Spring Clean Your Smile

1) Replace your toothbrush: That cool new toothbrush that you got in your stocking this Christmas… it’s time to toss it. It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. The same applies if you have an electric toothbrush; make sure you are using a new brush head every 3-4 months as well. Bristles wear out over time, and they are not as effective after a few months. Also, if you or your children get sick, it is recommended to replace your toothbrush once you or your kids are feeling better. No need to keep those germs around any longer than necessary!

2) Clean your Nightguard/Denture/Retainer Cases: You probably are good at rinsing your retainer or nightguard or denture/partials daily after you take them out, but what about the case they sit in? Make it a habit periodically to scrub bacteria and debris out of the case. The wet environment is a great place for bacteria to hang out, which then ends up on your appliance and in your mouth. Yuck!

3) Get your dentures/partials and night guards cleaned: It’s great to use soap and water on your appliances on a regular basis, but there still is probably bacteria that stick behind and need a professional solution to remove. Bring your removable appliances to our office, and the Queen City Dental Arts team can use a strong solution and the ultrasonic cleaner here in our office that will get the rest of that stubborn grime off.

4) Make sure you have your dental cleaning scheduled: It’s easy to lose track of time so we always try to schedule our patients for their next cleaning when they are here for their regular cleaning. This way it is on the calendar in advance. But if it’s been a while since you’ve had a regular cleaning and exam, it is never too late to get back on the wagon. Call our office today, and we will get you in for your checkup to look for cavities or other problems that might be starting.

Call Today

Our professional team at Queen City Dental Arts knows that this is a busy time of year for everyone, but don’t forget these simple dental tips to keep your spring cleaning list on track! We welcome you to give us a call today at 704-542-6533 to schedule your dental cleaning in Charlotte, North Carolina with our dedicated dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning, Dental Edition first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

1) Brush: It seems obvious, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Dr. Stenvall recommends that we all brush our teeth for a full two minutes, twice a day, every day. It doesn’t matter if you have a manual toothbrush or a fancy electric toothbrush. As long as they are used properly, both can do a good job. Make sure to angle the bristles at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line and get the front and back of every tooth.

2) Floss: It may not be everyone’s love language, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important. We recommend flossing daily. It can be in the morning or at night, in the shower, in front of the TV, whatever is easier for your routine that makes it something that you will remember to do! C-shape flossing is the best (flossing down the sides of each tooth), but if you only have floss picks, they are better than not flossing at all. Believe it or not, if you aren’t flossing, you’re actually not cleaning one-third of the surface of your teeth. People who do not floss regularly are at higher risk of getting cavities between their teeth.

3) Fluoride: Dr. Stenvall recommends using a toothpaste that has fluoride in it. The outer part of the tooth, or enamel, uses fluoride to re-mineralize, so if you are consistently exposing your teeth to fluoride, weakened areas of the enamel can actually go away. Some mouthwashes have fluoride in them as well; look on the bottle for ones that say “fluoride rinse.” Not all “antiseptic rinses” are created equal.

4) Regular checkups: We recommend that everyone come in for routine checkups every six months (3-4 months if you have ever had periodontal treatment). Even if everything is feeling fine, there may be issues starting that need to be addressed. Dr. Stenvall always recommends being proactive rather than reactive. If there’s an issue that can be fixed early, it’s always better to have a small filling than to end up with pain once the cavity gets larger.

5) A healthy diet: Try to limit the number of snacks and time spent sipping throughout the day. We know that a caffeinated drink in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up is critical in surviving some days, but try not to sip them for hours. The more often we eat or drink, the more acidic the environment of our mouth is, and the more susceptible to decay are your teeth. Healthy snacks are those that don’t get stuck in our teeth, like fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese and yogurt. Things that are sticky and sweet or things like chips and cookies that can get lodged between your teeth will be more likely to cause cavities. Of course, water is always the best option as far as drinks are concerned.

We often forget to love ourselves when it comes to showing love to the important people in our lives but remember that, through some simple steps, you are showing yourself love by taking care of your oral health. If you ever have any concerns, Dr. Meghan Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team are always here to help!

The post What Is Your Mouth’s Love Language? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Well, that may not be exactly how we remember the famous Christmas poem, but you get the idea! However it is said, we would like to wish you and your family a wonderful, healthy holiday season. Our team at Queen City Dental Arts looks forward to seeing you and your smiling faces in 2024!

The post Merry Christmas From Queen City Dental Arts first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

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.