How can I keep my teeth white?

Posted on Sep 11, 2022

It helps to know why your teeth become stained in the first place. First of all, there’s the food you consume. Below are some of the worst foods for causing stains.

Tea and coffee.

Cola drinks.

Red wine.

Tobacco.

Dark fruit juices such as cranberry, blueberry and grape.

Tomato sauces.

Curry.

Dark, balsamic vinegars.

Soy sauce.

Berries.

Beets.

Certain dye colors used in candies and other sweets.

Another form of “stain” is actually caused by the wearing down of your tooth enamel (the outer layer). This allows the yellow dentin underneath to show through. Acidic foods are notorious for wearing down enamel, though they aren’t the only damaging foods. (Read more in our January 2022 blog.)

In a cruel twist of fate, even brushing your teeth faithfully over the years can wear away your tooth enamel and cause yellowing. Just remember…the benefits of brushing FAR outweigh a bit of yellowing in later years!

In the meantime, try to limit or find substitutions for foods that stain, rinse with water soon after consumption, use a straw, chew a beneficial gum (see our Mar 2021 blog), eat crunchy fruits and vegetables which scrub and naturally remove stains, brush twice daily, use a whitening toothpaste, and don’t postpone regular dental cleanings and checkups. For stubborn stains, ask your dentist about in-office procedures for whitening.

Do I Need to Brush my Tongue?

Posted on Aug 01, 2022

Yes! While you’re brushing your teeth, take a moment to clean your tongue also. Make sure you clean both the front AND back of your tongue. You can use the same toothbrush on both your teeth and tongue, or you can use a tongue scraper. A scraper is specially designed for the purpose and it’s an inexpensive drug store purchase. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after cleaning. Finishing off with mouthwash is an optional last step but should never be a substitute for brushing and scraping.

Removing bacteria from your tongue has important benefits:

– You’ll have healthier teeth and gums by removing the bacteria which cause plaque to form.

– You’ll have fresher breath.

– You’ll free up the tastebuds on your tongue, improving the taste of your food and helping you produce a healthy amount of saliva in return. This ultimately aids in digestion also.

– You’ll boost your immune system by removing harmful bacteria before it finds its way to other parts of your body. This is even more important when you’re sick.

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles?
Call us at 520-721-2000.

Tips for Teaching Kids to Brush

Posted on Jul 01, 2022

Making dental hygiene part of the daily routine is one of the best gifts you can give to your children. Start early by doing the cleaning yourself and gradually shift the responsibility to your child when he/she is ready.

Here are some tips:

1. Letting your child choose the brush is part of adding some fun to the task. Steer them towards brushes that are child-size and have soft bristles. Replace the brush with a new one about every 3 months.

2. Let them select the toothpaste also. There are many designed especially for kids in flavors they’ll enjoy using.

3. Show them the right amount of toothpaste to use. For kids under 3, smear an amount about the size of a grain of rice on the brush. Over 3, use an amount about the size of a pea.

4. Show your child how to hold the toothbrush against the gum line and gently brush at a 45-degree angle.

5. Start at the bottom of the tooth and work your way up.

6. Brush the top of the tooth with short, sweeping motions.

Total brushing time should be 2 minutes, twice a day. Use a timer, music, or any other method that works so your child learns how long a 2-minute brush routine should last.

7. Make sure your child brushes each tooth, even if it initially takes longer than 2 minutes.

8. Show your child the proper way to hold and use floss once a day. Use a different section of the floss for each tooth.

9. Don’t forget to teach the importance of brushing the tongue also, from back to front.

Other things you can do:

1. Set a good example by letting your child watch you brush your own teeth.

2. Let your child “play dentist” and practice the techniques on your own teeth.

3. Make sure your child has regular dental visits. These will get him/her used to seeing the dentist and his staff, and it will reinforce the good hygiene lessons you’ve been teaching.

4. Consistently provide positive messages about the importance of good dental hygiene.

Happy 4th of July from all of us at Discovery Smiles!

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth?

Posted on Jun 01, 2022

Wisdom teeth are simply the 4 molars at the very back of your mouth. You have two on the top and two on the bottom. Adults have 8 additional molars in front of the wisdom teeth for a total of 12. Molars are important because they crush and grind your food, the first step in digestion. 

Wisdom teeth are the last ones to come in, usually in a person’s late teens. Thus they’re associated with acquiring wisdom, though some parents might beg to differ! 

Of all the teeth in your mouth, wisdom teeth are the most likely to cause problems because they often come in at an angle. They can be leaning such that only a portion of the wisdom tooth is visible above the gum. Sometimes they never break the surface of the gum at all, remaining hidden. These alignment or “impaction” issues may lead to infection, cavities, bone loss, or damage to nearby teeth. If you have a wisdom tooth causing any of these problems (or likely to do so in the future), the dentist may recommend that you have it removed. 

Don’t worry! Losing one or more wisdom teeth is usually not a problem for most people with other healthy teeth. Your remaining molars will still allow you to chew and grind up your food very well!

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles?

Call us at 520-721-2000.

Do I need to replace a missing tooth?

Posted on May 01, 2022

If you’re 6, probably not. Nature will do that for you!

But if you’re an adult, here are some important reasons why you should consider replacing a lost tooth.

Each tooth helps to keep neighboring teeth properly aligned. When a tooth is missing, its neighbors will tend to migrate into the empty space left behind. This migration can cause problems such as top and bottom teeth no longer aligning. Your “bite” is impacted and you can no longer bite or chew efficiently. Ultimately, this also makes digestion less efficient as food is not properly prepared before you swallow it.

A tooth also provides a stimulus to the underlying jaw bone when you use it. When that stimulus is missing, you lose bone density in that area and your jaw becomes less firm and healthy.

You may also notice changes in the appearance of your face such as sagging skin. This is also due to changes in the jawbone, muscles and nerve stimulation.

Your teeth and tongue are integral parts of speech. A missing tooth can create a speech impediment.

Missing teeth have also been shown to have implications for mental health and social interactions. People report depression and low self esteem as consequences of missing teeth. Others may be quick to judge based on appearances, particularly in the job market.

Modern dentistry provides excellent options for replacing teeth. Bridges, dentures and implants can all give you something both durable and natural looking. Now THAT’S something to smile about!

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles?
Call us at 520-721-2000.

What is a panoramic dental x-ray? 

Posted on Apr 01, 2022

A panoramic dental x-ray captures a picture of your entire mouth in one image. It differs from traditional dental x-rays in that no film is placed inside your mouth. Instead, the film is located inside the panoramic x-ray machine which moves around your head from one side to the other. A panoramic x-ray requires no special preparation on your part, and it’s painless and fast.

Because a panoramic x-ray captures “the big picture,” it’s often useful for those considering braces, dentures and implants. It also has another advantage in that it can reveal dental and medical problems such as advanced periodontal disease, disorders of the jaw including cysts and tumors, impacted teeth, oral cancer and sinusitis.

But panoramic x-rays don’t always capture all the details of individual teeth. For that, x-rays taken with film inside the mouth are still an excellent tool for diagnosing problems and planning treatment.

Panoramic x-rays, as with other x-rays, are generally not given to women who are, or may be, pregnant. But they may be a good option for small children since the film doesn’t have to be placed inside the mouth.

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles?
Call us at 520-721-2000.

 Is it gingivitis?

Posted on Mar 01, 2022

Gingivitis is a disease which affects the gums at the base of your teeth. It might be the cause if you have one or more of these symptoms:

– Gums that are a dark red (pinkish red is normal)

– Swollen gums

– Gums that feel irritated or tender

– Gums that bleed when you brush or floss

– Gums that are receding

– Bad breath

Sometimes these symptoms are mild and easy to miss which is why regular dental checkups are so important. Catching gingivitis early is your best defense against developing a more serious gum disease called periodontitis.

You can keep gingivitis at bay by remembering to do these 3 things:

Brush at least twice a day.

Floss at least once a day.

Get regular dental cleanings.

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles?
Call us at 520-721-2000.

George Washington’s Wooden Teeth

Posted on Feb 10, 2022

George Washington must have had significant problems with his teeth through the years, ending up with not one but several sets of full dentures. They were made from gold, lead, human teeth, and ivory. A long-standing story claims that Washington had false teeth made from wood also, but no evidence for this has been found. So how did this story come about?

One theory points to Washington’s ivory dentures. Ivory has a grain and if it becomes stained, it could be mistaken for wood. In fact around 1798, Washington’s dentist, Mr. John Greenwood, received a set of dentures from Washington needing repair. He wrote to Washington complaining they were stained and he suggested it was due to the “sower” [acidic] effect of the port wine that Washington drank. He implored George Washington to rinse his dentures with water and brush them!

We don’t know if the advice was taken but there seems to have been a mutual respect and friendship between the two men. When Dr. Greenwood reported he was thinking of retirement, Washington asked to be informed where he was retiring to, as he preferred Greenwood to any other dentist. Dr. Greenwood assured Washington that he would continue serving him after his retirement, even “when I have done with every other person.”

Washington’s birthday is February 22. Don’t forget to brush your teeth!

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles?

Call us at 520-721-2000.

How to Have a Flawless Floss

Posted on Dec 01, 2021

Everyone should floss their teeth at least once a day. For a proper floss, break off about 18 inches of floss and wrap each end around your middle fingers.

Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Gently guide the floss between your teeth. Don’t snap it into your gums. Once you have the floss at your gum line, curve it into a U shape against one tooth and move the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.

Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and wind up the used floss with one finger as you go along. Never reuse floss. It can leave bacteria in your mouth.

Look for flosses that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Discovery Smiles!

Ready to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles? Call us at 520-721-2000.

Tooth Fairy’s Return Policy

Posted on Nov 01, 2021

We hear a lot of great stories about the tooth fairy.

This one comes from the parents of a boy who lost his two front teeth. He lost one very soon after the other and was extremely pleased to receive multiple, lucrative visits by the tooth fairy.

Alas, it didn’t take long before everyday life with a wide gap in his smile diminished the joy of his monetary gain.

One night, while tucking him into bed, the parents found two coins under the boy’s pillow. When his parents asked him about it, the boy said, “I want my teeth back!”

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Discovery Smiles!

Is it time to book your next dental appointment at Discovery Smiles? Call us at 520-721-2000.