Blog Post

6 Dental Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy & White

Gerald M • June 20, 2019
dental tips

Your mouth does more than just speak. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice that it gives you important clues about your overall health, including indications that you may be suffering from chronic disease, illness, or infection. If left unattended, these oral health issues can lead to more serious health conditions over time.

Your oral health should be a priority not only because it helps prevent conditions of the mouth but because it can help prevent and manage many other health issues, including certain types of cancer and diabetes. Staying on top of your dental health before any of these issues arise can go a long way in maintaining your overall health. Here are four simple tips that will make a big difference in your oral health.

Floss

Flossing is an oral hygiene habit that many people skip because they don’t enjoy doing it, but it is essential to removing food and plaque that gets stuck in between your teeth or beneath your gum line. If stuck food remains under the gum line, you may end up with gum disease or extensive tooth decay. Flossing just once a day, at bedtime, can make a huge difference in your oral health by removing any food that may be left behind from the day.

Drink Fluoridated Water

Dentists have known since the 1940s that drinking water with natural fluoride levels of about one-part fluoride to a million parts water can significantly decrease the occurrence of cavities. In addition, fluoride can not only prevent tooth decay, but it can reverse some of its effects.

All major cities have now supplemented their drinking water with fluoride to help improve the dental health of their citizens. Some have expressed concern that there may be a link between fluoridated water and some types of cancer but there is no research to support those concerns.

Next time you’re feeling thirsty, remember that tap water can improve your dental health in ways that bottled water cannot.

Brush Correctly

You’ve probably been brushing your teeth since you were a toddler but that doesn’t’ mean you are necessarily doing it correctly. The American Dental Association has a few simple tips to help you brush your teeth more effectively.

`1. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from your gums.

2. Move your brush back and forth gently across your teeth.

3. Don’t forget to brush the ridges, back, and front of each tooth.

4. Tilt the brush vertically and make strokes up and down in order to brush the back of your teeth.

In addition, the ADA suggests that everyone brush two times daily and replace their toothbrush every 3-4 months.

Avoid Enamel Wear

Did you know that the enamel on your teeth is the strongest thing in your body? But it can still become damaged by eating foods that have a high concentration of sugar or acid, or even from brushing too hard. Tooth enamel protects the sensitive interior of the tooth so it is important that it remains intact.

You may have worn down enamel if you experience:

·Pain when eating hot or cold foods

·A shiny surface on your teeth

·An uneven edge on the tooth

·A yellow coloring of the teeth

You can prevent tooth enamel wear by:

·Brushing your teeth gently

·Brushing twice daily

·Chewing sugar-free gum in order to reduce the acid in your mouth

·Cutting back on drinks that are high in acid, like soda and fruit juices

·Drinking water

·Eating cheese after a meal to balance the acid from the food

·Flossing

·Using toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride

·Using a soft brush

·Having regular checkups with your dentist

Stop Smoking

Half a million Americans die each year because they have used tobacco-related products, making it the number one cause of preventable death in the country. Gingival recession, tooth staining, oral cancer, and periodontal disease are just a few of the health concerns related to cigarettes, according to The American Dental Association. Quitting smoking now will improve your oral health as well as your overall quality of life.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Seeing the dentist is just as important as seeing your family doctor as far as preventative care goes. In 2015, The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that only 64 percent of adults went to the dentist. The frequency with which you visit the dentist depends on your specific needs but the American Dental Association suggests that most adults go at least once, if not twice, each year.

If you are looking for a Powell, Ohio dentist, the Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, please click here.


Dentist in Westerville OH
December 5, 2023
Moving to a new city is hard enough, but if you are moving to an entirely different state altogether, the adjustment period might feel like it will never end. You might love everything about Massachusetts, but completely reconfiguring your life can be daunting, even for things seemingly as small as finding the right dentist. You know you want someone qualified, someone who will provide comprehensive dental services, and someone who will see you as more than just a number. You are likely thinking, “Is there someone close by who has everything I want from my dentist?” Hopefully, you will have an easier time after considering the following points. Experience and Qualifications It is always smart to check out how long a dental professional has been practicing, the number of professional associations they have affiliated themselves with, and, for extra clarification, the university or college your prospect chose for their dental school. In addition to the length of time your potential dentist has been operating, it is also wise to ask how much experience they have with each aspect of dentistry and how long they’ve performed in those various areas. Patient Reviews When choosing a new dentist, especially in an area you have just moved to, it is an absolute necessity that you check online reviews and ratings to get a better understanding of how patients like you feel about the practice and what they have experienced sitting in the chair. You can find out about the level of professionalism and kindness from the staff, how cleaned up the office is, and, perhaps most importantly, whether the office’s priority is simply getting bills paid or making sure their patients receive quality dental care. Offered Services This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but you should be sure the dental professional you choose offers the kind of services you want and need—whether it is just general check-ups and cleanings, children’s dentistry, or something more complicated like restorative dentistry or Invisalign. Since dental care will be a part of our lives until the very end, building strong relationships with patients is important to us at Sampson Dental Group. You may not need a dental implant today, but the future could very well call for one, and, at the very least, the option is available for older family members. We are proud to provide the full scope of dental services for all patients—from seniors to kids to everybody in between. Logistics  We know it can be frustrating to fight traffic anywhere, especially if the dentist you are driving to is out of the way. Fortunately, Sampson Dental Group has three convenient locations in Gahanna, Granville, Powell and Westerville, and you can always make an appointment at a time that’s most convenient for you. We can’t wait to meet you, so fill out or contact form and our office will be in touch with you ASAP.
Sampson Dental
December 5, 2023
For many individuals, their next dental appointment may be their first. A far too common thought process is if you are brushing twice daily and flossing, there is simply no need to go to the dentist. That, obviously, is wrong. Regardless of how strict of an oral hygiene regimen you have on your own, bi-yearly dental visits are imperative to ensure good oral health. Now, since it may have been some time since you last visited a dentist or it is your first visit, here are some tips on how to prepare for a visit to the dentist’s office: Learn How to Brush Properly For as long as most of us can remember, we have been brushing our teeth. The question is, though, are you brushing your teeth the right way? Here are the basics in how to brush your teeth properly: · Use soft-bristled brush · After adding toothpaste to the brush, place the brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle and brush gums before brushing your teeth · When done along the gumline, focus on brushing the front of the teeth before doing the rear · The brush should move vertically across the teeth rather than horizontally (this helps remove plaque from all angles) · Ensure you reach the rear of your mouth to brush the molars (which are often missed, creating the biggest problems for dental visits) Flossing Properly After you have brushed and rinsed, it is time to floss. This will ensure the small food particles left behind and wedged between teeth and under gumlines are removed. Start flossing at the rear bottom, slipping the floss between the teeth and gently moving it upwards. Once the lower level is done, repeat the process on the upper level. For even better results, invest in a water flosser, as they are far more effective than using standard floss. Using Mouthwash The use of a proper mouthwash is just as vital as the first two steps. Today, there are so many varieties and brands, it is virtually impossible not to find something both effective and palatable. You may want to discuss a specific brand with your dentist to ensure you are using a mouthwash most compatible with your needs/concerns. When rinsing, swish a small amount of mouthwash around vigorously for about a minute, then spit out. Looking for a new Westerville OH dentist? Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients and we would love for you to become part of our dental family. For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please click here .
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