Caring for You and Your Family’s Smile

Brush your teeth

Brush your teeth every morning and evening. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. We want to make sure any food particles and plaque don’t linger on the surface or in the cracks of your teeth. It’s important to brush your tongue as well since minuscule build-up can happen there, too!

Floss your teeth

If you want to impress your dentist, floss every day. Not only will it make your regular checkups less invasive, but it will keep any decay that gets trapped between your teeth to a minimum and help to keep the cavities down, if not inexistent. As a bonus, use mouthwash occasionally to kill any germs and make your mouth minty fresh!

Eat a balanced diet

A balanced diet consists of raw vegetables, fruit, and calcium-rich products like plain yogurt and cheese. As you can expect, try to avoid sugary foods and drinks since they can be harsh on your teeth.

Make regular dentist appointments

Schedule regular checkups with your dentist every six months for a professional teeth cleaning. It’s best to make your next appointment each time you visit the dentist so years don’t pass without a cleaning.

Consider sealants

Dental sealants are a plastic coating that protects your teeth where decay often begins – usually in the back of the mouth where chewing is most common. Sealants are beneficial for people of all ages. Ask us about them next time you schedule a visit.

Wear mouthguards when playing sports

If you play sports (especially hockey, soccer, football, etc.), be sure to ask your dentist about special mouthguards designed to protect your teeth. It’s a much better alternative than asking your dentist about implants!

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are exactly what they sound like – seals on your teeth. More specifically, they are plastic resins that fit into all the grooves on your teeth. Once it hardens, it becomes smooth. Brushing becomes easier and there’s less opportunity for plaque to accumulate if the cracks are sealed.

Who are good candidates for sealants?

Most often, children receive sealants once all their permanent teeth come in to help deter tooth decay from happening. Adults can receive sealants as well if they didn’t get them when they were younger and they still have healthy teeth.

How long do sealants last?

It’s not uncommon for a dentist to see an adult with their childhood sealants still in place, but typically they should last anywhere from three to five years. Once your sealants come off, schedule an appointment with your dentist to have your teeth resealed.

Teeth Whitening

There are many methods of teeth whitening available, from bleaching strips you can buy at the drug store, to the in-office, full mouth bleaching done in some dental offices.

The most popular and highly successful method is “at-home bleaching.” After a custom-fitted tray is made for you, you have the option of bleaching at home whenever it is convenient for you. Results are usually seen after the first application. Maximum results generally occur when the process is continued for 10-14 days. Touch-ups may be needed for one to two days, once or twice a year, depending on your usage of substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.

Veneers

Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front (visible) part of the tooth. This ceramic or laminate veneer is a popular treatment option for several reasons. Veneers generally are placed on upper front teeth that are severely discolored, poorly shaped, or slightly crooked. Veneers may be used to lighten front teeth that are naturally yellow or have a gray cast or line.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Advances in modern dental materials offer new ways to create more pleasing, natural-looking smiles. The materials in tooth-colored fillings, such as ceramic and plastic compounds mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Many dentists, like Dr. Badger and Dr.Korsmo, choose to use composite filling vs. amalgam (silver) filling. Composite fillings are a mixture of acrylic resin and finely ground glasslike particles that produce a tooth-colored restoration.

Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture and usually require less tooth structure to be removed by the dentist. The end result, of course, is that you do not see the filling.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Candidates for dental implants generally are in good overall health. The health of your gums, surrounding teeth, and jawbone are more important than your age when it comes to dental implant candidacy. It is worth noting that you will probably need to spend a little extra time brushing and cleaning around the implant to prevent infection.

People with diabetes, leukemia, and other chronic illnesses are at increased risk for issues post-surgery. Also, the use of tobacco can make the bone and tissues around the implant weaker and leave your gums more susceptible to gum disease.