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All Posts in Category: Gum Health

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what is the best toothbrush

How to Buy the Perfect Toothbrush for Your Mouth

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Does the perfect toothbrush exist?

For most people, the toothbrush selection process is relatively simple. There is the assumption that all toothbrushes will brush the same, and that isn’t true. All toothbrushes aren’t equal.

If you want to purchase the best toothbrush, you should consider factors such as the size and shape of the head. Also, check the type of bristles the toothbrush has. But more importantly, ensure the toothbrush is ADA approved. If you ever have questions about what type of toothbrush might be best for you, you can always speak with your friendly 3V Dental Associates dentist or dental hygienist.

We’ll now look into the factors you need to consider if you want to purchase the best toothbrush for your mouth, and they include:

1. Type of Bristles

There are different types of bristles, including medium, soft, and hard. It doesn’t matter whether you use a mechanical or manual toothbrush. The bristle types will differ. As for the bristle’s density, soft nylon is preferable since it cannot cause any damage as you brush your teeth.

The teeth will seem hard; however, acidic drinks and sugary foods can weaken them. When you use a toothbrush that has hard or medium bristles, you’ll make it worse for the root surface, enamel, and gums. You can only use a toothbrush that has stiff bristles if the dentist recommends you to do so.

2. The Brush Head’s Size

The brush head’s size matters since it affects the quality of brushing. The brush head will come in different sizes. When you acquire the best size, you can easily clean the front, back, and top of the teeth to ensure maximum cleaning.

Some toothbrushes have large brush heads; however, they’re not ideal for many people. They can make it hard to reach places that are hard to clean, such as molars. If necessary, acquire a toothbrush that has a large brush head. You can also liaise with your dentist on such matters.

The toothbrush you purchase should also have an easy grip. Purchase one with a long handle such that you can comfortably hold it in your hand.

3. Straight Vs. Rounded Bristles

You may not have noticed that the tips of the toothbrush bristles usually come in two shapes. There are straight and rounded bristles. You can assume it’s not a big deal; however, the shape of the bristles will have a significant impact on a person’s oral health.

Straight bristles will ensure your mouth feels clean. For the round bristles, they’ll cause more harm. If the bristles have jagged and sharp tips, they can damage your gums, and the chances of inflammation and infection will be high.

Ensure you acquire a toothbrush that has rounded bristles. It can protect your gums from inflammation and infections. They’re also suitable for people with sensitive gums.

4. Electric or Manual Toothbrush?

In this case, it’s all about personal preferences. Both toothbrush types work well, and they ensure your teeth are completely clean. The primary consideration is ensuring the toothbrush you have chosen can brush for two minutes at ease using proper techniques.

Most people usually consider the cost of the toothbrush. The electric toothbrush costs more. When replacing the brush heads, you’ll part with a significant amount of money. If the toothbrush allows you to clean your teeth well, then it is worth it.

5. ADA (American Dental Association) Approved

If the ADA has approved a toothbrush, it means it can clean your teeth well such that your oral health will be in good condition at all times. Before a toothbrush has been approved, it will undergo some tests. The approval means the toothbrush is safe, and it is the best for cleaning your teeth.

What does the ADA approval seal mean? It means:

· The handle is sturdy, and the toothbrush is suitable for daily use
· The bristles have safe tips
· The brush can reduce plaque accumulation and gum disease
· Bristles cannot fall out if you brush frequently

Final Thoughts

Your oral hygiene matters, which is why you need to have a proper toothbrush such that your overall and dental health will be in check throughout. You can also engage a dentist and discuss the oral hygiene practices in your household. The dentist will shed light on the best toothbrush when it comes to your dental health. You should also adhere to all the tips we have listed above if you want to get the right toothbrush.

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foods that are good for your oral health

The Best And Worst Foods for Your Teeth

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What you eat can affect your gums and teeth. If you eat foods that are filled with sugar and starches, then you can increase your risk of gum disease and cavities. There are also foods that can help fight tooth decay. The following is a list of foods that should be included and excluded from your diet.

Best Foods for Your Mouth

Fruits And Vegetables That Are High in Fiber

The American Dental Association recommends that you eat foods that are high in fiber. They can help you maintain a clean mouth. Foods that are fibrous naturally clean your mouth by keeping the saliva flowing. The saliva helps neutralize the acids that trigger tooth decay. Your saliva has a small amount of phosphate and calcium.

Bacterial acids can cause your teeth to lose calcium and phosphate. Fibrous fruits and vegetables can help re-mineralize your teeth.

Dairy Products

Dairy products like cheese can stimulate saliva production. They are also high in phosphate and calcium. You can rebuild your enamel by eating dairy products.

Black And Green Teas

Both black tea and green tea have antioxidants in them that are known as polyphenols. These polyphenols can destroy bacteria. If you brew your tea with fluoridated water, then you can help your teeth even more.

Sugarless Chewing Gum

Sugar-containing gum can make you more susceptible to developing tooth decay. That is why if you love chewing gum, then you need to chew sugarless gum. Sugarless gum can help stimulate saliva production.

Fluoridated Foods

Most people know that many places have water with fluorine in it. There are also foods that have fluorine in it. There are dehydrated soups and powdered juices that have fluorine in it. Other foods that have fluorine in it include seafood, poultry products and powdered cereals.

The Worst Foods for Your Teeth

Sweets And Sticky Candies

Any type of sugary, sweet food that you eat can be bad for your teeth. However, the worst ones to eat are the ones that linger on your teeth for long periods of time. This includes cough drops, caramel and lollipops.

You may have heard that chocolate is good for your teeth. There are have been studies done to support this, but most of these studies have been done by the candy industry. However, it is easier to remove chocolate from your teeth than other types of candy. If you like chocolate, then it is best for you to choose the kind that is made up of 70 percent cocoa.

Starchy Foods

Starchy foods are not good for your mouth because they tend to stick to your teeth. This includes potato chips and bread.

Carbonated Drinks

If you sip on sodas and carbonated drinks all day, then your chances of having tooth decay will be greater. Carbonated beverages are filled with sugar. They can also strip away your enamel.

Drying Substances

Dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay. That is why you need to avoid foods that can dry out your mouth. If you take a medication that dries out your mouth, then you should consult with your physician. You can also ask your dentist if a fluoride gel or fluoride rinse will be right for you.

How to Eat to Keep Your Mouth Healthy

In addition to eating healthy, you can take the following

  • If you choose to eat something sugary, then you should eat it with your regular meals. This will reduce the effects of the acid.
  • Avoid snacking in between meals.
  • Increase your water intake.
  • Floss once a day.
  • Brush your teeth twice a day.
  • Visit your local dentist AT LEAST once per year!
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non surgical gum treatments port washington ny

Improve Your Gum Health with These Simple Tips

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We often think of brushing teeth and flossing as an essential routine for cosmetic reasons. However, we often overlook the care of our gums. Is taking care of gums different than caring for our teeth? If so, how do we maintain healthy gums? At 3V Dental we pride ourselves on oral health care, and love to share easy, helpful information that might help improve your oral health. Below are some easy tips, from our Port Washington Dental Team, to follow for improved gum health!

Reduce Bad Habits for Improved Gum Health

There are definitely substances that can increase your risk of gingivitis, even with regular dental visits and cleanings. For example, sugar can contribute to poor oral health. This is because the bacteria that help form plaque love sugar. Reducing the amount of sugar you consume will greatly improve your oral health in a natural way. Another important fact to consider is that tobacco consumption greatly increases your risk of gum disease. Ceasing tobacco use will make oral care easier and have the added benefit of cosmetic improvements.

Keep A Regular Dental Routine

You can’t expect to have healthy gums if you aren’t making a concerted effort to remove plaque. The truth is that our mouths are the perfect environment for many bacteria to thrive in. They are at a warm temperature and have foods, like sugar, that bacteria can feed off of. This is precisely why we’re always preached to about brushing and flossing. Brushing twice a day will certainly help you to keep a clean mouth but if you’re able to brush after every meal or after consuming harmful substances, it will help even more. Many people admit to skipping the flossing part of their daily routine because it can be a bit more time consuming. However, if you aren’t flossing your teeth on a daily basis, you’re allowing bacteria to settle in the crevices of your teeth. Ultimately, this will deteriorate the health of your mouth by causing cavities or gingivitis.

Many people also benefit from the daily use of an oral rinse. These can be helpful because they can reach additional areas you may have missed and break down bacteria that may be opportunistically hiding. You should always consult your dentist for personalized recommendations about oral care products because sensitivity level, bone health, and implants should all be considered. In general, most dentists will recommend a toothpaste with fluoride because they will be the most effective in eliminating bacteria.

Schedule Regular Oral Health Exams

You may pride yourself on how well you maintain your oral care routine at home. You may brush, floss, and rinse like clockwork and never have suffered a cavity. It is still critical that you maintain a routine with your 3V dentist for a cleaning though. With the latest technology, and dental equipment, our dentists can approach your mouth from an outside perspective. This allows them to achieve a deeper clean than even a flawless routine can achieve. Did you know that 3V Dental also offers non-surgical gum treatments? For more information, see here.

Improve Gum Health Naturally

The consumption of vitamin C can help you to prevent disease. Most people are aware that vitamin C can help you fight minor illnesses like the common cold by boosting your immune system. It works pretty much the same way for oral health. The healthier your gums are to begin with and the more prepared the immune system is, the better it will be at combating bacteria. Vitamin C also strengthens soft tissue, which is what largely what your mouth is made of. It is important to note that if you’re between appointments and are concerned about infection, check the area for redness, swelling, tenderness, and test the attachment to the teeth. These can all be warning signs of infection.

Gum health should be important to you and your family, so take pride in understanding the factors that may affect your gums and oral hygiene. Be sure to schedule a yearly visit to our Port Washington dental office at minimum for healthy teeth and gums!

Our Port Washington Dental Office Contact Information:

91 Main St.
Port Washington, NY 11050
**Additional 5 hour parking available around the corner.
(Make a right directly after Carlo’s Pizza)**

Phone :516-944-7000

Fax :516-944-4003

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signs of gum disease dentist port washington ny

The Importance of Gum Health

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Maintaining healthy gums is not only paramount to exhibiting aesthetically-pleasing personal qualities such as a nice smile but also may have far reaching consequences in determining an individual’s overall health and well-being in both the near and distant future. This short article will highlight several ways in which the gums can impact general bodily health. Remember, our Port Washington dentist office specializes in oral care and gum health. Be sure to schedule your annual checkup with one of our dentists today for a full screening on gum health!

Oral Health

Failure to regularly perform oral care maintenance actions like tooth brushing, utilizing floss to remove food and other particles that may collect between the teeth and receiving regular and thorough dental and periodontal checkups can precipitate two types of gum infections known respectively as gingivitis and periodontitis. Though considered a mild oral malady, gingivitis can elicit several bothersome symptoms such as gums that are swollen, red, sensitive and easily susceptible to bleeding. Should this disease not be adequately managed, it could be the harbinger of the more serious oral ailment periodontitis, which precipitates more painful manifestations of the symptoms associated with gingivitis and can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Nutritional Intake and the Impact on Your Gums

Should gum disease progress, a stricken individual might notice pain while eating and drinking or may find performing actions like chewing difficult. In instances where he or she has experienced a significant degree of tooth loss, consuming certain foods altogether might be challenging. Prolonged eating challenges might precipitate problems that could one day manifest in a host of nutritional deficiencies and other diseases.

Prevent Infection with Improved Gum Health

People with gum disease often have an increased concentration of bacteria circulating throughout their mouths. In some cases, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems, this bacteria can spread beyond the mouth, enter the bloodstream and potentially cause infection to a vital organ or bodily region.

Prevent Heart And Circulation Problems with Better Gum Care

Scientific studies conducted have shown the bacteria that enters the bloodstream via the oral route may also precipitate inflammation, or swelling in the areas of the body in which it collects. One region these microbial organisms are believed to collect is in and around the blood vessels in the heart. Eventually, this process could lead to atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries, which may contribute to heart attacks and interrupted circulation.

Diabetes May be Prevented

Other scientific research has concluded that uncontrolled blood sugar may lead to oral maladies. Diabetes typically causes a thickening of the blood vessels which can result in a decrease in the body’s ability to eliminate waste products such as the plaque and bacteria that builds up on teeth.

Other Conditions

Poor oral care is also believed to potentially contribute to other medical conditions such as premature birth, respiratory ailments, and low birth-weight in infants born to stricken mothers.

How Gum Disease Can Be Avoided

The best way to avoid oral maladies is to devote significant attention to maintaining oral care. Most dentists recommend brushing of the teeth at least several times per day and flossing after each meal. In addition, dentists and periodontists recommend that their patients receive routine oral and periodontal checkups. However, should any significant dental or periodontal malady develop, patients might need to prevent the spread of such ailments by undergoing more aggressive forms of non-surgical gum treatments such as gum laser treatments.

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