Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry

When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to pick out a new one!

Toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months, or sooner if you’ve been sick. An easy way to tell if your brush is ready to be replaced is to check the bristles; if they’re worn and fraying, they’ll be less effective at cleaning your teeth!

August is just about to end, which means autumn is right around the corner. And there’s no better time than the fall to schedule a preventive dental visit; you’ll be setting your smile up for excellent health going into the remainder of the year.

Not to mention, with so many exciting holidays coming up these next few months, you should want your pearly whites to glow brightly for every photo op!

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a toothpick to remove a stuck piece of food debris from your teeth? This is actually unwise! Toothpicks are believed to be one of the most common objects that Americans choke on; not to mention, it’s very possible for them to splinter into smaller pieces and cause damage to the soft issues within your mouth.

Rather than risk dental injury, do your smile a favor and use dental floss or swish water around your mouth for this task!

When talking about cavities, it’s tough to iterate just how common they actually are. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 billion people worldwide have untreated cavities – this is an alarming figure! And in the US alone, at least 26% of adults have untreated cavities.

It goes without saying that the best way to prevent cavities is routine preventive dental care combined with a diligent at-home hygiene regimen; this statistic isn’t one you want to be a part of!

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day! Today we recognize the importance of this special figure who assured us while growing up that it was perfectly okay for our baby teeth to fall out – and that you can even profit from it!

This isn’t a case of déjà vu; this day is observed twice every year, once in February and again in August! It just goes to show how important the Tooth Fairy is, as well as how important dental hygiene is.

What’s your favorite Tooth Fairy memory? Share it with us below!

Did you know that in many ways, your teeth are like miniature time capsules?

Believe it or not, the inside of your teeth contains a wealth of information about you. Scientists can analyze the enamel in teeth to determine things like age, diet, and even the historical period in which a person lived! It’s just another reason to be thankful for your pearly whites and to take excellent care of them!

The summer heat seems to be peaking these days, so you should be sure you’re consuming enough liquids to stay hydrated and cool off. However, gum disease is also more likely to develop if you don’t drink enough water! Your saliva plays an important role in protecting your smile from this serious threat, and if you aren't hydrated, your body won't produce as much saliva.

Most people only drink some water if they start to feel thirsty, especially in hot weather – so it’s in your best interest to drink much earlier, for your body and your smile’s benefit. An easy way to do this is by taking a refillable water bottle with you while you're out and about!

Today is National Creamsicle Day, a day in which we honor and celebrate one of the world's most iconic and beloved frozen treats. With origins dating back to the Great Depression era, there’s no doubt that this iteration of the popsicle isn’t just one of the most recognizable, but also one of the best-tasting. Thankfully, these days they also come in sugar-free versions, which make them much more tooth-friendly!

Take a moment today to enjoy a Creamsicle or another kind of popsicle – they’re also a great way to beat the summer heat. Of course, just be sure to brush your teeth afterward!

After you brush your teeth, where do you place your toothbrush? Setting it in an upright position in a designated toothbrush holder will help it to dry properly and keep it safe from potential falls and spills. You should also be sure to leave it uncovered to prevent bacteria from building up.

Remember, your toothbrush is your most important tool at home for cleaning your pearly whites, so use it diligently and store it correctly!

When was your last dental checkup? Hopefully within the last six months! But did you know that these appointments aren’t a modern invention? In fact, dentistry is one of the world’s oldest professions, with some of the earliest evidence of dental work, such as cavities being filled, dating back over 7000 years.

Luckily, dentistry today is quite different, and safe to say, a lot more sophisticated and effective!

This time of year doesn’t just signal the start of a new school year – it also means that fall sports are just around the corner! However, did you know that each year, approximately 5 million teeth are displaced from their sockets during sports and physical games?

Not every dental accident can be prevented, but an athletic mouthguard can certainly prevent the vast majority of them. That said, don’t even think about taking the field without one of these trusted devices!

If you’ve ever seen the movie Titanic, you probably remember the part with the giant iceberg – but did you know your teeth are similar to icebergs? Much like how only the top portion of an iceberg is visible above the ocean’s surface, you can only see a portion of your teeth; about two-thirds of them are beneath your gumline!

This hidden portion, known as the root, plays a vital role in dental health and the stability of your teeth. Just another reason to keep your teeth and gums in great shape!

You’ve probably heard that soda isn’t exactly the best beverage for your teeth, since these drinks often contain high amounts of sugar. However, another big problem with soda involves sipping; if you’re slowly drinking a soda, you’re giving it more time to come in contact with your teeth and cause harm!

This means that if you can’t help enjoying a soda every now and then, try to finish it quickly or use a straw, to reduce the amount of contact it comes into with your pearly whites. Of course, you could also simply skip the soda in favor of good old-fashioned water.

Happy National Avocado Day! Did you know that avocados aren’t just tasty – they’re also great for your teeth? They’re packed with vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, which directly benefit your teeth and gums. They also contain folic acid, which helps in cell renewal, therefore strengthening gum tissue!

Today, don’t shy away from having an avocado or adding one to one of your favorite recipes to make it a bit healthier; your smile will thank you!

Did you know that your dominant hand is often tied to which side of your mouth you chew on? Right-handed individuals often chew on the right side of their mouths, while those who are left-handed tend to do the opposite.

But to avoid chronic jaw problems, it is recommended that you use both sides of your jaw as much as possible when you’re eating; your teeth and jaw muscles will thank you!

Most of us can agree that few things are as refreshing as ice cream, a popsicle, or a snow cone during a hot summer day – but what about the resulting tooth sensitivity that occurs?

For many, tooth sensitivity puts a damper on these sweet treats; in fact, they say over 40 million Americans experience tooth sensitivity from time to time. It’s normal to experience temporary sensitivity when enjoying hot or cold foods and beverages, but if the sensation persists for days or becomes severe, don’t shrug it off; it might be a sign of an underlying issue.

Today is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, and there’s no better way to cool off and beat the summer heat than by indulging in a delicious ice cream sundae loaded with all your favorite toppings!

Just don’t forget to brush your teeth afterward; these frozen concoctions have high amounts of sugar, so you’ll want to enjoy them in moderation and stay on top of your hygiene habits in order to maintain excellent dental health.

As the heat begins peaking this summer, you might find yourself thirsty and with a dry mouth a lot more often than usual. But did you know having a dry mouth can actually be harmful to your dental health?

Your saliva helps to keep problem-causing bacteria inside your mouth at bay; this means that if you’re feeling thirsty, give your smile the edge it needs to look and feel its best, and drink a glass of water!

With back-to-school season rapidly approaching, you should know that an estimated 51 million hours of school are missed by children annually due to needing to visit their dentist for a specific oral health problem. This is why preventive dentistry is paramount; this routine care can ensure that your child stays in the classroom and focused on learning!

Of course, preventive dentistry also allows the rest of us to go to our jobs with a bright and healthy smile on our faces!

Do you have children who spend every hour of daylight during the summer playing sports and outdoor games? Or maybe you enjoy them yourself – but no matter if it’s you or your child on the field, you’ll want to ensure that an athletic mouthguard is worn. These small devices are incredibly useful, given that they can prevent serious dental injuries!

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, one of the most reputable dental organizations out there, the average person spends only 45 to 70 seconds brushing their teeth. This is less than half of the recommended 2 to 3 minutes!

But if you see things through, you should spend at least 40 collective days brushing your teeth over your lifetime. That’s quite a lot of protection for your pearly whites!

Hopefully you’re using sunscreen while spending time outdoors this summer, but you should also protect your lips – they’re vulnerable to UV rays, too!

Protect them with an SPF lip balm, wear a hat to cover your face, and also stay hydrated to help them combat the hot weather. Cracked, burned, or bleeding lips are not doing your smile any favors for all of those summer photo ops!

Summertime is the perfect time for selfies! But did you know that almost half of all social media users admit to un-tagging themselves from a photo on Facebook or Instagram because of their smile? Nobody should ever feel this self-conscious! No matter your concerns, the smile you’ve always dreamed of is very attainable with a little help from your trusted dentist.

Do you have any fun trips planned this summer? Many of us find time to take a vacation (or a staycation) during the summer months. However, it’s unfortunately pretty easy to get too busy or distracted to remember to brush your teeth while you’re away from home. Be sure that you’re packing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and anything else you need before your trip; going on vacation does not mean taking a vacation from your dental hygiene.

Let us know where you’re heading this season – and have a nice time!

When was the last time you had a glass of water?

Staying hydrated is important, but drinking water also serves another chief purpose: it stimulates your mouth’s saliva flow! Your saliva is your first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, meaning that by simply drinking water, you’re very much helping out your teeth and gums. Just don’t substitute water for brushing your teeth!

Happy Independence Day!

While you enjoy the BBQs and fireworks, don’t forget about your dental health. Here’s to celebrating freedom and the freedom to smile confidently!

Plaque doesn’t just build up on your teeth; it can also build up on your tongue! This can lead to a foul mouth odor, as well as several other potential oral health issues. You should gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth to help keep your whole mouth clean and problem-free!

Did you know that brushing your teeth too hard can be just as harmful as not brushing them at all? Overbrushing can wear down the enamel of your teeth, leading to painful sensitivity as well as increased vulnerability to cavities and decay. Both adults and children can have the tendency to overbrush, too.

One easy way to tell if you’re brushing too hard is if the bristles of your toothbrush are being squashed against your teeth – if so, ease up! Your pearly whites will thank you.

Do you ever notice yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? It might also unknowingly occur during the night while you’re asleep, which can cause your jaw to feel sore when you wake up.

Often, teeth grinding and jaw clenching are related to bruxism, a condition that can lead to worn-down tooth enamel and excess strain on the temporomandibular joints, which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. These problems won’t resolve on their own and can affect patients of any age; however, with professional intervention, these uncomfortable symptoms can be managed!

Who doesn’t love having fun under the summer sun? Not only is it a great way to pass the time, stay active, and work on your tan, but the UV rays from the sun also help your body produce vitamin D, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones! In this sense, getting some sun will quite literally benefit your smile this summer.

Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen; otherwise, the resulting sunburn will be quite a bummer!