tiny amount (a smear the size of […]
Five Ways to Have a Smile-Friendly Summer
For many of us, summertime means enjoying the weather, swimming, cookouts, vacations, less hectic schedules and much more. While you’re hopefully relaxing a bit and enjoying the summer, remember to prioritize oral health this summer. Here are five ways to keep your summer smile-friendly: Use lip balm with SPF. Even if you generously apply sunscreen and reapply every few hours, you are not protecting your skin as well as you should from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Lips are the top area of the body people often overlook and exposing them to the sun may increase your risk for oral cancer. Apply an SPF 30 lip balm or lip sunscreen alone or under lip gloss and remember to reapply every couple of hours for full protection from the sun. Plus, it will help protect your lips from chapping. Wear a mouthguard when playing sports or during other high-impact summer […]
Healthy Smiles at Every Age
In previous years, tooth loss and wearing dentures were considered to be just another step in the aging process of older Americans. This way of thinking about oral health in older adults has come and gone. Oral health has greatly improved for older Americans over the past 50 years, and more adults are keeping their natural teeth.1 With regular good oral health care, older adults can maintain a healthy smile throughout their entire lifetime. Share these oral health tips with the older adults in your life to help keep their smiles healthy: Maintain good oral health habits. Brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing once daily and visiting the dentist regularly are all crucial to maintaining good oral health. Fight dry mouth. Certain medications and medical conditions can reduce saliva and lead to dry mouth. The anti-bacterial properties in saliva help protect against tooth decay and cavities. To help […]
Fillings 101 – Everything You Need to Know
Fillings are a restorative dental procedure used to treat tooth decay and repair cracked or broken teeth as well as prevent further damage. According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, 91 percent of adults have experienced tooth decay.1 Many people have had a filling by the time they enter adulthood and are likely to continue to need or replace fillings throughout their lifetime. If you need a filling, there are many factors you should consider and discuss with your dentist. Types of Fillings When you receive a filling, the dentist first numbs the tooth and surrounding area before he or she removes the decayed part of the tooth. The dentist then fills the cavity with either an amalgam filling or a composite filling. An amalgam filling is silver in color and made from a combination of different metals including silver, mercury, tin and copper. Although amalgam contains mercury, […]
Periodontal (Gum) Disease Awareness Month
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a leading factor in tooth loss and is also associated with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The main cause of periodontal disease is harmful bacteria found in the plaque that accumulates on teeth. The disease can range from a mild stage, known as gingivitis, to a more severe stage, known as periodontitis. Prevention, and in some cases reversal, of the disease is possible by maintaining good oral health habits and visiting the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. According to the American Dental Association, the following risk factors contribute to the development of periodontal disease, and the following warning signs may help identify the condition: Tobacco (smoking or smokeless) Systemic diseases like diabetes Medications like steroids, specific types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs and some calcium channel blockers Poor fitting bridges Crooked teeth Defective fillings Pregnancy or oral contraceptives […]
