When it comes to picking a toothbrush and toothpaste, finding the right brush can be a lot easier. The first thing people should look for is one with soft bristles. These are less likely to damage teeth enamel, even if the patient brushes too hard.

The design of the bristle ends should also be considered. Rounded ends are less likely to lead to gum irritation. Most importantly, patients should select a toothbrush that makes brushing their teeth as easy as possible.

Contact one of our dentists to learn more about picking a toothbrush and toothpaste.

First and foremost, flossing every day is important because brushing alone can’t reach every side of each and every tooth. This means that when you pass on the floss you’re not thoroughly cleaning your teeth. Actually, if you skip flossing, you’re leaving about 35% of each tooth’s surface uncleaned. That means a lot of plaque and bacteria are left lingering around and can cause some serious damage.

Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. But if you have trouble doing those correctly, rinsing can help protect you from cavities or gum disease. Fluoride rinses help prevent tooth decay.

It’s no secret that oral health is a significant part of our overall health and once dental trouble starts, it?s immediate and painful. There are a few common dental problems that can arise, simply due to not keeping up with without your continued dental care from your dental office. Unfortunately, a percentage of people will wait until they have a problem until they seek any care at all.? What was once a small problem is now an issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. When people come to the dentist with an emergency, chances are the problem has been there for some time. Here are some of the early signs of dental trouble and what they could be associated with.

1. Bad breath. Bad breath isn?t something anyone wants and it can be embarrassing. Some of the top dental problems that can cause bad breath (even after brushing, flossing, & using mouthwash) could be gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, or bacteria on your tongue.
2. Tooth decay. When any of your teeth start to decay, or you get a cavity, it can cause a lot of dental problems/symptoms. Tooth decay is from when plaque forms on your teeth and then combines with the sugars and foods that you eat. That combination then starts to attack the tooth. Tooth decay or cavities aren?t just for children – this can happen to adults as well.
3. Gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is what it sounds like – an infection in your gums. It?s very common and is one of the largest causes of tooth loss in adults. Symptoms for gum disease is bad breath, red/swollen gums, bleeding gums, or painful chewing.
4. Mouth sores. Mouth sores can be pesky, not go away easily, and can even be painful. If you have mouth sores that last over two weeks, then it?s something to consult your doctor about.
5. Teeth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is when you have pain or discomfort when eating anything hot or cold. This can be a sign of a cracked tooth or weakening enamel if this is the case it needs to be treated by a dentist so you don?t get an infection in your jaw or lose your tooth.
6. Toothaches. Most toothaches can be avoided by seeing your dentist regularly. Toothaches can be caused by a broken or cracked tooth, or an abscessed tooth.

Dental X-ray exams are safe; however, they do require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects very small. Dental X-ray tools and techniques are designed to limit the body’s exposure to radiation and every precaution is taken to ensure that radiation exposure is As Low As Reasonable Achievable (the ALARA principle). A leaded apron and/or a leaded thyroid collar may be used to shield the abdomen and thyroid.

Dental exams are used to help find tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems early, when they’re easier to treat. The exams are also used to help educate people on the best ways to care for their teeth and gums.