Great Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy with Family Dentistry Westfield Loves
October 9, 2015
Your general health is always important, but it’s especially crucial during pregnancy. Because pregnancy causes certain hormonal changes that can affect your oral health, it may be necessary for you to take a few things into consideration during your pregnancy — and number one is to visit your dentist for an oral checkup when you’re pregnant. Keep reading for more tips on how to maintain your oral health during pregnancy — for the health of you and your baby — from Dr. David M. Weinman, your family dentist in Westfield, NJ.
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Flossing is Essential!
July 14, 2015
A recent study from Bupa, an international health organization, revealed that 81% of Britons believe their smiles are unattractive in photos, and 28% refuse to smile for photos all together. Similar studies conducted in the United States reveal similar findings, and an even higher percentage of people who feel pressured by celebrity photos to perfect their smiles. While our vanity may influence us to want a perfect smile, what we may not realize is the importance of flossing to maintain our oral health and smile radiance, retain gum tissue and bone density, and remove tooth decay causing bacteria. If you need a superior preventive, family dentist, Westfield, NJ call Dr. David M. Weinman to schedule an appointment today. The expert dental hygienists at our practice can help you learn to love flossing, and keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.
Benefits of Flossing
It’s been six months. Your dental hygiene appointment is in two days, and you haven’t flossed since the last checkup. You don’t want yet another lecture about flossing from your hygienist, so you decide to cram six months of flossing into the next two days. The result? Bleeding, irritated, swollen gums, and a profound distain for the entire subject of flossing. You go to your hygiene appointment, and hear the same refrain, “How often do you floss?” Only now, it’s coupled with, “Your gums seem irritated. That could be a sign of gum disease.” That’s it! You think. Flossing is useless.
Unlike tooth brushing which makes your mouth look, feel, and taste clean right away, flossing’s early effects can be mostly negative. If you don’t floss on a regular basis, your gums will likely become irritated as you remove bacteria that has built up. Many patients report flossing once or twice directly after dental checkups and in the days leading up to their appointment, but rarely flossing at any other time. This inconsistency probably does more harm than good because it leads patients to believe flossing can only be unpleasant.
However, the benefits of regular flossing far outweigh any initial discomfort and irritation. In fact, recent studies showed that flossing not only helped to improve oral health, but the positive effects on oral health improved overall health too. Some benefits of flossing include:
- Significantly reduced bacteria – less cavities and $$$ spent to treat tooth decay
- Reduced Risk for gingivitis and periodontitis – the most commonly sighted benefit is one of the most important since more than ½ of Americans suffer from some form of gum disease
- Improved breath – halitosis or bad breath is often caused by bacteria that could be removed or reduced by flossing keeping your breath fresher longer than brushing alone
- Better overall health – gum disease has been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and other systematic disease in a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study
Flossing Tips from your Preventive Dentist, Westfield
Many of the issues associated with flossing stem from irregularity of practice, but there are some things you can do to make flossing more pleasant from the outset. Here are some things you should consider to improve your flossing routine:
- Habit – Just in case you missed it, the most important part of flossing may just be doing it every day even if you’re tired or busy or just don’t want to do it.
- Floss type – Choosing a floss that you like can help make the task more enjoyable. There are numerous types of floss, but we recommend polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) especially for patients new to flossing. PTFE flosses are also called shred free/resistant, and are made from one fiber rather than numerous combined, rope-like fibers in nylon floss.
- Floss right! – A number of patients who are dedicated enough to floss everyday never learn the proper technique. During your next hygiene appointment, ask our hygienists to show you the best way to floss your teeth. Until then, just remember that the whole point of flossing is to remove bacteria between teeth and between teeth and gums. So, if you’re not flossing all the way under the gum line, you’re not flossing. The easiest way to floss is using the “C” method. Gently glide the using a back and forth movement into the spaces on either side of each tooth in a “C” shape. Doing in this around the front and back of each tooth is extremely effective.
Contact Dr. Weinman for Great Westfield Dentistry
We know what you’re thinking right now. That’s it, I’m going to start flossing, and this time I mean it. You may even be in your car on the way to your local pharmacy to stock up on fun flossing equipment. We appreciate the enthusiasm, but encourage you to keep it simple and start slow. Choose a floss you think will be gentle and effective, then set a goal to floss at least 3 or 4 times a week for a month. After the first month, we know your teeth will look and feel better, and you’ll want to change your oral hygiene routine to include daily flossing. If you need a general checkup or want to find out more about flossing, call the office of Dr. Weinman to schedule an appointment today. Our Westfield, NJ office welcomes patients from surrounding areas including Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Cranford, and Mountainside.
Have You Had A Dental Check-Up Lately?
January 10, 2013
We’re well into the New Year now, a time of new beginnings and resolutions to live better. Maybe you’re interested in taking up a new hobby, or you might just want to spend more quality time with your family. While you’re at it, why not add scheduling a dental cleaning and check-up with Dr. Weinman to the list? At our Westfield, NJ dental office, we’re committed to providing you with effective and comfortable service that will be sure to send you off smiling.
Treat Your Teeth, Save Your Smile
Whether you’re six or sixty, the American Dentistry Association recommends you see your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. Of course, we understand that things happen – you lead a busy life, after all, and time can get away from you when you have several other responsibilities you’re thinking about. But check-ups and cleanings are still important for your overall health – after all, it’s the only way we can find and correct a variety of dental health problems when they first start.
During your cleaning, a skilled hygienist will check your mouth for any signs of gum disease. Gum disease can be a devastating condition to your teeth, with subtle symptoms that can’t always be noticed by an untrained eye. By undergoing a cleaning, you’re also protecting yourself from its ill effects.
Similarly, when undergoing a check-up, Dr. Weinman will carefully inspect each of your teeth for decay and injury, as well as how previous dental work is holding up. If left untreated, cavities, cracks, and the like can grow into much larger problems – by attending regular check-ups, we can monitor any issues and treat them quickly and effectively, saving you both time and money.
Are you ready to experience excellent, personalized dentistry? Dr. Weinman and his team here in Westfield, NJ want to give you the healthy, happy teeth you deserve. Don’t delay a check-up any longer – call our office today with any questions you may have, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment. We also gladly serve patients from Westfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Cranford, Mountainside, and beyond.