The Effects of a Poor Dental Hygiene Routine

Ever wonder what happens when you do not brush and floss regularly? Brushing and flossing removes plaque from your teeth and prevents the buildup of it and the formation of tartar. Bensalem Dentistry here in Bensalem, PA wants our patients to know the effects of not having a good oral hygiene routine.

The purpose of brushing and flossing is to remove the plaque that builds up. Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms from food, drinks, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it can form crystals which turn the plaque into tartar. Tartar is a hard deposit that can only be removed by a dentist. Plaque and tartar cause teeth to weaken and irritate gums. Weakened teeth form cavities and will decay teeth. When plaque and tartar irritate the gums, the gums begin to form deep pockets and recede. The receded gums now expose tooth root and cause more pain and sensitivity. The pockets also allow bacteria to reach further down into the gums where it is harder to reach. At this point, if the gum disease is not cleared up, it can cause teeth to fall out.

Plaque forms just hours after brushing and flossing. This is why it is important to brush two to three times per day and floss once daily. In addition to a good oral hygiene routine, regular visits to your dentist for an exam and cleaning are important. To schedule an appointment at our Bensalem, PA dentistry, call us at (215) 638-9952. For more information, visit the Bensalem Dentistry website, www.bensalemdentistry.com. 

Why It is So Important To Replace a Missing Tooth

When a permanent tooth falls out or is extracted, some of the issues may seem obvious. It could be unappealing to the eye or it could create difficulties eating. There are problems that go beyond the obvious matters, though. Here at Bensalem Dentistry of Bensalem, PA, we want our patients to know why it is so important to replace a missing tooth.

When a tooth is missing, the chewing problems that arise will create an unbalanced jaw. This can cause pain and structural problems in the jaw. When the tooth is not replaced soon, the bone tissue in that area will begin to deteriorate. This complicates future replacement of the tooth. Also, when the jaw bone in that area becomes smaller, the other teeth will start to shift toward that open space. This creates spaces within the other teeth and hard-to-reach areas where bacteria may build up. When multiple teeth are missing in an area and are not replaced, this deterioration will cause the jaw to change shape, which in turn changes the shape of the facial structure.

Here at our Bensalem, PA dentistry, we have several options for tooth replacement. We can offer dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Dentures are available in full and partial forms and are available to be placed immediately or conventionally.

If you have lost a tooth, consider a consultation for replacement sooner rather than later. To schedule a consultation or to learn more, contact Bensalem Dentistry of Bensalem, PA at (215) 638-9952 or by visiting our website, www.bensalemdentistry.com. 

Which is Better, an Electric Toothbrush or a Manual Toothbrush?

There has been much debate about whether or not using an electric toothbrush has benefits over a manual toothbrush. At Bensalem Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, our patients want to know which is better. This is why we are going to talk about the benefits of an electric toothbrush and whether or not they have any advantages over a manual toothbrush.

In recent studies, it has been shown that manual toothbrushes do just a good of a job brushing teeth as electric ones. For users who purchase the more expensive sonic toothbrushes, there have been less cases of gingivitis; however, this could be due to the fact that those who spend more on their healthcare are usually better at keeping a good healthcare routine. For the most part, manual and electric toothbrushes do the same job brushing. This may change for those who have trouble using their hands. Those with say, arthritis, may benefit from using an electric toothbrush since they do almost all of the work; you just need to hold them at the correct angle.

Electric toothbrushes do have other benefits, like most of them have timers to make sure you are getting a full two minutes of brushing. Others sing or play music which is good for getting the kids to want to brush their teeth.

Overall, the electric toothbrush may work well for some, but it really depends on the brusher. Manual toothbrushes have been shown to clean your teeth just as well. To schedule your examination and cleaning, call Bensalem Dentistry of Bensalem, PA at (215) 638-9952. For more information, visit our website, www.bensalemdentistry.com. 

Why Flossing Daily Is So Important

When going through your daily oral hygiene routine, do you make it a point to floss? Flossing should be done every day. Here at Bensalem Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, we want our patients to know the benefits of flossing and why it is so important. We also want to make sure our patients are getting the most out of their flossing!

Flossing is vital to the health of your teeth and gums. Flossing removes the plaque that can build up between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Plaque can turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. If left alone, plaque and tartar can cause decay and gum disease. Flossing also makes sure your teeth stay whiter and brighter.

To begin flossing, take about eighteen inches of floss. Wrap most of it around one of your middle fingers and wrap the rest around your other middle finger. Leave about an inch to work with. Slide the floss in between two teeth; curve the floss around a tooth, rubbing it up and down. Do the same with the other side of the space. Rotate the floss as you go. Hit every space in the mouth. Any type of floss works great. Flavored floss may make it more appealing.

Flossing every day and brushing twice daily will ensure a healthy oral hygiene routine. To schedule your regular dental cleaning, call Bensalem Dentistry of Bensalem, PA at (215) 638-9952. For more information, visit our website, www.bensalemdentistry.com.