5 Daily Habits to Boost Your Dental Health

 

If you’re looking for ways to boost your dental health, look no further! Here are some daily habits that you can work into your routine to maintain the healthiest mouth possible.

1. Proper Brushing

Brushing is something everyone does, some better than others. It’s important to make sure you are brushing properly and efficiently and for the right amount of time. Here are some tips on how to properly brush your teeth:

·         Brush twice a day for 2 minutes (brush to your favorite song!)

·         Brush in a circular motion with medium pressure to avoid damaging gum tissue.

·         Brush your tongue. Did you know plaque also builds up on the surface of your tongue? In most cases, it looks like a white film and discolors the muscle. Not only will brushing your tongue on a daily basis better your overall dental health, it will also improve halitosis (bad breath).

2. Floss

In order to floss correctly, make sure you are flossing thoroughly on both sides of the tooth. Work the floss in a “C” motion around each tooth to ensure you are cleaning the interproximal areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.

3. Use Products that Contain Fluoride

Using fluoride is a great/easy way to boost your dental health! Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing down the process of enamel breaking down and increasing the rate of remineralization process. The enamel of your tooth is hard yet porous. Because of this, plaque that sits on the surface of your teeth can produce acids that go into the pores of the enamel causing it to break down its structure from the inside. If left untreated a weak spot can form resulting in a cavity.

Here are some examples of how you can introduce fluoride into your dental health routine:

·         Fluoride Mouthwash- https://www.colgateprofessional.com/products/products-list/rinse-specialty/colgate-phos-flur-rinse

·         Fluoride Toothpaste- Most toothpastes contain fluoride! Make sure to check the label before purchasing.

·         Visit your general dentist– At your routine dental check up’s, your dental hygienists uses fluoride to deep clean your teeth.

·         Drink tap water- Tap water contains fluoride which will naturally help strengthen your teeth. In fact, studies show that drinking tap water can decrease your chances of getting a cavity by up to 50%! 

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water is essential, but some may not realize the positive benefits it may have on your smile. By simply drinking plain water while eating, you are helping clean away excess food particles that may be sitting on your teeth. However, drinks such as coffee, tea, or flavored water may contain added sugars or acidity that can cause cavities.

Water does not stain or damage teeth, making it the healthiest beverage choice when choosing to boost your dental health!

5. Eat Healthy

You’ve heard it from your doctor time and time again, and now you’re hearing it from your orthodontist! The foods you choose to consume will ultimately have an effect on your teeth one way or the other. Here are some healthy food options that you can add into your daily routine:

·         Hard/Solid Foods- These are necessary to maintain a strong mouth and jaw.

·         Crisp Fruits & Raw Vegetables- Chewing a crispy apple, or munching on some carrots or celery can do a lot of benefit for your oral health! Not only will they help clean plaque off of your teeth, but they can also naturally freshen your breath. The nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables are also healthy for your gums and protect against cell damage.

For more information on boosting your dental health, visit the Spannhake Orthodontics website: https://www.spannhakeorthodontics.com/oral-hygiene.php

Do Braces Hurt?

 

One of the main questions we get at Spannhake Orthodontics is, “Do Braces Hurt?” We are here to ease your fear and let you know that braces are nothing to be scared of! You may feel some mild discomfort and soreness while your mouth is adjusting the first few days, but nothing extreme.

 Two Types of Discomfort Caused by Braces

Tooth Soreness

Having minor tooth soreness is typical the first few days after getting braces put on. Many patients describe this as a “tight” feeling. Here are a few ways to alleviate discomfort while your teeth adjust to your new braces:

·         Eat soft foods. This discomfort is like a bruise. If you eat hard foods, you are not giving the area time to heal before using it again. When you eat soft food, you are not putting as much pressure on the area, which will allow the area to heal quicker. 

·         Take Tylenol. Tylenol is an over the counter pain reliever. This can help dull the pain that is occurring due to the braces. 

·         Drink/eat something cold. The first couple sets of wires that are used are activated at body temperature. If you drink or eat something cold, then you will have less tightness due to the wires not actively pushing on your teeth. 

     

Tongue/Cheek Irritation

The second type of discomfort you may feel after getting braces put on are some sores from wire or bracket irritation. This is a normal occurrence the first week after getting braces put on. When this happens:

·         Try using wax. Wax is given to you at your first appointment at Spannhake Orthodontics and we provide this to you as often as you need it. When there is a wire or bracket rubbing on your cheek or tongue, roll a piece of wax between your fingers and place it the sore area. This will allow the area to heal so a sore does not form.

·         Let it run its course. After a few days of allowing your braces to work, eventually your cheeks and lips will toughen up to the braces. Once this happens, the feeling of rubbing or sores forming will decrease significantly.

Keep in mind that this soreness will not last forever. Getting braces put on is an exciting time and pain is nothing to fear! Follow the tips we listed above on how to alleviate some of this mild discomfort and after a few weeks you won’t even notice you have them on.

Click here to learn more about your first days in braces.

Take A Pizza My Heart

National Pepperoni Pizza Day 

Thursday, September 20th

 

National Pepperoni Pizza Day

According to legend, Raffaele Esposito created the first pizza in 1889 in honor of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. A pizza topped with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella represented the colors of the Italian flag was aptly named Pizza Margherita.

While pizza might be most heavily associated with the Italians, pepperoni pizza is purely American. Served on more than a third of American pizza orders, it’s safe to say that pepperoni is America’s Sweetheart.   

September 20^th is a day set aside to pay homage to the most popular pizza ever created…Pepperoni Pizza! So get the invitations in the mail…cause you’re throwing a Pizza Party! 

Photo provided by birthdayexpress.com

Rather than call up your favorite Pizza Parlor, considering Throwing a “Make Your Own Mini Pizza” Party and create a DIY Mini Pizza Bar where all of your friends and family can come together to celebrate. 

What You Will Need: 

Pizza Dough 

Pizza Sauce 

Toppings (cheese, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, onions, and of course, Pepperoni) 

You can always make your own Light and Fluffy Pizza Dough, but if you don’t have time for that, don't worry, you can purchase ready made Pizza Dough or even use Pre-Made Pizza Crusts.

Photo provided by www.pillsbury.com

And no celebration would be complete without a cake!...a Pizza Cake that is! This simple recipe for a layered pepperoni pizza cake is sure to be a hit. It’s just a layer of pizza, topped with another layer of pizza, topped with another layer of pizza, and all wrapped up in Pillsbury dough. Yes…we know…it sounds delicious.

Braces are Magnetic

Image provided by colourmovie.com

We all know someone who has a friend who has a brother who knows a guy that had braces...so the story must be true. 

There are a lot of myths about orthodontics and getting braces, some of which have been told so many times, by so many different people, they are now believed to be the truth. Well...guess what? Even if you know the guy who has the brother who has the friend...the story is most likely an Urban Legend. 

Legend: Only children and teens need to visit an orthodontist. 

TRUTH: It is very typical for adults to experience rotation or misalignment of teeth. If you’ve still got teeth, Dr. Spannhake can straighten them! Certainly there are age-related changes that affect the way treatment proceeds. Restorative needs and periodontal concerns necessitate a full diagnosis and discussion of your needs...but the truth is...everyone, no matter what their age, can enjoy the benefits of a healthy, pleasing smile. Health, happiness and self-esteem are important at any age. 

Legend: Braces interfere with radio signals and electronic devices. 

TRUTH: In theory any metal can act as an antenna. Radio signals are modulated electro-magnetic waves transmitted through the air. In order for these transmitted signals to travel well in air, they must be sent at high-frequencies. This is achieved through modulation. Even if someone's braces could receive these frequencies, it would have to be decoded to actually hear any messages. 

Legend: Braces are just for cosmetic purposes and aren’t necessary for your overall dental health. 

TRUTH: While braces can definitely help you get that beautiful smile, they aren’t just for cosmetic improvement. Well aligned teeth can facilitate good oral hygiene making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, resolving certain orthodontic problems with the use of braces can improve your ability to speak, chew, and even breathe. 

Legend: Wearing braces will increase your chances of being struck by lightning? 
TRUTH: The chances of a person getting struck by lightning are the same, with or without braces. In the U.S. in any given year, the chance that you will be struck by lightning is 1 in 700,000 no matter what you are wearing. 

Legend: You don't need to visit your General Dentist when you are in braces treatment. 

TRUTH: Even if you are having regular orthodontic checkups, you should never skip your regular dental checkups. Having braces makes you more prone to plaque and tartar accumulation, so your dental cleanings are actually more important now. Regular dental checkups are the best way to ensure harmful buildup is removed from your mouth. 

Legend: If there was a giant magnet overhead, anyone who is wearing braces would get stuck to it. 

TRUTH: Braces are made of materials which are non-magnetic in nature. Therefore, getting stuck to a giant magnet is highly unlikely. And really...where is this giant magnet everyone is talking about anyway? We haven't seen it. Have you?

Image provided by HSOrtho

Point is...Orthodontic Urban Legends are just that...Legends. No matter what your friend's brother's cousin says.