Fun Ways To Teach Kids About Their Teeth

In your childhood, you might have gotten a lesson or two from your parents on the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene. As a parent, you are responsible for guiding and educating your kids about the same. Here is a list of the best techniques to help your kids follow oral hygiene. Before that, let’s understand when is the ideal age to start dental hygiene for your kids.

When Is The Ideal Age To Start Dental Hygiene?

Dental care should start when the infant is between zero and six months old.

Dental Hygiene Practices For Infants From Zero To Six Months

Soon after feeding your baby, clean the infant’s gum to prevent tooth decay. To clean the gums:

• Rest your baby in one arm.
• Take a moistened washcloth in the other hand and gently clean the gum tissues.

Dental Hygiene Practices For Infants From Six To Eighteen Months

To maintain the good health of your baby’s teeth, you can do the following:

• Once the teeth come out, use a soft-bristled toothbrush without toothpaste and gently brush the teeth and gums.
• By age one, it is recommended that you take your child to a near pediatric dentistry clinic for a dental checkup. Make sure to pick a pediatric dentist who makes your child feel comfortable. Doing so will remove any fear the child has about future dental checkups.
• At the age of one, continue to brush your child’s teeth using the same brush without toothpaste twice a day.

Dental Hygiene Practices For Toddlers From Eighteen Months To Five Years

As the child grows up, you must change dental hygiene practices. At this age, you need to:

• Start brushing your child’s teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Use a kid-sized brush that has gentle bristles.
• Teach your child to spit the toothpaste and not swallow it during and after brushing.
• At this age, you should also take your child to the dentist for checkups regularly.

Dental Hygiene Practices For Children From Six To Eleven Years

• At age six, make your child brush their teeth without assistance using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Tell them to properly rinse and spit the toothpaste after brushing.
• Ask the child to brush for two minutes and twice daily.
• As the child has grown up, you can introduce an electric brush for brushing or continue with the traditional kid-sized manual toothbrush.

How To Make Teaching of Dental Hygiene Interesting To Your Kid?

Teaching your child about dental hygiene can be challenging. To solve this problem, you can take the help of educational toys. Toys like dentist role-play kits will help you start a conversation with your kid about dental health.

6 Fun Activities For Parents To Teach Kids About Oral Hygiene

• Use a plastic soda bottle and cut the bottom half carefully. Paint the bottom half white so that it looks like a tooth. Combine flour and water and splatter the paste on the tooth, which looks like food particles and plaque. Let the paste harden. Brush the paste to show your child how hard it is to remove hardened plaque in contrast to a well-maintained tooth.
• Another way to make them interested in oral hygiene is by taking them to a pediatric dentist and showing them around the clinic. Or a fun shopping day to look for different toothbrushes and fun flosses. Shopping for oral hygiene products that are special and meant for them will grab your child’s attention.
• You can also teach brushing by using a stuffed toy. Buy a toy that shows its teeth. Color it with a black temporary marker. Take a brush and show your child how brushing is done.
• Take a white styrofoam egg carton and cut a big tooth out. Give a list of healthy and unhealthy food options to your child. If your child selects healthy food, mark a circle on the tooth using a dry eraser marker. If your child chooses unhealthy food, draw a circle with a permanent black marker. Give the tooth to your child and ask them to brush the circles. While your child is brushing, explain to them that it is difficult to brush away unhealthy food choices and how these types of food can impact their health and teeth.
• You can also take the help of music videos available online, which teach the importance of dental hygiene. There are many toothbrush songs and dance videos, particularly for kids, that highlight the importance of brushing.
• Use Duplo blocks. Stick Play-Doh or clay around and at the base of the blocks. Hand over a piece of yarn to resemble floss and ask them to remove the Play-Doh entirely from the blocks. This way, you can teach them how to floss.

Besides this, you should also teach your child the importance of eating healthy food to keep the teeth healthy.

Tips About Healthy Eating

• Encourage your child to snack on crunchy veggies and fruits that help keep teeth clean and tummies full. Cut veggies and fruits into fun shapes using cookie cutters, or arrange them into fun characters.
• Have a baking day, and find easy, healthy recipes that everyone can participate in making.
• Sometimes it is hard to create a quick, easy snack that can be taken on the go. Here are two easy snacks which are fiber-rich and keep teeth healthy. You can give your child sliced apples with sugar-free peanut butter. Or make a quick smoothie out of spinach, frozen berries, and plain yogurt. Ahead of time, you can freeze the ingredients in sandwhich baggies, and when it’s snack time, take it out and pop it into a blender with a splash of milk or dairy-free milk.
• Dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt are rich in calcium, strengthening a child’s teeth. You can give your child plain yogurt with a handful of berries.

Teaching your child about the importance of having good dental hygiene at an early age is essential. Doing so will ensure your child will have healthy teeth and gums in childhood as well as healthy dental practices to carry into adulthood. However, teaching kids is not easy. Try the tips mentioned above to help make dental hygiene fun and interesting.

Need the assistance of a pediatric dentist? Contact Ashraf Dentistry today!

How To Maintain Your Dental Hygiene

Do you know what October is recognized for? Halloween, of course, but it is also recognized as National Dental Hygiene Month. Healthy teeth and gums are of supreme importance because they help you maintain a beautiful smile, enjoy good food, and support your overall health.

Several health complications can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly.

Maintain oral health and hygiene with a proper dental cleaning

Proper brushing and flossing can undoubtedly keep your teeth clean and the gums strong. Still, professional dental cleaning also plays a significant role in maintaining good oral health.

Teeth cleaning by a dentist can prevent tooth decay and gum diseases and prevent untimely loss of teeth. Dentists can detect early indications of oral diseases and suggest treatments. Avoiding a visit to the dentist can cost you more in the long run. It will cause more harm to your teeth and may also result in costly treatments. Dentists recommend routine cleaning at least once every six months.

Some top benefits of professional dental cleaning are –

• Overall oral health gets a boost
• Plaque buildup and cavities are treated early
• Bad breath is prevented
• Cleanings and fillings prevent tooth loss
• Stain removal helps maintain shiny teeth

Before planning to go for routine teeth cleaning and maintenance, it is essential to know the different dental cleaning options available. Various kinds of cleaning are performed for many reasons and use different procedures. Having some knowledge helps in determining what’s right for you.

The four types of dental cleaning are –

Prophylaxis cleaning: This cleaning involves routine maintenance of healthy teeth, like removing plaque and stains.

Scaling and root planing: This type of cleaning involves deep cleaning. Patients with known gum diseases, loose teeth, or those vulnerable to oral health complications often need this cleaning.

Gross debridement: Dentists often administer this procedure to patients who have hardened plaque buildup or damaged teeth. Usually, patients who have not visited a dentist for over a year or received prophylaxis teeth cleaning for a while may need gross debridement.

Periodontal maintenance: Patients with progressive gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis may need routine periodontal maintenance. This kind of cleaning is administered to deal with, manage, and keep the symptoms of gum diseases under control.

Tips for maintaining oral hygiene

Achieving good oral health and preventing teeth and gum diseases takes nothing but a few mindful habits.

• Don’t forget to brush twice daily but remember not to overbrush.
• Quality of brushing or following correct brushing techniques are essential.
• Don’t forget to clean your tongue. Plaque buildup on the tongue may lead to bad breath and oral problems.
• Flossing once a day is as essential as brushing your teeth. Dental floss comes in a variety of options like thread floss, waxed/unwaxed, biodegradable and natural floss, flavored and unflavored floss, water flosser, etc. Choose the one you prefer and is most suitable for your oral condition but remember to floss!
• Have a healthy diet rich in phosphorus, vitamin C, whole grains, and vegetables. Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, eating sugary foods, and drinking sweetened carbonated drinks.
• Visit your dentist at regular intervals for teeth cleaning and checkup.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months. If needed, do it more frequently, especially after suffering a cold or flu.
• Clean and sanitize your toothbrush by washing it with hot water before and after use. After brushing, dipping the toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash for two minutes also helps to disinfect it.

How to protect your teeth

Visiting your dentist is a significant part of maintaining oral health. However, there are several things you can do to protect your teeth. Here are a few important ways to protect your teeth from damage and decay.

• Fluoride, the naturally occurring mineral, is effective in fighting cavities. Fluoride from oral care products like toothpaste, certain foods, and water helps to keep teeth healthy.
• A night guard or dental guard acts as a protective layer between the set of top and bottom teeth. Wearing a night guard can save your teeth from the damage that happens due to clenching and grinding while sleeping due to a condition called bruxism.
• Abrasive oral care products and improper brushing and flossing practices can lead to more harm than help. It is important to know the correct way of brushing and flossing.
• Talk to your dentist to take guidance about various oral care needs.

Dental cleaning may sound like a simple process but requires serious attention. Professional dental cleaning has many health benefits and helps maintain fresh breath, a pleasant smile, and an overall healthy mouth. Scheduling a visit to your dentist once every six months can save you from a lot of tooth troubles! Schedule your appointment with Ashraf Dentistry to maintain your dental hygiene today!

Common Dental Tools Explained

Undoubtedly, sitting on a dentist’s chair with a tray full of tools can be scary. Knowing how they are used for teeth cleanings, fillings, dental bonding’s, and other dental procedures can make you feel more comfortable next time.

What are the elements of a quality dental tool?

Dentists perform a variety of routines and specialized dental procedures that can help maintain healthy teeth and gums and repair damaged or missing teeth. To conduct these procedures, every dentist uses a range of tools.

Be it general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry, dentists need to use high-quality tools with detailed designs to make dental treatments more effective. These tools allow improved accuracy, hygiene, and better results. The better the quality of the instrument, the longer it lasts.

Dentist tools are often made of titanium and stainless steel due to their corrosion resistance and high strength. Dentistry tools made of plastic or coated with brass and chrome may peel, chip, or get damaged faster from chemicals and heat while sterilizing.

Ergonomics is an essential component of tools used by a dentist. These tools are manufactured with precision engineering. It allows accuracy and efficiency while conducting dental procedures.

Basic dental check-ups and dental cleaning tools

Some dentistry tools are used more frequently than others. These tools are used for regular cleanings and fillings, dental surgery, pediatric dentistry, and other preventive and dental disorder treatments. Cosmetic dentistry, aesthetic dentistry, and complicated oral surgeries require advanced, high-tech machinery to perform complex tasks.

Here are some most frequently used tools by general dentists.

Curette: Curette is a metal tool that comes with different styles of handles and sizes. This hand-activated instrument has dual working ends. It is used for scaling, removing soft tissue lining, cleaning infected pockets in the gum, root planning, and other similar tasks.

Dental drill: This tool is also known as a dental handpiece. A dental drill is used to drill holes before filling teeth, removing decay, performing cosmetic dentistry, etc.

Dental syringe: A dental syringe is used for administering local anesthetic injections for oral treatments by dental care professionals.

Intraoral cameras: An intraoral camera is used for capturing still images and videos to see the condition of teeth. This helps the dentist to see cavities, gum diseases, and the overall oral condition of a patient.

Polishers: Dental polishers are used for smoothing and polishing the surface of teeth. Some polishers are disposable, and some can be used multiple times.

Saliva ejectors: Pooling saliva in the mouth can disrupt the smooth functioning of dental procedures. Saliva ejectors are used for controlling drooling, removing fluids from the mouth, and preventing the swallowing of fluoride.

Dental sickle scaler probe: A sickle scaler probe is a handheld tool that is used for removing cavities, plaque, and tartar. This tool has a sharp-looking hook that’s attached to a handle.

Different types of dental handpieces 

Dental handpieces or drills are essential tools for some of the most common dental treatments. Drills are of many kinds.

Electrical handpiece: Electric handpieces run on electric power and are precision instruments. Electric handpieces provide continuous speed and torque even with increasing load. Handpieces come in high-speed and low-speed options.

High-speed handpieces operate at 250,000 to 400,000 RPMs, whereas low-speed handpieces work at 5,000 to 40,000 RPMs. The low operating speed makes the low-speed handpieces longer-lasting tools and suitable for heavy jobs. The high-speed handpieces are more precise, have less vibration, and operate with less noise.

Bur and connector handpiece: Dental burs are used with handpieces. These are tiny drill pieces used for cutting teeth and bones. Burs come in different shapes and sizes to suit various treatment requirements.

Endodontic handpiece: This is a machine-driven instrument used to clean and shape the root canal system before cleaning and filling procedures.

Implant and surgical handpieces: As the name suggests, these tools are specially designed with specific technical features for tooth implant surgery. These devices play a vital role in dental surgeries performed by dentists.

Regular dental check-ups and treatments can keep teeth and gums in shipshape. A visit to the dentist is the best thing to do to treat any oral issues. Certified dental practitioners have the knowledge and the appropriate tools to treat dental problems. Now that you know the essential dentist’s tools, those shiny and whirring instruments should not be frightening.

Have more questions? Contact Ashraf Dentistry today!

Healthy Habits And Their Impact On Oral Health

Whether it’s oral health, food, or exercise, it all comes down to good or poor habits. In this article, we want to share the impact of healthy practices and dental health.

Drinking Water

Drinking water can improve our dental health.

Benefits of Water:

Teeth-strengthening

Fluoridated water is “nature’s cavity fighter” and can help prevent cavities. Fluoride is a substance that strengthens teeth in water.

Body hydrated, dry mouth prevented

Low saliva causes dry mouth and increases tooth decay risk, requiring routine cleanings and fillings. Lack of saliva also makes swallowing and chewing difficult.

Water helps prevent dry mouth and boosts saliva production. Water hydrates your body, which is crucial for overall health.

Excellent for removing bacteria and dirt

Water cleans the mouth by removing food and debris that cavity-causing germs enjoy.

Cavity-causing bacteria love sugar and create acid that erodes tooth enamel. It dilutes mouth bacteria acids.

Sugar-free

Water has zero calories or sugar, making it healthful. Even ‘healthy’ drinks like fruit juices or flavored waters include sugar, so drink water to protect your teeth from acid assaults.

Healthy Balanced Diet And Vitamin Supplements

Why does a balanced, healthy diet support oral health

Eating from all food categories helps healthy teeth and gums. Speak to your dentist, physician, or registered dietician to help create a balanced diet that is suitable for your health. Generally speaking, a diet full of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, grains, and dairy promotes supports oral health and overall health.

Which food items should one consume to support healthy teeth and oral health, and why do these food items have such an impact

Oral health foods

Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soymilk encourage healthy teeth and bones. Tofu, salmon, almonds, broccoli, and other dark green leafy vegetables are further calcium sources.

Phosphorus is present in eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy, nuts, and beans.

Vitamin D helps oral health, particularly gum health. It may increase the body’s antimicrobial defenses, preserve healthy gum tissue, and reduce gum inflammation.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant required for healthy gums and oral tissue. Vitamin C insufficiency causes gum disease and tooth loss. Citrus and dark veggies have the most.

Omega-3 fats promote gum health and may lessen periodontitis symptoms.

Low in sugar and high in fiber, magnesium is good for teeth.

Probiotics increase nitrite-reducing mouth bacteria. Nitric oxide benefits your tongue and heart.

Note: Consult your doctor and dentist before changing your diet or adding supplements.

Exercise, Meditation, and Yoga

The Effects of Stress on teeth and oral health

Stress drives our brains to seek comfort foods or create bad habits like drinking and smoking when our immune system is compromised. These practices harm oral health.

Stress causes these oral health risks:

Bruxism

Teeth grinding is a frequent stress response. Most individuals don’t realize they grind their teeth at night. Teeth grinding causes damaged or loose teeth, sensitivity, tongue indentations, and temple discomfort.

Unhygienic teeth

When stressed, self-care becomes less critical, and carb-, sugar-, and caffeine-rich meals are comforting. An unbalanced diet and poor dental hygiene can promote plaque, caries, and tooth loss.

Salivating

Saliva cleans teeth, remineralizes enamel, and fights germs. Stress reduces saliva production, which increases plaque accumulation and dental problems. Alcohol and cigarette usage can cause dry mouth, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Jaws Clamped

Muscle tension helps prevent damage and discomfort, but persistent stress can induce TMJ. It causes jaw and ear discomfort.

What is the connection between exercise, meditation/yoga, and oral health?

Sports and fitness benefit teeth by:

• Less periodontitis – Periodontitis is dangerous gum disease. Regular exercise reduces gum disease risk by 54%.
• Diet matters – Low-sugar diets lower tooth decay risk.
• Better routines –  Developing healthy behaviors lowers stress levels and encourages individuals to take control and responsibility for their health.
• An integrated body – Exercise improves cardiorespiratory health. Your body is a single, interconnected system. Keeping in shape will naturally benefit dental health.
• Workouts minimize inflammation – 20 minutes of exercise might enhance your body’s inflammatory response. It can decrease blood pressure, diabetes, and other risks.
• How does implementing exercise, yoga, and meditation help oral health?– Reducing BMI and obesity risk reduces periodontal disease risk. These practices help to lower stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are known to contribute to bruxism and unhealthy habits—for example, nail-biting, which can invite germs and cause inflammation.

Visit your dentist regularly; it is all about prevention and early detection. Dentists are able to recognize and treat problems early before they progress. In addition, your dentist will check for oral cancer at every checkup. A dental visit might save your life. Want to learn more? Contact Ashraf Dentistry today!

Dental Celebrations This October Month

Rejoice! Dental Hygiene Month is here, so today, let’s discuss its significance, how to celebrate it, and why maintaining oral health is so important.

What is Dental Hygiene Month?

Dental Hygiene Month is observed in October (America) and April (Canada). Dental Hygiene Month was launched in 2009 by The American Dental Hygienists’ Association in collaboration with multinational chewing gum corporation Wrigley Company. The goal was to create and spread awareness about oral health.

Why is dental hygiene important?

A flashy smile doesn’t always indicate good dental health. Your gums are essential as well. Cavities and bad gums may lead to severe infections like periodontitis, diabetes, cancer, and heart ailments.

Further, your oral health affects your speech and confidence. So maintaining your teeth and gums is beneficial for your general well-being.

Your oral hygiene routine

Brush:

Brushing removes plaque, lessening the chances of developing cavities and gum diseases.

Brush twice with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Each session should last for two minutes.

Floss:

Before you sleep, floss once daily.

Flossing cleans areas your brush cannot reach. So, it removes plaque further and small particles stuck in your teeth.

Rinse:

Use a good mouthwash to remove bacteria from other parts inside your mouth. Rinse after brushing and flossing.

Chew:

Have sugarless chewing gums.

Sugar damages teeth enamel, so avoid such chewing gums. Sugarless chewing gums increase saliva volume, decreasing plaque acid, making teeth strong, and reducing decay.

Benefits of dentist visits and dental cleaning

Visit a dentist twice a year. And, if you have a dental issue, make it 3-4 times.

A dentist visit helps in early cavity detection and thorough dental cleaning. The latter removes hardened plaque, stains, and tartar.

World Smile Day

World Smile Day lands on the first Friday of October. In 2022, it’d be observed on October 7.

It was started by Harvey Ball, creator of the extremely popular smiley face, in 1999. The Massachusetts-based artist wanted people to smile and spread happiness through small acts of kindness.

Why should you smile more?

Stats say children smile 400 times/day while we clock a measly 20! Let’s change that from now. Because:

• Smiling boosts mood
• Releases happy hormones like cortisol, endorphins
• Reduces pain, BP, stress
• More endurance, stronger immunity
• Makes you approachable

Five fun facts about smiling:

• Over 50 muscles work to make you smile
• The easiest identifiable expression, even from 300ft away
• Babies learn to smile/laugh from birth
• There are 19 types of smiles
• Men smile less than women

How to celebrate these occasions

• Follow dental hygiene and visit a dentist as suggested
• Consider teeth whitening
• Replace your old dental tools
• Go for cleanings and fillings
• Teach your children about dental hygiene. Give utmost importance to pediatric dentistry
• Watch fun movies
• Compliment someone, express gratitude, bring coffee/food, order something – just make someone smile!
• Shower your dental team with love/gifts like thank you note, flowers, cake, etc.
• Go for cosmetic dentistry. Make your set of white pearls aesthetically appealing.

 October is Dental Hygiene Month and World Smile Day falls on the month’s first Friday. Celebrate it with your children. Be particular about their and your dental visits.

What is considered a dental emergency?

Several dental issues can wait until the next day or even two. However, some dental conditions are considered emergencies. If left untreated, they can cost you your smile and cause pain or prolonged discomfort.

Knowing what counts as a dental emergency and when to see your dentist immediately helps save a lot of trouble. Read on to learn more and how to be prepared for these situations.

What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?

Here are a few conditions that may require seeing your dentist immediately. In case it’s a child, these problems require instant pediatric dentistry interventions:

Loose Tooth

Loose teeth in adults are not expected and are a dental emergency. It often happens due to untreated infections or injuries. A loose tooth may eventually detach and lead to bleeding or swollen gums.

Your dentist will treat this after identifying the root cause of the loose tooth. You may be advised to do root planing and scaling if you have gum disease. You may be recommended a bone grafting procedure if it is due to bone deterioration.

Missing Tooth

A missing tooth is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. You may be missing a tooth due to decay, trauma, or gum disease. While this may not cause an immediate problem, a missing tooth may lead to bone resorption and changes in your facial structure when left untreated.

You may be recommended dental implants, a bridge, or a partial denture to replace the missing tooth. Your dentist may also recommend cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Missing Crown or Filling

Crowns or fillings are installed to protect and restore damaged teeth. At times, eating sticky foods or hard chewing may cause these restorations to come loose. Missing crown or filling results in exposing the tooth tissues that are sensitive to air and temperature. This may cause severe pain or sensitivity.

Please treat this as an emergency, retrieve the missing crown or filling, and bring it to your dentist. They will either place a new restoration or suggest an alternative treatment.

Toothache

Toothache is an indication of a more serious dental issue, especially when it lasts for a few days and is accompanied by fever or swelling in the face or jaws. You may have an infected or chipped tooth, which is a dental emergency.

This is more common in children. If they are experiencing a persistent toothache, immediate pediatric dentistry intervention is needed. They may either have to get a filling or, in more severe cases, a root canal may be advised.

Stuck Objects Between The Teeth

A substantial object stuck between the teeth is painful and discomforting. If you are unable to dislodge them, even with dental floss, you need to see a dentist immediately. Not doing so may not just damage your teeth but also cut through the softer oral tissues.

Dental emergencies are serious and must be tackled swiftly. Experiencing pain, bleeding, or swelling in the face or mouth indicates a more serious issue. This could be an infection, gum disease, or a cavity and could create more significant problems such as:

• Any bacteria reaching the pulp inside the tooth may lead to tooth loss and gum disease.
• You may experience severe pain and discomfort. This may lead to stress, lower productivity, and mood changes.
• Not responding to dental emergencies may cause this bacteria to cause serious health concerns in the long run. These include stroke, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.

Soft Tissue Emergencies Require Immediate Attention Too!

Besides your teeth, your mouth also houses several soft tissues. Also known as the oral mucosa, these tissues enable you to salivate, taste, and help in pain detection.

Let’s review some of the most common soft tissue injuries, the reasons that cause them, and how to prevent them:

• Falling on your face.
• Chewing on hard foods.
• Biting down on your lip.
• Injury or trauma during contact sports.
• Accidents while driving.

These may result in cuts, punctures, lacerations, or bruises. Follow these first aid steps to assist yourself or your family member in the event of a soft tissue emergency:

• Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial or antiseptic mouthwash. Alternatively, you also use warm saline water.
• Use moist gauze in the case of persistent bleeding.
• Hold an ice pack over the area for five to ten minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
• Maintain pressure on the area.

If the bleeding or swelling persists, your injury may be severe and must be considered an emergency. If not attended to in time, it may lead to excessive bleeding, risk of infection, distress, and even shock.

Your dentist will clean the affected area thoroughly and may administer stitches under anesthesia to control bleeding when required. In the event you have a chipped or broken tooth, you may have to consider cosmetic dentistry.

Keep Your Teeth In Good Shape!

Here’s how you can prevent dental emergencies using these practical and effective tips:

• Practice good oral hygiene that involves brushing for two minutes. Follow this up with flossing and an antimicrobial mouthwash.
• Use mouthguards, especially if you play contact sports. They help in softening the blow of injuries to your mouth.
• For people who suffer from bruxism, wearing a night guard prevents the risk of enamel erosion or chipped teeth.
• Avoid consuming hard and crunchy foods or other foods that require excessive force to chew.
• Check with your dentist about fortifying your diet with vitamins to keep your gums and teeth strong. This makes them more resilient to the impact of decay and injuries.
• Drink plenty of water. Hydration allows your mouth to produce saliva that maintains a neutral pH balance. This washes away bacteria and food debris and reduces the risk of decay-related emergencies.
• While opening bottles and snack packs with your teeth may be tempting, it causes your enamel to weaken over time, leading to dental damage. Also, avoid biting your nails. Teeth are not tools!
• Visit your dentist regularly. Regular cleanings help in removing stubborn plaque deposits. This reduces the risk of decay and gum diseases. Problems such as loose or chipped teeth can also be spotted in time to prevent dental emergencies.
• Know of dental offices that offer after-hour services for emergencies. Keep their numbers handy and educate yourself about their services.

The Bottom Line

There are ways to prevent painful dental emergencies. But still, if you find yourself in a fix, make sure to see a dentist for emergency treatment. This will go a long way and can potentially save you from long-term damage and debilitating pain. Therefore, reducing the need for expensive and invasive procedures.

Want to know where to go in the event of a dental emergency? Ashraf Dentistry! Contact us today!

The Importance of Vitamins and Minerals for Your Teeth

Everyone knows that brushing and flossing daily and regular dental check-ups are essential to maintaining dental health. But is that all you can do to make your teeth strong and bright? The answer is no. There is more to good oral health. One of the critical aspects is what you eat. You must have a balanced diet, including vitamins and minerals, for strong teeth and good oral health.

Why are vitamins and minerals essential for oral health?

Consuming a healthy diet can help fight bacteria and even reduce the chances of tooth decay and gum diseases. At the same time, an unhealthy and imbalanced diet can cause inflammation, discoloration, and in the worst-case scenario—even tooth loss. Think of it this way; if your body doesn’t have the essential nutrients, it cannot fight infections or maintain functionality. Similarly, sugary and starchy food can erode your enamel. Vitamins and minerals are crucial in maintaining healthy, strong pearly white teeth.

Vitamin deficiency—what your teeth and oral health are telling you

Do you want to know a secret? Your teeth can tell you if you have a vitamin deficiency. You don’t even have to look too deep. Here’s how:

Vitamin A deficiency

A common indicator of Vitamin A deficiency is impaired tooth formation. Enamel hypoplasia, inadequate enamel, is common among children with Vitamin A deficiency. A dry mouth is another symptom that can affect adults with vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin B deficiency

Vitamin B deficiency causes cracked lips, inflammation of the tongue, sore tongue, and periodontal disease. Angular cheilitis, a condition that affects the corners of your mouth, is another common sign of vitamin B deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency exhibits several symptoms in your oral health. A burning sensation on the tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth is a common indicator of vitamin D deficiency. Other symptoms include sore throat, dry mouth, and numbness on the tongue. Vitamin D deficiency can even cause cavities and periodontitis.

Calcium and magnesium deficiency

Inadequate calcium levels are harmful to your body and mouth. You might have tingling sensations in your mouth. Weak roots, tooth decay, and irritated gums are other symptoms of calcium deficiency.

Recommended vitamins and supplements to support oral health

You might have heard about remineralization. It is a process in which the body naturally repairs your teeth. Of course, to initiate remineralization, you need to give your body the proper support. Proper support and care include saliva production, a healthy diet, probiotics, vitamin and mineral supplements, and fluoride. However, it is also crucial to consult your dentist before making any decision.

Here are the vitamins you must take to keep your teeth healthy.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential to maintain your gums and tooth enamel. Keratin, a protein found in tooth enamel, needs vitamin A to form. Vitamin A also supports healthy saliva production in your mouth. Saliva helps in washing away bacteria and harmful substances from your mouth. You can find vitamin A in sweet potatoes, eggs, and carrots. Vitamin A and most recommended vitamins in today’s article are available in supplement form. However, keep in mind that supplements are meant to support a healthy diet, not substitute the nutrients you would intake from natural food sources.

Vitamin B complex

Vitamin B complex prevents irritation inside and outside the mouth and reduces the chances of cracked lips and irritated gums. B vitamins can be found in leafy vegetables like spinach, citrus fruits, eggs, dairy products, and meat.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D acts as a support to calcium. Without vitamin D, your body cannot fully absorb calcium and strengthen your enamel. You can find it in orange juice, fortified cereals, and fatty fish.

Calcium

Calcium is essential not only for your bones but also for your teeth. Calcium strengthens your enamel and aids in jawbone development. You can find calcium in broccoli, milk, yogurt, leafy vegetables, and almonds.

Magnesium

Magnesium helps regulate the acidity levels in your blood. Higher acidity can weaken your teeth and jawbone, which is why magnesium is essential for oral health. Good sources of magnesium include avocados, bananas, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.

Zinc

Zinc is necessary to prevent demineralization in your teeth. Proper intake of zinc can also prevent gum diseases, cavities, and tooth decay and fight bad breath. Zinc is found in oysters, beans, poultry, whole grains, and nuts.

Probiotics

Probiotics are incredible for digestive health issues such as GERD and acid reflux. However, they are also helpful for oral health. Probiotics can prevent bad breath and help in absorbing nutrients.

The above-listed vitamins and minerals are essential for your oral health. However, before taking any nutritional supplement, vitamin or mineral, remember to consult a healthcare professional. While a balanced diet is necessary for good oral health, regular dental check-ups are equally important. No amount of minerals and vitamins can help you treat teeth and gum diseases without a proper course of treatment. Therefore, don’t forget to see your dentist regularly.