Tzagournis Dental Group of Westerville

Though it might feel like the year just started for some of us, believe it or not, there are just a few months left of 2024! This means that if you haven’t attended your second routine checkup of the year (or your first), now is the time to get it scheduled.

Routine preventive care plays a very integral role in maintaining a healthy smile. Even if you brush and floss every single day, it’s simply not possible to clear away every particle of debris or bacteria. Do yourself a favor by keeping up with these visits, so that you can end 2024 with a bright and healthy grin on your face!

You’ve probably heard that the common cold is the most widespread disease in the world – but did you know that tooth decay is a very close second? It’s estimated that nearly 90% of adults ages 20 to 64 have had decay in their teeth at some point during their lives.

For a condition that can easily be prevented through routine dental hygiene, this figure is far too high – and not one that you should want to be a part of! All the more reason to stay on top of your daily hygiene regimen as we head into the autumn season this year.

These days, sugary beverages like soda seem to be everywhere – and if you’ve ever had an ice-cold Coca-Cola on a hot day, it’s easy to understand why these drinks are so popular and beloved!

But to put it plainly, soda doesn’t get along very well with your teeth! In fact, people who drink 3 or more glasses of soda daily are a whopping 62% more likely to develop tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and other sorts of dental issues.

Needless to say, there are plenty of better beverages out there for your smile like water, milk, or even green tea – opting for one of these is doing yourself a huge favor!

We’re now well into September, so here’s a reminder that this month is also National Gum Care Month! Even though you should be brushing, flossing, and caring for your teeth and gums year-round, it never hurts to spend some extra time each September to read up and understand how to ensure you’re free of gum disease and other nasty problems.

Remember, your gums are just as important as your pearly whites, so take the time to care for them diligently and your smile will thank you!

Today we recognize National School Picture Day, a day designated to celebrate the worldwide tradition of schools taking photos of their students. School pictures serve as a way to capture a moment in time during a student’s academic journey, and there’s also no better chance to smile brightly and proudly!

That said, give your smile the spotlight it deserves, whether you’re a current student or not, by brushing and flossing daily and confidently showing off your camera-ready smile!

It’s National School Picture Day! Today we celebrate the long-standing and global tradition of schools taking individual and group photos of their students for yearbooks, sports teams, clubs, and more – and needless to say, it’s also a day when students should want their smiles to look their best.

Whether you’re currently a student or your school days are behind you, smile brightly today and sport a picture-worthy grin!

The human body is a masterpiece, and we have the ability to heal ourselves after all sorts of different injuries and recover from various types of illnesses. However, did you know that your teeth are technically the only body parts you have that are incapable of healing on their own?

The enamel layer of your teeth, or their outermost layer, can sustain damage due to chronically poor oral hygiene, bruxism, or other dental issues. In these cases, dental intervention is often needed – but in any case, it’s best to try to prevent this damage from occurring in the first place.

You already know what we’re going to say – brush and floss daily and keep up your routine checkups. Even though your teeth won’t heal themselves, you can simply reduce the need for healing by taking proactive care of them!

We’re now well into September, so here’s a reminder that this month is also National Gum Care Month! Even though you should be brushing, flossing, and caring for your teeth and gums year-round, it never hurts to spend some extra time each September to read up and understand how to ensure you’re free of gum disease and other nasty problems.

Remember, your gums are just as important as your pearly whites, so take the time to care for them diligently and your smile will thank you!

Autumn has finally arrived, which hopefully means that cooler temperatures are just around the corner! And before you know it, the leaves of trees all over will begin turning yellow, orange, red, and other warm, cheerful shades.

However, when it comes to teeth, we don’t prefer yellow – we prefer sparkling white! While some discoloration is natural as we age, certain foods and drinks can also darken your smile, including things like coffee, tea, red wines and sauces, and more. Chronically poor oral hygiene is also a factor when it comes to dental staining.

To ensure that your smile remains white and bright as we enter the latter seasons of the year, be sure that you’re brushing and flossing diligently, as well as enjoying certain snacks and beverages in moderation.

These days, toothpaste comes in several different types and flavors – there’s even bacon-flavored toothpaste for the many foodies out there! Of course, it’s hard to top the classic, icy peppermint flavor that many of us opt for.

However, despite how modern this oral hygiene product may seem, did you know that toothpaste originated in Ancient Greece? Back then, everything from pumice, talc, alabaster, and coral powder, to even iron rust was used as toothpaste. Thankfully, toothpaste today is much safer and effective, not to mention, better tasting!

Pretty much everyone has heard just how important it is to brush and floss their teeth every single day – and for most, brushing comes before flossing. However, did you know that recent research shows it might be better to floss before you brush? By cleaning the debris from between your teeth first, you’re making your toothbrush’s job much easier!

But in any case, as long as you’re practicing both of these habits daily, your smile will be kept in great shape!

Do you pay close attention to how much dental floss you use each time you floss your teeth? It’s easy to get a little carried away – and you might accidentally pull off a strand that’s way longer than you need! The magic number is 18 inches; this ensures you have enough length to wrap it comfortably around your fingers so that it can then be used to easily clean every space between your teeth.

Of course, you can always instead opt for using a dental flosser to make things simpler; as long as you’re flossing, that’s what’s important!

Today, we honor all of the hard work and dedication that drives our nation forward. Enjoy yourselves and have a safe and Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of all workers across our nation – and especially those in the dental field! Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a toothpick to remove a stuck piece of food debris from your teeth? You might want to think twice about that!

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/or cause damage to the soft issues within your mouth.

Rather than risk dental injury, do your smile a favor and use dental floss for this task - that's what it's made for, after all!

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!

After you brush your teeth, where do you place your toothbrush? Hopefully, you put some thought into this!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day!

Twice a year, once in February and again in August, we commemorate the magical moment when children lose a tooth, and the Tooth Fairy pays them a visit. As we celebrate this whimsical tradition, let’s also appreciate the importance of dental health from children on. After all, a healthy smile starts with the first tooth!

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

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!

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!

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? This is quite a large figure!

Not every 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 or letting your child gear up without one of these trusted devices!

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!

Today is National Creamsicle Day!

Invented in the early 20th century, these iconic popsicles are the perfect way to beat the heat this August. Did you know orange isn’t the only flavor that these frozen treats come in? Other flavors include cherry, grape, lime, blue raspberry, blueberry, and others. They also come in sugar-free and low-calorie varieties, which is something your teeth will be grateful for!

Take a few minutes today to savor one of summer’s small pleasures and celebrate the history of the Creamsicle! Of course, don’t forget to brush your teeth after having one!