How to Keep Your Teeth Clean During Christmas

Christmas is an amazing time of year with family and fun. It also comes with many treats and delicious meals. The holidays should be a time to get together with friends and family. Do not forget about your teeth though. During this time of year it can be easy to get caught up in everything that is going on and forget to do the simple things such as brushing your teeth. Your Dentist in Spanish Fork Utah cares about your oral health and does not want you to forget about your teeth this season. There are many things you can do to help you to remember to take care of your teeth.

During these holidays make it an effort to keep your dental routine up. This may be the most important time of year that you brush twice a day with all of those holiday treats waiting to be eaten. If you easily forget to keep your routine up, set some reminders. Put your toothbrush somewhere that you will see every time you wake up or are getting ready for bed.

If you are at a party and go to eat nuts do not open them with your teeth. This may seem like the quickest and easiest way to eat a nut but this will cause serious damage to your teeth. Use a nutcracker.

Don’t forget to drink water. Believe it or not but water helps your dental health. While you’re out enjoying the holidays bring a water bottle you can sip on. The water will wash away some bacteria that may still be on your teeth. With all the holiday treats comes the drinks. Every once in a while this holiday season choose water instead.

When the holidays are over it would be a good idea to come in for a cleaning. This way we can check on your teeth and make sure that they are healthy. If you want to schedule a cleaning or have any questions give us a call today.

Losing a Tooth

Growing up everyone remembers losing their teeth and putting their tooth under their pillow in hope that the tooth fairy will come that night. You would wake up the next morning and find that the tooth fairy left something for you. As a kid losing teeth is fun and exciting. That’s not quite the case if you lose a tooth as an adult. Losing a tooth as an adult can cause many problems that need to be fixed immediately. Teeth can fall out for many reasons as an adult including: gum disease, decay, and accidents.

Is losing one tooth really that bad?
The answer is yes, there are many things that can happen from you losing just one tiny tooth. If you lose a tooth and do not take care of it you could see changes in your speech, eating habits and even your appearance. Missing teeth can also cause problems in your mouth. You could have some teeth loosen, have frequent gum infections and facial swelling. Losing an adult tooth you could say is undesirable and if you do lose one it needs to be taken care of.

What should I do if I lose a tooth?
If you do lose a tooth first call us at Dentist Spanish Fork Utah so we can give you the help you need. If your tooth is knocked out and you go to pick it up do not pick it up with the root. Find the crown of the tooth and pick it up with that. Grab your tooth and rinse with just water and if possible insert your tooth back into your mouth. If you can’t put it back in, use milk or saline solution and put your tooth in. Water will not help preserve your tooth for a long time so if possible do not use water. Keep it as moist as you can as you head to your dentist office.
There we will give you the help you need.

How to Take Care of Your Toothbrush

Dental hygiene is one of the most important aspects of your health. We have all created our daily routine of brushing and flossing and visiting Dentist Spanish Fork Utah a couple times a year. The most important part of our dental health is our tools and they need to be taken care of. If not taken care of properly your efforts of keeping a daily routine may not help you much. Below we will give several tips on how you can take care of your toothbrush.

You should replace your toothbrush about every three to four months or sooner if your bristles start to wear down. When they wear down it does not have the same effect when cleaning. Write down when you replace your toothbrush so you can keep a timetable on it.

After every use, rinse your toothbrush. Your toothbrush comes into contact with your whole mouth and toothpaste can get stuck inside. If you rinse your toothbrush after every use you can make sure you clean it out.

When not using your toothbrush try to keep it dry. If wet bacteria has a better chance at sticking to your toothbrush to avoid this just keep it dry. After rinsing, shake your toothbrush so excess water can come off. Place your toothbrush upright and never lay your toothbrush down flat.

This may seem obvious but never share your toothbrush. This is good to remember no matter what circumstance you are in do not share. Sharing can risk spreading bacteria germs onto your toothbrush.

Don’t place your toothbrush in a small container for a long period of time. If any moisture is inside it will attract bacteria and germs onto your toothbrush. By not placing your toothbrush into a small container you are giving it a chance to dry.

You can make your oral health better if you use these tips with your toothbrush. This will help your mouth stay healthy.

Should I Use Mouthwash

Having a daily routine for your dental care is very important to your overall health. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Here at your Spanish Fork Dental we care about your dental health and want the best for you and your mouth. As you clean your teeth daily the question is should you also use mouthwash? Does mouthwash even help?

Mouthwash can indeed freshen your breath. There is nothing like gargling that fresh minty liquid in your throat giving you a feeling of freshness in your mouth. If you have bad breath, mouthwash is definitely a good option. Does mouthwash do anything else for you?

Mouthwash cannot replace brushing and flossing your teeth but it can give you the edge you may need in your mouth. Unlike mouthwash, brushing and flossing uses friction and actually rubs against your teeth to remove plaque. Mouthwash does not have the same effect. Mouthwash can kill bacteria but if you are brushing and flossing everyday it will not make a huge difference.

Pros:
1. Mouthwash will freshen your breath. When you eat you can leave behind some bacteria and mouthwash will get rid of all of that. Mouthwash will get rid of bad breath.

2. Mouthwash can help reduce plaque. With brushing and flossing, mouthwash can help reduce the plaque that can build up on your teeth.

3. Mouthwash has fluoride. Fluoride is a great mineral when it comes to fighting cavities off. Mouthwash is a great source of fluoride as long as you don’t wash it out after use.

Cons:
1. Mouthwash may only mask your bad breath. Depending on how bad your breath is, mouthwash may not be able to do the job. Brushing and flossing daily will guarantee that you have good breath.

2. Can be dehydrating. Mouthwash can reduce your production of saliva.

3. Mouthwash can be irritating. Too much alcohol can be irritating to your mouth and make your mouth uncomfortable.

Overall it is your choice whether you use mouthwash or not it can help but the biggest thing you need to do is brushing and flossing daily.

Dental Emergencies

We all know that dental emergencies happen and need to be taken care of right away. At Spanish Fork Dental we are here for you in all dental emergencies. Accidents do happen and it is important that you know what to do. It could come down to losing and keeping a tooth. If you have an emergency, come to us as soon as you can and we can help.

What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is anything that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, help stop pain, or to save a tooth. We know that any of these things can strike at any time and we are here to help alleviate any pain.

What should you do if you have a dental emergency?
There are many types of dental emergencies that can happen no matter the circumstance. Call us immediately. We can tell you what to do over the phone and have you get to us as quickly as possible. If you get a tooth knocked out keep it moist, if you crack a tooth rinse with warm water to clean it out, and for toothache try rinsing it out floss your teeth and if nothing help come to us.
We are always here for you and ready to help with any dental emergency.

Precautions you can take to avoid dental emergencies.
If you are playing a sport, wear a mouthguard. This will help you if you ever get hit in the mouth. Without the mouthguard you do risk getting a tooth knocked out while playing.
Do not chew ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies. All of these can crack your teeth and even knock them out.
Never use your teeth when trying to open something. There are scissors so just use the theme instead.

We are ready to help when an emergency comes along. If you do ever have a dental emergency just quickly give us a call and we will help you out.

What are Wisdom Teeth

If you have or have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed have you ever wondered what they really are? Why do they need to get removed in the first place? Wisdom teeth are actually called the third molar. The third molar is called a wisdom tooth because of when the tooth comes in. The tooth does not come into your mouth until your dental arch becomes larger. This typically happened between the ages 17-25. That time of life is referred to as the “age of wisdom”. So because the third molar comes in during this time it is known as the Wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth are normally the last teeth to come in.

Without removal wisdom teeth can become very painful. There are many reasons why you should remove your wisdom teeth. Your wisdom teeth can damage other nearby teeth and also your jaw. For most patients it takes some pain for them to realize that their wisdom teeth are impacting them. When you have pain in your mouth pay attention to where that pain is coming from. If you feel pain all the way in the back of your mouth when you are eating or brushing your teeth your wisdom teeth have probably erupted. Now it is time to take them out.

What happens when you get your wisdom teeth removed? The first thing you need to remember is that you need to eliminate your anxiety and stress. Here at Dentist in Spanish Fork Utah we help eliminate your anxiety and stress with sedation dentistry. When we are ready to extract the doctor will numb all areas surrounding your wisdom teeth so that you can remain pain free. The doctors will then work fast to extract the teeth so you can have a quick and healthy recovery.

Top Foods That Damage Your Teeth

There are some foods out there that can hurt your teeth more than others. Here at Spanish Fork Dental we care about the health of your teeth. What you eat does matter for your dental and overall health. They say you are what you eat; this is partially true when it comes to your teeth. If you eat bad foods your teeth will not be healthy. Here I will provide a list of the top foods that can damage your teeth.

Ice- Ice is great for cooling your drinks but not for chewing. When you chew on hard foods, especially ice you can expose your teeth to dental emergencies. Just enjoy water in liquid form. It is much better for your teeth.

Try to avoid sports drinks. Sports drinks may be good for a young athlete when competing but are not good for your teeth. One of the top ingredients in sports drinks is sugar. When you go to grab a sports drink make sure you check the label and pick low sugar ones or choose the safe option and just drink water.

Soda- Soda is a huge one. Soda is full of sugar and when you take small sips over a long period of time sugar is able to get to your teeth. Most soft drinks have acidic acid which is very bad for your teeth. Try to limit your soda intake and swap a few for a glass of water.

Avoid stick foods. Food such as candies and even dry fruit can be bad for your teeth. Sticky food tends to stay on your teeth longer than other types of food. Make sure after you eat sticky foods your brush very carefully.

Avoid starchy foods and foods that “crunch”. There is nothing better than biting into that crunchy potato chip but it can hurt your teeth. These can get trapped into your teeth. If you do eat these foods make sure you are carefully flossing to get it all out.

Make sure you are always taking care of your teeth and watch your intake on these kinds of foods. They can be very bad for your teeth. If you want to schedule an appointment or just have a question give us a call today.

Veneers

What exactly are veneers? What are the benefits of veneers and how do they work? Veneers in a quick and simple explanation are thin covers to your teeth. These thin covers are designed to look like a normal tooth. Veneers are a great way to fix improper teeth and gaps in your mouth. Veneers may be a great choice for you if you are looking to fix your smile.

Think of veneers as a lens for your teeth. Just like people wear a contact lens for their eyes you can have veneers for your smile. The thin covers are made out of Porcelain because porcelain best replicates the color of your enamel. Porcelain is this plasticky material that should be perfect for the look and feel in your mouth. Using porcelain also makes these veneers very strong and durable. They should last you more than a decade.

The technology with veneers has increased dramatically recently. Veneers are really an easy way to make minor changes to your smile. We custom make these veneers and you can have a veneer on just one tooth or them all. We may suggest what teeth we think should have veneers. The advantages of veneers include closing large spaces and gaps between teeth, if teeth are severely stained or discolored, veneers can improve the appearance of irregular shaped teeth, correct slightly crooked teeth, and veneers can restore broken, worn, chipped, or fractured teeth. There are so many positives of getting veneers. They really can fix your smile.

If you are interested in getting veneers or want veneers give us a call today! We would be happy to answer any additional questions you have about veneers and would love to help you set up a time for an appointment. If you want you can even stop by Dentist Spanish Fork Utah and we can answer any questions you have.

How Does Sugar Affect Your Teeth?

Do you want to show your pearly whites but are too afraid because your teeth are not as white as you Have you ever wondered how sugar affects your teeth? What does sugar exactly do to our pearly whites that makes it bad for them? We have all heard from our parents that sugar will give us cavities and this is sadly true. This was not just a way for our parents to get us to stop eating sugar. Sugar actually has a direct connection to tooth decay. After eating foods that contain sugar they combine with saliva and start decaying which leads to plaque on your teeth. Plaque then will dissolve the enamel which then leads to cavities. So sugar forms plaque and it is the plaque on your teeth that gives you cavities.

So like you have head sugar causes cavities that are not exactly true. Today we realize that the real problem is not sugar. At the end of the day it is that plaque that can build up and give you cavities. This plaque builds small holes on the outside of your tooth and if it is not taken care of it can get deeper and reach your enamel. The best is to just consistently keep brushing your teeth every day. With this you should still be careful about how much sugar you do consume and how you consume it. For example if chugging a soda is better than slowly sipping it. This actual does less damage to your teeth. The acid created by our mouths bacteria only sticks around for 30 minutes but if you take sips you restart this time. This sugar will just help that plaque dig a deeper hole in your tooth.

A great way for you to stay on top of that plaque is to also come in and get a cleaning from us at Spanish Fork Dental. Our cleanings are quick and easy and you will feel a difference with your teeth. They will be cleaner and healthier. If you ever need anything just give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

Do you want to show your pearly whites but are too afraid because your teeth are not as white as you want? If this is the case do panic. You can take control of your smile. Here at Rogers Dentistry, your Spanish Fork Dental service we are experts on teeth whitening. You will be surprised to see how easy it actually is to get the white teeth you want. It is almost as simple as brushing your teeth.

Whitening teeth is by far the most common cosmetic dental procedure. It is a quick and easy procedure and it can fit within any budget. If you do not have much money you can put towards your white teeth do not worry. We will be happy to work with you and make sure that your teeth whitening fits right into your budget. The best part about teeth whitening is that everyone can do it. If you want your teeth whitened you in luck because you qualify!

There are a few options when it comes to whitening your teeth. You can do an in-office whitening or an at home whitening.

In-Office Whitening
Our in office whitening is fairly fast and will take up to about an hour. We will first create whitening trays that are a custom fit just for your mouth. We will then fill these custom trays with 35% whitening gel. This gel will whiten your teeth. It is a very quick and simple process and it is non-invasive

At Home Whitening
Yes, you can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home. If you choose to do at home whitening or take home trays you will receive a clear plastic tray that you can take home. We will also give you syringes of whitening gel for your trays. Wear your plastic tray with some of the gel inside. Only wear for about 30 minutes. The benefit of doing it at home is you only need to purchase more syringes of whitening gel when you run out.