Benefits of a Tongue Scraper

It’s no surprise that the surface of the tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria. What you may not realize is that if you’ve ever looked in the mirror and seen a white film on your tongue, the organisms that you see can cause infections in the teeth and gums and are responsible for bad breath. Bad breath can have a huge negative impact on a person’s life, relationships, and self-esteem if left untreated. This is why Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Family Dentistry recommends incorporating a tongue scraper into your oral hygiene routine if you haven’t done so already.

Tongue scrapers, which are available in most drugstores in various shapes and sizes, have been promoted as a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath entirely. To use this device, you place the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue and gently bring it forward along your tongue, repeating as often as needed. If you have a coated tongue – a buildup of debris, bacteria and dead cells on your tongue – tongue scraping might be helpful. However, it’s important to practice good dental hygiene overall, by brushing your teeth and tongue at least twice a day, and flossing at least once a day. In addition, don’t forget to schedule professional cleanings and oral exams twice a year.

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call 215-638-9952.

Sensitive Teeth and How to Avoid Them

Sensitive teeth can be a real bother, especially during the colder weather. Sensitive teeth can be a sign of tooth decay or gum disease, but it could also be much simpler than that. That is why it is our goal here at Bensalem Family Dentistry to inform patients of why their teeth might be sensitive and how to avoid it.

Sensitive teeth can sometimes be a warning signal that you have a cavity, an infection, or gum disease. If you have consistently sensitive or painful teeth, it is a good idea to see your dentist. Additional warning signs include red, irritated gums and a dark spot on a tooth.

Sensitive teeth are also commonly caused by tooth abrasion. Tooth abrasion can be caused by many different things including brushing too hard, brushing too soon, acidic foods, and teeth grinding. When the enamel wears down, the dentin is exposed. The dentin has tiny nerve tubes that lead to the nerves in the center of the teeth.

To avoid wearing away your enamel, it is important to brush lightly and at least thirty minutes after you eat. The acid in our foods softens our enamel and when we brush too soon, the enamel gets brushed away. In addition, frequently eating acidic foods like pop, fruit, or candy can cause enamel to erode. You should also be aware of if you are grinding your teeth at night. Wearing a mouth guard is a good defense against the damage grinding can do.

If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, a simple habit change may be all that is in order. To schedule an appointment with Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at 215) 638-9952. To learn more, visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Calming Kids' Dental Fears

There are many children who are afraid of the dentist. This childhood fear also sometimes sticks around for adulthood, too. At Bensalem Family Dentistry, in Bensalem, PA, we want all of our patients to enjoy their experience. This is why we want to give tips for calming dental fear in kids.

Kids who start going to the dentist at an early age are usually more accustomed to the process. Kids should start seeing the dentist as soon as they have their first tooth, or at least by the age of one. Kids who do go to the dentist at an early age will become familiar with the visits and will feel more relaxed.

Parents can also help their kids become used to the process. Have your child sit back in a chair or couch and open wide. Look in their mouth and count each tooth you see. This helps little kids know how things will go and feel more comfortable with it during the real appointment.

Reinforce good behavior at the dentist’s office by offering your child a surprise. Let them pick a movie to rent, cook their favorite dinner, or take them to the park. Just be careful to not offer the reward before the visit, this may make them think there is something to be afraid of.

People of all ages need routine visits to the dentist for examinations and cleanings. Helping someone become a little more familiar with the process will do a great deal of good for their oral health. To schedule your family’s appointments at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. To learn more about our practice and our services, visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Are You Brushing for Two Minutes?

Brushing for two full minutes is about the amount of time you need to really get a good teeth cleaning. Many patients do not realize that they are really not hitting every spot. Timing yourself to two minutes helps greatly! Here at Bensalem Family Dentistry of Bensalem, PA, we want to give some tips to our patients on how to make sure you are brushing for two minutes.

Brushing your teeth may not be the most exciting moment of your day. However, brushing is vital to your oral and overall health. There are ways to make it fun while still keeping track of time.

Music

Play your favorite tune while brushing your teeth. Most music players have a timer on it as the song plays. Use it to make sure you are brushing for two minutes. Every thirty seconds brush a different quadrant of your mouth.

Phone

Phones can do so much these days! One of the simplest ways to keep track of two minutes is to set your phone’s stopwatch or timer!

Hourglass

A more fun way of watching time is with an hourglass! In this case, it would be more like a minute-glass. Just remember to flip a minute glass over one more time!

Fancy Toothbrushes

Many electric and manual toothbrushes have timers now! They either play music for two minutes or they stop their vibration a few times when you hit two minutes. Easy!

Remember that routine visits to your dentist are part of a healthy oral care routine. To schedule your appointment with Bensalem Family Dentistry of Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. For more information about us, visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Baby Tooth Care Tips

Baby teeth may be small, but they’re important. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. It’s important to start cleaning your child’s teeth before they come in to jumpstart a healthy smile.

Wipe the gums off after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. In addition, take measures to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, a disease that causes severe, swift decay of baby teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink, such as juice. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sugar comes in contact with the teeth. Your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child risks having trouble chewing and speaking clearly as they get older.

To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.bensalemdentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call 215-638-9952.

Toothbrush Care

Brushing your teeth plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. You may not give much thought to cleaning your toothbrush; however appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are important considerations for oral hygiene. At Bensalem Dentistry we want you to know how and when to replace, clean, and store your toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush approximately every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed. However, toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. It is also important to never share a toothbrush because this practice could be a concern for people with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases. If your toothbrush comes in contact with another, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm tap water to remove any remaining toothbrush and debris. When you are done using the toothbrush, store it in an upright position and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again.

If you have further questions regarding toothbrush care, give us a call. To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.bensalemdentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call 215-638-9952.

Diabetes and Teeth

People with poorly controlled diabetes are more prone to dental problems. They are more likely to develop infections of their gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place, because diabetes can reduce the blood supply to the gums. If you have diabetes, please call our office to schedule a professional exam with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock to prevent further dental complications.

If you have diabetes, symptoms of dental problems include bleeding and sore gums, frequent infections, and bad breath. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is critical. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, high blood sugar may cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. The decrease in saliva can cause an increase in tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. You can prevent these problems by maintaining good blood sugar control, brushing and flossing and least twice a day, having a dental checkup every six months and especially by informing your dentist that you have diabetes.

To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.bensalemdentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call 215-638-9952.