Should You Brush After Meals?

We all know the importance of brushing our teeth. Brushing and flossing are a way to help keep our teeth and gums clean and healthy. Flossing is also an important step to take in keeping teeth healthy. It is important to brush at least twice a day. Brushing after sugary snacks is important, as you don't want cavities to form. Enjoying a large meal with family or friends? Worried that you won't be able to brush your teeth right away after eating? Don't panic. Did you know there is actually a right time and a wrong time to brush your teeth? Timing can have an impact on the health of your teeth.

Acidic foods and drinks are harmful to your teeth. As a matter of fact, the enamel on your teeth are softened by eating and drinking acidic foods. You're first thought may be to brush your teeth right away after consuming them. Think again. Your chance of increasing erosion increases by brushing too soon after eating or drinking. It's best to wait at least thirty minutes to an hour after eating. This time frame will allow your mouth to produce enough saliva to help neutralize the acid. So you see, waiting to brush can actually help save your teeth,therefore saving you costly visits to the dentist. Brushing too soon after drinking a carbonated drink can noticeably damage your teeth as well. 

Eating fruit can be part of any healthy diet, however fruit that is acidic such has lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit can also damage teeth if care is not taken. So the next time you're tempted to rush to brush, hold off a while, then brush. You can chew sugarless gum if you like after you brush your teeth, but make sure it contains Xylitol. Xylitol stimulates saliva production, which helps reduce dry mouth and combat bad breath, and it also helps to prevent bacteria producing acid on teeth. 

We all want to have a beautiful smile and that starts with beautiful teeth. Take the time to care for yours now so they will last a lifetime.

For the best smile and best oral health, visit us at Classen Family Dentistry in Oklahoma City. Dr. Tim Kirby is a trusted dentist in OKC and wants to help you maintain the best dental health possible. 

Find him and his great staff online at http://classenfamilydentistry.com/

Make Flossing A Priority, For Your Sake

Like "eat your vegetables," "no candy before dinner," and "wear your seatbelt," mom's advice to floss after brushing is often ignored when we become adults. However, just like it is with most of mom's advice, it turns out that mom had it right. The importance of flossing cannot be stressed enough. It's something that everyone should be doing.

While people today are more germ-conscious than ever before, they also place unprecedented faith in cleaning products to remove these germs. The urban legend that mouthwash is more effective than flossing at killing the germs in your mouth is simply not true. This misinformation sells mouthwash, but downplays an important step in oral hygiene.

Mouthwash does not clean the deep crevices between your teeth nearly as effectively as flossing does. Have you ever gotten a big chunk of food wedged between two teeth? Odds are, you reached for a toothpick or a piece of floss to remove it. You probably did not swish a mouthful of liquid around in your mouth to try to get it out. That's because the swishing method would not work nearly as well as the dental floss at removing the food that is stuck between your teeth. If floss is more effective than mouthwash at removing the stuff you can see, guess which one works better on the stuff you can't see. 

Nothing cleans the spaces between your teeth better than good old-fashioned flossing. Using mouthwash alone to get your teeth clean is about as effective as dipping a greasy pan in hand sanitizer. A good dental hygiene routine combines brushing, flossing, and mouthwash for an effective, well-rounded clean. Flossing allows a bigger portion of your teeth to be exposed to the cleaning power of your toothpaste and mouthwash. So flossing is not only good by itself, it helps brushing do a better job of cleaning your teeth as well. 

If you are already brushing your teeth and using mouthwash daily (I really hope you are), then flossing will only take an extra minute. However, it will make your entire dental routine a lot more effective. A healthy mouth is definitely worth an extra minute a day.

Don't forget to schedule appointments to see a dentist regularly as well. If you're in Oklahoma City, you should consider coming to Classen Family Dentistry and visiting Dr. Tim Kirby. He has become a trusted dentist in OKC and welcomes the entire family.

You can find him and his wonderful staff online at http://classenfamilydentistry.com/

Struggling with Sensitive Teeth?

Sensitive teeth can be a real problem; especially if you enjoy foods like ice cream, pop, watermelon or a nice chocolate sundae. However, there are certain toothpastes that can reduce tooth sensitivity such as Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief or Sensodyne. Both give effective and temporary relief from hot and cold food and drinks. 

Arm and Hammer Sensitive is another toothpaste that protects your teeth from hot or cold sensitivity. Crest Sensitivity is another toothpaste that helps with sensitive teeth. This sensitive toothpaste is affordable and effective. Of course, having a quality and caring dentist can also help because he or she can examine your teeth and advise you on all kinds of dental needs and concerns and show the best ways to keep your teeth clean and free of decay. 

In addition, there are things you can do to avoid hot and cold sensitivity to your teeth such as not eating certain foods such as oranges, lemons and tomatoes. They are rich in acids—acids that irritate sensitive teeth. Also, lower your intake of coffee and tea. The acid in coffee and tea can also irritate teeth that are sensitive. However, bananas are rich in potassium and can give some relief to sensitive teeth. When using toothpaste, look for toothpaste and rinses that have fluoride in them. Fluoride not only helps prevent decay but also helps with sensitive teeth. 

Use the right tools

It is important to note that using a soft-bristled toothbrush can also help with sensitive teeth. Hard toothbrushes can aggravate gums and that can sometimes lead to pain and receding gums. Most dentists agree that proper brushing can help with sensitive teeth. By brushing in a circular motion, instead of a back and forth motion, you can also lessen the abrasion of your teeth. Rinsing with warm water instead of cool water after brushing your teeth, can also lessen sensitivity of the teeth.

To conclude, there are many methods and means that can help if you have sensitive teeth such as: not eating certain foods such as oranges and tomatoes, using a softer toothbrush, rinsing with warm water instead of cold and talking with your dentist or hygienist about tooth sensitivity.

Sensitive teeth aren't any fun and can be the signals of greater issues. If it seems that your teeth are becoming more sensitive then you might be struggling with a cavity. Don't wait to have this examined. 

If you're in the Oklahoma City area, then Dr. Tim Kirby is a respected dentist. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about your sensitive teeth and how you can find relief. Trust Dr. Kirby as your dentist in Oklahoma City - http://classenfamilydentistry.com/

Don't Neglect the Floss

Everyone is in such a hurry these days. It seems as if there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done that must be done. However, many dentists and dental hygienists are very concerned about the health of children and adults, as well. In their hurry to get everything done, they oftentimes forget to do one very important thing right before they brush. Too many times they forget to floss!

Many people ask why they should floss. They simply do not see the importance of doing something so small. Many say that they brush their teeth so well that they do not need to floss. Many more simply forget. But it is important! It is not simply a matter of vanity in order to have a more perfect smile. In fact, flossing can be the difference between life and death. 

When a person eats, bits of food can become stuck between the teeth. If not removed, these bits turn into plaque. Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between people who have gum disease who also have heart attacks. For this reason alone, it is extremely important to floss regularly. In addition, those who do not floss are more likely to have periodontal disease, which must be treated by a dentist. Recent studies have also shown a strong correlation between pregnant women with periodontal disease and premature births. Also, if the plaque is allowed to sit long enough, it can turn into tarter. At this point, the person must go see his dentist to have it removed.

Flossing may seem trivial but it is one of the most important things a person can do, not only for his teeth, but for his whole body, as well. It may seem like a difficult thing to remember to do every day, but it needs to become a habit. If a person has gone to bed and then remembered that he did not floss, he should immediately get up and floss his teeth. This act will serve as a reminder for him to floss the next day. So make flossing part of the everyday routine. It is a small thing that has a big impact!

Part of maintaining your overall health is taking care of your dental health. Flossing is a major part of your dental health. If you do struggle with dental health in the Oklahoma City area, then make time to visit Dr. Tim Kirby at Classen Family Dentistry. 

Dr. Kirby is a trusted dentist in Oklahoma City, so don't hesitate to schedule an appointment if you really need help - http://classenfamilydentistry.com/

Take Care of that Toothache

When you are stricken with a toothache you might be shocked at the severity of the pain you can experience. The pain can begin in the mouth and may spread into the jaw and also your face. Because your mouth is a highly sensitive area, you will most likely experience a lot of pain before figuring out how to get rid of the toothache.

Use OTC or over-the-counter medication for pain. The first technique to gain relief should include purchasing ibuprofen or maybe acetaminophen. It is recommended that you take it every 4 to 6 hours. 

Be careful what you eat. Any foods that are hot or cold will most likely cause the pain to worsen. Avoid eating these type of foods to avoid the pain.

Make use of an herbal remedy. A lot of people who suffer from toothaches have found that clove oil is a really effective pain reliever for toothaches. 

Try numbing the area. If you have a toothache that is centralized to only one area of your mouth, put a tiny amount of Orajel in that direct area. Orajel can also be purchased over the counter. 

Try placing a cold pack next to where you feel pain. A lot of people use this method to reduce swelling during toothaches. Swelling actually worsens the pain during a toothache. Using a cold pack will help the swelling go down and possibly reduce or could even relieve the pain altogether.

Use a warm water and salt rinse. This is a home remedy that has been used for many, many years. Depending on how bad the tooth or the pain is, using this remedy could help. It is often used to get rid of the tenderness around the affected tooth and can also help to relieve swelling. It is also known to make the gum around the tooth course and is only a temporary method to relieve pain. 

Make an appointment with Classen Family Dentistry in Oklahoma City. It may be necessary to go through a dental procedure to relieve pain. It's possible that you could need your tooth extracted, filling or a root canal. Dr. Tim Kirby will locate the cause of your pain and treat any underlying problems.

We are your trusted dentist in OKC: http://classenfamilydentistry.com/