Category: Oral Health

Taking care of your dental health is essential for more than just having a great smile and feeling good! Poor oral hygiene can have severe, long-term ramifications, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or even heart problems. To prevent these health consequences and protect yourself against them, use this helpful list of tips to maintain optimal oral wellness:

Brush your teeth twice a day

Establishing the habit of brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is essential for maintaining long-term oral health. The circular motions used while brushing help fight plaque, an invisible film of bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. With this easy routine, you will ensure optimum overall well-being!

Floss daily

Brushing is just one step of a successful oral hygiene routine; flossing must also be considered for strong teeth and gums. Floss works to eliminate accumulated plaque, as well as food particles that your toothbrush cannot reach. Therefore, it’s essential to incorporate string floss daily – make sure you apply gentle back-and-forth motions! No snapping or jerking movements should ever occur when performing this task.

Use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Incorporating an antibacterial mouthwash into your daily routine can do wonders for the health of your teeth and gums. Not only does it reduce plaque and bacteria in your mouth, but its refreshing taste will leave you with a pleasant breath throughout the day – be sure to use it as directed on the bottle label! Remember: never swallow any form of mouthwash!

Eat a balanced diet.

Eating a balanced diet is also essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps to keep your mouth healthy by providing it with the nutrients it needs. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, as they can increase your risk for tooth decay.

Quit smoking

Smoking is terrible for your overall health, including your oral health. Smoking increases gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer risk. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your teeth, gums, and overall health.

Use Mouthwash Regularly

Mouthwash can help to remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth, keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride, as this will help to prevent cavities. Swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out

Limit acidic foods and drinks

Acidic foods and drinks can wear away at your tooth enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay. To reduce the amount of acid in your mouth, limit your consumption of citrus fruits, juices, sports drinks, and sodas. If you consume acidic foods or beverages, rinse your mouth with water afterward to help neutralize the acidity.

Avoid teeth grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common problem that can cause severe damage to your teeth and gums. If you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to wear while you sleep. This will help to protect your teeth and gums from the damage caused by grinding.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Seeing your dentist regularly is another important way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Your dentist can detect problems early and provide treatment to prevent more serious problems from developing. Most dentists recommend seeing their patients every six months for a routine cleaning and exam.

Dr. Gibbs, and the team at Smile Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, IL, are here to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. We can provide personalized advice on incorporating these tips into your daily routine and answer any questions about oral health care. Please take your time; call us today for an appointment or consultation so we can get started helping you achieve a brighter smile!

The debate of whether or not electric toothbrushes are better than manual ones has long intrigued dentists and their patients. While it all comes down to individual choice, cost, and whether or not people have access to the most up-to-date dental technology, science has provided an answer.

However, there are several exceptions and qualifications to consider when determining whether an electric toothbrush is superior to a traditional manual toothbrush. Your age, the health of your teeth, and whether you have any dental treatment might influence a dentist’s choice.

Which is better, an electric or manual toothbrush?

Brushing your teeth is the first line of defense in preventing tooth decay and ill health. Both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque, which causes cavities and illness, but which one should you choose: an electric or a manual brush?

Dentists will frequently emphasize to their patients the importance of toothbrushing’s fundamental steps:

• Brush twice a day, and essentially, just before bed
• Brush for at least 2 minutes at a time
• Do not rinse after brushing but spit to avoid rinsing away the fluoride in their toothpaste
• Do not use mouthwash just after brushing; otherwise, it removes fluoride.

These practices can be achieved using a manual brush or an electric toothbrush.

For better dental health, electric toothbrushes are frequently recommended. Electric toothbrush brushing is a fast and easy technique to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. They cost more than standard toothbrushes; however, replacement brush heads can also be pricey. Do electric or manual toothbrushes have any advantages?

The benefits of using an electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are more successful in removing plaque from hard-to-reach areas. Over a year, electric toothbrushes, as opposed to manual brushes, were found to decrease gingivitis (gum disease) and remove more plaque than regular manual brushes.

Small-headed electric toothbrushes, such as Oral-B, feature a round head that allows you to access these areas quickly. Every time you move your toothbrush across your teeth, an electric toothbrush with vibrating bristles permits additional micro-movements.

Easier for people with limited mobility

An electric toothbrush accomplishes the majority of the task. It may be beneficial to young children who must be watched as they brush their teeth until they are at least nine years old and those with limited mobility.

• Parkinson’s
• Carpal Tunnel
• Arthritis
• Stroke sufferers
• Developmental disabilities

The toothbrush may be used in only a few simple motions. The user has to sweep the brush across their teeth and along the tooth surfaces, even if they have little manual dexterity.

Brushing for at least 2 minutes with built-in timers

Unlike manual brushes, electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer, which tells the user when they’ve brushed their teeth for a specific time. This is particularly useful with children, but using an egg timer or singing a two-minute song while brushing is always an option – but it’s not always convenient.

It may improve oral health in people with orthodontic appliances.

Electric toothbrushes aid individuals who use orthodontic devices such as braces since they make brushing more convenient. Plaque levels remained about the same whether you used an electric toothbrush or not, whether you had good oral health or bad. An electric toothbrush may benefit your dental health if you can’t clean your teeth properly while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

When gum disease is discovered early, it is more easily treated and, in most cases, can be reversed. As it progresses, it becomes more difficult to treat. The earliest stages of gum disease can advance to a more serious problem and can lead to the loss of teeth or other health problems. Knowing the different types of gum diseases can be beneficial for treating and even preventing it altogether. Let’s take a look at the various stages and types of common gum diseases.

Six Types of Gum Disease

Gingivitis: Healthy gums appear pink and feel firm. If you notice your gums turning red, bleeding easily, or are red or swollen, you might have gingivitis. This is the mildest form of periodontal disease. In most cases, it is due to the lack of good oral hygiene. At this stage, it is reversible, if treated properly by your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist coupled with good oral care at home.

Periodontitis: This is another term for advanced gum disease. This goes further than affecting gum tissue and spreads below the gum line and affects your teeth. It can cause deterioration of the jawbone and cause tooth loss as well as jawbone atrophy. Symptoms of periodontitis include chronic bad breath, gingival pockets containing pus, and receding gum lines.

Aggressive Periodontitis: This stage of gum disease progresses rapidly. The ligaments holding teeth in place, bones, and gingival tissue continue to deteriorate at an advanced pace.

Chronic periodontitis:  This is a slow occurring deterioration. The inflammation of the gums and bone loss continues to occur but at a slower rate.

Systemic periodontitis: Gum disease occurring due to systemic disease is considered systemic periodontitis. Some of the systemic conditions include:

• Diabetes
• Respiratory disease
• Heart disease

Necrotizing periodontal disease: Those who suffer from this type of gum disease usually have other underlying conditions including HIV, malnutrition, or immunosuppression. Death of the living tissue, alveolar bone, and ligaments don’t deteriorate due to a disease. Rather, they begin to deteriorate because they are deprived of the nourishment needed to stay healthy.

What can I do to prevent gum diseases?

There are several things you can do to help prevent gum disease.

•  Brushing your teeth regularly helps remove debris and plaque that can become trapped between teeth and gums. Remember to brush your tongue as well as bacteria likes to hang out there too.
•  Flossing at least one time a day helps remove plaque and food particles that cannot be reached by brushing alone.
• Using mouthwash helps reduce plaque and prevents it from building up.  Swishing it around in your mouth as directed can help remove any leftover food particles that were missed by brushing and flossing.
• Risk factors such as age, diet, genetics, and smoking can increase your risk of developing gum disease. If you are at an increased risk, discuss it with a dental professional at Smile Glen Ellyn.
•  Regular dental checkups with Dr. Gibbs can help prevent gum disease and other dental problems. A dental professional can examine your teeth, gums, bite, and bone structure to determine if you are at risk for developing gum disease. Early detection is the key to protecting your teeth and gums.

Contact Dr. Gibbs

The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis. Routine visits are part of helping you maintain good oral health. If you have any questions about gum diseases or your oral health, please contact us. We are here to help you! Schedule your visit with the team at Smile Glen Ellyn today.