The Dental Center At Easton Town Center

The winter season has arrived which means a number of children are about to begin participating in winter sports such as hockey, basketball, and wrestling.  These sports (among other sports throughout each season) pose a high risk of injury to the mouth.  The unsettling fact is that most children do not wear mouth guards while playing sports.

Although mouth guards are mandatory to wear in some sports such as football, it is recommended by dental professionals to wear a mouth guard in any high contact athletic activity.  A study found that 68% of children do not wear a mouth guard during soccer, basketball, baseball and softball games.  The likelihood of a ball, bat, or body part coming into contact with someone’s mouth is extremely high.  It is estimated that wearing a mouth guard during sports could prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries per year.

Proper fitting mouth guards should be:

– Comfortable.
– Easy to clean.
– Durable and tear resistant.
– Not restricting to breathing or speech.
– Able to easily stay in place.

With the numbers as they are, it is very important for children to protect their teeth and mouth by wearing a mouth guard.  This could be what saves your child from a mouth injury and thousands of dollars in dental expenses.

When you think about teeth, you may not naturally think about the fact that there are different types of teeth.  As you run your tongue along the tops of your teeth, you can feel the changes in size and smoothness.  What you probably don’t know is that there are four different types of teeth and they each have distinctive functions.

Incisors – These are the top and bottom four teeth in the center of your mouth.  These eight teeth are flat and can often be sharp, which is why you might primarily use them for biting into food.

Canines – The canines are the teeth to the right and left of your incisors.  These are the sharpest of your teeth and best used for grasping and tearing food.  The canine teeth also have very long roots due to their size.

Premolars – These teeth are located behind your canines. There are two on the top and two on the bottom. They are larger and have a flat chewing surface, which makes them best for crushing food.

Molars – The molars are the last teeth towards the back and are the largest teeth in your mouth.  These teeth have bigger, flatter chewing surfaces and make chewing and grinding food into smaller pieces easier.

Each one of your teeth assists to make eating possible.  It’s important to take proper care of your teeth to prevent cavities and decay.  Make sure to brush twice daily and floss regularly.  Also remember to schedule a cleaning every six months to check to see if your teeth are cavity free.

Over the past few years there has been a rise in awareness surrounding Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. With all the buzz of this disease and the effects it has on an individual, we decided to look into how eating gluten can affect the health of your teeth. When an individual that is affected by Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity consumes gluten, it can prevent their body from absorbing nutrients. It can also directly affect your oral health negatively.

Anyone with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can experience oral health issues that include:

– Damage and deterioration to teeth enamel
– Bad breath or dry mouth syndrome
– Recurrent canker sores or ulcers inside the mouth
– Teeth discoloration with brown or yellowing spots
– Inflammatory gum disease

For any individual that has Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, check with your dentist and ask how to best maintain your oral health. Also if you are someone that is experiencing these symptoms but have not been diagnosed with Celiac disease, your dentist might be able to provide more information on your oral conditions and how to prevent and maintain a proper oral hygiene.

We spend a lot of time and effort working to be the best in our field, however we thought we might give you a bit of perspective on how you can optimize the dental treatment experience on your end too.   The relationship between dentist and patient is one of trust and care but both sides need to be prepared for a healthy partnership.

Plan Accordingly

The first and foremost thing you can do to make your dental visit better for you and your dentist is to be prepared and ready to go.  Brush and floss your teeth before coming into the office and, please, avoid garlic and other breath-saturating foods before you come in.  Dentists do their best to make sure they are ready for your appointment when you arrive.  If you’re going to be late or have to cancel, it’s best to call ahead with a courtesy warning so the office isn’t wondering if they should cross you off for the day.

Speak Up

Good communication between dentist and patient is key for a healthy relationship.  Make sure you know what you’re looking for and what you expect.  If something hurts or you have dental concerns, tell you dentist and be as clear as possible.  Confusion can only cause problems down the road.  If you have dental anxiety, communicate with your dentist so they can be prepared to help you with this issue.

Good medical practices involve professionalism and quality care on the part of the dental physician but also rely heavily on the cooperation of a good patient.   In order to help your Columbus dentist take care of your smile, prepare and communicate.

We know how much you love us but it is a safe bet that your dentist is probably not the person you want to go visiting during the holiday season.  We would love to see you for a cleaning or whitening before those family pictures, but we know how it is.  We’re going to offer some tips and advice for making the most out of the holidays without damaging your teeth in the process.

Avoid Chewy Treats

Candy comes in many varieties during the holidays but the worst for your teeth is the chewy taffy stuff.  These sticky substances can lodge in your teeth and hang around for days, inviting the risk for tooth decay and gingivitis.  Munch your sweets sparingly and try to avoid the sticky, chewy ones.

Don’t Crack Nuts with your Teeth

Nuts are a great holiday snack, offering protein instead of sugar.  However, be careful how you crunch through these things.  The hardness can cause serious tooth and gum damage if you mow through them without cracking them first.  Shell the nuts and then enjoy.  Your teeth will thank you.

No Nail Biting

We know, you’ll be with family and Aunt Edna all season and the nerves usually take a toll on your nails but nail biting is not good for your teeth.  Find other ways to deal with the nerves of the season, like egg nog!  On that note, don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages.  This can chip or damage teeth, requiring root canals.

Avoid Crunching Hard Candy

It’s true, we don’t want you chewing the gummy stuff either but crunching into excessively hard surfaces like ice or hard candy can chip or damage teeth, causing health problems and sometimes requiring surgery.

The holidays are a great time for food and sweets but take care of your precious enamel along the way and your smile will show.

For a parent, not much is more stressful than watching your child attempt a difficult challenge for the first time.  That first step, the first word, that first round of shots and even that first dental appointment.  Here at Easton Dentist, we want to make that first appointment as stress-free as possible.  Below are some tips to prepare your child (and you!) for that first appointment.

1. Talk about it…

…and talk about it often!  New experiences are significantly less frightening when a child has been familiarized with what is going to happen.

2. Be Calm!

Children take their cues from their parents.  If you’re calm, it will help them be calm, too.

3. Answer Questions Positively

Your child is guaranteed to have questions.  Explaining what to expect in positive terms will lead to a familiarity that will carry over.

4. Beware of Your Word Choice

The majority of dental check-ups don’t hurt so be very careful not to use that word!  Even saying “it won’t hurt” will place the word in a child’s mind when they may not have even thought of that at all!

5. Read a book with a positive dental experience

Again, familiarity is key.  A picture book that takes a friendly character through a standard dental appointment will introduce your child to the procedures they’re likely to encounter and help alleviate their fears.

New experiences can be scary for anyone.  The dentists at Easton Dentist want your child to have a smooth and fearless first visit.  Contact us today when you need a pediatric dentist and we’ll help you get your child on the path to great dental health.

Since childhood, everyone has been told that sugar rots your teeth.  While this is true, there are many other damaging foods out that that you should be aware of.  Let’s see if you can guess what they are.

1. Ice

Bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you?  No sugar, no additives and it’s made of water so what could go wrong here?  That chomping you’re doing.  Crunching hard substances can lead to small cracks in your teeth and damage enamel.

2. Citric Fruits

Ever have one of those pesky mouth sores and drink some orange juice?  OUCH.  Over time, constant exposure to acidic fruits can erode enamel which can lead to tooth decay.

3. Coffee

Bet you’ve heard this one, too.  In their natural form, coffee and tea can be a healthy choice.  Once a person starts adding sugar and creamer, that healthy factor takes a nose dive.  Added to that, coffee and tea can stain your teeth and lead to dry mouth.  Make sure you’re drinking lots of water if this is your beverage of choice.

4. Sticky, dried fruits

These are a dentists’ nightmare!  Sticky foods stick to your teeth longer and some fruits contain high amounts of natural sugar.  Make sure to drink lots of water, rinse and floss regularly if these are something in your regular diet.

5. Alcohol

Heavy alcohol use can lead to a myriad of problems.  Dry mouth, dehydration, mouth cancer and gum disease are a few things you can find on the list of problems.

6. Sports Drinks

On the surface, these drinks are a healthy, post workout choice.  Flip over the label and you might be surprised at what you find.  Most sports drinks label sugar as one of their top ingredients.  Next time you grab one, look for one that is low in sugar.  When in doubt, water is the best choice!

Our Easton Dentists in Columbus want to make mouths happy.  Schedule your next appointment with us and we’ll get you on track to make your gorgeous smile even brighter.

Are you looking for a new pediatric dentist Columbus Ohio provider? We see a whole range of family members come through our Easton dental office everyday.   In one chair sits a teenager with braces tapping away on her iPhone while next to her a doting mother holds her ten month old son covered in drool and shaking a rattle.   Across the lobby is an elderly woman in for a denture assessment thoroughly enjoying the sight of the cooing infant.

At The Dental Center, we see the whole life cycle of teeth and believe in a family model of dental care.   Everyone in the family should have a clear routine for dental hygiene that teaches the next generation good health practices.   No time in the development cycle of teeth is as important as those very first crowns popping through your toddler’s mouth.

Taking your small child to the dentist within six months of the first teeth breaking through is important to develop preventative care strategies and ensure the dental development is progressing normally.   Early checkups like these can often correct problems that can develop years down the road.

Pediatric Dentist Columbus Ohio & Teething

You should start to see your baby’s first white caps around 6 months of age, sometimes as early as 3 months.  Everyone has their own schedule so don’t panic if the first teeth don’t show themselves until the first birthday.  If you are concerned about a delay, make an appointment with our friendly staff and one of our expert Easton dentists we’ll make sure everything is healthy and normal.

Pediatric Dentist Columbus Ohio & Discomfort

While the typical teething process is not disruptive to the baby’s mood or health, most children will show normal signs of discomfort.   These include excessive drooling and chewing on toys to massage the sore gums.  If particularly sensitive, your child may get moody and grumpy but this is only for the first day or two of the tooth showing itself.

We don’t recommend a liberal use of Baby Oragel or other chemical numbing agents during the teething stage.  A bit now and then seems to be relatively safe but the best soothing agent for a teething baby is a cold teething ring or soft chewable toy.

If anything concerns you or seems out of the normal, don’t hesitate to contact our Easton dental office.  We look forward to seeing new patients who are just sprouting their first beautiful white teeth and work hard to maintain a lifelong relationship with you and your family.

Cavities are holes in the teeth caused by plaque, which contains acids that erode the enamel surface and the underlying layer of dentin. The most effective method for cavity prevention is to incorporate a daily oral hygiene routine to eliminate the formation of plaque on the teeth. Here are three ways you can prevent cavities today:

Brushing

Brushing the teeth a minimum of twice daily is the most effective way to prevent erosion of the teeth. To avoid damaging the gums, use a toothbrush with softer bristles. And always use a toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride strengthens the enamel and promotes re-mineralization of teeth in areas where decay is at its earliest stages.

Flossing

Flossing involves using a thin filament to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth. Using floss daily can also prevent gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.

Nutrition

Adopting a balanced diet is another way to improve oral health. Avoid foods that contain high levels of carbohydrates and simple sugars. Fresh fruits and vegetables stimulate the production of saliva, which rinses food particles off teeth and neutralizes acid. Replacing juice, soda, sports drinks and other sugary beverages with water or milk is also effective for preventing cavities.

Don’t forget: semi-annual cleanings are also just as important to maintaining good oral health! Contact Easton Dentists to schedule your teeth cleaning now!

We routinely toss washcloths in the washing machine, and throw out the loofah that has been in the shower for a few months. We don’t have to think twice about cleaning or replacing these items we use to clean ourselves. So why is it that we neglect our toothbrushes?

Keeping your toothbrush clean and fresh is important to your overall health. Here are a few guidelines about toothbrush care:

• Washing: Rinse any debris from your toothbrush after each use. For a deeper clean soak it in antibacterial mouthwash, or use a toothbrush sanitizer.
• Upright Position: Toothbrushes should be stored upright, like in a cup or holder. They should never be stored in an airtight container, as bacteria can develop.
• Let it go: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or after an illness. This includes electric toothbrush heads and traditional toothbrushes.
• Be selfish: Never share your toothbrush with anyone. Sharing toothbrushes can transfer harmful bacteria.

Taking care of your toothbrush is very important, but remember that having good dental health begins with regular visits to the dentist. Contact The Dental Center today to make your appointment.