When a tooth is knocked out completely, keep it damp at all times. If you can place the tooth back into its socket, without touching the root, then do it. If you’re unable to reposition the tooth, then you can either place the tooth between the cheek and the gum until you can get to your dentist’s office, or submerge the tooth in milk.

A cracked tooth is best left to your dentist, but there are a few precautionary steps to take before you reach your dentist’s chair. First, rinse your mouth out with clean, cold water. The water will clean the tooth and the surrounding area. Then, place a cold compress on the face near the damaged tooth to reduce the swelling.

If you are traveling and you experience a dental emergency, call your dentist’s office to determine the best course of action. It may a problem that can wait until you arrive home; it may be a problem that requires a dentist’s attention immediately.

To avoid a dental emergency, wear a mouth guard when you play sports; all sports have the potential to damage or knockout a tooth. And avoid chewing on hard objects such as ice chunks and popcorn kernels, hardy candies can also be problematic. And one of the things people forget often is to use a scissor to open packaging and other objects; never, ever use your teeth in the place of a tool.

If you have any questions about how to proceed after a dental emergency, or if it’s time to schedule your next visit with your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental, then call today.

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One rule that’s simple for everyone to follow, especially on weekdays when everyone’s going to school/work in the morning, is that no one leaves the house without two minutes of brushing. On the flip side, no one is allowed to go to bed at night without two minutes of brushing. Setting up these times at the beginning and end of the day establishes the same routine they will and should follow as adults.

Another simple method to ensure good habits, and even proper technique, is to have your child/children brush his or her teeth while you also brush. When you brush your molars, they do too; when you brush your front teeth, they do too. It’s a good method to engrain both the dexterity and muscle memory needed to navigate a toothbrush over all the teeth in the mouth, but it also established a precedent for the span of time needed to clean the teeth. 

You should also supervise older children. No, you don’t have to hover over them every time they go to the sink to brush, but you should hold them accountable. Make sure that they are brushing: check the toothbrush for wetness; at times when it’s possible the child is being sneaky enough to run the toothbrush under the tap, then check the child’s breath for the smell of toothpaste.

Establish good oral care routines now, when your children are young, and hopefully they will continue to practice good oral health throughout life. And if you, or your child, is ready for a dental visit with your dentist at Silvercreek Family Dental—remember twice-yearly visits to the dentist are vital to oral health—then call today.

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You have several choices in the style of interdental cleaners. First, the traditional strands of dental floss. It doesn’t matter if it’s flavored, and it doesn’t matter if the strands are thick or thin. These are preferences, and you should find the type of floss you will continue to use daily. If you don’t enjoy stripping away a strand of floss and cleaning between your teeth, you can also choose an interdental cleaner. Interdental cleaner styles are numerous, and vary from water flossers, which can be effective for someone with mobility issues, and interdental picks.

The most important part of flossing is that it gets completed, daily. It’s an important component to regular dental care. And if you get something stuck between two teeth, anything—popcorn kernels are likely culprits that can be stiff and sharp enough to plunge between two teeth and even slip below the gum line—then reach first for the floss or interdental cleaner. Too often people choose devices, appliances, and other objects to pry food debris caught between two teeth. According to the ADA, people use devices from the sharp, pointed end of a knife, to the hard-plastic edge of a credit card or driver’s license to remove food debris. And if you are unable to clear the food debris, it’s best to call your dentist at Silvercreek Family Dental.

And another component to quality dental care, is to keep to a schedule of twice-yearly visits to your dentist at Silvercreek Family Dental.

The post Floss: How to Do It, and Why It’s Important appeared first on Silvercreek Family Dentistry.

There are several common symptoms for gum disease: redness, swollen gums, tender gums, gum tissue that bleeds, and bad breath. Yes, these are presentations of symptoms that could signal other types dental disease, but that’s one reason why it’s so important to pay a visit to your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental if you ever notice these symptoms. And don’t delay, because when Gingivitis is ignored the symptoms could worsen to the much scarier and much more difficult to treat periodontal disease. 

There are certain risk factors Gingivitis. Poor dental care is the most obvious, but did you know that genetics can have as much cause for the development of the disease as anything else? It’s true. Other risk factors include: tobacco (Say no to tobacco in general, there’s nothing positive about tobacco use), crooked teeth that are difficult to clean, diabetes and other systemic disease, medications taken because of systemic disease, oral contraceptives, and even pregnancy (Yes, during pregnancy a woman can develop Gingivitis as a result of the pregnancy). 

You may notice on the list of possible risk factors something you either have or take, but that doesn’t mean that you are going to contact gum disease. But it does mean that you need to be careful, and vigilant. You should brush your teeth twice each and every day, and floss once. And don’t forget to pay twice-yearly visits to your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental.

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Sometimes it can be tempting to skip a late-at-night tooth bushing, especially for children, and to reason that a quality tooth brushing can happen as soon as morning arrives. But the problem is that when teeth are not brushed the plaque continues to build up, and the possibilities begin for tooth decay and gum disease. If you have children, then the child should brush his or her teeth twice each and every day; they should also floss between any two teeth that touch. 

And while summertime has its own share of sugary treats, many of which are hard on teeth, try to remember to either refuse the types of treats that can harm teeth, or consume them only in moderation. It’s tempting when we’re at a barbeque or an outdoor event to graze (consume small amounts of food over a long period of time) but when we graze it can be difficult for the mouth, and its natural cleaning properties, to rid the surfaces of the teeth of food debris. So make sure to stay clear of grazing, and drink water instead of sugary drinks, because the water will help to clean the teeth. 

Most importantly have fun this summer, but just remember, that while you’re having fun, to eat/snack smarter. And remember that even though we tend to pack the summer months with activity, you should keep to regular dental visits; kids, too, would benefit from a summertime visit before the school season begins. So if you need to schedule your next appointment with your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental, then call today.

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The most important thing you can do at home to keep your teeth white and healthy is to brush twice, each and every day, and then floss at least once. You can brush with a toothpaste that has whitening ingredients. And remember that certain beverages like coffee and red wine do stain teeth. And make sure to keep to your twice yearly dental checkups to ensure that your mouth is professional cleaned, and healthy. 

One supposed cure-all for tooth whitening is baking soda combined with citrus. But the problem with the citrus is that when it’s used routinely, and used as a cleaning agent, its acids can break down the enamel on the surface of the teeth. And once that enamel is worn away it can no longer protect the teeth from cavities. There is also rumor that certain oils and the spice turmeric can whiten teeth. And indeed, there is some truth to oil pulling, notably that certain oil, such as coconut, can help to clean bacteria from the mouth. But there is no evidence that these methods help to achieve whiter teeth, especially not more than a simple cleaning routine. 

If you have any questions about how your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental can help you achieve a brighter, healthier, whiter smile then call today.

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Something as simple as an inhaler can cause problems within the mouth. When a person inhales the medication within the device they run the risk of a fungal infection within the mouth’s soft tissues. The fungal infection will appear as a small white dot on the surface of the soft tissues, and these infection spots can be surprisingly painful, especially if left untreated. 

Cancer treatments are another cause of poor dental health. In addition to the cancer treatment, you may want to speak with your dentist, assuming the Dr. who is administering your cancer treatment believes you are healthy enough to undergo dental treatment, to help maintain quality oral health. 

The next time you visit your dentist at Silver Creek Dental, be sure to mention the medications you are taking, especially when the medications include side effects that have a negative impact on dental health. You and your dentist can assume a treatment plan that could possibly negate the possible side-effects, or at the least, lessen the negative effects. 

Remember to keep to a regular dental care routine, brushing twice daily and flossing once, and visit your dentist at Silver Creek Dental every six months for a checkup/dental cleaning.

The post The Problems with Certain Medications and Dental Health appeared first on Silvercreek Family Dentistry.

The first of which is to make a quality mouth care routine and stick to it. Brush the teeth twice each and every day, and floss at least once. A damaged tooth is a compromised tooth; even a tooth with a filling is less strong than a healthy, intact tooth. So, keep to the regular dental care. And in addition to the regular care, everyone—whether an athlete or not—should keep to regular visits with his or her dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental. Every six months you should have your teeth cleaned, and have your dentist check your mouth for any changes/possible signs of potential problems. 

Also remember to wear a quality dentist-approved mouth guard anytime you are participating in a sport (You dentist can even help you customize a mouth guard). A mouth guard will protect an athlete’s teeth, gum tissue, jaw, etc., and the mouth guard should become an absolute necessity, even when the sport doesn’t require the constant use of one (Basketball? Baseball?). If an athlete struggles at first to get accustomed to his or her mouth guard, know that after a very short while the mouth guard will feel like another piece of the uniform ensemble; it will become second nature to wear the mouth guard anytime he or she plays sports. 

If you have any questions about mouth guards, or if it’s time to schedule your next appointment with your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental, then call today.

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Orange juice might not be your first choice for calcium, but more and more orange juice companies are adding calcium as a supplement. The only problem with orange juice? So many of the companies make orange juice that is over-the-top with sugars. When you choose and orange juice pay attention to the label; choose and orange juice that has both calcium and the actual juice of oranges. You’ll be fortified with calcium in one serving, and you’ll have a quality shot of Vitamin C as well. Just remember to stick to the recommended serving size, to avoid consuming too much sugar. 

Fish 

Fish are loaded with quality calcium, and the top choices are easy and cheap to purchase. caned fish, tuna, sardines, and anchovies, are loaded with quality calcium. Most of it is found the bones, so if you scrape away the bones from a sardine fillet, don’t—that’s quality calcium. 

Beans and Almonds 

Almonds are loaded with both calcium and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Beans are also loaded with a quality dose of calcium, and they are also packed with fiber, and plenty of vitamens and minerals. 

Non-Dairy Milk 

Milk is made from many different ingredients, and is easily in every grocery store. Soy milk, Coconut milk, Almond milk, etc., are all popular choices. 

Calcium is important, but so is quality dental care—brushing twice daily and flossing once. Remember that you should visit your dentist at Silver Creek Dental twice every year, and if it’s time for your next checkup/cleaning, then call today.

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Pain. Pain in your mouth, neck, or face could be caused by any number of reasons. Right now, in cold and flu season, pain in your teeth or around your jawline could be a sign of a sinus infection—not always, but it’s a possibility. But any pain directly in the areas of your gum line and teeth should be immediately checked out by your dentist. 

Pregnancy can sometimes exacerbate certain dental conditions such as gum disease. If you are pregnant, make sure to stick to your regular dental routine, and check in with your dentist in case certain conditions have evolved. 

If you have difficulty chewing or swallowing it could be a sign of a serious dental condition. Difficulty chewing, or pain directly in a tooth, is a symptom that should not be ignored. If you experience any pain while chewing make sure to see your dentist immediately. 

There are a number of reasons to see your dentist regularly, and the most important thing to remember is that most dental conditions will not simply go away without some intervention. Your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental can determine and treat dental problems before they become major. If you have any questions, or you would like to schedule your next dental appointment, then call Silver Creek Family Dental today.

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