There is a lot of conflicting information regarding the order in which you should brush your teeth. It is logical to think that brushing right after eating is the best thing to do because your mouth is dirty and has all these food particles between your teeth. The short answer to this common question is, it depends.

Brushing Your Teeth in the Morning

Some people brush their teeth before they even shower, as they can’t tolerate the morning breath taste in their mouth or perhaps they don’t brush their teeth before bed. It may be better for your oral health to brush first thing in the morning in this case.

Your mouth is full of bacteria that can react to certain foods, especially after the sleeping hours. Cleaning your mouth in the morning will remove the harmful elements in your saliva and adds protective fluoride before foods touch your teeth.

Should You Brush Before Bed?

Brushing your teeth before bed is essential. In many cases, you don’t have time or access to a toothbrush at work or school. This means you haven’t brushed your teeth since you left the house and you ate lunch or snacks during the day. If you get too tired at night to spend two minutes brushing your teeth, try to do it about 20 minutes after eating your last meal to give them time to recover from the acidity in the foods you had. Don’t skip brushing your teeth before bed and don’t forget to floss at least once a day.

In people with good oral health, there is no problem with eating after brushing his or her teeth. However, those who are prone to cavities should wait. There is no set time you should wait, and you can also let the taste of the toothpaste wash away before having a snack or drink.

It is indisputable that your overall and oral health are intimately connected. With scientific research, the way in which people view dentistry has changed dramatically in recent years, and we now focus on our patient’s overall health.

There was a time when going to the dentist was seen as a form of torture, but with recent discoveries, we realize how important having a healthy mouth is for your general well-being.

People who suffer from kidney disease are particularly susceptible to dental infections. Something that can be easily solved in a person with good health can be a grave problem to someone with kidney issues.

Kidney Disease and Periodontal Disease

The primary function of the kidneys is to manage all the waste our body produces. When a person has a disease in these organs, their immune system is compromised, and it doesn’t fight infection as effectively as it does in a healthy individual.

Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that has become chronic, generally due to neglect and lack of professional dental care. As the infection progresses, someone with limited kidney function won’t be able to fight off the disease as effectively.

Gum disease can also make a person more susceptible to periodontal disease because one of the common symptoms of kidney disease is bone loss, which can affect the jawbone. Teeth can become loose with a weaker jaw and could eventually fall out if the situation is not brought under control with dental treatment.

It is critical that you let us know if you have kidney disease because some of the medications we use can interact with dialysis treatment and cause more bleeding during a dental procedure. Moreover, a kidney transplant can be delayed until after treatment for gum disease, or severe tooth decay is completed. We recommend you advise your treating doctor of any dental procedure in advance.

Fear of the dentist is one of the most common phobias, and many people suffer from this issue. However, you don’t have to suffer in silence, and your oral health doesn’t have to be jeopardized by avoiding the dentist.

The best thing that you can do to ease your dental fears is to tell your dentist about them. There are plenty of ways that we can help you to feel more comfortable throughout the process.

Let Us Help with Your Dental Fears

The foundation of any good relationship is open communication, and this is no different with your dentist. It is important that you are vocal about your anxiety, fears, and apprehensions as soon as possible. This way, you give us the chance to evaluate your situation and to create a plan of action going forward.

Tips for Easing Fear during Your Dental Exam

There are several ways that you can feel more relaxed and at ease throughout your dental appointment:

• Bring a companion. Having a trusted friend or family member with you may make you feel more comfortable.
• Consider sedation dentistry. A variety of sedation options are available, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, local anesthetics, or IV sedation. Your dentist can determine if you might be a suitable candidate.
• Use a distraction. Consider bringing in some music and headphones to keep your mind occupied throughout your exam.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Certain relaxation exercises may help you to remain calm throughout treatment. Controlled breathing is one of the best options, and mindfulness meditation may also be useful.

Regular appointments with your dentist are essential to maintain good oral health. If you are apprehensive about your upcoming appointment, please call us and let us know. We can help to ease your fears and explain how we’ll ensure your comfort in our office.

The term “root canal” is strong enough to strike fear into many hearts and souls. Much of this fear is based on myths about the procedure.

When you bypass these myths, you’ll see just why root canals are so important for the health of your teeth and your entire body.

Myth: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful

One of the biggest myths about root canals is that they are extremely painful. Pain and root canals are often associated but the connection is usually incorrect Painful teeth are more often made comfortable with a root canal. Dentists often make people feel better.

This is also one of the reasons that so many people dread the procedure. In reality, the pain level associated with a root canal is no more than that of a typical filling. Advances in sedation dentistry will further improve your comfort level, so there is nothing to fear.

Myth: It is Better to Remove the Tooth

Sure, there are times when removing a tooth is the only possible option, but it should always be the last resort. Extraction leaves an empty space in your mouth, and if you don’t fill it with an implant, bridge, or another restoration, you are asking for long-term problems. Your teeth might shift and you will likely suffer jawbone loss. It is always better to try and save your existing teeth.

Myth: Root Canals Always Fail

Root canals are a highly successful and long-lasting procedure. Most of them encounter no issues and the treated teeth can last a lifetime. There are always exceptions to that rule, though, and there are times when a root canal may need to be repeated.

The nerve root branches off into many tiny little hallways, and if one is missed, the infection may remain. A repeat root canal may be required, but again, this is rare and certainly not the norm. The key to success is being treated by competent dentists.

Do you have questions about your upcoming root canal, or do you simply want to learn more about the process? If so, please give our office a call today.

Vegetables are widely known to be healthy food items that can offer you a wide range of benefits, from helping you lose or manage your weight to increased heart health, reduced cholesterol, increase immunity, and more.

But, did you know that vegetables are also good for your oral health? Snacking on various veggies can help to keep your teeth clean, strong, and healthy. Below is a look at some of these veggies.

Carrots

Carrots are among the most nutritious foods. Among the many health benefits of carrots, they contain keratin, which helps to fight tooth decay, thus keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Carrots also act like a toothbrush when you snack on them. The fiber of carrots, when mixed with saliva, polishes away food particles stuck in your teeth, as well as oral bacteria.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, lettuce, mustard green, asparagus, and cabbage are other types of vegetables that act as natural toothbrushes. These vegetables have a high-fiber content, which, when mixed with saliva, washes away the dental plaque and the food particles stuck in your oral cavity.

In addition to cleaning your teeth, these vegetables contain various nutrients, for example, vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and others, which help to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Celery

Celery is another healthy vegetable that offers numerous oral health benefits. It contains a lot of fiber, which helps to wash away plaque and food particles stuck in your teeth. It is also very watery and thus helps to fight dry mouth. The extra chewing required when eating celery (due to its high fiber content) also helps to increase the production of saliva in your mouth.

Raw Onions

Research studies have shown that raw onions are very useful in fighting bacteria that cause bad breath. Therefore, adding a few slices of raw onions to your vegetable salad or sandwich can help to keep oral bacteria at bay. Of course, after you finish your snack, you will need to brush your teeth or chew some mints, else you will end up with bad breath – exactly what you were trying to avoid.

In addition to observing proper oral hygiene, you can keep your oral cavity clean, fresh, and healthy using various natural remedies. Get in touch with us to find out more natural ways to improve your oral health.

During the hot summer months, it is important to stay hydrated while also considering which beverages are best for your oral health.

Acidic and overly sweet drinks can cause some major damage to your teeth and gums, especially with prolonged consumption.

Read on to find out what beverages might actually improve your oral health.

Water

Water is the best possible beverage for your body – for your teeth and for the rest of your system. Water will help to wash away bacteria, food particles, and acid from the teeth before they have a chance to damage the enamel. Water is also free of sugar, which makes it a good substitute for soda or other sweetened drinks that wreak havoc on the teeth.

Green Tea

Tea – specifically green tea – is another great option for your mouth. Unlike acidic beverages, green tea does not offer any erosive effects, and it also works wonders on control bacteria levels in the mouth. This will ultimately lower dental plaque and salivary acidity. The results will be a reduced risk for cavity and tooth decay.

In addition to preventing against decay, green tea offers many other helpful benefits to the mouth. This tea kills off microbes that may lead to bad breath, and it can also reduce inflammation in the gums that leads to periodontal disease. Additionally, some studies have found a connection between green tea and reduced oral cancer risk.

Milk

Calcium is incredibly important for the health of your teeth, specifically the enamel. Milk is a major source of calcium, making it a great drink to maintain strong, healthy teeth. Milk also contains an important protein known as caseins, which create a protective film over the enamel, enhancing the decay-resistant ability of the teeth.

Are you interested in other ways that you can improve your oral health? Call us today to set up your next appointment.

Aloe Vera has been used for over 2,000 years in the treatment of skin issues. Today, it’s being used to treat oral health problems too.

This is because it’s been shown to help our bodies heal faster while also reducing pain such as that which is associated with canker sores, cold sores, and mouth ulcers.

How Aloe Vera Works

You can either drink Aloe Vera juice or apply the gel topically to your affected area. This comes from a plant that most people already know will help them with their sunburn throughout the summertime. It’s been shown to accelerate healing while also reducing pain for everything from bacterial to fungal infections. Additionally, Aloe Vera also has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties because it contains amino acids and vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C.

When you decide to use Aloe Vera to treat oral sores and ulcers you should use it like a lip balm. Make sure to apply it to the area three times daily until the lesion dries up. After you apply the Aloe Vera make sure you always wash your hands because these things are quite contagious. If the sore or ulcer is located inside your mouth, you’ll want to drink Aloe Vera juice instead. This way it comes into contact with the “infected” area.

When you Should see Your Dentist Instead

Although Aloe Vera does have healing and soothing properties, it’s not always the best course of action or treatment. When you have mouth sores it’s possible that they’re caused by a disease or disorder. This is why you should always contact our office and set up an appointment to have us look at them – especially when they’ve lasted for a week or longer. So, if you’re suffering from such a long-lasting sore, make sure you contact us today.

Your teeth are made to last a lifetime, so you need to make sure they are healthy and well cared for. Fortunately, mouthwash can help them to stay healthy. For some of us making mouthwash a daily part of your oral hygiene routine can improve the health of your teeth.

Removes Plaque

One of the main benefits that mouthwash has to offer your teeth is plaque prevention. Mouthwash can prevent plaque buildup on the gums, the surface of the teeth, and those tough-to-reach spaces between the teeth.

However, the use of mouthwash should never become a substitute for brushing. While mouthwash can prevent plaque buildup, it cannot remove existing plaque.

Prevents Cavity Formation

The regular use of mouthwash can fight cavity formation and decay. Some mouthwashes contain fluoride, which is important when it comes to strengthening the enamel against decay. When your enamel is strong, the risk of cavities drops. Make sure that you always choose a mouthwash that contains fluoride in order to reap this benefit.

Rinses Away Food Debris

Mouthwash isn’t just for use after you brush. You can use it at any time, and it will help to remove loose food particles from your teeth. Then, when you go to brush and floss later on, it will be easier to get these particles out of your mouth.

Freshens the Breath

While fresh breath might not necessarily impact your oral health, it is certainly a benefit. By reducing the bacteria level in your mouth, you’ll minimize your coffee breath in the morning. There are plenty of flavor choices available to create the scent you desire.

Whether you need help choosing a mouthwash or have other questions about oral hygiene, we are here for you. We want your teeth to be as healthy and beautiful as possible. Contact us today to set up your next evaluation or dental cleaning.