Desert Dentistry

Improving your oral health doesn’t have to be hard – in fact, it’s really easy and takes no time! Just a few minor changes in your everyday routine can put you on the road to healthier teeth, healthier gums, and even a healthier heart. They’re all connected! Here is our Top 10 List of the easiest changes you can make to improve your oral health.

1. Switch out your toothbrush

When is the last time you changed your toothbrush? We know; the old one is broken in just the way you like it. But if that’s really the reason, then you’re probably using a brush with bristles that were too stiff, and now they’re too flattened to do any good. You should change your toothbrush every three to four months when it shows signs of wear, and throw them out after being sick.

2. Opt for soft

Hard bristles can damage the enamel on your teeth, and they can hurt your gums too. New soft- bristle toothbrushes are on the market that feel great from day-one. No break-in required, and they are very effective at removing daily plaque buildup.

3. Eat more cheese (or beans)

We know calcium is good for teeth, but so is protein. Protein contains phosphorous, which helps strengthen your teeth and jaw. Cheese has protein and calcium, giving it extra bone- strengthening power. It even strengthens the enamel in your teeth.

4. An apple a day

Apples, and other fiber-rich fruits and vegetables (think broccoli, cauliflower and celery) are nature’s toothbrush. Bite into them, and the friction naturally scrubs plaque off of your teeth. Then, as you chew, your saliva washes it all away.

5. Ask your dentist what you’re missing

The next time you’re in the dentist’s chair for a routine cleaning, ask if he or she has noticed any parts of your teeth you may be habitually missing with your toothbrush. It’s not uncommon for people to think they’re brushing every facet of their teeth, but forget the underside of their lower front teeth.

Let’s talk halitosis – aka. bad breath, morning breath, and my favorite, dragon breath. It stinks! Halitosis affects one in four adults, and although most people can fix the problem with a quick brush and rinse, others have a chronic problem. If you really want to get rid of bad breath, a breath mint won’t do the trick: you have to go to the source. Your halitosis could be caused by anything from jamming a marble up your nose to serious health problems.

The Many Causes of Bad Breath

Poor oral hygiene – If you’re not brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and scraping your tongue, then your mouth is a bacteria factory!

The fix: Bacteria under the gums, on your tongue, under your tongue, and just about everywhere else in your mouth causes bad breath. But, you don’t want to get rid of all the bacteria by using a mouthwash, because good bacterial helps keep the bad, cavity-causing bacteria in check. Instead, follow your dentist’s recommended oral hygiene regimen (i.e. brushing and flossing).

A diet high in sugar and processed foods – Bad bacteria causes bad breath, and it thrives on sugar and processed foods.

The fix: A diet based on fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy is not only better for your body, it’s better for your breath!

Dry mouth – Saliva washes the mouth out, keeping bacteria levels in balance. But when you’re dehydrated, breath through your mouth, or take medication with dry mouth as a side effect, saliva dries before it can do its job.

The fix: Stay hydrated! Drinking lots of fluids, especially water, will also wash your mouth out. Just be sure your beverages are sugar-free. Another solution is to chew sugar-free gum, which stimulates the saliva glands.

Jamming a marble up your nose - Kids do the darndest things, like cramming foreign objects up their nostrils. Believe it or not, this can cause bad breath, because with nasal passages blocked by marbles, peas, toy trucks, and other wedgeables, children have to breathe through their mouths.

The fix: See “Dry Mouth” above, and gently remove the foreign object from your nose.

Oral infection – Bad breath can result from cavities, sores, and plaque buildup.

The fix: See your dentist regularly to fix these problems before they become bigger, stinkier issues.

Serious health problems – Gastrointestinal issues, lung infections, sinus infections, and kidney problems can all cause bad breath.

The fix: If you think your halitosis could be caused by another health issue, have a breath mint and see your doctor asap!

Eating garlic – Yes, eating garlic will cause temporary bad breath. Garlic contains a sulfuric compound called allicin, which smells an awful lot like the sulfurous gasses produced by your own halitosis-causing oral bacteria.

The fix: Chase it with an apple. Studies have shown that apples may deodorize the stink-causing enzymes in garlic. Lemon juice might also work.

Bad Breath Cures from Around the World

In Iraq, they chew cloves.

In Brazil, they chew cinnamon.

In Singapore, they chew guava peels.

In Italy, they chew parsley.

They didn’t have dentists. They didn’t have tooth brushes. They definitely didn’t floss. But scientists think that hunter-gatherers had better oral health than we do. A recent study on ancient calcified dental plaque reports that as hunting and gathering evolved into farming, the dietary shift caused another shift to take hold: in oral bacteria.

Streptococcus mutans is the bacteria that causes tooth decay, and it thrives on carbohydrates from processed flour and sugar. When the human diet changed from what you could pick or catch to what you could grow and process, this bacteria got everything it needed not only to grow, but to become dominant. Everything you eat affects the bacterial habitat of your mouth (and the rest of your body). And, when your diet allows harmful bacteria to thrive, your oral and whole-body health will suffer.

Overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth causes an immune system response that scientists believe might contribute to diabetes, obesity and heart disease. If that’s not enough to convince modern-day man to cut out the sugar, this might: an imbalance of bad bacteria also causes bad breath!

A number of researchers are working on solutions to rebalance oral bacteria, or specifically target and eliminate streptococcus mutans. But until these miracle lozenges and mouthwashes hit the market, the best we can do is eat a little more like our distant ancestors.

Another study on ancient teeth found one more reason for hunter-gatherers to smile: a grass- like plant called purple nutsedge. While purple nutsedge “tastes a lot like dirt” according to one scientist, it contains antibacterial chemicals that limit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Prehistoric Sudanese, ancient Egyptians and Aborigines were all using the starchy stuff. What was then a dietary staple is now deemed a weed.

Your child’s smile lights up your day, and you want to take care of that smile. That care should start early, not only to protect your child’s teeth, but also to create a foundation of positive experiences to ensure they’ll never be afraid of the dentist. Here are our tips for creating good memories at the dentist’s office.

Start Young

Taking your child to the dentist should be a habit developed early in life. When baby’s first tooth sprouts (usually before the first birthday) take your child to see a pediatric dentist to make sure everything is going well. But good oral hygiene should start even before that. After feeding, brush your child’s gums with an infant toothbrush or finger cot to prevent infection.

Make It Fun

Children are often frightened of unfamiliar places. Bringing a favorite book or toy to their dental appointment can make them feel safe and keep the experience positive. When your child goes in to see the dentist, make sure you stay with them until they are comfortable. It’s okay if they start crying- normal even. Calm them down and continue the appointment without punishment to ensure they don’t relate the dentist’s office with negativity.

Simple Answers

Don’t be surprised if your kid starts asking questions about what going to the dentist is like. Keep your answers short and simple. Pediatric dentists are trained to explain answers in a thorough way that won’t scare or confuse kids.

Not too hot, not too cold. If your daily life feels like you’re living in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, then it’s safe to say that you have sensitive teeth. But you don’t have to limit yourself to tepid food and drinks. Try these solutions and you might finally be able to enjoy hot coffee and cold ice cream. Just don’t sink your teeth into an icy popsicle – ouch!

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda, one of the most common household items, can help prevent and treat tooth sensitivity. It is also a great way to brighten your smile - and you’ll find it as an ingredient in many types of toothpaste. Baking soda works to re-mineralize tooth enamel with Calcium, Phosphate, and Fluoride, strengthening the barrier between your nerves and that ice-cream cone. You can buy baking soda-based toothpastes, or simply wet your toothbrush and sprinkle baking soda on top (you can even spice it up with some cinnamon to make it taste better).

2. Chewing Gum

Chewing sugarless gum can trick your mouth into thinking there’s food in it, which triggers saliva production, which can help wash out harmful plaque. Without saliva, plaque buildup wears down your tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity (and cavities, and gum disease).

3. Limit Sugary and Acidic Food

Sugar and acidic foods and drinks wear down tooth enamel and cause receding gums, exposing nerve cells that can cause pain in your teeth. When enamel is damaged or gums recede, your teeth become more sensitive. Limiting your intake of fruit juices, sodas, and vinegar based salad dressings can dramatically improve your sensitive situation, but if you’re not quite ready to give up the sweet life, try brushing your teeth after each treat, or at least drinking a glass of water to wash out any residue left on your teeth.

We use porcelain veneers – thin shells of porcelain or composite resin – to improve the appearance of smiles every day. Are any of these problems dimming the brightness of your smile?

1. Discoloration

Habitually drinking black tea, coffee or red wine, or smoking cigarettes, can cause tooth discoloration that tooth brushing and even whitening can’t fix. Permanent damage can occur even if you brush your teeth regularly – sometimes it’s even genetic. Porcelain veneers offer a permanent solution; and, once in place, they are stain resistant.

2. Chipped or Broken Teeth

Veneers can help to reshape your chipped and damaged teeth. First, we take a mold of your teeth and send it to the lab so they can create the best size and shape veneers for your smile. Then we fit you with a temporary set of veneers which stay in place until your custom-made veneers arrive. After living with chipped and broken teeth for a while, you might find it that it takes some time to get used to your veneers! But you’ll love the look from the first moment you see them.

3. Misaligned or Crooked Teeth

While there isn’t much you can do about genetics, there is a lot you can do to improve the look of your smile, even if your teeth are crooked, have gaps, or are off-center. While there are a number of options for solving these problems, like braces or Invisalign, sometimes veneers offer the best solution. Ask us at your next appointment what options might work best for your teeth and we will walk you through all of your options.

Cavities are rotten, literally. And, if left untreated, cavities can spread decay to other teeth and spread harmful germs through your body, causing infection. While having cavities filled isn’t fun, it’s a lot better than the alternative of having an infected and diseased mouth! But the question becomes: What filling should you choose, gold, silver, or white?

“Dentophobia” is the word for dental anxiety, and it affects millions of people all over the world. Yet dental care is so important to your overall health, not to mention the welfare of your pearly whites! Easing patients’ anxieties about dental care is one reason why we at Desert Dentistry are devoted to creating positive experiences and building good relationships.

A lot of the responsibility for giving you a stress-free experience is on our end – and we take it seriously. We treat each patient as an individual, with individual thresholds for discomfort, and it’s our job to check in often to make sure each person is as comfortable as possible, every step of the way. However, there are things patients can do to minimize anxiety on their end as well.

1. Discuss with your dentist before any procedure what can be done to make you as comfortable as possible. And, have clear expectations for what will be done and how it will feel.

2. If you have anxieties about the dentist, it’s okay to tell us. You should! Then we can work with you to make you more comfortable, and offer lots of sympathy and reassurance.

3. Many people have good luck with practicing meditation to cope with anxieties. But, if saying “Om” instead of “Aaaah” at the dentist doesn't work for you, try bringing a really great book with you to the waiting room to get your mind off your fears.

4. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply – this can help lower anxiety levels.

5. Focus on the results: You’ll leave our office with a beautiful, healthy smile! Take some time to envision everything going well at the dentist before your visit and concentrate on how good it will feel to have clean and healthy teeth.