Healthy Teeth in Five Easy Steps
A bright, healthy smile is a lot more than just brushing and flossing every day and visiting Salmon Creek Family Dental for your regularly scheduled check-ups and cleanings. These five simple steps canl help you maintain great oral hygiene as you go about your daily routines. Step One: A Well-Balanced Diet It’s essential to remember that everything you eat has an effect on your teeth. What’s generally bad for your overall health is also bad for your teeth. For example, foods that are high in refined sugar aid the growth of the bacteria that produce plaque. This sticky, yellow substance spreads onto the surfaces of our teeth as well as those hard-to-reach areas, producing cavities, stains and tooth decay. Healthier foods tend not to stick to teeth, and crunchy foods – like fruits and vegetables – naturally help clean teeth while you eat. Don’t forget to factor in the effects of beverages as well – avoid those high in sugar, like sodas and juices. Stick with milk or water to avoid tooth decay and help keep your teeth healthy! Step Two: Brush It’s important to not only brush every day – twice a day – but to brush correctly to remove as much plaque as possible from the surfaces of your teeth. Even though you’re brushing regularly, you may not be getting the most out of this daily habit. As Dr. Nelson and your hygienist about the best toothbrush and toothpaste for your needs, and request a short lesson on the best way to brush your teeth at home. Step Three: Floss is flossing your teeth regularly as important as brushing them? A daily routine of flossing your teeth can have many benefits, even if you’re just starting out. Effectively flossing your teeth removes plaque and bacteria that gathers between teeth. If you’re not sure how to best floss your teeth, ask Dr. Nelson for some simple tips. Step Four: Quit Tobacco Use Regardless of whether or not you’re using smokeless tobacco or smoking cigarettes, you’re at a risk of oral cancer while using tobacco products. In addition, using tobacco products increases the chance of other dental problems, such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth decay as well as bad breath and stained teeth. Seek out a cessation program to eliminate these products from your daily life and improve the health of your teeth. Step Five: Visit Your Dentist Regularly The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist office twice a year. This is a great guideline, but you may need more frequent visits depending on your specific situation. Talk with Vancouver family dentist Dr. Nelson regarding issues like swollen gums, discolored teeth, oral cancer screening, frequent cavities, and any previous dental work you’ve had done. Working together, you and the entire staff at Salmon Creek Family Dental will figure out a schedule that’s right for you.
Amalgam vs. Mercury Free Fillings
After initial exams and careful consideration of your dental health, Vancouver family dentist Dr. Nelson may decide that a filling is necessary. You may envision traditional silver fillings, but there are actually many options when it comes to protecting your teeth from decay. What is the Purpose of a Filling? A filling is required when there’s evidence of tooth decay, also known as the development of cavities on the surface of your teeth. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that, when exposed to sugar, create acid that attacks teeth. Enamel breaks down, creating a hole that is called a cavity. Fillings are materials placed in teeth to stop the progress of tooth decay and protect them for future use. What Are Amalgam Fillings? Amalgam has been used for over 100 years in tooth fillings, and is recognized as a standard material in dental procedures. The word “amalgam” comes from amalgamation, which means “mixture.” These fillings include a combination of different metals, including copper, silver, and mercury. Why Mercury-Free Fillings? Dr. Nelson and Salmon Creek Family Dental use amalgam-free fillings. The presence of mercury in amalgam fillings has caused controversy in recent years. Mercury is a known toxin, and there has been concern among scientists and dental professionals that mercury is released from these metal fillings when they’re placed and when we use our teeth to chew. With advances in dental technology, amalgam is no longer required for most procedures as it has been used in the past. Instead of amalgam, substitutions made from porcelain or similar composites are used that look and wear like regular teeth – and don’t contain mercury. Should Amalgam Fillings Be Replaced? If you currently have a metal filling, it needs to be regularly evaluated by Dr. Nelson – if it still functions well, it should be left alone. However, if it needs to be replaced, consider talking with Dr. Nelson about alternatives to amalgam fillings. Avoiding Future Fillings There has been a recent decrease in the use of amalgam, due to the increase of alternative materials for fillings as well as a decrease in the presence of cavities. Avoiding future fillings, however, has a lot to do with a solid daily oral hygiene routine. A balanced diet, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing once a day can go a long way toward keeping teeth healthy, strong and free of fillings!
Teeth Whitening Basics
A healthy, white smile is easier and less expensive to achieve than you might expect. Daily habits combined with the whitening agent of your choice can keep your teeth looking strong and bright. Here are some Teeth Whitening basics from your Vancouver family dentist: Dr. Dale Nelson. Daily Dental Habits Consistent good dental habits go a long way toward maintaining whiter teeth. Snacks and meals high in sugar and carbohydrates encourage bacteria that produce acid that harm our teeth. Avoid these kinds of foods, opting instead for fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat. Follow each meal if possible with a thorough brushing, holding your toothbrush at a forty-five degree angle to clean the gumline. Brushing your teeth after breakfast and dinner may be the most convenient – if brushing after lunch isn’t possible, rinse well with water. Floss at least once a day to clean out food particles from between teeth. Teeth Whitening at Home If your teeth have lost their luster, it may be time to whiten them. Teeth whitening is basically applying a bleaching agent to the surfaces of your teeth. The best equation for whiter teeth is consistent use over a long period of time to produce the results you want. If you want to spend less than $100, there are many teeth whitening agents available in retail stores. These options range from strips that adhere to your teeth as well as non-customized mouth trays filled with a bleaching agent. These teeth whiteners are safe to use at home and don’t require a dentist’s supervision. They also require more consistent use and a longer amount of time to work. To get the most from these less expensive options, follow the directions carefully. Professional Teeth Whitening Teeth whitening that’s done by your Dr. Nelson at Salmon Creek Family Dental is the fastest, easiest and most convenient way to whiten your teeth. Using professional equipment, Dr. Nelson can help whiten your teeth up to ten shades in about an hour. While more expensive, this is the most effective way to whiten teeth. A less expensive option involves customized mouth trays and the supervision of Dr. Nelson and his staff at Salmon Creek Family Dental. In a little over a week, your teeth could be up to ten shades whiter using these materials provided by Dr. Nelson. Many dental professionals offer these teeth-whitening kits for free for new patients, which may be worth your time and effort. No matter which option you choose, the reward will be a smile that’s healthy, white and bright!