In honor of National Flossing Day, we wanted to share tips to make sure you are flossing correctly. The ADA recommends you floss at least once a day to remove the bacteria and food particles from between the teeth. For even better oral health, consider flossing after every meal!
We’re sharing a video by Colgate that shows you the best way to floss to keep your smile healthy!
Remember, though, flossing is only one part of the complete picture of a good oral hygiene routine. You’ll also want to visit us regularly for a checkup too!
Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 to schedule your appointment in Charlotte, NC.
In just a couple of days, Thanksgiving will be here! As you pile on delicious foods onto your plate, we wanted to share a few that are healthy for your teeth. While your mind may not be on your oral health at the moment, it’s necessary to think about during the holiday season. The foods you eat can help or harm your smile, so making the right choices about your nutrition is important all year long.
So here are a few of our favorite Thanksgiving foods:
- Turkey
Turkey is one of the best foods on your table for teeth. Because it’s a protein, it is packed with phosphorus, which can boost the strength of your teeth.
- Sweet potatoes
No Thanksgiving is complete without a serving of sweet potatoes! They have vitamin A and vitamin C which helps your gum health. However, be cautious about adding too much sugar to your sweet potato, which can defeat its health purpose.
- Green Bean Casserole
Green beans are an excellent source of fiber and vitamins K, C, and A. So, if you are serving a green bean casserole, make sure you take a healthy portion!
- Macaroni and cheese
When you make macaroni and cheese with milk and cheese, you are giving your teeth excellent sources of calcium. Plus, cheese can increase your saliva production which helps wash bacteria out of your mouth.
- Pumpkin Pie
You might be surprised to learn that the pumpkin pie you enjoy for dessert really isn’t that bad for you. The reason? It’s packed with excellent nutrients like vitamin A. Just be sure it’s made with real pumpkin and avoid topping it off with an overload of whipped cream.
Make sure you come see us for your post-Thanksgiving checkup! We’ll do a thorough cleaning and check that your smile is in excellent shape. Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 to schedule your appointment in Charlotte, NC.
The last thing you want to experience is a dental emergency on Thanksgiving! We’re sharing a few tips for you to remember on this special festive holiday. Remember, if you do experience an urgent dental care situation, we’re ready to help you! Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 to schedule your appointment in Charlotte, NC. We even have an after-hours emergency pager! So, we’ll see patients ASAP whenever possible!
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In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we wanted to bring to light the connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s. In fact, studies have recently discovered that the bacteria that cause gingivitis, a more advanced form of gum disease, was found inside of the brain of 90% of Alzheimer’s patient samples.
We’re sharing a video released by CBS News that reviews their findings. What this shows is how important it is to prioritize your oral health at every stage in your life. If you do show signs of gum infection, we can treat it with our deep cleaning procedure.
Make sure you have your checkup scheduled! Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 to schedule your appointment in Charlotte, NC.
Feeling nervous about dental care isn’t uncommon. Some people are anxious about getting the dental care they need because they have had a negative experience in the past. That’s why Charlotte Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, offers two types of sedation to help ease your anxiety during your treatment.
Our oral conscious sedation and inhaled sedation (laughing gas) make patients feel at ease and experience pain-free care. Making your procedure practically forgettable. Sedation can also be helpful if you need to have more than one procedure done at once.
Don’t miss out on dental care and neglect your oral health because of anxiety. Contact Charlotte Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, to learn if sedation dentistry is right for you. Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 or schedule your appointment online.
Since Thanksgiving comes late in the week, it’s a time when many of us hit the road to be with our loved ones for the holiday. As with any other trip, it’s easy to neglect your smile while you are away from home. As your dentist, we hope you’ll heed our smile care tips to keep your oral care on track.
We are here for you at all times – even during the busy holiday season. If need to make an appointment, call us at 704-285-0846 today. In the meantime, check out our travel advice:
- Be Ready for an Emergency – You never want to experience a dental emergency. But preparing for one just in case will ensure all turns out OK. Program our number into your phone. You might want to slip it into your wallet too, just in case you lose power or service. If your problem can’t wait, your insurance company is a good resource for finding a qualified dentist who can treat you.
- Don’t Forget Your Mouthguard – You don’t want your snoring to keep your loved ones awake, especially if you are sleeping in closer quarters than usual. So make sure you bring along your oral appliance. If you don’t have one, you may want to schedule a consultation and see if it’s an option for you. An appliance is easier to travel with than a CPAP machine. Similarly, if you grind your teeth in your sleep, pack your night guard.
- Keep Oral Care Supplies in a Convenient Place – Whether you’re driving or flying, you may find yourself needing to brush your teeth before your final destination. Keep a toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste in your carry-on when flying so you can still brush if you don’t have access to a checked bag. A glove compartment is a convenient spot to stow oral hygiene supplies if traveling by car.
- Pack Some Gum In Your Bag – If for some reason you can’t brush, chewing sugarless gum is a good way to get the saliva flowing to rinse away harmful substances. Choose a gum with xylitol, which has natural cavity-fighting properties. As a bonus, chewing gum can relieve painful ear pressure if flying or driving into higher altitudes.
- Watch What You Eat – Both on the road and when you arrive, try to limit your consumption of sugary and highly acidic foods, both of which make you more susceptible to tooth decay. If turkey is on the holiday table, have as much as you’d like. It contains protein and phosphorus, substances that are good for teeth. Pumpkin is a great choice for pie, as it’s better for your teeth than other options.
- Drink Lots of Water – Water has no sugar or acids to damage your teeth. It also helps wash away food debris and bacteria. Unsweetened tea is one of your best alternatives to water. Skip soda and other acidic drinks that contain lots of sugar.
We’re happy to discuss smile care tips with you any time you visit us in Charlotte, NC. If you need to make an appointment, call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846.
Think of your mouth as a window to the rest of your body. When you take good care of your physical health, your smile gets a boost too. The reason for that is that your oral health and overall health are directly connected.
We’re sharing a video that goes into greater detail about this connection. Make sure you take care of your health, prioritize dental care, and visit us for regular checkups. We’ll ensure your smile stays in excellent shape and even look out for issues such as oral cancer.
Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 to schedule your appointment in Charlotte, NC.
If your family is like most, chances are at least some of your household may have indulged in a little too much candy for Halloween. It happens. As your dentist, though, we hope you’ll want to make up for it by celebrating National Brush Day with us. We think the best way to observe this day is with our five ways to get the most out of your toothbrush.
We’re happy to discuss more about your brushing, including recommendations for brushes, toothpaste, and other products at your dental exams. If you’d like to know, just ask!
In the meantime, check out our tips:
- Time Yourself – Many people, especially kids, don’t spend enough time brushing. To get the best results, you need to brush your teeth for two full minutes every time you brush. Some electric toothbrushes have a timer. If yours does, use it. If not, no worries, you can simply set the timer on your phone. To make your brushing session more enjoyable, find some two-minute songs you like, then cue up the music.
- Buy the Right Brush – There are lots of different toothbrushes out there, both manual and electric. Some have features like different brushing modes, timers, and pressure sensors. Really, though, the two most important things are soft bristles and a head that fits comfortably in your mouth. Hard bristles are a bad idea because they can damage your tooth enamel.
- Don’t Apply Too Much Pressure – One reason to choose an electric brush is that it applies more even pressure. Using too much pressure and brushing too vigorously can cause your enamel to wear away. This makes you more prone to cavities. It can also adversely affect the appearance of your teeth, as the yellowish dentin in your tooth becomes more visible.
- Switch Your Brush Regularly – We know you may like how your toothbrush feels when you get “broken in” just the way you like. However, you should switch to a new brush (or new brush head) every three or four months. You’ll want to switch sooner than that if you notice your bristles are frayed and/or bent out of shape. If they are, it may be a sign that you are brushing too hard and should use a lighter touch.
- Keep Your Brush Dry – Since you brush your teeth to remove disease-causing bacteria, you’ll want to keep your brush as free of bacteria as possible too. Store it where air can easily circulate around it and keep it dry. Putting it in a drawer or other dark and enclosed environment will just make it easier for bacteria to collect.
Ready to schedule your next exam and cleaning or another service? Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 to schedule your appointment in Charlotte, NC.
All of your teeth are important. Yet, gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in the United States, as this video by the ADA explains.
To keep your smile full and your mouth free from periodontal problems, remember to do these things:
- Limit sweets
- Brush and floss daily
- Visit your dentist for professional cleanings
Call Charlotte Dentistry at 704-285-0846 or schedule your appointment online.