Causes of Tooth Erosion

Dental care is an absolute must in order for one to have healthy and strong teeth. Gum care is just as important and that is another issue some tend to neglect or dismiss. The issue with not caring for teeth properly comes about when one is not routine in the care they receive from a dentist and the home care they give to their teeth.

Choosing the Right Toothpaste for You

1. Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth Most toothpastes for sensitivity contain 5% potassium nitrate which aid in the blocking of the hot and cold receptors. Overly active receptors send pain signals to the brain, causing the discomfort people have with sensitive teeth. Colgate, Sensodyne, and Crest all provide toothpastes that can help fight against sensitivity.

Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy to Have a Healthy Smile

Our smiles are often one of the first things that people notice about us when we greet them. And if this meeting is for the first time, the first impression will be a positive one if the smile looks good. After all, our smile is a business card. And we do not really want our card to be stained, messy and otherwise looking unhealthy. There are some ways to keep our teeth clean and healthy. These things can be done every day with little or no trouble what so ever.

Importance of Regular Teeth Cleanings

Your dental health is more important than just having a pearly white smile. Medical studies show a correlation between a person's dental health and their overall health. For example, those with gum disease have a greater risk of developing more serious issues later on, such as heart disease and stroke. With evidence like that, it's necessary to have teeth cleaning in Oklahoma quite often.

Dental Emergencies and Dental Care in Oklahoma City

Whenever you have any type of dental emergency it is important that you contact a local dentist as soon as possible. There are situations however where you cannot get to a dental office immediately. You may be unable to travel or the office may be closed during a holiday or weekend. Here are ways to deal with a dental emergency until you can get yourself over to the dentist office.

Dealing With a Toothache
When you experience the initial signs of a toothache it is important to rinse your mouth with warm water and a pinch of salt. Rinsing and flossing may remove a piece of food that is lodged in your teeth causing the discomfort. When swelling appears, be sure to apply a cold compress on your cheek or mouth. Contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Dealing With a Broken Tooth
When you break or chip a tooth, try to save the broken piece if possible. Fill a glass with warm water and a dash of salt and rinse that side of the mouth. When there is excessive bleeding you can apply gauze to the area and apply pressure. The bleeding should stop after ten minutes of applying pressure. To keep the swelling down apply a cold compress to the cheek or area as close to the broken tooth as possible. Contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Dealing With a Knocked Out Tooth
It is very important to retrieve the tooth and rinse it off with warm water. Time is of the essence here, so try to reinsert the tooth in the socket if you can. If you feel you are forcing the tooth back in then simply place it in a cup of milk or water. Getting to a dentist as soon as possible is vital because a dentist can successfully return a tooth to the socket if they are seen within one hour of the incident.

Dealing With a Missing Filling
This is not considered a dental emergency of sorts, however it does not mean you should neglect the issue. For a temporary fix you can insert a piece of sugarless gum into the opening in your tooth to keep debris from getting in their and aggravating the exposed nerve endings. Contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Emergencies are just that, they are unexpected. If you need emergency dental care in Oklahoma City, then consider going to Dr. Tim Kirby and his clinic—Classen Family Dentistry.

Dr. Kirby and his staff will address your emergency with immediate care and gentleness. You will be evaluated, any immediate treatment that can be done will be completed, and then you will be provided with information regarding recovery and any additional treatment.

Learn more about dental emergency care in OKC at: http://classenfamilydentistry.com/

Pay Attention to Your Brushing Technique

How long should you brush?

The proper technique for brushing your teeth should take at least two minutes. I recommend using a stopwatch or just watching the clock to make sure. Under brushing is a very common problem that leads to many dental issues, even when people think that they are caring for their teeth properly.

What kind of brush should you use?

First, make sure that you select the right toothbrush for you. Soft bristled brushes with smaller heads reach back teeth more easily. Many dentists prefer the soft or medium bristles because they are easier on your gums. For those with limited manual dexterity, an electric toothbrush works great. However, whenever possible, use a manual tooth brush because it allows for much more variety in brush strokes.

You should replace your toothbrush as soon as you begin to see wear. Even if your toothbrush looks good, you should get a new one every three months. Also, you should throw away any toothbrushes that you use while you have a cold or flu. The bacteria and viruses from illnesses can re-infect you if you continue putting them in your mouth.

What is the right toothpaste?

Toothpaste choice is important as well. Many different toothpastes are designed for specific conditions such as gingivitis, gum disease, cavities, weakening enamel, and tartar buildup. Finding the right toothpaste can be difficult but not impossible. Toothpastes with baking soda are good for tooth whitening.

What is a good process for brushing?

Make sure to clean each section of your mouth thoroughly, about 30 seconds each.
Start with the outer surfaces of your upper teeth then move on to the lower. Next, brush the inner surfaces of the upper teeth. Now you should scrub the tops of your teeth where you do most of your chewing. Finally, Brush your tongue to clear away bacteria and have fresher breath. That's it. It's that easy.

If you’re still wondering about technique or specifics about what to use for your mouth particularly, then you need to consult a dentist. If you live in Oklahoma City, consider Dr. Tim Kirby at Classen Family Dentistry.

Dr. Tim Kirby is a trusted dentist with a family dentistry in Oklahoma City. Bring the entire family to one place and receive the dental care you need. Learn more online at http://classenfamilydentistry.com/

When To Take Your Child to the Dentist - Dentist Oklahoma City

There are many reasons to start dental visits early, but how early is the question? One important reason is to prevent future fears of the dentist's chair. Being afraid of going to the dentist is a fairly common occurrence among adults, sometimes bordering on an actual phobia. Fear can turn a routine visit into an absolute nightmare, making it very hard to maintain good dental health. If possible, a baby should accompany mom and dad to their dental check ups. Watching the parents allow the  dentist to look inside their mouths on a regular basis will help baby to think of it as a normal thing. He or she will be much more likely to feel comfortable opening his or her mouth for a check up after months of observing. 

Opinions vary about exactly when a child needs to see the dentist for the first time. Around one year is the earliest that is usually recommended, with three or four years old being the latest. It has a lot to do with the maturity of the child and his or her ability to cooperate.

Starting dental visits early is crucial to ensuring good dental health for your child. Twenty percent of children get at least one cavity by the time they are five years old. Cavities can cause early loss of baby teeth, which can result in spacing problems with other teeth, speech issues and trouble chewing food properly. Also, cavities hurt - something nobody wants for their child.

Some children have a situation where the enamel doesn't develop on their baby teeth as they form, causing almost immediate cavities to develop. In this case, obviously, they would need to see a dentist earlier than usual as fillings will be necessary.

Choosing the right dentist for your child is very important as his early experience will affect his reaction to dentists for the rest of his or her life. It's not necessary that they specialize in pediatric dentistry, just that they have an understanding of how children think and can relate to them in such a way that puts them at ease. The same criteria applies to the rest of the staff that he or she will come in contact with during visits. There should be a kid friendly atmosphere throughout the office, making the whole experience of being there a pleasant one.

At Classen Family Dentistry in Oklahoma City, Dr. Tim Kirby and his staff make the dentist office as comfortable as possible for children. Dr. Kirby is not a pediatric dentist, but welcomes them any day the office is open. Parents are encouraged to bring their little ones along for a visit. You can trust Dr. Kirby to be patient and caring with your children. 

For a superb dentist in Oklahoma City, go online to http://classenfamilydentistry.com/ and learn more about Dr. Kirby and his practice.