Dental Info

The best toothbrushes have soft bristles and rounded ends. It’s best to avoid hard bristles because they can scratch and injure your gums. Look for toothbrushes with an American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval. You should replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Toothbrushes become less effective over time.

Electric toothbrushes are a great option. It’s essential to use slow movements while operating an electric toothbrush. If tough stains, plaque buildup, and periodontitis are areas you’d like to address, try a sonic toothbrush or “waterpik” type of device. Special tools are typically needed to handle teeth with gum recession and other forms of gum disease.

Brush and floss your teeth more often － at least twice a day. Brush softly and be sure to scrape your tongue. You can also freshen your breath and better protect your teeth by rinsing with mouthwash. You should also avoid foods that can cause bad breath, like onions, garlic, dairy, and coffee.

If bad breath is an ongoing problem, see your dentist. Tooth decay or gum disease may be forming in your mouth if you experience persistent bad breath.

Dental crowns are caps that cover and protect individual teeth. They can improve your smile by covering chipped or fractured teeth. They can also protect weak or decaying teeth when removing them is not an option. Dental crowns are commonly placed over teeth that have undergone root canal therapy or have existing large cavities. They’re also attached to dental implants and serve as replacements for missing teeth.

Protruding teeth or gaps between teeth can also interfere with your smile and create an uneven bite. Braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic appliances can straighten crooked teeth and move teeth into proper position.

Teeth, especially our molars, have unique ridges and grooves on them that can harbor bacteria and make it harder to clean. Sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the teeth and provide a protective layer over these grooves and ridges. Because children can struggle to reach these areas while brushing, sealants can provide an extra layer of protection against cavities.

Since the use of fluoride in our water systems and dental paste, we have seen a dramatic decrease of decay. Fluoride will also help resist cavities for people who experience dry mouth from medications or other systemic issues, such as diabetes.

If your gums are in perfect health and have no recession, you can typically get a “normal dental cleaning.” This will entail removing debris, tartar, and plaque above the gum line, and getting your teeth polished. As our body changes and we start to lose bone around our teeth, there are more root surfaces to clean and typically we need a more advanced type of cleaning, often called Periodontal Maintenance.

A “deep cleaning” is typically done when there is active infection in your gums and around your teeth. The area is anesthetized and the infection is removed with some of the infected tissue. At times a laser is used to help fight the infection and promote the growth of new gum tissue.

There has been more information and research that shows that having a healthy mouth can help prevent the exacerbation of several systemic diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiac issues, and much more.