Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics, Author at Pinnacle Center

Bone Loss and Overall Health

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

There have been many great advances in dentistry with new and modern practices. Some of these advances have even helped with our general life expectancy and quality of life. But when it comes to getting older, or some conditions in our medical history, we might often then lose some of our teeth. After a significant amount of time with the loss of teeth, there will be bone loss and with modern dentistry it can be reversed.

When we lose teeth for various reasons, the space where the tooth previously was, loses its stimulation and blood flow. In order to have a healthy jaw, it needs the constant stimulation of every day chewing. This creates stimulation to the muscles around the bone, and keeps the bone healthy as well. So when we lose our teeth, and don’t immediately have a graft or dental implant installed, that current structure might collapse due to atrophy. This type of bone loss was ignored in the past by traditional dentistry.

With the loss of teeth, the bone loss first starts with a decrease in width. This is a 25% decrease in width during the first year, and an inch decrease in height following multiple extractions. If a denture or partial is given, this can cause discomfort and pain because the thin gum tissue is laying over a narrow bone.

Nerves in the lower jaw that were previously protected by bone, end up becoming exposed and then sit on top of the ridge, right under the denture. This results in acute pain and/or temporary to permanent sensation loss or feeling. If you have bone loss in the upper jaw, it might cause pain and increase the chances of the upper denture moving during eating. Chewing with a denture that’s moving or is wrongly fitted does not cause stimulation, but instead reduces the blood supply and increases the chances or more bone loss.

Cosmetic Effects of Tooth/Bone Loss

The effects of bone loss are not only detrimental to your jaw, but it does cause your facial appearance to change. The loss of teeth can actually add a decade or more years to the face. Your facial height decreases, and causes several facial changes. With the loss of vertical bone, the bite relationship diminishes and as a result, the chin rotates forward giving a poorer appearance. It also causes the patient to look like they’re constantly frowning. Then the muscle that is lost, start to show in the upper lip and creates more long lines around the mouth, and a deepening of the groove next to the nose.

Health Effects

A recent study of denture wearers found that almost half showed a low chewing performance, which resulted in lower intakes of fruits and vegetables. Those patients also took significantly more medications compared to those with superior chewing ability, and almost 30% were taking medications for stomach or intestinal disorders. The study provides several reports that suggest that compromised dental function results in poor swallowing and chewing performance. This also results in illness favoring, debilitation, negative effects on overall health, and shortened life expectancy.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Now that modern dentists know about bone loss after tooth loss or removal, the main procedure to fix the gap where the tooth has been lost, is dental implants. When the dental implants are going to be surgically placed, sometimes a bone graft is need for those areas with bone loss or in the sinus cavity. After the bone grafting is successful, they install the post directly into the jaw bone. This stimulates bone growth and blood supply, and ultimately improves all of the disadvantages from bone loss.

So if you or anyone in your family have had tooth removal and/or loss, and are interested in dental implants, please contact us at The Silberg Center for Dental Science. Dr. Silberg can address any of your needs and get you on your way back to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Cleaning and Flossing Dental Implants

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

The advantages of dental implants are well known. They provide confidence and security for your new teeth and your new smile, support and maintain your jaw bone and facial structure, and they’re more reliable than other treatments. But once you’ve gotten your dental implants, maintenance is vital, just as it is for natural teeth. How can you maintain them so they’ll remain clean, safe and effective for as long as possible?

Believe it or not, the strategies to keeping your dental implants fresh and healthy are the same as the ones you use to take care of your natural teeth. And just like natural teeth, failure to properly care for them can cause gum disease, damage to the prosthetic teeth, or in more serious cases, loss of gum tissue or loss of bone. Severe damage can even necessitate the removal of the implants and surgical procedures to correct damage to the tissues and structure of the mouth.

But all that can be prevented by simple hygiene and regular trips to the dentist. It is important to brush your teeth, natural and prosthetic, at least twice a day for about 90 seconds per brushing. When brushing, be sure to brush every surface, even hard to reach places in the back. Brushing by itself, however, won’t get all of the food remnants or plaque from between your teeth that will eat at the base of your teeth and possibly cause gum disease. Regular, proper flossing is necessary to remove the plaque and prevent infection. Use a long strand of floss or flossing tool to thoroughly scrape all tooth surfaces in the spaces between teeth. Using a water jet instead of floss can be easier to get gunk out and easier on the gums.

Another important aspect of proper dental care is regular trips to come see Dr. Silberg for both check-ups and cleaning. These visits should occur every six months at the very most. Dr. Silberg will x-ray your implants and probe the gums around them to ensure that the gums are healthy and everything is going well with the implants. He will also perform a professional cleaning, removing plaque you may have missed. You can also take the opportunity to review your hygiene habits and supplies and ask him any questions you may have.

With these simple steps, it’s an easy thing to keep your implants clean and your mouth healthy, which makes life a more pleasant place to be and helps you avoid the sorrow of oral disease or loss of implants. Schedule a checkup and cleaning appointment with us today so we can help keep your smile sparkling

Am I A Good Candidate for Dental Implants

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

For many, dental implants offer a better alternative to traditional prosthetics for missing teeth. Dental implants:

Can be matched and fitted to your existing, healthy teeth.
Have a high track record of success.
Offer cosmetic enhancement over other tooth replacement solutions.

We offer some basic background on dental implants, a great start for research if you are considering dental implants over other solutions, such as dentures, crowns, and bridges.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a three-tiered approach to tooth replacement. There are three parts of a dental implant:

Implant: The implant is a metal post, most often titanium, that is implanted into the jawbone…a replacement for your tooth root.
Abutment: The part of the implant that connects to the steel post and holds the new crown in place.
Crown: The crown is the actual tooth replacement, most often made of a ceramic material such as porcelain, that is custom-designed to match with your existing teeth.

What’s the Implant Process Like?

The dental implant process is as diverse as the patient. Certain situations may require bone grafting to make sure that your implants stay. Generally, it takes about six months to a year to make sure that your dental implants are fitted perfectly. Here is what the general timeline looks like:

Phase 1: After a consultation and treatment design, Dr. Silberg will fit the implants. The procedure usually takes only one clinic visit. After the implants are fitted, you will wear temporary dentures or bridges. After 3-6 months, your implants will bond to your jaw—the process of osseointegration.
Phase 2: Dr. Silberg will fit the abutment, and you will continue to wear your “temporary teeth” for another 2-6 weeks.
Phase 3: After the second phase, Dr. Silberg will start fitting the actual “tooth” component of your implant. You will try out several different crowns to match your implant to your existing teeth.

Depending upon Dr. Silberg’s approach and planning, you can fully enjoy your dental implants within six months, at the earliest.

What Might Not Make Me a Good Fit for Dental Implants?

Certain medical conditions and lifestyle habits might make a patient a poor candidate for dental implants. Dr. Silberg will advise you if dental implants are not a good fit for you. Here are some of the medical conditions and lifestyle habits that might complicate a dental implant:

Diabetes, smoking, and heavy drug use are conditions that may cause peri-implantitis, an inflammation of hard and soft tissues surrounding an implant.
Bone loss, associated with osteoporosis and long-term steroid use, can impact your jawbones, decreasing the success of an implant.
Poor oral hygiene, after the implant process, can cause failure of a dental implant.

If you have poor oral hygiene, your Dr. Silberg will likely provide you with coaching to help you take care of your implants.

Are Dental Implants Worth It?

Many people are great candidates for dental implants…and yes, they are worth it. Here are some of the benefits of dental implants over other treatments:

Dental replacements will not require the grinding down and modification of other teeth associated with other treatments such as bridges.
You probably will never have to worry about a dental implant failing, where crowns can slip off and bridges can create further dental decay.
Dentures will need continuous refinement, as your jawbone will change shape without teeth to support the structure of your jaw

Dental implants can also be fitted to other treatments. At times Dr. Silberg will use an implant to anchor a bridge, creating a more affordable treatment if a patient can afford only a few implants.

Contact Dr. Silberg today to see if you are a good fit for dental implants, or have additional questions about the procedure and all that is involved. We would be happy to help you

Managing Gum Disease

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

The Centers for Disease Control has found that more than half of Americans, aged 30+, have periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. This represents 64.7 million Americans who are at risk of tooth loss because they have gum disease. Fortunately, Dr. Silberg has a plethora of solutions for diagnosing, preventing, and treating gum disease.

Gum Disease Risk Factors

If you are 35-40, you are at the age where gum disease can become severe. Here are some of the strongest indicators that you could develop gum disease:

Age: As you age, you are more likely to develop gum disease. In fact, more than 70% of Americans over age 65 suffer from gum disease.
Use of Tobacco: Tobacco use can cause and intensify gum disease.
Poor Nutrition: A poor diet can damage your immune system, which can help fight of periodontal infections.
Genetics: If gum disease runs in your family, you are likely to suffer from it.

Knowing the Symptoms

If you haven’t been to see Dr. Silberg for a while, you might have some of the symptoms of gum disease. These include tender, red gums, as well as pain in your mouth. You might notice that your gums bleed when you brush, floss, or eat certain types of food. You may also notice:

Loose teeth.
Persistent halitosis (bad breath).
An overall change in how your bite feels.
If you have caps, bridges, or other dental prosthetics, they might not fit correctly.

Treating Gum Disease: Early Non-Surgical Treatments

It is important for you to get into Dr. Silberg for your cleaning, especially if you’ve missed the last several appointments. Before gum disease becomes persistently bad, your dentist can perform the following treatments:

Professional Dental Cleaning: During your dental cleaning, Dr. Silberg will scrape away plaque and tartar that have built up at the base of your tooth.
Tooth Scaling and Root Planing: This is a procedure where Dr. Silberg puts you under a local anesthetic. They will smooth your teeth and remove plaque from under the gum line. This procedure gives your gums the opportunity to reattach to your teeth.

Prevention Starts With You

Ultimately, healthy gums start with you. Good dental hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, will help prevent gum disease. Here is what the experts are saying you should do to prevent gum disease:

Brush your teeth twice per day, using a fluoride-based toothpaste. You should brush for at least two minutes, using a circular motion.
Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash solution twice per day for thirty seconds to kill bacteria.
Floss with a wax-based dental floss taking time to go in between each tooth all the way down to the gum line.
See your dentist twice per year for a checkup and cleaning.
Give up smoking and smokeless tobacco products.

Gum disease is a fact of life for many Americans, but with regular dental hygiene and checkups, you can eliminate and prevent gum disease, keeping your permanent teeth longer.

If you have questions or would like to request an appointment with Dr. Silberg please contact us today! We are happy to help and look forward to your visit!

How Your Sinus Relates to Dental Implants

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

When receiving dental implants, there are a few things that need to be addressed beforehand in order to have a smooth and unproblematic outcome so that you can enjoy your brand new smile.

In the first stage of your journey to new teeth, there’s an examination by Dr. Silberg which includes a 3D CT-scan and an impression that’s made of your mouth. This is to ensure the teeth to be made, will fit with precision, and to check if you have enough bone to support the implant.

Everything is reviewed by Dr. Silberg and our staff to determine what needs to be done to give you optimal results with your implants which can differ depending on which teeth were lost and need replacing. Often times you need something called a Sinus Lift Bone Graft. This procedure is often performed for a few different reasons. If you’ve lost your upper posterior teeth due to periodontal disease, have a thin amount of bone in your upper jaw, or have your maxillary sinus (the area behind your nose and above your mouth) too close to your upper jaw for the implants to be placed. If this is the case then you will need a sinus graft for your dental implants.

The teeth included in the section that affects how your sinus functions, are the cuspids (canines), bicuspids (premolars), and remaining molars. When receiving a graft, the bone may come from your own hip or tibia (autogenous bone), a cadaver (allogeneic bone), or from cow bone (xenograft). Dr. Silberg will use your CT-scan to study the anatomy of your jaw and sinus, and if needed will also get X-rays before your sinus lift. This will allow Dr. Silberg to accurately measure the height and width of your existing bone, and to evaluate the health of your sinus.

Note: If you have seasonal allergies let Dr. Silberg know, this may affect determination of your procedure because the sinus swells during these times and may not produce an accurate reading.

When receiving a sinus lift, Dr. Silberg will cut the gum tissue where your back molars used to be, and raise it to expose the bone. A small oval incision is opened in your bone. The membrane lining the sinus is gently pushed up, away from your jaw. You will then receive granules of the bone-grafting material and have them packed into the space where the sinus was. It is only a few millimeters of bone that is added, but it will allow your dental implant and sinus to be comfortable and free of the chance for infection. After the bone is in place, your oval window is sewn up. You will need four to nine months of healing and growing time, but that is determined by the amount of bone needed.

After this procedure is complete it is common to have swelling and bleeding from the mouth or nose. It is imperative for you to not to blow their nose or sneeze forcefully as much as possible. This keeps the bone-graft material from moving, or loosening the stitches.

Like we said it takes several months for the bony material heal. It will begin to harden and mesh with your jaw, and depending on the material that was used, your dental implants can be placed in four to nine months.

There are some dentists that are now using proteins called growth factors to help your new bone harden faster than traditional methods. This platelet-rich plasma contains growth factors, and is taken from your blood before surgery, and is then mixed with the bone graft that is placed within your sinus. There is also a human-recombinant bone morphogenetic protein available which is an engineered protein. This stimulates bone formation without grafting. It is also US FDA approved to be used during a sinus lift procedure.

After you’re all healed, you can begin the next step which is to receive your dental implants. While getting implants in the upper area of your mouth, you will need a wider post to create better stability and keep them secured inside of your graft. This will also stabilizes the rest of your implants in the front of your upper jaw. On rare occasions, your dental implants will not take because the graft material and your existing bone don’t develop a blood supply. If this happens, a sinus lift can be repeated with even better odds of success.

If you are interested learning more, or have additional questions about receiving dental implants, please reach out to us. The Silberg Center for Dental Science is dedicated in providing the most up to date information for dental procedures, and we are dedicated to helping you with your new smile.

3 Reasons To Choose Dental Implants

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

If you are like most people, missing a few teeth can put a serious cramp in your day-to-day activities. In addition to making it more difficult to chew food, you might find yourself trying to skip family photos or laugh with your mouth closed. Unfortunately, if you don’t feel comfortable wearing dentures or fussing with partial bridges, hiding might seem like your only option. However, dental implants are a superior remedy that can offer you these benefits:

1: Comfort

If you don’t like dealing with adhesives or worrying about your dentures popping loose during your next golf game, you might be a little concerned about getting fitted for dentures. Partial bridges can also be embarrassing, since friends and family members might be able to spot the mouthpiece wires when you talk or laugh.

Fortunately, dental implants are a comfortable alternative that you will love for years. Since dental implants are actually anchored into your jawbone, they function just like normal teeth. In addition to staying where they should, dental implants are comfortable and don’t require extra care. By continuing to brush and floss, you can keep your new teeth pristine.

2: Aesthetics

Are you worried about your smile transforming overnight? One of the best things about dental implants is that they are custom crafted for each patient, so they look just like your regular teeth. On the other hand, if you want to improve your smile, dental implants can be designed to meet your needs. Dr. Silberg can alter the shape and color of each implant so that you gain the smile you have always wanted.

Also, since the implants are placed directly into your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about those tell-tell signs of dental work, like strange gum lines or mis-matched teeth. Dental implants look more natural for each patient, so that you can smile, eat, and laugh without worry.

3: Bone Loss Prevention

One of the most important reasons to choose dental implants over other alternatives is that they can prevent bone loss. As you chew and talk, your naturally rooted teeth stimulate your jawbone, keeping the entire area healthy. Unfortunately, if you choose dentures, the underlying bone won’t be as stimulated, which will cause your jawbone to melt away and resorb. However, dental implants stimulate your jawbone just like your natural teeth, protecting your face shape and keeping your surrounding dental structures healthy.

If dental implants sound like something that would work for you, talk with Dr. Silberg at your next appointment.

How to fix a gummy smile

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6xWVOOzvtw

Just like Dr. Silberg says in the video above, when the majority of people smile, we raise our upper lip, and show our teeth with a little bit of gum. It’s natural and looks like a normal smile. But there are instances where individuals will smile, raise their upper lip and show a lot of gum and a little bit of teeth. It is much more of a gummy smile. Which can be lead to make them believe that they have smaller teeth than most. This is not true in the slightest.

We all have the desire to smile. Someone says a joke, we want to pose for a picture, or you just naturally want to express your sense of happiness, but having a gummy smile can make us feel hesitant to show our teeth in public. It can feel embarrassing, and you may struggle to feel confident about your smile. If you believe that you have a gummy smile and may need some help then it can be very wise to schedule an appointment to come and talk with Dr. Silberg about your situation. As he said in the video, with very minor shaping and resculpting of your gums, your entire tooth (or teeth) can be made visible. Your gums will finally compliment your teeth rather than cover them up. Your self confidence will grow and finally you will not be hesitant to hide your natural and beautiful smile when you are spending time with others and going throughout your day. With the experience and expertise that Dr. Silberg and the staff at Silberg Center for Dental Science have, it is a simple procedure that creates lasting smiles by simply changing the way that your gums sit between your natural teeth.

Now there are also instances that there would be a need to reshape your gums because of gum disease, commonly known as Gingivitis. More often than not when you are faced with gum disease it’s caused from a lack of brushing and flossing, doing it improperly, or a piece of food or different particle that is in a place you can’t reach on your own. There are a lot of nooks and crannies inside of your mouth that can be difficult to reach. If this problem is left untreated then your gums will start to become inflamed, which means they turn red, are sensitive if touched, and when brushed can start to bleed. If you have any of these symptoms with your gums then it is vital that you come in and see Dr. Silberg before more damage can take place.

He can recommend the proper treatment to help your gums become healthy again, and in some instances there might be the need for gum reshaping or repair. Dr. Silberg’s goal is to provide a healthy happy smile to all of his patients and if your gums are not treated with as much care as your regular teeth, you might actually lose your teeth. Gum disease can lead to bone loss and even loss of teeth. We want to work with you to prevent those kinds of problems from ever happening to you. But, do keep in mind that if you have had such an instance happen, you can be rest assured that there are methods to fix the problem. Dr. Silberg is an expert in dental implants, and they can be used to replace missing or lost teeth. What is even better is that they look, feel and act like your normal teeth.

For any additional questions, or if you would like to come in and meet with Dr. Silberg, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We are happy to talk with you about any procedure you might be interested in.

Does Alcohol in Mouthwash Treat Gum Disease?

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

Gingivitis, we all have heard the name and we all know that it isn’t good when we have it in our mouths. It’s gum disease and can lead to even more problems in our mouths if it is left untreated. One of the things that can be very important to help prevent any kind of gum disease is to use a mouth wash along with your standard brushing and flossing. With all of the small crevices that are within out mouths there can be times that our toothbrush or line of floss just can’t get to.

There are a lot of mouth washes out there and you more than likely have seen the different commercials that promote a mouthwash that gives you that fresh clean feeling inside of your mouth. They motivate you to swish in your mouth for 30 seconds and to power through the burning feeling in your mouth. Have you ever wondered what that fresh feeling is from and if it really is helping clean your mouth? We wanted to discuss this a little more and let you in on a secret that you may not be aware of.

Getting that fresh, yet sometimes burning sensation from leading mouthwashes can be irritating to some, or down right unbearable. There also have been complaints of a strange aftertaste after using these kinds of mouthwashes and bouts of dry mouth. Where does all of that come from? Alcohol. There are many that may not be aware that alcohol is an ingredient in many popular mouthwashes. It burns and makes the whole process, even when it’s only a short amount of time, feel unbearable. It could be stopping you and other patients from using it to help keep your mouth free of plaque, tartar build up, halitosis (bad breath), whiten teeth, and having a healthy and clean smile.

There have been toothpastes developed for those who have sensitive teeth and you’ll be happy to know that there are also options out there for those that may not like the burning sensation they feel using a standard mouthwash. These alcohol free mouthwashes provide the same preventative effect as those that have alcohol, and won’t give you that burning feeling you are wanting to avoid. There are even versions that are formulated specifically for treating gum disease if you do have a minor form of gingivitis.

There have also been studies conducted by BioMed Research that suggest using a mouthwash without alcohol can actually improve the gloss, color, hardness, and wear of your teeth compared to a mouthwash that does have alcohol. Dr. Silberg and all of us at the Silberg Center for Dental Science want you to have a healthy smile with no gum disease to speak of, and looking at a mouthwash without alcohol can be an option if you would like to try it.

Even a minor issue with gum disease can turn into a very serious thing if you don’t take care of it. Adding mouthwash to your daily routine when you are brushing your teeth can help prevent it from developing in your mouth and causing more problems. It could lead to periodontal disease, bone loss, and even loss of permanent teeth. These all can be treated if you have had any of those situations, but Dr. Silberg wants to help avoid them as they can be very time consuming and at times costly to treat.

Remember that if you do have questions or concerns about your mouth, or even feel like you might have some form of gum disease, please do give us a call. We will be happy to talk to you to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Silberg and you can talk with him about your personal situation.

How to Brush your Teeth

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

The simple act of brushing your teeth is often taken for granted. Many people assume there isn’t much to brushing your teeth or overlook it when conducting their day-to-day routines. However, the importance of teeth brushing should not be underestimated or overlooked. It is not only important to brush your teeth, but it is crucial that you brush your teeth in the proper way in order to take care of your teeth and avoid damaging them.

Common Toothbrush Mistakes

There are numerous little mistakes many people commit while brushing their teeth that can impact your oral health. First and foremost, you want to have the right toothbrush for the job. That means having a toothbrush with soft bristles and can fit in your mouth comfortably. After three to four mouths, you should consider switching out your toothbrush for a new one or replacing the head of your electric toothbrush. This is due to the bristles wearing out and becoming less effective.

Along with choosing the right toothbrush, you’ll want to choose the right fluoride rinse and toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste can actually be harmful to your teeth as the particles that whiten your teeth can sand away the structure of your tooth if used in excess. Beyond utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste, you’ll want to pick up some floss. Flossing is an important part of your oral health care routine as floss can reach places that your toothbrush can’t; ensuring that all food particles and bacteria are removed.

From there, you need to spend the appropriate amount of time brushing your teeth. Twice a day is the minimum you should be brushing your teeth with three times being ideal. Additionally, you should be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes; 30 seconds for each of the four sections of your mouth. It is important not to brush in excess though as more than this can result in tooth damage. You don’t want to brush too hard as well; you should be using a lighter touch and guiding the toothbrush which lets it do most of the work for you.

Proper Brushing Technique

We’ve already touched briefly on proper technique; which is, brushing for at least two minutes while ensuring that you reach each of the four corners of your mouth. This is in addition to not brushing your teeth too hard and utilizing a soft bristle toothbrush. There is more to brushing your teeth than just that. You should utilize these additional tips to ensure that you are practicing proper brushing technique:

When brushing your teeth, ensure that your toothbrush is at a 45 degree angle to your gums.
Use short, tooth-wide strokes and brush back and forth.
Ensure that you are brushing the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
The inside surfaces of your front tooth can be cleaned by tilting your brush vertically and making up and down strokes.
Finish brushing your teeth by brushing your tongue in order to remove any bacteria which can be the cause of bad breath

Questions?

The importance of tooth brushing cannot be overstated. At its core, tooth brushing is the first line of defense for your oral health. Many people don’t know the proper way to brush their teeth which can lead to serious problems in their mouths. If you are lax in your tooth brushing it could even lead to the extraction of some of your teeth. Should you have any questions regarding the importance of brushing your teeth or proper brushing technique, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

Brushing Isn’t Enough: 3 Additional Tips to Taking Care of Your Mouth

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Pinnacle Center - Dental Implants Periodontics

While brushing your teeth is often considered to be the foundation of good oral health care, brushing alone is often not enough when it comes to removing harmful bacteria. There is more to good oral health than just brushing your teeth! It’s recommended that you incorporate several other things into your oral health care routine in order to get take care of your mouth and smile!

Tip 1: Flossing

Many people underestimate the importance of flossing your teeth and gums. Do you know that when you don’t floss, you’re leaving 35% of your tooth unclean? That fact is one of the reasons that brushing your teeth just isn’t enough! By including flossing into your routine, you’ll be able to more thoroughly clean your teeth and gums; removing the excess food and bacteria that brushing can’t reach on its own.

Many people avoid flossing due to discomfort or laziness. But if you start to incorporate it into your daily brushing routine it will not feel like an extra chore or be as uncomfortable. If you aren’t sure how exactly to floss Dr. Silberg or one of his dental hygienists can show you the proper way to floss you teeth, and often will provide you with dental floss as well.

Tip 2: Eat a Balanced Diet

Your diet has a lot to do with your oral health care. While you have no doubt been told to avoid sugary foods, you might not understand why. Sugary foods in excess are one of the leading causes of tooth decay and gum disease when a patient is not utilizing proper oral health care. But keep in mind that sugary foods aren’t the only types of food you should avoid either.

It is recommended that you limit the acidic foods and drinks you consume also. Acidic foods and drinks consumed in excess can result in damage to your tooth enamel. Your enamel is important as it helps prevent damage done to your teeth and makes your teeth white! All in all, it is important to avoid foods & beverages that damage your teeth and only consume them in moderation. Focus on eating a balanced diet ensuring that you receive proper nutrition from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and proteins. This is crucial not only for your overall health, but your oral health as well.

Tip 3: Regular Dental Visits

After reaching adulthood, many patients avoid going to the dentist. We cannot stress this enough: the Dr. Silberg is your friend! Scheduling regular dental checkups is crucial to your oral health. At these checkup appointments, we can assess whether or not you have any issues that can help you stay healthy, and what the current state of your oral health care is. This is also a great time to receive a professional dental cleaning—leaving your mouth happy, healthy, and refreshed!

Questions?

As covered above, it is important to realize that brushing your teeth is not enough when it comes to your oral care. You need to ensure that you floss, and receive regular dental checkups with professional teeth cleanings. Your oral health care is extremely important since you use your mouth everyday; from eating to talking. Don’t you want to do everything you can do keep your teeth happy and healthy? Should you have any questions about proper care of your mouth, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.