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Top 4 Dental Questions Answered
At my dental office in Douglasville, we get asked a lot of questions. And that’s ok. We know we sometimes use dentist speak, but we’re always happy to clarify and help make dentistry easier to understand. In this blog, we wanted to take some of the most frequent dental questions and answer them once and for all.
“Do I really need to see a dentist twice a year?”
The short answer is yes. Biannual visits are essential. However, we may encourage some patients to come in more often. If you’re at increased risk for gum disease or oral cancer, or if you have several treatments planned, visiting a dentist more than twice a year is normal. If your checkups are problem free, we’ll ask you to come back in about six months. Regular appointments are important for thorough cleaning and early detection. With early detection, you may avoid larger, more invasive, costly procedures in the future.
“Is flossing really necessary?”
Both brushing and flossing are crucial to a healthy mouth, yet about half of all Americans fail to floss on a regular basis. Without flossing, 35% of your tooth surfaces are not being cleaned. This allows bacteria to linger, food particles to fester, and decay to develop. Our best recommendation is to brush twice a day and floss once a day, at the minimum.
“I brush and floss, yet I still get cavities. What’s up?”
Brushing and flossing are only part of keeping decay and cavities away. If you have a diet that’s high in acidic foods or beverages, if you use tobacco, or if you are hard on your teeth, either by clenching, grinding, or crunching hard things, you’re automatically at increased risk for cavities. Acid eats away at enamel, and without enamel, teeth are left exposed to dangerous bacteria. Grinding and crunching alike may lead to tiny chips and cracks which are perfect places for bacteria to hide and create a cavity.
“What’s the purpose of dental x-rays?”
Dental x-rays allow us to see below the naturally visible surfaces of teeth. This helps identify potential problems early, before they become big problems. We can look at decay, bone infections, gum disease, and baby teeth patterns all by using x-rays.
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, or if you ever have a question, just ask! We’ll be happy to help. Everyone at my Douglasville dental office isn’t only here to give you the care you need, we’re here to work with you to make sure all your questions are answered and you’re always comfortable.
Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Your Toothbrush?
Next time you’re about to brush your teeth, take a good look at your toothbrush. Does it look right? Is it time for a new one? How do you know? At my dental office in Douglasville, we’re here to help you determine when it’s time to replace your old toothbrush and why it’s important.
How Long Does a Toothbrush Last?
According to American Dental Association, a toothbrush is typically in good working order for about three-to-four months. Around this time, it’s common to notice signs that it’s time for your toothbrush to go.
Trash it or Keep it?
There are telltale signs it’s time to trash your toothbrush. If you’re coming up on that three-to-four month checkpoint, take some time to exam the bristles. Are they frayed? Discolored? Smushed? Jagged and pointing every which way? If your toothbrush is starting to resemble modern art, it has seen better days. It’s time to get a new one.
Sometimes your brush may appear to be in good working order, but you just battled a vicious cold. Again, toss it. Bacteria may linger around on the bristles. It’s best to start fresh following any sickness. But if you start to see the signs of a worn out toothbrush before the three or four month mark,you’re probably brushing too hard. Ease up a bit.
Why is This Important?
Toothbrushes are specifically designed to reach the nooks and crannies of your teeth gently and effectively. When the bristles get all cockeyed and frayed, the toothbrush isn’t doing it’s best job and leaves you at increased risk for dental problems.
How to Care for Your New One.
Once you’ve got a shiny new toothbrush, it’s important to care for it properly. Follow the tips below to keep your toothbrush in tip-top shape:
- Don’t share your toothbrush. Ever.
- Thoroughly rinse it after each use.
- Don’t store it in a container. Air drying is best.
In addition to taking proper care of your toothbrush, using it twice a day, and replacing it when necessary, it’s also crucial to maintain regular appointments at my Douglasville dental office. Professional cleanings help to remove debris and bacteria your regular toothbrush can’t reach. If you’re in need of a new dentist, or it’s been awhile since we saw you last, give us a call!
Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
“Help! I have a Dental Emergency”
While you’re gearing up to head out on summer vacation this year, you’ll probably pack a bunch of first-aid items, extra clothes, and a load of medication because you can’t be too careful. Anything can happen at anytime. But what do you do if you have a dental emergency while away? At my Douglasville dental office, we’re happy to provide you some tips to take with you.
A Knocked Out Tooth
If this happens, whether on vacation or not, the first thing you should do is remain calm. Second, make sure there are no other serious injuries. Once you confirm all is well, you can start to work on saving that tooth — but only if the tooth is permanent. If a baby tooth is lost, make sure to schedule a visit as soon as possible upon your return to make sure no permanent teeth were damaged. If the lost tooth is permanent, and assuming both the roots and the crown were knocked out, try the following steps:
- Only touch the top of the tooth to limit damage to the roots.
- Gently rinse it with water.
- Attempt to insert it back into the socket.
- Control any bleeding with gauze.
- Call a dentist as soon as possible.
If you’re unable to get the tooth back into the socket, put the tooth in some milk or a cup of your spit — never store it in water! Then get to a dentist immediately.
Chips and Breaks
An unpopped popcorn kernel, a fall, or using teeth to open packaging can cause a tooth to chip or break. Again, don’t panic. Simply rinse your mouth with warm water to gently wash away any lingering particles. If you’re bleeding, gently apply gauze and use pressure until the bleeding stops.
Pesky Toothaches
Toothaches are usually the mouth’s way of saying, “Hey! Something’s not right in here!” And it’s important to listen. When toothaches happen, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment as soon as you can. But if you’re on vacation, try clove oil or rinsing with warm salt water (1 tsp. sea salt per 8 oz. of water). Cloves have natural anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, while salt water can limit swelling and help kill dangerous bacteria.
Emergencies of any kind are no fun, especially if they interrupt a vacation. If you do experience a dental emergency while away, give my dental office in Douglasville a call as soon as you return. We’ll want to ensure the problem is no longer active and if it is, we will work with you to treat it comfortably .
Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
No Toothbrush? No Problem!
It’s the time of year when we all venture out of our hometowns and spend some family time on vacation. To prepare, you’ve packed extra clothes, necessary medications, and even snacks. But you’ve forgotten your toothbrush. Now what? Not to fear, my Douglasville dental office has some tips to help.
Toothpaste but no brush?
This is probably the best case scenario. When you have toothpaste, you just need to find something to put it on to act as a toothbrush. Some people use a finger, others just swish some around in their mouths. The best thing to do? Find a clean washcloth or paper towel, wrap it around your finger, wet it slightly, and apply the paste. The washcloth or paper towel will act as a toothbrush and is better than a finger alone since they both have texture that can mimic toothbrush bristles. Make sure whatever you choose isn’t coarse or it can damage tooth enamel.
No paste and no brush?
Again we turn to our trusty paper towel or washcloth. Simply wet your make-do brush of choice and wipe each tooth individually from top to bottom for your top teeth, and from bottom to top fro your lower teeth. Make sure to rinse your towel between each tooth to limit the amount of plague that can get transferred from tooth to tooth. When finished, rinse well to remove any loose particles.
Got gum?
As a last resort, sugarless gum (emphasis on the sugarless), a teeth-buffing snack, or both, can help. Chewing gum naturally causes you to produce more saliva. More saliva means more bacteria is rinsed away and doesn’t stick around to cause decay. Nibbling on a smile-happy snack like cheese, crunchy carrots, or crisp apples can serve as micro-scrubbers if a toothbrush is nowhere to be found.
Thirsty?
One of the most important things you can do not only when you find yourself toothbrush-less, but every day, is drink plenty of water. Water hydrates your mouth and is a safe way to rinse away smile-damaging particles that tend to stick around.
If you find yourself without a toothbrush, don’t panic. The tips above can get you through a night or two without one, just don’t make them permanent replacements for a real toothbrush. Get to the store to pick up a new one as soon as you can.
As always, we encourage visits to my dental office in Douglasville regularly to ensure a healthy smile and to check for any problems. If you’re heading out of town and want to get a checkup before you leave, just give us a call. We’ll be happy to help.
Welcoming patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
To Brush, or Not to Brush at Work
There’s been a debate about whether or not it’s acceptable to brush your teeth at work following lunch or snacks. Is it gross to brush in the office bathroom? What do co-workers think about those who do? Is there any reason we should even consider doing this? At my Douglasville dental office, we’d like to weigh in and explain why we’re absolute supporters of brushing at work.
When it comes to great oral health, one constant is brushing at least twice a day. However, while it’s common to do this at home in the comfort of your own bathroom, there is a huge benefit to storing a toothbrush and toothpaste at work to use after lunch.
After eating, even when all evidence of food is gone, there are still particles lurking in the mouth. If not scrubbed away, these particles contribute to decay and even gum disease. But if you brush following a meal, the chance for dental problems greatly decreases. Not only will following this routine help keep your mouth healthy, it can help keep your career intact too.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Job
We aren’t saying that your healthy mouth will ensure job happiness or will give you immunity from a demotion, but we will confidently say your oral hygiene may directly affect the opinion of co-workers, bosses, or, if you’re looking for a job, a hiring manager.
According to a study of 1,000 people by the Academy of General Dentistry and Oral-B that asked respondents about oral health care habits at work, the majority did not brush after eating (a whopping 86%) but still said a healthy smile was important in the workplace.
Check This Out
- 40% said a smile was the first thing they noticed about a co-worker
- 32% claimed bad breath was the least attractive trait of fellow employees
- 96% believe a good smile is very or somewhat important to a person’s appearance
If you’re a bit uneasy about brushing in public, don’t be. The workplace is changing and it’s becoming increasingly common for employees to brush in the bathroom. Many bosses actually prefer this over meeting a client with awful breath or missing work time for dental problems. So go ahead, brush away!
Packing a toothbrush in your briefcase and transitioning into this routine of proper oral health care can keep your smile healthy for years to come. Pair that with regular visits to my dental office in Douglasville and you’re well on your way to a happy mouth and happy co-workers.
Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Spring, and Villa Rica.
Taking Care of Your Tongue
Tongues are pretty cool parts of our mouths that not only help us with things like chewing and talking, but taking good care of them is instrumental for a healthy mouth. If not taken care of properly, the tongue alone could create some serious dental concerns. At my dental office in Douglasville, we want to make sure all of our patients know the importance of taking care of their tongues and how to do it properly.
A Little Tongue Background
Tongues allow us to chew, swallow, and talk. But they also can directly affect our overall oral health. Home to over 10,000 taste buds, the tongue is often the part of the mouth that’s exposed to the most bacteria and acid. Each tiny taste bud and all those other bumps and dips we can see and feel on the tongue’s surface make a great place for acid and bacteria to hide.
Why it Deserves Attention
Your tongue is in constant contact with your teeth. If your tongue isn’t clean and it’s teeming with bacteria, all of that bacteria is being transferred right onto your teeth. When this happens, the chance for decay greatly increases.
A clean tongue also means no debris obscuring your tastebuds. What’s this mean for you? More flavor and a better tasting meal!
Keeping your tongue clean can fight off bad breath bacteria that may be lurking around. While bad breath can be caused by a variety of things, cleaning your tongue is a great way to help keep your breath fresh. An important note about bad breath, if it’s chronic and doesn’t go away, you should mention it to your dentist immediately as it could be a sign of something serious.
How to Care for it
Every time you brush your teeth, take a few extra seconds to brush your tongue too. Simply stick out your tongue and gently scrub it with your toothbrush. If brushing your tongue is uncomfortable, it’s ok and quite common. Make sure to tell your dentist so you can try an alternative tongue cleaning solution with a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper gently removes bacteria from the tongue’s surface and is easier for those with a sensitive gag reflex to use.
At my Douglasville dental office, we’re all about getting and keeping our patients’ smiles healthy. And the tongue is just as important to that goal as brushing and flossing. So make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing once a day, and, as importantly, keeping up with regular appointments with us.
Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
Suffering From Morning Sickness? See Your Dentist.
If you’re suffering from morning sickness brought on by pregnancy, you’re not alone. Nearly 80 percent of pregnancies result in some sort of morning sickness. During pregnancy, and especially following morning sickness, there are a lot of things on your mind. Your teeth are probably not one of them. At my dental office in Douglasville, we have some information we’d like to share about pregnancy and tooth health.
Morning sickness exposes your teeth to a large amount of stomach acid. That acid is one of the most dangerous things for your teeth. Acid is a leading culprit to enamel erosion and decay, not to mention more serious dental concerns. So when you’re experiencing morning sickness, and there is no way to keep it from happening, how can you limit the amount of acid in your mouth?
Try These Easy Tips!
- Wait to Brush. Brushing immediately after vomiting can lead to damage. Acid weakens the enamel and if you brush while the enamel is soft, you can cause scratches that bacteria can hide in. So wait at least an hour after getting sick to brush.
- Rinse with Water. While you’re waiting for the right time to brush, it’s a good idea to initially rinse your mouth out with water. Swishing water around in the mouth and spitting it out can remove a lot of acid.
- Keep Drinking Water. You’re already drinking a lot of water, so keep on doing it. The more water you drink, the less acid will stick around in your mouth.
- Scrape the Tongue. Don’t forget about your tongue. After vomiting, get a tongue scraper and gently run it down your tongue. You can successfully remove a lot of acid that would actually end up on your teeth.
If you’re pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, I encourage you to visit my Douglasville dental office as soon as you can. We want to make sure your teeth are not suffering from the amount of acid in mouth and if they are, we’ll work with you to help you keep your teeth healthy during your pregnancy and for years to come.
Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
4 Tips to Keep Your Pet’s Mouth Healthy
At my dental office in Douglasville, we’re pros at getting and keeping our neighbors’ smiles healthy and beautiful. But what we want to make sure all of our patients know is that dental care for their pets is just as important.
- Choose the right tools
When you decide to start brushing your animal’s teeth, it’s important to choose the proper brush. There are canine-specific toothbrushes that you can buy, or a clean piece of gauze wrapped around a finger will work just fine. When it comes to the toothpaste, ask your vet what’s best. Never use human toothpaste on an animal as it could cause stomach problems.
- Use the right technique
Brushing animals’ teeth is very similar to brushing your own. Make sure to hold the brush or your gauzed-wrapped finger at a 45 degree angle and gently rub in small circles. The cheek side of the teeth often accumulates the most tartar, so try to pay extra attention in that area. Brushing should occur two or three times a week.
- Know the signs of disease
Some signs of an issue with your pet’s oral health could include:
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Swollen gums
- Loose teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your vet.
- Select a healthy diet
Just like humans, your pet’s diet can go a long way toward keeping teeth healthy. There’s specially formulated food your vet can recommend that will help control plaque and tartar formation. When it comes to snacks, avoid table scraps and choose healthy dog treats instead.
Make sure to keep your pet’s smile in its best shape by following the tips above and visiting the vet regularly. To keep your smile healthy, maintain regular appointments at my Douglasville dental office and make sure to brush and floss daily.
Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica, and surrounding areas.
Stop Missing Work Because of Your Teeth
There’s nothing worse than tossing away a well-earned vacation day because you have a dental emergency. Good news! You can stop missing work due to your teeth! How? Let my Douglasville dental office show you.
Oftentimes we avoid the dentist if we don’t have a problem. But that itself is a problem. Prevention is key! If we wait until we have signs of a dental issue, like pain, bleeding gums, or even a toothache, we’ve already waited too long. There’s a common myth that says you’d know it if you had a dental concern, but the truth is, that’s just not the case.
Many dental problems have no warning signs. Cavities, for example, don’t hurt when they’re shallow, new, and haven’t reached the nerves. If caught early, treatment is simple. If left to advance, cavities can cause pain and could need more in-depth treatment.
On a more serious note, oral cancer and gum disease may have little-to-no signs in the early stages. As they progress, however, they become extremely dangerous not only for your smile, but for your entire body. This is why we emphasize catching problems as early as possible. When detected in the first stages, both oral cancer and gum disease can be treated. Like anything else, if they’re not caught and are left alone, oral cancer becomes really serious and gum disease could lead to whole-health problems like heart disease, stroke, and even difficulty managing diabetes.
Since it is so important to catch serious dental problems as soon as they appear, even if you can’t feel them, it makes keeping regularly scheduled appointments with your Douglasville dentist extremely important. We traditionally recommend appointments at least every six months, sometimes even sooner. It’s not only important to keep these appointments to keep your mouth healthy, they can help catch any lingering problems before they become serious issues.
As always, appointments with us are important, but equally so is a healthy at-home routine. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day (yes, flossing is that important).
If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to a dentist, or if you’re due for a visit, give my dental office in Douglasville a call. We’re always happy to see you and will work with you to get your smile healthy so you can get back to enjoying your deserved time off.
Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Spring, Villa Rica, and neighboring areas.
Spit It Out! Top Juicy Facts About Spit
We don’t literally mean spit it out, whatever it may be. In fact, it’s never really polite to spit in public (or while reading blogs online). What we really mean is that despite how gross spit may seem, it’s actually some pretty cool stuff. All of us at my dental office in Douglasville want to ‘spit out’ some of the top fun facts we know about saliva.
Be The Match
Many people every year are diagnosed with a blood cancer. A lot of times, it’s a child. Your spit could actually help. BeTheMatch.org encourages people to register to be a bone marrow donor by simply swabbing your cheek. A bone marrow match can’t always be found for someone with blood cancer, so this organization helps a lot to increase the number of possible donors. Your spit could literally help save a life.
“I Produce How Much Spit a Day? Gross!”
The average person produces about one or two quarts of spit every, single day. That’s a lot of spit! And while your initial reaction may be, “Ewww!” or “Gross!,” let’s talk about why this is a good thing.
Spit is crucial for a healthy and decay-free mouth. Saliva helps rinse away any lingering food particles, neutralizes acids, and keeps the tooth enamel strong. It also helps to preserve the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. When there isn’t enough spit flowing in the mouth, decay and other oral infections can occur. Trust us, all that spit is actually keeping you healthy!
CSI: Saliva
Research conducted at UCLA has led to even more advancements in our ability to put an age to criminals by using, you guessed it, spit. Our saliva contains DNA, and over time, the DNA in the saliva changes. Essentially, this means that science and spit can help predict a person’s age to within five years. Why five years? Because the DNA breakdown isn’t necessarily an indicator of true age, but of what’s called biological age.
This breakthrough could help doctors too. If they know your biological age, they’ll have a better idea of how old you really are and can better decide what’s the most important treatment or what you’re more at risk for.
Yes, spit can be gross, but it can also be extremely helpful at keeping your mouth healthy and cavity free. Another thing that helps with both? Regular visits to my Douglasville dental office. If it’s been awhile since you’ve seen a dentist, give us call! We welcome you, and your spit (it is part of what we do), any time!
Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and surrounding areas.