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.
Could You Be Suffering From Gum Disease?
March 27, 2013
Today, a staggering majority of Americans are suffering from the common oral health problem known as gum disease – three out of four, to be exact! If that number seems a little big to you, it’s probably because many of those people aren’t even aware that there’s anything wrong. While cracks and cavities are easily noticeable dental problems that have tried-and-true restorative solutions, gum disease (also commonly referred to as periodontal disease) is often a much more subtle condition – or it is until it reaches the most advanced stage, which can cause advanced deterioration, inflammation, and even tooth loss. Thankfully, Dr. Weinman and his staff take gum disease very seriously, and we’ll be sure to thoroughly inspect your mouth for any tell-tale signs of the condition when you come into our Westfield office for a routine check-up. In the meantime, here are some common symptoms that can indicate the presence of gum disease:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath that even mouthwash doesn’t help
- Receding gums (teeth that look longer)
- A sudden change in the way your bite feels
- Loose, shifting teeth
In addition, here are some common risk factors for gum disease:
- If you commonly smoke or use tobacco
- If you’re suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or another systemic disease
- If you’re 65 or older
- If you regularly clench or grind your teeth
At his Westfield office, Dr. Weinman is committed to detecting and treating gum disease as early as possible in order to save his patients valuable time and expense, as well as preserve their oral health. We can provide Arestin for early cases, an antibiotic that is placed directly in the infected periodontal pockets in order to help heal your gums.
Don’t let gum disease put a damper on your smile! Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and enjoy the concise, comprehensive care our dedicated team is known for. In addition to Westfield, NJ, Dr. Weinman is also happy to see patients from Scotch Plains, Farmwood, Cranford, Mountainside, and beyond!