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Keeping a Healthy Smile in 2021

Brush and floss, Checkups, Cleanings, family dentistry, News, Taking care of your teeth , , , , , , , , ,

Keeping a Healthy Smile in 2021

We hope the new year brings health and happiness to all of you, and that includes a healthy smile. 2020 was a year like no other, and continuing to live through the pandemic is difficult. Focusing on your well being is more important than ever.
Here is what we recommend for keeping a healthy smile in 2021.  First, keep brushing and flossing.  Aim to brush twice a day and floss before you go to bed. And here’s a tip, don’t rinse after you brush in the evening. Leaving the toothpaste in your mouth will keep the fluoride around longer to penetrate your teeth to make them stronger at fighting cavities.

Visit the Dentist Twice a Year

Many people have put off dental checkups during the pandemic, but we encourage you to visit the dentist twice a year. Most dental insurance plans cover cleanings and checkups twice a year at 100%, so get the most out of your insurance. During those appointments, you’ll get a professional cleaning that only trained staff with specialized instruments can perform. Your dental team can reach areas of your teeth and gums that brushing and flossing at home just can’t do.

Greenville Dental Studio, dentist, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Greenville, South Carolina

Preventative Exams

Preventative exams can save you money in the long run, and save your teeth.  Your dentist can check for signs of gum disease, cavities and the effects of stress on your teeth and the muscles along your jawline. Clenching and grinding your teeth during the day and while you sleep can damage your smile and even leave you in pain.  A bite guard that you wear at night can protect your teeth. Your dentist may also recommend prescription toothpaste for sensitive teeth or a special mouthwash for dry mouth.
Greenville Dental Studio, dentist, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Greenville, South Carolina

Keeping a healthy smile

Build a Relationship With Your Dentist

Building a relationship with your dentist and staff, like the dental team at Greenville Dental Studio, can give you peace of mind when something goes wrong.  You’ll know who to call if you chip a tooth or develop tooth pain. You’ll also have a trusted group to work with if you’re considering cosmetic treatments like teeth bleaching, veneers and implants. In our office, you’re always in the driver’s seat of your oral health, and we’re your best ally in that journey. We want you to have a smile you can enjoy.

Healthy Smile Checklist

Follow these tips for a healthy smile:
Brush twice a day
Floss before bed
Visit the dentist twice a year

We also recommend eating a healthy, balanced diet, and drink your water!

New Patients Welcome

New patients are always welcome at Greenville Dental Studio. Dr. Bullard and his team can be reached at 864-520-2942 or click here to request an appointment.

Greenville Dental Studio, dentist, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville Dental Studio welcomes new patients

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Flossing Before Bed Is Important

Brush and floss, Checkups, Cleanings, family dentistry, News, Taking care of your teeth , , , , , , , , ,

Why Flossing is Important

If you want your teeth to last, you must make brushing and flossing a daily habit, along with regular professional cleanings at the dentist.

There’s a saying in dentistry, “only floss the ones you want to keep.”

Take a second to think about that that.  Would you want to lose any of your teeth?

Flossing is a crucial step in the care of your teeth, because brushing twice a day is not enough.

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It’s important to floss before bed

Flossing is a must.  Why?  Because brushing does not clean the whole tooth.  Brushing alone only cleans 60% of a tooth, but flossing can reach the surfaces your toothbrush can’t reach.

Flossing Helps Fight Cavities

When food particles are left between your teeth, bacteria can use that decaying food to form cavities in those areas.

Cavities between teeth are difficult to fix and can lead to crowns and root canals.  These procedures are time consuming and costly.

Food debris left between your teeth can also lead to bad breath.

You can also make your teeth look brighter by keeping stains from developing between your teeth.

Many people may use water flossers, such as the name brand Waterpik, to clean between their teeth.  These are good for removing bacteria around your gums and under bridges and dental work, but you still need to use traditional floss to protect against cavities between teeth.

What You Should Know

Follow these steps to make sure you’re getting the most out of flossing:

Hug the floss tight to the side of your tooth
Rub the floss gently up and down against the side of each tooth
Make sure the floss reaches the base of each tooth

You can view a demonstration from the American Dental Association.

Healthy teeth increase your quality of life.  Your daily routine should include brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing before bed.  If you don’t already do this, it’s time to start.  I know it can be difficult to change dental hygiene habits, but it’s far worse to lose teeth to decay and disease.

Visit the Dentist Twice a Year

In additional to taking care of your teeth and gums at home, it’s important to visit the dentist twice a year.  You can get directions to our office and schedule a checkup on our website.  We accept all major insurance and work with your schedule for morning, evening, weekend and emergency appointments.  Call us anytime at 864-520-2942.

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Dr. Andy Bullard, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Greenville Dental Studio, Greenville, South Carolina

Regular Cleanings and Checkups Can Save You $

Checkups, Cleanings, Fighting Decay, Taking care of your teeth , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cleanings and Checkups

Let me tell you how important it is to visit your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups.

You can catch problems earlier or prevent them from happening at all, with regular visits.  Once cavities reach a certain stage, they’ll only continue to grow, and you can end up with a root canal or having to pull a tooth.

checkup, cleaning

The hard buildup around your teeth by the gum line won’t go away on its own.  Brushing and flossing won’t remove it, but your family dentist can knock it out with special instruments.

Checkup, cleaning

That buildup is called tartar, and it can lead to decay and gum disease.  Take a look at the before and after pictures from a recent cleaning in Dr. Bullard’s office:

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Before

dental cleaning, checkup, family dentistry, dentist

After

According to the American Dental Association, almost half of adults over 30 have some form of gum disease.  You simply do not want to miss checkups.  Your problem areas won’t go away, and they will cost you more money down the road.  Imagine the bill for a routine cleaning and checkup compared to a root canal and crown.

Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health problems.  Small cavities and gum disease often go unnoticed if you’re not feeling any pain.

Use Your Dental Benefits

If you have dental benefits, you are already paying to see your dentist twice a year, so you may as well schedule an appointment, and show up!

Dental cleanings and checkups are part of your overall health and wellness.  Studies show there is a link between a healthy mouth and a healthy heart.  Dental checkups fit right in with exercise and eating well to keep your body in top shape.

Fresher Breath and Whiter Teeth

You can have whiter teeth and fresher breath.  At your dental cleanings, your hygienist or dentist will remove stains from your teeth that are impossible to brush away at home.  A professional cleaning will also remove bacteria that cause bad breath.  Your smile is often the first thing others notice about you.  Don’t you just love how your teeth feel after a cleaning?  Doesn’t it make the day seem brighter?

Book an Appointment

To schedule your next checkup, click here.  You can also call our office at 864-520-2942.

 

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Dr Andy Bullard recommends using an electric toothbrush, teeth whitening,

Is An Electric Toothbrush Really Better?

Brush and floss, Cleanings, Electric toothbrush, Taking care of your teeth , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is an Electric Toothbrush Really Better?

A lot of people ask “is an electric toothbrush really better?” Well, it is my belief that just about every adult patient (and every young patient in braces) should have an electric toothbrush. There are 2 reasons for this: time spent brushing and force of brushing. When I was a student in dental school I had a professor that said a manual toothbrush could be as effective as an electric brush if used properly, and technically that is true. What I have realized after looking at teeth for 20 years is that we are simply too impatient when we brush our teeth.  In the morning we’re in too much of a rush and in the evening we’re too tired to use a manual brush properly, and it is really difficult to change our habits.

Brush for Two Minutes

If you use a manual brush, time yourself brushing. The proper amount of time to brush is 2 minutes, at least 2 minutes. For many people this will seem like an eternity. One of the major benefits of an electric toothbrush is that most of them run for 2 minutes, so you turn it on and you know you are done when it turns off. Still, it can be a challenge to stand there and stare at yourself in the mirror and wait for the full 2 minutes, so I recommend walking around while you brush. Sometimes in the evenings, and when you are not so rushed getting out of the door to start your day, you may want to do 3 or 4 minutes of brushing, especially if you have a lot of fillings or crowns.  The dental work can hold bacteria more than tooth enamel.

Be Gentle on Your Gums

If you have issues with receding gums or have had gum grafts or have sensitive teeth, it is better to stick to the 2 minutes because you can actually brush too much (or rather too hard).  Not only can electric toothbrushes clear away bacteria well, they can also be more gentle. Most people brush way too hard, which can cause gum recession and even can wear away your teeth. With an electric toothbrush you just hold it against your teeth and gums and it does the work, removing the need for hard scrubbing.

Picking the Correct Toothpaste

Most toothpastes are abrasive, especially some of the whitening toothpastes. Most whitening toothpastes do not bleach your teeth, they make them whiter by scouring stains off. There was a study done with a toothbrush on a mechanical arm brushing against teeth for a couple of hundred thousand cycles. When only water was used there was no damage to the teeth, but when toothpaste was added large notches were worn in the teeth. Now, toothpaste is vital as a carrier for fluoride, but the plainer pastes and gels are better for you, especially if you have gum recession or sensitive teeth.

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Brush twice a day

Don’t Use Too Much Force

Many manual toothbrushes also have medium or firm bristles. Never buy anything but a soft bristled toothbrush. The brushing motion should not involve hard scrubbing. Brushing should be thorough, not forceful. Time spent brushing is much more important than heavy force. Again, brushing too hard is often a difficult habit to break, thus increasing the value of an electric toothbrush.

Start Shopping

So if you do not yet have an electric toothbrush, start checking them out. I think you’ll be pleased with the results! To schedule a checkup and cleaning, call our office at 864-520-2942 or request an appointment online.

Dental Check Up, Greenville Dental Studio, Dental Health, Cosmetic Dental

Checkup time!