A little plaque.
;)

Some of the most common dental problems can be easily prevented. This article gives you a list of the top 10 common dental problems and complaints and how to combat them. Here is a fun fact; cavities are the second most prevalent disease in the United States! And to think, it can all be prevented! As a rule of thumb, make sure you are brushing at least twice a day, flossing once, and that you come get your regular dental check ups with us at Twin City Dental!

 
There are things you can do to help your dentists, and that is maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. You may need to spend a few dollars to get the proper tools and then spend some time each day using them. But you will be glad you did.

Dental Care Tip #1 - Waterpik

Many dentists recommend using a Waterpik daily. A good Waterpik will get food out of tiny crevices and removes bacteria better than brushing. It’s also an easier, more effective alternative to string floss; a study at the University of Nebraska found that patients who added a water flosser to either manual or power toothbrushing reduced bleeding, gingivitis and plaque as well as manual brushing and string flossing. The water flosser was up to 93% more effective at reducing bleeding and up to 52% more effective at reducing gingivitis.

A Water Pik is useful in helping to maintain good oral health. It can massage and stimulate soft tissue in the mouth which helps to reduce the risk of gingivitis. Water Pik also helps to clean better around the teeth and gums, removing food from areas that brushing cannot access. Using a Water Pik can help to make the mouth feel much cleaner than regular brushing and flossing can, though it should not replace brushing and flossing. It should be used in combination with proper brushing and flossing.

Water Pik is also beneficial to those who have fixed oral appliances such as braces or implants. A Water Pik can provide a soothing massage to irritated tissue that might develop around these appliances. Water Pik also helps to reduce the risk of infection that might lead to a septic infection, which can be life-threatening. According to Roger P. Levin, DDS of Inside Dentistry, using a dental Water Pik with an orthodontic tip can effectively clean appliances. Cleaning the appliances after food is eaten or at least twice a day, morning and bedtime, is best for optimal results.

Dental Care Tip #2 – Brushing

Dentists recommend battery or electric brushes. Electric toothbrushes enhance mouth cleaning. Their bristle heads are designed to have rotary, pulsating and oscillating motions. This is basically the same with the brushes that dentists and dental hygienists use when cleaning the teeth of their clients. So it is not surprising that using your personal electric brush and following the proper guidelines will yield the same results.

These toothbrushes are also designed to clean hard-to-reach areas of the mouth such as wisdom teeth and molars which are very difficult to thoroughly clean with a manual brush. The speed of the brush is also flexible and can be manipulated to your liking. You can lower the speed if you have sensitive teeth. There is also a pressure sensor which helps you determine if you are putting too much pressure on your teeth.

These are only a few of the advantages and benefits of electric-powered toothbrushes. If you prefer an 'old fashioned' toothbrush make sure it is a soft bristle style. Hard bristles are hard on your gums! No matter which type of brush you use, make sure to replace it when it when necessary. Do not share toothbrushes with anyone. Toothbrushes should be replaced when they begin to look like old scrub brushes.

Dental Care Tip #3 - Toothpaste

It's not the amount of toothpaste you use; it's the type you use that is important. You need to use toothpaste with fluoride. It helps make the teeth more resistant to decay. Just a small amount of toothpaste is all you need to do the job. The proper toothpaste combined with the proper brushing time is the key to brushing success.

Dental Care Tip #4- Food

Some foods may protect against cavities. Fluoride is a primary protector against dental cavities. Fluoride makes the surface of teeth more resistant to acids during the process of remineralisation. Drinking fluoridated water is recommended by some dental professionals while others say that using toothpaste alone is enough. Milk and cheese are also rich in calcium and phosphate, and may also encourage remineralisation. All foods increase saliva production, and since saliva contains buffer chemicals this helps to stabilize the pH to near 7 (neutral) in the mouth. Foods high in fiber may also help to increase the flow of saliva. Sugar-free chewing gum stimulates saliva production, and helps to clean the surface of the teeth.

Sugars are commonly associated with dental cavities. Other carbohydrates, especially cooked starches, e.g. crisps/potato chips, may also damage teeth, although to a lesser degree since starch has to be converted by enzymes in saliva first. Sucrose (table sugar) is most commonly associated with cavities. The amount of sugar consumed at any one time is less important than how often food and drinks that contain sugar are consumed.

The more frequently sugars are consumed, the greater the time during which the tooth is exposed to low pH levels, at which point demineralisation occurs (below 5.5 for most people). It is important therefore to try to encourage infrequent consumption of food and drinks containing sugar so that teeth have a chance to be repaired by remineralisation and fluoride. Limiting sugar-containing foods and drinks to meal times is one way to reduce the incidence of cavities. Sugars from fruit and fruit juices, e.g., glucose, fructose, and maltose seem equally likely to cause cavities.

Acids contained in fruit juice, vinegar and soft drinks lower the pH level of the oral cavity which causes the enamel to demineralize. Drinking drinks such as orange juice or cola throughout the day raises the risk of dental cavities tremendously. That is why it would be better to rinse your mouth with a mouthwash and brush your teeth in not less than 30 minutes after consuming these kinds of foods.

High Potential for Decay
Dried fruits
Hard and soft candy
Cake, cookies, pie
Crackers
Chips

Moderate Potential For Decay
Fruit juice
Sweetened, canned fruit
Soft drinks
Breads

Low Potential for Decay
Raw vegetables
Raw fruits
Milk

No Potential for Decay
Meat, fish, poultry
Fats, oils
Ability to Stop Decay
Cheeses
Xylitol
Nuts

 
Below is an article from floss.com , thought we share.

"Yes, we know how great those sports drinks taste after a hard workout or simply to help quench your thirst especially in those hot summer months, but did you ever realize that prolonged use of some of these sports drinks might weaken your natural tooth structure.

What could cause this you may ask, well, it’s the citric acid found in many of the famous sports drinks that we all enjoy, especially after a workout or sports event, and yes, maybe even the ones you have with your lunch or dinner.

We all see the athletes on television who consume these sports drinks to help re-energize and re-hydrate them. Well, many of these re-energizers contain citric acid, which recent studies at the New York University College of Dentistry have found can cause excessive tooth enamel wear. Dentists call it erosion of the enamel.

What exactly is erosion, well it is a gradual loss of the normally hard surface of the tooth due to chemical, not bacterial processes.

Because of the possible excessive affects of the citric acid on the enamel surface where their exists a chance that the enamel could become a bit softer, it is advised that one not brush immediately after drinking the sports drink (s) that contain citric acid. It is best to allow the natural minerals in saliva to remineralize the enamel-which should take approximately 30 minutes after finishing the drink.

Then one should brush as normal.

Mark Wolff, DDS, professor and chairman of the department of cardiology and comprehensive care at New York University College of Dentistry suggests the following:

Drink sports drinks in moderation.

Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth to allow softened enamel to reharden.

If you drink a lot of sports drinks, ask your dentist if you should use acid-neutralizing remineralizing toothpaste to help reharden soft enamel.

Dr. Wolff’s coinvestigators on the study were Mr. Michael Rice, a student at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco; Mr. Glenn Canares, a student at the NYU College of Dentistry; and Dr. Mitchell S. Pines, a Clinical Professor of Biomaterials & Biomimetics at the NYU College of Dentistry.

As always and in fairness to the great sports drinks on the market, further studies are needed to conclusively determine if this occurs with all of us, including myself, who highly enjoy such beverages.



Source: Medicine.net

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=99119#

We're flattered by your reviews. Thank you for sharing your experiences online. We are happy that you chose us as your dentists!
-Twin City Dental team

"Dr. Imholte has been my dentist for 25 years. I trust him with my family's dental health. He is now my daughters dentist and she LOVES him. By far the best dentist in the area!"

"I have been going to see Dr. Imholte since I was a toddler. He has always been personable and their staff is so friendly. I love the fact that they put you at ease the moment you walk into the door."

BEST PLACE IN LONGVIEW FOR DENTAL CARE! 
"The moment you call this place, you know you're going to be taken care of. The front staff is super nice. My daughter loved the dentist who gave her multiple little 'prizes' at the end of her visit and spoke to her on a level she could understand. We will be going here as long as we live in Longview, WA!! "

This holiday season we are thankful for healthy teeth and gums. It's important to have a health smile and we take great pride in our dental care. Schedule a cleaning and exam over the holiday break for your kiddos or your big kiddos visiting from college. We have openings and would love to see your smiles!
-TCD Team