Tips on Staying Motivated to Keep Brushing

Do you absolutely dread having to brush your teeth every night before bed, as well as every morning after you wake up? We can assure you that many people feel exactly this way. Brushing your teeth is one of those chores you know you have to do, but sometimes feel it’s OK to skip a night, which could inevitably lead to a slippery slope.

There are a few ways that can motivate you to stay on the right track and save you some cash, too.

Scare Yourself Into It

Believe me, you do not want to have a root canal or dental implants placed into your mouth if you can avoid it. Technology has made these processes much easier to handle, but they still aren’t the greatest of experiences.

Imagine the smell of your enamel from the drill bit eating away at your teeth or the constant pressure you feel from the dentist pulling on your tooth. Top that off with the taste of your own blood. Yea, we don’t like any of it either. Are you scared yet?

Time Is Money

Think of brushing (and flossing!) as an investment. By investing maybe 5 minutes max per day, you can save yourself time in the dental chair, which isn’t always affordable.

Make It Fun

Some people enjoy listening to music while they brush their teeth, swaying their head/toothbrush motion to the beat of the song. Who cares if you look like a clown. Chances are, you’ll get the last laugh.

Give Yourself An Incentive

Take a post it note and every time you successfully brush your teeth both morning and night, place a tally mark. Reward yourself with something when you get to 7 tally marks (i.e. a full week).

And never forget to floss! It’s just as important as brushing your teeth, if not more important. Sometimes we’ll forget to floss after we brush. To make sure you floss, a quick trick is to floss before you brush. We hope these tricks help you maintain one of the few good habits you can adopt.

Click here to read more on how to keep your teeth in tip-top shape with proper home care tips. Aside from brushing, it's always important to visit your dentist twice a month. Give us a call at (949)760-0363 to schedule an appointment today. 

Quick Fixes For Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. However, if you’re unable to see a dentist immediately, there are some steps you can take at home to temporarily cope with a dental emergency until you get to the dentist.

Sometimes a painful tooth is caused by cavities that reach the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. The result can be searing pain to warm or cold sensations, pain while biting down and ultimately pain no matter what you do. The pain could also be the result of a root canal gone wrong.

The best way to manage this is to avoid drinking or eating anything hot, cold, or sweet, and to take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), Aleve, or Tylenol. The more a tooth is hurting you before you go to the dentist, the more difficult it is for the dentist to treat the tooth.

Broken teeth are another common dental emergency. Teeth can break when eating hard foods or ice, during an accident and because a cavity has weakened the tooth. Avoid eating or drinking on the side of the broken tooth, take pain relievers (described above) and save the part of the tooth that has broken off.

If there is a sharp edge of the tooth remaining and is irritating your mouth, put a piece of wax or a small piece of gum over it. Some drug stores even sell over-the-counter temporary sealants (Temparin and Dentemp OS) that can be placed on the broken tooth. Do-it-yourself sealants are usually only good for 48 hours.

If a filling falls out, keep the lost piece to show your dentist. Keep your tooth clean by brushing gently with toothpaste and lukewarm water. You can also use temporary sealants on the tooth (as mentioned above).

Visit our website to learn about other ways to make quick fixes for emergencies or call (949) 760-0363 to make an emergency appointment with one of our experienced dentists. We will get you in quickly and treat your tooth ASAP. Don’t suffer in pain needlessly; call today.

Diabetes & Gum Disease

Diabetes affects the entire body, including the mouth. People with diabetes face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems because of their blood sugar levels. 

Uncontrolled diabetes interferes with white blood cells, which reduce the body’s resistance to infection. Diabetes also causes blood vessels to thicken, which can slow the flow of nutrients and exiting of waste.

Gum disease, also known as “periodontal disease”, is a bacterial infection that affects the gum tissues and bone, which serve to keep your teeth in place. There are two levels of gum disease: gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) and periodontitis (serious gum disease).

The 26 million Americans who have diabetes may be surprised to learn that there is an increasing number of gum disease cases among people with diabetes. 

Studies show that people with diabetes who do not control their blood sugar can develop gum disease more frequently than people who better manage their diabetes. High glucose levels (sugar) in saliva can promote growth of bacteria that causes gum disease. 

People with diabetes need to choose a dentist office that is equipped to meet their special needs. Check our website to learn more about the dental care for people with diabetes. To make an appointment with an experienced dentist call 949-760-0363 today. Our dental professionals know the specialized care that people with diabetes need. 

Better Dental Home Care

There's more to great dental home care than simply brushing your teeth every day (in fact, you should be brushing twice a day).

To maintain good hygiene, you need to clean your teeth, gum, and tongue properly and use the right tools. Taking good care of your teeth at home will save hundreds of dollars in dental treatments that can be prevented. It can also save time and prevent the pain that is experienced with many oral health issues. Visit our page for the best way to go through your home care routine.