Maintaining Good Oral Health Starts with a Consistent and Effective Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
A consistent and effective daily oral hygiene routine is one of the important key factors to maintaining good oral health. Here at Creative Dental Group our team of dentists offers up these key insights for you to help make the most out of your daily oral hygiene routine.
The first factor is the quality of the oral hygiene products you use. You should only purchase products that have earned American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, for safety and effectiveness.
The second factor is brushing and flossing your teeth twice each day. When brushing your teeth each day the ADA recommends that you use a soft bristled toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste. A toothpaste with added fluoride also helps keep your tooth enamel strong. This can mitigate tooth sensitivity, while also helping to prevent tooth decay.
When you are done brushing, you should floss between your teeth and along the gumline. Flossing is the most effective to remove plaque and trapped food particles to prevent them from hardening into tartar. Waxed dental floss can help you more easily work the floss into hard to reach places. The waxy coating makes it easier to slip the strain of floss into tight spaces without accidentally forcing it into your gums.
Your twice-annual dental checkup and cleaning at Creative Dental Group’s clinic, will remove hardened tartar, while also monitoring your mouth for tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer.
If you have questions about how to improve your oral hygiene routine, or you are due for your next dental checkup, you should call Creative Dental Group’s clinic in New Bedford, Massachusetts at 508-990-9900 to schedule an appointment.
Is my toothache a dental emergency? While not every toothache is considered a dental emergency, you’ll want to still visit our team just in case. This could sometimes be an indication that something is wrong with your smile. A toothache will qualify as an emergency if you experience the following:
Pain that interrupts your day, lasts for more than 24 hours, or wakes you up at night
You notice sharp discomfort when biting down or widening your mouth
The pained tooth appears darker than your other teeth
You see a small, pimple-like bump on your gums near the affected tooth
You notice signs of infections like swelling, fatigue, and fever
How you should handle a toothache: You should first give us a call so that we understand the situation and can schedule an appointment. Afterward, try flossing around the pained tooth to remove any bothersome debris. Rinse your mouth with saltwater to alleviate inflammation and fight off infection. Place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to reduce discomfort and swelling. Take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen. Avoid using aspirin directly on your gums or teeth.
How we treat toothaches: Your treatment will depend on the root cause of your toothache. If it’s due to periodontal infection, then we’ll likely provide gum disease therapy. If your discomfort is due to an infection, then we can perform a root canal to save your tooth. But if it’s beyond repair, then our team may consider extracting it to preserve your oral health. We’ll be sure to assess your situation and determine the best way to relieve your pain and save your smile.
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Most chipped teeth don’t require immediate attention. However, you’ll still want to get it treated as soon as you can since a damaged tooth will be more vulnerable to future injury and infection later on.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: Try rinsing with warm water to clear out any tiny pieces of the tooth from your mouth. This way you can keep the area clean and bacteria-free. Avoid using the chipped tooth for biting or chewing anything. Feel free to cover it up with dental wax or sugarless gum if it feels sensitive.
How we treat chipped teeth: Although a chipped tooth may seem unsettling at first, it’s quite simple to treat. In most cases, we can easily repair and improve your condition with dental bonding. But if a front tooth is chipped and you’re worried about your appearance, you can consider getting veneers for a more comprehensive and longer-lasting solution.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? A cracked tooth is typically considered a dental emergency, as it will be more vulnerable to further damage, bacteria, and infection. However, if the injury is minor, then it may be able to wait a few days to get treated if necessary. That said, remember that very small cracks in your smile can be difficult to notice. If you experience any sensitivity or pain while chewing, especially after taking a blow to the face, then you might have a hidden crack that’ll require treatment.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: Firstly, gently rinse your mouth with water to remove any broken fragments of the tooth, clearing away bacteria in the process. Try covering up your tooth with dental wax or sugar-free gum if it feels sensitive. Keep away from chewing on that side of your mouth until you can see us.
How we treat cracked teeth: If the crack in your tooth is small, then we may be able to simply repair it with dental bonding. For more severe cracks, you may require protecting and strengthening it with a dental crown. In rare cases, a tooth that is beyond repair may need to be extracted and replaced altogether.
