You do want to take into consideration the size of the toothbrush head. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but typically, for adults, the regular adult toothbrush size is adequate. People who have smaller mouths may opt to buy a brush with a smaller head so they can reach the back teeth where there’s less room. It’s important to choose a brush with a long enough handle that can help you to reach all the sides of all of your teeth. One with a non-slip grip helps too so you can hang on to it when your brush gets wet.

Toothbrush bristles also come in a variety of options. Soft-bristled brushes are the only ones we recommend as medium or hard bristles can actually damage the enamel, tooth roots and the gums.

Many people think an electric toothbrush will get your teeth cleaner, but studies don’t show a statistically significant difference in the prevention of gum disease for people who use an electric vs a manual toothbrush. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. A manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job if used properly and for the correct amount of time (2 minutes!). Electric toothbrushes are great for people with limited range of motion, such as arthritis, or for people who rush through brushing. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that tells you when your 2 minutes are up. Some people prefer the feeling of a toothbrush that vibrates while others prefer the feeling of a manual brush. The brush heads of electric brushes tend to be smaller as well, so that may take some getting used to if you do make the switch.

Your best rule of thumb when choosing a toothbrush is to choose one that is ADA approved. Once you see that seal of approval, it comes down to which brush are you going to use and use well! Dr. Stenvall and the team at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, are always happy to answer any questions about products you might see. You can reach us at 704-542-6533, and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

The post So Many Toothbrushes So Little Time first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Whitening your teeth is a very personal matter. If you are unhappy with the shade or color of your teeth, then yes!

There are certainly some things to be mindful of when you whiten your teeth. Whitening should not be done more than 3 to 4 times a year. Once you complete your initial treatment, whether in the dental office or at home, you can expect to want to “touch-up” the shade for a couple of days, a few times a year. If you choose to whiten more often, you may cause the enamel (the outer layer of teeth) to become more translucent and the substructure to show through giving you a more yellow color. It is also possible to cause erosion of the enamel by whitening too often, which will actually cause teeth to stain more easily and eventually need further dental treatment.

At QCDA, we offer 3 ways to whiten your teeth:

1-OpalGo is the quickest and easiest product. The package comes with 10 sets of upper and lower pre-filled trays. You wear one set of trays per day for 10 days, 15-60 minutes per day depending on the strength purchased.

2-Opalesence custom trays is a very effective home treatment product. You will have custom whitening trays made in our office and have 8 tubes of gel included. Most patients use these trays for 7-10 days, wearing them from 2-4 hours per day.

3-Zoom In-Office Whitening combines the powerful whitening gel with a violet light. This requires a quick consult visit and then will take about 2 hours of your time in our office for the procedure. You will leave our office with significantly whiter teeth and custom made trays for touch-ups at home.

For any further questions or if you are interested in any of the three whitening products we offer here at QCDA, contact the office! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Meghan Stenvall or learn more about teeth whitening in Charlotte, North Carolina, call 704-542-6533 today!

The post To Whiten or Not To Whiten? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Studies actually show that young adults are the highest consumers of energy drinks, with 34% of males between the age of 18 and 24 drinking energy drinks on a regular basis.  While they do provide a quick boost of energy, they also can wreak havoc on teeth.  Many energy drinks contain a high amount of sugar. Some contain up to 55 grams of sugar, the equivalent of 14 teaspoons of sugar, and almost twice as much as the recommended daily allowance! Any food that contains sugar will contribute to tooth decay and the more frequently your teeth are exposed to sugar, the risk of decay increases.  So if you’re someone who sips on energy drinks or drinks multiple energy drinks in one day, remember that you’re increasing the risk of getting cavities!

Energy drinks, even the sugar free varieties, are also highly acidic.  By creating an acidic environment, energy drinks cause the protective enamel layer of teeth to be more susceptible to eroding.  When the enamel is damaged or weakened, teeth are more prone to bacteria creating cavities, which can ultimately cause sensitivity and pain.

The best solution is not to drink energy drinks at all, but if you do, make sure you limit yourself to one.  Drinking some water afterwards can help to reduce the sugar and acid on your teeth as well.  Chewing sugar-free gum after you drink an energy drink can also help to promote saliva production, thereby protecting your teeth.

Dr. Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team in Charlotte, NC, are always ready to answer your questions about energy drinks and the health of your teeth.  Please give us a call today at 704-542-6533 with your questions and concerns. We are here to help you maintain your healthy, beautiful smile!

The post Sports Drinks: How Good Are They? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.