As a friendly reminder, if you have dental work you’ve put
on hold, now is a good time to schedule an appointment to maximize your
insurance benefits.
Even if you don’t need extensive treatment, you should
schedule a regular checkup and cleaning appointment to help prevent costly
procedures in the future.
You’re probably
paying a monthly premium to keep your insurance, so be sure to use it before
the year end!
It is also a great time to use any remaining flexible account dollars you may have saved up. Flexible accounts are created to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical and dental expenses, but if that money is not used before the end of the year, it is lost to you forever.
Our holiday season does book quickly, so call us today at (908) 998-4698 or visit roselleparkdental.com to schedule your appointment. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage or benefits, we would be happy to help you. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Three of our amazing dental hygienists: Bonnie, Sanchia, and Anne Maira. (Pictured from left to right.)
Written for Roselle Park
Dental & Implants by Sara Magnola Taner
This October,
celebrate national dental hygiene month by thanking your dental hygienist and
taking great care of your teeth!
Good dental hygiene is of the utmost importance to your oral and overall health, and visiting your dentist and hygienist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups is one of the best ways you can ensure your healthy smile will last for a lifetime!
This year, the American Dental Association (ADA) is focusing on four routines to help people maintain healthy smiles: brush, floss, rinse, and chew!
Do You Know
the “Correct” Way to Brush Your Teeth? Proper brushing technique is to hold
the tooth brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and gently move it back
and forth, making sure to clean both the inside and outside of your teeth. Make
sure to use a soft bristle brush that fits easily around your teeth and replace
it every two to three months.
To Floss
or Not to Floss – Despite recent media surrounding the effectiveness of
regular flossing, dental professionals still advise that we floss every day to
keep our teeth and gums their healthiest! In addition to preventing gum disease
and tooth decay, it provides a regular opportunity to closely exam inside the
mouth for redness, swelling, or chipped or broken teeth.
#DoTheSwish
– We all know that using mouthwash is a great way to freshen our breath,
but did you know it also helps to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis? When used
before brushing and flossing, it can help to remove additional food particles
that could otherwise become cavity causing plaque build-up.
Choose What You Chew Wisely –Enjoying sugar-free gum can have
several benefits for your oral health in most instances. The physical act of
chewing causes the body to increase salvia production, which then helps to wash
away food particles after a meal or snack.
Additionally, most sugar-free gum is sweetened with xylitol, a naturally
occurring alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is proven to inhibit
the growth of a bacteria that causes cavities.
Here are three back-to-school tips to help your
little ones maintain great oral health throughout the school year:
Visit Your Dentist: Schedule your child’s dental cleaning now before the hustle and bustle of school starts in September.
Choose Healthy Snacks: Instead of packing your little ones processed snacks or sweets, fill their lunchboxes with fresh fruits and veggies, along with some protein, such as sunflower seeds and cheese.
Build Brushing and Flossing into the Daily Routine: Back to school means a new – often busy –schedule. Kids should brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss each night before bed. Make sure they have enough time before heading out the door each morning, and floss as a family at night.
Call us today to schedule your child’s back-to-school dental cleaning and checkup: 908-998-4698!
We all know that fluoride is an important part of caring for our
children’s teeth. But how much do they need? And how do we know how much
they are actually getting? Read on to get answers to all your fluoride
questions.
What is Fluoride and How Does it Get
into the Water?
Fluoride is
derived from fluorine, which is a naturally occurring element in the Earth’s
crust. Years of study have shown that consuming fluoride – and applying it to
the surface of the teeth – helps to protect teeth from decay.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that over 60% of people living in the United States get fluoride through their tap water. In some instances, the fluoride is added to the water source and in others it is naturally occurring. The optimal level of fluoridation in water is 0.7 milligrams per liter. Call your local water authority or public health department to inquire about your fluoride levels.
If you and
your family drink mostly bottled water or water from a reverse osmosis
filtration system, then you are probably not consuming any – or only very
little – fluoride. Most bottled water has none, and the filtration systems
remove most of the fluoride from tap water.
Water filters such as Brita or PUR pitchers do not remove fluoride.
Why Does Fluoride Matter for Our
Dental Health?
Fluoride
protects teeth in two ways. When it is
ingested, it strengthens the tooth’s structure.
When it is applied to the surface of teeth – via toothpaste, mouth rinse,
or a fluoride treatment – it creates a barrier that prevents bacteria found in
plaque from breaking down tooth enamel, which over time will lead to decay and
cavities.
According to the CDC: “For 70 years, people in the United States have benefited from drinking water with fluoride, leading to better dental health. Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.”
Does Your Child Need a Fluoride Supplement?
To answer
this question, you must first determine the age of your child and if they are
consuming fluoridated water or not. Babies under the age of six months old do
not need any fluoride supplementation. Only if your water supply is not
fluoridated would your dentist or pediatrician prescribe a fluoride supplement
– such as a vitamin, tablet or drops – for your child after the age of six
months.
While it is
important to start brushing baby teeth as soon as they start coming in, using a
fluoride free training toothpaste for the first few years of a child’s life is recommended
to prevent them from ingesting too much. Once a child has mastered the ability to
spit while brushing, switch to a fluoride toothpaste, but still only use a
pea-sized amount on their brush. An adult should always be present while young
children are brushing with paste containing fluoride, since too much fluoride
can be harmful for children.
Visit us online or call today to learn more about your child’s fluoride needs – 908-998-4698.
