As a parent, we know you have so much on your plate already. We certainly don’t want to add to it, but we do want to help improve the quality of life for you and your family! Oral hygiene is more than just brushing and flossing; the goal of family dentistry is to make oral hygiene enjoyable and simple so that people of all ages are more willing to take care of their smiles. Why is this so important to us? Because we know that an unhealthy mouth can cause more health and problems throughout the body. Plus, people who are happy with their smiles are typically much more confident and happier in general. Check out these eight oral hygiene tips so mouth-health becomes a simple priority for your family. 1. Brush and floss properly How, …
Best Tips for Preventing Cavities in Children
When you think about the most common infectious disease in children, tooth decay probably isn’t what comes to mind first. However, almost half of children in the United States have it. Tooth decay in kids is responsible for the loss of over 51 million hours of school. Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in toddlers and children. Also referred to as tooth decay, a cavity is a permanently damaged area in a tooth. They can develop in your child’s primary or baby teeth, and if so, you might shrug it off — your child will eventually lose these teeth, right? So what does it matter? But you shouldn’t ignore a cavity. Here’s what you need to know about cavities in kids, including common causes, treatment options, and …
What is considered is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dental care includes actions taken by a patient to prevent against oral diseases and maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime. These actions include daily brushing with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet – along with scheduling regular oral exams and professional cleanings. Dental insurance plans tend to prioritize preventive dental care because of the important role it plays in overall oral health. Therefore, preventive dental services are often covered at 100 percent with minimal or no deductibles or co-pays (in other words, minimal out-of-pocket costs). In addition, with most plans, preventive services are not counted against your annual maximum. Which services or …
Flossing vs Waterpik: Pros & Cons
Let me get straight to the point here. There has and will continue to be debate as to which is better for you, flossing or using water flossers like those made by Waterpik. The simple answer is, you should use and stick with whichever you feel most comfortable with. Providing you use either, daily, with the right technique, your oral health should improve. However, it is useful to understand the differences and why you might want to try or use one over the other, so read on to find out about using a Waterpik vs Flossing. Flossing Brushing your teeth cleans only 60% of the tooth surface. That leaves some 40% of your teeth unclean and covered in residue food particles and bacteria. Left untouched the bacteria grows to form …
5 Steps to a Fantastic Floss
We know we should floss at least once a day, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. Use this step-by-step guide to find out how to properly floss your teeth: Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly …
Cavities
Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well. Cavities and tooth decay are among the world's most common health problems. They're especially common in children, teenagers and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants. If cavities aren't treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best …
Floss Picks vs. Traditional Floss
Ever wonder how Lowcountry Family Dentistry decides on Facebook posts and blog subject matter? Typically our subjects are prompted by several patients asking the same question. If multiple patients have the same question it figures others might have be wondering the same thing. That being said, today's topic hits closer to home. Although a dental professional, I am also a mom and wife. As with many married couples, my husband and I were raised a little differently, Despite the fact we both want what's best for our children and are usually on the same page, there are a few things we debate. One of those debates is whether traditional floss or a floss pick is better for the kids. I'm in the traditional floss camp, and he thinks …
Flossing
Do I really need to floss? Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque and, in some ways, more important than the toothbrush. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing and many never have been taught the proper way to floss. What type of floss is the best? Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. They all clean and remove plaque. Wide floss, also known as dental tape, may be helpful for people with a …