6 Practical Dental Treatments for a Smile Makeover

A healthy smile does much more than enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. It also plays a vital role in your dental and overall health. If you've determined your smile needs an upgrade for health or cosmetic purposes, getting a smile makeover could be the way to go. 

Every makeover is original because every smile is unique.

When you come into South Charlotte Dentistry, we'll assess your oral health and help you choose the ideal treatments for your smile upgrade. We'll also look for signs of any underlying dental issues while we're at it!

 

What Does It Take to Get a Smile Makeover? 

Most smile makeovers incorporate multiple dental procedures to enhance a smile's appearance. Your dentist will use design software to show you how your new smile will look once they've performed the treatments. The improvements can also make it easier to clean your teeth and encourage a regular oral hygiene routine.

 

What Are the Different Smile Makeover Treatments?

Whitening, bonding, fillings, alignment, and veneers are a few of the most common treatments used for smile upgrades. Let's take a closer look at these procedures and a few others:

1. Teeth Whitening   

Professional teeth whitening is the least invasive and most popular treatment for smile makeovers. This treatment eliminates discoloration and brightens teeth; the process is quick, and the results are dramatic! Some clients choose to get their teeth whitened in the dentist's office, while others use a take-home kit.

You can expect superior results when you come to a dental practice like South Charlotte Dentistry. If you plan to get other dental restorations, it's critical to undergo teeth whitening first so your dentist can match the restorations to the shade of the surrounding teeth, leaving a natural look.

 

2. Bonding and Fillings

Dentists often use composite bonding and fillings to fix fractures, cracks, or discoloration in teeth. Bonding can correct various flaws, even slightly crooked teeth. 

If your teeth are damaged by decay, your dentist can put in composite fillings to restore them to their natural appearance. Fillings bond to your enamel while helping them maintain their structure.

 

3. Teeth Alignment     

If your teeth are moderately or severely misaligned or crooked, you may need an orthodontic procedure like braces or clear aligners. Correctly aligned teeth will enhance your smile while helping you chew more efficiently and maintain consistent oral hygiene.

Traditional braces consist of metal wires, elastic bands, and brackets that gradually shift teeth into their ideal positions. This is an excellent option for severe malocclusion, and your dentist will know how to get you the results you're looking for.

Clear aligners have emerged within the last couple of decades and can also be used to straighten your smile. Products like Invisalign are more comfortable than braces, practically invisible, and highly effective for mild to moderate misalignment.

 

4. Gum Contouring     

Some clients have too much visible gum tissue, making their teeth appear smaller than they are. Your dentist can use laser gum contouring to reshape your gums for a better gum-enamel balance and a more attractive smile. The laser technology also makes for a quick procedure with minimal discomfort.

If you have receding gums, your teeth could be exposed to bacteria and eventually cause tooth decay and tooth loss. A professional can remove any damaged tissue with lasers, leaving room for new cells to grow.

 

5. Crowns and Veneers   

Crowns and veneers are used to correct similar dental problems, including teeth that are misshapen, discolored, chipped, broken, or fractured. They can also fix unwanted gaps and decay-damaged teeth.

The primary difference between crowns and veneers is that crowns fit over damaged teeth to restore them to the appropriate size, shape, and function. Veneers are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to boost your smile's appeal.

 

6. Dental Implants    

Dental implants are the most intensive treatment on the list. Dentists use implants to replace missing teeth, enhancing your smile while preventing bone loss. Neglecting to address missing teeth can even lead to a change in your facial structure and appearance. Moreover, getting the necessary implants will keep adjacent teeth in line and help you enjoy full bite function. 

Dental implants are the most effective treatment for missing teeth because they replace the entire tooth rather than just the surface. Your dentist will surgically place the implant on your jawbone, promoting bone health and superior stability.

 

Conclusion     

If you're looking for a smile makeover, it's worth discussing the treatments above with your dentist. A professional can closely examine your teeth and gums to determine which procedures will help you achieve your desired smile. And remember that maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine and going to checkups at South Charlotte Dentistry can help keep your smile beautiful and healthy!

Baby Teeth Hiding? Here is What You Need to Know

There’s no universal standard for how your child should grow and develop. Though there are often good guidelines and tips of things to look for, waiting on growth milestones, like your child’s first steps or words can feel like ages. 

Teeth are no different. And many parents find themselves having a similar question: “Why are my kid's teeth not coming in?”

South Charlotte Dentistry has been helping parents find the answers to all kinds of questions about children’s dental health. We’re here to tackle some of the misconceptions around baby teeth, diagnose the causes for delays in eruption, and make sure your child is on the right path to great oral health.

If you find yourself asking a similar question as the one mentioned before, or with any other concerns about your child’s dental development, it may be worth scheduling an appointment today.

 

Your Child’s Baby Teeth

Babies are born with the first 20 or so teeth already in their mouth. And while those teeth aren’t destined to stick around for long, they play a far more important role in your child’s dental development than you may think.

While baby teeth are growing in, your baby will likely experience pain and need some small steps to help provide comfort. Wiping the mouth with cool gauze or teething rings are great ways to help lessen the pain of tooth growth.

Baby teeth are an often-overlooked part of a child’s development. Some parents feel like the care around baby teeth is not nearly as important as that of permanent teeth. After all, those teeth won’t be there forever, right? While that may seem like a justified cause to have little concern, it’s actually a very dangerous view to have. 

Baby teeth facilitate a child’s smile, create proper spacing for permanent teeth, help them chew, develop speech, and are tied to overall health across the board. If a baby tooth is lost too early, it may spur a permanent tooth’s growth and drift, leading to crooked smiles and other dental problems. 

Another way to make sure you’re caring for those important early teeth is to put a hold on any sugary drinks. Sticking to water and milk early on can save your child from unnecessary decay and cavities. Bottles containing sugary drinks are a key culprit for this decay. 

The first round of baby teeth, if all things are going accordingly, should come in between six months and a year old. (The appearance of the first tooth also typically requires your first dentist appointment.) While by the time your child is 3 they should have their full set of 20 baby teeth. Additionally, you can expect to see those teeth begin to go around 5 or 6. 

 

The Tooth of The Matter

All this talk about baby teeth may leave the parents with bated breaths, waiting for the appearance of the first tooth. Though, for some, delays are entirely possible. 

Whether we’re talking permanent teeth or baby teeth, a delay in tooth eruption usually warrants a visit to the dentist. Catching these delays or medical difficulties earlier is a key way to ensure dental health and that the teeth grow properly when they do come.

While there’s a universal truth related to what to do about delayed tooth development: visiting a dentist, the causes are anything but universal. Here are a few things that could cause your child’s teeth to come in slowly.

Spacing 

When adult teeth grow into younger mouths they can have a difficult time erupting properly. Adult teeth are bigger than baby teeth, so a mouth that hasn’t grown correctly can create problems.

Additionally, issues related to a lack of space can create “crowding” if the adult teeth do grow in. Often leading to a crooked smile. 

Impaction 

Impacted teeth are teeth that are trapped and unable to grow in. This could be a result of blockage from either the gum or bone. This stems from narrow jaws, extra teeth, or general crowding issues.

Whatever the case, it’s typically necessary to schedule an orthodontic appointment to make sure your child’s mouth has enough space, and room for teeth to grow, and to clear a path for the developing tooth.

Teeth Are on The Wrong Track

This cause may sound especially concerning but is easily resolved. The prime candidates for teeth going in the wrong direction are the upper canines or lower bicuspids, or premolars (located between our canines and our molars in the backs of our mouths.) 

You’ll want to visit a dentist so they can helpfully guide the teeth back to the right track.

Nutrition

Like any aspect of health, nutrition helps bring out the best in a person, your child’s teeth are no different. Delays in tooth development could be linked to a lack of nutrition or a deficiency in the diet. Lack of calcium or other nutrient-rich foods, like vegetables, can lead to slow tooth growth and development. 

Extra Teeth

Extra teeth are another possible root cause. It’s a relatively common condition many children experience, known as hyperdontia, the condition results in extra permanent teeth that may block or impede the growth of regular teeth. Hyperdontia usually necessitates the extraction of the extra teeth, giving room for new ones. 

Studies say the condition is likely tied to genetics. So if you as a parent experienced something similar in your youth it may be a prime candidate for the slow tooth development in your child. 

Genetics

The underlying cause of extra teeth, or hyperdontia, is usually tied to genetics. That’s a great example of how genetics, gender, familial history, etc. can impact dental development. A good indicator is looking back to how your development went, if you had braces, problems with growth, or other dental conditions, it’s entirely possible your child will too.

Everyone is different, so being a month behind, or ahead, of schedule usually is tied to genetic conditions, not an underlying problem. Gender also plays a role, with girls developing permanent teeth earlier than boys. 

Better Late Than Never

If your kid’s teeth come in just a tad bit behind the average, there usually isn’t a cause for concern. 

You know your child well and if there isn’t crankiness attached to teething, rubbing of the mouth, or other indicators of some underlying dental problems, late tooth development may just be the way your child grows. Just make sure you’re starting early appointments at the sign of the first tooth, as a way to ensure things are going well.

18 months should be the key indicator of a real underlying problem, so if your child has yet to develop a tooth at that mark, you should get to the dentist as soon as possible. 

 

The Answer To Early Dental Problems

While the causes of a delay in the appearance of teeth are wide and varied, all of them share a similar solution: Going to a dental professional.  

Getting a young child to the dentist can prove to be a difficulty in itself. Children commonly face dental anxiety and fears when waiting for an impending dental appointment. Finding a dentist equipped to provide not only dental service but an experience of comfort can be daunting. Still, that’s a challenge well worth it.

Developmental dental difficulties are complex and usually necessitate a professional's guidance to correct them. Building a solid foundation for a lifetime of oral health is necessary, so putting off an appointment could spell trouble. 

South Charlotte Dentistry has been serving the Charlotte area since 1999. Because of that experience, we’re very familiar with the wide array of causes and solutions to developmental dental problems. 

And while you may be tempted to wait, the only real way to answer the question, “Why are my child’s teeth not coming in?” is by seeking out the necessary help and guidance. 

How to Keep Chronic Cavities at Bay

Does it seem like you have a cavity every time you go to a checkup at your dentist? If so, you're not alone.

Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases across all age brackets, and at least four of five Americans experience a cavity by their mid-30s.

Dental hygiene, family history, and diet can play a role in whether someone is more prone to cavities than others. And fortunately, you can help prevent chronic tooth decay and cavities by taking proactive steps in your daily routine. Below, South Charlotte Dentistry explains cavities in more detail and provides some simple tips for managing them. 

 

What Is a Cavity?   

A cavity is a severe form of tooth decay. Decay occurs when acid-producing bacteria called plaque wear down a tooth's enamel. Plaque builds up along the gum line and on the surface of a tooth over time. It accumulates more quickly and regularly when you consume foods and drinks high in sugar and simple carbohydrates because the bacteria feed off the sugar, producing acids. 

This acid deteriorates your enamel, and if left untreated, it can cause a cavity (a hole in the tooth). In many cases, cavities form in hard-to-reach areas, including:

• Between teeth

• On the surface of molars

• Along the gumline

• Around dental treatments like fillings and bridges

It's essential to treat a cavity as soon as you identify it. Otherwise, the decay can extend to the tooth's pulp, the inner layer that holds the blood supply and nerves. The decay can also spread to surrounding teeth. Over time, the damage can cause sensitive teeth, gum disease, infection, and tooth loss. 

 

Are There Different Types of Cavities?    

Some cavities take up to three years to develop in the enamel. Once the enamel erodes, the decay typically progresses quickly through the middle layer (dentin) and the pulp. Here are a few types of cavities, from the most to least severe:

Root Decay

Root decay is common in older adults with receding gums. Recession leaves a tooth's root exposed to plaque and acid, at which point it can be challenging to treat and prevent decay. 

Pit and Fissure Decay

Tooth decay can set in on the front side of the back teeth, known as pit and fissure decay. This type of cavity progresses quickly and is most common among teenagers. 

Smooth Surface

Smooth surface cavities grow very slowly and gradually erode tooth enamel. They are prevalent among 20-something adults who experience decay between their teeth. With adequate dental care (e.g., professional cleaning, brushing, flossing, etc.), you can prevent (and maybe even reverse) these cavities. 

 

Are Chronic Cavities Genetic?  

Various controllable factors, such as overeating sugar and neglecting oral hygiene, can cause cavities. But research shows that genetics can also influence the appearance and health of your teeth. There are a few hereditary factors to consider.

For example, genes primarily determine your enamel structure. The strength or weakness of your enamel surface dictates how well it can absorb calcium, fluoride, and other essential minerals. Also, your specific saliva plays a role in how much harmful bacteria remains in your mouth on any given day. 

Moreover, the shape of your teeth can make you more or less susceptible to cavities. It can be challenging to brush and floss effectively when you have crowded teeth. And when teeth have more grooves, bacteria have more places to hide. 

 

How Do You Catch the Signs?     

Cavities are not always easy to see. But there are a few common symptoms to help you identify them:

• Pain in your tooth or mouth

• Increased tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures in foods or beverages 

• Swelling in your gums or face

• Bleeding gums

• Redness in your mouth

• Bad breath 

 

How to Be Proactive  

Whether or not you have a hereditary predisposition to tooth decay and cavities, there are plenty of steps to take that will help you prevent issues in the future. 

The most critical step is to follow a regular oral hygiene routine every day.

This includes brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, ensuring you get between your teeth and in the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth. Also, be sure to floss once a day and use fluoride toothpaste, which can help strengthen your tooth enamel. 

You will also want to limit foods and drinks high in refined and simple sugars. And try to incorporate more vitamins, minerals, calcium, and fiber into your diet through apples, leafy greens, carrots, cheese, and yogurt. 

Another great way to keep cavities at bay is to visit your family dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Contact South Charlotte Dentistry today to schedule your appointment!

How Do You Catch the Signs?     

Cavities are not always easy to see. But there are a few common symptoms to help you identify them:

• Pain in your tooth or mouth

• Increased tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures in foods or beverages 

• Swelling in your gums or face

• Bleeding gums

• Redness in your mouth

• Bad breath 

 

How to Be Proactive  

Whether or not you have a hereditary predisposition to tooth decay and cavities, there are plenty of steps to take that will help you prevent issues in the future. 

The most critical step is to follow a regular oral hygiene routine every day. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, ensuring you get between your teeth and in the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth. Also, be sure to floss once a day and use fluoride toothpaste, which can help strengthen your tooth enamel. 

You will also want to limit foods and drinks high in refined and simple sugars. And try to incorporate more vitamins, minerals, calcium, and fiber into your diet through apples, leafy greens, carrots, cheese, and yogurt. 

Another great way to keep cavities at bay is to visit your family dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Contact South Charlotte Dentistry today to schedule your appointment!

Don’t Put Off Your Dental Appointment

If you’re afraid or discomforted by going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Studies find over 60 percent of people suffer from dental-related dread. Even worse, a third of the U.S population put off going to the dentist because of this fear.

Dental visits have dropped off considerably, likely a combination of an already inherent fear of the dentist alongside COVID-19 protocols and concerns. Many see a visit, such as a non-time-sensitive procedure, or other general checkups, as unnecessary, especially in the current climate. 

Though this isolation from people, and in turn, the dentist, has allowed many dental problems to snowball to some frightening extremes, cavities, gum disease, and tooth grinding habits have been left unchecked, turning a once-a-season checkup into a slew of connected visits.

If you aren’t visiting your dentist for a cleaning or oral exam every 6 months, you’re not meeting the dental recommendations.  

Chances are that a coming and going toothache is a sign of an underlying problem. Tooth decay, abscesses, damaged fillings, infected gums, and bad habits are all possible roots of your tooth troubles. 

Lack of dental care isn’t a problem relegated to your mouth. Research indicates that bad dental health can contribute to diabetes, heart disease, and types of cancers, with some serious tooth infections even leading to death. Simply put, dental hygiene is no joke, with even one of the greatest Egyptian Pharaohs, Amenhotep III, being a casualty of a lack of dental hygiene. There’s some good news there. Even though you aren’t a pharaoh, you have access to a dentist, something they never had.

Frequent visits can result in benefits beyond those that typically come to mind. Dental visits can help identify early cases of oral cancer, reduce chances of heart disease, show underlying problems through x-rays, and diminish cases of inflammation. 

If you don’t like dental visits, want to avoid going as much as possible, etc, your best bet to stay out of the office may be to go to your regular dental appointment. While that may seem like a true contradiction, imagine the follow-up procedures, time, and money for a severe dental problem. Early treatment is also less painful and less expensive, saving the pain in your wallet as well as in your teeth.

While you may have some fear, overcoming that and scheduling your necessary dental appointment is well worth overcoming. Like with most things, exercise, eating right, and getting good sleep, the beginning of regular dental checkups and cleanings can be difficult, but the rewards are truly remarkable. Make the right step for your health and schedule a dental appointment today.

Fall Sports Safety

 Mouthguards reduce the use of mouth-related injuries for athletes, particularly with the use of custom-fitted mouthguards. From hockey to water polo, or basketball to football, the use of a mouth guard reduces the prevalence of dental injuries and trauma across the board! At South Charlotte Dentistry, we know many of our patients are entering back into the school year and enrolling in fall sports.

Participation in youth and adolescent sports has exploded in the past few years. It’s estimated that around 45 million youths participate in organized sports. The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety reports dental injuries as the most common type of injury sustained during sports participation. It’s also estimated that an athlete is 60% more likely to sustain teeth damage when not wearing a protective mouthguard!

 

Why should you wear a mouthguard?

A mouthguard is basically a protective cushion that provides some shock absorption for your teeth in the event of oral trauma. A mouthguard protects injury to the teeth, prevents cuts and bruising from external impact, and shields your teeth against tooth fractures and dislocations. A properly fitted mouthguard can also reduce concussions, pulpal injury, and even neck injury!

Beyond a bruised mouth or dislocated tooth, sports injuries can cause lasting damage, especially when neck, jaw, and facial injuries can prevent athletes from ever playing sports again. A properly fitted mouth guard will reduce the opportunity for injury, and lower the overall severity of the injury.

 

What type of mouthguards are there?

• Over-the-counter ready-made or stock mouthguards
• “Boil and bite” mouthguards
• Custom-made mouthguards (from a dentist)

These three options vary in price, comfort, and protection, but all are better options than none. The most important factor is that your mouthguard is comfortable, resilient, easily cleaned, resistant to tearing, and should not restrict speech or breathing.

 

At what age should a child begin to wear a mouthguard?

We recommend that a child begin to wear a mouthguard once their permanent teeth start coming into the mouth. This typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 7. It’s very important to remember that we only have one set of permanent teeth, so we need to protect them for life!

 

If you suffer oral trauma during sports, when should you go to the dentist?

We categorize dental injuries into three different categories. Timing is very critical when it comes to dental injuries. Do not allow an athlete to wait until the end of a game to seek treatment; dental injuries need to be treated as soon as possible, and typically getting treatment within 2 hours provides the best outcomes.

Depending on the type of injury, you should immediately treat the injury as follows:

FRACTURE: A fracture can include a root fracture, broken tooth, or chipped tooth.

Immediate Treatment: If possible, stabilize the portion of the tooth still in the mouth by biting gently on a towel to control bleeding.

Transportation to Dentist: Athlete and tooth fragments should immediately go to the dentist. The best methods to transport the tooth fragments should be in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution, milk, saline-soaked gauze, or under the athlete’s tongue.

AVULSION: When the entire tooth, including the root, is knocked out.

Immediate Treatment: Only handle the tooth by the crown, never the root. Do not attempt to brush, scrub or sterilize the tooth. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse with water.

Transportation to Dentist: If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and instruct the athlete to gently bite down on a towel. If you’re unable to re-implant the tooth, transport the tooth with the athlete like the last method immediately.

LUXATION: The tooth is in the socket but the wrong position. An extruded tooth appears longer than the surrounding teeth, and a lateral displacement is a tooth pushed back or forward too far. An intruded tooth is if the tooth is pushed into the gums, and appears short.

Immediate Treatment: For an extruded or lateral displacement, have the athlete gently bite down into a towel, and transport immediately to a dentist.

Transportation to the dentist: For an intruded tooth, do not attempt to reposition the tooth, and transport the athlete immediately to a dentist.

 

Talk to South Charlotte Dentistry about wearing a protective mouthguard.

Don’t leave oral injury to chance! Dental injuries are easily preventable. Dentists and experts recommend that mouthguards are worn by athletes in sports where impact, contact, and collision are likely to occur, during all practices and competitions.

Talk to your dentist at South Charlotte Dentistry about getting a custom mouthguard for this season. A mouthguard should be no different than wearing a jersey or uniform – it is an essential part of your standard athletic equipment! Protect your smile this season by wearing a mouthguard!

 

The Dirty Truth About Your Toothbrush

 

How clean is your toothbrush? You may be surprised to find that the water in your toilet often has fewer bacteria than your toothbrush! At South Charlotte Dentistry, we want your oral health care and education to extend beyond your visits. Follow these simple habits to keep your brush clean and learn more about how you can ensure your teeth and oral tools are in top shape!

We use our toothbrushes every day to clean our teeth! From scrubbing off the food, plaque, and bacteria from our teeth and tongue, to thoroughly rinsing our toothbrush before and after its use, our toothbrush is something we come into contact with every day. But just how clean and germ-free is our toothbrush, and do you need a specific toothbrush sanitizer to keep harmful bacteria at bay?

 

The Risks of Harmful Bacteria

Obviously, not all oral bacteria are bad. Just as we have good gut bacteria, our mouth also contains bacteria that maintain a healthy oral environment. However, harmful oral bacteria can cause and contribute to severe dental health hazards, like gingivitis, periodontal disease, oral thrush, oral herpes, canker sores, herpangina, etc.

So just how do you keep your good oral bacteria thriving and the harmful bacteria at bay? Your toothbrush may influence this balance more than you think!

 

A study at the University of Manchester found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E.coli bacteria.

Don’t panic just yet—do you know how many bacteria you have living in your mouth already?

You have 6 billion bacteria (both good and bad) living in your mouth! Realistically, your mouth isn’t “sterile” anyways.

Your mouth is home to hundreds of microorganisms! The real problems start when we introduce harmful bacteria into the mouth and there is an unhealthy balance.

When we brush our teeth, we’re removing bacteria (plaque) using our toothbrush. So we introduce bacteria to our toothbrush when we brush our teeth.

Have you ever thought about how you store your toothbrush? Most people store their toothbrushes in a cup in their bathroom, and in that bathroom, there may also be a shower, daily foot traffic, or even be a space shared by more than one person or people outside of your immediate household. If there’s a toilet in the bathroom, bacteria will likely linger in the air. Your toothbrush sitting on the counter is in a high exposure location to germs!

 

What type of bacteria is your toothbrush exposed to?

Can our toothbrush make us sick? 

It’s pretty unlikely for you to catch an infection from just brushing your teeth; your body has a natural immune defense and it’s pretty good at defending itself from bacteria. Researchers do not have definitive evidence that keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom is causing any damage or harm, nor that it translates into infections. However, you can exercise some precautions about where you keep your toothbrush, what it’s being exposed to, and how you can sanitize your toothbrush to minimize harmful bacteria.

 

Don't brush where you flush!

The main concern of keeping your toothbrush on the bathroom sink is the vicinity of a toilet. Every time a toilet is flushed, a spray of bacteria is released into the air. You obviously do not want those toilet particles anywhere near your openly store toothbrush.

Store your toothbrush as far away as possible from the toilet in the bathroom. If possible, encourage shutting the toilet seat before flushing, which minimizes toilet spray releasing into the air.

 

Toothbrush Sanitizer versus Toothbrush Sterilizing

Sanitizing or disinfecting a toothbrush aims at removing some of the harmful bacteria that collect on its surface. Sterilizing a toothbrush would mean making it completely bacteria-free, which can’t be achieved with a daily-use toothbrush. Even if a sanitizer claims to kill 99% of germs on your toothbrush, there could still be millions of bacteria germs lingering. But, a good toothbrush sanitizer aims at cleansing your toothbrush after its exposure during dormant periods between uses.

The three types of toothbrush sanitizers:

1.Steam and Dry Heat

Steam and heat take turns sanitizing the toothbrush, which makes it so dry that bacteria cannot breed under the conditions.

2. Ultraviolet Light

UV light is a powerful sanitizer, and using UV light on a toothbrush can zap the bacteria.

3. UV and Heat

We might think that by combining heat and UV light to sanitize our toothbrush that we’re doubling the effectiveness of the clean and killing more bacteria, but in reality, UV and heat together still can only kill up to 99.99% of bacteria. For some people, doubling the methods provides more peace of mind, and certainly doesn’t hurt to do.

4. Antibacterial solutions

Antibacterial washes or solutions can be used as a cleanser for toothbrushes.

 

How can you disinfect your toothbrush to ensure it’s clean and safe to use every time? 

Running hot water over the brush before use

For many people, this is just part of their toothbrush routine, and you may not even realize why you’re doing so! The easiest, go-to method for sanitizing your toothbrush is to run hot water over the head before and after each use. Do so before adding toothpaste to your toothbrush, and after you’ve completed brushing your teeth. Ensure that you are allowing the water to get hot enough when rinsing the toothbrush – cold water isn’t going to cut it, you want to see steam rising from the water and that’s how you’ll know the water is hot enough to sanitize!

Running your toothbrush under hot water gets rid of bacteria that may have collected on the toothbrush during the hours between brushings, and eliminates bacteria that might accumulate after each brush. This method is considered the easiest because most people have access to hot water when they’re brushing their teeth, and you’re not having to go out of your way to sanitize your brush.

 

Soak your toothbrush in a cup of antibacterial mouthwash

In addition to rinsing with mouthwash daily, your mouthwash can also serve another use – cleaning your toothbrush! Use a small cup, fill with antibacterial mouthwash, and place your toothbrush in the cup for about two minutes after each use. The limitations to this method are waiting around or remembering to remove your toothbrush from the cup, changing out the antibacterial mouthwash after each brush, and understanding that mouthwashes’ ingredients contain strong ingredients that will make the bristles of your toothbrush break down faster.

 

Is boiling your toothbrush a good way to get rid of bacteria? 

This might be a surprise, but boiling your toothbrush isn’t the most effective way to get rid of bacteria! Most toothbrushes are made of plastic and run the risk of melting if boiled. If you want to use the method of boiling water, we recommend heating water in a tea kettle or pot on the stove, turning off the heat once it begins to boil, and dipping the head of your toothbrush in for about 30 seconds. However, running hot water from the sink or giving your toothbrush a soak in a cup of antibacterial mouthwash can get your toothbrush clean enough to use.

 

What about the dishwasher or microwave?

Like the boiling water, sure, putting your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave can sanitize it to an extent (but not much more effectively). In general, you run a larger risk of damaging your toothbrush in the process or making the bristles become less effective, or exposing yourself to more dangerous melted plastic particles.

 

Denture cleanser to clean your toothbrush

Denture cleanser contains antimicrobial ingredients that target bacteria and plaque that grow in the mouth. For this method, you can disinfect your toothbrush by dissolving half a cleansing tablet into a cup of water and submerging your toothbrush for about 90 seconds. Please note that you should not reuse denture cleanser that’s already been used on dentures.

 

Dipping your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide

In this inexpensive solution, hydrogen peroxide has been shown to reduce toothbrush bacteria by up to 85%! Plus, it’s probably something you already have underneath your sink.

Another popular and effective combination is putting your toothbrush in water, vinegar, and baking soda for 40 minutes.

 

UV toothbrush sanitizers

A newer method for sanitizing your toothbrush is an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizer product made just for toothbrushes! This product runs on the more expensive side, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not say you need to use a UV chamber in order to clean your toothbrush. If this one is out of your budget, it’s not a big deal! As we’ve covered previously, there are already products or just water from your tap that can do the job just as effectively! Also, if you choose to purchase a UV product, please make sure that it has been reviewed by the FDA.

 

Storage and other toothbrush tips

• Rinse your toothbrush with each use.
• Wash your hands before brushing your teeth.
• Ensure that your toothbrush has a chance to dry completely between brushings, as bacteria love a moist environment.
• Alternate between two brushes so that your brush has a better chance of drying out between uses.
• Store your toothbrush upright in a holder, rather than lying it down on a potentially germ-filled surface.
• Do not share toothbrushes, or store toothbrushes side-by-side! When toothbrushes are in close contact, they can swap germs.
• Use antimicrobial toothpaste on a daily basis.
• Use a different tube of toothpaste if someone in your family or household is sick.
• Sanitize your toothbrush after each use, and sanitize the toothbrush holder or cup often.

 

What’s the BEST way to limit bacteria on your toothbrush? Replace it!

You should replace your toothbrush on a regular basis, about every three to four months. If you’re a rough-brusher and notice the bristles fraying, if you have a weaker immune system, or you’ve recently been sick, throw out the toothbrush. If you use an electric toothbrush, you should be disposing of the head as often as you would a disposable toothbrush.

 

What about a travel toothbrush? 

Travel toothbrushes are typically kept in a closed toothbrush head container, which is even more prone to hosting bacteria as it prevents the wet toothbrush from ever drying out. Bacteria love a moist environment!

When traveling, try to create a clean, sanitary space or designate a cup to let your toothbrush dry out overnight or between uses. Immediately putting your used toothbrush back into a plastic container is going to trap the moisture and create a breeding ground for bad bacteria. You should replace travel toothbrushes more frequently than those at home.

The method of running hot water to sanitize your brush is probably the easiest and most convenient way to consistently clean your toothbrush, no matter where you’re at in the world. Be sure to also wash your hands before brushing and flossing to avoid transferring bacteria on your hands to your toothbrush.

 

Find what sanitization works for your daily routine, and don’t overthink it!

Sanitizing your toothbrush is important not because you’re truly sterilizing every last bit of bacteria on your brush, but because you’re taking steps to minimize bad bacteria buildup on your toothbrush. Your toothbrush is your most important tool to keep your teeth and overall oral health in the best shape possible. Just as you care and clean for other equipment in your house, your toothbrush also requires a certain level of daily attention to keep it effective and safe for use. Luckily, toothbrush upkeep is relatively simple and can easily be integrated into our brushing routines. Come see us at South Charlotte Dentistry!

Fun Facts About Your Teeth

 

We have 32 teeth. Plaque is not our friend. On average, people spend 39 days of their life brushing their teeth. Did you know any of those facts? At South Charlotte Dentistry, we’re all about teeth! Our teeth are an essential part of our ability to function; we use them to eat, as tools, to speak and interact, and so much more. Teeth are super important and interesting, so why not know more about them?

 

Yellow teeth are usually a sign of decay, rather than staining.

If your teeth are yellow, it’s more likely from the wearing away of enamel and the naturally yellow dentine coming through. Staining typically occurs from consuming drinks like soda or tea, or the use of tobacco products. When the enamel starts to wear away, your yellow dentin begins to show more prominently.

 

On that note, teeth cannot repair themselves.

If teeth are chipped or lost, your body is unable to self-repair. Unlike other parts of your body like muscles and certain bones, your teeth are not alive. In fact, your teeth are not actually bones! They may be white and hard, but they are made up of entirely different materials than bones are. External intervention by a dentist is required to heal or fix a tooth.

 

Luckily, the enamel is the hardest part of your entire body!

Enamel is the outer layer of teeth, the hardest material in your body, and contains the highest percentage of minerals in your body, as well. But even as the hardest part of your body, it is subsequently brittle and susceptible to breaking. Because enamel can’t repair itself, dentists can treat decaying enamel with tooth decay removal, sealants, fillings, and more. Ultimately, we want to protect our enamel and reverse any tooth decay with great oral care (i.e. daily brushing, flossing, fluoride, and drinking lots of water).

 

Your teeth begin to develop at six weeks in utero.

As early as six weeks, a baby begins to develop teeth in the womb. You can actually tell a lot about the mother and the environment she was in during the pregnancy term (think: nutrition, pollution, disease) by examining a baby’s teeth. A baby’s teeth do not begin to come in until they are between six to twelve months old.

 

A toothbrush and floss aren’t the only weapons you have to protect your teeth.

Saliva is your body’s natural defendant against plaque. A toothbrush misses 35% of your tooth's surface, so while flossing is very important, your saliva can also help break down any bad bacteria and plaque. When you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, you're ensuring that your mouth is able to produce the right amount of saliva to fight off bacteria in the mouth.

 

Your mouth is home to 300 types of bacteria.

Before you worry about the high number of bacteria, know that most of the bacteria in your mouth are naturally occurring and actually work to prevent decay. Bacteria can live on the gums, teeth, tongue, and cheek. Daily brushing and flossing keep bad, unwanted bacteria at bay.

 

Teeth can appear in places beyond your mouth.

Teratomas are tumors that contain developed tissue, including teeth, hair, and bone. Teratomas form in the fetus and are seldom cancerous, meaning they can be removed and treated with little risk. While the condition can terrifyingly occur in anyone, teratomas are very rare, and it is extremely unlikely you have teeth-growing tumors in your body.

 

Teeth are an indicator of overall health.

Oral health is an indicator of your overall health. Just as your teeth can affect other organs in your body, problems in the rest of your body can also manifest in your mouth. For example, flat teeth and headaches are an indicator of grinding teeth at night, which is caused by stress. Or, suspicious sores in the mouth that won’t go away can also be a sign of oral cancer. From the mouth, we can find indicators of serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. It’s definitely important that you go to the dentist not only for your routine teeth cleaning but also to get an idea of how your oral and overall health is doing.

 

Your teeth are as unique as you!

Each and every one of your 32 teeth is unique to you! No two people have the same teeth – not even identical twins. Just like our DNA inherently makes us unique, our genes can also impact our grin. If gapped teeth or missing teeth run in your family, you can also get dental abnormalities passed down from your parents. Because our teeth are unique, they can also be used as identifiers. In forensic dentistry, scientists study human’s teeth to see who they were, what they did, what the climate or environment was like, or to identify remains.

 

We only get one set of adult teeth – so give them the best care possible at South Charlotte Dentistry!

South Charlotte Dentistry is committed to staying at the forefront of the latest research and providing our patients with both state-of-the-art dentistry and comprehensive dental education. Schedule a cleaning or check-up with your team at South Charlotte Dentistry today, and experience high quality services and dental treatments – plus, walk away learning even more about your teeth!

Millennials Spending More Money on Treatments

 

83 million people in the United States belong to the millennial generation, born between 1982 and 1996. Fondly labeled as economy and industry killers, millennials are also described as self-involved, self-expressive, and receptive to new ideas and ways of living. These common characteristics have enabled millennials to shape the face of nearly every industry and practice in the U.S., including dentistry!

Since June 2019, millennials have officially overtaken the Booomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) as the largest portion of adults in the U.S. population. Millennials are setting the standard for what it takes to attract and retain patients to dental practices. Millennials dentists and patients alike are shaping the future, technology, and trends of dentistry. At South Charlotte Dentistry, we know firsthand the influence of the millennial population on dentistry, and what a bright, exciting future lies ahead.

 

The digital world and dentistry

Millennials were born into a digital world that rapidly transformed before their eyes as they came of age. With high tech literacy, technology permeates every corner of life for millennials, and as a result, they have high expectations for what tech will deliver. Millennials expect seamless, painless technology, with fast results, and don’t necessarily need the recommendation of a professional; the age of the Internet means information travels fast, and marketing is around every corner.

The dental industry still remains dominated by boomers, with 42% of current dentists being 55 years or older. In the next few years, we will see more and more practices begin the transition of handing off the dental industry to millennials, who will usher in the next wave of the best and latest practices.

Practices have already begun to shift to accommodate millennial demand. Research from the Oral Health Foundation found in June 2020, that millennials in the United Kingdom are spending three times the national average on dental treatments. That comes out at about £750 a year, per person! In 2015, Americans spent nearly $16 billion on cosmetic dental procedures, and millennials made up 60 % of the clientele. Millennials outspend every other generation so far when it comes to working on their smiles. 

The self-involvement and confidence to seek and try out new ideas have made the millennial population more receptive to and in the demand of the latest oral health trends and technologies. When a millennial has an oral health problem, instead of calling the dentist, they may be more inclined to Google for an answer, seek out an FAQ, or turn to blogs, like this, for advice. A millennial may be more inclined to read practice and product reviews, and cost comparisons; maximum convenience and low cost are key. 

 

What are millennial patients spending money on?

Well, in the spirit of convenience and efficiency (and maybe a bit of self-involvement, but we prefer to call it self-care – why shouldn’t you invest in yourself and your healthcare?), millennial patients spend more on cosmetic dentistry treatments. The generation that grew up on the internet is more than aware of how Adobe Photoshop, Face Tune, or even at home-whitening kits can’t cut it when there’s always a chance of someone else posting a photo or video of you without editing. Pearly white teeth and celebrity Instagram smiles are in demand, and millennials are willing to make the change and pay the price for a perfect first impression. 

Some of the most popular cosmetic density solutions for millennials revolve around smile repairs, such as:

• Professional teeth whitening (one hour)
• Porcelain veneers (one hour)
• Same-day crowns (one dental visit)
• Teeth reshaping (one dental visit)
• Tooth-colored fillings (one dental visit)
• Cosmetic tooth bonding and contouring (one dental visit)
• Porcelain tooth inlays and onlays (one dental visit)
• Invisalign (faster and less invasive than braces)

Teeth whitening is by far the most popular dental treatment, with at least 4 in 10 people under 35 having a tooth whitening treatment 

Brief procedures with little to no pain, and fast, visible results are very popular. With the rise of self-care lifestyles among the millennial population, smiles are associated with beauty as much as health. 

In turn, millennial patients generally experience fewer oral health problems like tooth decay or tooth loss than older generations, simply because of better access to dental care as a child and through young adulthood, and the age of their teeth overall. This means that the majority of money millennials choose to spend on their dental care is for cosmetic treatments, and less about treating clinical problems. 

However, on the flip side, many younger millennial Americans suffer from lack of consistent, quality dental care (resulting in the need for later cosmetic treatments), with reports from the American Dental Association citing:

• 35% report embarrassment related to their mouth and teeth
• 35% report problems chewing
• 30% experience anxiety about their oral healthcare
• 33% avoid smiling
• 38% say life, in general, is less satisfying due to the condition of their mouth and teeth

A barrier to dental care for many millennials is insurance. While millennials have higher standards about the appearance of their smile than other, older Americans, the strain remains between the inaccessibility between dental healthcare and cosmetic perfection. However, when millennials have secure job footing and benefits, they quickly seek out dental work, resulting in the influx of cosmetic treatments. 

 

Let South Charlotte Dentistry help you strike a balance between baseline oral healthcare and cosmetic treatments.

South Charlotte Dentistry can help you achieve your ideals of a beautiful, healthy smile, at a reasonable cost, with a team of dental professionals that are there for you every step of the way. If you’re looking for a new dentist to build a lifelong relationship with and to set up a plan for achieving your dream smile, contact Dr. Wells and his team at (704) 759-0908.

How to Talk to Your Kids About PPE

At South Charlotte Dentistry, our top priority is keeping our patients and their loved ones safe, healthy, and informed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have had to postpone or cancel your child’s dental appointments. Based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as guidance from local and NC state governments, we have been limiting pediatric dental appointments to emergency procedures and urgent visits. As we begin accepting our patients back into the office, we want to ensure that you feel informed and safe about your children’s oral healthcare, but also that you know how to talk to your child about an upcoming appointment.

Going to the dentist can already be scary for a child, and visiting the dentist during the COVID-19 outbreak means that a dentist visit will almost certainly be different than what your child’s experienced before.  

A New Look at the Dentist to Keep Everyone Safe and Healthy

• Tell kids what to expect and why. You might say to an older child, “Your dentists and hygienists will be wearing their masks today, just like we wear masks at a grocery store. They also might have on more protective equipment like face shields, gowns, or goggles. You might think they look a little silly or maybe scary, but it’s a new thing they’re doing to stop germs.”
• Focus on the positive, and not on the bad things a virus can do. This might sound like, “Because of the virus going around, we’re all doing extra things to stop it from spreading. We get to help by wearing a mask when we walk into your appointment!”
• Let your kid show what they can do. You may invite your child to prompt you how are capable of stopping the spread of germs, by asking, “Can you show me how you put on and take off your mask? Great job!”
• Practice forehead temperature checks with your child, and offer rewards or encouragement for cooperation. Your visit may require a temperature check before entering. 
• Make sure your child understands what will be the same and different about the dentist visit. This sounds like, “When we go to the dentist tomorrow, we won’t get to play in the waiting room this time. Everyone there will be wearing a mask, and we’ll get to wear masks inside too. You’ll get to show your hygienist how good your teeth look and how you’ve been flossing! Dr. Wells will be there too. He’ll be wearing a mask and face shield. You’ll still get to choose a sticker when you’re done getting your teeth cleaned!”

Talking with your child about PPE
How kids react to seeing or wearing a mask may depend on their age; older kids may not react at all, whereas toddlers and young kids may feel cautious and unsure. Young children rely on faces to read signals and feel safe; when a child sees a smile or familiar face, it can put them at ease. Masks can hide those important signals. Here are our tips for talking to your child about masks:

• If your child hasn't witnessed mask-wearing at home or in public, you may want to set aside a time and safe place for them to look, watch, react, and be comforted by a parent. A child feeling upset or afraid may just need the security of a parent’s lap and a soothing “It’s ok” to calm them.
• Give kids time to practice wearing their masks before they may need to wear one outside of the home. Practice putting them on, spending a few minutes walking around, playing in a mask, and properly storing or disposing of the mask.
• Encourage kids to decorate their masks or choose a pattern for their masks. This gives kids a feeling of control over the situation, and a personal touch may make them more encouraged to want to wear their masks.
• Create no-sew masks together. Older kids may enjoy creating a mask, and you can create them with materials you probably already have around the house!
• Make wearing a mask fun! Younger kids react positively when a situation involves a sense of play. Encourage your child to wear their mask and pretend to be a doctor, nurse, or dentist! Have them put a mask on a stuffed animal, and then ask follow-up questions to the child on why the animal is wearing a mask. You’ll be able to clear up confusion and assess any anxieties your child might have about wearing a mask through this type of role-play.

Keep having those open, honest, and factual conversations with your children about COVID-19.
The CDC has great resources on how to talk to children about COVID-19, with age-appropriate tips on what to focus on and what facts to share with your child. We’re committed to the health and safety of our patients at South Charlotte Dentistry, and we encourage you to give us a call anytime. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about our safety protocols or what to expect at your child’s appointment.

Is it Safe to Visit the Dentist in Light of Covid-19?

As we find ourselves navigating through this pandemic, it is difficult to know how to deal with previously normal circumstances, such as visiting the dentist. If I have a toothache or am in need of some form of emergency dentistry, what do I do? The answer: come see us at South Charlotte Dentistry—we’re still open! Our method of operating has had to change a little, but we are still seeing patients, which means there is NO reason for you to go to the ER for emergency dental procedures. 

In the past two weeks, life has changed dramatically for everyone. We’ve gone from watching parts of the world shut down to seeing our very own little worlds close in around us. At this time, restaurants, bars, libraries, and more are shutting their doors and people are being encouraged to stay home in a mass effort to contain, and ultimately rid ourselves of this virus.

But in the midst of the sudden change, life must go on—at least as much as it possibly can. South Charlotte Dentistry is happy to announce we are staying open on a limited bases, as we continue to provide the best care for all of our patients.

How to Schedule an Appointment 
Since we are open for appointments only, we have set up an easy process for scheduling a time to come in.

Simply call our office at 704-759-0908 and press option one. You will then be prompted to set up a day and time that works best for you to come in. It’s that easy. When you do come in, you can wait in your vehicle until the exact time of your appointment, in which case you will be the only patient in the office.

Here are the steps for setting up and completing your appointment:
1. Call for an appointment.  

2. Show up at the scheduled time and wait in the parking lot.

3. Receive a call or text that we are ready for you to come in.

4. Walk into the office—where the door will be held open for you—and go through the lobby and directly into the dentist’s chair. (This is a lobby-free experience.)

5. The only contact is the gloved hands of the dentist with your teeth.

6. Once the appointment is over, you can check out virtually, as there is no need to make a stop at the front desk on your way out. 

Is it Safe to Come in?
Yes, it is. Our team spends hours each day deep-cleaning every surface and every tool used. Gloves and facemasks are worn the entire time, making your experience hands-free.

These are strange days we are living in, but they won’t be here forever. We will beat this thing and normalcy will return to our lives. But until then, know that South Charlotte Dentistry is still here for you. The most important thing is to make sure you come to us for your dental needs instead of the emergency room. With people flooding hospitals and overwhelming staff and resources, we don’t want to add to the overflow.

Maintaining Your Oral Health
Though it may be inconvenient sitting at home trying to shelter in place, you could use this time to do a little spring-cleaning of the teeth and gums. Keeping a routine is important, if not only for our own sanity, for our health as well.

Here are some tips we, at South Charlotte Dentistry, live by:

It’s important to brush your teeth in the morning and at night with fluoride toothpaste. In the morning it’s a good idea to begin with mouth wash, which breaks down plaque and food particles. Then thoroughly floss between each tooth to get those spots your toothbrush won’t reach. When brushing, hold the toothbrush at an angle pointing the bristles towards the gums. Brush, using back-and-forth motions on both the inside and outside of the teeth, making sure not to scrub too vigorously. Brushing too hard can cause the gums to recede and expose sensitive areas of the teeth. It is strongly advised to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for two minutes a side and repeat the same process at night. 
It may sound a little strange (what doesn’t these last few days?), but even during a pandemic you still need to go to the dentist every six months. Here are four reasons why: 

1. 1. Removing Hardened Plaque. You know when you visit the dentist and he gets that sharp, silver hook tool and scrapes it against your teeth? Sometimes, he has to press extra hard and poke and prod. What he is doing is removing plaque from your teeth. Flossing and brushing twice a day can get most of it from your teeth, but little bits of plaque can remain and harden. In time that plaque will discolor and can cause damage to the teeth and gums if it’s not removed. Visiting us at least twice a year will keep this hardened substance from accumulating.
   2. Preventing Gum Disease. Bacteria in the mouth can cause gum disease, and most times it is not noticeable to the individual who has it until it’s festered. However, we can help prevent gum disease from ever occurring by professionally cleaning your teeth and gums. And if signs of gum disease show up, he can recommend the proper medication to help illuminate it.
   3. Preventing Cavities. Plaque and food particles can create cavities, which eat away at the teeth. And like gum disease, cavities can be difficult to notice right away. Unless you see us, that is. If they are found, cavities can be removed and the damaged tooth repaired, or, in extreme cases, the tooth will have to be pulled. Regardless, it is of the utmost importance that cavities are taken care of right away, as they can lead to more serious oral maladies.
   4. Preventing Oral Cancer. The thought of cancer can be scary, but it’s something that should not be ignored. Instead, it should be prevented. Seeing your dentist twice a year and having an oral exam can greatly help reduce your chances of contracting cancer of the mouth.

There are other reasons to keep your mouth clean. For instance, did you know cavities and gum disease, if left alone, could lead to serious medical problems such as heart disease? It’s true. Poor oral health can even affect other diseases, like diabetes, making them more difficult to control. This is why it’s so important to be sure you are caring for your teeth and gums correctly. 

Stuck Indoors and Snacking 
One of the toughest parts of being stuck at home is keeping from snacking. Whether out of boredom or the sweet or salty taste, it’s hard to stay away from them. But how do these sweets affect your teeth and gums? Well, too much of anything is bad for you, right? What happens when we eat a lot of sugary treats or even sip on too many cocktails, is the sugar combines with any plaque (hard or soft) in the mouth to create an acid. This acid then eats away at your teeth. And though this is a serious matter, as no one wants her teeth to be eaten away, it can be prevented. 

If you are regularly and correctly caring for your teeth twice a day, there are ways to still enjoy sweet foods and fresh drinks without damaging your teeth. If you are eating something high in sugar, gargle with mouthwash or water after you are finished. This will not completely clean the teeth and gums, but it can clear away enough unwanted matter before your brush next. As for drinks, try and find or make ones with fruit as a substitute for sugar. And, as with sugary treats, it's a good idea to gargle or have a glass of water after.

Teeth Whitening
While taking this time to maintain that oral health, it might be tempting to brighten that smile a bit with teeth whitening. But with so many whitening products out there, how can you be sure to get the best brand? Moreover, how can you be sure not to purchase a whitening kit that will damage your teeth? Here are four recommendations to consider when looking to brighten that smile: 

1. Stay away from trays and gels. This whitening system has been around the longest. The process involves heating a tray, filling it with whitening gel, and inserting it to the mouth to form a bond. The problem with this method is that it can take weeks for results to show. And, most people who use the tray and gels report having teeth sensitivity afterward. 

2. Use caution with whitening strips. The famous whitening strips have been around for ten years or so and have had a lot of success. Results can show in about a week, and the process is easy: simply fold the strip over your top and bottom rows of teeth and keep in your mouth for a short period of time. It is important to be cautious, however, not to overlap the strips onto your gums. Over time, this can cause irritation. Also, if you use the strips too often, your teeth can become sensitive.


3. When you have the time to wait, use paint-ons. The paint-on method solves the problem of the whitening agent interacting with interior soft tissues, such as the gums and inner cheek. You simply brush the whitening gel on each tooth and let it sit for a short period of time. Easy enough, right? The only downside to this method is it can take months before results can be seen, and you have to be diligent in getting the gel on each tooth daily.

4. Whitening devices. Though they may be a little more expensive than the others, whitening devices work the best. The device uses high-intensity lights to break down hydrogen peroxides to create more whitening oxygens on the teeth. The best part of using this method is your teeth will be much whiter in a matter of two days.

No matter what, remember that the most important things are to stay safe and stay calm—and to keep your mouth clean! Take care, and set up your dental appointment with us today.

Are You and Your Dog Too Close?

We love our pets, and as we find ourselves spending more time at home these days, an upside is being able to hang out with our little (or big) furry friends. But, if you are a dog owner could your oral health be at risk? Studies indicate those sweet doggy kisses we look forward to every day might be negatively impacting our gums and teeth.

It shouldn’t come as a shock that your dog’s mouth is filthy. Whether your dog resides inside the house or outside in the yard, doggy likes to lick and eat things that we wouldn’t pick up with our bare hands, some we wouldn’t dare look at with a naked eye. And when you go to kiss your dog—or let him slobber all over you—the germs picked up from the garbage or toilet or dead bird (or other places) are then transferred over to your mouth.

Recent research shows that pets, such as dogs and cats, share the same type of bacteria as humans that causes periodontal (or gum) disease. However, despite the fact we share the same or similar oral bacteria, there is no scientific evidence showing that humans can actually develop gum disease directly from a pet. In fact, there have been certain defenses found in the mouths of humans that actually combat outside germs, such as those from dogs and cats, and prevent them from developing into gingivitis, cavities, gum disease, etc.

That said, your dog’s mouth is still disgusting and teeming with germs. Simply relying on your body’s own defense systems to keep you healthy may not be wise. According to Dr. Villamizar-Martinez, an assistant professor in dentistry and oral surgery at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, “At the end of the day, it’s unlikely that you’ll get really sick from smooching your pet. But if you want to take those slim odds down a few notches, all the experts we spoke to agree that it’s probably better to show your affection in other ways.”

What You Could Catch
The odds are slim you will get sick from kissing your pet, but there is still a chance. So what could you catch?

According to the CDC, campylobacteriosis is the most common infection given to humans from their pets. Campylobacteriosis sounds like a good time, but it is actually an infection transmitted by the stool of an animal—an animal that may or may not seem or look sick. As we all know, animals tend to lick their rear-ends causing them to pick up particles of stool into their saliva, and well…there you go.

Once this is transmitted to a human, it can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.
Giardia is another infection that can be transmitted from our pets. This is a tiny, intestinal parasite that can cause the following:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach Pain
• Nausea
• Gas
• Vomiting

Giardia is spread by the animal swallowing stool particles containing the parasite and passing it on to you; however, the risk of contracting this infection from your dog or cat is extremely low.
The truth is, even if you get one of these illnesses from your dog or cat, it probably won’t be serious—that is unless you have a weak immune system, in which case you should be careful how close you are getting to your pets.

Keeping Your Mouth Clean
The good news is there are ways to build up your own defenses against these nasty infections, and the best way to maintain a healthy relationship with your pet is by maintaining your own oral health. Follow these procedures and keep your mouth clean!

• Begin by brushing correctly. The best way is to brush in small, circular motions. This will keep the toothbrush bristles from pushing your gums away from your teeth, which causes irritations that can lead to any of the conditions previously listed.

• Floss every day. Flossing is incredibly important for your oral health. This keeps food from resting between your teeth, which begins to rot and aid in gum disease. Floss every morning or at night right before bed. Be sure not to jam the floss down on your gums. Use soft, clean motions, going back and forth. Hit every area between the teeth and rinse with water or mouthwash after.

• Watch your diet. Sugary drinks and foods, alcoholic beverages, even fatty meats can all have negative effects on your gums. You don’t necessarily have to cut these things out of your diet completely, but if you are the type of person who enjoys these on a regular basis, try and cut back a bit. At the very least, make sure you brush your teeth right after eating or drinking sugary or fatty substances.

South Charlotte Dentistry wants you to keep up on your oral health and show your pets the attention they need.

*Source: https://www.self.com/story/kissing-pet-health-effects