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Osteoporosis is a disease that mainly affects women over the age of 50. But it can happen to anyone no matter age or gender. Osteoporosis causes bone density to decrease, making breaks and whole-body concerns much more common. At our Middletown and Kettering dental offices, we want to talk about how your oral health may be linked to osteoporosis.

Your Mouth & Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, and there are 34 million more who are at risk. As with many serious diseases, early detection is key. You may not even know there’s a problem until it’s too late. Sometimes signs aren’t obvious. So how do you get diagnosed if you’re not experiencing any symptoms? Your dentist!

In fact, your dentist may be the first member of your healthcare team to catch osteoporosis. When patients visit the dentist, the team is not just looking at their teeth, they also look at x-rays. These x-rays provide a wealth of information about what’s going on below the teeth, including bone density, and show us signs you or your medical doctor may not see or notice.

Signs & Symptoms

While we will be vigilant at your exams, here are some of the signs and symptoms we encourage our patients to watch for:

• Loose dentures
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss around the teeth or in the jaw
• Gum disease

Prevention

In addition to maintaining visits to your dentist, there are other preventive actions you can take to decrease your chance of osteoporosis.

• Quit Smoking
• Consume caffeine limitedly
• Lower alcohol intake
• Get out and exercise
• Get enough vitamin D and calcium

If you’re experiencing any signs of osteoporosis, visit your doctor. Even if you’re not having difficulty currently, make sure to keep up with your regular visits to our dental office in Middletown or Kettering. We actively look for signs of potential osteoporosis and may be the first line of defense against the disease.

Accepting patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood

We know dentistry can be confusing, but at our Middletown and Kettering dental offices, we want to make sure all our patients are comfortable coming to us if they have questions. We’re always happy to answer or clarify anything. In fact, in this blog, we want to talk about a few questions we hear a lot.

“Why are dental visits so important?”

The reasons behind regular visits with your dentist are much more broad than simply ensuring your teeth are cavity-free and getting those pearly whites cleaned and polished. Dental checkups are usually conducted every six months so we’re able to keep an eye on any potential problems and catch them before they become or create more serious issues. Most dental disease can be treated easily if caught early, so that makes regular appointments incredibly important. If you’re at increased risk for certain problems, like oral cancer or gum disease, we may recommend visits more than twice a year.

“Is it a big deal if my gums bleed when a floss?”

If your gums bleed at all, with or without the floss, you should get to your dentist as soon as possible. Bleeding gums are not normal, even though it’s often overlooked if the bleeding occurs while flossing. Sometimes, people even stop brushing or flossing if they feel the bleeding is caused by that alone. Typically it’s not. Bleeding gums is a key sign of gum disease and should be checked out so treatment can begin. Some other signs of gum disease are inflammation around the gums, red gums, or gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth.

“I know smoking is harmful to my teeth. What about smokeless tobacco?”

Just because smokeless tobacco doesn’t have the smoke doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Using smokeless tobacco may lead to gum recession and permanent damage to gum tissue, tooth discoloration, bad breath, and even cancer. If you do use smokeless tobacco, make sure to keep up with regular dental visits and keep an eye out for sores that don’t heal, a white spot or lump, or if you feel it’s become difficult to chew food. If you notice any of these issues, contact your dentist immediately.

If you have a dental question, give our dental office in Middletown or Kettering a call. We’d love to have you come in for a visit to talk about your concerns and get your questions answered. We strive to ensure each and every patient is educated, comfortable, and in good health.

Accepting patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood.

Next time you’re about to brush your teeth, take a good look at your toothbrush. Does it look right? Is it time for a new one? How do you know? At our dental offices in Middletown and Kettering, we’re here to help you determine when it’s time to replace your old toothbrush and why it’s important.

How Long Does a Toothbrush Last?

According to American Dental Association, a toothbrush is typically in good working order for about three-to-four months. Around this time, it’s common to notice signs that it’s time for your toothbrush to go.

Trash it or Keep it?

There are telltale signs it’s time to trash your toothbrush. If you’re coming up on that three-to-four month checkpoint, take some time to exam the bristles. Are they frayed? Discolored? Smushed? Jagged and pointing every which way? If your toothbrush is starting to resemble modern art, it has seen better days. It’s time to get a new one.

Sometimes your brush may appear to be in good working order, but you just battled a vicious cold. Again, toss it. Bacteria may linger around on the bristles. It’s best to start fresh following any sickness. But if you start to see the signs of a worn out toothbrush before the three or four month mark,you’re probably brushing too hard. Ease up a bit.

Why is This Important?

Toothbrushes are specifically designed to reach the nooks and crannies of your teeth gently and effectively. When the bristles get all cockeyed and frayed, the toothbrush isn’t doing it’s best job and leaves you at increased risk for dental problems.

How to Care for Your New One.

Once you’ve got a shiny new toothbrush, it’s important to care for it properly. Follow the tips below to keep your toothbrush in tip-top shape:

• Don’t share your toothbrush. Ever.
• Thoroughly rinse it after each use.
• Don’t store it in a container. Air drying is best.

In addition to taking proper care of your toothbrush, using it twice a day, and replacing it when necessary, it’s also crucial to maintain regular appointments at our Middletown or Kettering dental office. Professional cleanings help to remove debris and bacteria your regular toothbrush can’t reach. If you’re in need of a new dentist, or it’s been awhile since we saw you last, give us a call!

Accepting patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood.

Any emergency is serious and should be treated as such. Dental emergencies, which include any injury to the teeth, gums, or mouth, are no exception. At our Middletown and  Kettering dental offices, we understand that a dental emergency can be scary, so we’re here to help give you a few tips on how to handle several types.

Abscess

An abscess is a very serious dental problem and should not be ignored. An abscess is an infection that affects the root or the space in between teeth and may feel like a painful pimple-like protrusion on the gums. If left untreated, an abscess might damage surrounding teeth, tissue, and the infection can even spread to other parts of your body. Because of these very serious concerns, it’s extremely important to get to your dentist as soon as possible. Prior to your appointment, try rinsing with warm salt water several times a day. This should ease the pain and encourage the bacteria inside to come to the surface.

Lost Filling

If you lose a filling, sugarless gum can be a temporary fix. Just make super sure it’s sugarless or you’ll experience some serious pain. Take a piece of the gum and place it into the cavity. Then call your dentist to get a permanent fix.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth might result from anything like a popcorn kernel, opening packaging with your teeth, or a fall. When a tooth is chipped, the first thing to do is rinse your mouth out with warm water and find any pieces, if possible, and rinse them off, too. Then apply gauze and slight pressure if there is any bleeding, and a cold compress to the cheek to ease pain. Get to your dentist to fix the chip.

Toothache

A toothache is your mouth’s way of letting you know that something is not right. Ease the pain and help keep other problems away by first rinsing with warm salt water. Salt water can help decrease swelling and keep dangerous bacteria from attacking. If the pain is severe, try placing a cold compress against your cheek or apply a bit of clove oil to the sore spot. Again, get to your dentist as soon as you can.

One of the best ways to avoid a dental emergency in the first place is to maintain regular visits to our dental office in Middletown or Kettering. Regular checkups and cleanings allow us to catch and treat any potential problems before they can turn into an unexpected dental emergency. However, anything can happen at any time, so if you do experience an emergency, give us a call right away.

Welcoming patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood.

Now that summer is officially here, we’re all starting to plan those well-deserved vacations or long weekends away. Naturally, you also need to pack. So you load up on clothes, snacks, medications, and everything you may possibly need. Yet you forget your toothbrush. What do you do when you’ve reached your destination and it’s time to brush those pearly whites? Take some advice from our dental offices in Middletown and Kettering.

Solution #1

Even if you’re without a toothbrush, you should still do something to rid your mouth of the bacteria that accumulates over time and after meals. But how? With a paper towel!

A clean, sturdy paper towel can go a long way toward getting your teeth clean until you have a chance to get to the store and buy another toothbrush. Simply find the thickest paper towel you can, wet it, dab on some toothpaste, and wrap it around your finger. Place your towel-wrapped finger along the gum line and gently scrub outwards. Then follow the same technique on the backs and chewing surfaces of each individual tooth. Don’t forget about the tongue! Scrub it as best as you can. When you’re done, rinse well.

Solution #2

If you forget both a toothbrush and toothpaste, this tip is for you.

Start by washing your hands with soap and warm water, but don’t dry them. While fingers are still wet, take your index finger and begin to scrub it over each individual tooth, the backs, and chewing surfaces. If a paper towel or soft wash cloth is handy, wet it and follow up your finger cleaning with a gentle brush of the cloth. Rinse, swish, spit, and repeat if necessary.

Solution #3

If you have no toothbrush and no toothpaste, but have some handy ingredients, you can make your own temporary paste to use with the above tip. All it takes is some water, salt, or baking soda. One or two teaspoons of salt or baking soda dissolved into warm water act as a gentle abrasive for your teeth, and can be an adequate replacement to toothpaste if needed.

This summer, or any time you’re away from home and find yourself without a toothbrush or toothpaste, follow the tips above. While these aren’t long-term solutions and a proper toothbrush and toothpaste should be found as soon as possible, they can go a long way in getting dangerous bacteria off your teeth. And as always, keeping up with appointments at our dental office in Middletown or Kettering are crucial to maintaining a healthy smile for a lifetime.

Accepting patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood.

We’ve recently stumbled across a debate about whether or not you should brush your teeth at work. Some people consider it weird to walk into the office restroom and find co-workers with a mouth full of toothpaste. Others think it’s better to brush than plague the cubicles with stinky breath. At my Middletown and Kettering dental offices, we think brushing at work is smart and we highly encourage it.

The Importance of a Brushing Break

We hope that brushing in the morning and at night is part of your daily routine, but brushing at work, specifically after lunch, is just as important to maintaining a healthy smile. Why? After we eat, tiny pieces of food particles can linger around, and if left there can cause serious dental problems like decay or gum disease. Brushing after all meals, including your morning bowl of cereal, lunch, and after dinner, is key to preventing these concerns.

Help Your Smile, Help Your Job

Another interesting thing about the importance of brushing at work is that it can help your career. No, it won’t be the reason behind your promotion, but it may boost how others perceive you and keep your co-workers happy.

A study conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry and Oral-B actually dug into eating and brushing habits while at the office and how a healthy smile affects others.

The researchers surveyed 1,000 people and their answers support brushing at work.

The Results

• 75% of respondents ate twice or more while at work
• Of those, only 14% brushed their teeth
• Interestingly enough, 32% said bad breath is the worst habit of co-workers
• And 40% cited the smile as the first thing they notice about fellow employees

Help your smile say the right thing about you by getting into the habit of brushing after each and every meal — including lunch and snacks at work. Pair this routine with regular visits to my dental office in Middletown or Kettering, and you’ve found the best way to ensure you have a great, healthy smile free from bad breath that will keep you and your co-workers happy.

Serving patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood.

At our dental offices in Middletown and Kettering, we always talk about how important it is to brush everyday, twice a day, and to floss at least once. Following this routine is a great way to keep your mouth protected from harmful bacteria and acid, but there’s one thing we’re forgetting and want to make sure you don’t forget about it too.

The Tongue

We often forget about our tongues when we talk about oral hygiene. But we shouldn’t. A clean tongue is just as important as having clean teeth and clean gums. The tongue is home to about 10,000 taste buds and tons of other tiny bumps called papillae. These bumps and crevices create a great place for bacteria and acid to thrive. And that makes a clean tongue very important for a healthy mouth.

The Cleaning Routine

Every time you brush your teeth, make sure to gently scrub the surface of your tongue. This easy task is the best way to keep your tongue, and your mouth, healthy.

Sometimes we have patients who can’t successfully brush their tongues due to a sensitive gag reflex. For these patients, we recommend using a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is just as effective, if not more so, as brushing. A gentle scrape with this tool can immediately lower the amount of bacteria in the mouth and keep your mouth, and your teeth protected.

The Reason

Your teeth and your tongue are almost always touching. This means that anything on the tongue is directly affecting your teeth. If acid and bacteria are left to linger on the tongue, your chance for tooth damage increases. What’s more, a cleaner tongue can actually make food taste better since your taste buds aren’t covered with taste-inhibiting bacteria.

Along with proper brushing and flossing, and a clean tongue, you’re well on your way to getting your smile healthy. To ensure everything is working well for you and there aren’t any potential problems, it’s also really important to maintain regular appointments at our Middletown or Kettering dental office. We’ll work with you to ensure you’re getting the proper care you need and that your mouth is healthy for a lifetime.

Welcoming patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, and Oakwood.

Pregnancy is pretty incredible. You’re bringing a new life into the world, you’re growing your family, and you’re becoming a parent again or for the first time. But the reality is, not all things that go along with pregnancy are awesome. At our dental offices in Middletown and Kettering, we’d like to talk about one of those less exciting aspects of pregnancy: we’re talking about morning sickness.

Around 80 percent of pregnant women experience some sort of morning sickness. You don’t need us to tell you how much this reality is a huge burden and inconvenience to all aspects of life. We know that during this time your teeth are probably the last things on your mind, but you only get one set, so we’d like to share some information and tips to protect your mouth during pregnancy..

Vomiting or reflux caused by morning sickness can expose the teeth to a large amount of stomach acid. This acid can lead to decay and result in serious oral health concerns. But what can you do to decrease the amount of acid exposed to teeth if you continue to experience morning sickness?

Minimize the Risk of Decay

If you suffer from morning sickness, here are a variety of tricks to help keep your teeth healthy during pregnancy.

• Rinse with water after vomiting. Water is a great way to help remove dangerous acids from the teeth and can diminish the chance of decay.
• Wait to brush. Brushing immediately after vomiting can actually lead to more damage. Since the stomach acid can weaken enamel, scrubbing it with your toothbrush might cause scratching and more dental problems.
• Apply toothpaste. Smearing a small amount of toothpaste on your teeth can protect them against acid.
• Rinse with mouthwash. Choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash to swish around following any episode of morning sickness can also help keep teeth protected from stomach acid.

If you’re pregnant, first accept our sincerest congratulations. Then, call our Middletown or Kettering dental office to get a preliminary check up. We’ll make sure there’s nothing of concern in your mouth and we’ll talk with you about ways to keep your teeth healthy for the duration of your pregnancy and long after.

Welcoming patients in Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, Oakwood, and everywhere in between.

At our dental offices in Kettering and Middletown, we love animals, and we want to let all of our patients know that dental care for pets is just as important to keeping your furry loved ones healthy as it is to keeping your own smile healthy. While we don’t accept four-legged patients, we do want to provide you with some insight to proper pet dental care.

Signs of a Problem

Before we discuss how to keep your pet healthy, it’s extremely important to know the signs of some serious dental concerns.

• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Excessive drooling
• Bleeding
• Refusal to let you near the mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact your vet as soon as possible as they may be signs of something serious.

Chew on This

Anyone who has ever owned a puppy can attest to the fact that dogs specifically have a natural desire to chew. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing (we know, tell that your favorite pair of now-shredded slippers). Chewing helps strengthen teeth, massage gums, and scrape away tartar. So stock up on chew toys and let them chomp away.

Brush, Brush, Brush

Clean teeth are just as important to pets as they are for humans. Like their owners, pets can develop serious dental disease that not only affects their mouths, but their whole body. Certain dental problems can lead to heart, lung, or kidney disease. Don’t take pet dental care lightly. It’s recommended that all pets receive professional cleanings at the vet once a year. In between those visits, you can brush at home. All it takes is a clean piece of gauze wrapped around a finger, some pet-friendly toothpaste, and some practice. Get in the habit and brush two or three times a week.

Following the advice above can help keep your pet’s teeth healthy for a lifetime. Following a proper at-home oral health care routine and maintaining appointments at our Kettering and Middletown dental offices can help keep your own health in its best shape. Don’t let dental problems plague you or your pet. Make the commitment to proper oral health.

Welcoming patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro,Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, Oakwood, and nearby neighborhoods.

You work hard, and you deserve the right to play hard too. That’s the whole reason for vacation days. But too often, vacation days are used for something other than fun times with the family. In fact, 164 million work hours are lost each year because of dental problems. At our dental offices in Middletown and Kettering, we’d prefer you save days away from the office for something fun other than visiting us (although we promise we really like seeing you!), and we know just the way.

It’s All About Prevention

There’s plenty of reasons we recommend you come to see us at least twice a year. Sure, we love to see you and catch up on how things are going, but in order to ensure your mouth isn’t lurking with some scary stuff, we need to get you in the chair and check out what’s happening.

Preventive appointments with your dentist are crucial to catching any potential problems before they become big, big problems. There’s a common belief that if you have a problem with your teeth, you’d know it. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Many times when you start to become aware of a problem, it’s already progressed into something more serious.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of those sneaky oral health concerns that can show no symptoms. However, when it does, it’s usually overlooked as normal. We’re talking about bleeding gums when you brush or floss. Bleeding is never ok and is a sign that something needs serious attention. If caught early on, gum disease is treatable. If it’s left to fester, it can lead to tooth loss and whole-body problems like heart disease and stroke.

Cavities

Cavities rarely have any symptoms early on, and if you keep regular hygiene appointments, we often catch them in the beginning stages, making them easier to treat. It’s when we don’t catch them before they have a chance to affect the nerves when you will have pain. When this happens, treatment is usually more advanced and may warrant a root canal or another procedure.

Don’t let dental problems keep you from enjoying your time off. Make an appointment at our dental office in Middletown or Kettering. We’ll make sure to get and keep your smile in it’s healthiest form so it’s ready for all those smile-inducing moments this vacation.

Accepting patients from Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, Kettering, Beavercreek, Centerville, Oakwood, and surrounding areas.