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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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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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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Avoid Sticky Foods 

Sticky foods such as taffy are terrible for teeth. The problem with a sticky food is that it doesn’t easily wash off teeth. Even dried fruit such as applies and cranberries need to be washed from the surface of teeth immediately following a meal. 

Overly Sugary Drinks 

Egg nog and other holiday goodie-type drinks are loaded with sugars. When you drink these types of beverages—in moderation!– remember to also drink water. Water will help wash away the sugars from the teeth. And alcohol will dry out your mouth. 

Curse of Hard Candy 

Hard candy is terrible for teeth. Yes, there is sugar in hard candy and sugar can be damaging. But even the small round peppermint candies Santa leaves behind in some stockings can chip or crack a tooth. When you consume hard candy, make sure that you don’t bite down when the candy is still intact; biting down and chewing on hard candy might work ninety-nine times out of one hundred, but then there is that one time when the teeth strike the candy awkwardly, or the candy is built too solid for the teeth to handle, and damage occurs. Not good! A cracked or chipped tooth can be painful, and require an immediate and unfortunate trip to your dentist at Silver Creek Dental. 

If you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule your next routine checkup with your dentist at Silver Creek Dental, then call today.

The post Stay Cavity-Free This Holiday… Here’s How appeared first on Silvercreek Family Dentistry.

It is important to care for those baby teeth before those teeth are in the mouth. What does that mean? That means gently scrubbing the baby’s gum line with a damp cloth (make sure it is a very, very soft washcloth) or a gauze pad to keep the gum line clean and free of plaque. The moment those teeth begin to ascend up through the gums they are immediately susceptible to harm via bacteria—decay can occur immediately. And the act of rubbing a child’s gums with a gentle washcloth or gauze pad should help to alleviate the soreness that accompanies the sprouting of teeth.

And remember that a child’s first tooth or teeth should be inspected by your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental. It’s such an important time for your dentist to inspect your child’s mouth, but also for your child to become accustomed to the dentist. If a child has a quality experience then he or she should be more confident and comfortable in the dentist’s office, a comfort that they will hopefully carry with them throughout life.

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One primary reason is that your mouth is chock-full (naturally) with bacteria. It’s amazing to think, but a person’s mouth is a consistently moist environment, and the bacteria that live there are able to thrive. There’s always bacteria in our mouth, and that’s one of the primary reasons not to eat or drink things with excess sugars (bacteria consume the sugar in the mouth and produce acids that can harm the teeth). And bacterial Infections can easily be caused at the site of a piercing or a tongue splitting. If not treated properly, the infection can quickly become life threatening. If you have an oral piercing, and you notice a swelling or an unexpected redness at the site, then you should contact your physician.

Another issue with oral piercings is the damage the piercing can cause to the gums and teeth. If a person plays with the piercing, it could strike or scratch the teeth and gums, causing damage to the surface of the teeth or even to the tooth fillings.

A piercing could also cause interfere with speech. A pierced tongue, cheek, or uvula (the uvula is the “dangly thing” at the back of the throat) can interfere with speech—it can even interfere with chewing or swallowing. It could also potentially cause nerve damage. A nerve injured by a piercing may affect a person’s sense of taste—the damage could potentially be irreversible.

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Gum works to ward off dry mouth, because it keeps the salivary glands in function. The increase in saliva also cleans the surfaces of the teeth, removing debris. The increase in saliva also brings calcium and phosphate to the teeth, and this will strengthen the tooth enamel (Enamel, remember, is the hard-outer coating on the surface of teeth).

The one thing to remember, however, is that chewing sugar free gum will not replace a quality oral care routine. You should only use sugar free gum after meals, or at snacking times, times when it’s impossible to properly clean the teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You should continue to brush your teeth twice daily, and work the brush over all the surfaces of the teeth, front and back, and brush for at least two minutes. Flossing it equally important and should be completed each and every day. Your teeth will continue to develop plaque every day, and the development of plaque will progress into full-blown gum disease if left uncleaned. And always remember to visit your dentist at Silver Creek Dental for regular checkups and cleanings. It’s an important component to quality holistic dental care. You need each component of dental care to build a healthy mouth, and the helpful tips, such as how chewing sugar free gum will ward off tooth decay, are not meant as a substitute for quality care.

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