Avoid Uneven Staining After Braces

Braces come with a little extra work but they end result is worth it! Straight teeth are both aesthetically pleasing and healthy! Speaking of a little extra work, Bensalem Family Dentistry of Bensalem, PA wants to remind our patients to take special care avoiding staining while you wear your braces. Staining while wearing braces could result in uneven marks when the braces come off.

 

Avoid Darker Foods and Drinks

In order to avoid staining, it just makes sense to avoid the foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Cola, coffee, tomato sauce, and blueberries are among these types of foods. While it is not always easy to cut these foods out, enjoying them sparingly will help keep your teeth white. Also, be sure to rinse after you do consume any dark foods and drinks.

 

Do Not Skip Brushing and Flossing

Brushing and flossing are large parts of keeping away staining. If plaque or tartar sit on the teeth for long enough, the surface of your teeth can become stained and it can even go below your tooth’s enamel. Since plaque forms on teeth just hours after brushing, it is important to brush two to three times per day. Brushing after meals is a good idea.

 

Utilize Special Tools

There are special dental tools on the market to help those who are wearing braces. Floss threaders help you get the floss over and under your wires easily and quickly. There are also interdental cleaners for scrubbing around your brackets.

 

Avoid uneven staining by following these tips! To schedule your next cleaning at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. For more information about our practice, visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Foods for a Healthy Smile

At some point in your life, you have probably heard that sugar will rot your teeth out. Well, sugar does lead to decay; however, there are some foods that are actually good for your teeth! At Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, healthy teeth are our top priority. Keep reading to learn more!

Crunchy fruits and veggies like cucumbers and apples help clean teeth as you eat them. The fibrous foods scrape against your teeth and remove plaque! If you can’t reach for a toothbrush after lunch, reach for some cucumbers!

By now, most of us have probably heard that milk is great for strong bones. Well, the same goes for teeth. Calcium in milk keeps teeth strong and healthy. In addition, milk lowers the levels of acid in your mouth, further protecting teeth and gums. Cheese creates similar results.

Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are great for your gums. They strengthen the blood vessels and connective tissues that connect your teeth to your jaw. They also reduce inflammation. Just be careful, acidic foods should be eaten in moderation. The acid can actually harm your teeth if eaten too often.

Foods that contain polyphenols like cranberries and tea prevent plaque from growing and sticking to teeth. Less plaque means less risk for cavities!

At-home care is essential for a healthy mouth, but do not forget about your dental appointments! To schedule an appointment at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952 or visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

The Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

Straight teeth not only look great, but they are also great for your dental health. At Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, we want our patients to know the numerous health benefits of straight teeth.

Straight teeth decrease risk of injury and wear-down. Abnormal tooth wear can happen when teeth rub together where they should not. This can lead to worn down tooth enamel, sensitivity, cavities, and damage. Poorly positioned teeth can also cause cuts to the lips, tongue, or cheeks during injury. In addition, gaps can also lead to more injury to the gums. While biting, chewing, and cleaning your teeth, the gums that are left more open due to gaps are more vulnerable to being poked, scraped, or cut. When teeth are aligned properly, they protect the gums and the gums are allowed properly support the teeth.

Teeth that are crowded or gapped often create hiding places for bacteria and other debris. Even with routine brushing and flossing, these hard-to-reach spaces can be missed. When bacteria become built up, it can lead to gum disease and decay. Gum disease is bad for your oral and overall help.

Straight teeth create a beautiful smile and they promote health! To schedule an appointment at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. More information about our orthodontic options can be found on our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Choosing a Healthy Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your health. You want to be sure that you are using toothpaste that will benefit your teeth, not harm them. Bensalem Family Dentistry of Bensalem, PA wants to inform our patients of what to look for in healthy toothpaste.

A great way to ensure you are using a healthy and effective toothpaste is to look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval. There are many different types of toothpaste like whitening toothpaste, tartar control, toothpaste for sensitivity, and more. The ADA will make sure the ingredients are safe and beneficial.

When looking for toothpaste that will whiten your teeth, it is especially important that you look for the ADA seal. Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that polish the stains from your teeth. Too much of this ingredient can wear down your enamel.

When looking for toothpaste that helps with sensitivity, look for one with potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. When used consistently for at least a month, it can lessen the feeling of sensitivity.

The most important ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride, which is the anti-cavity property. All toothpaste accepted by the ADA has fluoride in it.

In addition to having a great at-home oral care plan, routine visits to your dentist are important for dental health. To schedule an appointment with Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. More information about us can be found on our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Brushing and flossing are essential for a healthy mouth. When wearing braces, brushing and flossing can be a little more complicated, but it is still very important. At Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, we want our patients to be aware of how to brush and floss while wearing braces. Following these steps will ensure you have a healthy and stain-free smile when your braces come off!

To begin brushing, brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth and the insides as you normally would. Next, brush along the tops and bottoms of all of the brackets. Plaque can build up around the brackets which can lead to strange stains and more cavities.  Make sure you are also still hitting your gum line, but do so gently. The next step is to take an interdental cleaner and scrub the sides of your brackets. This little, tree-like brush is able to get beneath the wire; so no spots are missed!

To floss, you will find that it is easiest if you use a floss threader. There are flexible, usually plastic tools that basically work like a needle and thread. They help you get the floss under your wires and back out more quickly. Floss threaders are usually found where most dental supplies are sold.

In addition to keeping your teeth clean at home, coming in for your professional dental cleanings is just as important. To schedule your appointment with Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. For more information, visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Invisalign

You’ve wanted to cosmetically straighten your smile but you don’t want to commit to the appearance and lifestyle changes that are needed to accommodate braces or other traditional orthodontics. You want a more aesthetic tooth alignment, but you also want an option that is discreet, comfortable and flexible.  Invisalign may be the answer for you.  We provide Invisalign treatments to many of our patients here at Bensalem Dentistry

 

The clear, flexible plastic tooth aligners are designed to incrementally adjust the alignment of your teeth while remaining indistinguishable and comfortable to wear.  You can easily remove Invisalign for meals, cleaning and brushing and flossing. This treatment is advantageous for adults and teens that would prefer to avoid the appearance and habit modification needed during traditional orthodontic treatments.

 

If you’d like to correct cosmetic alignment issues and you think Invisalign may be for you, we welcome you to Bensalem Dentistry and look forward to addressing all of your Invisalign treatment questions and concerns.

Dental Hygiene

Proper dental hygiene is very important to us here at Bensalem Dentistry, which is why we encourage all of our patients to pay close attention to their oral health. Oral hygiene not only affects dental health, but the patient’s overall health as well.

 

With regular home care, our patients can have teeth that are free of debris and bacteria, better smelling breath, and healthier teeth overall. It helps them battle gum disease, infection, and prevents possible procedures as a result of tooth decay.

 

We recommend the following practices for dental hygiene and periodontal health:

• Brush their teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes each time.
• Floss their teeth at least once a day.
• Use toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride.
• Eat a healthy diet with minimal snacks and sugar-filled choices.
• Drink plenty of water and decreasing soda, coffee and wine.
• Visit us twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning

With these simple daily practices, patients stand to have a healthier mouth and better overall health. They are taking good care of their teeth in between visits, and seeing us regularly to assess the health of their mouth and provide more education for good dental hygiene.