Close-up of dentist hands hold toothbrush

3 Tips For Preventing Cavities

Dentist offices are filled with little kids getting their teeth cleaned and checked because dentistry for children is so important — it can prevent cavities and other dental problems down the road.

Here are three tips to help your child have healthy teeth and preventing cavities:

1. Brush Teeth Twice a Day With Fluoride Toothpaste

This is the most important thing that you can do to prevent cavities. Make sure your child brushes their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. You might want to help them brush their teeth when they are young and gradually let them do it themselves as they get older.

It’s also important to use fluoride toothpaste. This helps strengthen the enamel on your child’s teeth and makes them less likely to get cavities. If you’re not sure if the toothpaste your child is using has fluoride in it, check the label or ask their dentist. Many dentists offer free fluoride treatments for kids, so be sure to take advantage of that.

2. Eat Healthy Foods

Eating a balanced diet is essential for overall health, including dental health. Sugary snacks and drinks can cause cavities, so limiting those is important. Instead, focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are not only good for your child’s teeth, but they’re also good for their overall health.

If you are worried about your child getting enough calcium, there are plenty of ways to get it besides dairy products. Many fruits and vegetables contain calcium and some types of fish, such as salmon. You can also find calcium supplements at most pharmacies or online.

3. Get Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups are crucial for keeping your child’s teeth healthy and preventing cavities. The dentist will clean your child’s teeth during these visits and look for any problems. They can also provide fluoride treatments and sealants, which can help protect your child’s teeth from cavities.

Be sure to schedule an appointment with dentistry for children at least once a year. If you have any concerns about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to bring them up with their dentist.

According to the CDC, one in four adults aged 20 to 64 has cavities today. As dentistry for children becomes more and more important, it is crucial to remember these three tips. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your local child’s dentist at least once a year. If you have any concerns about your child’s dental health, make sure to bring them up. Following these tips can help your child have healthy teeth now — and into adulthood. To learn more about how to prevent cavities in your child, visit a dentist’s office like Lowell Dental Arts.

Healthy teeth, beautiful smile, young woman

6 Warning Signs You May Need Dental Implants

Dental implants are arguably the best solution for severely damaged, broken, or missing teeth. According to WebMD, dental implants have a success rate of 98%. If you have dental problems and don’t know which dental solution to seek, here are six signs you may need dental implants.

1. Missing Teeth

Having a missing tooth or missing teeth is an obvious sign that you may need dental implants. Missing teeth can reduce your self-esteem thus preventing you from talking, smiling, or eating in public. Dental implants replace the missing teeth while looking, feeling, and functioning like natural teeth.

2. Severely Broken or Cracked Teeth

Having severely broken or cracked teeth is another telltale sign that you may need dental implants. Dental implants are especially necessary if your teeth are broken or cracked below the gingival line as well as if the broken or cracked teeth are damaging the pulp. Dental implants provide you with durable replacements for broken or cracked teeth.

3. Loose Dentures or Partials

Dentures and partials are also popular for replacing missing teeth. However, loose-fitting dentures or partials can easily fall off while eating or talking. Dental implants are a viable solution to loose dentures or partials as they fit properly and don’t fall off easily.

4. Jawbone Loss and Sunken Facial Appearance

The jawbone is preserved through chewing and biting. Missing teeth, especially in adults, can lead to jawbone deterioration. Jawbone loss can lead to a sunken-in facial appearance if not treated. Dental implants are made of titanium, which, easily bonds with jawbone tissues to prevent both jawbone deterioration and the development of a sunken-in facial appearance.

5. Difficulty Chewing Food

If you have problems eating food because of missing, cracked, broken, or other problems with your teeth, you may need dental implants. Since dental implants function like natural teeth, they will enable you to chew food without difficulty.

6. Infected or Decayed Teeth

You may need dental implant surgery if you have severely infected or decayed teeth that cannot be saved. A dentist will extract the affected tooth or teeth before replacing them with dental implants.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above signs, you may want to consider dental implants. Book an appointment with the friendly team at Lowell Dental Arts today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

childrens dentist

When Should I Start Taking My Child to the Dentist?

By the time your little one has a full set of baby teeth, you’ll likely begin to wonder when you should start taking them to the dentist. It’s important to learn when your baby needs to go to a children’s dentist as to prevent future problems. Here’s what you should know.

Start Preventative Care Early

According to the CDC, most children will develop at least one cavity in their baby teeth by the age of eight. That is why it is critical to start preventative care early. A children’s dentist can see cavities before they form via X-rays. This gives both you and the dentist time to prevent any cavities from fully forming.

It’s recommended to take your baby to a dentist as soon as they start to develop teeth. For most children, this is around six months old. A children’s dentist will keep an eye on your child’s teeth as they come in to minimize problems and ensure that their development is on track.

Take Your Child If You Notice a Problem

Children can experience dental problems even before the age of three. Baby bottle tooth decay is a common problem that results from children going to bed with a bottle or sippy cup. This is often caught early on as children begin to develop cavities in their front teeth. Taking your child to see a children’s dentist can help you learn how to address problems like baby bottle tooth decay and early cavities.

Schedule a Visit to Address Concerns

Any time you’re concerned about your little one’s teeth, it’s important to speak with a children’s dentist. For example, if you notice your little one crying when you brush their teeth, you should talk to their dentist. This could be due to them not liking the toothpaste, because your toddler is striving for independence, or it could be a sign that your little one is in pain and needs dental care. It’s always better to schedule an appointment to discover that there is nothing wrong than to avoid scheduling an appointment and there is a problem.

Early dental care can improve your child’s overall health and well-being in the future. For more questions or to schedule your first dentist appointment, give the friendly team at Lowell Dental Arts a call, today.

5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Oral Health

5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Oral Health

Plenty of people have a hard time with proper oral care, and it’s not because of a lack of effort. It’s more because there is an issue with education about oral health. For example, cavities aren’t inevitable, but at least 90% of adults 20 and older have had one or more cavities according to the CDC. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to improve your oral health and prevent issues like cavities, general tooth decay, and gum disease.

Five easy ways to improve your oral health.

1. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Going to the dentist may seem like a chore, but it’s ultimately very important. Plus, you’ll probably end up spending less money if you simply visit the dentist regularly, as opposed to having your tooth damage repaired later. A dentist will examine your teeth, ensure that your teeth and mouth are healthy, and have a dental hygienist clean your teeth. All of this will help them catch common issues early and prevent others from occurring.

2. Brush After Every Meal

While most Americans brush their teeth twice a day, you could really benefit from brushing your teeth after every meal, or even after every snack.

3. Floss Every Day

You should be flossing daily, ideally after every meal. Flossing is in many ways just as important as brushing your teeth. This is because food gets stuck between your teeth in places simply brushing can’t reach, which can cause cavities and gum disease. While brushing your teeth is effective and essential, flossing ensures that they’re truly taken care of.

4. Consider Your Diet

Some foods are simply better for your oral health than others. You may want to avoid acidic drinks like wine, as well as sticky and sugary foods.
Ultimately, dental care is important to ensuring that your oral health is at its best.

5. Utilize Dental Treatments

Your dentist can offer a variety of extra treatments to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and much more. For example, you may have the option of a fluoride treatment. This will strengthen your teeth and help prevent decay. Sealants can also be applied to your teeth to further ensure that oral health is preserved. Usually, sealants are applied to your back molars.

Contact the friendly team at Lowell Dental Arts to learn more or to schedule your appointment, today!

dental implants

How to Care for Your Dental Implants

If you and your dentist have decided that dental implants are the best treatment option to restore missing teeth, there are a few things you will need to know about caring for your implants. Dental implants are quickly becoming the standard of care to replace missing teeth. According to the Total Freedom Dental Implant Center, they have a 98% rate of success.

Basic Care Immediately Following Surgery

Dental implant care should start immediately following the implant surgery. The most important thing to remember about your new implants is that you do not want to wiggle the implant or apply too much pressure on the implant initially.

Expect some swelling and discomfort for the next few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers will help. You can also use an ice pack to keep the swelling down.

If your job requires strenuous physical labor, consider taking a couple of days off following the surgery. Most people return to work the day after surgery, but if you work in an environment where you have to do some heavy lifting, it is best to take off for 48 hours following surgery.

Oral Hygiene Is Critical

The tissue surrounding your implant needs a healthy environment to heal. One of the most prominent reasons an implant will fail is because of infection. Brush as you normally do but avoid the implant when brushing. For the next week, rinse your mouth with warm water and salt rinse after every meal to remove food particles and debris.

Add about a teaspoon of salt to a full cup of warm water. Your dentist may have prescribed a chlorhexidine rinse, which can follow your saltwater rinse. Be sure to follow this routine for a full week after your implant surgery.

Chew on the Side Without the Implant

If you do not have a whole mouth of implants, chew on the side where your natural teeth are for at least a week. You do not want to put undue pressure on a healing implant. Avoid overly hot foods or beverages for about a week. Room temperature foods and drinks are best for the week following your surgery.

Keep Your Follow Up Appointments

Be sure to keep your follow-up dental appointments. Dental implants are a great option and have a high success rate with the proper care. Regular checkups are necessary to ensure continued success. To learn more about dental implants and more, contact our friendly team at Lowell Dental Arts, today!

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