Flossing in the Shower

May 20, 2024 | by admin | Blog

One of the biggest struggles I face as a dentist is the daily battle to convince people that they need to floss. I tell patients that if they are not flossing, then about 40% of their teeth surfaces are not getting cleaned. Flossing in the shower can be an easy remedy.

I tell them that bacteria are just continually sitting there breeding, eating, and growing. I tell them about the cavities, periodontal disease, bad breath, and systemic complications that not flossing leads to. Rarely does this pleading make a difference.

People know they need to floss more and they know the reasons why; they just aren’t doing it. Why? It’s mostly because they haven’t taken the time to make it a habit. Will power alone will only get people to floss regularly for a very short period of time. They have to form a habit, so it becomes a natural part of their daily routine.

So what do I suggest? Well, here’s one idea:

Flossing In The Shower.

Here are a few reasons why:

Showering is most likely a natural part of your daily routine. By flossing in the shower you can “piggyback” onto this already natural habit in order to develop a new one.

By sitting a floss package in your shower it will stay visible and remind you that it needs to be done.

People often feel that they do not have time to floss. I can relate to this. However, people rarely feel rushed in the shower. If you don’t feel rushed, you are more likely to do the things you need to do.

I know it sounds kind of goofy, but give it a try. The result could literally be life-changing.

Technology Has Revolutionized General Dentistry Services

May 15, 2024 | by admin | Blog

General dentistry services are instrumental in promoting oral health and technology has revolutionized general dentistry services. The facilities that offer these services are keen on ensuring that they provide high-quality services to their customers. They do this by investing in advanced equipment and technologies.

Below Are Some technological Advances That Has Revolutionized Dental Care.

Instant Dental Results

Patients suffering from missing, damaged, or broken teeth used to have to make countless trips to the dentist and suffer through numerous painful injections. The recovery period after treatment was long and unpleasant. With new technologies, such as crown printing and 3D imaging, dentists are now able to perform same-day procedures.

Some of the facilities have invested in computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing technology (CAD-CAM) that captures and reproduces a 3D image of the damaged tooth and prints a perfect match in minutes. Messy impressions and temporary crowns are being phased out as a result of this technology.

Interactive Dental Treatment Options

Patients are able to see everything that the doctor is doing during the procedure, through advanced intra-oral cameras. This small device also enables dentists to examine teeth in detail to recommend the most appropriate treatment. In addition, the camera pinpoints the specific areas one should focus on when brushing, thereby promoting overall oral hygiene.

No More Dental Pain

Many people fear going to checkups due to anticipated pain. Laser procedures have changed that fear by allowing personnel to conduct procedures, such as tooth extraction, painlessly. For example, the CO2 dental laser equipment allows experts in this field to work on soft and hard tissues without exposing the patients to excruciating pain.

Technology Has Revolutionized General Dentistry Services

Safer and Faster Dental Diagnoses

X-rays diagnose various oral health conditions after and more efficently. Unfortunately, research studies have proven that traditional x-rays expose individuals to high levels of radiation, which can lead to other complications. On the flip side, modern digital x-rays machines have made the diagnostic process easier and safer. Experts offer comprehensive treatment through a computer system for analyses in minutes. Concisely, digital x-rays provide more comfort and reduce a patient’s exposure to radiation by up to 90 percent.

Increase Profits and Reduce Overhead Dental Costs

Health care facilities save money and time by investing in modern practice management systems. New programs also allow an office to capture and update a patient’s information and records automatically. New management systems streamline these processes, thereby reducing overhead costs and increasing profits.

Regular Dental Care Is Critical To Your Overall Health

May 8, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Regular dental care is critical to your overall health of your gums and teeth. What you may not know is that your dentist can also spot signs of non-dental medical issues in your mouth during an exam. Some of the diseases and conditions that exhibit signs within your mouth include diabetes, infections, stress and poor nutrition just to name a few.

Diabetes

A few of the signs that can indicate a diagnosis of diabetes include loose teeth, dry mouth, and receding, dry, and bleeding gums. Poor immunity and an inability to fight disease effectively also make it much more challenging for wounds and gum line infections to heal in diabetic patients. Bleeding gums don’t always mean that you have diabetes; this problem can also come from gingivitis and other gum diseases.

Infections

Dentist are trained to spot troubling signs of infection in your mouth. They might prescribe some antibiotics to fight the problem. A few signs of infection include severe pain, swelling and redness around the affected area. Infections can spread to other parts of the body, so it’s critical to treat it right away.

Stress

Grinding your teeth can do serious damage to your pearly whites. So a dentist will often recommend a customized night guard for protection. It’s also smart to seek counseling, make lifestyle changes, or look for other ways to reduce your stress.

Poor Nutrition

A dental professional knows what signs to look for, such as dry mouth, bleeding gums, and erosion on the insides of the front teeth. Stomach acid is hard on the enamel that covers your teeth. So forced vomiting can wear away that protective enamel and cause increased sensitivity.

Regular Dental Care Is Critical To Your Overall Health

Will I Have Allergic Reaction to Invisalign – Hoover AL Dental

May 3, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Are you considering Invisalign® as a way to straighten your teeth? Here’s everything you need to know about whether – will i have allergic reaction to Invisalign®.

What’s Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a product designed as an alternative to braces. Your dentist will take measurements of your teeth. Then, he or she will create Invisalign® molds that fit over your teeth. These molds are almost invisible, which is part of their appeal.

Will I Have Allergic Reaction to Invisalign – Hoover AL Dental

Is an Allergic Reaction to Invisalign® Possible?

The answer is yes, but the reality is that it’s extremely unlikely. Like most rare allergic reactions, only a small subset of the population will experience even mild irritation. For most people, Invisalign® will do nothing other than straighten your teeth.

How Does the Trigger Work?

When you have a plastic allergy, any contact you make will trigger a reaction. The point of Invisalign® is that it’s plastic and not metal. That allows it to appear transparent, hiding the fact that you wear braces. Since the aligner trays go on top of your teeth, they’re in constant contact with the interior parts of your mouth. Your tongue, gums, and teeth are all subject to irritation from the plastic allergy.

How Serious Are the Reactions?

If you are one of the unlucky few to experience an allergic reaction, you’re most likely to notice in small ways. Your mouth will feel more sensitive than normal. Your teeth, gums, and tongue will tingle or itch. You also might suffer twinges of pain. Anyone who suffers from a more extreme reaction should speak with a dentist immediately. Reactions are almost always mild. If you’re suffering more, something else is probably the cause.

In the rarest exceptions where an extreme plastic allergy occurs, tell your dentist immediately. The signs of an extreme allergy include breathing issues, hyperventilation troubles, and chest pain.

You’ll need medical attention. Your dentist will also probably suggest that you stop using Invisalign®.

Hoover Dental X-Rays

April 30, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Hoover Dental X-rays are a crucial part of diagnosis and treatment in oral health. Dental x-rays allow a dentist to view structures that are not visible to the naked eye. This could be, because they are between teeth, under soft tissue, or within the bone. Having x-rays taking, some conditions can be detected or diagnosed.

Hoover Dental x-rays help check for:

What about the radiation?

In addition, with advancements in technology, especially digital systems, x-rays require very low dose radiation. A typical dental x-raytaken digitally exposes a patient to less than 0.5 mrem.

Finally, to put things in perspective, an average resident of the U.S. receives over 360 mrem every year from background sources. This comes from all over the place: outer space, radioactive materials in the earth, small amounts of radioactive material in foods and products that we use, even over people. Variances in lifestyle likewise cause variances in each individual’s total exposure. For example: an individual who flies often is exposed to more background radiation than someone who does not.

Why are dental x-rays important

You should always limit x-ray radiation exposure, when possible. Dental x-rays are very low dose and are crucial for proper diagnosis. By being proactive, x-rays can detect much of the oral cavity in your mouth.

Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options

April 28, 2024 | by admin | Blog

If you are like most people you may not have a full understanding of what a crossbite is until you or a family member is diagnosed with one. Good new! cross-bite correction and treatment options are available.

Basically, there are two types of cross-bites and both of them can lead to jaw pain, TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction), and other issues such as receding gums and loose teeth. These side effects are not things that anyone wants to deal with, but the good news is that crossbites are treatable. There are cross-bite correction and treatment options available amd we’re here to help you understand a few of your options.

What Exactly is a Cross-bite?

The official clinical definition of a cross-bite is “an abnormal relation of one or more teeth of one arch to the opposing tooth or teeth of the other arch, caused by deviation of tooth position or abnormal jaw position.”

In everyday language, a crossbite occurs when there is a misalignment of your upper teeth in relation to your lower teeth.

Cross-bites can be hereditary, but they can also be situational. Cross-bites that occur in children can stem from the permanent teeth growing in before all baby teeth have fallen out. If this occurs, the new teeth that come in can’t grow in place properly which results in misalignment issues.

Most of the time however, crossbites stem from genetics. If your parents had issues with their bites, chances are they could have passed this down to you.

Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options

Here is a quick list of treatment options that are available to correct crossbites. This list is by no means intended to be a recommendation of how to address your child’s cross-bite or your own. It is just a list of options that are generally available for the treatment of cross-bites. Each individual case is different and requires an examination in order to determine the best course of action.

– Maxillary Expander
– Removable expander
– Braces
– Surgery in extreme cases

The best place to start is by talking to your dentist about cross-bite correction and treatment options available to you or your child.

Why Children Need Cavities Filled

April 16, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Oral hygiene is important as soon as a baby’s teeth begin to come in, and teaching oral hygiene should begin at a young age. This is why children need cavities filled in Hoover Alabama.

Why Children Need Cavities Filled?

Though children are using a set of teeth they will eventually lose, that set of teeth needs to survive until the adult teeth guide them out of the gums, which helps ensure the adult teeth grow in correctly and with enough room.

Baby Teeth Get Fillings

To preserve your child’s oral health, your dentist will choose to drill out the cavities in baby teeth.

The primary teeth help the adult teeth to come in properly, so losing primary teeth before they’re ready to come out isn’t good for your child’s permanent teeth.

Filling for Tooth Decay

As with adult teeth, baby teeth fillings are made out of either white composite or metal. The other filling and crown materials, like gold and ceramic, are rarely as fillings for children.

Metal fillings are a popular choice because they take less time to put in. Also, because they’re less expensive than composite fillings.

Though your kid might not like the look of a metal filling, choosing a cost-effective option for a tooth that will eventually fall out is usually the smart move. Your dental insurance may also dictate what kind of fillings your child can get.

Your dentist will drill the tooth decay from your child’s baby teeth as necessary. Depending on how much damage the cavity has caused, the dentist will then fill the tooth or create a crown.

Kids should continue using good oral hygiene when caring for fillings or crowns.

Protecting Your Child’s Teeth With Mouthguards – Hoover AL Dentist

March 30, 2024 | by admin | Blog

One of the most common sports injuries in Hoover Alabama, and the one with the biggest bill, is damaged teeth. Protecting your child’s teeth with mouthguards during sports is one of the best investments a parent in Hoover AL could make.

Protecting Your Child’s Teeth With Mouthguards – Hoover AL Dentist

Mouthguards are a thick plastic protective devices shaped like a dental tray, that form to the shape of your child’s mouth.

A mouthguard creates a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent them from crashing together during impact, as well as protecting the teeth from impact.

Your local Hoover Alabama dental clinic will recommend a mouthguard be worn during high impact sports. With the possibility of costly dental bills, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Mouthguards are specifically for playing sports, ranging in price, comfort level, and level of protection.

Custom-fit mouthguards (professionally made in your local Hoover, AL dental office)

Custom-fitted mouthguards are the best option for optimal comfort, protection, and durability. Your local Hoover Alabama dentist will professionally custom-fit a mouthguard for your child.

If you are considering a custom-fit mouthguard for your child, take into consideration their age. Mouthguards are not long-term investments. Your child may grow to quickly and require a replacement within a year or two.

So with the balance between safety and affordability on your mind, you might be hesitant to get one at all. And additionally, if your child is prone to, or has had concussions, a custom made mouthguard is vital to provide extra protection which may help to prevent further concussions.

In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when choosing a mouthguard for your child. These are; level of impact involved in the sport your child plays, the expense, comfort and best suited material for your child.

It is always best to have a conversation with your local Hoover Alabama dentist about your options. Sampson Dentistry can provide advice in regards to protective mouthguards tailored to you and your child’s specific needs.

Good Dental Hygiene For Kids In Hoover Alabama

March 23, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Tips to Help Your Kids Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Sampson Dentistry believe strongly in providing good dental hygiene for kids in Hoover Alabama. We believe strongly in providing good dental hygiene for kids in Hoover Alabama striving to be sure that kids in Hoover have healthy smiles.

Good Dental Hygiene For Kids In Hoover Alabama

We need help from parents and caregivers to continue the good habits our dentists recommend. Here are a few good dental hygiene tips for kids and easy ways you can help us help them:

Watch Those Drinks

While fruit juices and sports drinks can be a healthy alternative to soda and other artificial drinks, drinking too much can end up doing more harm than good in the long run.

The sugar in these drinks can quickly eat away the enamel on your child’s teeth, especially if he or she is consuming them all day long from a sippy cup or a refillable bottle. These drinks taste good and might be one of the only sources of sugar your kids have so weeding them out will not be easy, but it’s the best thing for their teeth in the long run.

Begin the balancing process by moving toward a 50/50 juice or sports drink to water ratio. The water will help wash out some of the sugar left over from the other drinks and help move your child’s palate away from sweet tastes. And, drinking more water is a great thing for all of us!

Lead by Example

When it comes to brushing and caring for your teeth, your children take more cues from you than you might think. This is one area where you really do need to practice what you preach.

Make brushing and flossing a family activity each morning and evening, or maybe only in the evening if your mornings are hectic. Either way, this will allow you to make sure that your child isn’t cutting corners and allow him or her to see that you are doing the same thing.

Brushing should last for at least two minutes and cover all surfaces of the teeth and tongue. Flossing should include every tooth every time, no matter how tempting it is to cut corners.

Remember that if your child is under age 2, then you should be brushing and flossing for them.

Again, this is an opportunity for you to establish a routine that your child will continue when it’s time for them to brush and floss on their own.

You can even make a game out of brushing and flossing each day. Create a chart to track progress and reward good behavior along the way. Eventually, the habits will become so routine that the rewards are no longer needed as an incentive.

Don’t Skip Dentist Visits

If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, you may be passing down those fears to your children without realizing it. Starting dental appointments as soon as the first teeth appear (around age 1) will help establish going to the dentist as a positive experience, rather than one that’s plagued with fear about cavities or other problems.

The more your child sees a dentist, the more we’ll be able to help reinforce the dental hygiene maintenance you are doing at home. We can catch problem areas before they become serious and create a plan for addressing them.

Establishing a partnership between parents and your local dentists ensures healthy teeth for kids. Visiting a dentist provides an opportunity to check in on that partnership.

Sampson Dentistry offers a wide range of pediatric dental services. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation for your child.

Helping Kids Enjoy Healthy Dental Habits

February 20, 2024 | by admin | Blog

One of the most common phrases we hear our dental patients say is “I wish I would have taken better care of my teeth.” Helping kids enjoy healthier dental habits early on, will increase their chances of having a healthier smile.

Many instances we tell kids “brush and floss and don’t eat candy or you’re going to get cavities.” Sometimes, it’s hard to help children, who understandably see the world with a “here and now” vision.

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Helping Kids Enjoy Healthy Dental Habits

As an effort to motivate children to take care of their teeth, you have to show through your own actions. If you realize the importance of preventative care today, the long term positive effects will be evident later on.

So while it is very important to teach our children about prevention and the consequences of not doing so, it can be equally as important to supplement that with positive reinforcement to help them learn to enjoy the preventative dental measures themselves.

If we can teach our children to actually enjoy healthy habits at a young age, instead of just using scare tactics to avoid unhealthy habits, they will certainly have a more solid foundation for a lifetime of choosing a healthy path.

Helping Kids Enjoy Healthy Dental Habit tips:

Have an assortment of healthy and natural “treats” (carrot sticks, fruit pieces, etc) available.
Allow the child to be part of the decision making process.
Be a good role model in what your choices and habits are.
Use fun dental hygiene products! Tooth Tunes toothbrushes are an excellent example. It plays music when the brush touches the teeth. Having fun while brushing positively reinforces the habit, whether they understand the concept of prevention or not.