Helpful Articles.
Insight & Advice
for Your Oral Health
Family Block Appointments: Save Time, Smile Together
In this post, we’ll look at how family block appointments can simplify your schedule, reduce stress, and keep everyone in your household smiling—without multiple trips to the dentist.
Sugar vs. Oral Health
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!
Facts About Smiling and Happiness
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!
Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
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!
Halloween Candy FAQs
For children all over, Halloween is an exciting time. There are costumes, parties, and a seemingly endless supply of candy. However, for parents and dentists alike, Halloween can be a frightening holiday. We often see a rise in cavities, along with other dental emergencies, caused by Halloween activity.
Dr. Molta and Dr. Moore often get questions from concerned parents asking how they can keep their family’s dental health safe while still enjoying the holiday. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of Halloween FAQs our team often receives, with tips on how to keep you, your family, and your teeth in good condition this Halloween season.
Q: Do I need to completely avoid Halloween candy?
A: No! We would never ask you to give up candy completely. However, it is important to consume you Halloween candy in moderation. For parents with kids, we recommend that you limit their candy consumption to one piece per day.
Q: Are there any types of candy I should avoid?
A: Yes! Sticky candies and hard candy are especially bad. Unsurprisingly, sticky candy can get stuck on your teeth, causing a whole host of issues. Hard candy can cause you to break or crack a tooth! Chocolate lovers can rejoice, because chocolate is one of the better choices – it easily washes off the surface of your teeth.
Q: What are some candy alternatives we can provide?
A: We love it when parents think outside the box. You don’t need to go as far as handing out travel-size toothbrushes, but there are plenty of fun options that won’t harm your teeth. To switch things up while still providing a treat, we recommend handing out small toys like bouncy balls, model airplanes, or even glow sticks. These are entertaining to young children without compromising their health.
What are other questions you have about caring for your family during the Halloween season? Our team is always happy to answer questions from patients and to share tips on caring for your smile, no matter the time of year. Schedule your next dental appointment at Springs Village Family Dentistry!
Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants
These days, everyone is talking about dental implants. It’s estimated that three million people have tooth implants, and that number is growing every year. With recent advances in dental technology, dental implants have swelled in popularity.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is the newest and most advanced way to replace a missing tooth. It’s quickly taking the place of its older cousin, a dental bridge, which was until recently one of the best ways to replace a mission tooth. Dental implants are a completely permanent method for replacing a missing tooth, which has made them the preferred choice.
How Does It Work?
During the procedure, your dentist will insert a titanium post, which acts as an artificial tooth root, into the jawbone. This post will fuse into the jawbone and become “anchored” in about 3-6 months. The post supports a dental crown, which your dentist will then cement onto it to complete the natural-looking tooth replacement that is indistinguishable from your natural tooth.
A dental implant requires little to no maintenance (no more than what you do for your other teeth). You can brush and floss the implant just like you would a regular tooth; it becomes a part of your regular routine! It also doesn’t put any strain on surrounding teeth like a dental bridge does. It’s incredibly durable and remains resistant to decay.
The Fine Print
While a dental implant is an effective choice for replacing your missing tooth, it’s important to understand that it does require minor surgery. Unlike a bridge, which is completed in a couple of weeks, an implant procedure takes a few months to complete because the bone needs to heal before the crown can be placed. Dental implants are generally more expensive than dental bridges, although it’s a good investment in your future dental health because they do not need to be replaced every ten years like a bridge does. It is a permanent solution that you will not have to worry about fixing later on.
If you’re in need of a tooth replacement and think a dental implant might be right for you, contact our team today to make an appointment.
How to Whiten Your Teeth, Naturally!
As you age, your teeth naturally change color over time from wear and tear and can stain from the food you eat. Wine, coffee, berries, candy, and many other foods can affect the coloring of your teeth. Luckily, there are a variety of options out there to whiten your teeth.
While we offer professional teeth whitening services at Springs Village Dentistry that can give you that bright, white smile you’ve always wanted, today we want to share some natural remedies that can help restore your pearly whites to their former glory. We’ve compiled our five favorite tips that can naturally whiten your teeth – no professional help needed!
1. Brush After Drinking and Eating
While it may not always be feasible to brush your teeth every time after you drink or eat, this simple trick can help whiten your teeth. If you absolutely can’t brush your teeth after your meal, try drinking water to try to reduce the effects of staining or acidic foods.
2. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
While this tip may feel more like a elementary school science experiment than a teeth whitening treatment, creating a paste from a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can help remove plaque from teeth. After brushing, rub this paste onto your teeth for about 30 seconds, and then rinse well. Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial agent that kills bacteria and, when combined with baking soda, can help whiten teeth.
When going this route, make sure to rinse well afterwards to get rid of any baking soda and hydrogen peroxide left in your mouth. And don’t use this method excessively or it could take a toll on your tooth enamel.
3. Coconut Oil
Some folks report that coconut oil can naturally whiten teeth when applied after brushing. Coconut oil is also antimicrobial, meaning that it can help protect and clean your gums as an added benefit.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, which is a natural antibiotic and tooth cleanser, can remove stubborn stains. For smokers and coffee drinkers, it can effectively remove dark stains from teeth. You can brush with apple cider vinegar, or simply rub it on your teeth with a finger – just be sure to brush again with toothpaste and rinse afterward.
5. Choose Food Wisely
This one is easily the tastiest trick on our list – healthy foods such as: milk/yogurt, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and celery not only help keep your teeth and gums strong as well as help keep your teeth white.
For more difficult stains or quicker results, you may be interested in our professional whitening services. Dr. Molta and Dr. Moore can help you brighten your smile with take-home teeth whitening trays.
Don’t waste any more time hiding your smile because you’re embarrassed about the appearance of your teeth — contact our office today for a consultation!
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