For more information about cavities, or to schedule your next dental exam, contact Floss Dental. We also offer free Zoom2! Laser Whitening for life.

What causes erosion?

• Acidic foods. Acidic foods and drinks like fruits, juices, soft drinks and others slowly erode enamel. Try to minimize their effects by cutting back on these foods and drinks, or by rinsing your mouth with clean water after you eat or drink them. Also, drinking acidic drinks through a straw helps bypass your teeth, which in turn helps save your enamel. Contrary to what you might think, don’t brush immediately after eating acidic foods. Brushing while your enamel is already softened can actually cause further damage.
• Acid reflux or heartburn. These medical conditions bring acids from your stomach into your mouth, which then eat away at your enamel. Ask your physician about treatment, and be sure to mention it to your dentist as well. Your dentist may be able to provide you with some additional instructions to help you avoid erosion.
• Eating disorders. Bulimia, an eating disorder characterized by frequent binging and purging, can cause serious tooth enamel erosion problems. Any time you vomit, you are exposing your teeth directly to your stomach’s acids, which tear away at enamel.
• Alcoholism or binge drinking. Similar to the effects of bulimia, frequent vomiting (from drinking to excess) will wear away your teeth’s enamel.
• Vitamins. Certain drugs and vitamins, such as aspirin and Vitamin C, contain highly acidic ingredients. Just like acidic foods, these erode your teeth’s enamel.
• Hard brushing. Brushing your teeth harder doesn’t mean you’re getting them cleaner. Brushing hard can actually tear way at the enamel. Try using a toothbrush with soft bristles, and focus on brushing longer and more thoroughly, rather than harder and faster. (To learn more about selecting a good toothbrush, read our earlier post about toothbrushes. ) Also, try using a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your teeth.
• Dry mouth. Saliva is a natural way your body washes away bacteria in your mouth. If your mouth is dry, bacteria have more time to grow. Increase your water intake during the day to increase your saliva production. It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water after eating or drinking, especially when you can’t brush.

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, or to schedule your next appointment, contact Floss Dental.

• Pick the right brush. The first thing you should consider when you’re looking at toothbrushes is size. Select a brush that’s a comfortable fit for your mouth. You shouldn’t have to strain to get the brush in. Next, check the bristle type. Are they angled or flat? Either is fine—whichever is most comfortable for you to use. Soft or hard? Softer is better. Bristles that are too hard can wear down your enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. One thing a lot of people overlook is choosing a brush with a comfortable handle. You want to be as comfortable as possible when you’re brushing, since it’s something you should be doing multiple times a day.
• Timing is everything. Speaking of how often you brush, how many times a day do you think you should brush your teeth? And for how long? Most dentists recommend two times a day at the bare minimum. (Three times a day is even better.) The same rule applies for the amount of time you should spend brushing. Two minutes is the minimum, and three is ideal. Try setting a timer to see how long you actually brush. To help the time go by, turn on the radio and brush for the length of one song.

For more information about dental hygiene, or to schedule your next checkup, contact Floss Dental.

• Too much mouthwash. Mouthwash is a great tool for fighting plaque and bad breath, but don’t use it in excess. Too much mouthwash can make your teeth sensitive. If you’re using it multiple times a day and experiencing sensitivity, try cutting back to just once a day for a while. You can also ask your dentist for alternatives. They may be able to recommend another product with ingredients that are less harsh.
• Teeth whiteners. Have you ever used an at-home whitener, only to experience sensitive teeth afterwards? Most whiteners (and even some toothpaste) contain peroxide to brighten your smile, but this bleaching agent can cause sensitive teeth. If the pain starts to become too much, stop using the product and ask your dentist about alternatives.
• Brushing too hard. Harder brushing does not equate to cleaner teeth. In fact, using a “hard” toothbrush or brushing too hard can wear away tooth enamel and cause receding gums. Try a toothbrush with softer bristles or soften your touch.
• Cracked teeth. A broken or chipped tooth can be the site of severe sensitivity. If you know your tooth is cracked, or if you suspect it might be, contact your dentist and schedule an appointment for repairs before the pain gets any worse. Avoid hard or sticky foods that can cause cracks and chips in your teeth.
• Change up your routine. You can find all kinds of anti-sensitivity toothpastes and mouthwashes in stores. Experiment a little. Try switching to one of those, even if just temporarily, to see if it helps.

If you’re concerned about your sensitive teeth, or if the pain has become too much for you to endure, consult your dentist. Contact Floss Dental to schedule a dental exam.

• Handle with care. Dentures are delicate, so when you’re handling them, stand over a plush towel (or at least a sink) in case you drop them. Be sure to store them out of the reach of children or pets, who may easily knock them to the floor.
• Keep them clean. Brush and rinse your dentures daily. Just like natural teeth, food, bacteria and plaque can build up on them. Brushing also helps keep them from getting stained. Many stores sell toothbrushes specifically designed to clean dentures. Brush your dentures with water. Don’t forget to clean your gums and tongue as well. Even if you don’t have any natural teeth, you want to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
• Don’t let them dry out. When you’re not wearing your dentures, keep them soaking in water or a solution. Don’t use hot water because that can warp their shape. While you can certainly find many ultrasonic cleaners on the market (and they’re great tools), these are not a replacement for regular brushing. Look for products with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal.
• Consult your dentist. A dentist can help guide you towards the denture care routine that will work best for you. If you have any problems with your dentures, consult your dentist as soon as possible. Don’t attempt to repair them yourself.

It’s important that you take good care of your dentures to ensure they last as long as possible. Even with excellent care, you should still have your dentures relined, rebased or even remade after about five years or so. For more information about how you can care for your dentures, or to schedule a dental appointment, contact Floss Dental.

• Watch their meds. Most children’s medications are flavored with sugar. This is great to help get them to take it—but it’s bad for their teeth. This advice is even more important for children who take a daily medication, not just occasionally when they’re sick. If your child has a chronic illness that requires daily doses, you may need to increase their brushing. Try to have them take their medications right before brushing if the prescription allows for it. Keep an eye on your kids’ asthma inhalers as well. Some maintenance inhalers can promote bacterial growth, so have your child rinse out their mouth thoroughly with water each time before they use it (if possible).
• Bye bye, binky. Pacifiers are good at one thing: Pacifying crying babies. This is especially true when you’re trying to wean them off of the bottle. But after the age of two or three, it’s time to say “bye bye” to that binky. Pacifiers can cause misalignment in your child’s bite and even affect the shape of their mouth. Limit pacifier use as much as possible. But if you’re still having problems, try asking your pediatrician for tips and tricks to help your child kick the habit once and for all.
• Watch what they eat. It’s important to establish good eating habits for many reasons. Eating nutritious meals will help keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy. Avoid frequent snacking if at all possible. This will help keep sugars from building up on their teeth, which leads to decay and ultimately cavities.

For more information about keeping your kids’ teeth healthy, or to schedule their next dental checkup, contact Floss Dental. We can help you establish good dental habits for your children and keep their smiles healthy.

Follow these simple steps to keep your kids’ teeth healthy:

• Start from the very first tooth. As soon as your child gets their first tooth, it’s time to start brushing it. You can find soft infant toothbrushes at most pharmacies and large grocery stores. When your child is one year old, you need to schedule their first dental appointment. Starting early will actually help you save money because the dentist can make you aware of necessary preventative care specific to your child’s needs.
• Get them involved. As soon as your child is old enough, involve them directly in their oral hygiene routine. Teach them about brushing and flossing. Have some fun with it! Turn on their favorite song and have them brush all the way through it, or give them a sticker or some other small reward every time they brush. It’s important that you monitor their brushing—especially in the beginning—to ensure that they’re using the right technique and actually getting their teeth clean.
• Watch what they drink. What you give your child to drink is especially important when your child is still using a bottle or “sippy cup.” Giving a child a bottle with juice or formula when they go to bed at night can be detrimental to their overall oral health, leading to tooth decay and ultimately cavities. Continue controlling your child’s liquid intake as they graduate to sippy cups and beyond. Juice is fine for your child, but stick to a half-water/half-juice mix, and have them drink it all at one sitting. Allowing your child to carry around a juice sippy all day long is a recipe for decay because it will keep sugars on their teeth all of that time. While milk is better than juice, water is the best choice.

For more information about oral hygiene for your kids, or to schedule an appointment, contact Floss Dental. Also, keep checking our blog for more posts about how you can keep your kids’ teeth healthy.

A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes on the role that a root would for a natural tooth. Implants look and act like real teeth and are very durable. They also help maintain bone mass and prevent additional tooth loss and the sunken facial appearance associated with missing teeth.

So how does an implant work? If you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, you should first consult your dentist to see if you’re a candidate for a dental implant. At your initial appointment, your dentist will take X-rays and possibly CT scans of your mouth and head. Next, they’ll take impressions of your mouth, which will be used to create your customized restoration.

Your next visit will be a surgical appointment. The dentist will create a small incision, insert the implant, and then close it up. The implant will need to be left alone for three to six months to allow it to completely integrate with your mouth. During this time, your dentist can provide you with a temporary prosthesis to wear until the permanent replacement can be attached.

Once the implant has integrated and completely healed, your dentist will create the permanent tooth replacement and secure it onto the implant.

For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, contact Floss

1. Green tea. Green tea can prevent odor-causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth, therefore limiting the effects of bad breath.
2. Yogurt. Although it is a dairy product (and dairy is often a cause of bad breath), yogurt can actually reduce the amount of sulfur-producing bacteria. And as we learned in the last post, sulfur is a major contributor to bad breath. Specifically, look for yogurt high in vitamin D, and avoid brands high in sugar.
3. Herbs. Chewing on a sprig of parsley, spearmint, tarragon, rosemary, or eucalyptus can be great for fighting off bad breath. You can also add these to tea or hot water if you’d rather sip on something.
4. Sugar-free gum. The key here is sugar-free. Chewing gum after a meal can fight off bad breath and help prevent cavities. Try gums sweetened with Xylitol, an ingredient that has been shown to be extra effective at combating bad breath.
5. Crunchy food. Crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, raw zucchini and others increase saliva production, which helps cleanse your mouth and rid it of any bacteria and leftover food particles.

Your best bet at banishing bad breath is of course to maintain a good overall dental hygiene routine. For example, try to brush and floss after every meal. It’s also important to keep up with your regular dental appointments. Be sure to mention any bad breath problems to your dentist. Like we mentioned before, you should watch out for chronic bad breath, which can be sign of more serious health concerns taking place in your body.

For more information about fighting bad breath, or to schedule your next exam, contact Floss Dental. We also offer free Zoom2! Laser Whitening for life.