Unlike many other medical situations, where you only make an appointment when you have to address a painful or specific condition,  going to the dentist on a regular basis should be a PREVENTIVE habit rather than a REACTIVE need! Preventive dentistry (hygiene visits), are less invasive, more comfortable & a cost effective way of preventing  major dental problems.  With this in mind, what is Dr. Robert Harris (or your dentist) looking for when you come in for your checkup?

Our hygienist & Dr. Harris visually & manually examine your neck, throat, your entire mouth, including your lips, tongue, & surrounding tissue. We look for any signs of decay or disease. (Oral cancer or unusual sores in the mouth, periodontal (gum) disease, exposed roots, deterioration of restorations (fillings & crowns) or impacted wisdom teeth are just of the few conditions that we routinely look out for when we see our patients.  From time to time we will take x-rays to see beyond & between the surfaces of your teeth as well as below your gumline. Without this helpful tool we would have a hard time catching & addressing many small issues before they became major ones! We also educate our patients on home care (brushing & flossing) or lifestyle choices that may negatively affect them.  For example, what you eat & drink may change the color of your teeth at any age or that athlete swimmers can develop a condition called “swimmer’s calculus”. It’s when a person who is exposed to a chemically treated water routinely has excess stain from the tarter deposits that are left on their teeth. Those individuals may need additional hygiene visits to help keep their mouth healthy & remove the difficult build up left behind from the water.

With this in mind (especially after the summer), check your calendar to see when you are due for your dental visit!  Dr. Harris (or your dentist) looks forward to seeing you soon to help you look &  feel great!

Results of a study from NYU School of Dentistry showed that drinking “wine“, weather red or white, increased the potential for staining effects on the teeth. The explanation is that the acids in wine create rough spots and grooves on the enamel, enabling stains from other beverages such as coffee or tea to penetrate deeper into the teeth.

Brushing your teeth too soon after indulging in any kind of wine and you’ll risk damaging your enamel. Instead keep your toothbrush away for at least an hour, and rinse your mouth with water, or eat some cheese!

Eating cheese after a meal can actually help protect your teeth against cavities. Following  a meal  or sipping wine, the PH level in your mouth often drops and your mouth becomes more acidic – a potentially damaging situation for your teeth. Eating cheese neutralizes the acids and helps maintain a PH balance in your mouth that is safe for your  teeth. Consuming cheese can also help increase the amount of saliva, which aids in rinsing particles away.

Counteracting the acidic effects of wine and foods with the neutralizing qualities of cheese adds up to a delicious, tooth friendly solution for wine aficionados!

“Cheers”

There’s an interesting theory that people can make themselves & others feel happier by consciously forcing a smile!

While it may not be a scientifically proven idea, the “science of smiling” does provide food for thought.  After all, who can deny that a friendly smile cast in their direction lightens their mood, & makes them want to smile too???

Of course you haveto be confident in the condition of your teeth & gums to feel secure about your smile, and where you can make some dental resolutions even before the New Year!

Here are a few simple ideas!

1. I will be more careful what I put in my mouth- from staining foods, tobacco & other unhealthy options, to the pens that I chew on while stressed at work!

2. I will brush my teeth (for at least 2 minutes) twice a day, no matter how rushed I am!

3. I will visit my dentist for a through cleaning & exam every 6 months!

4. I will take pride in my smile & share it with as many people as possible!