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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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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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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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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You should change your toothbrush whenever it begins to appear frayed. Broken, frayed bristles are poor cleaners of the teeth, so throw away a bad toothbrush the moment you begin to see deterioration. If the brush holds its shape and continues to appear effective, then abide by the rule to change out the brush every three to four months. 

When you brush your teeth how long do you spend at the sink? Did you know that the average person only spends forty-five seconds brushing his or her teeth? It’s true. And your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental would definitely prefer you to spend two minutes at the sink, brushing. If you have any doubt about the amount of time spent, then set a timer. You can use a simple baking timer, set to two minutes. Your phone’s clock is also likely capable. A timer that goes off with an alarm or a buzz can be a fun way for a child to end a tooth brushing session. 

You also want to be careful how hard you press with the toothbrush. It’s common for people to push too hard, and the bristles can cause damage to both the teeth and surrounding gum tissue. You will also want to use a toothbrush that’s soft-bristled or medium-bristled. The stiff-bristled brush can cause damage to the gum tissue and should be avoided. If you have any question as to which toothbrush will work best for you, speak with your dentist. 

Often people think it’s best to brush immediately following a meal, but it’s actually best to wait sixty minutes. If you have consumed something acidic, it’s possible that a brushing will only spread the acid around the mouth. 

If you have any questions about toothbrushes, or if it is time to schedule your next checkup with your dentist at Silver Creek Dental, then call 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.

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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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If you have a cavity, even as an adult (sometimes people have the misconception that only children get cavities), know that it is a very common problem for all people in the world. The damage caused by cavities becomes especially pronounced when the cavity is allowed to persist, untreated. The cavity can grow and grow and the layers of the tooth most affected by the cavity get progressively deeper—and more invasive to treat as well.

Symptoms of a Cavity:

From Infant to Adulthood

Depending on the location and the severity of the initial cavity, symptoms vary. Initially the cavity may not be accompanied by symptoms. Common symptoms include toothache and spontaneous pain—usually the pain and discomfort associated with a cavity occur without any apparent cause. A person with a cavity may also experience a sharp or uncomfortable pain in the damaged tooth. When he or she inspects the teeth in the mirror he or she may notice a small spot—black, brown, or white—on the surface of the tooth. He or she may even experience pain in the jaw—the offending tooth may not cause pain at the sight of the cavity but in the jaw.

It’s important to see your dentist at Silver Creek Family Dental at the first sign of a possible cavity. The sooner your dentist gets to the damage the easier it will be to treat. Also, because your dentist at Silver Creek Dental can detect cavities and other dental issues before a patient becomes symptomatic, it’s important to keep with a regular checkup schedule and terrific oral care routine.

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Turn the Two-Minute-Rule into an Event

Oftentimes we teach children the importance of brushing for at least two minutes by placing a timer on the counter and supervising them while they brush through the required time. But there are ways to make that two minutes of time more fun and enjoyable: consider playing music during that time, use apps on your phone (There are several apps that make that two minute-tooth-brushing time fun), tell a short story, etc. Whatever you choose to do to make tooth brushing important and fun, and remember to be creative. Make that time enjoyable, a twice-daily routine that your child looks forward to doing each day.

Routine

Usually, as adults, we have a way of doing things each and every day—i.e. a routine. And our children shouldn’t be any different. A child, too, should have several things in his or her day that are done in almost the same manner. Routines make an event such as teeth cleaning second nature.

Relevancy

There are many ways to make teeth cleaning relevant, but one of the simplest is to allow him or her to be involved in the process of buying a toothbrush. Allow them to pick out a favorite character or a color, and as long as the toothbrush is built for children and comes with the ADA Seal of Approval, you can’t go wrong.

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Causes of Bad Breath

The most common cause, outside of the obvious cause of food and drink (expectations for fresh breath should be low after a person eats garlic or onion) is bacteria. Bacteria naturally live in our mouth, and when we eat the bacteria also consume the food debris and sugars left over in the mouth. The waste product that these bacteria produce tends to be foul-smelling. One way to combat this is to stay hydrated, drink plenty of water because water washes food debris from out teeth. You can almost limit snacking, which will both limit the opportunity for bacteria to feed. Remember also to brush twice a day and to floss at least once.

When bacteria thrive, however, gum disease sets in. a constant bad taste in the mouth can be a sign that you have already have gum disease. Gum disease is treatable—easily treatable in its early stages—and to treat it properly you should pay a visit to your dentist at Silvercreek dentistry.

Another reason for bad breath that people don’t often think of is medications. Certain medications can come with the side effect of dry mouth; antihistamines are always a possible culprit. Equally so, however, a sinus condition can cause bad breath as easily as its treatment antihistamine.

Remember also that bad breath could be a sign of something more serious, and when a person begins to suffer chronic bad breath, for no real apparent reason, he or she should visit his or her dentist at Silvercreek Dentistry to check for a more serious condition.

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