Helpful Articles.

No matter how old you are, brushing your teeth can be a fun and exciting activity! Follow these 5 tips to freshen up your oral health care routine.

1. Try a New Toothbrush

Tired of using the same old toothbrush? Take advantage of the fact that you should change your toothbrush every 3 months to prevent bacteria growth and try something new! Pick toothbrushes that are different colors, or even experiment with electric toothbrushes, which dentists believe deliver a better clean than manual toothbrushes do. If your kids are tired of their brushing routine, give them the opportunity to choose their own toothbrush to make the process more fun. Just be sure to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles because medium and firm bristles can damage your enamel.

1. Switch Your Toothpaste Flavor

If you’ve been using the same toothpaste for as long as you can remember, it may feel less exciting to brush your teeth. Experiment with different flavors and brands to keep your dental routine interesting.

1. Incorporate Flavored Floss

People often forget to floss because they don’t think it’s an important thing to do. The tight spaces in between your teeth are quite hard to clean and floss is the best tool to get the job done. Use a flavored floss to make it more exciting to break out the floss after brushing your teeth.

1. Listen to Music

You brush your teeth early in the morning and right before bed, so why not listen to uplifting music to get ready for the day and relaxing music at night to unwind while you brush your teeth?

1. Reward Yourself for Good Health

Start a “No Cavities Club” for your household! For every time you or your kids get a clean bill of health from the dentist, treat yourselves to a fun activity. It will motivate all of you to keep a consistent brushing routine!

Come Visit Us!

Aside from a solid oral care routine, visit your dentist twice a year for regular examinations to keep your teeth in tip top shape. Visit us at Springs Village Dentistry and enjoy luxurious amenities like warm blankets and your favorite show on TV without having to break the bank (check out our Dental Wellness Club for more information!). Contact us to schedule your next appointment today.

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It’s easy to reach for a piece of refreshingly minty gum if you’re experiencing bad breath or just want to quickly relieve stress by chewing, but have you ever stopped to wonder if you’re actually doing more harm to your oral health by chewing gum? Here’s how to pick a gum that’s both tasty and good for your teeth.

How Sugar Affects Teeth

Gum wouldn’t be as good if it wasn’t sweet, but sugar can be harmful to your teeth. When sugar comes into contact with bacteria and plaque on the surface of your teeth, the bacteria release acid that in turn can eat away at your enamel, or the protective outer layer of your teeth. Chewing gum that contains sugar is especially damaging to your teeth because gum constantly lingers around and sticks to your teeth, maximizing your mouth’s exposure to sugar.

Sugar-Free Gum

Gum lovers don’t need to stop chewing the sticky stuff altogether just to save their teeth. Sugar-free gum contains a sugar replacement called xylitol, which is actually beneficial for your teeth because it helps neutralize harmful acids in your mouth and can even minimize the amount of cavity-causing bacteria!

Check ingredient labels to see if the gum you’re buying contains xylitol and also check to see if the package has an ADA (American Dental Association) seal. If it does, that means it’s dentist-approved and safe for your teeth!

When Not to Chew Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum is safe and healthy for your teeth, but there are some instances when chewing gum is probably not the best idea. If you have jaw issues or disorders like temporomandibular joint dysfunction, it is best not to put your jaw through that extra chewing.

Sugar-Free Gum Shouldn’t Replace Oral Hygiene

Sugar-free gum is a quick and easy way to freshen your breath and an added layer of protection against harmful bacteria on your teeth, but it should never replace regular brushing and flossing! Be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and examinations to ensure that your oral health is in good shape.

If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, let us take care of you! Springs Village Dentistry offers comprehensive dental care services using state-of-the-art technology. Contact us to schedule an appointment!

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Smoking has plenty of negative side effects, not the least of which includes lung cancer. When it comes to your dental health, frequent smoking can not only damage the look of your teeth, but it can lead to long-lasting damage to your gums too. Here’s how smoking directly impacts your oral health:

Smoking & Cosmetic Issues

Smoking leads to yellow teeth because cigarettes contain chemicals that erode the enamel, or the top layer of your teeth that protects them from staining and damage. Once the enamel is worn down, your teeth are more susceptible to decay, damage, and even tooth loss. Yellowed or missing teeth can be embarrassing and make it difficult to talk, eat, and smile. If smoking has affected the appearance of your teeth, you may want to consider professional teeth whitening or different tooth replacement options.

Smoking & Gum Disease

Your immune system is easily compromised when you’re a smoker. This means that your body cannot fight off bacteria and viruses as easily as it should, and normally controllable plaque and bacteria on your teeth can become more harmful to your health. If too much plaque builds up under your gum line, you can develop gingivitis. When that is left untreated, it can develop into advanced gum disease known as periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss.

Gum Disease Treatment

Quitting smoking, although difficult, can be monumental when it comes to your oral health, and it can help you regain immunity strength. Early stage gum disease may just require a deep cleaning to remove all of the plaque and bacteria that is stuck under the gum line. If your gum disease has progressed, see your dentist right away so that they can assess the state of your oral health and suggest the right treatments for you.

Besides giving up the habit, brushing and flossing twice a day is the best way to prevent gum disease and keep your teeth healthy. If you have any questions about how to best maintain your oral health, our team at Springs Village Dentistry is happy to see you and develop a personal oral plan to best suit your needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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Your parents may have told you to stop eating candy because it will “rot your teeth.” They weren’t just trying to scare you! Sugar actually does have a major impact on your oral health, but it’s important to understand why that is.

How Sugar Affects Your Teeth

Sugar itself isn’t necessarily bad for your teeth, but when bacteria in your mouth feed off of the sugar, they create acids that can damage your tooth enamel. Enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth and protects your teeth from cavities, decay, and staining. Eating too much sugar without properly protecting your teeth can also result in bad breath.

Foods to Avoid

Candy (especially sticky, long-lasting candies like lollipops and caramels), dessert, and soda are the obvious foods and drinks to avoid, but remember even seemingly healthy snacks like dried fruit can contribute to cavities! Acidic foods like citrus, coffee, and alcohol can also contribute to enamel erosion, so be sure to limit your intake of them as well.

Healthy Alternatives to Sugar

Crunchy vegetables, dairy products like yogurt and cheese, and fresh fruit are great alternatives to sugary snacks. Best of all, these snacks are actually good for your teeth and can help keep them healthy and strong!

Keeping Your Teeth Safe From Sugar

The best way to get rid of plaque is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day, and use a toothpaste with fluoride for extra protection against cavities. Visit your dentist twice a year to make sure that your teeth are in good shape.

Avoiding sugar isn’t just good for your waistline, it’s good for your teeth too! If you’re experiencing any tooth pain, sensitivity, or see holes in your teeth, it’s time to see a dentist right away—you may have a cavity! Whether you need preventative or restorative care for your teeth, the team at Springs Village Dentistry is here to help you have your healthiest smile. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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Did you know that having a smile that you’re confident in can actually improve your mental health? Studies show that just making yourself smile can actually boost your mood and make you feel happier. Here are some facts about smiling that you may not have known about before.

1. Smiling Makes Your Brain Happy

There has been an influx of studies that prove that the muscles you use when you smile actually trigger your brain to send endorphins, or hormones that make you feel happier, through your body.

2. Your Smile Makes Others Happy

Smiling isn’t just for pictures—it’s a way to show others that we are happy to see them, that we agree with what they’re saying, or that we love them. It even breaks down language barriers between people! A smile not only makes you more confident, but it makes others feel good about themselves as well.

3. Smiling When You Talk Makes a Difference

Smiling doesn’t just make you look happy, but it can make you sound happy too. Try smiling while you talk the next time that you’re on the phone. You’ll hear the difference instantly!

4. Smiling May Even Help You Live Longer

Those who smile more tend to lead healthier, more stress-free lives. One study found a possible connection between the larger someone’s smile (or their smile intensity) and the longer they lived.

With so many benefits to smiling, why wouldn’t anyone want to smile more? It’s hard to help yourself or others feel instantly better with a smile if you’re not confident in your smile in the first place. Having missing, crooked, or discolored teeth, for example, could make someone want to hide their smile. At Springs Village Dentistry, we don’t just provide routine dental care services. From braces that can straighten your teeth in just six months to natural-looking implants and veneers to teeth whitening options, we are excited to help you find a solution to improve your smile. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

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You wouldn’t just chew gum as a way to maintain your oral health, right? That’s what it’s like when you just give your pet bones or dental chews to chew on without brushing their teeth. While it may seem strange to brush your pet’s teeth, it’s a necessary way to keep them clean and keep your pet in good health.

How to Brush Your Dog or Cat’s Teeth

Human toothpaste is toxic for your pet, but there are plenty of safe toothpastes for dogs and cats available, as well as toothbrushes specially made for your pet’s mouth. You don’t have to start brushing your pet’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste right away. Start by massaging their gums and rewarding them for letting you before you introduce the toothpaste.

Once your pet seems okay with letting you touch their teeth and gums, use small amounts of toothpaste and rub your pet’s teeth with your finger to get them used to the flavor. If your pet isn’t a fan of mint, there are meat-flavored toothpastes that your pet will surely enjoy!

Finally, when your pet is used to toothpaste, you can introduce the toothbrush. Brush your pet’s teeth using small circles as you would your own teeth.

How Often Should You Brush Your Pet’s Teeth?

It’s ideal to brush your pet’s teeth once per day; however, a few times a week works just as well. Pets don’t eat sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods like humans do, so they don’t experience as much plaque and tartar buildup daily.

How to Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Healthy

Like with humans, diet plays a huge role in your pet’s oral health. A grain-free diet without any preservatives or processed ingredients will keep your pet’s teeth healthy. Giving them plenty of water and chew toys will also keep plaque buildup at bay. Make sure to ask your vet to check your pet’s teeth during their checkups as well.

Don’t forget to schedule your own cleanings twice a year to maintain your own healthy smile. At Springs Village Dentistry, we offer a range of dental services and use the latest technologies to keep you comfortable and happy during your appointment. Contact us today!

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