Oral Hygiene Checklist

You may not know, but if your dental health is in a poor state, it could have a negative impact on your overall health. Proper dental care simply entails brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily. When you fail to make brushing and flossing a routine, plaque or tartar will accumulate on your teeth, which could initiate a series of potential dental issues.

To guard against many oral health problems that can affect your health, it is advisable to create an oral hygiene checklist that will ensure your oral cavity is always in good shape.

Oral Hygiene Checklist

The oral hygiene checklist listed below is essential for everybody, regardless of age. All you need to keep your oral health in the best condition is to abide by the proven guidelines suggested by dental experts. This will consequently have beneficial effects on your overall health.

Brushing

Brush the teeth in the morning and night just before bedtime using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Experts suggest you brush gently for at least two minutes to ensure that every tooth is meticulously clean from stain or food particles. You should also brush the tongue, (reaching to the back) for a few seconds to get rid of the bacteria that may accumulate on the tongue.

Flossing

Floss every time you eat. Although many suggest that flossing should be done once or twice daily, you should floss after each meal to get rid of any food particles that may be lurking in the teeth afterward.

See a Dentist

Book an appointment with a professional dentist every six months for a comprehensive oral checkup. During your meeting, you can ask the dentist about any concern you have about oral health. The dentist will also be able to diagnose any potential threat to your dental health. Deep cleaning is also done during the appointment to clean your tooth of any accumulated debris.

Hydration

Take enough fluids, preferably water, to keep your body well hydrated. Your mouth needs to be adequately hydrated to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth and prevent dry mouth.

Eat Right

Shun the consumption of unhealthy meals to keep your oral health in a good state. The main meal courses to avoid are foods containing lots of sugar or sticky snacks. Bacteria feed primarily on the sugar content in your mouth which could worsen any preexisting oral issue.

Keep Your Oral Hygiene In The Best Shape with These Tips

Sticky foods are hard to remove and are a common cause of tooth decay. Sugary drinks and meals are not healthy for your mouth.

Avoid smoking. This does not only discolor your teeth, but it could also put you at risk of oral cancer.

Be mindful of teeth grinding (bruxism). If you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth while sleeping, you should include wearing a mouth guard in your checklist.

Rinse your mouth. Cleaning your mouth with a dental wash or antibacterial mouthwash is beneficial should be part of your oral hygiene. Ensure you swish the mouthwash for the period recommended to ensure that the bacteria are eliminated.

Do you need to see a dentist?

If you are already experiencing any form of dental issues, you should book an appointment immediately with a dentist to treat the problem. There are certain dental issues (including bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, and inflamed gums) that cannot be solved by merely maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Request an appointment here: or call John M. Chaves, DDS at (818) 999-2707 for an appointment in our Woodland Hills office.

Best and Worst Foods for Sensitive Teeth

Understanding the best and worst foods for sensitive teeth and structuring your diet around the information is a great way to ensure weak enamel or cavities do not begin to develop.

While it would be great if we could eat anything that we wanted without worrying about the damage we are causing to our teeth; unfortunately some foods are better for sensitive teeth than others.

By having a full understanding of the best and worst foods for sensitive teeth, you can take the necessary precautions and make sure to brush and floss when consuming foods that are potentially harmful to enamel.

Best Foods for Sensitive Teeth

The goal when trying to consume more of the best foods for sensitive teeth is to avoid substances that harm our enamel and instead consume more of what strengthens the enamel of our teeth.

The following are great foods for preventing sensitive teeth or ensuring already sensitive teeth improve or do not worsen.

Dairy products

The good news for individuals with sensitive teeth is that they do not have to give up their favorite dairy products.

Dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, are great for sensitive teeth as they are high in calcium and protein, which help to strengthen teeth. With that being said, be sure to choose yogurt that is not high in sugar.

Fruits and vegetables with fiber

Fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, such as carrots and apples, are great for teeth as they produce saliva in the mouth, which works to wash away harmful chemicals from the teeth.

Different fruits, such as apples, tend to get stuck in between teeth, so be sure to floss after eating certain fruits and vegetables.

Nuts with vitamins and minerals

Lastly, nuts and other small snacks that are high in vitamins and minerals, such as almonds, are great for sensitive teeth as they are high in calcium and protein and low in sugar.

When choosing a snack, keep dental health in mind and pick almonds or nuts with vitamins and minerals.

Worst Foods for Sensitive Teeth

Now, we will go over the worst foods for sensitive teeth.

In general, be sure to avoid any foods that are highly acidic or contain a large quantity of sugar as they may be harmful to teeth that are sensitive.

Candy and sweets

Candy and other sweets such as ice cream are typically very high in sugar, which can work to break down enamel and cause tooth decay.

While it is not a crime to have a bowl of ice cream every once in a while, be sure to brush your teeth after eating.

Chips and crackers

Although chips and crackers do not typically contain much sugar, the heavy dose of carbohydrates, which turn into sugar, can damage the enamel in the same way.

Therefore, be sure to choose snacks that are better for teeth, such as nuts and almonds.

Tomato sauce

Lastly, tomato sauce is widely known as one of the worst foods for sensitive teeth.

Subsequently, be sure to choose a sauce that won't affect the sensitivity of your teeth when ordering or making pasta.

Are you considering ways to relieve sensitive teeth in the Woodland Hills area? Get more sensitive teeth information at .

5 Oral Hygiene Habits For Healthy Gums

Many people are not aware of the most effective practices for healthy gums and proper oral hygiene. The reality is that people do not learn the proper techniques for cleaning teeth at home. It is crucial to brush the teeth twice a day and floss once a day.

The manner in which someone cleans the teeth matters just as much as the frequency of the cleanings.

Here is a look at effective habits to implement in your oral hygiene routine to keep your gums healthy.

Floss Properly

Do not assume flossing once each night is all that is necessary for adequate gum health. It is beneficial to floss the teeth after each meal. However, most people do not have the time, patience or access to floss throughout the day. Thus, most people wait until the evening to floss their teeth. What matters most is the manner in which you floss.

Move the floss on down between your teeth and gums and create a “C” shape as you glide it down into the gum line. Move the floss around to loosen the trapped food particles, bacteria and other gunk. Use a distinct portion of the floss to clean each of your teeth/gums.

If you use the same part of the floss to clean your teeth and gums over and over again, you will simply move food particles, bacteria, plaque and other unsavory particles between different parts of your mouth.  There is no sense in flossing if you are simply transferring harmful bacteria and food debris from one part of your mouth to the next.

Your Gum Health Hinges on Your Ability to Stop Smoking

The regular use of tobacco products will contribute to the onset of gum disease. In particular, smoking is terrible for your gums. Stop smoking and you will dramatically lower your risk for periodontal disease. Furthermore, smoking cessation will enhance your overarching biological health in all sorts of other ways.

Attack Those Germs

Baking soda and antibacterial mouth rinses kill those pesky germs that lurk beneath the gums and spur gum disease. If you use baking soda, mix it with water to form a non-abrasive paste. It is best to apply this paste with an electric-powered toothbrush. Rinse your mouth with warm water following this brushing session so the water can move between the teeth and knock out debris.

Brush Your Teeth in a Mindful Manner

Brush your chompers with an electric-powered toothbrush and you will find it does more than merely clean your teeth. These high-tech brushes also clean the gums to boot. Electric-powered toothbrushes are better than regular toothbrushes for the removal of sticky plaque and food particles.

Move the brush along your teeth and gums for at least two full minutes per session. Do not press too hard. Let the electric toothbrush do the work on your behalf. Just be sure to move the brush head along the gums, the areas where the teeth meet the gums, your cheeks, tongue and the roof of your mouth to ensure a thorough clean.

Focus on Your Diet

Antioxidants bolster the immune system. Consume flavonoid antioxidants along with carotenoid antioxidants that are fat soluble and they will work in tandem with vitamin C to bolster your gum health. Foods laden with antioxidants tend to be quite colorful. Everything from berries to papaya, melon, plums, peaches, kale, cabbage, spinach, pumpkin and sweet potatoes improve gum health.

That's not all…

Request a dental check-up here: or call John M. Chaves, DDS at (818) 999-2707 for an appointment in our Woodland Hills dental office.

Do Dentists Recommend Mouthwash?

For a lot of people, their daily oral routine usually goes something like this: Brush your teeth with a toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste, floss, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash.

However, mouthwashes have had their own share of controversy, and the jury is still out on whether they are a necessary part of your morning routine. So what do dentists have to say about it? Do they recommend mouthwash?

Do Dentists Recommend Mouthwash?

Turns out, it depends on several factors including your age, what you're using the mouthwash for, and the type of mouthwash.

Age

All dentists agree that any child under the age of six should never use mouthwash. This is especially true if the mouthwash contains alcohol. Children who are below the age of six are more likely to swallow the liquid, and this could be harmful to their health.

Type of mouthwash

There are five different kinds of mouthwashes:

• Desensitizing wash

• Anti-plaque wash

• Cosmetic wash

• Teeth whitening wash

• Fluoride rinse

All of these different types of oral rinses are designed to solve very specific dental issues. Your dentist may recommend some of these products or give your other options that could offer a better solution. For example, if you want to whiten your teeth, teeth whitening rinses can remove some stains over time. However, in-office bleaching is a lot faster and more effective.

If your breath is bad and you want to use a cosmetic wash, an oral professional may recommend getting to the root of the problem instead of masking it. For mouth ulcers or canker sores, your dentist may advise you to save the $5 and use a homemade saltwater solution to rinse your mouth.

What are your needs?

If you have cavities or are at a high risk of contracting gum diseases, your dentist may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. Mouth rinses with fluoride can also help ward off tooth decay. In fact, dentists often advise pregnant women to use an antiplaque or antibacterial oral rinse, as studies show that it reduces their risk of going into early labor.

However, you should always remember that an oral rinse is not a substitute for proper dental care. Even though cosmetic mouth rinses may leave your breath feeling minty and fresh, they do not fight the bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Therefore, they simply mask the smell without targeting the root of the problem.

It is always better to ask your dentist which type of mouthwash is best for you.

When should you use mouthwash?

Not using mouthwash will not be detrimental to your oral health. However, there are some important reasons why your dentist may recommend it. They include:

• Gum disease

• Tooth decay

• Periodontitis from pregnancy

• Bacterial decay due to recent dental surgery

• Cavities

However, there are other situations where using mouthwash is not recommended. They include:

• A child under the age of six

• If you want to use it as a replacement for brushing teeth

• If you are hoping it will cure your gum disease so that you don't have to visit a dentist

Conclusion

Nobody knows your teeth better than your dentist. If you want to start using mouthwash, it is better to ask him/her which type is best for you. Even if you do not use an oral rinse daily, your teeth will probably be fine as long as you continue to brush and floss twice daily and visit your dental provider regularly.

Call (818) 999-2707 today to reach John M. Chaves, DDS.

What is Tooth Enamel?

There is an increased amount of awareness, thanks in part to the efforts of dentists, to explain to people and make them understand just how important the enamel actually is. The enamel is the protective outer shell that protects the teeth. Without the enamel, the teeth would sustain serious amounts of damage and an increased amount of risk for infection.

What exactly is tooth enamel?

Tooth enamel is the substance that forms a shell around the top of every tooth. It is an extraordinarily hard substance that is specifically designed to protect the teeth from damage. The enamel is a shield that protects the vulnerable area on the side of the teeth which can sustain damage due to decay.

It is difficult to see enamel because it is translucent, which means that light is allowed to pass through it. The main portion of the tooth, known as the dentin, is actually the part responsible for a person's tooth color. People develop stained teeth when there is discoloration in the dentin.

Why is tooth enamel so important?

Protecting a person's enamel is one of the primary functions that dentists take seriously. Every time a person puts something into their mouth, bites or chews, there is a risk of damaging the teeth. It is only the strength of the enamel that stops the teeth from breaking apart.

Despite being an extraordinarily hard surface, enamel can easily sustain damage. Once the enamel sustains damage, it allows for decay or other problems to lead to additional damage to the underlying tooth. When the enamel wears out, chips or is broken, there is nothing standing between the bacteria in the mouth and the easily susceptible tooth from terrible infections.

Another critical function that the enamel performs is insulating the incisor teeth from potentially painful changes in temperature, or chemicals. Although enamel is a hard protector of the teeth, it is prone to chipping and cracking. Once enamel sustains damage, the body has no means of repairing itself. Since the enamel has no living cells and the body cannot go to work repairing chips or cracks in the enamel.

Protect the enamel

It is critically important to protect the enamel. This is essentially the first step in protecting the teeth themselves from conditions like decay, gum disease, periodontal disease and other conditions that may result in severe infections, chronic pain or even tooth loss.

To learn more about tooth enamel, its importance and how to best protect it, give us a call and schedule an appointment today to see a dentist.