by Roseman Dental | Mar 15, 2016 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Do you actually go to the dentist twice as year, as many dental professional recommend? If not, you should really be scheduling routine dental exams often. There are numerous benefits, and you are putting your oral health at risk by not having a professional regularly examine your teeth and gums. Here are just a few reasons why you should schedule dental appointments twice a year.
Check for Oral Health Problems
Unless something is really hurting you, then it is likely that you will remain unaware if a problem is developing within your teeth or gums. Gum disease can sometimes start off as asymptomatic, but become far more serious if it’s not treated. A professional dentist will be able to detect any problems, big or small, and recommend the most appropriate treatment. X-rays may also be taken to see if any issues are growing out of the dentist’s sight.
Thorough Teeth Cleaning
You should be brushing twice a day and flossing once daily, but even that is not always enough to stop the spread of plaque. Dentists have higher-quality tools to remove plaque and tartar. In addition to eliminating tartar, your dentist will also polish the teeth to help eliminate surface stains. You cannot get this level of cleaning at home, and it is a huge benefit if you get a professional cleaning twice yearly.
Recommendations in Your Oral Healthcare Routine
After examining and cleaning your teeth, your dentist will tell you if there is anything you need to change in your oral healthcare routine, such as brushing more often or adding flossing to your routine. A dentist may also see that you are brushing every day, but you are doing it incorrectly and can show you how to brush properly.
The combination of daily dental cleaning and professional check-ups every so often will increase your chances of healthy teeth throughout your life. If it has been a while since your last visit to the dentist, then schedule one at your earliest convenience.
by Roseman Dental | Mar 10, 2016 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Oral hygiene is important for people of all ages. Young children, in particular, can benefit from good oral health habits. Setting good habits with your children can improve their overall health and prevent oral problems like cavities and gingivitis, so use these tips to teach children effective habits.
Brush and Floss Daily
Children should understand the importance of brushing and flossing at a young age. These simple activities are the best ways to prevent tooth decay. Regular brushing helps to remove plaque build up on the teeth, while flossing helps remove food and residue that is lodged between the teeth and underneath the gums.
To help your children with brushing and flossing, make sure they have the right tools. You can purchase floss and toothpaste made specifically for children, and parents should help children with brush until the child has the manual dexterity to tie their shoes. Also, make sure to change out their toothbrushes regularly.
Eating a Balanced Diet
Poor eating habits can contribute to oral health problems. It is especially important to limit the amount of starchy and sugary foods your child consumes. These foods can cause plaque to build up on the teeth, and they are one of the main causes of decay. If your child does consume these foods, have them rinse their mouth with water after eating. It is also a good idea to give your children drinking water with fluoride.
Visit the Dentist
Part of establishing good oral hygiene with children involves visiting the dentist. You can schedule regular checkups with the dentist for a thorough cleaning and inspection. It is also important to visit the dentist if your child experiences a mouth injury or loses a tooth.
When you establish good oral health habits, your children will be less likely to develop cavities or gum problems. It is important to implement these tips sooner rather than later because as your children get older, they need to understand and practice good oral hygiene on their own.
by Roseman Dental | Mar 3, 2016 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Finding your child a dentist is something like hiring a lawyer – you don’t want to just pick one at random. That being said, it is recommended that kids see their first dentist when either their first tooth grows in or they reach their first birthday for their best chance at establishing healthy, lifelong oral hygiene habits.
How should you go about picking a pediatric dentist, however, and how can you be sure to find one that is experienced, professional and yet still great at making little ones feel at ease? When it comes to the initial search, consider the following.
Casting a Net to find a Qualified Pediatric Dentist
When on the hunt for a qualified pediatric dentist, you may find it helpful to:
- Consult friends or family members. A personal recommendation from a long-time client is tough to top.
- Check out the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry database and search it for professionals in your area.
- Ask your pediatrician. Few people have a better grip on child health care needs and offerings in your community than your existing pediatrician.
- Search local review sites. This is also a great way to gather more information about a potential pediatrician you haven’t quite decided whether to see.
Once you have a few prospective professionals, you can start to research them further by name.
Additional Considerations in Choosing a Pediatric Dentist
Some parents prefer to have their children visit the same dental office that they do. If this sounds like you, that may be fine, depending on the age of your children. However, many younger children benefit from cheery, brightly colored environments designed and intended for kids. They also may find that the waiting room in pediatric dentist’s offices generally have more to offer the younger set than a few old magazines.
Finally, consider the unique needs and personality traits of your child. If they are generally timid or fearful of the dentist, you’ll want to factor this in in making your final decision and be sure to choose an office where he or she will feel especially comfortable and at ease.
by Roseman Dental | Feb 23, 2016 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
As an adult, you’re probably well aware that your best chance at healthy teeth and gums involves brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugar and acidic foods, and making periodic visits to the dentist, but can you honestly say you gave your teeth and gums the same degree of attention when you were a child?
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, making it a great time to instill those healthy habits that you now know by heart. A lot of kids visit the dentist and then practice strong dental hygiene for several weeks, but all too often, the “importance” of maintaining healthy teeth and gums starts to fade, and the brushing and flossing instances become fewer and farther between. Here’s what your kids need to know this month and every month to maintain healthy teeth and gums and prevent tooth deterioration and related problems down the line.
The Longer Sugar Sits on Your Teeth, the Greater the Damage
When you eat or drink a lot of sugar, that sugar produces acids that dissolve and damage your teeth. Generally, the more sugar you eat, the higher your chances of tooth decay. While it’s not realistic to avoid all sugar altogether for the rest of your life, it’s wise to brush as soon as possible after consuming sugary foods and drinks in an effort to minimize the time sugar sits in your mouth – and therefore, the damage it does to your teeth. Brushing twice a day is great, but brushing after every meal is even better.
Brush (at Least) Twice a Day for Two Minutes at a Time
Teach your kids to brush in the morning, at night and ideally, in between. Brushing twice daily is critical for preventing tooth decay and eliminating embarrassing problems like bad breath, but it’s also important that you brush for long enough to make an impact. A full two minutes is the recommendation, so get your kids a timer or have them use a cell phone or clock to ensure they’re brushing vigorously for the entire two-minute period.
Follow these tips and make sure your kids visit the dentist regularly for their best chance at beautiful, long lasting and healthy teeth and gums.
by Roseman Dental | Feb 17, 2016 | Clinic Events - UT, Dental Clinic Blog, Dental School, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - UT
By: Raymond Durham, Roseman DMD Class of 2017
On the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids a Smile® (GKAS) kick-off day, February 5, Roseman University’s College of Dental Medicine held its 3rd annual GKAS event at our Dental Clinic. As a non-profit institution of higher education, Roseman University is committed to improving oral health care for children in Utah and throughout the Intermountain West.
The event provides a unique opportunity to increase access to care for these children, while also allowing dental students to participate in an important cause that they will hopefully continue when they enter a career as a dental provider.
The ADA Foundation began Give Kids a Smile to raise awareness for “children who do not receive dental care…and to establish a dental home,” according to the ADA Foundation website (adafoundation.org). Roseman’s approach to GKAS parallels that goal by providing free dental care for children on the day of the event, offering vouchers for patients to return for future care, and providing an affordable option for families that otherwise do not have access to dental care. Previous events have resulted in about 45 percent of patients returning to The Dental Clinic at Roseman University as their dental home. Of these, over 80 percent reported having no dental insurance, 50 percent had not seen a dentist in over a year, and 48 percent had unmet dental needs, including decay. Perhaps more importantly, children who participated in the event received a positive experience at a dental office and were able to learn more about the importance of oral health care.
“Meeting student doctors, playing games, and learning about dental health is a great opportunity to establish a positive lasting effect for children regarding their oral health care. Hopefully events like this plant a seed to help children maintain their oral health and feel comfortable attending the dentist throughout their life,” said Dr. Aaron Ferguson, Director of Public Health Education at Roseman University College of Dental Medicine.
At the 2016 event, 503 children received limited exams, cleanings, and sealants. The total estimated value of the services provided the day of the event is over $90,000. Additionally, all children who attended the event received a voucher to return for a comprehensive exam, a complete set of radiographs (X-rays), and $50 to put toward future care if needed.
In total Roseman University’s Give Kids a Smile program will result in over $214,000 worth of dental care donated to the community, and a dental home for hundreds of children in need. We are excited about the success of this year’s event, and look forward to next year’s Give Kids a Smile® event.
You can find more information about The Dental Clinic at Roseman University, which offers affordable dental care for the whole family in the Salt Lake area, and about future events here. If you missed Give Kids a Smile, remember that you can always come in for a screening at no cost. Just call 801-878-1200 to schedule it.
by Roseman Dental | Feb 3, 2016 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Everyone should practice good dental hygiene, but athletes face a very unique risk. Depending on the exact sport you play, your jaw or face may be at risk of experiencing injury where your teeth could break or become dislodged entirely, so there are specific practices that should be followed so that you can hang onto all your teeth for much longer.
Mouthguards
A mouthguard can do a lot of good if you participate in a contact sport like football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, or hockey. High school and college athletes should wear one of these at all times, including during both practices and actual games, since injuries can occur at anytime. Not only will tooth loss or damage cause pain, but it also costs a lot of money to replace your missing tooth with a crown or bridge.
Keep in mind that there are different types of mouthguards and the right one for you can vary depending on your sport and activity levels. You can likely go to any sporting goods store and find some standard mouthguards, but these are not going to be the best type of protection. Generic guards offer minimal protection, so you should instead get a mouthguard that is specifically designed to fit over your teeth. These can be obtained from most dental professionals.
What Happens When You Don’t Wear a Mouthguard?
Without a mouthguard, your teeth could easily get chipped, cracked, broken, or knocked out, which means you could pay thousands of dollars in replacement costs. Not only is there the financial weight of losing a tooth, but you will also need to spend hours in a dentist’s office and recovering from the procedure (which likely means missing some time out on the field). Thousands of injuries are prevented every year thanks to the use of mouthguards, so you should definitely wear one yourself.
Anyone who plays basketball, volleyball, rugby, soccer or other intense sports should always utilize a specialized faceguard. You would not play sports without a helmet, knee pads or other protective gear, and a mouthguard should be viewed the same way.
