Dental Sealants for Cavity Protection

Cavities are no fun to get filled and they are not good for your dental health in the first place. During a certain age group, cavities can become prevalent. This is why here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we are able to provide patients with dental sealants. They are great cavity prevention for kids or adults.

Dental sealants are placed on the chewing surfaces of molars to block out bacteria and debris from the deep grooves. The sealant is a liquid plastic material that is hardened with a curing light. Sealants are great for kids between the ages of six to fourteen, also known as the cavity-prone years. Adults may also benefit from sealants if they have not had any cavities or fillings in their molars. Sealants can last for up to ten years or longer.

To place sealants, the teeth are first cleaned and dried. An acidic solution is then placed on the teeth to roughen up the surface. This aids a strong bond between the sealant and the tooth. The acidic solution is rinsed off, the teeth are again dried, and the sealant is painted onto the surfaces. A curing light is then applied for hardening. The patients can use their teeth normally shortly afterward.

Sealants provide that extra protection for teeth that need it. To schedule your appointment with Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

Make Sure You Are Spending Enough Time Brushing!

It takes about two minutes to hit every spot in your mouth effectively while brushing. How do you keep track of the two minutes? At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we want to be sure our patients are keeping up with their dental hygiene. Check out some great ways to ensure you are brushing long enough!

Song and Dance

Play your favorite tune while brushing your teeth. Most music players have a timer on it as the song plays, so just make sure you brush at least until the two-minute mark.  Every thirty seconds brush a different quadrant of your mouth. Also, do not forget your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, and the roof of your mouth! Dancing is optional.

 

Your Cell Phone

Phones are so much more than just phones now. They are music players, entertainment, the Internet, and they are clocks for a lot of people! Set your phone’s timer for two minutes for an easy way to keep track.

 

Old-school Timers

Consider getting an hourglass to use as a timer! In this case, you would get a minute glass and flip it twice. You can even look into getting a fancy one to add to your bathroom décor!

 

Electric Toothbrushes

Many electric toothbrushes also have timers on them. They pause the vibrations a couple of times or beep when the two minutes mark has been reached.

 

A good at-home oral care plan is vital to your overall health. To schedule your next appointment with Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in our Philadelphia, PA office, call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.

 

Healthy Foods for Teeth and Gums

Food is what fuels our bodies. It is well-known that we need to eat the right things so we get the proper nutrients, but did you know that it also counts for your oral health? At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we want our patients to the proper nutrition can lead to better oral health. Keep reading to learn more!

Probably the most well-known nutrition needed for your smile is calcium. Foods rich in calcium like milk, cheese, and yogurt are great for building and keeping strong teeth. There are also benefits from yogurt which has good bacteria that fight off odor-causing bacteria and from milk which lowers acid levels in your mouth. Acid leads to erosion of enamel, so keeping the levels low is important!

There are also foods that actually help clean your teeth. Crunchy, fibrous foods like carrots and cucumbers actually help clean your teeth as you eat them. They remove plaque as you bite into them and chew them. If you ever find yourself in need of a brushing without a toothbrush around, look for the veggies!

Gum health is also vital for complete oral health. For good gum health, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits can help out. They strengthen the blood vessels and connective tissues that hold your teeth to your jaw. They can also help reduce any inflammation.

Remember your teeth and gums when getting your daily vitamins and minerals in! To set up your next cleaning and examination at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

The Consequences of Poor Oral Care

Skipping brushing your teeth can lead to more than just bad breath and yellow teeth. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we are dedicated to informing our patients about good oral health. Read on to learn some of the consequences of taking poor oral care.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is to remove plaque that builds up from food, saliva, and other debris. After brushing, plaque (a bacterial film) builds up just hours later. This is why brushing should be done two or three times per day. Plaque that is not brushed away turns into tartar which is only able to be removed by a dentist.

When plaque and tartar are not removed, they begin to irritate the gums, leading to gum disease and causing gum tissue recession. Receded gums form deep pockets where bacteria can collect. These pockets are hard-to-reach areas so it often makes clearing up gum disease very difficult.

Gum disease can cause bleeding, painful gums, the spread of infection, and the loss of teeth. In addition, it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Extensive dental cleanings and even gum surgery may be needed to clear up severe gum disease.

To keep a healthy mouth, brush two to three times per day and floss once per day.  In addition, schedule routine dental visits at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA. To schedule, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

Picking the Right Toothbrush

Doing a good job with brushing your teeth can depend on what toothbrush you are using. With all of the different options, how are you sure that you are using the right one for you? Check out our simple tips for picking out a good toothbrush. In addition, make sure you are coming into our Philadelphia, PA office for your routine cleanings! Everyone here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center wants to make sure their patients know how to take great home-care of their teeth.

You want to be able to maneuver your toothbrush around your mouth well so that you can reach every corner. For this reason, choose a toothbrush with a small head. You may think that a bigger head with more bristles will be best; however, if you cannot get it behind your teeth or to the backs of your back molars, you will frequently be missing spots. Also, choose a toothbrush with a non-slip grip for the same reason.

For those who have trouble using their hands, an electric toothbrush may be a good idea. They do most of the work, so you just have to hold them up in the right place. There are even toothbrushes made for those with arthritis.

When it comes to bristles, you do not want to choose stiff ones. Stiff bristles wear down enamel and irritate gum tissue. This can lead to sensitive, cavity-prone teeth and receded gums. Choose a soft or medium bristled toothbrush, instead.

Follow these tips and you will be on your way to clean teeth! To schedule an appointment at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, call our Philadelphia, PA office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.