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Tag: Dental Services

How Long Should I Brush My Teeth? Optimal Brushing Habits for Good Oral Health

Posted on by tina

Maintaining strong teeth and a healthy smile is crucial, and practicing good oral hygiene is the key. One of the essential habits for maintaining oral health is brushing your teeth regularly. In this article, we will explore the optimal brushing habits, including how long to brush, the best times to brush, and the benefits of sugar-free gum. If you’re looking for professional dental care, schedule an appointment with our experts today. 

How Many Times Should I Brush My Teeth?

To achieve good oral health, it is necessary to brush your teeth twice daily. Brushing once in the morning and once before bed is recommended. Additionally, if feasible, brushing your teeth after lunch is encouraged. If brushing after lunch isn’t possible, thorough rinsing of the mouth can help dislodge food particles and maintain mouth cleanliness. 

What Happens If I Brush My Teeth Too Long?

Each brushing session should last at least two minutes. This ensures that your toothbrush reaches all surfaces of your teeth, including the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces. Brushing for too long, however, can have negative consequences. Excessive brushing can lead to the use of excessive force, which may result in tooth enamel erosion and gum damage. These conditions can ultimately cause tooth sensitivity. 

How Long After Eating Should I Brush My Teeth?

If you have breakfast before brushing your teeth, it’s recommended to wait for about an hour before brushing. Acidic foods can soften tooth enamel, and brushing immediately after eating can remove the enamel, which acts as a protective layer against tooth decay. 

Is It Bad to Eat after Brushing My Teeth?

Eating after brushing your teeth is generally fine. However, if you are prone to cavities, it’s advisable to wait as long as possible after brushing to allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to strengthen your tooth enamel. 

Is it OK to Chew Gum after Brushing My Teeth?

Chewing gum after brushing is acceptable, provided it is sugar-free. Sugar-free gum containing artificial sweeteners like sorbitol or xylitol does not cause tooth decay. In fact, chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal helps neutralize acids that erode enamel. Other benefits include reducing plaque buildup, stimulating saliva production to combat dry mouth and bad breath, and reducing certain types of bacteria and cancer-causing agents. 

What’s the Best Time to Brush My Teeth?

Establish a habit of brushing your teeth once in the morning and again before bed. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride. Nighttime is also the ideal time to floss your teeth, removing food particles that lead to plaque and tooth decay. 

Maintaining good oral health requires adopting optimal brushing habits. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, avoiding excessive force. Wait for about an hour after eating before brushing if you have consumed acidic foods. Chewing sugar-free gum after brushing can provide additional oral health benefits.

For professional dental care and guidance, schedule an appointment with our experts. We offer convenient office hours, walk-in appointments, and affordable care options. 

Strengthen Your Teeth and Gums with Essential Vitamins

Posted on by tina

Maintaining good dental hygiene is crucial for the health of your teeth and gums. However, there’s an additional step you can take to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. While a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in refined carbs, caffeine, and excess sugar is beneficial, vitamin supplementation can further enhance gum health and prevent tooth decay.

Vitamin A

Healing Inflamed Gum Tissues Vitamin A plays a vital role in healing inflamed gum tissues and maintaining the mucous membranes and soft tissue of the mouth. It also boosts resistance to infections. Food sources of vitamin A include beef, liver, milk, cheese, and eggs. When taking supplements, it’s best to consume them with a meal to aid in absorption.

Vitamin B

Protecting Teeth and Gums Vitamin B deficiencies can lead to toothaches, receding gums, and increased sensitivity of the mucous membranes in the mouth. Optimal absorption of vitamin B complex supplements is achieved by taking them under the tongue. Meat, eggs, dairy products, legumes, leafy greens, and fish are some of the natural food sources of the B vitamins.

Vitamin C

Healing Bleeding Gums Vitamin C is essential for promoting the healing of bleeding gums and preventing gum inflammation. Combining bioflavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables, with vitamin C can assist in the prevention of the formation of plaque around the teeth that can lead to cavities.

Vitamin D

Preventing Gum Inflammation Adequate vitamin D levels can help prevent gum inflammation and aid in the absorption of calcium, necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy teeth. Sun exposure is the best source of vitamin D, but you can also find it in cheese, milk, and fatty fish.

Vitamin E

Antioxidant for Gum Health Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can be beneficial to the gums for tissue healing. It’s even been used to alleviate soreness during infant teething. Foods rich in vitamin E include sunflower seeds, turnip greens, tomato paste, and peanut butter.

If you have questions about your oral health or concerns about vitamin intake for you or your child, schedule an appointment with our friendly and knowledgeable dentists at the nearest Dental365 location. We provide comprehensive dental services and offer walk-in appointments and affordable care with financing options.

Teeth Grinding at Night: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

Posted on by tina

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common habit that primarily occurs during sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain and dental damage. In this article, we’ll explore the signs of teeth grinding, its long-term effects, and effective treatment options. 

What does it mean if you grind your teeth? 

During sleep, many individuals unconsciously grind, gnash, or clench their teeth, resulting in forceful contact that can cause significant damage. Although bruxism can occur during the day, it is most prevalent at night. Surprisingly, most people who grind their teeth are unaware of this habit until their partner informs them. 

Signs that you may be grinding your teeth: 

It’s important to be aware of potential symptoms since teeth grinding often goes unnoticed. Look out for the following signs: 

  • Sore and painful jaw 
  • Headaches 
  • Earaches 
  • Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli 
  • Facial pain 
  • Dental damage, such as flattened, chipped, or worn-down teeth 
  • Difficulty sleeping 
  • Stiff shoulders 

Potential long-term damage caused by teeth grinding: 

Untreated teeth grinding can result in the following long-term consequences: 

  • Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder, which damages the joints in your jaw 
  • Tooth damage, including breakage or excessive wear that may necessitate root canals or replacement teeth 
  • Loose teeth 
  • Aggravation of existing gum inflammation 
  • Reduced jaw mobility 

Managing and treating teeth grinding: 

In some cases, making lifestyle changes can help reduce bruxism. Consider the following approaches: 

  • Seek stress relief through exercise, massage, yoga, or other relaxation techniques 
  • Avoid stimulants in the evenings, including caffeine, smoking, and excessive television 
  • Correct malocclusions (Braces or Invisalign) 
  • Replace missing teeth to stabilize your bite 
  • Correct defective dental restorations 

If lifestyle modifications do not provide sufficient relief, additional remedies may be necessary. 

Night guards are a commonly prescribed and highly effective treatment for clenching or grinding teeth. Your dentist can create a custom mouth guard typically made of hard acrylic by taking a mold or digital scan of your teeth and mouth. This guard is worn only at night, typically on the upper teeth. 

Following treatment for teeth grinding any resulting long-term damage can be corrected using dental crowns or other appropriate methods. 

If you experience one or more symptoms of teeth grinding, do not hesitate to contact Dental365. With multiple convenient locations, we offer extended business hours on weekdays, are open seven days a week, and provide emergency dental services.