Practices That Can Damage Your Teeth And Affect Your Smile

You use your teeth every time you relish the mouth-watering dishes or talk with your friends. Teeth are an integral part of your overall well-being. It helps you chew the food properly, speak properly and give proper shape to your face. You brush and floss your teeth to keep them intact. However, there are still some bad habits that you might be following which can affect your pearly whites. Let’s know in detail the top habits that can damage your teeth and affect your smile. 

Meanwhile, you can search “dentist in McKinney Tx” to learn more about oral hygiene and treatment for the same. 

Grinding teeth – Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can negatively impact your teeth. It would not be an issue if you have the habit of mild teeth grinding in the daytime. But chronic teeth grinding at night can cause complications if not treated timely. It can result in excessive wear of the enamel, chipped teeth, headaches, earaches, and more. Wearing a nightguard helps a lot when it comes to preventing the problem of bruxism. It will act as a cushion against grinding forces. You may also need additional treatment to stop this habit depending upon the cause of teeth grinding.  

Chewing on Ice or Hard objects – Chewing on ice can erode your teeth' enamel. With this erosion, your teeth become more susceptible to decay. It also results in tooth sensitivity, and your teeth may even look yellow. The main culprit behind all these things is chewing on ice, fingernails, or other hard objects. It is advisable not to put any object in your mouth. It may introduce germs or injure the soft tissues of your mouth. 

Consuming starchy food items – Your mouth needs sugars and starches for the bacteria to feed on carbohydrates. The bacteria in your mouth release acids that have the power to leach minerals from the tooth enamel. Frequent acid attacks are one of the major causes of tooth decay. As the situation worsens, tooth decay forms the hole in the tooth, which results in giving rise to the cavity.

Starchy food items like potato chips contain carbohydrates that get stuck in the teeth. But people keep on eating this as a snacking item the most. You can go to eat a scoop of ice cream rather than potato chips. Why? It does not take much time to eat ice cream, and it rinses off the teeth easily. 

Not wearing a mouthguard while playing sports – If you love to play sports, it becomes more important to wear a mouthguard while playing sport or doing any physical activity. It was found that innumerable dental injuries occur during the games of basketball and baseball, where the players are mostly seen not wearing mouthguards. The dental injuries include chipped teeth, fractured teeth, or broken jaw. You may have to get a dental implant to treat the same if the injury is severe or you need replacement teeth. You can search “dental implants near me” to find out the dentist near you. 

Wear a mouth guard to steer clear of these injuries. It becomes especially important if you have braces as an injury can damage the wires of your braces, and you may end up facing extensive trauma to your mouth. 

Drinking energy drinks or soft drinks – It is safe to drink soda in moderation but do not drink it too much as it is one of the worst drinks for your teeth, containing a large amount of sugar. Soda contains citric acid, which can cause your teeth to erode. Sugar and acid fuel the process of tooth decay. You may be thinking of drinking diet soda. But it is still not a good option. Moreover, there was a study on enamel dissolution that found that there is no difference between beverages of the regular and diet versions of the same brand. Out of everything in the world, the best beverage is to drink plain water. Thus, avoid drinking energy drinks or soft drinks.  

Brushing your teeth immediately after eating something acidic – The timing of brushing your teeth matters whenever you eat something acidic. Do not immediately brush your teeth after eating. Brush your teeth before having breakfast, morning coffee, or something acidic. If you feel like brushing after consuming the food items, wait for an hour or so to brush again.

To sum it up!

Start taking small steps to get rid of bad habits and gain good ones in order to keep your teeth healthy. Furthermore, take out some time twice a year to go for a regular dental checkup. You will receive your full oral examination along with teeth cleaning and can know about the tooth problems at an early stage. It is time to stop practicing these damaging habits and start making your teeth and smile healthier than ever before. 

How To Prevent Thumb Sucking In Kids?

Thumb sucking is commonly found in children. However, if it goes longer than normal, it becomes a cause of worry for the parents. Being a concerned parent, you can take a few steps to prevent the thumb-sucking habit of your child. We will put light on those aspects. Meanwhile, you can search “Invisalign tx,” “thumb sucking habit,” or “thumb sucking treatment” to know more.  

First Things First, Does Thumb-Sucking Really Damage Their Teeth?

Many parents are of the notion that thumb sucking can bring damaging results to the teeth of the children. But this is not always the case. For instance – holding the thumb in the mouth passively is not at all bad. However, if your kid makes a lot of motion while thumb sucking, their primary teeth are in danger. This problem usually goes away once the permanent teeth start coming. 

But if your child is persistent and does vigorous thumb sucking, it may also lead to misalignment of the permanent teeth. You can search “dental implants near me” to find the solution to the misalignment and to find the best dentist near you. Moreover, thumb-sucking can negatively affect the jaw or shape of the mouth. It can also result in exposing your children to bacteria and viruses. 

What Are The Risks Of Thumb Sucking?

Vigorous thumb sucking may lead to – 

• Overbite

• Bite issues like the top and bottom teeth are finding it difficult to meet after closing the mouth, or bottom teeth going inward towards the backside of the mouth.

• Affects the jaw shape, alignment of the teeth, and speaking abilities. 

These issues are easy to handle if the habit of thumb sucking goes away by the time permanent teeth are in. But if your child continues to bite their teeth, you may need to consult a dentist. 

What To Do If You Notice Bite Issues In Their Teeth?

Start taking your child to the dentist for regular dental visits by the time they are one year of age. If you find any damage to their teeth later on, you can always rely on the pediatric dentist to talk about the same. Permanent teeth start coming once the child is six years of age. But they might face some issues in their mouth before that time. So, it is always good to consult a dentist timely. 

What’s Normal? 

When the child is small, it is totally normal for them to suck their thumbs with regard to their age and the intensity of the habit. Furthermore, a growing child puts the object and fingers in their mouth to explore and understand the world. It is found that children often get rid of this behavior themselves by the age of 4. But if it continues for a long period, your child may experience palate issues, speech problems, or a misaligned bite. 

So, How To Prevent Them From Doing So? 

Find out thumb sucking triggers – Some children suck their thumbs when they are bored, tired, or hungry. If you are noticing these triggers, try to find out the cause of their tiredness or anxiety so that you can address them. You can try engaging them in the activities for which they have to use their hands, like playing catch or making drawings. 

Gentle reminders – If your child is unaware of their thumb-sucking habit, you can gently remind them to stop. You can do this every time your child puts a thumb in their mouth. But it only works if your child really wants to stop the habit of thumb sucking. 

A pediatric dentist may help – A pediatric dentist may talk to your child and inform them about the damage your children might be doing to their teeth. 

Orthodontic device – Orthodontic devices come in removable and non-removable forms to help children keep their thumb-sucking habits at bay. A dentist will help determine the suitable device for your child.

Thumb sucking versus pacifiers – Many parents think of getting a pacifier for their child to replace their thumb-sucking habit. If you are doing the same, you are doing more harm than good to your child. Pacifiers also have the same ability as thumb sucking to damage their teeth. Additionally, pacifiers can also fall to the ground, making them filled with germs. So, it is best not to give your children a pacifier and take other necessary steps to stop their thumb-sucking habit. 

To Sum It Up

Thumb sucking is common in all children. In fact, it begins before birth. It typically goes away on its own. But it can sometimes damage the teeth of your children, especially if they are more than four years old. So, start taking steps to reduce their habit of thumb-sucking and inculcate healthy oral hygiene habits in them. Besides, never forget to take your child to the pediatric dentist after the age of one for regular dental checkups. It will not only help keep your children’s thumb-sucking habit at bay, but they will also learn to maintain their mouth and teeth in a healthy manner. 

Busting Common Myths About Bad Breath!

We live in an era where our minds suffer from information overload. And this information is sometimes not even credible. While we can easily ignore the myths about everyday things, doing so in case of oral health will cause us a big problem. 

After waking up or eating your meals, you can often sense your foul breath. While there can be many reasons for it, people tend to fall prey to the common myths. Here, trusting the causes may not harm you but never adopt any solution. You must always seek a dentist's help in such cases, just like you do in full mouth reconstruction. Before drifting away from the topic, let us bust some common myths about bad breath.

Myths About Bad Breath

It's undeniable that bad breath is unpleasant; nobody likes to suffer from it. It makes you conscious and feels awkward during social interactions. Bad breath takes away your confidence to effectively communicate your emotions, feelings, and messages. But, hey, you're not alone! It is a common issue, and many people suffer from it daily. You may take help from search engines to find the natural causes behind it, and with luck, you will get the correct result. 

However, how will you find which information is trustworthy? Here we bring you five common misinformation spread about bad breath. So, let's get some facts straight!

Myth 1. Bad breath is the result of foods we eat

The answer is both yes and no. you may have come across people telling you to avoid eating onion or garlic before a meeting or probably a date, as these can cause your clients and partner to feel discomfort with the garlic food you eat. And, trust us, nobody wants to smell what you ate. But, the effect of the strong smell of onion and garlic is temporary. Sometimes, even without these foods, you usually get accustomed to chronic bad breath, which is a cause of bacteria accumulation at the back of the tongue. That's why it is always suggested to focus on all crucial points of your mouth, teeth, and tongue.

Myth 2. I can identify when I have bad breath.

Very rarely. Cupping your hands between your nose and mouth may not accurately give you an idea about bad breath every time. Because it originates in the backside of the mouth and is released forwards when you open your mouth so, try asking for help from a friend or family who can test if you have bad breath or not.

Myth 3. Our stomach is to be blamed

Not exactly. Occasionally, it can be a result of some gastrointestinal problems. However, studies show that around 85% of foul breath issues result from sulfur-producing bacteria on our tongues. That's why we again advise you to clean your tongue with a scraper.

Myth 4. I brush daily, so I can't have bad breath.

It would have been good if that was the case. However, brushing regularly and efficiently are two distinct things, and the technique mainly determines the result. So make sure you brush two times daily and with the correct method. 

Myth 5. A rinse with mouthwash can control my bad breath.

Mouthwashes can be an excellent option to check on germs and bacteria that cause bad breath. However, some food particles may keep stuck in different parts of your mouth. Only proper brushing can remove these stubborn particles.

These were some common myths about bad breath. Now, let's understand the actual reasons behind bad breath.

Actual Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath can happen for numerous reasons, but it starts with the accumulation of sulfur-producing bacteria that hide under the surface of your tongue. Many reasons contribute to it, such as poor oral hygiene, gum diseases, tooth decay, and food stuck between your teeth. There are other contributors too, which are probably less common, like:

• Dry mouth - It is Also known as xerostomia, where your mouth produces less saliva than required.

• Gastrointestinal problems - A condition where stomach bacteria produce odor

• Breaking down of fat - A situation where your body breaks down fat and releases foul-smelling acids

Tips For Good Oral Hygiene

Nevertheless, it all starts and ends with oral hygiene. So maintain a good dental care routine to keep your breath fresh. Here are a few tips to help you ensure that:

Brushing regularly

Everyone must brush their teeth at least twice a day, or in some instances, after a meal. Also, note the type of food you consume, as brushing after acidic foods and drinks can make your tooth enamel vulnerable.

Change your toothbrush 

Using the same toothbrush for more than 3-4 months can reduce its efficacy, so try replacing your old toothbrush with a new one. Also, make it a habit to change it every three months.

Clean your tongue

Many people think oral hygiene is limited to tooth brushing only, but it is not the case. To keep your teeth healthy, clean and brush your tongue because food particles and bacteria hiding under your tongue don't go away with just brushing your teeth.

Extra tips

The above three tips can surely help you; however, some extra tips will only add to the positives of your oral hygiene. Read below:

• Clean in between your teeth to remove trapped food, and use dental floss.

• After brushing, rinse with a mouthwash.

• Cut down on caffeine, smoke, tobacco, alcohol, etc.

• Drink a sufficient amount of water.

Bottomline!

All these tips can help you maintain fresh breath, but try consulting valley creek dental care if bad breath persists. In many cases, people are unaware of underlying dental issues like tooth decay, so it is best to seek a dentist's help. As far as bad breath is concerned, it is common and manageable. You need to be more aware of your consumption and hygiene. If you need more information regarding oral health, visit our website.

Mistakes You Might Be Doing While Cleaning Your Teeth

Brushing the teeth twice a day keeps all the oral problems at bay. Do you think the same? If yes, you might need to think again. Just brushing your teeth in an autopilot mode does not guarantee the cleanliness of the mouth. You may be following the incorrect techniques while brushing, which can lead to several problems. And the solution to these dental problems comes in the form of full mouth reconstruction, braces, filling, and whatnot. You don’t want to worsen the situation of the teeth, right? So, let’s elaborate on the mistakes you might be making while cleaning your teeth. 

Brushing your teeth for a short period – Experts recommend brushing your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day. As per the Academy of General Dentistry, average people brush their teeth for 45-70 seconds per day. Or you can say 23-35 seconds if they are brushing twice. Now, it is less than half the time that experts recommend. You can use a timer to brush your teeth for a longer duration. Many electronic toothbrushes come with a “buzz.” These toothbrushes buzz at 30 seconds intervals. In this way, you can divide your mouth into four areas to brush, i.e., from top to bottom and left to right. Spend 30 seconds on each area, and you are good to go. Thus, don’t make the mistake of brushing your teeth for a shorter period. 

Rinsing immediately after brushing – A gazillion people worldwide have the habit of rinsing their mouth immediately after brushing. The dentists follow the mantra of “spit don’t rinse.” Why is this so? Rinsing your teeth wash off the fluoride and enamel-protecting properties found in the toothpaste. You all have become accustomed to this routine since childhood. But it is time to break off this routine. The longer you try not to rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, the easier it will become for you.  

Using the wrong toothpaste – Sometimes, using the wrong toothpaste might hinder the cleaning of your teeth. There is no one set of toothpaste best for every individual on this planet. Ensure that the toothpaste you are buying contains enough fluoride. Dentists suggest that your toothpaste should contain 1350-1500 parts per million of fluoride (also written as “ppm”). It is the recommended amount for adults. Fluoride is an essential element that helps protect your teeth from tooth decay. So, choose the right toothpaste to steer clear of the tooth problems.  

Using the wrong toothbrush – Sometimes, it becomes quite challenging to decide on which toothbrush to use – manual or electric. Dental professionals say that it is hard to clean wisdom teeth using a manual toothbrush. Using an electric toothbrush makes it easy to brush the wisdom teeth as you don’t have to move your actual toothbrush much. An electric toothbrush also alerts you if you put too much pressure on your teeth. Whatever toothbrush you choose, check its bristles. The bristles should be soft so that it doesn’t damage your teeth. 

Brushing at the wrong time – What is the first thing you want to do after being ill? Reach out to the toothbrush to improve the taste of your mouth, right? Don’t do that. Being ill deposits a layer of acid in your mouth. When you reach out to brush to say goodbye to this acidic layer, you brush abrasively on the teeth. Instead, you can wait for 30 minutes before brushing so that the protective acidic layer can recover. A study found that there are some people who went more than 48 hours without cleaning their teeth. You should refrain from doing that. The most important time to brush your teeth is at night. At night, you can say goodbye to the deposits that have been accumulated on your teeth by eating and drinking during the day. It helps remove the bacteria and protects you from gum disease. 

Not making use of interdental brushes – Sometimes, your brush can’t reach the sides of your teeth. That is why experts recommend using an interdental brush, which comes along with floss. Your brush may not reach the gums of your teeth. So prefer using an interdental brush also. 

To sum it up

Believe it or not, cleaning your teeth in the right manner is crucial for your overall well-being. So, it is high time to pay close attention to your toothbrush and the cleaning technique you are using. Visit the dentist at regular intervals for professional cleaning of your mouth. 

Valley Creek Dental care is your one-stop solution if you are looking for a clinic to meet all your dental needs. We provide Invisalign tx, preventive dental care, teeth whitening, implants, and many more. We use advanced digital dentistry technology to give you the desired results. You don’t have to worry about your visit to our clinic as we follow unmatched professionalism with personal comfort. We are sure to give you a lifetime of happy smiles. If you want the same, visit our website and make your smile better than ever before.

Oral Care for Teenagers - 101

Teenage is a time of puberty changes and growth spurts. A teenager goes from the motion through rapid and slow phases of growth. An adolescent body experiences several changes, from physical to psychological and behavioral. Some changes are explicit while some are implicit; nevertheless, a teenager goes through a series of coaster-like changes. If you’re an adolescent or a parent of one, read on as we have something, especially for teenagers.

Teenagers and Oral Care

You have a lot up to your sleeves during your teenage phase, from acne to mood swings. Amid all this frustration, you sideline the beauty of the changes you experience in this period. Poets call the teenage period the best part of our lives. When teenagers enter this phase, they begin the journey to find themselves. They aren’t fearful of trying out new things or taking risks. During this crucial phase of adolescence, you enjoy, cry, try, learn and create some beautiful memories.

Amid these, while all four implants are too soon for you, taking necessary care of your oral health is vital. Yes, we agree you have a lot to worry about in your transitional phase- braces, facial appearance, bad breath, and third molars. These things will accompany you in your journey from childhood to adulthood. While risks are worthy of your consideration, you definitely can not slide your school activities or an extra slice of pizza. This busy schedule and junk food create a situation perfectly ripe for cavities. So, how to stop this? Well, keep reading.

Tips to keep cavities at bay

A smile is the most beautiful gesture and ornament. To continue smiling with your healthy teeth, it’s always good to start incorporating good oral habits early in childhood. Here’s a list of must do-s for you as a teenager and a parent of one-

• Brush and floss teeth twice a day. It keeps your teeth in good condition. As a parent, encourage your teen kid for this by explaining to them the consequences of bad oral hygiene like stains, missing teeth, and other dental issues.

• Keep plenty of dental health-care supplies at home like soft toothbrushes, plastic flossers, and good toothpaste.

• Keep checking your junk eating and indulge in eating healthy foods like nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

• Abstain from smoking! It may sound exciting in these years but can lead to severe health problems, not just dental issues.

The dilemma of a perfect and healthy smile

During growth years, teens face dental issues like getting braces or removing wisdom teeth. These may sound normal, but dentists sometimes proactively take a few steps to ensure you or your child a lifetime of oral health. So, read these points for you or your teen child:

• Braces are not just equivalent to a pretty smile. Instead, straight teeth are easier to clean and keep gums healthy. 

• The problem of wisdom tooth removal is pretty standard, with almost every 2 in five people suffering from this pain unknowingly. Third molars or wisdom teeth sometimes don’t have enough space for growth and try to create space independently. It causes damage to adjacent teeth and infection, so special care is needed.

• Halitosis, or bad breath, results from bacteria living on your tongue. Making good oral hygiene your habit will keep these bacteria away from your mouth.

• Tobacco products are carriers of toxins that cause severe cancer, gum diseases, tooth discoloration, etc. So, do not indulge in any such activity which directly affects your overall health.

• Every teenager wants to follow the trend, and going for your choices is not wrong. Still, those cool oral piercings may affect your oral health adversely.

Go for regular dental checkups.

The above tips can help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums. In case you experience any discomfort, you must visit your dentist. Like our physical checkups, we shall give importance to our dental checkups. As a parent, encourage your child to visit the dentist regularly, at least once in six months. A small step will keep your or your child’s teeth healthier for a lifetime and prevent issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, etc. away.

Be a role model for your teen kid.

It is a special section for our parents who are also experiencing new lifestyle changes because their kids have just entered adolescence. Children look up to their parents, so make sure you adopt good oral habits yourself. It will maintain your teeth' excellent shape and your child’s. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for dental implants near me on google, stop looking further and check our website. We will help your family to keep their smiles bright and healthy.

Conclusion

We hope it helps you and your family keep their teeth in good shape. A simple 101 for our teenagers will keep these good habits in your life for a long time.