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Posts for: June, 2015

Professional Teeth Cleanings Help Stave Off Dangerous Tooth Decay

By Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS, PA

June 23, 2015

Category: Dental Procedures

Tags: Teeth Cleanings

If you want to keep a healthy smile then you need to see your Shelby, NC dentist every six months.

How often do you see your Shelby dentist, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, Jr.? If the answer isn’t twice a year then you aren’t doing everything Teeth Cleanings you can to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you want to keep your smile for life then it’s time to find out why you should be seeing us every six months for your routine exams.

What happens during a professional teeth cleaning?

There are two components to a routine dental visit: the check-up and the cleaning.

The check-up

During your visit, your Shelby, NC dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth to check for signs of plaque or tartar buildup. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that, if not removed through proper brushing and flossing at home, can harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with at-home brushing, and will require your Shelby dentist to remove it before it causes issues like gingivitis (an early form of gum disease). We will also examine the health of your gums to make sure there are no signs of gum disease.

Dental cleaning

While you may brush and floss regularly at home, you still need to see your Shelby dentist every six months for a professional cleaning. Why? Because you aren’t perfect and sometimes you can miss spots when you clean your smile. Furthermore, we have special tools that give you the deep down clean you need.

Once tartar has been removed we will polish your teeth with a paste that will help to remove surface stains. Finally, we will give your teeth a good flossing to remove debris and plaque from in between those hard-to-reach spots.

The importance of a professional teeth cleaning

Since not all dental problems display symptoms, sometimes only your Shelby, NC dentist will be able to pinpoint issues before they become worse. Instead of needing expensive or time-consuming treatments, opt for six-month exams where we can monitor minor issues like dental erosion to make sure a weak spot doesn’t turn into a cavity. Prevent dental problems by keeping up with your routine dental visits.

How to care for your teeth between visits to your Shelby, NC dentist

There are things you can still do to maintain good oral hygiene when you aren’t in the dentist’s chair. Here are some handy tips for keeping those pearly whites healthy.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste. Brush for a minimum of two minutes each time.
Floss your teeth daily.
Use a mouth rinse that has the ADA Seal of Approval and will help to get rid of bacteria.
Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months or after illness.

If it’s time to schedule your upcoming dental visit, act now! It’s never too late to get a professional dental cleaning from your Shelby, NC dentist. Call our office today to book your next appointment.

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Make Dental Care a Priority When You're Pregnant

By Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS, PA

June 15, 2015

Category: Oral Health

Tags: oral hygiene pregnancy

MakeDentalCareaPriorityWhenYourePregnant

There are many health concerns when you’re pregnant. And not just for you — what you eat, how you sleep or what medications or supplements you’re taking all have an effect on your baby.

With so many concerns, it’s easy to neglect caring for your teeth. But like other health issues, dental care affects both you and your baby and their future teeth and gum health. For both your sakes taking care of your mouth is a must.

For one thing, you’re more susceptible during pregnancy to periodontal (gum) disease, an infection caused by bacterial plaque built up on teeth surfaces due to ineffective hygiene. It’s believed hormonal changes increase the risk of gingivitis, the inflammation of infected gum tissues, common to expectant mothers.

Gum disease is a serious matter for anyone because of the increased risk of tooth loss. But there’s another potential risk for expectant mothers: the bacteria that causes gum disease can pass through the placenta to the fetus. This can stimulate an inflammatory response from the mother that may result in a pre-term delivery and low birth weight.

There are some things you can do to protect your dental health and your baby’s future health. Maintain a healthy diet with a wide range of whole foods: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins and dairy products. Your doctor may also recommend iron and other supplements to reduce anemia. For the baby’s dental development, be sure you’re taking in sufficient calcium in your diet as well as other vitamins and nutrients. And although it’s common to develop carbohydrate cravings, limit your consumption — especially sugar. Carbohydrates increase the levels of bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Above all, practice consistent daily hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing once. Be sure to visit us at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups. If you notice bleeding, swelling or redness of your gums (signs of gum disease) contact us as soon as possible.

A little extra attention to your teeth and gums while you’re expecting can make a big difference in the health of your own teeth and gums, as well as build a strong foundation for your child’s future oral health.

If you would like more information on dental health and care during pregnancy, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Pregnancy and Oral Health.”

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