The Importance of Dental Care for Teens

Teens are busy with school, sports, and social schedules, so you can be assured that taking care of their teeth is not exactly at the top of most teens' "To-Do" lists. Many teenagers may neglect their dental hygiene, even though their childhoods were likely filled with regular dental visits and lots of parental reinforcement about the importance of regular brushing, flossing, and making healthy food choices. As they begin driving and being away from home more, it's almost impossible to know for sure if they are taking proper care of their teeth at all!

By the time the teen years roll around, it takes more than anticipated visits from the tooth fairy to ensure good habits are in check for first-rate dental health. The late middle school and high school years are also when many young people either have braces or have just had them removed. The diligent flossing and brushing that took place during the time the braces were on certainly should not be abandoned when they come off!

The key to ensuring that teenagers take excellent care of their teeth and gums is this: make it extremely easy for them. Here are a few pointers:

• Do discuss (one more time) how vital regular brushing and flossing are for maintaining dental health, white teeth, healthy gums, and fresh breath.
• Talk with your teenager about the importance of eating wholesome, natural foods and snacks rather than those loaded with sugar, additives, and artificial ingredients. Then, make those food items readily available at home by stocking the fridge and pantry with choices such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, low fat dairy like yogurt and string cheese, and whole grain crackers.
• If they play contact sports, mountain bike, skateboard or snowboard, impress upon them that participating without a mouthguard is not an option.
• Assemble a few dental kits to ensure they'll always have what they need. Put one in their bathroom and one in their car or gym bag. Include these items: dental rinse, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and sugarless gum. For the "on-the-go" kit, include a water bottle, to make rinsing easier!
• Invest in a Sonicare electric toothbrush and several battery-operated ones as well. Again, the key to success is having the right tools on hand. 

As always, be sure to keep your teen on-schedule with his or her routine appointments at Implant & General Dentistry in Raleigh. Give us a call if you're not when your next appointment is: 919-782-0548

10 Signs You Need to See Your Dentist

"Lack of time" is a prevailing excuse as to why many adults fail to have regular dental checkups. The sad truth is that by ignoring their dental health, millions of Americans set themselves up for serious conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancers. Treating these conditions requires a great deal of time, effort, discomfort, and money.

Seeing a dentist regularly and when problems first arise practically ensures that the treatment plan will be easier and more affordable. If you have been putting off a trip to the dentist, for whatever reason, please review the following list. These are 10 signs that indicate a dental appointment is necessary:

1. When you floss, your gums feel irritated, bleed, and become puffy
2. Your breath is frequently unpleasant and you have a bad taste in your mouth
3. There is a family history of tooth decay or gum disease
4. You notice sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold foods
5. There is painful swelling in your mouth, face, or neck
6. You have noticed a spot or sore on your gums, tongue, or elsewhere inside your mouth
7. You are not happy with the outward appearance of your teeth, gums, or smile
8. Sometimes your jaw pops, is painful, or your bite is uneven
9. Swallowing and chewing is sometimes difficult
10. You frequently suffer from dry mouth

Even if you do not have any of these symptoms, seeing a dentist routinely is extremely important. Dental professionals are highly skilled at recognizing signs and possible issues before they develop into something more serious. Visiting a dentist and having regular cleanings are preventative measures everyone should take. There also may be new products and dental hygiene techniques that they can tell you about.

So, please make an appointment today with Dr. Simon Melcher at Implant & General Dentistry: 919-782-0548

For a little more incentive, see this excerpt from a study from the Center for Disease Control:

"One out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has periodontal disease, according to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The study, 'Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010,' estimates that 47.2 percent, or 64.7 million American adults, have mild, moderate or severe periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease. In adults 65 and older, prevalence rates increase to 70.1 percent."

Preventative Dental Care

Reaching adulthood without ever having any cavities is commendable. However, be aware that dental diligence is vital at any age. In fact, we are at risk of tooth decay our entire lives, even past the formative years. Adults have a new set of factors that can impact dental health, such as coffee and tea consumption, smoking, and certain piercings.

Take the following steps to ensure you'll always have healthy teeth and gums and a beautiful smile.

• Brush at least twice a day with a soft bristle brush and an ADA-approved fluoridated toothpaste. Sonicare brushes and battery-operated ones do a very effective job towards fighting plaque and decay. Make sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
• Flossing a minimum of once a day will take care of tough to reach places between the teeth where a toothbrush can not. Waxed, flavored flosses are nice to use, leave your mouth feeling fresh, and keep gums healthy. Flossing also helps remove plaque. When left unchecked, plaque can build up, harden and result in tartar. At that point, a professional cleaning will be necessary.
• By adding a dental rinse, tongue scraper, and sugarless gum to your dental hygiene kit, your teeth and gums will benefit greatly. Using a few extras such as these is a nice way to boost the power of regular brushing and flossing.
• Keep a spare set of dental care tools plus a bottle of water with you to make taking care of your teeth a regular habit, even when at work, school, or on the go.
• Come see Dr. Simon Melcher at General & Implant Dentistry regularly. Every six months is recommended and immediately if there are any issues. Get the most from brushing and flossing by having your dental hygienist refresh your memory on the proper techniques.

Preventative care for your teeth saves discomfort, pain, time, and money down the road and is well worth the investment in new toothbrushes, floss, and other dental care tools as well as the time it takes daily to properly use these tools.  We strongly encourage you to take excellent care of your teeth and to come and see us often!  Call today to schedule an appointment: 919-782-0548.

Reviews for Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh

Here's What Our Patients Have to Say!

In our ongoing quest to offer the best in dentistry and patient care, we encourage feedback from our clients. Here are a few recent samples we'd like to share with you. By the way, these were all 5-star ratings on our RateADentist.com site. Our current rating based on over 50 responses is 4.9 stars. 5 is the highest and we will continue to reach for the stars where our patients and quality of care are concerned!

-"I am very comfortable with the staff in this practice and appreciate the care I receive concerning my teeth." by G. Glass on 04/15/2013

-Thank you for the great dental care you provide for Dawn and me. We could not be more pleased. Thank you, Ken Lucas" by Ken Lucas on 04/17/2013

-"Well now, where do I begin?? Wonderful care, wonderful people, wonderful clean bathroom and to top it all off--WONDERFUL price!! Oh, and I just love my brand new puffy pucker (not really a word, I guess) kissable lips!! All in all, I had a great time and walked out with a super glued tooth! Love that glue! I have almost given up tootsie roll pops for good and haven't eaten one with the glued tooth!! I have to wean off of them!!! Thanks for everything and I will see you soon." by Margie on 05/17/2013

-"Jennifer was fantastic. Best hygienist I have ever been to. Not only is she gentle, she is very thorough. I will recommend her to my friends. Thank you" by Anonymous on 05/20/2013

-"As with each visit, my most recent visit with this office was outstanding. I no longer live in the Triangle, but I make sure to schedule my appointments every six months when in town. My experiences have been just that great. EVERY staff member greets me by name and a genuine smile. I have never waited in the waiting room for longer than 5 minutes. Once in the chair, the cleaning starts immediately, and the hygienist informs me of everything that is going on and even checks on specific things that I mentioned in previous visits. I have had nothing short of stellar experiences with the Implant & General Dentistry Team across the board. You guys are truly awesome." by Anonymous on 06/18/2013

-"I'm always happy with the dental care I receive at Implant and General Dentistry." by Janice Bolick on 07/01/2013

Read more reviews and schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Melcher and his staff at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh: 919-782-0548

Rethink Your Drink Campaign

In addition to being a major culprit that contributes to weight gain, poor beverage choices also wreak havoc with your dental health. Many are loaded with corrosive sugars and acids that contribute to severe tooth decay.

At Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh, we love the Rethink Your Drink campaign from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  They provide nutritional information on typical drinks - and drink serving sizes - that can be very eye opening.

For instance, they show a realistic example of a person who chooses a medium cafe latte made with whole milk with their breakfast, a 20-oz non-diet cola with their lunch, a 16-oz sweetened lemon iced tea in the afternoon, and a 12-oz glass of ginger ale with dinner as adding 796 calories to their day!  Wow - for some of us, that's almost half of our daily recommended caloric intake just for drinks. Check their site to see alternatives that add up to only 155 calories.

Here are some tips from the CDCP on how to choose the best drinks for your overall health.

Learn to be a savvy label reader and go for beverages that have zero to very little added sugar and artificial ingredients. Of course, water is always the best choice, but for those times when H2O won't do, please consider the ingredients and pay close attention to the sugar content.

For ideas about healthier alternatives, review the following suggestions and see if there is any room for improvement where your "go-to" drink options are concerned.

• According to the American Heart Association, "women should limit added sugars to only 100 calories per day (approximately 6 teaspoons), while men should take in no more than 150 calories in sugar (about 9 teaspoons a day)." It was recently revealed that the average American consumes 22 teaspoons a day!  Be on the lookout for these added sugars:
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrates
• Honey
• Sugar
• Syrup
• Corn syrup
• Sucrose
• Dextrose
• Make Better Choices:
• Let water be your #1 drink choice
• Try using less or 0 sugar in coffee and tea
• Make a "natural" soda by mixing ½ seltzer with ½ fruit juice
• Try lower calorie and lower glycemic sweeteners like Stevia and Agave syrup
• Keep soda and sugary drinks out of your house-just don't buy them! Instead, chill jugs of water and use lemon slices and fruit or herb filled ice cubes to make H2O a more enticing choice!
• Invest in BPA free water bottles and carry them with you daily
• If you have to have a soda, go for the 8 or 6-ounce size
• At mealtime, set the table with water goblets and fill an attractive pitcher with ice water

By changing just a few habits, you will likely see a big improvement in your overall well being, not to mention your dental health.

If you have questions regarding your dental health, please don't hesitate to contact our Implant and General Dentistry office in Raleigh, NC to schedule an appointment: 919-782-0548

Related Posts:
Nutrition and Your Dental Health
Your Diet and Your Dental Health
Best "Go-To" Snack Choices for Healthy Teeth

Dental Treatments in Raleigh, NC

At Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh, NC, Dr. Simon Melcher and his staff offer a wide selection of dental treatment options. We strive to address the full scope of our patients' needs. Here is a brief overview of our treatment programs:

Bonding - Typically used to repair cracks, chips, gaps, and stains, this simple procedure often requires no anesthetic. Also see: Dental Bonding to Repair and Protect Teeth
 
Bridges - When healthy teeth surround areas where teeth are missing, a bridge can fill the gap. We wrote about this treatment in detail here: Dental Bridges to Repair Spacing or Missing Teeth
 
Crowns - This is an effective method to "crown" a tooth that is severely damaged, decayed, or broken. Also see: Crowns for Damaged, Decayed or Broken Teeth
 
Dentures - Here is an excellent way to tackle the issue of missing teeth, or help patients with irreversible decay problems. In addition to improving your smile and ability to chew food, the extra support of dentures prevents droopy facial muscles. Learn more: Dentures and Partial Dentures
 
Fillings - Although dentists have been using fillings as a routine treatment for decayed or damaged teeth for 100s of years, we offer our patients state of the art options regarding filling materials and procedures. Find details here: Need Cavity Fillings in Raleigh NC?
 
Hygiene - In addition to providing our patients with the latest techniques and products for maintaining and improving their dental health, our team of hygienists also teach the best methods for proper brushing and flossing. See: Routine Teeth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene
 
Implants - One of the best solutions for treating patients with missing teeth are implants, which are known for their natural appearance, strength and stability. Find more details: Dental Implants in Raleigh NC
 
Inlays - This is another type of treatment for restoring severely damaged teeth. Learn more: Dental Inlays and Onlays for Tooth Restoration
 
Periodontics - This treatment regime is necessary for those individuals with severe gum inflammation caused by gingivitis.

Root Canal - Having a root canal is usually the best way to address deep decay or other factors causing inflammation within the dental pulp.More info here: Root Canal Treatment in Raleigh, NC
 
TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint Disorder - An array of problems can be attributed to this diagnosis, including headaches, bite issues, and popping sounds. The good news is that TMJ is treatable. Find out about TMJ treatments here: Is Your Pain Caused By TMJ?
 
Veneers - This cosmetic remedy for damaged, discolored, or broken teeth can drastically improve a patient's appearance. Veneers can Improve the Appearance of Your Smile
 
Whitening - over the last 20 years, this process has come along way, with numerous over the counter products now available. However, to ensure professional, even results, a dental professional is still your best bet. See our options for Teeth Whitening Treatments at our Raleigh NC Office
 
Wisdom Teeth - For many young adults, extracting wisdom teeth is essential for maintaining proper alignment of the teeth and overall dental health. Learn more about our treatments for wisdom teeth: Wisdom Teeth Removal
 
The variety of treatment programs offered through our office can make a huge difference in your overall dental health and confidence. Please call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss dental treatment options with Dr. Melcher: 919-782-0548

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