Blog

Oral health is an important part of maintaining an overall healthy body.

At our Wilmington dental office, we want to make sure all of our patients and neighbors know the ins and outs of getting their mouths optimally clean so they’re sure to reap all the benefits of good oral hygiene.

The Tools

Toothbrush – Besides picking your favorite color or one that coordinates with your bathroom decor, choose a toothbrush that has a medium-sized, soft-bristled head to ensure comfort and avoid damage. When the bristles start to fray, or following a bout of illness, trade in your trusty toothbrush for a new one.

Toothpaste – Select a toothpaste that fits your specific needs. Suffer from sensitivity? Search for a formula that has desensitizing ingredients. Looking for other protection? There are numerous options to help a variety of issues like bad breath or weakened enamel. Whatever your needs, find the boxes with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal.

Floss – Again, there are different types of floss for different types of teeth. Those with tight teeth should use waxed floss for easy gliding while those with teeth that are a bit farther apart can use regular floss. Hate flossing all together? Try a floss pick for easier use.

The Techniques

Brushing and flossing seem incredibly easy, and they are, but that also means it’s easy to not pay attention while doing them. Make sure your teeth are getting the attention they deserve by brushing twice a day, every day, in small, circular motions. Hit all sides of the teeth and brush for at least two minutes every time. When it comes to flossing, it’s crucial to do it every day and get in between each tooth and up under the gum line.

The Twice-A-Year Visits

Regular visits to your dentist in Wilmington at least two times a year help make sure no problems are lurking in your mouth, and if they are, they’re caught and treated early. These visits can catch cavities developing, early signs of oral cancer, or gum disease. They’re also a great time to talk with your dentist about any cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry you may be interested in like tooth whitening, dental implants, or cosmetic bonding.

If your at-home oral health routine is on point — you’re using the right toothbrush and toothpaste and you remember to floss — but you’re missing your bi-annual visits with your dentist, your mouth isn’t in its best, healthiest state. Take your mouth to its ultimate stage of health by scheduling an appointment at our Wilmington dental office today.

Accepting new patients from Wilmington, Pike Creek, and Hockessin.

Dental care is important for everyone. But there are differences when it comes to the oral health needs of men and women.

In fact, men are more likely to suffer from serious dental problems than women, and that’s worrisome for everyone at our Wilmington dental office. Let’s look at a few concerning facts.

Less Likely to go to The Dentist. Men across the country are less likely to go to the dentist the recommended twice a year than females. Instead, men tend to only see their dentist when there’s a problem. However, regular dental check-ups and dental cleanings help diagnose and treat small problems early, reducing the risk for larger, more serious issues.

More Likely to Need Advanced Care. Since many men seem to avoid dental checkups that can help keep dental treatment to a minimum, it’s not surprising that these men need more advanced care. Perhaps one of the most common dental problems that can lead to more in-depth treatment is decay. When decay isn’t treated early with a filling, the chance for a root canal and dental crown increases. What’s more, there’s even a chance the affected teeth may fall out or need to be pulled, creating the need for a dental bridge, dentures, or dental implants.

Twice as Likely to Have Oral Cancer. Men are two times more likely to suffer from oral cancer than women. Oral cancer is just as serious as any other type of cancer, but if caught early, oral cancer treatment can be incredibly successful. Preventive care appointments make this possible. When it’s not caught early, treatment becomes more difficult and may result in a number of other problems including death. Over 8,000 people die every year from oral cancer. Don’t let oral cancer jeopardize your life. Keep regular appointments with your dentist.

Increased Risk for Gum Disease. Research conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) found that men are more likely to have gum disease. In fact, 34% of men between 30 and 54 have gum disease compared to 23% of women. Gum disease isn’t just a mouth problem, it’s a whole body problem that can lead to heart disease, respiratory disease, and certain types of cancer. Maintaining twice a year visits with your dentist can help keep the bacteria that lead to gum disease away.

There are many reasons people avoid the dentist. Whether it’s due to embarrassment, fear, or something else entirely, it’s important to see your dentist in Wilmington at least every six months to reduce the risk for these serious problems.

If you’re in need of a dentist, call our Wilmington dental office to schedule an appointment.

Welcoming patients from Wilmington, Pike Creek, Hockessin.

If piercings are your thing, we aren’t here to judge. We believe everyone should be free to express themselves how they wish.

However, when it comes to oral piercings, the team at our Wilmington dental office wants you to be aware of some of the concerns that go along with them.

The Concerns

If you’re thinking about getting your tongue, lip, or cheek pierced, make sure you know all of the risks involved with doing so in order to make an educated decision.

• Infection. Since your mouth is always warm and moist, it’s the perfect place for bacteria to flourish. A piercing increases the chance that those bacteria will cause an infection. Once you create a hole in a place where bacteria already lives, it’s extremely common for infection to occur. These infections can be serious, even life threatening. If the infection makes the tongue swell, your airway can close, making it difficult to breathe.
• Gum Disease. It’s more common for those with oral piercings to have gum disease than those without. Since there is essentially a foreign object in your mouth, the chance for gum damage is increased. Once the gums are damaged, bacteria can wiggle in there and lead to gum disease.
• Tooth Damage. Many people with oral piercings play with them. A lot. Clanking the jewelry against teeth can cause them to chip or break, making dental treatment necessary. Clicking or accidentally biting the jewelry can also create tiny holes in the enamel, opening the root up to bacteria and decay. If this happens, you may need a filling or, if severe enough even a root canal.

The Care

To reduce your risk of infection, tooth damage, or gum disease, make sure to follow proper care of your oral piercing.

• Clean the area thoroughly and often to help keep bacteria and infection away.
• Rinse with water after eating to wash away food particles that can attract bacteria.
• Avoid playing with it to minimize the chance of tooth damage.

If you’ve already had a part of your mouth pierced, keep an eye out for any signs of infection including swelling, redness, fever, chills, or shaking. If you notice any of the symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Our Wilmington dental office is here to help answer any questions or concerns you may have about getting an oral piercing. If you’re on the fence, call to schedule an appointment with us today.

Accepting patients from Wilmington, Pike Creek, Hockessin.

Regular visits to my Wilmington dental office are crucial to maintaining a healthy, happy smile.

We can catch problems early, we can talk about your smile goals and treatments to get you the ultimate grin, and it’s always nice to see you. But your visits can also tell us a whole lot about things you may haven’t even thought of, or secrets you might not want us to know.

You’re a Nail Biter

The teeth of nail biters usually display certain qualities that your dentist can identify. Teeth may have chips and cracks, front teeth appear flat and leveled, and there may even be symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular disorder). When a chronic nail biter wears away teeth, their bite may alter, causing jaw pain and other serious concerns.

You’re Suffering from an Eating Disorder

When a patient is battling bulimia, their dentist may be the first medical professional to suspect a problem based on how oral health is affected by the disease. Erosion, usually on the back side of the front couple teeth, is a typical sign of bulimia. When enamel is eroded away, teeth are at increased risk for developing cavities. If you have an eating disorder, we urge you to seek help as soon as possible. There are professionals who can find a treatment that works for you.

Your Bad Breath is Hiding Something Serious

Bad breath is embarrassing, but it can also be a sign of something serious — whether in the mouth or in the body. It’s important to note that different stenches could mean different things. For example, a fruity smell may be a sign of diabetes whereas a fishier smell could indicate liver or kidney failure. If the breath is neither and rather just unpleasant, it may be a sign of gum disease, which may increase the risk for heart disease.

You Don’t Floss as Much as You Should

We see it all the time. A patient arrives for their appointment, sits in the chair, opens wide, and their hygienist is greeted with puffy, red gums. While this can be a sign of any number of things, it most commonly means the patient flossed right before their appointment, and really no other time before that since their last visit. We can’t tell you enough how important it is to floss every single day, not just when you’re coming to see us.

All of these secrets told by your mouth are serious and require prompt medical attention. If you identify with any of them, we encourage you to contact your dentist in Wilmington as soon as you can. If you’d like our help, or if you’re looking for a dentist, schedule an appointment at my Wilmington dental office today. We’ll perform an in-depth exam and get you started on a path towards optimal oral and overall health.

Accepting patients from Wilmington, Pike Creek, Hockessin.