92% of Us Have Had at Least One Cavity!

That is a BIG number and yes, cavities are common. But, in many cases, they are preventable! So, here are a few ways that you can help to prevent cavities:

1. Brush! It always goes back to brushing, doesn’t it? Two minutes, two times a day. No exceptions! Brushing in the morning and at night can help to remove debris and keep your teeth cavity-free. Remember- it takes about 6 weeks to develop a new habit, so be prepared to hit some roadblocks and keep at it!
2. Floss! Along with the brushing, flossing reaches the remaining tooth surface to keep it all clean. Even the best brusher would be missing over 30% of tooth structure without flossing. That is a lot of your teeth, so be sure to floss once a day. 
3. Watch the Sugar! What you eat goes a long way when it comes to dental health. Many foods that are healthy for us (or we think are healthy) have a lot of sugar in them. Read your labels and limit how much sugar you eat. Pay attention not only to the food you eat but the drinks you drink. Sports drinks, juices, sodas and coffee can all have natural and added sugars in them, and can also be acidic, which puts your teeth at a higher risk for decay. Chewy foods are more likely to stick in the grooves of your teeth, so crunchy foods (think nuts) or dairy (think cheese sticks) make great snacks in-between meals. 
4. Rinse! We know that it’s not always possible to brush and floss throughout the day or eat perfectly. So, while you are sipping your coffee or your soda at work, be sure you are drinking water in between. Rinsing with water throughout the day is a great way to allow your mouth to return to it’s normal pH level and try to rinse away some of the debris from lunch(or that pick-me-up snack/coffee!). You can also try chewing some sugar free gum to help remove debris and freshen your breath while out and about all day! Gum with xylitol like this one from Walmart or this one from Thrive Market offer a ‘one-up’, as xylitol has been proven effective in reducing the risk of cavities … even better!

Ultimately, your daily eating and brushing habits will make the biggest difference in how often you will get cavities. By taking the time and making a few changes to your habits, you can make a positive impact on your oral health. And, as always, if you ever have a question about your teeth or oral health, don’t hesitate to ask any of us at Grand Avenue Dental Care!

Over-the-Counter Pain Killers Provide Better Dental Pain Relief than Prescription Opioids

For years, our doctors have recommended that patients take a combination of Tylenol and Ibuprofen to counter the affects of dental pain. The combination of the two over-the-counter medications is extremely effective in fighting the swelling and pain associated with dental issues and has less negative side effects than prescription medications.

A recent article from WebMD.com focuses on  a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association that agrees. One of their co-authors states, "What we know is that prescribing narcotics should be a last resort," said study co-author Anita Aminoshariae, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University's School of Dental Medicine, in Cleveland. She went on to say, "The best available data suggests that the use of non-steroidal medications [NSAIDs], with or without acetaminophen, offers the most favorable balance between benefits and harms, optimizing efficacy [effectiveness] while minimizing acute adverse events."

Here at Grand Avenue Dental Care we have been and continue to practice this philosophy and only prescribe prescription medications when necessary. If you are unable to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen you should speak to your doctor or dentist so that they can make an alternate recommendation for pain management. You also should not take acetaminophen (Tylenol) while consuming or after consuming alcohol. If you ever have any questions about your dental health or managing dental pain, please contact us!

What happens if my child injures a tooth?

While statistics show that over 120 million of us are missing at least one tooth, that doesn’t make it any easier when you are one missing it! More difficult still, is when a child loses a permanent tooth in an injury or accident. It can be a stressful situation and one that we do occasionally come across. So, what happens when your child chips or loses an adult tooth?

The first thing to do, if your child experiences this, is to go to see your dentist. Whether there is a chip or a crack in the tooth, or if the tooth is loose or missing, it’s the best idea to get in to see a dentist right away. If there is something that can be done, doing it sooner than later, is always in your child’s best interest. 

There are a few treatments that can be done, depending on the injury sustained. 

1. My child’s tooth is chipped.  Whether this is a front tooth or a back tooth, usually a chip in a tooth can be fairly easily restored with a resin filling, or bonding material. This is a tooth-colored material that is very durable, and it can work in a variety of situations to make the tooth whole again. 
2. My child’s tooth is cracked. If a tooth is cracked or broken, there is still a good chance that the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, a small crack can be treated just like a chipped tooth, using filling material, as described above. More often, in these situations, a crown could be placed on the remaining, unaffected structure of the tooth, keeping the aesthetic look and function of the tooth. Occasionally, a crack will run up and down, or vertically, in the tooth, and that could be a situation where the tooth cannot be saved. Regardless, your dentist will be able to assess the tooth and let you know what your options are.
3. My child’s tooth was knocked out. In these situations, it is always good to get your child to the dentist right away. If possible, bring the missing tooth with and keep it in water or milk while transporting. While it is difficult, sometimes the dentist can try to place the tooth back into the socket and stitch the gums slightly to see if the tooth will reconnect with the tissue. This is not always an option and it doesn’t always work, but it is worth a try. If the tooth cannot be placed back into the mouth, the dentist can make sure the socket is clean so that it will heal as nicely and quickly as possible. Your dentist can also discuss future options for tooth replacement with you and your child at that time. 

Any time a child has an injury involving their teeth it can be a traumatic situation. Getting them in to see their dentist right away is the best thing to do. These stressful situation are the times where it is helpful if you and your child have a dentist already so that you have a relationship with someone you trust and know. If you or your child don’t have a dentist currently, we recommend calling our office to set up a new patient exam! Today is a new day and a new opportunity to care for yourself and your family. We’d be happy to be a part of that!

Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy!

Did you know that kids can smile up to 400 times a day? Who doesn’t love that?! 

To ensure that you are helping to take care of your kid’s teeth, make sure you are scheduling them for their preventative visit early. At Grand Avenue Dental Care, we recommend that you take your child to the dentist when they get their first tooth or when they turn one year old - whichever happens first. 

This is what we call our ‘knee-to-knee’ exam and it’s a great chance for a dentist to take a look at how your child’s teeth are developing. It also allows both the child to start getting comfortable at the dentist, and the parent the opportunity to ask questions about at-home care and eating habits. 

The goal is prevent decay and development problems rather than have to treat them later. Plus, it allows us to develop a relationship with the patient from a young age, helping to ensure that they come every 6 months for their preventative visits as they get older. 

In addition, it can be beneficial to talk about habits like thumb-sucking or using a pacifier at these visits. Until a child is 2 or 3, it can be common for a child to suck their thumb or soothe with a pacifier. However after the age of 3 or 4 years old, this habit can become one that could damage tooth and jaw development. If you fear that your child is carrying their habit with them into adolescence, speak to your dentist as there are a couple of options that they can discuss with you!

Regardless of what your concern is, we recommend talking with your dentist. You will be helping to develop a positive relationship between your child and the dental office and that will help keep your child smiling.

Smile Like a Celeb!

For years, celebrities have always had those ‘knockout’ smiles. The good news is that the technology that allows celebs to achieve those amazing results is available for everyone. So, regardless of what needs improving in your smile, there is a way that your dentist can help you to get that million dollar smile!

1. Crooked teeth?  Braces, or orthodontics, will help you straighten your teeth so that they are aligned beautifully.
2. Discolored Teeth?  Whitening is a treatment that can be done either in the office or at your home. This will take the overall shade of your teeth and whiten and brighten it just the right amount for you!
3. Decay or Dark Spots on Front Teeth?  Composite Bonding is a dental treatment during which, the dentists remove decay and use a composite resin material to fill in the area. The tooth colored material can be applied to most surfaces of the teeth and gum line. Veneers are thin, tooth-colored coverings that are placed over existing teeth. They can cover damaged or dis-colored surfaces, look and feel very natural and they can give your smile a major makeover!
4. Missing Teeth?  Implants can allow you to replace a missing tooth. An implant acts very much like your real tooth and can be placed almost anywhere in the mouth, giving you back your full 

No matter what the issue it, it’s nothing that you and your dentist can’t handle. Visit your dentist, discuss your concerns, make a plan and smile! We are here to serve you and help you to share your best smile possible!