by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Jan 1, 2021 | Oral Health
You’ve done a quick breath check after your garlicky lunch. You’re short on time to run back to the office. It can seem like a quick and easy stand in for brushing to pop a stick of gum in your mouth to freshen your breath, but is chewing gum helpful or harmful to your teeth? Can chewing gum help oral health?
Clinical studies have shown that some types of chewing gum can help oral health! Chewing flavored gum can stimulate your mouth’s saliva production up to 10 fold which can help to rinse away bacteria and even neutralize the acids created by bacteria and plaque. It’s all about the type of chewing gum that you choose.
What to Look For
When it comes to choosing a chewing gum with your oral health in mind, it’s important to look for the right sweetener and avoid any harmful sugars. Check the full ingredients list and avoid any chewing gums that contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup. The chewing gums with sweeteners that are safer for your teeth will usually be advertised as “sugar-free” on the front of the packaging.
Xylitol
If you want to take it a step further towards using a chewing gum that can benefit your oral health, finding a kind that contains xylitol can be a great choice. Xylitol can neutralize the harmful bacteria, and the acid created by bacteria and plaque that causes tooth decay, and reduce the bacterias ability to attach to your teeth. Over time, using xylitol can actually change and possibly reduce the bacteria in your mouth to make it less harmful to your teeth.
When Not to Chew Gum
There are times, however, when you should avoid chewing gum. If you have a condition such as TMD or TMJ or are experiencing other discomfort in your jaw, you should see a dentist as soon as possible and avoid chewing gum or eating foods that require a lot of chewing such as bagels or tougher meats.
It’s Still Important to Brush!
One important thing to remember when considering the question, “Can chewing gum help oral health?” is that while chewing gum can benefit your oral health, it cannot replace the benefits of brushing and flossing 2-3 times a day, especially after meals and before you go to sleep at night, so you should always continue practicing your dentist’s recommended dental care routine.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Dec 1, 2020 | Dental Hygiene
Perusing a wall of dental products can be overwhelming, but there are ways to narrow the choices. So what is the best way to determine which mouthwash is best?
What Is It For?
Firstly, mouthwash can never replace brushing or flossing. Although it is a very good compliment to a healthy oral hygiene routine, it just can’t do the work that a good toothbrush and floss does in knocking plaque out the door.
That being said, the first thing to consider when you’re looking to see which mouthwash is best, is you. What are your dental needs?
Sensitive Teeth?
If you’re facing sensitive teeth, and the discomfort that can accompany them, finding a mouthwash that takes this into account can be an important step to having oral products that help you in more ways than one. A clean mouth is great, but a clean mouth that feels marvelous? Who doesn’t want that?
Dry Mouth and Bad Breath?
These two often go hand in hand. Having a dry mouth means not having food debris washed away regularly, which can contribute to bad breath. If you’re looking to banish bad breath and treat dry mouth, try an alcohol free mouthwash, as alcohol can make dry mouth even worse.
Gum Disease?
If your gums are bleeding, tender, sensitive, tell your dentist. Gum disease affects a large amount of adults, and is very curable. One way you can address that gum disease is finding products that will help your gums stay healthy and clean. Plaque contributes to gum disease by irritating the soft tissue, and causing inflammation. Banishing that pesky bacteria can go a long way to keeping your mouth clean, and telling gum disease goodbye.
No Matter What
No matter which mouthwash is best for you, check for the American Dental Association seal. This is an important point for all mouthwash use. Another thing to consider and keep in mind, fluoridated mouthwash is also always excellent, as fluoride can strengthen your teeth, and prevent cavities. If you’re someone who doesn’t have any of the above considerations in mind, but you’re just looking to be seriously proactive about your dental health, prioritize the protective qualities of fluoride.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Nov 2, 2020 | Orthodontics
Teeth Grinding, or Bruxism as it is also called, can be a frustrating habit that can cause damage to your beautiful smile. While your braces work hard to align your teeth, bruxism can work against that goal. So how do teeth grinding and braces interact?
What Are the Causes of Bruxism?
While there are many contributing causes to teeth grinding, they can be distilled into a few categories. Firstly, some may be related to stress or anxiety. Others can be attributed to bite issues and jaw or teeth misalignment. Other contributing factors can include things like TMJ.
Do Braces Help with Bruxism?
Since one probable cause of bruxism may be misalignment of teeth and jaw, teeth grinding and braces can impact one another. Braces may help fix any misalignment that is contributing to teeth grinding. If this is a concern, talk to your orthodontist about how braces and teeth grinding may impact one another, and they may be able to help you make a plan to treat it appropriately, reducing further risk to your beautiful smile.
What if I have Bruxism While I Have Braces?
If you still exhibit teeth grinding and braces are already in the treatment process, let your orthodontist know. It is possible to treat bruxism while you have braces on. Also, teeth grinding can undo some of the hard work your braces have done to align your beautiful smile. Treating teeth grinding sooner than later may be in your best interest, and could help maintain a beautiful smile. Talk to your orthodontist about the frequency of teeth grinding, and surrounding factors such as stress, sleep habits, caffeine intake or other contributing factors that may help your orthodontist pinpoint what may be the cause.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
