Why You Should Visit the Dentist As You Near Retirement

In our dentist office, we treat patients of all ages and have found that many people believe that as they age, they are stuck with a dated smile or lost teeth and dentures.  This is certainly not the case.  Modern dentistry has changed significantly, and we have a variety of solutions that can be used to transform your smile.  Whether you are nearing retirement or are already a snowbird, we can give you back your youthful smile and appearance.
Here are some of the ways that we can do so:

• Teeth whitening.  Many seniors don't like how their teeth look because they are yellow and dull.  This happens naturally with age and can be reversed by having a teeth whitening procedure completed.  Our solution can whiten your teeth by eight shades or more, which will dramatically improve your appearance and your smile.  Many of our patients find that once their smile has been whitened, they don't require any further dental work.
• Dental veneers.  In our dentist office, we use dental veneers for a variety of reasons.  They are an excellent restorative solution if a tooth has been cracked or chipped.  Simultaneously, they can be used to cover dark stains that won't come up, make teeth the same size and shape, close gaps, and correct other imperfections.  If you are nearing retirement and have issues with your smile that have bothered you for years – now is an excellent time to correct them.
• Dental crowns.  If you have any teeth that are infected or severely damaged, a dental crown may be a better solution for restoring them.  A crown surrounds your tooth like a cap, so it is an excellent way to improve the appearance of your tooth while preventing anything from actually touching it.  If you, like many people, had crowns in the past, we can replace the amalgam ones with ceramic crowns for a more natural looking appearance. 
• Dental implants.  It is common to lose one or several teeth with age.  Many people turn to dentures for a replacement solution and while this works, we have an alternative.  We can replace your missing teeth with dental implants that are as durable and natural looking as your old tooth.  By securing a titanium post to your jawbone, underneath your gums, a new root system is created for a tooth to be attached to.  This will replace your tooth while also strengthening your jaw – important for maintaining your appearance. 

In our dentist office, we can help your smile to stay healthy and beautiful as you age.  Since your oral health needs change with time, we recommend that you visit our dentist office for an exam every six months.  During these appointments, we will clean your teeth and gums to ensure that your risk of cavities and gum disease are reduced.  If we identify any health issues, we can treat them right away before they cause you any discomfort. Simultaneously, if there is something cosmetic that you don't like about your teeth, let us know so that we can work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

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Tips From The Dentist For Getting a Good Clean While Brushing Your Teeth

When you visit our dentist office, we will perform a teeth cleaning and remove any bacteria, plaque and tartar that we find on your teeth and gums.  This will help your mouth to stay healthy and to prevent cavities and gum disease. We recommend that you visit us at least twice a year in order to keep your teeth in good condition.  Additionally, there are things you can do at home to keep your teeth healthy.  

Brushing your teeth is an important step in preventing cavities and gum disease. You should brush at least twice a day and after every meal if possible.  It isn’t enough to simply brush your teeth.  You need to brush them properly so that they get clean without irritating your gums. 

Here are tips from our dentist office for getting the best clean possible. 

• The three-month rule.  Many people will use their toothbrush for a year or longer.  This is problematic for several reasons. First, the bristles will start to fray, and your teeth won’t get as clean.  Secondly, bacteria will start to grow on your toothbrush and negatively impact your health.  You should replace your toothbrush every three months.
• Soft vs. hard.  A hard toothbrush can give the illusion that you are getting a better clean.  The challenge is that a hard toothbrush can actually be bad for you.  It can strip away the enamel on your teeth, leading to tooth sensitivity.  It can also irritate your gums and cause them to bleed.  We recommend switching out your hard toothbrush for a soft one. 
• Motion matters.  How you brush your teeth is important.  Don’t brush your teeth from front to back in a straight line.  Instead, use a circular motion.  You should brush away from your gums. If you are brushing your top teeth, start at the gums and move downward.  If you are brushing your lower teeth, start at the gums and brush upwards. 
• Toothpaste.  Use toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal of approval.  As a dentist, we recommend using one that contains fluoride since fluoride can help to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities. 
• Dry it out.  When you are done brushing your teeth, make sure to store your toothbrush somewhere that it can get nice and dry.  You don’t want to brush with a wet toothbrush because bacteria can grow on it.  Placing bacteria filled toothbrush into your mouth is simply not a good idea. 
• Go electric.  In order to improve your clean, try an electronic toothbrush.  It will thoroughly clean your teeth without irritating them.  You can even purchase a battery operated one at the drug store for under $15.  

Follow these tips from the dentist for brushing your teeth and if you have any questions, ask us during your next teeth cleaning.  Make sure to including flossing in your daily health care routine as well so that you can get bacteria and food out of hard to reach places.  

Tips for Avoiding Sensitive Teeth From Our Local Dental Office

We help to prevent sensitive teeth in our local dental office.  Many of our patients complain of sensitive teeth, and we work with them to take precautionary steps to ensure that they do not experience tooth pain, which is common as people age.  Teeth can become sensitive due to a cavity, gum disease or other infection along with the enamel wearing away.  This process is called demineralization and can happen due to the food that you eat, how hard you brush your teeth, and age. 

There are steps you can take to keep your teeth healthy and strong.  Some of which are so easy that you can do them at home. 

• Stop smoking. People that smoke and use chewing tobacco put themselves at risk for oral cancer, and their gums and teeth can naturally become more sensitive.  If you can kick the habit – do so.  Your teeth and gums will start to feel better, and you may be saving yourself from a future medical problem. 
• Don’t drink excessively.  When people drink excessive amounts of alcohol, it becomes difficult for the body to heal itself.  If you have an infection in your mouth, drinking too much can make the infection spread or last longer than it needs to. We can remove bacteria and infections in our dental office, but it is better to avoid them in the first place by allowing your body to stay healthy. 
• Change your diet.  Improving your diet is a good way to strengthen your teeth.  Stop eating and drinking sugary items and instead, focus on healthy foods like nuts, dairy products, green leafy veggies, and crunchy fruits and veggies.  You should also drink milk and water instead of soda.  The more acidic or sugary the food is, the more likely it will be to irritate or your teeth or lead to an oral infection. 
• Use fluoride.  Your teeth are covered with enamel, a hard mineral.  If the enamel starts to wear away, you can strengthen your teeth using fluoride toothpaste.  This mineral will be deposited onto your teeth every time that you brush and if you need your teeth to be strengthened even further, we can do so with an in-office fluoride treatment. 
• Buy a soft toothbrush.  If you are using a hard toothbrush, there is a good chance that you are causing the enamel on your teeth to wear away.  Switch this out for a soft toothbrush and apply gentle pressure when brushing.  You can also use a battery operated toothbrush for a good clean. 

In our dental office, we can also seal your teeth to cover the dentin and ensure that the nerve endings inside of it are not exposed.  If you need further protection, we can perform a bonding procedure where a tooth colored substance is placed on top of your teeth.  Those that are damaged or cracked should have a dental crown placed around it to ensure that nothing can touch the damaged tooth and that the tooth is restored at the same time. 

These precautionary measures will help to prevent sensitive teeth, and if they develop, we can provide the necessary treatments for helping your teeth to feel better.