Oral Hygiene

As the new year approaches many of us make resolutions and set new goals — usually these goals have something to do with our vocations, our fitness, our health, maybe even learning a new skill of some sort.

Even though taking special care of your teeth and gums might seem like it’s sort of low on the priority list for 2019, it’s more important than ever to have a nice, sparkling set of pearly whites. Not only will having a sparkling, healthy open new doors for you in many realms, it will also help you maintain your overall health.

It’s true. Study after study supports the idea that gum disease has been shown to be linked to all sorts of awful health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and more.

Read on for a few resolutions you can set that will help you stay on top of your oral health this year. You won’t regret it!

1.) Bring a Travel Brush with You

Whether you’re at work or at play, packing an extra travel brush will help you take care of your smile when it counts. When you’re out and about eating and drinking, you’re doing an inside job to your teeth that can create real problems down the road.

2.) Brush Properly

After eating any sort of sugary or acidic foods, make sure to wait 20-40 minutes before brushing, that way your mouth can neutralize the acids. Otherwise, you can do damage to your enamel. Brush and floss twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush. Mouthwash is optional. Stay on top of your oral health routine because it’s the cornerstone of a healthy smile.

3.) Keep Your Routine Check-Ups and Dental Exams

Keeping your check-ups and oral health examinations at Manhattan Dental Care Studio twice a year will help you stay on top of any problems before they become more serious issues. We can clean away plaque and harmful bacteria that might be lingering — even after your diligent brushing.

4.) Eat and Drink with Your Smile in Mind

This means staying away from sugary foods and candies. If you’re going to eat almonds, try to opt for chopped. Drink plenty of water and stay away from sodas and carbonated beverages. Limit snacking in between meals and, as mentioned above, packing a travel toothbrush is always clutch. Try to be the designated driver when you can — it’s the responsible choice and that old fashioned or Manhattan can really do a number on your teeth.

5.) Quit Using Tobacco Products

If you partake here and there, it happens. However, smoking or using chewing tobacco can stain your teeth and is harmful to your mouth in more ways than one. If your resolution in 2019 is to quit smoking for your health, you’d also be doing your oral health a huge service as well.

If you have any additional questions about how you can maintain your oral health year-round, contact Manhattan Dental Care Studio today. We have a demonstrated history of improving smiles for patients of all ages.

Many adults balk at the idea of visiting the dentist when they aren’t having any problems with their teeth. They assume that visiting the dentist just to receive a clean bill of health is just a waste of money.

But, in fact, keeping your regular dental check-ups and cleanings can actually save you money in the long-run by making sure small problems don’t turn into expensive ones.

Keeping Your Exams Saves Your Money in the Long Run

If you don’t keep up with your oral health cleanings and exams, costly dental problems might occur.

Maintaining good oral health is also an important part of keeping your whole body healthy. While daily brushing and flossing is essential for a healthy mouth, regular check-ups and cleanings are also very important. Good oral health is also linked to good overall health.

When to Get a Checkup

For most adults, it is recommended they get a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. However, depending on your individual needs and personal dental history, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.

What Happens During an Exam

During a typical dental exam, patients go through two important preventative treatment processes: cleaning and evaluation. Exams often begin with a deep clean performed by a dental hygienist. These are dental professionals who have been trained to use special equipment and techniques to remove the tartar and plaque that daily brushing and flossing might miss.

Once your teeth have been cleaned and polished, the dentist will come in to evaluate your neck, throat, tongue, teeth, and gums for any signs of damage, disease, or decay. X-rays may also be taken. If any troubled spots are found, your dentist will recommend a treatment plan and subsequent visits will be scheduled.

Even though the American Dental Association has invested millions of dollars in educating the public on the importance of maintaining good oral health, 50% of Americans do not visit their dentist regularly. This is a disturbing statistic considering that nearly the same percentage of adults have some level of gum disease and nearly three-quarters of adults are estimated to have at least one cavity.

By regularly monitoring your oral health and keeping up on necessary preventative care, dental disease and decay is less likely to occur. If a problem is found during your regular check-up, it is often easier to fix because it was spotted quickly. As a result, the need for expensive intervention and treatment is virtually eliminated, and any threat to your overall health has been removed. When it comes to keeping your dental exams and periodic cleanings, remember the old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If you haven’t been in the office in a while, we’d love to see you. Contact Manhattan Dental Care today to schedule your consultation.

It’s that time again where moms and dads everywhere are making plans for the first day of school. You have supplies, backpacks, plenty of healthy lunchtime snacks – but did you remember to schedule your child’s back-to-school dental exam by the Manhattan Beach general dentist?

How Poor Oral Health Affects Kids

Dental decay (caries) are the most common childhood illness, and research shows that 23% of children have untreated cavities. Your child deserves to get the most out of every moment of their school day. Their focus should be on learning and socializing, and not getting sidelined from the fun with a toothache.

Untreated caries put children’s future oral health at risk but the problems do not stop there. Dental problems can also have a dramatic effect on your child’s quality of life:

• Difficulty chewing and getting the nutrition they need
• Poor concentration because of tooth pain
• Reduced academic achievement
• Problems speaking clearly
• Missed time from play and athletic activities
• Poor self-esteem

Prevention for a Healthy Smile

When kids are young, we have an opportunity to start your child with good oral health practices that last a lifetime. As a dentist, Dr. Erick Guttierez does his part by encouraging routine dental exams and checkups and correcting problems as they occur. As parents, your job is to make sure your kids are brushing properly and eating a healthy diet.

If you haven’t yet scheduled a back-to-school dental exam for your child, please call the Manhattan Beach general dentist to arrange an appointment. It is far easier to ensure that your children enjoy excellent oral health than it is to deal with more painful, costly, and complicated dental conditions in the future. Please call our office and we will be happy to arrange an appointment at your convenience.