Call Us Today!

877-343-3253

Seasonal

Author Archive

Reducing Your Risk For Heart Disease By Brushing Your Teeth

gentledental_heart_healthA new study has shown that by brushing your teeth twice a day, not only will you reduce cavities, but you might also be reducing your risk for heart disease.

 

Bristol University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland found that poor oral hygeine transports bacteria called streptococcus gordonii from the mouth to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. This bacteria increases the risk of blood clots and inflammation.

 

This bacteria is involved in the process of plaque forming on the teeth, and if left in the mouth too long, may reach the bloodstream. It then causes the blood to clot and increases the risk of endocarditis, a heart infection.

 

Yet another reason to brush your teeth twice a day!

Foods That Whiten Teeth

Posted on: by gdgadmin No Comments

Foods That Whiten TeethDid you know that there are certain foods that will whiten your teeth over a period of time?

Celery, apples, and carrots

Crunchy fruits and vegatables stimulate saliva production. The gentle abrasive action actually scrubs your teeth too.

Broccoli

Remember when you were told to eat that broccoli? Maybe you should have listened! Broccoli is not only rich in antioxidants, but it also adds an acid-resistant film to your teeth that protects the enamel. A laboratory in Brazil has found that this “bath” may cut erosion from sodas in half!

Oranges and pineapples

When you eat tart fruits, your saliva glands go into overdrive. If you rub the white side of an orange peel on your teeth, it helps to brighten your smile.

Strawberries

Strawberries don’t stain your teeth like other brightly colored berries. The seeds also provide a natural scrubbing agent. Try mixing mashed-up strawberries with baking powder to make your own toothpaste!

Apple cider vinegar

If you can stomach swishing this in your mouth, apple cider vinegar is a great stain remover.

Shiitake mushrooms

A sugar in Shiitake mushrooms called lentinan helps prevent bacteria from forming plaque in the mouth. Less plaque means less tooth decay.

Sesame seeds and almonds

The AACD states that sesame seeds act as scrubbers and provide calcium for strong and healthy teeth. Almonds are good scrubbers as well.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene In Emergencies

Posted on: by gdgadmin No Comments

Dental Hygiene During Emergencies

With hurricane season among us, it is a good time to review some “need to knows” about brushing with compromised resources. Here are suggestions for keeping your mouth healthy when in an emergency situation.

If you have access to a toothbrush and are without water, you can still use it to brush the particles off the teeth. Dry brushing stimulates the salivary glands and will provide some natural digestion for the particles as well.

If you have no toothbrush handy, you can use your clean finger with some toothpaste. Remember to spit it out!

Even in a worse-case-scenario, if all you have is a fluoride mouthwash, use it. It may not remove plaque like brushing does, but it will help kill germs and prevent new plaque from forming.

In an emergency situation, it’s easy to grab sugary comfort foods. Instead of empty calorie candy bars that might contribute to tooth decay, try a granola bar instead. The crunchy granola will provide some friction for plaque removal, and some even have good nutritional value!

Shelters and hotels usually provide dental care items for free. Don’t be afraid to ask for them.

Have a safe and healthy hurricane season

Dental Implants vs. False Teeth

As high end procedures lower in price many patients are frequently using dental implants to repair damages, rather than using more traditional treatment methods such as dentures. But what exactly are dental implants? And what makes them so different from false teeth? Here are some answers on the differences and what may help in making your decision for achieving the perfect smile.

DentalImplantsWhile many people continue to wear dentures with comfort, implants are now considered the preferred treatment for replacing lost teeth. The procedure is also pretty straightforward. A Gentle Dental oral surgeon places a titanium screw in the jaw bone, and prosthetic teeth are secured to the implant. It takes five to eight months to fix the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.

Dentures on the other hand take several appointments over the course of three to six weeks. In the first appointment, impressions of the jaw and tooth structure are taken. Wax or plastic molds are then created and tried on before a final cast is made.

Over time dentures are likely to loosen as your gums and jaw structure change with aging. This can cause the denture to move as well as cause clicking sounds when you eat or speak. The ability to chew is also greatly reduced compared with natural teeth.

 Dental implants, on the other-hand are very stable thanks to their root-like portion which fits into the bone socket. People who have implant-supported artificial teeth can chew efficiently and very rarely need the implants replaced. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
 
From reading the above you would think it is a “no brainer”, that the choice would be implants over dentures. But that isn’t always the case. Diabetics and smokers are usually recommended alternative treatments to implants as osseo-integration can take longer. That is because many of these types of patients are likely to have a weak jaw line needed to support them.
 
Dentures may also be the preferred treatment when a patient has lost many or all of your teeth, and are considered a more affordable alternative for patients suffering from tooth decay, periodontal disease, ageing or tooth damage.
 
To help determine which method is the right one for you to achieve your perfect smile, call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

 

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

Going To The Dentist Doesn’t Have To Be Scary!

Do you suffer from anxiety, tension or apprehension when you think about going to the dentist?  Do you stay up the night before tossing and turning before a simple checkup or cleaning? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Millions of people (75% of people in America alone) suffer from anxiety before getting into the dentist chair. But, those days can now be over, with the help of Gentle Dental and Anxiety-Free Sedation Dentistry! dental-fear-phobias

There are varying degrees of anxiety-free medication available and after consultation, you and your Gentle Dental dentist will choose the one most appropriate for you. It can be as simple as taking a pill where you’ll be conscious and responsive throughout the procedure. During the procedure though, you’ll remain in a deeply relaxed state, so you won’t be nervous or fidgety. You’ll experience no discomfort or anxiety and more importantly won’t be aware of sounds or smells around you, including any drill noises. Other forms of receiving sedation include intravenous, inhalation, intramuscular or submucosal.

No matter how it is received, you will feel like you are floating on air and as if you were getting a spa treatment. Plus, you won’t remember a thing and it’ll only feel like only a few minutes have passed. You will feel so good, you will ask the dentist how quickly you can come back!

Sedation dentistry is available in all 24 South Florida, Gentle Dental locations. To make a relaxing appointment for you or your loved one, call 1-888-513-7436.

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

 

 

Gingivitis Treatments

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is a disease in the mouth that results from layers of bacterial build-up on the teeth. That can be because of a variety of factors but diet is usually the main culprit. Gingivitis treatment is imperative as the disease can develop into a secondary condition known as periodontics, which can cause a person’s teeth to fall out.

Gingivitis

Effective treatment for Gingivitis requires professional care followed by stepped up oral hygiene at home. Symptoms can include your gums turning red or purple or start to experience, soft gum tissue, receding gums, pain or tenderness in gums, bleeding gums, bad breath or swollen gums.

If you are experiencing  any of the above indicators, contact your Gentle Dental office immediately as they will perform the following:

  • An initial evaluation and thorough dental cleaning to remove all traces of plaque and tartar
  • Instruction on effective daily home brushing and flossing techniques
  • Regular follow-up professional checkups and cleaning
  • Fixing dental restorations that hinder adequate hygiene, if necessary

 
Then it is your responsibly to perform the following:

  • Brushing at least twice a day. An electric toothbrush may help you brush more effectively.
  • Flossing at least daily.
  • Using an antiseptic mouth rinse, if recommended by your dentist.

 
Fortunately if an early diagnosis is made, gingivitis can be treated. If not, it can lead to a slew of bigger problems. To learn more and to make an appointment, contact Gentle Dental at 1-888-513-7436.

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

Dental Checkups Can Help Determine Early Detection of Diabetes

Most people go for a dental checkup for the simple reason of getting their overall oral health looked at and perhaps a professional cleaning done. But did you know, that by getting a dental checkup, can also tell you if you are becoming a diabetic? Well it can! A recent study by Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that a pre-diabetes determination can be made by simply going to the dentist. Dental Check up

Columbia’s study looked at approximately 530 adults with at least one diabetes risk factor (family history of diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, or obesity). Each patient received a periodontal examination and a finger-stick, hemoglobin A1c test. Patients later returned for a fasting plasma glucose test, to show whether they have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Researchers found that a basic algorithm of only two dental parameters (the number of missing teeth and percentage of deep periodontal pockets) was necessary to identify patients with unrecognized pre-diabetes or diabetes. The addition of the hemoglobin A1c test further improved the algorithm’s performance.

This study will vastly improve the prevention of Type 2 diabetes.  Periodontal disease, which is an early complication of diabetes can be identified by a simple Gentle Dental checkup. To make an appointment today, call 1-888-513-7436.

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

 

 

Are Your Kids Flossing?

Besides the obvious of brushing your children’s teeth twice a day, it is so important that you or them are properly flossing. Just like with adults, flossing is essential in keeping a child’s teeth and gums healthy.

Flossing has many positive benefits including, preventing tooth decay, gum disease, bath breath and tarter build-up to name a few. But unfortunately, many children don’t have the motivation or discipline that flossing takes to be doing it properly on a regular basis. Here are a few ways to work around that conflict:

DenTek Fun Flossers makes flossing fun for kids. This type of floss comes equipped with a wild-berry flavor to make flossing tasty and comes pre-strung with wide textured handles specifically made for small fingers. All they have to do is hold the flosser firmly between the thumb and index finger. Using a gentle back-and-forth motion, slide floss between teeth. Move up & down against tooth to clean above & below the gum line. Repeat steps for each tooth. Discard after use.

For kids over the age of 6, an alternative to typical, manual floss is the Waterpik WP-260 Water Flosser for kids. It features a simple waterpiksmall design that makes flossing with an oral irrigator way easy. Other benefits of the machine include a very safe, shock-proof electrical design, easy fingertip controls on the On/Off switch and the Pressure Control System. Additionally, it comes with a reservoir that can be used as a cover to keep the unit clean and includes one Orthodontic Tip for braces and one Classic Jet Tip for general cleaning. Lastly, it comes with 20 innovative and cute removable cling decals that are a fun way to personalize the flossing machine.

No matter which type of method you use, it is extremely essential and important that children are including flossing into their daily routines. To learn more about which method is the right one for your family, contact your local Gentle Dental dentist at 1-888-513-7436 and visit our Facebook page to play our Pediatric Dentistry Trivia Game Contest where you can win a $10 Publix Gift Card!

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

What You Need To Know About Kid Orthodontics

Getting braces for your kids is something very common these days for parents all over. But you may ask, when is the best time to get these amazing devices that will make your kids teeth look pearly white, straight and extremely healthy?

bracesThe answer to this question is usually sooner rather then later. That is because a child’s bone structure is extremely adaptable meaning braces on kids can work wonders in a relatively short timeframe. The ideal age for a child to be fit with braces is around the age of 7.

The most popular types of braces for children are the ones made with metal as they are the most effective in helping teeth align correctly. Metallic orthodontic braces for kids are customizable, and if they want to, there can be added ligature bands that make their smile very colorful.

If your child is bit older, and they definitely refuse the idea of wearing the traditional metallic braces, there is also the option of lingual orthodontic braces for them. This type of system is where the device is fixed on the interior part of the teeth and less noticeable to everyone else.

Gentle Dental features six state of the art orthodontic facilities throughout South Florida so you don’t have to travel far for your kids to get the great smile they deserve! Make an appointment today by calling 1-888-513-7436 and visit our Facebook page to play our Pediatric Dentistry Trivia Game Contest where you can win a $10 Publix Gift Card!

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

The Proper Diet When Baby’s Teethe

By the time a baby is a year old they will have  six to eight teeth developed in their mouth, and by the time they are 2 years old, they will have around 20 teeth. Developing those teeth can become very painful for young children so it is crucial that they are eating the proper diet. Many doctors and dentists advise that children during this teething period eat plenty of foods with high calcium and fiber along with taking essential vitamins. infant-teeth-teething-dental-care-children

For proper tooth growth, dietary fibers are extremely important and vegetables are a rich source of these fibers. Besides helping to keep the teeth clean, the fibers also massage the gums efficiently, which means that babies will grow healthy teeth and gums. Soybeans and dasheens also help in preventing tooth decay as these foods prevent saliva which help protect the teeth.

Sugary foods should be avoided as much as possible during the teething period. Foods such as candies or cakes attract bad bacteria which can lead to tooth decay.

In contrast, foods rich with calcium including dairy and beans can help strengthen the teeth. Adding a little bit of vinegar to a child’s meal can also help during the teething process as vinegar accelerates the absorption of calcium.

For more information on this important topic for parents of young children call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436 and  visit our Facebook page to play our Pediatric Dentistry Trivia Game Contest where you can win a $10 Publix Gift Card!

Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/GentledentalFL
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MyGentleDental

Web Specials | VIP Discount Program | Services | Insurance & Financing | Patient Forms | About Us | Locations | Patient Feedback | Careers | Blog
Gentle Dental is a Proud Sponsor of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.
©2013 Northwestern Management Services LLC.
GENTLE DENTAL® is the registered service mark of InterDent Service Corporation and is being used by permission.