Brushing simply can’t reach the tight spaces between teeth like floss can. It’s why the American Dental Association recommends flossing once per day for best results.

There are many products on the market today that can help you floss. People often find
themselves weighing the pros and cons of water floss compared to regular floss. Is there a verdict on which is better for your teeth?

Evaluating the Benefits of Water Floss

Water floss is a device that uses batteries or plugs into the wall in order to shoot a thin stream of water between your teeth to remove plaque and bacteria.

The obvious downside of water floss is that it does require batteries or access to a wall plug and can be difficult to take with you when traveling. It can also be difficult to thoroughly remove plaque whereas with regular floss you can actually “scrape” plaque away with the string.

However, some research has found water floss to be “significantly more effective” than using string floss when combined with manual brushing [2].

A pro of water floss is that it’s typically much easier to clean around braces. Some people enjoy using water floss, which in and of itself is a pro of the device since it could make them more likely to floss!

Regular Floss Is a Go-to Method

Also referred to as dental floss, this piece of string is thin yet strong. You can use traditional floss as a manual method to remove debris from between your teeth and maintain your oral hygiene.

Regular floss is simple, cheap, and effective at removing plaque. It’s easy to travel with and keep with you so you’ll never forget to floss at least once a day!

However, patients are more likely to injure their gum tissue with misuse or overuse of regular floss. This isn’t the case with water flossing, where it’s difficult to damage gums even with regular use of the device.

Which is the Best?

Flossing is essential so whatever type of floss will make you more likely to floss is the type of floss for you.

Some dentists suggest using alternative flossing aids if you have a hard time handling traditional floss but not to replace traditional flossing with water floss [3].

However, if the water flosser will make you more likely to floss, it can be a wise investment in your oral health. Keeping traditional floss on hand in the event that you’re traveling or aren’t able to use your water flossing is smart, however.

Flossing is key to keeping your smile free of gum disease and preventing tooth loss. By flossing just once a day, you can prevent serious problems with your smile later on. Although both water floss and regular floss have their pros and cons, whichever floss you prefer is going to be the right choice for your smile!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24282867
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/dental-floss/faq-20058112

The post Is Water Floss Better for Your Teeth Than Regular Floss? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Although your dentist is the best person to evaluate your smile for treatment, let’s talk about
whether your cavity will need just a filling or if a root canal would be your best form of care.

When a Filling Is All That’s Needed

If your tooth isn’t discolored and you’re only experiencing minor pain or sensitivity, your dentist
may be able to repair the tooth with a simple filling.

When tooth decay happens, bacteria eat through the first layer of your teeth, the enamel. The
decay may progress to the second, softer layer, the dentin, and results in a cavity. If your cavity
has not progressed to the third layer of the tooth—the nerve tissue—a filling should suffice.

Getting a filling is a relatively simple procedure and you and your dentist can talk about what
filling material would suit you best. Although your filling will need to be replaced at some point
in your life, it shouldn’t get worse with the proper home care and dentist visits!

When Root Canal Therapy Could Help

Some people may have cavities that are beyond repair or be experiencing other symptoms that
will result in the need for a root canal. For instance, if your cavity is large enough or deep
enough that it would be impossible for a filling to repair your tooth, root canal therapy may be
the most appropriate form of treatment.

If your tooth is discolored in any way, such as having a brown or yellow hue that’s noticeably
different from the other teeth, the nerve tissue inside your tooth may be dead. In this case, a
root canal is the best treatment. If you’re experiencing severe tooth sensitivity or pain, you may
need a root canal.

Fortunately, a root canal isn’t much different from getting a filling these days. Technology has
made it possible for your root canal to be performed with no pain and you’ll be able to save
your natural tooth!

Which Do You Need?

If your cavity is a relatively normal size and not accompanied by discoloration, pain, or
sensitivity, you may just need a filling. However, if your cavity is large, has cracked your tooth,
or is causing you pain and sensitivity, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to save
your tooth.

Whether you need a filling or a root canal, you’ll still be able to save your natural tooth, which
is the most important thing. When you can keep your natural tooth, you’re saving a part of your
smile that would otherwise need to be replaced with a cosmetic dentistry option!

If you’re seeing evidence of a cavity, don’t delay in making an appointment with your dentist.
Prompt treatment can prevent your cavity from turning into a problem that needs root canal
therapy to fix!

The post Is a Filling Okay, or Will I Need a Root Canal? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Since fillings need to be replaced eventually, it’s paramount to get them checked out regularly
by a professional dentist. For example, if a filling is damaged or cracked, this creates space
where food particles and bacteria can get under your filling and cause more harm to your
tooth.

Every filling creates a seal between your tooth and your filling material. When this seal
becomes worn down or damaged, it’s not difficult for bacteria to get under the filling to attack
the tooth. This is often how cavities happen underneath fillings or along the seal of the filling
and the tooth.

The Seal May Not Be Correct

Although technology has come a long way in helping your dentist create the best filling possible
for your cavity, creating an impervious seal is still almost impossible. There’s usually a tiny gap
in the area where the seal of the filling meets your actual tooth. With proper care, you can
prevent bacteria and food from getting in this space.

However, if the seal of your filling was not done correctly or your filling wears out quickly, you
may be seeing evidence of tooth decay beneath the filling sooner than you think. For instance,
if you grind your teeth at night, this can quickly damage fillings and cause more problems that
may lead to future tooth decay.

Preventative Measures to Take

Patients usually can’t tell if their filling is worn out just by looking at it. However, a dentist can
properly evaluate the state of your filling, which makes regular dental exams all the more
important. During your appointment, your dentist can let you know if your filling is in good
shape or if you should look into getting a replacement sooner rather than later.

The type of decay that forms under fillings may be harder to notice. As such, the damage can
become extensive before it causes any signs or symptoms. These newer cavities may be larger
and more painful than your original cavity, and could potentially lead to more damage or even
necessitate root canal therapy. The best thing you can do is schedule regular visits with your
dentist to check out the damage in addition to taking care of your teeth!

Getting cavities under an existing filling isn’t ideal under any circumstances. You want to take
the best care possible of your fillings while also keeping your regular appointments with your
dentist. These simple tasks can help prevent future decay and keep your existing filling intact
for as long as possible.

The post Can I Get Cavities Under a Filling? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, mouth breathing isn’t considered normal and it can even be harmful to your oral
health. If you breathe through your mouth regularly, you should be aware of how it might
impact your smile. Here’s how mouth breathing could negatively impact dental health!

Decrease Saliva Production

One of the biggest effects of mouth breathing is causing dry mouth through decreased saliva
production. The air going in and out of your mouth causes your oral cavity to be much drier
than it would normally be. Dry mouth can lead to all kinds of oral health problems, including
chronic bad breath and an increased risk for gum disease.

Saliva is important to your teeth and gums. Not only does it help balance bacteria, but it
provides a buffer between your teeth and harmful plaque. When you breathe through your
mouth, you expose your oral cavity to bacteria that would normally be resolved through
adequate saliva production.

Cause Bacteria to Attack Tooth Enamel

Since your mouth is drier as a result of mouth breathing, this can lead to an increased risk for
cavities. Without saliva to protect your teeth, bacteria are free to attack tooth enamel, wearing
away this protective layer of your teeth to expose the softer tissues underneath. Even if you
brush and floss regularly, mouth breathing could disrupt your oral health.

People who breathe through their mouth may increase their risk for cavities. If you can’t
breathe through your mouth for whatever reason, talk to your dentist about what you can do
to keep your tooth enamel healthy and protect your smile from decay.

Can Affect Mouth Development

If your child breathes through his or her mouth, this could actually affect the development of
their smile. Mouth breathing may result in a severe overbite as your child grows up because it
encourages the upper jaw to grow more than the lower one. Mouth breathing may also cause
gummy smile, which is when there’s too much gum tissue covering the teeth.

If your child gets used to breathing through their mouth—some children simply do this out of
habit—it may cause sleep problems too. In adults, mouth breathing is affiliated with snoring,
which could point to obstructive sleep apnea. If your child breathes through their mouth
regularly, talk to your dentist or schedule an appointment with their primary care doctor to
ensure nothing is preventing them from breathing through their nose.

Mouth breathing isn’t ideal in any situation, but it could be harmful if it’s done constantly or on
a regular basis. Unless you have some type of health issue preventing you from breathing
through your nose, your nose is the best bet to keep your mouth moist and less likely to be
affected by harmful oral bacteria. Talk to your dentist about your mouth breathing to see if it’s
affected your smile!

The post Can Mouth Breathing Negatively Impact Your Dental Health? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dark Leafy Greens

Get ready for vegetables! Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are highly beneficial for your smile as well as your body. These vegetables are high in vitamins and minerals such as calcium and folic acid, which may help combat gum disease.

How to get: Try as a side dish with each meal, add a handful to a smoothie, or top your next pizza!

Yogurt

Yogurt is not only high in calcium, but contains probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that help nourish teeth and gums and may even help reduce cavities. If you’re lactose intolerant, you can choose coconut milk yogurt or almond milk yogurt instead. Just be sure to choose unsweetened yogurts, as some yogurts can have more sugar than candy!

How to get: Try yogurt as your new breakfast food or as dessert with fresh fruit on top. Yogurt also makes a great snack!

Crunchy Foods

No, we’re not talking about potato chips! These include fresh, raw foods such as apples, carrots, and celery. These crunchy, firm foods help your mouth produce more saliva, which helps balance your bacteria and protect teeth from cavities. These foods also help to actually clean your teeth by scrubbing them with their firm pieces.

How to get: These make excellent snacks and are so easy to take on the go! You can try apples with peanut butter and carrots and celery with hummus.

Green Tea

Although tea has a bad reputation for staining your teeth, green tea has actually been shown to be very beneficial for both teeth and gums. Its polyphenol content can help stop bad bacteria and reduce inflammation in the gums, meaning it may help fight gum disease.

How to get: Try green tea for breakfast instead of coffee, or enjoy iced in the afternoon with lunch!

Nuts

Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and even cashews are high in calcium and other trace minerals that nourish a healthy smile. These crunchy foods can also stimulate saliva production, making your mouth cleaner and healthier.

How to get: Nuts make an excellent snack and can also be used in salads and other dishes as a fun and interesting topping! You can help make your mouth a healthier place just by being choosy about what foods you eat.

These foods make the top of the list when it comes to nourishing your teeth and gums through your diet. By including more leafy greens, yogurt, green tea, and nuts in your diet along with crunchy vegetables and fruits for a snack can help your smile be brighter than ever!

The post The Dental Diet: How Nutrition Can Enhance Your Dental Health appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When our mouths are in their normal resting state, the lips are closed and we breathe through our nose. This allows saliva to be present in the mouth and keep all the teeth moist and protected. When you suffer from dry mouth whether it’s the result of a medication, frequent mouth breathing, or not drinking enough water, saliva production is impacted.

Your saliva keeps the pH of your mouth neutral and therefore stops harmful acids from affecting your teeth. These acids are often produced by consumption of certain acidic foods such as sugar, and they can attack your tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.

Dry Mouth Erodes Tooth Enamel

Your dry mouth is directly impacting your tooth enamel. Enamel protects your teeth from bacteria and cavities that can eat away at the tooth. When we have adequate saliva in our mouths, the saliva acts as a buffer between any harmful acids or bacteria and our enamel. This means enamel is much less likely to be impacted when saliva is present. When saliva is lacking, tooth enamel stands a greater chance of being eroded. There’s no buffer, so the enamel is directly exposed to bacteria that could slowly erode the enamel. After your tooth enamel is gone, there’s no replacing it and tooth sensitivity and decay often result.

Saliva Keeps Plaque and Bacteria Away

Saliva helps to balance bacteria that help us chew, speak, and swallow. Without saliva, our mouths have a more difficult time functioning. Food is more difficult to chew, meaning larger particles or more particles may get stuck in our mouths. Saliva usually helps remove these food particles and prevents them from making a home in between our teeth and causing decay later on.

Your saliva also plays an important role in stopping bad breath. When bacteria are balanced, plaque is less likely to stick to teeth and attack the tooth enamel. This also means you have fresher breath in addition to a healthier smile! Bad breath is often a sign of gum disease, so check with your dentist if you’re noticing any changes.

Dry mouth may appear innocent on the surface, but this condition is much more damaging to teeth than people think. If you suspect you have dry mouth, visit your doctor or dentist to find out what the problem is. In the meantime, sip on water as often as possible and try not to breathe through your mouth. Getting the cause of dry mouth addressed is essential to having a healthy smile for the future!

The post Can Dry Mouth Lead to Tooth Decay? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So what are the top holiday foods to give you cavities? Here are the top five foods of the season that can ruin your smile!

Candy Canes
Candy canes have basically one ingredient: sugar. We all know sugar is detrimental for your smile, but on top of that, candy canes typically require that you keep them in your mouth for a period of time in order to eat them, much like a lollipop. The more time your mouth is exposed to sugar, the greater the damage can be—this includes enamel erosion and cavities!

Candy canes are also crunchy and crunching down on this hard candy could chip or even fracture your teeth. This will not only lead to tooth damage on the outside, but could set you up for cavities as bacteria now have an alternate entry into your tooth!

Eggnog
Eggnog typically contains two ingredients that can wreak havoc on your teeth: sugar and alcohol! Sugar mixes with the natural bacteria of your mouth and turns acidic, which attacks your porous enamel and can lead to sensitive teeth and cavities. Alcohol is very corrosive on your teeth and can have a very similar effect, especially if your mouth is exposed to these ingredients for a length of time.

You can still enjoy eggnog, but sipping water afterwards is best—or you can make a healthier version of eggnog with no added sugar and very little alcohol, or eliminate the alcohol totally.

Chocolate
Milk chocolate tends to contain high amounts of sugar and can make your mouth prone to cavities. This is true for chocolate drinks as well such as hot chocolate with sugar and marshmallows. However, the good news is that dark chocolate can actually be good for you and your smile—the higher the cocoa content (think 60% or higher), the better! Get creative with dark chocolate treats that are low in sugar but high in antioxidants.

Caramel Popcorn
There are few candies that cling to teeth like caramel. It easily gets lodged in teeth, and in its hardened form, can even set teeth up for chips and fractures. Combined with popcorn, this sticky treat could give you cavities this holiday season. Enjoy caramel popcorn in moderation and always be sure to get any caramel out from between your teeth with proper brushing and flossing!

Fruitcake
Fruitcake is sweet and sticky, two properties that can causes cavities to form on your pearly whites. The sticky fruit in fruitcake can get caught between teeth and sticks to teeth, negatively affecting enamel and promoting cavity formation. Depending on how sticky your fruitcake is, it could even cause dental crowns to come loose! Enjoy fruitcake carefully this year.

Your holiday season can still have treats in it, but be mindful of how much you’re consuming. By balancing these sweet foods with a healthy diet and proper oral health care techniques, you can have a beautiful smile all holiday season long and impress your dentist at your checkup in the New Year. Happy Holidays!

The post These Holiday Foods are Most Likely to Give You Cavities appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Popcorn

Popped popcorn isn’t necessarily bad for your teeth, but the danger lies in those kernels of popcorn that are often hiding at the bottom of the bowl. When you’re eating popcorn, your mouth expects to crunch down on something soft and light. This is normally the case, until you accidentally chomp down on a hard kernel with the force of your jaw. Popcorn is one of the top culprits for cracking teeth! The solution? Be more mindful when eating your popcorn—be aware of where the kernels are and make sure they don’t make it into your mouth!

Hard Breads

Bread is a popular staple at nearly any meal. Soft breads are generally fine for teeth, but hard breads can pose a hazard to your pearly whites. Think of bread products such as baguettes, biscotti, and hard pretzels. These breads can crack or chip your teeth, therefore leading to an unexpected trip to your dentist. If you enjoy hard breads, be careful when eating them—a small bite is always better than a hard crunch with your precious teeth!

Hard Candies

Candies that stick to your teeth are bad, but hard candies can be even worse, especially when it comes to treats such as jawbreakers, peanut brittle, Jolly Ranchers, frozen candy bars, and lollipops to name a few. While many of these candies are meant for sucking, people often bite down on them and find themselves with a cracked tooth. This damage factor combined with the sugar content makes candy an enemy to your teeth. If you choose to eat hard candies, remember to try not to chew or bite them!

Nuts

Nuts are an excellent snack choice—they don’t need to be refrigerated and can be easily stored at the office or at home. However, nuts also are hard and can pose a hazard to your teeth! This is especially true for nuts that are still in a shell, such as pistachios, but it can also be bad news for your teeth if you crunch down on hard nuts to find that you’ve cracked a tooth. Never attempt to open the shell of a nut with your teeth!

Cracking your tooth opens up a space for bacteria to enter the cavity where your tooth’s nerve resides. If left untreated, your tooth could be subjected to infection and decay, and eventually it’ll need a root canal. Avoid these top foods that can crack your teeth and if you choose to eat them, do so with care!

The post Beware! Top Foods That’ll Crack a Tooth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Feeling some nervousness before going to the dentist is normal for both kids and adults, but there are things you can do to help your child overcome their dental anxiety!

Start Early

The American Dental Association recommends that children be seen on or around the time that their first tooth comes in. This is around age six months old! This is a great time to get your child used to the dentist and be familiar with the surroundings and environment of the dentist office. As your child grows up and receives regular checkups, he or she will become familiar with the dentist—the earlier you can start taking your child to the dentist, the less anxiety he or she will experience.

Leave It to the Experts

When talking to your child about the dentist, never tell your child that pain will be involved or insinuate that it will hurt. Leave the explaining of the procedures that will be done to the experts. Dentists who see children know how to communicate with them on an age-appropriate level about what will happen and the tools that are used in the dentist’s office. All you need to tell your child is that the dentist and the staff will be nice and gentle with their teeth and gums!

Relax!

Children are often much more perceptive than we give them credit for and can sense your tension. If you’re worried or anxious about taking them to the dentist, then they will be worried and anxious as well. Instead, remain calm and know that your child will be seen by professionals who are experts at communicating with children and cleaning their teeth. Keep your stress and tension in check before you reassure your child. Relax!

Be Understanding

It’s normal for children to experience some anxiety, so be understanding. Let your child know that it’s alright to feel anxious and scared. Talk with them about what their fears are and do your best to let them know that the dentists will be accommodating and caring. The more understanding you are about your child’s dental anxiety, the less anxious they’ll feel!

Choosing the Right Dentist

It’s important to choose a dentist who is experienced in treating children and who has a child-friendly practice. Many dentists offer special sunglasses, movie choices, and toys to help children feel more at home and relaxed in the practice. Look in your area and visit the office with your child to see how you both like it.

Your child doesn’t have to feel anxious about seeing the dentist— by following these tips, you can help your child to overcome their dental anxiety. Remember that the earlier they see the dentist the better, and always let your dentist explain the procedures. Reassure your child, but relax yourself! And pick a dentist that makes you both feel right at home.

The post Helping Your Child Overcome Dental Anxiety appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Follow these tips to fight bad breath—on the go!

Stimulate Saliva Production with Gum or Snacks

Sugar-free gum is easy to store and transport, so keep a spare pack in your car or at yor desk for those times you forget to brush or feel a little anxious about your post-lunch breath. Mint-flavored gum can provide added freshness! Chewing gum will help to stimulate saliva production and make your breath fresh! Saliva is so important for our teeth and gums. Keeping your saliva production normal is important to fight that bad bacteria that bring bad breath.

If you’re not a fan of gum, you can achieve the same effect with healthy snacks such as carrots, apples, and celery. These firm veggies and fruits can help rehydrate you and actually act as little scrubbers on your teeth to remove plaque and increase saliva. Best of all, you’ll get added fiber and nutrients from these snacks to keep you well nourished throughout the day.

Keep Teeth Wipes and Mini Brushes with You

Teeth wipes are cloth-like mitts that fit over your forefinger that can help “brush” your teeth when you’re on the go. These are perfect emergency back-ups for those times you forget to brush. You may also opt to keep a mini toothbrush with you. Although you won’t always be able to get to a restroom, there will be times when you can stop in for a quick brush with a travel-sized tube of toothpaste and a mini brush or teeth wipes.

Chew Herbs

Herbs have many different health benefits, but did you know that they’re also great for freshening up bad breath? Herbs such as mint, rosemary, and even sage and parsley can help freshen breath in a matter of seconds. Chewing these leaves will also boost saliva in your mouth. If you have a garden with herbs or if you happen to get a sprig of parsley on your plate with dinner, don’t hesitate to pop it into your mouth for fresher breath!

Drink Water or Tea

Bad breath tends to come at times when your mouth is feeling dry—another reason to stay hydrated! Drinking water or herbal tea can help to rehydrate you and re-establish the balance of good and bad bacteria in your mouth. When trying to fight bad breath on the go, keep a bottle of water with you and sip. This is not only great for your body, but for your breath too.

Fighting bad breath on the go is easy if you’re prepared and have the right tools. Keep mini brushes and a bottle of water with you. Pack carrots and apples for a snack. Pick some fresh herbs on your way to work when you just didn’t have time to brush. Fresh breath is closer than you think!

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