You already know the benefits of brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. But here’s the catch: You can brush all you want, but if you don’t use the correct technique, you’re missing out on better oral health.

Choosing a dental practice is a significant decision. The office of Smile Studio boasts a team of highly experienced and skilled professionals who are dedicated to providing top-notch dental care to patients of every age. We believe in open communication, actively involving you in your treatment decisions and ensuring that you understand every aspect of your oral health.

Take these steps for excellence in brushing.

Use the correct toothbrush. Take into account the bristle firmness, head size and handle design. Soft bristles are kind to your enamel and gums. Choose a head size that easily makes contact with the surfaces of each tooth, especially the tricky-to-reach back teeth. Pick a handle that will let you effortlessly maneuver the toothbrush throughout your mouth. Curved handles work well for children and people with manual dexterity issues.

Clear away the plaque and food particles between your teeth using dental floss, interdental picks or interdental brushes. Those tools reach the gaps and crevices that toothbrushes can’t. Then use a water flosser to flush all that debris down the drain. 

Use a toothpaste with fluoride. There are kinds of toothpaste that are targeted to particular needs, such as sensitive teeth, whitening and gum health. 

When brushing outer and inner surfaces, tilt the head at a 45° angle, lightly slide the bristles under the gum tissue, gently wiggle them back and forth a few times, and then use sweeping upward strokes. Brush your biting surfaces with a back-and-forth motion. 

Finish up by brushing your tongue to remove bacteria and food particles lurking in its creases. Some toothbrushes have a tongue scraper on the opposite side of the bristles. Or, use a tongue cleaner; they’re sold at drug stores. 

The office of Smile Studio uses advanced knowledge and technology to perform a complete array of procedures with the utmost care and precision. Our team is made up of friendly, highly trained specialists who are eager to help you feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving superior care. Please call us to schedule an appointment. 

It’s commonly known that most adults have 32 teeth, compared with 20 primary, or baby teeth. But fewer know the different types of teeth, and how they work together harmoniously to help us speak and eat efficiently, and of course, to form a wonderfully toothy grin! Our friendly family dentist at Smile Studio would like to offer a brief primer on the different types of these tiny wonders, in the hope of encouraging our patients to give them all the “TLC” they deserve!

• Those eight flat, sharp teeth in the front of your mouth are known as the incisors.These chisel-shaped teeth are terrific at ripping and biting off pieces of food. The incisors are especially helpful for foods like fruits and veggies.
• Right next to your incisors are the four canines, also known as the cuspids or eye teeth. The canines are the longest teeth in our mouths, and are shaped for shedding and tearing apart tough foods like meat.
• Directly behind those canines are eight premolars, sometimes referred to as bicuspids. Their combination of sharp ridges and a flat surface does double-duty, crushing and grinding our food. 
• Way back in your mouth is where you’ll find the twelve molars, our biggest and strongest teeth.Their broad, flat surfaces are perfect for crushing and grinding food that’s ready to be swallowed and digested. Wisdom teeth, the last molars to erupt, sometimes need to be removed because there’s not enough space in the mouth.

It’s easy to see that each of these four distinctly different shaped teeth has its job to do in helping us chew and digest properly. That’s why our dentist 

Smile Studio urges our patients to brush and floss carefully between each of these 32 pearly whites, at least twice a day. And don’t forget to schedule regular professional cleanings and exams! Please call us today to schedule a visit!

You can be a superstar when it comes to taking care of your oral health, but all it takes is a few mouthfuls of certain foods to give your breath an unpleasant aroma. The top five offenders are garlic, onions, dairy, canned tuna and horseradish. Mouthwashes can help stifle the stink, but natural treatments also do the trick. 

When patients build a long-term relationship with the office of Smile Studio, they ensure continuity of care and a thorough understanding of your dental history and needs. We empower our patients with knowledge, which provides them with the information they need to make proactive decisions about their oral health.

Raw fruits and vegetables are not only tasty and packed with nutrients, but they also freshen your breath by scrubbing away bacteria and plaque. The saliva they stimulate helps wash away odor-causing food debris, sulfur compounds and bacteria. Call on carrots, apples, bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, pears, broccoli, snap peas and cauliflower. Apples get bonus points because their chemicals help neutralize the sulfur compounds that can seep into your bloodstream. 

Saliva has another important mission: to preserve your mouth’s pH. Acidic foods fast-forward saliva production, which returns your mouth to its neutral state. Count on juiced or whole grapefruits, limes, lemons and oranges. Caveat: An abundance of citric acid isn’t good for your enamel, so consume it in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterwards. 

Fermented and probiotic foods also fight bad breath. Millions of bacteria and other microorganisms—some friendly, some unfriendly—live in your mouth. When the unfriendly ones outnumber the friendly ones, the unfriendly ones can have a field day. The live strains of favorable bacteria in fermented and probiotic foods can help restore order in your mouth, combat icky breath and benefit your gut health. Try yogurt, sourdough bread, kombucha, miso, kefir, pickles, cheese, tofu, tempeh and sauerkraut.

Chewing on fresh herbs—such as basil, parsley and mint— breaks down sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. Spices—such as fennel, anise and cardamom—release sweet-smelling essential oils that can freshen breath and fight odor-causing bacteria. 

Choose Smile Studio as your dental practice and experience the difference in personalized, high-quality care that prioritizes your well-being. Your smile is our priority, and we look forward to being your trusted dental partner. Please don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment.

You brush your teeth in the morning and floss before your nighttime brush. That’s great! But when was your last trip to a dentist for a cleaning? If you can’t remember or you have never been, then you highly underestimate the importance of professional cleanings. 

The office of Smile Studio believes in clear and transparent communication. You can trust us to provide detailed information about your treatment options and any other relevant details, empowering you to make informed decisions about your oral health.

The removal of buildup plaque and tartar is the main reason to see a dentist. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that eventually hardens into tartar above and below your gum line. Tartar contributes to gum disease (also known as periodontal disease), cavities and recessed gums. Only a dentist can remove tartar and access some surfaces of your teeth. 

Gum disease starts as gingivitis, indicated by red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Without professional intervention, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, and it’s downhill from there: The infection spreads to under the gum line and can lead to bone loss and eventual tooth loss. 

Regular dental cleanings help prevent and manage gum disease by removing plaque and tartar, which reduces your risk of irreversible damage to your gums, and the bones and tissues that support your teeth.

Avoiding dental cleaning will probably worsen issues you already have. Untreated cavities deepen and spread, which, if you decide to give in and go to a dentist, will eventually require more invasive and costly procedures such as root canals, infection control or extractions. A dentist detects cavities in their early stages. This timely intervention prevents further damage to the teeth.

Professional cleanings offer more than just getting rid of plaque and tartar. A dentist thoroughly examines the mouth for signs of oral cancer, gum recession and other irregularities that may need further evaluation. 

And here’s another important fact: Oral health is closely linked to overall health. There are strong associations between periodontal disease and heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections. That means that skipping dental cleanings is bad for your teeth, your gums and the rest of your body.

The office of Smile Studio hopes that you join the ranks of our satisfied patients who have benefited from our superior care. Please don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment. 

The American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty, so any general dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist, making it difficult to determine which cosmetic dentists you can trust. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for a cosmetic dentist.

1. Training: A trained cosmetic dentist will have taken postgraduate courses in porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dental procedures, like Invisalign, laser dentistry, or all-white restorations. Do not be shy about asking your potential dentist about his or her cosmetic studies.
2. Associations:The most well known association for cosmetic dentists is the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. While membership in the AACD does not ensure that a dentist is good, it does tell you that the dentist takes cosmetics seriously enough to invest in membership.
3. Payment Options:Since insurance does not cover cosmetic smile enhancements, you will probably want to work with a dentist who accepts credit cards or offers payment plans. Many cosmetic dentists work with CareCredit, Chase Health Advantage, or Wells Fargo for third party patient financing, as well.
4. Scheduling:What are the dentist’s office hours? Do they suit your schedule? Will the dentist treat your entire family?
5. Location:Cosmetic dental enhancements can require multiple visits. Is the dentists office convenient to your home or work?
6. Time Requirements:How long will it take the dentist to finish your smile makeover? Does he or she have any vacations planned during your treatment?
7. Technology and Anesthesia:Dentists interested in modern procedures often have advanced technology, such as digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, chairside monitors, and a dental laser. Ask your potential dentist about the technology in his or her office. You may also want to find out what kind of anesthesia or sedation is offered.
8. Comfort:How do you feel in the dentists office? Is the staff friendly? Do you feel like you can ask questions, and do you like the answers you receive?
9. Before-and-After Photos of Real CasesAn experienced cosmetic dentist will have an album or online gallery of before-and-after cases for your review. Ask the dentist to show you a case similar to yours.
10. PreviewsDoes the dentist offer digital imaging or wax ups so that you can see the predicted results before you commit to treatment?

Don’t let just anyone try their hand at improving your smile. While cosmetic dentistry done correctly is safe, effective, and long lasting, when performed incorrectly, any dental procedure can cause problems. Be bold about interviewing your dentist. Some dentists offer a free cosmetic consultation so that you can meet and discuss your expectations. Once you find a dentist that meets most of your criteria, proceed with an exam and listen to his or her treatment plan. Discuss financing and scheduling. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident in the dentist’s office. A beautiful, strong, comfortable smile that’s built to last can improve your self-confidence and open doors of opportunity you never knew existed.