Patient Education

Dental Care at Home—“The Fundamental Four”

  1. Toothbrush
    • Brush for 2 minutes, twice daily, with a soft bristled toothbrush.
    • Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months to avoid bacterial colonization.
    • Studies have shown 8 out of 10 patients using an electric toothbrush have better dental checkups than patients using a manual toothbrush.
  2. Toothpaste
    • Colgate Total is the only over-the-counter toothpaste that kills bacteria in the mouth responsible for causing gingivitis.
    • Sensodyne Pronamel and Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief are great over-the-counter options for patients who struggle with enamel sensitivity. 
    • For cavity-prone patients, prescription Prevident fluoride toothpaste and fluoride-free MI Paste are products available through our office.
  3. Floss
    • Woven floss removes up to 52% more plaque than waxed floss. Reach Gum Care is designed to be gentle on gums and has fluoride to help prevent cavities.
    • For patients with tight contacts, woven floss can be difficult to use. In this case we recommend Reach Total Care—“it slides like Glide” but removes up to 2x more plaque.
  4. Mouthrinse
    • Recent research suggests every patient can benefit from the daily use of an oral rinse. Using a mouthrinse helps eliminate bacteria in the mouth responsible for infection of the teeth and gums; however, not all rinses are effective. Many over-the-counter mouthrinses only temporarily freshen breath. Mouthrinse should be used to treat bacteria which are the source of bad breath. Our office recommends Oxyfresh mouthrinse—an alcohol-free  mouthrinse that soothes the gums and kills bacteria in the mouth, thus freshening breath.

 

Your Child and The Dentist

The American Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit be scheduled by age one. We recommend the initial dental visit take place with a pediatric dentist as they are best equipped to treat younger children. Parents are typically encouragedto accompany their children during these initial appointments. By age 5 (or as early as age 3) some children are ready to transition to a general dental office for longer appointments and additional treatment, as needed. We are happy to aid in this transition and prepare children for dental health changes as they approach their adolescence.

 

According to the American Dental Hygiene Association, a good oral hygiene routine for children includes cleaning your infant’s gums after each feeding with a water-soaked cloth. By age 3, children should be taught about correct brushing technique with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Proper flossing technique should be introduced to children by age 8. Both brushing and flossing will help develop your child’s dexterity. Regular six month dental visits should be scheduled to check for cavities and possible developmental problems (i.e. crowded, rotated or missing teeth).

 

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem. If you’re concerned about bad breath, see your dentist and dental hygienist. Together they can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.

Common Causes of Bad Breath:

  • Certain foods—garlic, onion, etc.
  • Inadequate oral hygiene
  • Dry mouth (xerostomia)
  • Gingivitis and periodontal disease
  • Tobacco products
  • Medications
  • Medical disorder—respiratory/sinus infection, bronchitis, diabetes, GERD /acid reflux, etc.
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Treatment Options for Bad Breath:

  • Diet and Nutrition counseling
  • Improved dental home care as advised by your dentist and dental hygienist
  • Alternative and/or additional dental care products—toothpastes, mouthrinses, floss, etc. 
  • Scaling and root planing to treat periodontal disease
  • Tobacco cessation
  • Regularly scheduled professional cleanings to reduce, treat and prevent bad breath
  • Referral to a physician for evaluation of underlying medical condition

 

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Many people experience the sensation of “cotton mouth” however may be unsure of the cause of this unpleasant feeling. Dry Mouth or xerostomia is a condition that affects many adults. It may seem to be a minor condition; however a dry mouth can lead to other dental problems such as cavities and bad breath. To help identify the cause of dry mouth and develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it, see your dentist or dental hygienist.  

Common Causes of Dry Mouth:

  • Medications
  • Smoking
  • Medical disorder—Sjögren's Syndrome, eating disorders, etc.
  • Radiation therapy

 

Treatment Options for Dry Mouth:

  • Sip on water throughout the day
  • Sugar-free lozenges (containing Xylitol)
  • Over-the-counter Biotene products
  • Prescription Prevident Dry Mouth Fluoride toothpaste, MI Paste or Carifree Spray  


Infants

Infants should be seen by our office after the first six months of age, and at least by the child's first birthday. By this time, the baby's first teeth, or primary teeth, are beginning to erupt and it is a critical time to spot any problems before they become big concerns.

Conditions like gum irritation and thumb-sucking could create problems later on. Babies who suck their thumbs may be setting the stage for malformed teeth and bite relationships.

Another problem that can be spotted early is a condition called "baby bottle tooth decay," which is caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby's mouth.

If left untreated, this can lead to premature decay of your baby's future primary teeth, which can later hamper the proper formation of permanent teeth.

One of the best ways to avoid baby bottle tooth decay is to not allow your baby to nurse on a bottle while going to sleep. Avoid dipping pacifiers in sweet substances such as honey, because this only encourages early decay in the baby's mouth. Encouraging your young child to drink from a cup as early as possible will also help stave off the problems associated with baby bottle tooth decay.

Teething, Pacifiers and Thumb-Sucking

Teething is a sign that your child's gums are sore. This is perfectly normal. You can help relieve this by allowing the baby to suck on a teething ring, or gently rubbing your baby's gums with the back of a small spoon, a piece of wet gauze, or even your finger.

For babies under the age of 4, teething rings and pacifiers can be safely used to facilitate the child's oral needs for relieving gum pain and for suckling. After the age of 4, pacifiers are generally discouraged because they may interfere with the development of your child's teeth.

Moreover, thumb-sucking should be strongly discouraged because it can lead to malformed teeth that become crooked and crowded.

Primary and Permanent Teeth

Every child grows 20 primary teeth, usually by the age of 3. These teeth are gradually replaced by the age of 12 or so with a full set of 28 permanent teeth, and later on, four molars called "wisdom teeth."

It is essential that a child's primary teeth are healthy, because their development sets the stage for permanent teeth. If primary teeth become diseased or do not grow in properly, chances are greater that their permanent replacements will suffer the same fate. For example, poorly formed primary teeth that don't erupt properly could crowd out spaces reserved for other teeth. Space maintainers can sometimes be used to correct this condition, if it is spotted early enough.

Brushing

Babies' gums and teeth can be gently cleaned with special infant toothbrushes that fit over your finger. Water is suitable in lieu of toothpaste (because the baby may swallow the toothpaste). Parents are advised to avoid fluoride toothpastes on children under the age of 2.

Primary teeth can be cleansed with child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrushes. Remember to use small portions of toothpaste (a pea-sized portion is suitable), and teach your child to spit out, not swallow, the toothpaste when finished.

Fluoride

Fluoride is generally present in most public drinking water systems. If you are unsure about your community's water and its fluoride content, or learn that it has an unacceptable level of fluoride in it, there are fluoride supplements your dentist can prescribe. Your child may not be getting enough fluoride just by using fluoride toothpaste.

Toothaches

Toothaches can be common in young children. Sometimes, toothaches are caused by erupting teeth, but they also could indicate a serious problem.

You can safely relieve a small child's toothache without the aid of medication by rinsing the mouth with a solution of warm water and table salt. If the pain doesn't subside, acetaminophen may be used. If such medications don't help, contact your dentist immediately.

Injuries

You can help your child prevent oral injuries by closely supervising him during play and not allowing the child to put foreign objects in the mouth.

For younger children involved in physical activities and sports, mouth guards are strongly encouraged, and can prevent a whole host of injuries to the teeth, gums, lips and other oral structures.

Mouth guards are generally small plastic appliances that safely fit around your child's teeth. Many mouth guards are soft and pliable when opened, and mold to the child's teeth when first inserted.

If the tooth has been knocked out, try to place the tooth back in its socket while waiting to see our office. Remember to hold the dislocated tooth by the crown-not the root. If you cannot relocate the tooth, place it in a container of cold milk, saline or the victim's own saliva. Place the tooth in the solution.

First, rinse the mouth of any blood or other debris and place a cold cloth or compress on the cheek near the injury. This will keep down swelling.

For a fractured tooth, it is best to rinse with warm water and again, apply a cold pack or compress. Ibuprofen may be used to help keep down swelling.

If the tooth fracture is minor, the tooth can be sanded or if necessary, restored by the dentist if the pulp is not severely damaged.

If a child's primary tooth has been loosened by an injury or an emerging permanent tooth, try getting the child to gently bite down on an apple or piece of caramel; in some cases, the tooth will easily separate from the gum.

Irritation caused by retainers or braces can sometimes be relieved by placing a tiny piece of cotton or gauze on the tip of the wire or other protruding object. If an injury occurs from a piece of the retainer or braces lodging into a soft tissue, contact our office immediately and avoid dislodging it yourself.

Sealants

Sealants fill in the little ridges on the chewing part of your teeth to protect and seal the tooth from food and plaque. The application is easy to apply and typically last for several years.

Women's Teeth

Women have special needs when it comes to their oral health. That's because the physical changes they undergo through life-things like menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, breast-feeding and menopause-cause many changes in the body, some harmful to teeth and gums.

Lesions and ulcers, dry sockets, as well as swollen gums, can sometimes occur during surges in a woman's hormone levels. These periods would be a prime time to visit the dentist. Birth control pills have been shown to increase the risk of gingivitis, and hormone replacement therapy has been shown to cause bleeding and swollen gums. Gum disease can also present a higher risk for premature births.

Some research has shown that women may be more likely to develop dry mouth, eating disorders, jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders, and facial pain-all of which can be difficult from a physical and emotional standpoint.

Taking care of your oral health is essential, and can go a long way to helping you face the physical changes in your body over the years.


Dentist - Lexington, Pearson Justice Dental, 3285 Blazer Parkway, Lexington KY, 40509 859-543-0700