Posted on

Easy Practices for Better Oral Hygiene | Fayetteville, GA

woman smiling with perfect dental health

Caring for our oral hygiene is highly important to our overall health. While we all do our best, there are habits you may have picked up along the way that may contribute significantly to the deterioration of our overall oral hygiene.

Here are some behaviors that may be worth considering the next time you step into your bathroom.

Toothbrush Storage. How we care for our toothbrush matters – a dirty or splay-bristled toothbrush can introduce unwanted bacteria or hurt your gums while you brush. The best way to care for your brush is to rinse after brushing and allow to air dry on its own.

Toothbrush Cleanliness. Keeping your toothbrush dry and clean is important for your oral hygiene and the longevity of the brush. Packing a wet toothbrush invites a warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow. Overcleaning your brush however will deteriorate the bristles faster, meaning more replacement.

Multitasking. Many of us utilize brushing time to pick out our clothing for the day or wipe the mirror. While this isn’t a bad thing, it may mean you aren’t brushing your teeth properly. Over time, the lack of care will contribute to a buildup of bacteria between your teeth or gums.

Irregular Dental Visits. Its completely understandable why people may be hesitant to visit the dentist; dental anxiety, bad experiences and strange noises can contribute to an uneasy visit. Avoiding the dentist, or having inconsistent visits can escalate what may have been a small issue under regular care.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Is IV Sedation Right For Me? | Fayetteville, GA

woman with dental anxiety

If you experience a physical reaction to the idea of certain stimuli being triggered by going to the dentist, you may have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is common among kids and adults alike. Whether someone has had a bad experience at the dentist or not, we all know getting a second opinion could result in more serious diagnosis. Continue reading to learn if IV Sedation may be right for you.

When dentists perform restorative procedures, there are typically a variety of sedation options available to the individual. The two main ones being nitrous oxide or intravenous (IV) sedation. The inhalation of nitrous allows a patient to relax, but IV sedation can guide the patient into a deeper relaxation and in some cases, lull them to sleep.

The following are benefits to utilizing IV sedation for sleep dentistry.

  • Administration of the drug is tailored to the patient’s needs
  • The results of IV sedation are reliable and the most effective means of sedation
  • If you are particularly sensitive to your gag reflex, IV sedation will relax the reaction, but your dentist may recommend nitrous oxide
  • In contrast to general anesthesia, IV sedation is safer and allows you to retain consciousness.
  • Due to the amount of control your practitioner has with the dosage of IV administered, your recovery time is shorter than with oral sedation.

Remaining consistent with your oral health in your daily life, as well as with regular check-ups, are the best way to avoid unfavorable experiences at the dentist. If you do enter into a restorative process, discuss your concerns with your dentist to see if IV sedation may be right for you.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth | Fayetteville, GA

girl eating an apple

As we age, the seasons change and our tastes evolve, so do our habits. Over time, daily decisions can discolor our teeth despite best practices with our oral care. While habits that discolor our teeth such as smoking and drinking coffee may require professional whitening to correct, certain foods can aid in the daily maintenance of a bright smile.

Here are some ways you can enhance your smile through your diet.

Fruit. Remember the old adage “an apple a day..” well, this hearty fruit plays another role in our health. Apples are a powerhouse food for a white smile. The crispness of an apple works our gums and strengthens them when we bite and chew. The tart taste produces saliva which helps clear bacteria that may produce cavities. Pears are another great fruit to indulge. Like apples, pears help strengthen gums while neutralizing odor-causing, stain-inducing bacteria. If citrus fruits are more your taste, reach for an orange. The Vitamin C boost is great for overall health, and the citric acid helps remove top-level stains.

Vegetables. Vegetables may not seem like the most likely way to maintain pearly white teeth, but the benefits of eating veggies go beyond nourishment. Vegetables contain a mix of water, fiber and texture that work to scrub and clean your teeth. Celery and other fibrous vegetables act like natural flossers while the texture of veggies like cauliflower scrub away at surface buildup.

Dairy. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt are rich in calcium. This mineral works to strengthen your tooth enamel, an important contribution to long-term oral health. Each of your teeth have their own shell of enamel that protect it from erosion and cavities, but we only generate tooth enamel once in our lifetimes. It’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene to protect this enamel since once it has eroded, there is no way to get it back.

Of course, it’s not recommended to consume only teeth-whitening foods, but in addition to proper oral hygiene, these foods can aid in the fight against stains.

To schedule an appointment today or learn more about Dream Works Dental and see the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created, visit us today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.