Top 4 Reasons to Visit Krengel Dental

It’s been estimated that half of all Americans do not visit the dentist regularly.  It’s important to make sure you’re visiting the dentist every 6 months for a routine cleaning and checkup. If you’re part of that statistic, here are some reasons why regular dental visits are so important.

1. Catch Problems Ahead of Time

Dental problems can get severe quickly if they aren’t treated right away. Cavities, damaged fillings, and other dental problems may require intensive procedures such as a root canal down the line if they aren’t treated and prevented with regular dental checkups. By visiting the dentist regularly, you can prevent costly and invasive procedures later.

2. Prevent Oral Cancer and other health problems

Here at West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental, we screen regularly for oral cancer during standard dental cleanings. The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that one American dies from oral cancer every hour but the disease is highly treatable if diagnosed early. Dental exams can also detect other health problems you have, such as gum disease or oral health problems that can affect your overall health, such as heart disease.

3. Keep Your Smile Healthy and White

Regular dental cleanings are essential to keeping your smile white and healthy! A dental cleaning removes plaque, debris, and stains that even brushing your teeth regularly can’t do. You still need to keep brushing in between visits!

4. Visit the friendly staff at Krengel Dental!

Our top priority is to keep our clients relaxed and pain free and we make sure you’re comfortable before every procedure, even just a routine cleaning. We have computers and satellite radio in our rooms so you can choose to listen to music or watch movies on headphones or aloud. We want your trip to the dentist to be something you look forward to! 

Things NOT to do while flossing

Flossing seems so easy! Just slide some string between your teeth to clean those hard to reach areas and call it a day, right? It may seem that simple, but many people make common mistakes when flossing that can minimize the benefits.

Here are some things NOT to do while flossing:

1. Only flossing one side of the tooth.

When you floss between your teeth, you need to make sure that you are cleaning both sides of your teeth; otherwise you’re only getting 50% of the job done! Plaque is hiding in between your teeth and if you’re only removing plaque from one side of the teeth, you can still easily get a cavity on that tooth you’re not flossing.

2. Use the same section of floss for all your teeth

Flossing removes bacteria and debris from between your teeth and below your gum-line. If you use the same piece of floss for every tooth, you’re just spreading around the debris and bacteria.

3. Missing the very back of your mouth

Even though your last four teeth in the back of your mouth don’t have another tooth next to them to floss between, it’s important to get all of the way back there between the tooth and the gum-line to remove bacteria that may have made it’s way down there.

4. Quitting when your gums bleed

Blood may scare some people when they floss because they think that they are hurting their gums if they bleed.  You are not hurting them as long as you're not flossing too hard. Most likely, the reason they bleed is because they haven't been flossed in a while and the gum tissue has become red and inflamed.  This is a condition known as gingivitis. After a few days, your gums should return to health and you can floss normally without any bleeding.

5. Only using floss to remove food

Unfortunately, many people think that the only reason for flossing is to remove food that has gotten wedged between their teeth. This may be because you can see and feel food between your teeth but not plaque. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be removed! Flossing is the only way to remove that plaque that gets stuck between your teeth so even if you don’t have food stuck in your tooth, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to floss! 

By avoiding these common mistakes, you will be able floss more efficiently which will lead to greater oral health.  It is also important to visit your dentist for any other oral health issues and for routine cleanings. Come into West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental and we’ll answer any flossing questions you may have! 

The Dos and Don’ts of Toothbrushes

A toothbrush is an important tool in your daily oral care regimen. You may not think too much about your toothbrush, except when you pull it out of its container to use it; but actually, your toothbrush in an important instrument. How well you use it, its condition, and how you take care of it affects your oral health. In turn, your oral health impacts the overall health of your body. 

Do you know the dos and don’ts when it comes to your toothbrush? No need to worry! For those who need a refresher, Dr. Krengel has put together a handy list:

Do: Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months as recommended by the American Dental Association.
Do: Replace your toothbrush earlier than 3-4 months if the bristles become frayed with use. A toothbrush with worn bristles will not effectively clean your teeth and could cause damage to your gums.
Do: Replace your toothbrush each time you are sick.
Don’t: Attempt to clean your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave. This will damage your toothbrush forcing you to get a new one!

Don’t: Share your toothbrush.

Do: Use a toothbrush that properly fits the size of your mouth. Choose a small head, for example, to be able to reach your back teeth. 
Do: Rinse your toothbrush after each use.
Don’t: Store your toothbrush in a closed container. This can cause the growth of germs on your toothbrush.
Do: Store your toothbrush standing upright allowing it to air dry.
Don’t: Store toothbrushes together. This can cause the spread of germs.
Do: Store toothbrushes separated from one another.

Do: Contact West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental for a cleaning and oral checkup. There are some things even your toothbrush can miss and we’re here to help!
Do: Follow the guidelines listed above and enjoy your healthy, beautiful smile! 

The BEST foods and drinks for your teeth

We’ve focused on the food and drinks that are bad for your teeth, but what about the ones that support healthy teeth and gums? Here’s how eating right can help you fend off plaque, gum disease, and gingivitis and keep your gums healthy and your teeth strong!

1. Milk

Your teeth get stronger and healthier when your drink milk, just like your bones. Milk contains calcium, which helps protect your teeth against gum disease, and keeps your jawbone strong and healthy.

2. Salmon

Salmon is a great source of Vitamin D, which is critical in oral health care since it allows your body to absorb and use calcium, a nutrient that protects your teeth and gums from disease. The Vitamin D found in salmon makes it easier for your teeth and bones to get the full power of calcium from the foods you are eating.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries are full of Vitamin C which is required for production of collagen, a key protein that maintains your gum strength and integrity. Just a half a cup of strawberries delivers more than 70 percent of your daily value of Vitamin C! Also, strawberries have a mild bleaching action and can help to remove superficial stains. Be sure to rinse your mouth out after eating strawberries since they are very acidic and acids can erode tooth enamel.

4. Water

Water helps wash away food debris and keeps your saliva levels high. Saliva is your mouth’s best defense against tooth decay because it contains proteins and minerals that counteract enamel-eating acids. Saliva is made up of 95 percent water, so stay hydrated! Water is also a great substitute to sugary drinks, which can damage your teeth and promote decay.

5. Tea

Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins that reduce the body's inflammatory response to the bacteria that cause gum disease. A study found that a daily cup of green tea significantly lowered Japanese men's risk of developing gum disease. The polyphenols in black tea can also help destroy the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt has probiotics, which are believed to aid in the protection of your gums. 

Do I Have Gingivitis?

Gingivitis ("inflammation of the gum tissue”) is a non-destructive periodontal disease. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) adherent to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis. In the absence of treatment, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, which is a destructive form of periodontal disease. So if you’ve ever asked the question, “Do I have gingivitis?” here’s how to tell:

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an infection of gum tissues caused by bacteria present in the saliva and tissues of the mouth. This disease is more prevalent in the presence of plaque or tartar buildup on teeth. Gingivitis can be painless and even harmless in the very early stages, but can grow steadily more dangerous over time.

Sign and Symptoms

Normal gums should be firm and pinkish, and should not bleed when you brush your teeth normally. Gingivitis primarily affects the gums. Signs and symptoms include:

·      Painful or tender gums

·      Swelling in the gums

·      Soft gums

·      Gums become dusky red instead of healthy pink

·      Gums bleed after brushing or flossing teeth

Dangers of Gingivitis

In the early stages, gingivitis is easily reversed with proper brushing and flossing of the teeth. But as gingivitis progresses it can lead to periodontitis, in which the bacteria that began by infecting the gums cause gum tissue to pull back from the teeth, exposing the periodontal bone. Bacteria then have access to affect bone directly, causing pitting and shrinking of the bone and an eventual loosening of the teeth.

Treatment and Prevention of Gingivitis

To effectively treat gingivitis, you have to remove the source of the infection. By brushing teeth regularly, plaque buildup can be kept to a minimum. Flossing is very important when it comes to gingivitis treatment and prevention. Flossing helps remove plaque in between teeth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Regular checkups with your dentist are also important. Here at Krengel Dental in West Bloomington, we can remove plaque that is too dense to be removed by a toothbrush or floss.