Tooth sensitivity can be a real challenge for many people, but it doesn’t have to be a lifelong sentence. With the right care and habits, you can alleviate and even prevent this uncomfortable condition.

Understand the Cause

Tooth sensitivity often arises when the protective layers of teeth get worn down, exposing the soft, inner part of the tooth called the dentin. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including tooth decay, gum disease, grinding teeth, or even aggressive brushing. It’s important to understand that tooth sensitivity isn’t a standalone problem, but usually a symptom of underlying oral health issues.

Proper Brushing Techniques

How you brush matters just as much as how often. If you brush too hard or use a hard-bristled toothbrush, you can wear down the enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle, circular motions to clean your teeth. This is just as effective at removing plaque and is much kinder to your teeth and gums.

Here at Your Oviedo Dentist, we recommend and offer the Sonicare toothbrush. Many Sonicare models include a pressure sensor that alerts you if you’re brushing too hard. Applying excessive pressure while brushing can wear away enamel and irritate your gums, both of which can increase tooth sensitivity. With a Sonicare toothbrush, you’ll always know that you’re brushing just right.

Sonicare toothbrushes often feature multiple brushing modes, including a sensitive mode specifically designed for people with sensitive teeth or gums. This mode operates at a lower intensity, ensuring a comfortable and effective cleaning experience without causing any discomfort.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

Numerous brands offer toothpaste specifically designed to help reduce tooth sensitivity. These products often contain compounds that help block the transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve, thereby reducing sensitivity. One such product is PreviDent, a fluoride toothpaste that not only desensitizes but also strengthens enamel, providing an added layer of protection against sensitivity. By strengthening weakened tooth enamel,  it enables it to resist acid erosion, and reduces the potential for dentin exposure. Remember, however, that as potent as it is, PreviDent is a prescription toothpaste and should be used under the guidance of your dental professional.

With regular use, these desensitizing toothpastes can significantly alleviate tooth sensitivity. However, it’s important to note that they provide symptomatic relief and may not address the underlying cause of tooth sensitivity. Therefore, persistent sensitivity should always be evaluated by a dental professional. At Your Oviedo Dentist, we are always ready to assist you in selecting the right toothpaste for your dental needs.

Mind Your Diet

Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, soda and wine, can erode your tooth enamel over time, exposing the sensitive dentin beneath. Try to limit these in your diet, and when you do consume them, use a straw to limit their contact with your teeth.

Use a Fluoride Mouthwash

A fluoride mouthwash can contribute to strengthening your enamel, thus reducing sensitivity. It’s a quick and easy addition to your oral hygiene routine that can have a significant impact on your dental comfort.

Consider a Night Guard

Many people unconsciously grind their teeth during their sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Over time, this can wear down the enamel and lead to sensitivity. If you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache, or if your partner reports that you make grinding noises in your sleep, consider discussing a night guard with us at Your Oviedo Dentist.

Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups are a cornerstone of maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can spot and address issues before they become major problems. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to bring it up at your next appointment. There may be treatments, such as a fluoride gel or dental sealant, that we can apply to protect your teeth and reduce sensitivity.

Remember, you don’t have to live with tooth sensitivity. With the right habits and care, you can keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright. And remember, at Your Oviedo Dentist, we are always here to help. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your oral health is the best it can be. If you have any concerns about tooth sensitivity or any other dental issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your comfort and health are our top priorities.

At Your Oviedo Dentist, we care about more than just your teeth; we genuinely CARE ABOUT YOU. We’re dedicated to providing compassionate, professional, and state-of-the-art dental care to everyone in our community. Together, let’s make tooth sensitivity a thing of the past!

The post Soothing the Bite: A Guide for People with Sensitive Teeth first appeared on Your Oviedo Dentist.

Clear aligners are made from a clear plastic material that fits over your teeth and applies gentle pressure to gradually shift them into the desired position. Each set of aligners is custom-made for your individual smile and treatment plan, and you will wear each set for a specific period of time before moving onto the next set.

To achieve the best results, our dentists may recommend the use of attachments, also known as buttons, which are small, tooth-colored shapes that are placed on your teeth to help guide the movement of the aligners. Attachments are made from a composite material and are bonded to your teeth with a strong dental adhesive. They are typically placed on the front surface of your teeth, although they can also be placed on the back or side of your teeth depending on your individual needs.

The number and placement of attachments will vary depending on your specific treatment plan. Your dentist will determine the best locations for the attachments to be placed to achieve the desired tooth movement. Some patients may require only a few attachments, while others may require several. The attachments are removed at the end of treatment, leaving no damage or permanent marks on your teeth.

While attachments may seem like an inconvenience, they play an important role in the success of clear aligner treatment. Attachments provide additional grip for the aligners to help guide your teeth into their desired position. This allows for more precise and effective movement of your teeth.

Clear aligners can correct a variety of dental issues, including overcrowding, spacing, and bite problems. Overcrowding occurs when there is not enough space in your mouth for your teeth to fit comfortably. This can make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, leading to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease. Spacing occurs when there are gaps between your teeth. This can also make it difficult to clean your teeth properly and can affect your bite. Bite problems occur when your upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly. This can lead to problems with chewing and speaking, as well as jaw pain and headaches.

In addition to the physical benefits, clear aligners can also have a positive impact on your confidence. Having straight teeth can boost your self-esteem and make you feel more comfortable smiling and speaking in public. This can have a ripple effect on other areas of your life, such as your social and professional relationships.

Clear aligners do require some level of commitment and responsibility on your part. In order to achieve the best results, you must wear the aligners for the recommended amount of time each day and follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist. You will also need to attend regular check-ups to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

If you are considering clear aligners, it is important to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced dentists! They will assess your individual needs and determine if clear aligners are a suitable option for you. With proper care and dedication, clear aligners can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that you can be proud of for years to come.

Our Oviedo Dentist is a private practice with six doctors who would be more than happy to care for all of your orthodontic needs! Reach out today to schedule an initial visit and comprehensive exam with the Dentist. 

The post Smile Confidently with Clear Aligners: The Modern Solution for Straighter Teeth first appeared on Your Oviedo Dentist.

Consider investing in a dental irrigator

Flossing your teeth is an important part of oral hygiene, but sometimes it can be difficult to get into every nook and cranny between your teeth. It’s also important to floss under any dental bridges you may have, which normally requires a specialized tool and can be even trickier than cleaning between your teeth. However, dental irrigators can help you get over this gap in an easy, user-friendly way as they use water pressure to blast away food particles and plaque from between the teeth and below the gum line. This makes it much more effective than flossing alone, as they can reach places where traditional floss cannot easily reach. In fact, they might remove plaque up to three times as effectively as string floss. That’s not to say that you should hang up the floss, as it can stimulate your gums in a way that an irrigator might not be able to. However, it might be just the one-two punch you need to get the daily cleaning you need between your teeth.

Upgrade to a specialty toothpaste and mouthwash

Although any toothpaste or mouthwash that you pull off the shelf will do an adequate job of cleaning your teeth, some of them have special properties that might meet your needs better than others. You have options for toothpaste with remineralizing properties that help maintain your dental enamel, or anti-cavity toothpaste with extra fluoride. Everyone has slightly different chemistry in their mouths due to their diets and natural differences in their physiology, and your Oviedo dentist can help you determine what your weak points are so that you can select the right toothpaste and mouthwash to counteract them.

Reduce corrosive acid in your diet

When it comes to protecting your teeth, reducing the amount of acid in your diet is absolutely crucial. Acidic foods and drinks such as soda, coffee, fruit juice, and alcohol can wear down your enamel over time. In contrast, eating a more alkaline diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce plaque buildup, Limiting sugary snacks also helps keep acids at bay as sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth that produce acid as waste products. Finally, drinking plenty of water after eating or drinking something acidic will wash away any lingering acids from around the teeth before they have a chance to do damage. Milk may even be a better option if it fits your nutrition profile as it aids in the remineralization of teeth.

Keep yourself well-hydrated

Ensuring that you get enough water over the course of the day will not only flush out any bacteria or food particles that may have been left behind after meals, but it also dilutes acids in the mouth and helps restore minerals to tooth enamel. In addition, saliva production increases when you drink enough fluids which helps neutralize acids that cause cavities and other dental issues. Drinking more water also keeps gums hydrated which prevents them from becoming dry and irritated, reducing inflammation in the mouth as well as helping to remove plaque build-up on teeth surfaces.

Snack on crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery

Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery can be a great way to help keep your teeth clean and free of plaque. These crunchy veggies are naturally abrasive, so when you chew them they act as a kind of mini-toothbrush, scraping off plaque and other buildup on the surface of your teeth. What’s even better is that eating these vegetables might even ward of the need to reach for another type of snack like candy or soda that will just further damage your teeth instead.

Consult a dental professional to help find the root cause of your concern

A dental professional at Your Oviedo Dentist will be able to identify any underlying issues that may be a possible contributor to any dental issues you’re experiencing and recommend treatments or strategies to help you get back on track. This can include diagnosing oral concerns that you may not be able to detect on your own, such as grinding your teeth during your sleep. The doctors at Your Oviedo Dentist also have the expertise necessary to diagnose complex conditions, such as gum disease or cavities, which can often go undetected if not examined by a trained eye. Additionally, they are knowledgeable about how certain foods and eating habits affect teeth and gums, so they can provide advice on how best to maintain healthy teeth for years to come.

Conclusion

Every patient has different dental needs, and if you find that flossing and brushing are just not enough, then there’s plenty of extra tactics to employ to help bridge that gap. While brushing and flossing more than the recommended amount may be counterproductive, incorporating other healthy habits like those listed above can instead give you a leg up in fighting further gum disease or tooth decay. By doing your best to stimulate better saliva production and avoiding food and drink that can wear away your dental enamel, you’re more likely to have a clean bill of dental health at your next checkup.

Good oral health always starts with a regular checkup, which will also give you the opportunity to ask any further questions about what you can do between visits. Your Oviedo Dentist, a private practice with six doctors (one of which is a Periodontal specialist) would be more than happy to care for all of your dental needs! Reach out today to schedule an initial visit and comprehensive exam with the Dentist. 

The post 6 Things You Can Start Doing Today to Improve Your Oral Health first appeared on Your Oviedo Dentist.

If you’ve been looking for a new way to whiten your teeth, you may have noticed that charcoal toothpaste has been popping up in the checkout aisle at your local drugstore. Not only that, but it’s been found in over-the-counter face washes, creams, and even ice cream lately.

The idea behind using it in toothpaste it seems pretty simple: Charcoal has long been used to detoxify the body, so why would it not work on our pearly whites?

However, more and more studies have shown that the cons of using charcoal toothpaste outweigh any pros. So this begs the question — is charcoal toothpaste good?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the facts so you can make an educated decision for yourself. Using charcoal toothpaste may not be worth your time (and money) after all. So before you buy into the fad of charcoal toothpaste, here’s what you should know about it:

What is Charcoal Toothpaste?

First things first. Before we get into the truth behind charcoal toothpaste, let’s take a look at what it is exactly. Charcoal toothpaste is a dental product that contains activated charcoal, which has been trending because of its whitening properties.

So, how is it made? Activated charcoal is created by burning waste products (like coconut shells) at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. This allows it to become highly absorbent, while also retaining its porous structure. It’s then added to popular dental products like toothpaste.

Cons of Using Charcoal Toothpaste:

As we mentioned before, any benefits that charcoal toothpaste has are greatly outweighed by the consequences that come with using it daily. Let’s take a look at the cons of using charcoal toothpaste:

1. It damages the enamel on your teeth.

One of the biggest charcoal toothpaste cons is its abrasiveness. While people are commonly drawn to charcoal for its teeth-whitening properties, they don’t realize is that it also wears down the enamel on your teeth over time. It’s far too abrasive for daily use, especially when it comes to brushing two times per day as the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends.

When your enamel is weakened, it’s particularly dangerous because it makes your teeth prone to cavities, stains, sensitivity, and even cracking. It can even cause gum recession, causing your gum line to peel away from the tooth.

Once the enamel is gone, it unfortunately doesn’t come back. This can lead to a lifetime of dental issues. Poor oral health makes you prone to bacterial infections, which can even cause heart problems. Without properly taking care of your teeth, it can lead to overall health problems down the line.

2. It doesn’t remove stains below tooth enamel.

Another big con is that charcoal toothpaste cannot get rid of stains below the enamel on your teeth—it only removes surface stains like coffee or wine (although some brands claim otherwise). This defeats the whole purpose of why people start using it in the first place, as many brands claim it can draw deep stains out of the teeth entirely.

This just goes to show that using charcoal for whitening isn’t a long-term solution. It works on a short-term basis only—similar to seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning.

3. It can actually stain your teeth.

While most people use charcoal for whitening, you may not have known that it can actually stain your teeth.

If you’ve ever used charcoal toothpaste, you probably remember the dark black color that came off on your brush and stained your sink. If it stains everything it touches, just imagine what it can do to your teeth. It can slide into the tiny cracks in your teeth—and it’s almost impossible to remove once it does.

4. It doesn’t prevent cavities or tooth decay.

The primary benefit of using traditional fluoride toothpaste is that it protects your teeth. Charcoal toothpaste does not contain fluoride, which ultimately can lead to cavities and eventually decay. Not using fluoride in your day-to-day routine can lead to cavities and eventually tooth decay.

What’s more, the abrasive nature of charcoal itself can wear away enamel over time, causing your teeth to become more porous and more susceptible to bacteria that cause cavities. While some brands claim that activated charcoal may help with some minor oral health problems like gingivitis or bad breath—and there are even some anecdotal claims that it helps gum issues—there’s no evidence that it does anything beyond what regular brushing does on its own (except maybe pick up surface-level coffee stains).

Lastly, if you’re someone who doesn’t take good care of your oral health by brushing regularly and flossing every day, then this product definitely isn’t right for you. It can make poor oral health even worse by removing protective layers on your teeth when used improperly (and don’t forget about tongue health!).

5. It’s too harsh for sensitive teeth.

Charcoal may remove some plaque and buildup from your teeth, but its harshness can lead to irritation and sores on the tongue or gums. This can result in increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks. If you have sensitive teeth, charcoal toothpaste will be too abrasive for you. The same can be said for young kids who try charcoal for whitening or simply use it for daily use.

6. It may stain dental restorations or older teeth.

Do you have dental restorations? Some folks with dental work like crowns, caps, veneers, and fillings have reported that charcoal toothpaste left black or grey outlines on their restorations. This can be really unsightly and even uncomfortable.

It’s also important to note that it can also cause staining on new teeth as well as older ones. You’re more prone to this risk if you use it frequently or have minor cracks in your teeth. If you’re concerned about this happening to you, it’s best to avoid charcoal toothpaste altogether.

7. It doesn’t “detoxify” the mouth.

While it’s true that activated charcoal does have some “detoxifying” properties when it comes to absorbing chemicals and toxins in the digestive tract, it doesn’t absorb any of these things from your mouth (or anywhere else in the body). In fact, there’s no evidence that using toothpaste with activated charcoal actually helps remove any toxins at all!

8. The long-term effects are unknown.

Before you go out and purchase charcoal toothpaste, remember that there have been no long-term studies proving its effectiveness. As of now, there is no data indicating how well charcoal toothpaste works over the course of years or even months. The only studies that have been conducted on it are short-term and show mixed results.

For example, one study found that charcoal toothpaste was more effective than a regular toothpaste at removing plaque from teeth after five days of use. However, another study found that black charcoal made a person’s mouth feel dryer after using it for four weeks than regular toothpaste did (the fluoride toothpaste being the control).

The big issue here is that you might be trading one problem for another. Your teeth may be whiter but your gums could become irritated or bleed more easily. Charcoal may allow your teeth and gums to receive less oxygen, which is due to the tightness of the formula’s paste consistency.

Alternatives to Whitening Teeth with Charcoal Toothpaste

Fluoride is a mineral that’s naturally present in water and other foods, and it can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth and promoting the remineralization of tooth enamel.

It is safe when used properly; however, overexposure may cause dental fluorosis (mottled or stained teeth). The ADA recommends using only products containing 0.05% sodium fluoride or lower as part of an effective oral hygiene routine that includes brushing twice per day with a soft-bristled brush for two minutes each time—even if you already have healthy-looking teeth!

Conclusion

Although charcoal toothpaste has received a lot of media attention recently, it doesn’t make it a good option for the health of your teeth. In fact, there is no research to support whether it’s effective or even safe. The cons of using charcoal toothpaste greatly outweigh any benefit it may provide. The truth is out!

Instead of taking a chance on charcoal toothpaste or any other at-home whitening products, call us today to speak with one of our informed team members about our safe take-home whitening options!

The post The Truth Behind Charcoal Toothpaste first appeared on Your Oviedo Dentist.