Month: February 2018

Whitening Toothpaste: Why It May Not Be Effective

Let’s face it, we all want the whitest teeth possible. But have you been trying the hardest to get those desired results that aren’t apparent yet? We have a few reasons as to why your teeth may be going from dazzling to dull white using whitening toothpastes.

First, it is important to note that whitening toothpastes can’t change the actual color of your teeth. They also don’t contain peroxide which is a key ingredient for teeth-whitening. Most ingredients included in whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains, which means that it can’t lighten a stain that is deeper than surface level.

Second, the overuse of whitening toothpaste can wear down tooth enamel, which, in turn, can cause a yellowish shade on your teeth. Although it takes about two to six weeks to see results when used twice a day, it is well worth the wait instead of using the toothpaste more than you should just to have your teeth become less white than they should be.

So although whitening toothpaste may deliver some results overtime, it may not thoroughly do the job as much as teeth whitening treatments provided by your dentist.

 

 

Plaque vs. Tartar: What’s The Difference?

fun fYou’ve probably heard of these two troublemakers before. As we all strive to keep these guys away and off our teeth, we want to establish exactly what they are, how they affect your oral hygiene, and how to tell the difference if you’ve been slacking on your teeth-cleaning program.

First, lets talk plaque. It builds up around the gum line and takes form of a sticky, colorless, soft substance. It is made up of food particles and saliva that form into a film of bacteria.This is the culprit for cavities due to the acid it contains. Plaque also causes the gums to bleed if you are brushing or flossing! So it is best to keep an eye out for this pest and have it stay clear from any buildup on your teeth. If not, it can eventually harden into tartar if it isn’t removed each day.

Now, let’s talk tartar. Tartar, which is hardened plaque, takes form of a yellow, yellowish-brown color and is hard, porous, and crusty. It is hard because it comes from the mineral deposits in saliva. This bad guy can not only cause cavities, but also gum disease and tooth loss. So you’d most definitely want to avoid tartar buildup at all times!

So now how do you actually remove these burdens from your precious chompers? Plaque can simply be removed by brushing, flossing, and rinsing on a daily basis. Tartar, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to get rid of. You would need surgery to remove any if it has has formed below the gum line. To prevent any of this from happening, the best solution would be to use tartar-control toothpaste while brushing and flossing vigilantly.

Common Mistakes When Using An Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are known to clean teeth more effectively than regular toothbrushes. However, if you aren’t using the electric toothbrush properly, you won’t receive the maximum benefits it brings to the table for your teeth. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for before taking home and using your supercharged cleaning buddy.

Making the wrong purchasing decision

It can be tricky when shopping for the proper electric toothbrush that is the most suitable for you.  Make sure it fits in the hand comfortably, with the size of the electric head suited for the size of your mouth.  Also keep in mind that if you have a heavy hand with brushing, you might want to purchase an electric brush with soft bristles to avoid irritating your gums.

Not brushing for the appropriate duration of time

It is known and recommended to brush for a full two minutes about 2 times a day.  Although some electric toothbrushes may have a timer, it is always beneficial to make sure you are getting the proper amount of time when fighting away those germs and bacteria.

Heavy-handed overbrushing

You should brush only 2 times a day for 2 minutes. No more or no less. Brushing more than 3 times a day wears down tooth enamel (which is something your teeth need) and may hurt your gums if you brush too hard.

Not replacing your toothbrush head when needed

It is time to replace your toothbrush head after 3 months of use, especially if you are noticing frayed or broken bristles. Brushing with overused toothbrush heads wont give you the optimal results you are looking for. Keep in mind that you should also replace your toothbrush head if you have been sick.

Why And How NOT To Fear The Dentist

So the day has finally come for your dental appointment. You may be super anxious, but there’s no need to freak out! We have some things for you to think about and try to soothe those nerves away before heading into the dentist’s office.

  1. Remember that it might not be as bad as you think- you could be overthinking which can cause you to stress more.
  2. Bring a companion with you! Your parent, friend, or family members can lessen any stress you may be having by keeping you company and assuring you that everything will be okay.
  3. Breathe, breathe, BREATHE! For a relaxation technique, take a big breath in and let it out slowly. It’ll do wonders if your nerves start getting the better of you.
  4. Stay hydrated and have something to eat to make sure you feel good before seeing the dentist.
  5. Doctors are here to help you! The outcome of any procedure is to better your teeth or any problem you may be having. Keep looking forward to that positive outcome you will receive.
  6. Remember that this procedure won’t last forever and it’ll all be over before you know it. Once it is, you’ll feel like a million bucks!

Teething: What To Know And How To Take Action

So first thing is first, what is teething? Teething is when your first set of teeth break through the gums. Pressure from the teeth poking through under the gums causes discomfort. This is the culprit for all that constant urge for babies to chew, chew chew! So when does all this chewing start to happen? Teething usually occurs between 6 to 24 months of age. Since each child is different and there is no exact set time on when teething will stop, we have a few suggestions to ease any aches and pains for the time being.

Pressure

Don’t think that your little one can get enough chewing. Let them have at it! This helps them relieve any discomfort and distracts them from the sensation of pain that the teeth are causing. Be sure to provide safe objects for chewing, such as teething rings.

Painkillers

Check with a doctor to see what particular medication is right for your little one. A common pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin), can reduce inflammation in the gums and reduce any pain for babies who are at least six months old. Keep in mind that aspirin is off-limits to anyone under the age of 19.

Hard Foods

Gnawing on hard food can soothe any pain temporarily. Be sure to keep an eye out for any choking hazards from consuming larger pieces of food!

Cold Objects or Foods

Cold water in a bottle or cold purees can do the trick for relieving any soreness; just make sure nothing is too cold or coming from the freezer which can cause more aggravation for the gums.

Gum Massages

Gently rubbing a clean finger over the sore gums can provide the same relief and distraction as chewing on objects for teething by counteracting the pressure from the gums.

Are You Brushing Too Much?

All you smile lovers out there strive to keep your teeth healthy and bacteria-free, am I right? But how much cleaning is too much cleaning? We have the answers on when to clean, how much to clean, and if you need to lessen your teeth cleaning schedules.

First, lets establish some downfalls of brushing too much:

  1. Over-brushing can cause tooth enamel to wear down, which can cause higher risks of tooth decay
  2. It can cause damage to your gums, exposing the root area
  3. Teeth become more sensitive and prone to cavities when being brushed more than they should

 

So now to avoid these problems, how often should you brush every day? The answer: Two times a day for two minutes each time. Preferably one time in the morning and one time before heading to bed. That’s it! Simple as that. Be sure to use gentle strokes and not vigorously brush off the enamel that acts as a shield for tooth decay. So no worries, you and your smile will have brighter and brighter days yet to come!

Dr. Verwest voted Hulafrog’s ‘most loved ‘pediatric dentist

HulaFrog awarded Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & Associates the most loved pediatric dentist for 2018. Hulafrog is a local site featuring all kid-friendly businesses and events around town. Readers voted for their favorite businesses in each category over the month of January. For more of the ‘most loved’ list, click here.

This is Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, & associates second straight year winning the ‘most loved’ award from Hulafrog. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

Home Remedies For Toothaches

Can’t seem to get that toothache under control? No worries, there’s some quick cures that could be sitting in your house right now!

  1. Salt water: Swishing warm water with some salt can reduce swelling by cleaning away any irritating debris
  2. Tea: Swishing some tea in your mouth can help reduce swelling, especially when peppermint is added to numb the pain
  3. Hydrogen Peroxide: Swishing a mouthful of this helps kill bacteria and relieve some of the pain you’re experiencing
  4. Ice: By wrapping an ice cube in a paper towel and holding it against the painful area, this can numb the nerves causing you any soreness.
  5. Vinegar and brown paper: Soaking a small piece of brown paper in vinegar can give you a warming sensation that’ll distract you from ongoing discomfort.
  6. Gum: If you have a chipped tooth or an exposed area that is giving you any discomfort, cover the area with a piece of gum until you visit the dentist

What To Do When Gingivitis Strikes

So first off, what is Gingivitis? This is when gums are tender and inflamed due to bacteria buildup and can easily bleed when performing oral procedures. It is estimated that 90% of adults have these Gingivitis symptoms! But no need to worry, it is easily curable and we have some simple tips to follow in order to keep your gums in tip-top shape:

  1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: As mentioned in the previous post, soft bristled toothbrushes provide a gentle brushing experience that can avoid any irritation to the gums.
  2. Consider using electric toothbrushes: These guys remove even more bacteria than manual toothbrushes, avoiding any inflammation all together.
  3. Monitor your flossing techniques: Make sure to target your teeth when flossing, not your gums! This can be done by flossing in a “C” shape against each tooth, sliding it under the gumlines.
  4. Consider the use of special treatments: This can include prescription fluoride, mouthrinse, or routine cleaning to avoid as much bacteria as possible.
  5. Exercise!: Get that heart beating and blood pumping to get your body to respond more effectively to Gingivitis.
  6. Eat healthy: This can benefit your immune system while providing a satisfying stimulation for your gums while you chew.

 

Which Toothbrush is Right For You?

Choosing the right toothbrush can be crucial for enhancing a happy, healthy set of chompers. We have a few ideas to keep in mind when shopping around for a new toothbrush:

Bristles

Ever debate on whether soft or medium bristles are better for you? We have the answer to choosing the right type for you. First, soft bristles promote a gentle cleaning to your teeth. If you have gingivitis or sensitive teeth, this can be the right choice for you. If you want more of a firm and deeper cleaning , medium bristles could do the trick- but beware! Heavy-handed brushing with medium bristles can provide harsh contact to your gums, which, in turn, can increase teeth sensitivity.

Toothbrush head size

It is always beneficial to take the size of the toothbrush head into consideration for optimal comfort when brushing. You want something that can easily fit into the mouth and brush one to two teeth at a time.

Handle

For maximum comfort when brushing, you want something that fits in the hand nicely to be able to maneuver the brush into as many nooks and crannies as you can to brush away the bacteria and germs.

Electric toothbrushes

As far as powered toothbrushes that do some of the work for you, make sure the desired characteristics above add up to the toothbrush you love cleaning with for optimal ease when staying germ-free.

Happy brushing!