Which Toothbrush to Choose: Manual vs. Electric

Our earliest memories of both dentists and their offices usually center on the toothbrush. Whether it was your dentist telling you how important it is to brush everyday, showing you how to brush on the model teeth, or the free one you got to take home when your visit was over. And with good importance, since the toothbrush is a tool we use everyday (twice a day, hopefully!).  Brushing is what helps prevent tooth decay, cavities, and a host of other dental problems. But you can’t start without the proper brush. There are two kinds of brushes: manual and electric.

Manual: Many people choose manual toothbrushes because they are more cost-effective and more readily available. They are also easier to travel with and put less pressure and your teeth and gums. If you choose a manual toothbrush, choose one with soft, nylon bristles. A softer brush is always preferable to one with hard bristles. Also use one that is smaller than you are used to. Smaller toothbrushes are easier to manipulate around the cramped confines of your mouth, in the spaces of any missing teeth, or if you have trouble reaching the back of your mouth where your molars are.

Electric: Electric toothbrushes might not be as cost-effective, but they have a variety of features to help you brush your teeth more effectively, such as timers to let you know how long you’ve been brushing for (a recommended two-three minutes) and they rotate for you to stimulate your teeth and gums.  If you do opt for an electronic toothbrush, choose a model with rotating-oscillating bristles. They appear to be better than manual brushes or electric brushes that rotate in only one direction.

Verdict: Choose the one that feels best for you and that you will enjoy using. Every toothbrush, manual or electric, will keep your teeth clean if you know how to use them and use them often.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of the Dentist

It has been estimated that 9% to 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety and fear. That's about 30 to 40 million people. In a survey by the British Dental Health Foundation, 36% of those who didn't see a dentist regularly said that fear was the main reason. Some common reasons for dental phobia and anxiety are:

• Pain- there are many causes of dental anxiety and phobia. Many people are scared of the pain that they might encounter at the dentist.
• Feelings of helplessness and loss of control- When you’re in the dental chair, you have to stay still. This may make you feel like you can't see what's going on or predict what's going to hurt. It's common for people to feel helpless and out of control, which may trigger anxiety.
• Embarrassment- People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger poking around in their mouth, or they may be self-conscious about how their teeth look.
• Negative Past Experiences- anyone who has had pain or discomfort during previous dental procedures is likely to be more anxious the next time around.

Here’s why you shouldn’t fear the dentist:

We’re Here to Help

We’re not here to hurt you! When you come visit us, our main goal is to help you achieve overall oral health and make sure that the proper procedures are being performed so that you can have a healthier mouth, gums, and teeth. Going to the dentist means you are entrusting your oral health to a professional.

Regular Dental Visits are a Necessary and Vital Part of Maintaining Your Overall Health

It’s recommended that you visit a dentist twice a year, or every 6 months. If you’re scared of the dentist, odds are your visits will be much less frequent. It’s important to overcome that fear because regular dental check-ups play an integral part in maintaining not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Regular dental visits prevent the build-up of plague and prevent things like tooth aches, cavities, bad breath, and many other oral and health issues. Break the fear and do what’s right for your teeth and your body!

 It Could All Be In Your Head

Dental phobias and anxiety stem from a variety of things. From a psychological standpoint, this fear could result in a “conditioned” response. Perhaps you had a bad experience when you were a child so now every time you have to go to the dentist, you experience anxiety. Dental anxiety or fear of the dentist usually prevents people from optimizing and maintaining their dental health. To overcome this, identify the issue that is causing your anxiety and address it with your dentist. A good relationship between you and your dentist, with good communication, is the key factor in overcoming dental anxiety. You should feel comfortable discussing anxieties with your dentist and should be confident that he or she will do everything possible to reduce your anxiety. 

The Most Common Dental Problems

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is the most common dental problem. You might not think of bad breath as a “dental” problem but 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition to blame, such as gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth, or bacteria on the tongue. Brushing your teeth, tongue, and using mouthwash are great places to start but if you suffer from chronic bad breath, visit a dentist to rule out any other dental problems.

2. Tooth Decay

We touched on tooth decay in our last blog post. Behind the common cold, tooth decay is the second most prevalent disease in the United States. It occurs when plaque forms on our teeth and combines with the food we eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Prevent tooth decay by brushing twice a day, flossing, and going to regular dental checkups.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, scientifically known as periodontal disease, is quite possibly one of the most serious dental problems because it is commonly linked to heart attacks and strokes. Gum disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth and is one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults.

4. Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that someone in the US dies every hour from oral cancer and that there over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious and deadly dental disease that affects the mouth, lips, or throat, is highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

5. Mouth Sores

Mouth sores, such as canker sores, fever blisters, cold sores, and ulcers, are bothersome but they don’t usually last more than two weeks and disappear on their own. Contact your dentist for medication and treatment.

6. Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity means experiencing tooth pain or discomfort from sweets, cold air, hot or cold drinks, or ice cream. Some people’s teeth are so sensitive that they hurt when they brush or floss. There are certain toothpastes to help control tooth sensitivity and your dentist will know what to do to help.

7. Unattractive Smile

This is not technically a “dental problem” and is definitely not as serious as the others on this list but people who are unhappy with their smile consider this a dental issue and it’s one of the major reasons why patients seek dental treatment. With today’s dental technology, a beautiful smile is within reach! Whether it’s teeth whitening, dental implants, or cosmetic dental work, your dentist can give you the smile you’ve always wanted! 

Tooth Decay: How to Prevent it and Spot it When it Occurs

If you’re reading this, you most likely have had or know someone who has had a cavity. Cavities are so common that they affect approximately 90% of the population. 

To prevent cavities, you have to start at the root of the problem (pun intended): tooth decay.

Tooth decay is the process that results in a cavity. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth makes acids that eat away at a tooth. It can cause many problems from pain to infection and even tooth loss if not treated properly.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is caused by a combination of bacteria and the food you eat. Bacteria are always forming on your teeth and gums through plaque. When you eat, the bacteria feed on the sugars in the food you eat and turn to acids. That’s enough to make you rethink your decision to eat candy! The acids then attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating. Over time, these acids destroy your tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay does not usually show any symptoms until you have a cavity, making it that much harder to diagnose yourself! When you get a cavity, the symptoms are:

·      Toothache (usually from infection)

·      Bad breathe

·      White, gray, brown, or black spots on the teeth

·      Loose fillings

·      A broken tooth or a tooth that is sensitive to pressure

How To Prevent Tooth Decay

You can easily prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly,  seeing your dentist for teeth cleaning and checkups, and avoiding foods that are high in sugar.

How To Treat It

Treatment for tooth decay depends on the severity of the case.  Come see us if you think you are displaying symptoms of tooth decay. You may need fillings or, in severe cases, a crown or root canal. In the most extreme cases, tooth removal may be necessary.