Happy National Dental Care Month! We celebrate dental health every day here at Hollywood Dental Center by educating patients on how to care for their teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. We also give recommendations on dental products for patients to use at home as well as help them understand the impact that their diet and overall health have on their mouth.
It’s so important for everyone to stay on top of their oral health care routine. Just like anything else in and on your body, if you don't care for it properly, problems arise. Teeth and gums need to be well maintained by proper cleaning and proper use (ie: eating a well-balanced diet and protecting your teeth from trauma like clenching or grinding).
To maintain a good daily oral health routine, we recommend eating a low sugar diet, brushing for two minutes at least twice a day, and flossing each night after your daily brush. In terms of your dental health accessories, the American Dental Association recommends a toothbrush be replaced every 3-4 months due to the wear on the bristles. A worn toothbrush isn't as effective at cleaning. For water flossers tips and other adjunct dental care products, take a look at the manufacturer's instructions for use on when to replace them.
Mouthwash is also important for your oral health routine. Mouthwash has a therapeutic use in patient's oral health routine and can provide many benefits such as: reducing the risk of tooth decay, reducing plaque (a thin film of bacteria that forms on teeth), reducing gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease), reduce the speed that tartar (hardened plaque) forms on the teeth, and of course freshening your breath.
Not only are we celebrating National Dental Care Month, but we are also raising awareness for Root Canal Day on May 11th! Root canals happen when someone has irreversible nerve damage due to deep/large decay (bacterial infection) or trauma. This is when we come in with our root canal therapy to save the affected tooth.
There are a lot of misconceptions about root canals and the procedure as a whole. Educating patients on the realities of root canals is something we pride ourselves on. Explaining how we are doing the treatment, giving accurate expectations for post-treatment discomfort, and informing patients on the total costs associated with replacing a tooth are some of the things that we review with patients every time they come in for a root canal procedure.
To avoid getting to the point of a root canal we suggest not letting decay go untreated because the bacteria multiply and get worse and begin to affect the nerve of the tooth. Often a root canal could have been avoided if the initial decay first diagnosed had been tended to promptly with the recommended treatment" known as "Fillings". Also, try to avoid trauma to your teeth! This could be bicycle accidents, sports injuries, clenching/grinding, etc. In addition, wearing an appropriate mouth guard while doing the sport/activity you enjoy is a good protective measure, and could lessen damage in the event of an injury.
If you think you may have any issues with your dental health, please reach out to our office to schedule an appointment. We always offer new patients specials, as well as several payment options or discounts. For this month's new patient specials and more details, call us at 936.632.4477, our staff is always ready to assist you.
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