Category: Oral Health

Buying a toothbrush can be a confusing process. Just consider how many rows and rows of brightly colored toothbrushes are at your local supermarket, each one claiming to give you the best clean or other promises of great oral health. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, choosing a toothbrush can quickly become overwhelming. However, before you simply pick up the first one you see, take some time to read this guide from your dentist in Holland on how to choose the right toothbrush for you.

The 3 S’s

Choosing the right toothbrush can be as easy as considering the three S’s – size, shape, and softness. However, this is just the first step. There are other things to consider when buying your next toothbrush, and your dentist in Holland is always here to help. 

Size

Both the size of the toothbrush handle and the toothbrush head are important factors to consider. The handle should be sturdy and comfortable enough to hold for a two-minute brushing cycle and manipulate to cover all areas of your mouth. The toothbrush head should be an appropriate size to comfortably fit in your mouth. You should be able to reach your molars without discomfort. A brush head that’s too large can actually keep you from getting a thorough clean. 

Shape

Bristles come in two different shapes – straight and rounded. Straight bristles are usually not recommended as they can cause gum damage and even enamel damage. Instead, most dentists recommend choosing rounded bristles. Round bristles are more gentle than straight bristles and still provide an excellent clean.  

Softness

The last S to consider is how soft the bristles are. Toothbrush packaging will usually depict the density of the bristles by listing them as soft, medium, or hard. While it may make sense that the harder the bristles the better the clean will be, the opposite is true. Your dentist in Holland will most likely recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush for most patients. The medium and hard bristles are more likely to harm gums or tooth enamel. 

Manual or Electric? 

There’s some debate about whether a manual toothbrush is better than an electric toothbrush, and truth is, it depends on a variety of factors. For example, if you travel a lot, a manual toothbrush may be better for you since it’s convenient. However, if you have trouble brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush, an electric option may be more appropriate to make sure you’re brushing properly. Always consider your budget and lifestyle before choosing a manual or electric toothbrush. 

The most important thing to remember when choosing a toothbrush is to make sure you select one that you will use regularly. You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, and it’s important that your toothbrush is able to reach all areas of your mouth comfortably. Of course, your dentist in Holland will be able to help you pick out the best toothbrush for you. Just ask! 

You do everything you can to keep your family healthy. You make sure they eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of exercise, brush and floss their teeth regularly, and see their dentist in Holland at least twice a year. Yet, did you know that something considered healthy may be hurting your family’s teeth? 

Fabulous Fruits

The USDA recommends that adults get two servings of fruit a day, the American Heart Association recommends four to five servings, and the CDC recommends 1-2 cups a day for kids, making fruit a pretty essential part of everyone’s diet. Fruits are packed with vitamins and can be an excellent snack. However, not all fruits are optimal in the same way, especially when it comes to oral health. 

Sugars & Acids

Fruits are often considered a healthy treat. After all, they do contain plenty of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants. But when it comes to teeth, some fruits are better than others mainly because of the sugar or acid content. Sugars and acids can wreak havoc on tooth enamel and weaken it. Once the enamel erodes it can lead to several oral concerns, including an increased risk of decay. Keep an eye for the following signs of enamel erosion: 

• Increased Sensitivity
• Tooth Cracking
• Tooth Discoloration
• Transparent Teeth

If you notice any symptoms of enamel erosion, contact your dentist in Holland. 

What Fruit Can Help Teeth? 

Now, we aren’t suggesting that you forego fruits. They are a necessary part of any healthy diet and their whole-health benefits are well worth it. However, when it comes to making choices that can be both good for your body and for your teeth, consider options that contain a lot of water such as: 

• Apples
• Pears
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew

Be Wary of These Fruits

Other types of fruit aren’t as good for teeth as others but may still provide necessary nutrients, so it’s important to find balance in what you eat. Some fruits that may be tougher on your teeth include: 

• Lemons
• Grapefruit
• Pineapple 
• Limes

Moderation is Key

As we’ve mentioned before, eating fruit is still an important part of making sure that your body gets all of the nutrients it needs. But your dentist in Holland would suggest enjoying fruits high in sugar or highly acidic in moderation, and even rinsing your mouth out with water when you’re done eating. Another important note that relates to juice, sipping fruit juice can expose your teeth to even more sugars and acids than whole, raw fruits. Whenever possible, choose natural fruits over juice. 

Have you or someone in your family ever had a tonsil stone? Are you curious to know what a tonsil stone even is? Let your dentist in Holland tell you a little bit about tonsil stones, what they are, why they form, and how you can help yourself should they happen to appear in your mouth.

Do I Have Tonsil Stones?

If you look in the back of your throat where your tonsils are and see tiny white bumps or clusters, those are generally tonsil stones. They love to form deep in the pockets in your throat tissue because they come from bacteria and other debris, which can harden over time, creating the white bumps you see in the back of your throat that can be uncomfortable. Tonsil stones are likely to occur due to common bacterial and viral infections like strep throat and the influenza virus. 

Are There Ways to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones are best treated by your Holland dentist and possibly your primary care physician if you have a bacterial or viral infection. If you’re someone who constantly gets sore throats, painful inflammation, and tonsil stones, it might be time to talk about a tonsillectomy or removal of your tonsils altogether.

If you or someone in your family gets a tonsil stone, there are some things you can do to alleviate any discomfort and maybe even keep them from returning altogether! A short-term solution could be antibiotics, as they’re effective at lowering bacterial counts that play an essential role in developing tonsil stones. But taking antibiotics long-term is not good for you and your body. Give these tips a try:

• Make sure to practice excellent dental hygiene at home with proper flossing and brushing — including your tongue!
• Try gargling with salt water if you feel discomfort or swelling due to tonsil stones. A quarter teaspoon of table salt in a cup of lukewarm water should do the trick.
• Be sure to keep your body hydrated. Drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day will keep your mouth and your body hydrated and functioning properly. Water also helps with saliva flow and can improve the chemistry in your mouth.

Are tonsil stones making your life miserable? Is your child struggling with constant sore throats? You can schedule an appointment at our dental office in Holland to talk with us. We can create a plan to help you get rid of annoying tonsil stones for good. We look forward to hearing from you! Call today. 

From cosmetic reasons to health concerns, there are many different reasons why someone may want to straighten their teeth. Even if you had braces growing up, you may have noticed some shifting, especially if you didn’t wear a retainer after treatment. But if you’re looking for ways to get a straighter smile without traditional orthodontics, turn to your dentist in Holland. 

Ways to Straighten Teeth

Whether or not you had braces as a teen, you may find yourself wanting to improve the appearance of your smile by straightening your teeth. Or perhaps your dentist in Holland has suggested straightening your teeth for oral health reasons. Either way, you now have options that don’t include metal braces. 

• Clear Aligners

Thanks to advancements in dental technology, we can now get straight teeth almost invisibly through the use of clear aligners. These tough, plastic aligners are designed to slowly move your teeth and are meant to be worn throughout the day and night. Now, you may have seen commercials for at-home orthodontic treatment through clear aligners. But before you begin this type of treatment, talk with your dentist. 

• Veneers

Veneers are a type of cosmetic dentistry that can not only help straighten teeth but can also help hide other imperfections such as chips or discoloration. They are custom-made to your ideal shape, size, and color and are adhered to the front surface of your teeth. The result is a seamless improvement in the appearance and alignment of your smile.

• Crowns

Another treatment that can help straighten a twisted tooth or two is a dental crown. Your dentist in Holland will remove some of the natural tooth structure to make room for a crown, often called a cap. The crown will be custom in size, shape, and color. 

• Contouring & Bonding

Usually reserved for minor crooked teeth, contouring and bonding can transform the shape of teeth to make them straighter and easier to clean in between. Contouring treatment will remove small amounts of enamel to reshape the tooth then, in some cases, bonding may be used to smooth out the area. Bonding may also be used on its own to fix a tooth that appears to sit back too far.

Benefits of Straight Teeth

There are numerous benefits to a straight smile. Of course, there are the cosmetic factors of wanting a gorgeous set of perfectly aligned teeth. But did you know that there are other little-known positives to having your teeth straighter? 

• Healthier Teeth – Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which often means fewer cavities and a reduced risk for other dental problems such as gum disease and tooth deterioration. 
• No More Jaw Pain – Crooked teeth can sometimes cause the jaw to be misaligned. This can lead to TMD (or TMJ disorder). TMJ is an often painful condition that can cause headaches, ear problems, and jaw pain. 
• Improved Digestion – Believe it or not, straighter teeth can even help your body digest foods. Straight teeth allow you to chew more efficiently which is easier on the digestion process.  

If you’ve been feeling self-conscious about your smile and you’ve been looking to elevate the appearance of your teeth, or if you’re having trouble cleaning your teeth completely, talk with your dentist in Holland about how cosmetic dentistry can help straighten your teeth. 

Smoking can be harmful to many parts of your body, including your teeth. It increases the likelihood of tooth discoloration, cavities, and oral cancer, among other things, so it’s no surprise that quitting smoking can improve oral health. If you currently smoke but are interested in quitting, let your dentist in Holland help you learn how you can start improving your oral health the minute you put out that last cigarette.

Why Should You Quit Smoking? 

If you smoke, you’re probably all too aware of your oral health. Smokers tend to get bad breath and discolored teeth due to tobacco stains. But smoking affects more than just your smile. Cigarette smoke is responsible for some serious health issues, including oral cancer and gum disease. When you quit smoking, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all worries go away. If you want your teeth to look (and smell) their best once you kick tobacco for good, be sure to check out these facts.

What Smoking Does To Oral Health

Smoking can be an incredibly hard habit to quit. But the benefits of all the hard work that goes into quitting are well worth it. Cigarette smoke contains high levels of nicotine, tar, and chemicals that can stain teeth. Eventually, all these substances become trapped in plaque deposits on your teeth. If left untreated for a long period of time, cigarette-related stains can cause further damage to gum tissue leading to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. However, if you talk with your dentist in Holland about quitting, you’ll find out that there are ways to improve your dental health in the process.  

What Happens To Teeth When You Quit Smoking? 

The health of your teeth and overall mouth can improve once you quit smoking, but it depends on a few things, such as your current oral health status and if you have any pre-existing dental issues. For most smokers, quitting comes with some level of initial bad breath and potential periodontal (gum) disease. For most people though, these symptoms of smoking cessation do get better over time. However, for some people, things may initially seem worse before they get better. It’s important to communicate with your dentist in Holland about your smoking status and if you’re trying to quit. They may be able to help reduce any oral health side effects. 

Quitting Reduces Risk

Stopping smoking reduces your risk of several health problems such as cancer and other diseases. In fact, just one to two years after quitting, the risk of heart attack drops dramatically. Additionally, quitting smoking can reduce the chances of developing oral cancer or gum disease and can reduce discoloration and the likelihood of suffering tooth loss. 

Quitting can be hard, but the American Cancer Society has several tools to help. The third Thursday each November is celebrated at the Great American Smokeout and is a great time to start a plan to kick the habit once and for all.  

Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and can cause some unwanted side effects, such as your gums pulling away from the teeth. This can lead to deep pockets between your teeth and gums. Gum disease also makes your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay, and, if left untreated, gum disease may even lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, there are some early signs of gum disease that you can look out for to keep your mouth healthy and strong. Let’s learn about some of the more common signs of gum disease and what your dentist in Holland can do about it.

Bleeding While Brushing

According to The Academy of General Dentistry, bleeding gums can indicate damage in one or more tooth surfaces. While this may just be a sign of sensitivity, if you notice your gums bleed while you brush or floss, make an appointment with your dentist in Holland to rule out other possible causes. Early detection and treatment may prevent gum disease from progressing, so it’s important to take care of your teeth and gums at home between professional dental visits.

Swelling & Redness

One of the earliest warning signs of gum disease is swollen or red gums. If you notice swelling or a new redness in your gums, you may have gum disease. This is usually caused by plaque build-up at or below your gum line that has not been properly cleaned away. It’s important to see a dentist right away if you notice any changes in your gums. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat periodontal disease because damage gets worse over time.

Pain & Sensitivity

While not every case of gum disease has pain, many people do experience painful gums as well as tooth sensitivity. Now, some people simply have sensitive teeth, so if that’s normal for you, there may be no cause for concern. However, if your teeth haven’t been sensitive to hot or cold before and the sensitivity lasts for more than a few days, you may have gum disease. Be sure to see your dentist right away.

Bad Breath

Nobody wants to experience bad breath, but it happens to everyone. Sometimes bad breath is caused by something we ate or drank and goes away on its own. However, other times bad breath is persistent and chronic. That’s when your dentist in Holland may become concerned. Chronic bad breath is often a telltale sign of gum disease thanks to the bacteria involved in the infection. These bacteria release a sulfur-like smell and make some people experience bad breath. If you’re not brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal, it’s much easier for food bits to become trapped in your mouth, leading to bacteria and plaque buildup and, you guessed it, bad breath and perhaps gum disease.

Visiting your dentist in Holland at least twice a year is crucial for maintaining good oral health and catching gum disease early. Visits like these are important because, while you can’t really cure gum disease, you can slow its progression if caught early enough. Visiting your dentist regularly will make it much easier to catch potential issues before they become major problems.