Spring Clean Your Dental Hygiene Routine!

With gorgeous spring weather already here and summer on it's way, there is plenty to smile about! Of course it is also that time of year when our minds turn to spring cleaning and new beginnings. Why not start by improving one of your most precious assets?

Oil Pulling - Is it really good for your dental health?

If you've been paying attention to popular media, you'll probably recall the oil pulling craze that everyone was talking about earlier this year. As with most social media topics, oil pulling was in the forefront of people's news feeds and even the subject of debate among some health professionals, but the hype has already died down quite a bit. Still, there are those who swear by it and continue to claim that this ancient holistic method works wonders, aiding in everything from teeth whitening to allergy relief.

But is oil pulling really all it's cracked up to be? While we can't necessarily discount the potential benefits of oil pulling, as dental professionals we can say that this practice is NOT a substitute for the traditional dental hygiene methods recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). These methods include daily brushing and flossing as well as regular yearly dental cleanings, oral cancer screenings and using ADA-accepted products.

Why Use a Tongue Scraper?

If you are not familiar with this simple tool, chances are, you could benefit from making it part of your dental hygiene routine. Made of plastic or metal, tongue scrapers are used to remove food, bacteria, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. Individuals prone to sinus problems also find that tongue scraping helps remove the buildup of postnasal drip mucous.

Sounds pretty gross, huh? However, in the quest to maintain excellent dental health, a dazzling smile, and the fresh breath that comes along with it, tongue scraping is a winner! These simple tools are especially valuable in reducing bad breath because they enable the user to remove decaying bacteria that produces volatile sulphur compounds or VSCs.

Although the act of brushing your tongue with a toothbrush may help, tongue scrapers are more effective. A 2004 study from the University of Sao Paulo revealed that, "through tongue scraper use, a 75 percent reduction in VSCs was achieved, compared to only a 45 percent reduction in VSCs when a toothbrush was used to clean the tongue." Since VSCs have been shown to cause 80 to 95 percent of all cases of halitosis, aka "bad breath", tongue scraping is a solid solution.

Tongue scrapers are inexpensive and easy to use. Just make sure to use them where you can rinse, both your mouth and the tool. If you have other concerns about bad breath, please discuss them with Dr. Simon Melcher and the staff at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh.  Visit online at www.theraleighdentists.com or call today: 919-782-0548

Tips for Great Dental Hygiene

Dr. Simon Melcher and his staff at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh NC promote healthy dental hygiene for their patients of all ages.  The basis for this hygiene is twice-daily brushing and flossing using proper techniques.  Here are some tips for great dental hygiene and even better trips to the dentist:

• Brush two times a day using fluoride toothpaste
• Hold the brush at a slight angle towards the gums when brushing along the gum line
• Brush the tongue and roof of your mouth
• Replace worn toothbrushes often
• In addition to brushing, be sure to clean between the teeth daily using floss
• Floss along each side of every tooth to clean between teeth and under the gumline
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between meal snacks
• Avoid hard or chewy sugary candies that linger in the mouth and may get stuck in the teeth
• Be sure to tell your dentist if something in your mouth does not look or feel right

We invite you to consult with Dr. Melcher to learn about recommended products to get the most out of your daily dental hygiene.  He and his staff can also provide customized cleanings and treatments on the basis of your periodontal (gums and bone) health.

Contact Implant and General Dentistry, your Dentists in Raleigh NC, today: 919-782-0548.

Smile Gallery - See How We Can Transform Your Smile

Visit our Smile Gallery at TheRaleighDentists.com to see how our dental treatments can transform your smile!  You'll see before and after photos of the treatments so you can really get an idea of the difference this dental work can make for your health and appearance.

From teeth whitening to veneers and implants, Dr, Simon Melcher has the knowledge, experience, and resources to give you a whiter, brighter, and healthier smile.  Give us a call today to schedule your appointment: (919) 782-0548.

Video - Dental Treatments at Implant and General Dentistry, Raleigh NC

Dr. Simon Melcher at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh NC offers the following dental treatments for routine and cosmetic dentistry:Teeth Cleaning, Teeth Whitening, Implants, Dentures, Veneers, Bonding, Bridges, Crowns, Fillings, Inlays and Outlays.

Please request an appointment online or call us directly at (919) 782-0548.

Routine Teeth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene

One of the most basic and most important services we provide for our patients is routine teeth cleaning including dental hygiene, oral exams, and annual x-rays. We schedule routine cleanings every six months for each patient and do our utmost to stay on schedule. If an appointment cannot be kept, whether by our schedule or yours, we will find the next best available time slot for you to come in.

Routine cleanings help us not only provide the best care for your teeth, they also allow us to diagnose any problems and ideally take steps to manage those problems before they develop further.

Our routine teeth cleanings also allow us to help educate you about brushing and flossing best practices to ensure that you're taking optimal care of your teeth between visits. We can point out potential trouble spots with your teeth and gums so you know where to pay extra attention during your own dental care.

Please contact us or request an appointment for your routine teeth cleaning and we'll get you on your way to a healthy mouth! 919-782-0548