DENTIST IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS SHARES 5 ORAL TIPS FOR SICKNESS

It’s normal to not even want to get out of bed when you’re sick. Normally, your doctor and dentist would advise you to get as much rest as you can to recuperate quickly, but there is one task that you should never skip: brushing and flossing your teeth. Just because you’re under the weather doesn’t mean that you should let your oral health fall by the wayside. In fact, maintaining a clean mouth might aid in removing some of the harmful germs and bacteria. This week's blog article from your neighborhood dentist in Altamonte Springs will teach you more about how to take care of your teeth when you're ill. 1.      Buy a new toothbrush. There are a lot of different bacteria that linger in your mouth—good and bad. Even after cleaning your teeth, microorganisms often remain on the toothbrush. In order to stop the transmission of germs, it is crucial that you get a new toothbrush while you are unwell. Utilizing the same old toothbrush can perhaps make your current problems worse. 2.      Brush your teeth more often. As mentioned above, bacteria are rampant when you’re sick. So, it’s normal to up your brushing habits when you’re not feeling well. To keep bacteria from multiplying, brush your teeth as often as you can—up to 3 times a day—to remove germs from your mouth! 3.      Don’t skip out on flossing. There are many things that you probably don’t want to do when you’re sick, but flossing is mandatory to keep your teeth and gums in good condition. Not to mention, it helps to remove more bacteria and lingering materials from up to 35% more of your smile! You may not feel like getting out of bed, but by keeping floss nearby on a close nightstand can help you to accomplish the task. 4.      Use a mouthwash during your dental routine. You may not be able to brush as consistently as you want while sick because you’re experiencing painful symptoms, but mouthwash may be able to lend a helping hand. Antimicrobial mouthwashes already work to kill off lingering bacteria from the smile normally, so using one while you’re sick could help keep bad bacteria at bay. Plus, your breath will smell fresher! 5.      Visit your dentist when you feel better. Unless you have a dental emergency, you should wait to visit your dentist until you start to feel like your normal self. It’s important to visit soon after you recover so that your dentist can determine if your recent sickness has negatively affected your smile and how to address it. If you need more advice on how to care for your smile while you’re sick, don’t hesitate to give your local practice a call! About Our Office Here at Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland, we work to keep your smile in great condition no matter what you’re experiencing. If you’re already feeling under the weather, you can begin to feel worse if you don’t maintain good oral health. Learn more about how we may be able to help you in your time of need by giving us a call today.  

Top Tips for Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Dental phobia or fear of the dentist is a common condition that affects many people, and it causes them to avoid going to the dentist. Dental anxiety can cause people to delay going to the dentist, which can lead to dental issues. Discuss your dental fears It is important to discuss your fears before undergoing any dental treatment. Your dentist can discuss your fears and reassure you about them. When speaking to the dentist about your discomfort, be specific about what makes you feel anxious. That way, you can get tips and advice on how to overcome those fears. For instance, if the sound of a drill bothers you, the dentist can let you know that it will only be used for a short period of time and then switched out with a soft tool.  Agree on a signal It’s common for patients to feel uncomfortable at the dentist’s office due to a number of factors. Some of them include the sound of the drill, the proximity of their cheek to the suction tube, or the smell of chemicals used to clean the teeth. If you feel nervous, tell your dentist about it and agree on a signal beforehand. This way, you can inform your dental hygienist that you need a break. The signal should be something simple so that your dentist doesn’t confuse it with something else. For example, you can simply raise your hand to indicate you need a short break. You can also nod your head or raise your eyebrows to indicate that you’re uncomfortable and need to take a break. Take a friend or family member with you It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before a dentist appointment, but bringing a friend or family member along can help prevent you from feeling alone and awkward in the dentist’s chair. Your friend or family member can distract you during your appointment, helping to ease your tension. They can also help you remember the things you are supposed to talk about with your dental assistant or dentist. They can even tell you if you need to speak up!  Have a distraction with you If you’re feeling anxious during your appointment, bring your phone or some headphones to listen to some music. You may also bring your book or magazine to read in case your dentist is running behind. This will give you some time to relax and ease your anxiety. If your child becomes frightened at the prospect of sitting in the dentist’s chair, having his favorite toy with him can help him cope with his anxiety. Ask for sedation dentistry There are two different types of dental sedation you can use to relax during a dental procedure. The first is nitrous oxide, which is also called laughing gas. It is inhaled through a mask that is placed over your nose. Nitrous oxide allows you to feel relaxed but conscious during your dental treatment. The second type of sedation is oral sedatives, which allow you to be in a more relaxed stage. To find out more about the dental services we offer at Distinctive Dental on Maitland, call (407) 830-9800 or schedule your consultation online. You can also visit us at 609 Maitland Ave STE 1, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.

GUM DISEASE – THE DOMINO EFFECT

Many, many times Dentists and Dental Hygienists hear patients say, “My gums always bleed, that’s normal for me”. It may be something frequently occurring for some, but is it healthy? The journey of oral bacteria and how it affects our whole body is an amazing one. Oral bacteria, plaque, starts so innocently as a little fuzzy coating on our teeth. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria that can form in the mouth, most aiding in digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of the mouth. There are less than 30 bacteria types that are the real trouble makers. If you are thorough with removing the bacteria daily from ALL surfaces of your teeth (in between the teeth too!) the story ends here. Health is intact. For those bacteria left undisturbed/uncleansed you will be amazed to know what they are capable of. It’s far beyond the worries of bad breath! First, the bacteria invades the top layers of the gums causing a gum infection, gingivitis. This can be visible as red puffy gums although, sometimes it is not visible and found hidden in between the teeth. If you were to put a thermometer under an inflamed gum line it would be running a fever. Infection has begun. As the bacterial infection deepens it enters the bloodstream through the weakened gums and can trigger a systemic (whole body) inflammation. The inflammation and bacteria challenge and triggers the liver to become active releasing proteins (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and interleukin 6). This bacteria and inflammation reaction may be linked to atherosclerosis conditions such as stroke. This body wide awareness of the inflammation now starts to alter our body’s natural insulin process causing hyperglycemia. The domino effect continues as it leads to abnormalities in cholesterol and high blood pressure…. All from a little fuzzy surface on your tooth. Who would have thought! If you notice bleeding of your gums, take action. Our arms and legs don’t bleed when we clean up, neither should our gums. Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland in Altamonte Springs FL specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. If you want to learn more about gum disease and various treatments for it, please give us a call at (407) 830-9800 or contact us online today!

HOW DO I DEAL WITH WINTER MOUTH ISSUES?

Winter is a time when people try to have as much fun as possible. From holiday parties to snowy hikes, this time of year brings many opportunities for fun and adventure. However, there are also many threats to your oral health. ORAL HEALTH ISSUES DURING WINTER AND THEIR SOLUTIONS Is the weather cold, windy, or dry where you live? If so, you’re probably familiar with some of the common effects of winter on your oral health – such as sensitive teeth, chapped lips, and bad breath. Your dentist has seen it all before! Here are some pointers from your dentist to combat these issues. * Stay hydrated. Sure, it’s important to stay hydrated no matter the season, but in the winter, it’s especially important. That’s because the cold air dries out your mouth. What’s more, if you use supplemental heating in your home during the colder months, this causes the air to be even drier. That’s why you’ll want plenty of water on hand to sip throughout the day. * Protect your lips. Lips become extra susceptible to chapping during the winter months, so you’ll want to invest in a good lip balm. Look for one that contains sunscreen as well, as this will help prevent the sun from burning your lips once springtime arrives. * Keep up with your oral hygiene routine. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss at least once per day. This will keep your teeth clean and your gums pink and healthy. Stay on top of your daily habits, so your smile will stay healthy over the next month. * Schedule routine cleanings and exams. Just because the season changes doesn’t mean you should stop coming in to see us twice a year for regular cleaning and exam. In fact, you’ll be even more prone to developing oral health problems during the cooler months, so you’ll want to come in more frequently than you normally would. These appointments help us catch any problems before they have a chance to worsen and cause more pain for you. * Use a mouthwash: Your dentist may recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash this winter to help kill germs and bacteria that cause bad breath, plaque buildup, and other common winter mouth issues. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance before making a purchase. If you’re due for a checkup, don’t wait to schedule your next appointment. Call your dental office today to arrange an appointment at a time that’s convenient for your schedule. 

OIL PULLING TO BETTER ORAL HEALTH: FACT OR FICTION?

At Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland, we receive questions from time to time, about alternative methods of oral health care. Recently, we have received a few questions asking if there are any oral benefits to this new craze of “oil pulling,” which is swishing with vegetable-based oil, such as coconut, sesame, or olive, in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. In order to answer your questions, our Altamonte Springs dental office did some extra research and will share what we have learned. What Does Oil Pulling Do? The first thing to note is this is not a new practice. Oil pulling has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, claiming better oral health and many other systemic healings. The idea is that oil pulling helps against gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that cause bad breath by adhering to the lipid, or fatty membrane of the microorganisms inhabiting the mouth. These vegetable-based oils, known for their anti-microbial agents, then eliminate the unhealthy bacteria when the contents, after pulling, are discarded. What Studies Show About Oil Pulling The American Dental Association says that based on the fact that there are insufficient studies and lack of proof of effectiveness of this practice, they cannot recommend oil pulling.They specifically would not recommend this over other oral products that have gone through rigorous testing and have proven benefits. A 2011 Asian study, which was published in the “Asia Journal of Public Health,” compares seven different oils in a laboratory setting “pulling” the oil with bacteria that causes cavities (S. mutans), a common oral fungus (C. albicans) and healthy oral bacteria (L. casei), all commonly found in the mouth. The study did show that out of all the oils, only coconut oil showed some reduction in the unhealthy bacteria and fungus and while not harming the healthy bacteria. Should You Try It? While there is a possibility that there could be some benefit to oil pulling, 20 minutes is a long time to spend on this routine. As an Altamonte Springs dentist, we would recommend spending 5 minutes doing what is tried and true! Give good attention to detail while brushing and flossing, as well as using any and all other recommended oral tools. As far as oil pulling goes, we don’t think any harm will come from this practice if you wanted to give it a try.