Westgate Dental Care Blog

How to Begin 2017 with a Solid Dental Routine [Free Download]

December 7, 2016

Now's the time to plan your dental routine for 2017.

As the year comes to an end, you no doubt have thought about what your life will look like in 2017. But have you considered what your smile will look like in 2017, or for that matter, in 2027? Your smile’s future health and appearance depend largely on how you define your dental routine now.

Now is the perfect time to plan and commit to taking better care of your most precious asset in 2017 — your self-image.

To protect and prevent your smile from decaying when you need it most, we recommend setting these three practical new year resolutions for a better dental routine.

1. Brush and floss daily.

Good hygiene is the foundation of a healthy smile. You can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease by incorporating these easy practices early in the morning or right before bed:

Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day (or after every meal).
Floss at least once a day.
Bonus: Swish daily with an antibacterial mouth rinse to help prevent further problems.

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing all contribute to a healthy smile for life!

2. Choose a balanced diet.

Certain foods can cause your smile to look opaque. As you see fit for your lifestyle, incorporate more of these foods to improve your overall health and empower your smile:

Diversify your diet by incorporating fresh fruits, nuts, and veggies of your choice instead of packaged items.
Drink more water. It’s as easy as keeping a bottle of water close by throughout the day.
Limit coffee, wine, and sugary snacks intake to prevent dark or yellowish stains.
When you do have a sugary snack (we all do every now and then), brush your teeth afterward or rinse with water.

Avoiding sugar-packed foods and drinking more water goes a long way keeping your smile and health at their best.

3. Schedule cleanings in advance.

Maintaining a good dental routine requires more than just eating healthier and brushing your teeth more often. Only a qualified dentist can help protect your smile, keeping it in optimal shape and preventing minor issues from becoming major, more expensive problems. We recommend scheduling a dental exam and cleaning every six months.

Benefits of regular dental checkups:

Keep your smile bright and in optimum health.
Diagnose gum disease and invisible signs early.
Check for and identify signs of potentially serious conditions early, such as oral cancer.
Prevent greater costs and problems in the future.

Good hygiene and a healthy diet do not substitute the need for routine dental checkups.

Make your dental appointments more convenient by choosing suitable dates in 2017 and scheduling them in advance.

Post your resolutions and maintain a good dental routine

For most of us, visiting the dentist, flossing, and eating more vegetables may not exactly be things we look forward to.

The good news is that with a little preemptive planning, you can set yourself up for success in your resolution of maintaining good oral health.

Print and post this free 2017 Resolutions Worksheet on your refrigerator to visualize and take decisive steps toward keeping your smile healthy for decades. Feel free to apply our suggestions as you see fit.

Our biggest resolution is to continue helping families in our community establish strong dental routines and to keep their smiles in top shape. Call today to schedule your 2017 dental visits and set yourself up for success in the new year!

What are your resolutions for 2017? Let us know in the comments below!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Find Relief for Frequent Headaches and Jaw Pain [Infographic]

November 21, 2016

Your dentist may be able to help you find relief from frequent headaches with TMD treatment.

Do you experience pain in your neck, shoulders, or ears? How about clicking, grating, or popping when you chew? Perhaps you suffer regularly from jaw pain or headaches? TMD may be the culprit! But you may wonder, “What is TMD, and how can I find relief?”

Pain associated with your jaw and the muscles that control it is referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). Your dentist may be able to recommend solutions to help you find relief for frequent headaches and jaw pain. Learn more about TMD – statistics, symptoms, and solutions – in the infographic below:

Share this TMD infographic on your blog:

Re-posted with permission. Source: https://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

3 Extremely Useful Resources to Learn All About Root Canals

November 7, 2016

Woman on couch looking concerned about an upcoming root canal treatment appointment

You’ve been told you need a root canal, and understandably, you now have questions: What exactly IS a root canal? Is it going to hurt? What can you expect when you go in for treatment?

We want to make it easier on you, so we’ve rounded up some great online resources that will help answer the questions you need answers to.

1. Read about root canals and learn what to expect

The American Association of Endodontists has included a plethora of information about the root canal (or endodontic) treatment on one handy webpage. You’ll find many answers to your questions here, including:

What is a root canal?
What exactly is involved in the treatment?
Why would you need the treatment?
What are the symptoms?
What happens to the tooth after the treatment?
Will you need to get a crown?
Will your tooth need any special care afterward?

You’ll also find another page dealing with Root Canal Myths. Here, three myths are debunked, including the common misconception that root canals are very painful. The truth is, when you need this treatment, you’re already in pain, so it actually brings much-needed relief. On top of that, anesthetics and other modern techniques make root canal pain on par with other basic dental procedures, which is not very high. Yay!

Read the articles: Root Canals Explained | Myths About Root Canals and Root Canal Pain

2. View illustrations of root canal treatment

Do you want to see the steps of a root canal without a lot of reading? Go to the Colgate Oral Care Center website and quickly view the steps of this treatment in seven simple illustrations.

These images will help you visualize the answers to these questions:

Where is the infection in my tooth?
What does it take to deal with the infection?
What tools will be used to remove the infection?
What materials will be added?
How will the tooth be rebuilt?

View: Illustrations: Root Canal Treatment From Start To Finish

3. Watch a 3-minute video showing how a root canal treatment is done

Once again, the folks at American Association of Endodontists have produced a great resource to learn about root canals. Watch their helpful video below:

Quickly go to any section of the video that you’re curious about by using the quick jump guide below. Just move the progress bar slider to the specific spot in the video:

0:36 – What is Endodontics?
0:43 – What is an Endodontist?
1:05 – What and where is your tooth pulp?
1:24 – Why does the pulp need to be removed?
1:38 – What are the steps of root canal treatment?
2:23 – What follow-up procedure will still need to be done?

Conclusion

Yes, the news that you’re in need of a root canal may ruin your day, but having helpful resources can really go a long way! Being informed will help you make the right treatment choice. Having answers to your root canal questions can also allay your concerns and calm your fears.

Do you have a favorite resource that has taught you helpful information about root canals? Please tell us about it in the comments below!

Re-posted with permission. Source: https://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

Motivate Your Kids to Brush with the Brush DJ App

November 2, 2016

Child standing toward the sink brushing teeth with the Brush DJ App

Need a motivational tool to get your kids brushing their teeth regularly and correctly? Look no further! The Brush DJ App was created for just this purpose. You can download Brush DJ for free on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Creating good oral hygiene habits doesn’t just happen. It takes time and attention, and most parents will no doubt welcome a tool that makes the process easier.

Download the free Brush DJ app

To try this app, simply download it and start it up. After agreeing to a couple of disclosure messages, you can begin the setup process.

Your first choice will be to customize the colors. What color do you want the background to be? How about the timer? Set the colors to match your bathroom, toothbrush, or simply choose your favorite color.

Next, set the music you want the Brush DJ to play. You have the choice of locating and playing music already on your device, music from an online service, or defaulting to tunes that are included in the Brush DJ app.

Set important reminders

Good habits require reminders and there are plenty of reminders built into this app. Scrolling across the top are messages that remind you to floss, how to brush, and to turn the water off while brushing.

Other reminders can be customized. Why not use them to manage all the different aspects of your child’s oral hygiene? Some of these helpful reminders include:

When to brush in the morning.
When to brush in the evening.
When to use mouthwash (hint: it’s at a different time than brushing).
When to go to the dentist, hygienist, orthodontist, etc.
When to replace your toothbrush.

Like an oil change sticker on your windshield, you can easily see the benefit of having this data stored simply and neatly in one place, reminding you exactly when to do each thing.

In addition to reminders, the app also teaches your child age-specific oral health information (sourced from the Public Health England toolkit Delivering Better Oral Health).

Time to have some fun!

Hit the “run” button and your favorite tune will start to play. As time ticks down, the little circles will change showing your progress as you brush your way through the two-minute DJ session.

While brushing, reminders will scroll across the top, helping you to do the best job possible, and will even advise on how to finish. Did you know that you should not follow brushing with mouthwash?

Finally, at the end of two minutes, the music will stop and you’ll be good until your next session.

Summary

Helping your child develop good brushing habits at a young age is always a good idea! Good oral healthcare habits can prevent tooth decay and gum disease now and further down the road, and the Brush DJ app is a great tool to make brushing fun for kids of all ages!

How do you get your child to brush regularly and properly? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

Re-posted with permission. Source: https://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

What Parents Need To Know About Thumb Sucking

October 21, 2016

Top image by Flickr user Raoul Snyman used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

THUMB SUCKING IS NORMAL for infants, but many parents wonder about its effect on their child’s future dental health. As a parent, you may have questions such as, “When should I be worried about thumb sucking?” or, “What will happen if my child continues to suck their thumb?”

Because thumb sucking is so widespread–it’s estimated that about 75 to 95 percent of infants suck their thumb or fingers at some point–we want to help parents understand why it happens and how you can help your child break the habit if necessary.

Thumb Sucking Is Normal–Up To A Certain Point

If your infant develops a thumb sucking habit, remember, it is completely normal. Some children even begin sucking their thumb in the womb! It’s a natural reflex for babies and provides them with a sense of security and comfort.

In most cases, as baby grows and begins to explore the world around them, thumb sucking will gradually decrease and disappear on its own, usually between the ages of two and four. Past age four, however, thumb sucking should be discouraged.

The reason for this is that prolonged sucking can negatively impact your child’s developing teeth. Depending on the frequency and intensity of sucking, teeth and the upper and lower jaws can be pushed out of alignment and the formation of the roof of the mouth can be changed. It can even affect speech development.

What To Do If The Habit Persists

If your child’s thumb sucking habit persists, recognize when it occurs. Is it an absentminded habit or do they suck when they are anxious, stressed or nervous? The method you use to help break your child’s sucking habit may depend on the reason behind it.For some children, a discussion and goal setting is enough. For more difficult cases, you may need to enlist the help of your dentist.

Here are some general tips to help your child break the habit:

Explain. If your child is old enough, help them understand the consequences of thumb sucking and why they need to stop.
Make your child an active participant. Help your child come up with their own goals and prevention strategies. They will be more likely to keep their own goals.
Take note. Observe times they are more prone to sucking, if any, and try to create diversions.
Use positive reinforcement. Offer encouragement and support instead of punishments.
Make a progress chart. Help your child see their progress and reward them with a prize at the end of each week and/or month. Have your child be the one to place stickers on the chart and choose the prize.

Involve Your Dentist

Whatever the methods you choose to help your child break their thumb sucking habit, we are here for you! We can provide advice, support, and if necessary, further treatment options to help your child stop sucking their thumb or finger.

Talk to us about thumb sucking today–we’d love to address your concerns, answer questions and help come up with the best solution for your child.

Thank you for your continued trust in our practice.

The Best Way to Tell Someone to Whiten Their Teeth

October 10, 2016

A woman thinks "I wish he would whiten his teeth once and a while..."
We all know that person with the beautiful teeth and yellow smile. Your boss. Your boyfriend. Your sister. We care about people and want them to look their best. But teeth whitening can be a sensitive subject (no pun intended) and treatments can vary in price and effectiveness.

Why should people want a fresh, gleaming smile? What’s the best way to break the news?

Encourage teeth whitening with a subtle approach

According to the American Dental Association, in the past 20 years, teeth whitening has become one of the most popular esthetic dental treatments. The industry has been inundated with at-home treatments… from pens, strips, or even at-home trays… lights included. Why?

Here are a few reasons why everyone (including your friend) should get rid of that antique-looking smile:

Look younger

Do people with white teeth actually look younger? Well, according to a study conducted by OralB, it’s true! You can look five years younger and 20% more attractive with a whiter smile. Who doesn’t want those kind of results?

So try this with your friend:

“Hey, I read this article that professionally whitening your teeth can make you look five years younger. Sign me up, right? Have you ever thought about doing it?”

Improve self-confidence

Packaging sells. If your packaging looks good and you feel good in your skin, your confidence will translate to success. Not only your business life but also your personal life will improve.

Why not bait your friend with this:

“My dentist is offering an amazing whitening promotion this month! We have that big networking dinner coming up. If I look good, I’ll feel super confident and make more contacts for sure! You want in?”

Make a statement

First impressions are lasting impressions. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and whitening your teeth gives plenty of bang for your buck. After your first treatment, it’s much easier to stay on a schedule each year with your dentist to keep your pearly whites as white as possible.

Sell it this way:

“I need a change. I’m going to get my teeth whitened and spruce up my look! What do you think? Have you ever thought about it?”

If your clever statements to encourage your friend to improve their smile are not working as fast or as well as you planned, don’t give up. There is something more you can do!

What is the BEST way to tell someone to brighten their smile?

Inspiring teeth whitening by showing off your gleaming white smile.

If you’ve got a gorgeous pearly white smile, others will ask you how they can look as good as you!

Whiten YOUR teeth and inspire others

We think the best way to inspire someone is not by what you say, but by your example. Your friend or family member will be certain to notice your glamorous white smile and then you’ll be able to educate any who ask how to follow in your footsteps.

The best way to inspire someone is not by what you say, but by your example

Any whitening treatment will achieve the best results after a regular cleaning by your dentist. After your next cleaning, ask your dental professional to recommend the best treatment for you… and maybe a referral for your friend. Better yet, share this cool article on your favorite social platform below with all your friends and family.

Get people talking about your amazing smile! Call our office and book your appointment today. Don’t forget to ask about out October Teeth Whitening Special!

Other articles our patients enjoyed reading:

Re-posted with permission. Source: https://www.roadsidedentalmarketing.com/blog/dental-articles/

Are You Prepared For A Dental Emergency?

October 7, 2016

Top image by Flickr user Sebastiaan ter Burg used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

ACCIDENTS ALWAYS SEEM to happen when we least expect them. When those accidents involve tooth damage, it’s important to know what steps to take. Being prepared before a dental emergency occurs can save a damaged or knocked out tooth, prevent infection and decrease the need for extensive treatment.

Step One: Find Your Dental Home

The most important step to being well-prepared for a dental emergency is establishing a dental home. This means finding a dental practice that is right for you and sticking with it. When the worst happens unexpectedly, it can be a great help to have a dentist and practice you trust by your side.

If you have found your dental home, you will likely be more familiar with their hours and know if and when your dentist provides emergency services. With an already established relationship, you know your preferred practice will be able to provide high-quality care, advice and support.

Step Two: Be Prepared

We all know accidents happen. Being “prepared” simply means knowing what to do in certain situations before a mishap actually occurs. In a dental emergency, time is of the essence–it could mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), here’s how you should handle these dental emergencies:

When a baby tooth is knocked out…

If this happens to your child, contact their dentist as soon as possible. The tooth will most likely not be replanted because of potential damage to the developing permanent tooth.

When a tooth is fractured or chipped…

Contact your dentist immediately as prompt treatment is required. Rinse out your mouth with water and find any broken tooth fragments. Place the fragments in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dentist.

When a permanent tooth is knocked out…

Again, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention from your dentist. Most knocked-out teeth can be saved if a dentist is seen within 30 minutes to an hour of the accident. In the meantime, find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water (no soap), without scrubbing or cleaning it. Replace the tooth back in the socket, if possible, and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a container with cold milk, saliva or water.

We’re Here For You

If you have a dental emergency, call us immediately. We make it our priority to be here for you, rain or shine! Do you have any more questions? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

Thank you to our wonderful patients!

Protect Your Smile With A Custom Mouthguard

September 30, 2016

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THE CRISP SMELL OF FRESHLY CUT GRASS on the soccer field, the gleam of the basketball court before a game, the cheering fans at the football stadium, the feeling of the baseball bat, familiar in your hands… There’s no doubt about it–playing sports can be a magical thing.

We love when our patients are having fun and being active, butunfortunately, sports-related dental injuries happen all the time. That’s why we make custom mouthguards in our practice, so you and your children can always play it safe!

Wear A Mouthguard And Reduce Your Risk Of Injury

You may be surprised to learn that up to 40 percent of dental injuries are sustained during sports activities. In fact, not wearing a mouthguard makes you 60 times more likely to sustain an injury to the face and mouth! Wearing a mouthguard during recreational as well as competitive sports activities decreases both the frequency and severity of injury.

A fractured, chipped or knocked-out tooth isn’t the only thing a mouthguard safeguards against. Did you know that wearing a mouthguard can also help prevent more serious injuries such as concussions, jaw fractures, and neck injuries? Not to mention the protection it provides for the soft tissues of the mouth like the tongue, lips and cheeks.

This is especially true for those of you with braces. Not only are your braces an investment you should protect, but those metal brackets can be especially damaging to your mouth if you’re hit by a stray ball or elbow. On top of that, if your braces are damaged, there may be a delay in your orthodontic treatment.

Custom Mouthguards Provide More Comfort And Protection

When it comes to purchasing a mouthguard, you have a couple different options. A custom-fit mouthguard made specifically for you by a dental professional is the most effective and comfortable choice. We can even specially customize your mouthguard for the specific sport you play. Custom mouthguards are:

Less likely to be displaced during the action because of their custom fit.
Durable and tear-resistant. Custom mouthguards last longer due to the higher quality of materials used to construct them.
More fitted and less bulky. This adds to the overall comfort and makes talking, breathing and swallowing easier.

Your Smile Is Worth Protecting

Customized specifically for your smile, the mouthguards we make in our practice provide superior safety and genuine comfort.Your smile is worth protecting. Talk to us today about your own custom mouthguard!

Our patients make our day!

Have You Gotten Screened For Oral Cancer Lately?

September 23, 2016

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THROUGHOUT LIFE PEOPLE get regular prostate exams, mammograms and colonoscopies. These preventative health care exams are extremely important for detecting any abnormalities–including cancer–early, so they can be treated as soon as possible. These exams save lives. So do oral cancer screenings.

Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that a regular oral cancer screening is just as important as these other preventative exams. We want our patients to know that coming in to see us every six months isn’t just to make sure you don’t have cavities; it can actually save your life.

The Truth About Oral Cancer

There are 400,000 people throughout the world who are diagnosed with oral cancer every year–in the U.S. alone, that’s about 100 new cases every day. Oral cancer is a particularly deadly cancer, as only about half of oral cancer patients survive five years past their diagnosis.

These statistics are frightening, but there is some good news: early detection of oral cancer can boost survival rates 80 to 90 percent.The reason oral cancer is so harmful is because many patients aren’t diagnosed until late in the game. By raising awareness about this disease and the need for regular screenings, we hope to help stop that from happening.

Lifestyle Choices Can Put You At Higher Risk

Certain lifestyle activities can put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Familiarize yourself with these risk factors:

Tobacco use–Smoking and other tobacco use makes you three times more likely to develop oral cancer
Age–Two-thirds of individuals with oral cancer are over age 55
UV exposure–Frequent and prolonged exposure to sunlight increases your risk of developing lip cancer
Alcohol consumption–Drinking alcohol more than doubles your risk of oral cancer

While knowing the risks can help us prevent oral cancer, it still occurs in people without any of the above risk factors. In fact, it is becoming increasingly more prevalent among non-smoking, healthy individuals. The reason for this shift is the rise of HPV, or human papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted infection.Individuals with HPV are 32 times more likely to develop oral cancer–even more so than tobacco users.

Monitor Abnormalities And Get Regular Screenings

We’re all used to the occasional canker sore or sensitive cheek that we accidentally bit while eating dinner. While sores in the mouth are common, it’s important to remember that oral cancer often begins as a painless sore that simply outstays its welcome. If you experience any of these symptoms, come in to see us right away:

A lump or thickening of your cheek
A white or red patch on any part of your inner mouth or throat
Numbness inside the mouth
A sore inside your mouth that doesn’t heal within two weeks
Difficulty with swallowing, chewing, or moving the tongue or jaw

The most important thing you can do to combat oral cancer is get regular screenings. Dental professionals are the first line of defense against this disease and we are often the first health care professionals to notice any abnormalities.

So, ask us more about oral cancer screenings when you come in for your biannual checkup. Or give us a call today to set up a screening for yourself or someone you care about. We want to see you healthy and smiling bright for a lifetime.

Thank you for placing your trust in our practice.

Top image by Flickr user Gabriel Gama used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original. The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Why Does Food Taste Funny After Brushing?

September 16, 2016

Toothpaste being applied to a toothbrush

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED why certain foods taste unpleasant after brushing your teeth in the morning? Most of us have experienced that bitter sensation a time or two, but what exactly causes it?

Your Mint Toothpaste Flavor Isn’t To Blame

It’s a common misconception that mint-flavored toothpaste causes the unpleasant taste when eating that first meal after brushing. In reality, it’s a chemical found in most toothpastes called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or other variants like sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These compounds are known as surfactants, which are foaming agents which make it easier to spread toothpaste evenly as you brush.

Aside from helping toothpaste clean your teeth, surfactants also affect your tastebuds.

Surfactants Affect Your Tastebuds

Surfactants like SLS affect your tastebuds in a couple of different ways. First, it suppresses receptors that pick up the sweet taste in food and drinks. This is why some foods just taste a little more bland if you’ve recently brushed your teeth. The second way surfactants affect your taste is it enhances bitter flavors, so sour food and drinks taste especially bitter.

This effect is especially noticeable in orange juice. Believe it or not, your morning glass of OJ is actually surprisingly sour if you take away the sugar. So when you take a sip of orange juice after brushing your teeth, not only will SLS inhibit your ability to taste your drink’s sweetness, it will enhance the underlying sour flavor and make it really bitter.

Don’t Worry, It Doesn’t Last Long!

Fortunately for us, the effects of SLS don’t linger too long in the morning. After about 30 minutes, your saliva will have diluted the leftover surfactants and things begin to taste normal again. In order to avoid the unpleasant taste after you brush, take a little time to read the paper or accomplish other to-do’s in your regular morning routine before you eat. Rearranging morning activities is an easy way to help your breakfast taste sweet!

We Have A Pretty Sweet Gig

We love making our patients smile. Whether it’s through fun tips like this or answering questions about your unique oral health situation, our priority is keeping your teeth happy and healthy. Do you have any more questions about your morning oral hygiene routine? We’d love to answer them! Call us or let us know in the comments below!

Thank you for giving us a reason to smile!

Dr. Juan S. Abadia is listed at DentistDig.com