PSA for the Kids

Oct 28th, 2020
Easton Dentists Nov 2nd, 2020

The majority of dental experts agree that it’s good practice to brush your teeth at least twice daily. As Elmo from the popular kid’s show Sesame Street says, “brush you teeth every day and every night.”. Elmo may not be a “dental expert”, but he offers kids great dental advice in his song “Brushy Brush”. The song is a perfect way to teach kids the importance of brushing their teeth.

Watch it here.

“Brushy Brush” is about a minute and a half long, so it may be useful to play it to remind kids to brush their teeth. Having kids brush for the duration of the song helps them to make sure they get each and every tooth. Elmo give kids reminders to brush up and down and all around each tooth, and encourages them not to neglect the teeth in the back. He also reminds kids not to swallow toothpaste even though it tastes good and to spit excess toothpaste in the sink.

Teaching kids good dental habits can be difficult, but with Elmo to help, it’s fun and rewarding. Getting toothbrushes for kids with their favorite characters on them adds to the fun of brushing. Flavored toothpaste also makes kids want to brush (you have to spit it out though!). There are many ways to create a fun routine for kids that will keep their smiles bright and healthy.

Healthy dental habits will keep kids’ teeth in great shape for years to come and will make dentist trips quick and painless. Elmo will help you teach good dental habits at home, and The Dental Center is here for regular checkups and any emergencies that may arise. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for everyone in the family… and don’t forget to brush your teeth every day and every night!

Foods That Encourage Good Dental Health

Oct 21st, 2020
Easton Dentists Nov 2nd, 2020

As we all know, our diet has a significant impact on our health. But did you know that there are several foods that are particularly beneficial to encouraging good dental health?

1. Salt: We are usually told that sodium is not good for us. However, it can be used as a natural remedy to treat gum inflammation. Add salt to warm water and swish it around in your mouth to reduce inflammation by osmosis, and also to kill some bacteria.

2. Cranberries: These tart berries aren’t just for Thanksgiving! This fruit provides 13.3mg of vitamin C in a 1 cup serving, which is important for collagen synthesis. Studies show that cranberries may also prevent bacteria from using adhesion molecules to hold onto your teeth. Cranberries also disrupt the formation of glucan (sugar polymers in plaque). Experts believe this discovery could be revolutionary for the future of dental care.

3. Honey: This sweet, natural syrup contains hydrogen peroxide, which has antibacterial components. Manuka honey from New Zealand contains the greatest concentration of antibacterial properties. A 2010 study compared the effects of this honey to that of xylitol chewing gum and found that Manuka honey reduced plaque better than xylitol!

Regular dental examinations are an important part of good dental care. Call The Dental Center today to make your appointment!

Better Brushing Fixes

Sep 7th, 2020
Easton Dentists Oct 8th, 2020

If you’re already brushing your teeth at least twice a day, you’re in great shape in terms of practicing good dental hygiene. But did you know there a couple of simple steps that you can add to your daily brushing routine to boost the health of your teeth even more? These two tips are so simple that they will easily fit into your daily brushing regimen!

1. Next time you brush your teeth, start in a different place. If you typically start on the lower left-hand side of your mouth, try starting on the upper right-hand side.

2. Start in a different place every single time that you brush your teeth. When you start brushing in a different spot each time, it prevents any area from being neglected. Areas of the mouth that are neglected tend to develop bacteria that can build up and produce acid that eats away at your teeth.

Next time you go to brush, remember the easiest way to a healthier mouth is to start brushing somewhere different each time. Contact The Dental Center today to make an appointment and get professional advice on maintaining great dental health!

Kiss in the New Year With Sweet Breath

Dec 31st, 2019
Easton Dentists Jan 2nd, 2020

3-2-1…Happy New Year! Most people enjoy ringing in the new year with a kiss from someone special, but the number one deal-breaker when it comes to kissing is bad breath. Unfortunately, some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem. Dr Brad Gilmer in Columbus Ohio can help you determine if your breath problems are caused by an oral problem and then develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.

Pay attention to what you order for dinner. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to bad breath. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor.

Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth.

Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment.

Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth.

Dr. Gilmer & staff wish you a happy new year and great dental health throughout 2020!

Tips on How to Get Rid of Bad Breath

Aug 9th, 2019
Easton Dentists Aug 30th, 2019

Bad breath, also known in the dental world as halitosis, is a condition that affects everyone at some point in their life. Thankfully, no matter how many first impressions may have been ruined with bad breath, we will share with you a few simple steps to drastically reduce halitosis, if not completely eliminate it.

Symptoms

You know that you have bad breath if you can clear a large room with a hearty “hello.” Before this happens, you can check your breath by cupping your hand over your mouth and nose and exhaling from the back of your throat, where most bad breath originates. If this exhale causes you to lose a offends yourself, then it’s time to do something about it, before it offends your family and friends. Before we find a solution, let’s learn more about halitosis.

Causes

There can be multiple causes for Halitosis, which is no surprise to anyone who’s been on the receiving end of morning breath after it’s mixed with a cup of coffee!

For most people, morning is often the time most people experience bad breath. When the flow of saliva nearly stops while we sleep, a buildup of bacteria in the mouth can be the end result. Brushing away the bacteria in the morning is helpful. brushing your tongue can works wonders also!

Certain foods can make our mouths smell. Think onions! Some foods, like garlic, are absorbed into our blood stream and exhaled through our lungs. All the toothpaste in the world can’t cover this smell. Engaging in some activity to make yourself sweat might help speed along the process.
When your body burns fat, ketones are produced which are released through your breath. These ketones usually have an sticky sweet odor. Staying hydrated and making smart dieting choices will help avoid the ketac smell.

Treatment

The best thing you can do to prevent halitosis is to practice good oral hygiene. This includes flossing and brushing your teeth and tongue. Paying clear attention to the very back of the tongue can help eliminate some of the more stubborn bacteria which may be hiding out there. It’s also important to take note of what foods give you the worst breath. Hopefully the combination of all of these tips will help prevent your bad breath.

Should you have any other questions about oral hygiene, don’t be afraid to bring them up the next time you visit our dental center in Columbus Ohio – The Dental Center at Easton.

Teaching Your Child Proper Dental Care

Mar 1st, 2019
Easton Dentists May 18th, 2019

Teaching your child proper dental care in their younger years is an investment in their health that will pay off in their latter years. Start by setting an example; taking good care of your own teeth sends a message that oral health is something to be valued.

To help your child protect their teeth and gums, teach them to these simple habits:

  • Brushing twice a day to remove plaque-the sticky film on teeth that’s the main cause of tooth decay.
  • Flossing daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the gum line, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet that limits starchy or sugary foods, which produce plaque acids that cause tooth decay.
  • Use dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste.
  • Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups.

Supervising your children until they get the hang of these steps may be a good idea:

  • Use a pea-sized dab of toothpaste. Teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
  • Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush the inside surface of each tooth first, where plaque may accumulate most. Brush gently back and forth.
  • Clean the outer surfaces of each tooth. Angle the brush along the outer gumline. Gently brush back and forth.
  • Brush the chewing surface of each tooth. Gently brush back and forth.
  • Use the tip of the brush to clean behind each front tooth, both top and bottom.
  • Don’t forget to brush the tongue.

Electrical or Manual Toothbrush: Which is Better?

Oct 26th, 2018
Easton Dentists Oct 26th, 2018

This is one of our most frequently asked questions! Our answer? It’s not the brush that matters, it’s who’s doing the brushing.

Let’s break that down. The goal of tooth brushing is to remove plaque from your teeth on a consistent (daily!) basis, so that we prevent the buildup of tartar which leads to tooth decay. A manual toothbrush is a great and inexpensive tool that helps us do just that. Make sure to brush two minutes per day, twice a day. Gently brush ALL surfaces and make sure to reach those back molars.

For some people, it can be difficult to brush properly with a manual toothbrush. Those with some form of motor disability or arthritis may benefit from using an electric toothbrush. An electric brush can also be helpful for kids or anyone with braces.
The same tooth brushing rules apply – two times per day, two minutes at a time. One advantage of an electric toothbrush is that some have a built-in timer. If you’re one of those quick brushers who has a hard time making it to two minutes, consider using a timed electric brush.

At your next dental visit, ask us whether we think you would do better with a manual or electric brush! And, as always, don’t forget to floss!

How Apples are Good for Your Teeth

Oct 5th, 2018
Easton Dentists Oct 5th, 2018

Good for my teeth

People have been asserting that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” since the 19 th century. While it may not necessarily be true that those who eat apples never have to see a doctor, apples certainly have great health benefits for our bodies! Did you know they can even be good for our teeth? Let’s take a look at what the research says …

It’s widely thought that chewing a crisp, fresh apple can help brush away plaque on our teeth. We’re not too sure on this one, as some studies show a higher plaque content on teeth after eating an apple. At the same time, there is evidence to suggest some polyphenols in apples can lower the ability of cavity-causing bacteria to adhere to teeth. Further, some studies have shown that the antioxidants in apples can help prevent periodontal disease.

Apples even contain a (very) small amount of fluoride. This is worth noting, as fluoride is so important in helping prevent cavities.

Lastly, the act of chewing an apple stimulates saliva production. Saliva helps wash away food debris and bacteria. Remember, though, apples contain sugar and acid so it’s best not to go overboard with them.

You can even swish with water after eating one to wash away some of the sugar left behind. As the science continues to look into how apples affect our teeth, one thing we know is true: regular dental visits, along with daily tooth brushing and flossing, is your best defense against tooth decay! Schedule an appointment today!

Don’t Overdo the Sports Drinks

Jun 9th, 2018
Easton Dentists Jul 9th, 2018

As the summer heats up, you may find that you’re tempted to load up on sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade. These beverages taste great, but they shouldn’t be your go-to drink. In fact, if you’re not engaged in the strenuous physical activity for which these drinks were designed, you should avoid them entirely.

In addition to the fact that sports drinks often contain a lot of sugar and other not-so-healthy ingredients, they tend to be very acidic. The acid in these beverages can destroy the enamel on your teeth. In fact, just five consecutive days of drinking these acidic beverages can negatively affect your enamel.

As acid destroys your enamel, it makes your teeth more vulnerable to bacteria. As a result, you may experience increased tooth staining, decay, and hypersensitivity. The best way to avoid these dental issues is to do whatever you can to protect your enamel.

If you are set on drinking sports drinks, you should be sure to rinse your mouth with water after drinking them. Doing so will rinse some of the acid away from your teeth before it can do much damage. In addition, you should brush your teeth about an hour after drinking these beverages. It’s best not to brush your teeth immediately after drinking something acidic because the enamel on your teeth will be in a weakened state and could be brushed away.

We know a nice, cold sports drink is tempting on a hot day, but it’s best not to make a habit of drinking these beverages. Instead, try to primarily drink water.

If you believe your teeth have been damaged by excessive consumption of acidic beverages, give us a call today. We will examine your teeth and give you pointers for reversing damage if possible and preventing damage in the future. We hope you have a great, tooth-healthy summer!

Teaching Life-Long Dental Health

May 8th, 2018
Easton Dentists Jun 1st, 2018

Having children means you suddenly have a lot of responsibility. One of these responsibilities is maintaining their dental health. Even before your baby has teeth, there are steps you can take to prepare him or her for life-long dental health. Below, you’ll find some tips that will help you to protect your children’s teeth throughout their lives.

Birth to One Year

For the first six months of your baby’s life, all you need to do to promote dental health is to ensure he has plenty of nutrition. For a baby so young, that means plenty of breast milk or formula. In addition, you should avoid leaving the baby alone with his bottle as this can result in the baby sucking on the bottle long after it’s empty, which can cause teeth to come in crooked.

At about six months, your baby will start to get his first teeth. When this happens, you should schedule your first visit with a pediatric dentist. You should also begin to very gently brush the baby’s gums with a soft-bristle tooth brush that has just been dampened with water.

One Year to Six Years

Start teaching your baby about the importance of dental health from an early age. This can be as simple as picking up a few children’s books at your local library that will teach your child why healthy teeth matter.

During this time, you’ll also need to brush your child’s teeth for him while he watches you in the mirror. You should consult your pediatric dentist to determine what type of toothpaste and how much of it you should use. You should also be taking your child to the dentist for checkups about every six months as well as if you ever suspect a cavity has formed.

It’s also a good idea to brush your own teeth in front of your child so that he can see you care about the health of your own teeth.

Six Years to Eleven Years

During this time, your child should lose his baby teeth and they should be replaced by adult teeth. The exact timing of losing teeth and growing new ones is different for every child. By six years of age, your child should also be brushing his own teeth, although you may wish to supervise to be sure he is not missing any areas of his mouth. As your child grows, you should be able to trust him to brush his teeth well since you have been teaching him the importance of doing so since he was a child.

Eleven Years and Up

You should be able to trust your child to care for his own dental health independently. It is still important, however, to take him for dental checkups every six months. Once all of his adult teeth have come in, it may also be necessary to take him to an orthodontist for braces. You should also continue to have occasional conversations about the importance of dental health.

We hope these tips will help you to raise kids who are set up for life-long dental health. When it’s time for their dental checkups, be sure to give us a call!