Smile with Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Health and Care

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Reasons Why Flossing is Important

Studies reveal that only four out of every ten Americans floss at least once per day, while an astounding 20 percent of the population never flosses at all.  Unfortunately, foregoing the flossing step is a vital part of maintaining healthy teeth and proper oral hygiene.  Flossing helps to clean those hard to reach places between the teeth.  Without flossing, the likelihood of developing cavities significantly increases as food remains lodged between teeth, fostering a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.  For discerning New Jersey residents who are searching for a top dentist, here is what the dental health experts have to say about the importance of flossing.

The Truth About What Causes Cavities

When considering a visit to the dentist, cavities are one of the top reasons people schedule an appointment.  Studies have shown that cavities impact as much as 90 percent of the population.  Sometimes they are small and go unnoticed, other times they are a large enough to collect food and become quite painful, often sending the patient straight to the dentist’s chair.  In fact, toothaches caused by cavities are one of the single most common reasons for a trip to the dentist.  Cavities are even more problematic for children who are much more vulnerable to them than adults.  This is because young teeth haven’t matured fully yet and are more likely to be exposed to unhealthy, sugary treats more often.  As such, be sure to check with a family dentist to receive quality care for the entire family.  Here is a general rundown of how cavities form and how families can avoid them altogether.  If you have a toothache or think that you may have a cavity you should contact a family dentist near you for help.

This is How to Promote a Dental Office

For dentists who are trying to get the word out about their practice, implementing the right marketing techniques is key.  For long-term success, new patients will be required.  And the only way to attract them is through the right marketing efforts.  When new patients are choosing a dentist, they are going to take a few factors into account.  These will include the obvious such as expertise, location, affordability, family services, and so on.  But they will also consider the appeal of the dentist’s marketing efforts, especially those that are done online.  Here are a couple of suggestions on how to spread the word about a dentist’s services and experience through online mediums.

How to Choose a Dentist

It may have been a while since the last dental appointment and a number of different factors could have occurred between that time and now to make it necessary to choose a new dental provider.  Relocation, changes in medical insurance, or simply because of personal preferences it may be time to choose a new dentist.  But what is the best way to pick a top dentist near you?  Here are a few steps to follow when choosing the best dentist to meet any patient’s needs.

Health Benefits of Fruit

We’ve come a long way toward understanding that we need to eat leaner, favor white meat like fowl and pork, and to eat more fish.  Though few people will ever seek nutritional counseling to ensure they are eating properly, reading the labels and seeking out info about our favorite foods on the internet has helped out immensely to eating healthier.  In fact, years ago, people were a little lackadaisical about their teeth – if they lost a tooth here or there, they often just lived with the gap, unless it was right out front where the world could see that missing tooth.  People often got a gold tooth to replace their missing tooth, and that was considered a status symbol.  And as teeth were removed because they were broken or decayed, people obtained a bridge, then eventually dentures.  For some, dentures never fit properly and spent more time soaking in a cup, only to be used for church and social occasions.

Boy, how things have changed.  Through our dentist and hygienist we are way savvier about practicing good oral health, as that dental team encourages their patients to take care of their teeth to keep their natural teeth for as many years as possible.

drinking water, healthy

Are Hot Drinks Bad for Teeth?

For most people, that wonderful warm trickle of coffee or tea down our throats gets us up and at ‘em and ready to take on the day.  But sometimes that first swallow of java, is not pure enjoyment, especially if you wince in pain when the warm liquid hits your teeth.  While your warm morning beverage may hit the spot for waking you up, it may be hitting the wrong spot if you have a sensitive teeth.

Are Stained Teeth Unhealthy Teeth?

You want white teeth and a dazzling smile, so should you forego those blueberries so that your pearly whites stay that way?  Or drop that jolt of java from your morning routine because it might stain your teeth?  And, if you unwind with a glass of cabernet sauvignon, surely your purplish lips and tongue must mean that your teeth are also being stained, right?  Do you need to give up all these treats?  If you are concerned about teeth staining and want to learn more about teeth whitening you should contact a dentist who does teeth whitening.  A top Clearwater cosmetic dentist will answer all of your teeth whitening questions and will suggest ways to keep you teeth healthy and white.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic gets a bad rap, unless you are an Italian mama and use it liberally to give robust flavor to your special pasta sauce.  This funny-looking vegetable with its rotund shape, delicate parchment-like skin and appendages that resemble toes, has long been the brunt of cartoons (i.e. two people – one with a discernible breath of air being emitted, the other beating a hasty retreat.

Health Benefits Beyond Belief

Whether you get your daily dose of garlic in the food you eat, or via supplements, be advised that you are improving your health with every dose you ingest.

Garlic Supplements

The method of consuming garlic for health benefits is really a personal preference.  Of course, it is easier to just buy the supplements to ensure you are getting the recommended dosage for optimal health benefits.  The recommended dosages for garlic use are listed below.  Though they are considered “safe doses”, before embarking on any supplement use, check with your doctor to ensure it does not counteract with existing health conditions or prescription/over-the-counter medications you are currently using.  Ask your health practitioner for the recommended dosage, brand, and, if the supplement contains an odor or not.

Suggested Garlic Regimen

Does Thumb Sucking Damage Teeth?

“Do all kids suck their thumb, or is my kid unusual?” asks a worried mom, but the pediatrician assures her it is normal for most babies and toddlers to suck their thumbs, in fact, they also like to suck on their fingers, hands, or items such as pacifiers, especially while they are teething.  Generally, most children stop sucking their thumb on their own at age 3 to 6 years.

For adults, who are taught at an early age to keep germy hands off the face, especially during cold and flu season, the idea of thumb-sucking and the spread of germs is pretty horrifying, especially if you are a germaphobe.

Why do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

Babies have a natural urge to suck, and this urge usually decreases after the age of 6 months.  Many babies continue sucking their thumbs as a means to soothe themselves and continue the habit as toddlers, as a means to comfort themselves when they feel hungry, afraid, restless, quiet, sleepy, or are bored.

How Long Is It “Socially Acceptable” For a Child to Suck Their Thumb?