Whitening Habits Actually Making Your Teeth Worse

So, you've noticed your teeth are getting a little dull and yellow and you want to whiten them and feel confident again. There are a lot of DIY rumors out there about how you can get your teeth whiter on your own. But not all of these solutions are safe for your teeth. In fact, several home remedies can actually do more harm than good and make your teeth even more susceptible to staining. Access Dental and Dentures is here with all the information you need to know about your whitening routine and what it could be doing to your teeth. Keep reading to find out!

Over-the-Counter Whitener

Anyone who's been to the dental care aisle in any drugstore knows that there are dozens and dozens of whitening products out there... strips, rinses, trays, light treatments, paint-on, toothpaste brands, etc. While these products may be tempting to use, it's important to be careful when you try whitening products at home. A lot of these products can be harsh on your tooth enamel, causing it to wear away and allowing stains easier access to the dentin in your teeth (the part that makes your teeth white). Several of these products can also cause fluorosis - white speckles on the surface of your teeth caused by too much fluoride.

Scraping Your Teeth

Several drugstores offer cheap, imitation dental tools like the scrapers hygienists use when they clean your teeth. It is very important to understand that hygienists have professional training so they can scrape off only the hardened tartar and harmful materials without damaging your tooth's enamel. If you try scraping your teeth on your own, it's very likely that you'll end up damaging your enamel, making staining and decay more probable.

Charcoal Toothpaste

This has become a popular choice for people looking for a DIY whitening solution. Charcoal adsorbs chemicals and materials that cause stains, which can help the charcoal toothpaste lift stains from your teeth. However, charcoal toothpaste is also highly abrasive. Using it too often wears away your enamel and can seriously irritate your gums, causing inflammation.

Too-Hard Toothbrush

When you have stains on your teeth, you may think you need to use a firmer toothbrush and brush hard to "scrub it off". Unfortunately, that's not really how dental stains work. In fact, using a toothbrush that is too firm and getting overly aggressive with your brushing can damage your enamel.

 

Protect Your Enamel

As you may have caught on, a lot of home remedies for stained teeth can actually damage your enamel. Enamel is the layer of your teeth that protects them from bacteria, stains, and decay. To whiten your teeth while keeping them healthy, use a professional whitening service like the one at Access Dental and Dentures! We provide custom-fitted whitening trays that you take home with you. That means you get to whiten your teeth in your own home, to the level of brightness you want, with high-end chemicals that won't damage your teeth. Contact us today to learn more!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

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Tea - Friend or Foe? We Have Answers!

Are you a tea drinker? If so, you might be wondering if tea is great for your teeth, or if it can cause issues in the long-run. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we have the answers for you and we're excited to share the results! Keep reading to learn all about it. 

Fluoride

Yes! Believe it or not, black and green tea contains fluoride - The mineral that is known for helping strengthen your teeth and protecting/repairing your enamel. Fluoride is also found in most tap water and other kinds of common foods. Additionally, it is a common (and important!) ingredient in toothpaste.

Reducing Acid & Bacteria

Tea can actually help control the level of acid in your mouth. This helps reduce the amount of bacteria able to grow in your mouth which protects your teeth from decay. 

Gum Inflammation

Tea contains some micronutrients called polyphenols. These help kill bacteria in your mouth and reduce inflammation naturally. They also help give you better breath... Win-win! 

Cancer

There is some research out there that shows green tea could have properties that help slow the growth of certain kinds of cancer, like cancer of the mouth!

Stains

One negative to tea is that it can stain the surface of your teeth. The tannins inside tea give it the brownish hue you're used to seeing. That brownish color can transfer to your teeth and make them look yellow. This is pretty easy to prevent, though, by rinsing your mouth out with water after drinking tea.

Not Plain

A lot of people don't drink tea plain. Instead, they add sugar, honey, lemon, or even cream. These additions are what really make tea not so healthy for your mouth. The acid and sugar content promotes bacteria growth, causes inflammation, and can make your teeth decay quickly. 

Keep Your Teeth Healthy! 

Overall, tea seems like it has a lot of great benefits for your dental health! The important tips to remember when you drink tea is to drink it plain if possible, and rinse your mouth with water after drinking it if stains are becoming an issue for your teeth. Access Dental and Dentures is here to help you keep your mouth healthy and happy - Contact us to set up your next appointment! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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Myths About Your Teeth You Might Believe!

There are a lot of myths out there about dental health. Some of them are harmless, but others can also lead to some bad dental habits that can harm your teeth and overall health. Access Dental is here to help! Today's blog is all about the most common dental myths people believe and the truth about them. Keep reading to learn all about it! 

Myth: It Doesn’t Matter What Time of Day I Brush My Teeth

It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day, but some times are better than others. Most importantly, brushing your teeth before bed is extremely important. During the day, your saliva works to help clean your teeth, and at night, your saliva glands will produce less saliva. This means that it’s actually much more important to brush your teeth before bed so that you can get all of the food particles washed away - providing less for bacteria to feed on.

Myth: The Harder That you Brush, the Better it Cleans

Brushing your teeth harder is actually more damaging than it is helpful. The tooth enamel and gum tissue can experience severe trauma from over brushing, and this can actually lead to other issues like gum recession. Brush gently for two minutes twice daily with a soft-bristled brush.

Myth: It’s Only a Baby Tooth

Those tiny little baby teeth are so important! They are what will lead to the permanent teeth, and cavities in baby teeth can cause tooth loss much earlier than necessary. It’s important to make sure that your child’s teeth are as healthy as possible, and this includes brushing and flossing. Start those habits now so that they can avoid more permanent and severe dental issues when they get older.

Myth: You Only Need to Go to the Dentist if Your Teeth Hurt

Prevention is better than a cure, and if you are addressing whole health in your mouth, it would be better to make sure that upkeep is happening regularly. Even if you aren’t experiencing pain, it is beneficial to make regular cleanings and exams a priority so that you can catch something early on instead of waiting until it’s too late. We invite you to make an appointment with our dentists in Springfield, MO, or our dental office in Osage Beach, MO to get started!

Myth: Sugar Will Cause Cavities

Sugar will definitely contribute to cavities, but it’s not actually the cause of cavities. The cause is from bacteria that eats the sugar, thus causing decay on your teeth. The bacteria especially love sticky foods and starches, and when they consume that on your teeth they produce an acid compound that promotes tooth decay.

Dental Care in Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we are here to help you understand and take care of your dental health. We've busted all these myths and we'll take care of you and your teeth with professional dental care to keep you healthier and happier. Give us a call to schedule your next dental appointment! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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Start Creating Positive Habits TODAY! Here's How...

Want to start a new good habit, but haven't been having very much success? Access Dental and Dentures cares a lot about your health... In fact, it's our passion! And we are here to help with tips on how to develop healthier habits as quickly and easily as possible. Keep reading to learn all about it! 

Timing is Everything

Studies have shown that it takes a full 30 days to form a long-lasting habit. During that first month, it is important to perform the habit every day. If you allow yourself “cheat days” within that time frame, it can make it significantly more difficult to solidify the habit.

But, there is a caveat to this rule. If the habit you're trying to develop is a monthly habit, then it would take at least two months to start forming a habit by default. If your habit is an hourly habit, then it might not take a full 30 days of repetition for it to become a natural habit. The key is to perform the habit consistently to get your mind in a subconscious routine. For example, the same time every day if it's a daily habit, the same day every week if it's a weekly habit, etc. 

Start Small

If you are looking to create a healthier lifestyle, it's important to approach it with the long-term in mind. Take your health journey step by step by tackling one goal at a time. If you try to add a gallon of water a day, 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily, cutting out sugar, exercising for 30 minutes/day, waking up an hour earlier, and more, then it will be very easy for you to get burnt out before you can make a real positive change in your life. 

Instead of trying to change everything at once, start with one small goal. For example: Flossing your teeth every day. We all know that it is an important habit, but it can be one of the easiest to blow off. Make this simple, 2-3 minute task your first priority for adding healthy habits to your life and see what happens!

Plan for Success

Help remember the habit by giving yourself reminders. Set up alerts on your phone alarm and calendar, or tape notes for yourself in areas you will regularly see them. Visual reminders can be incredibly helpful in keeping you on track.

Replace bad habits with good ones to reduce the temptation of going back to them. Giving up soda and other sugary drinks? Replace that liquid consumption with water. For extra flavor to help prevent boredom, infuse your water with cucumber or fresh lemon juice and basil. Trade candy for fresh fruit. (Berries make a great substitute for that sour candy craving!)

Reward each step of the process by keeping track of your new habit with a bullet journal or sticker chart. It may seem juvenile at first, but the feeling you get from regularly rewarding yourself for accomplishing the day’s goal can be a great motivation and reminder to help keep you going strong.

Forgive Yourself

As you set out to start your new habit this season, remember that no one is perfect. If you stumble and drink a bunch of sugary lemonade, or if the day gets away from you and you forget to floss, it’s not the end of the world. Remind yourself why you’re working toward your new healthy habit and get back to killing it the next day. You can do it!

Best Missouri Dentist

Changing bad habits into good and healthy habits isn't easy. Bad habits are usually easy to fall into... snacking on chips, skipping the gym, not refilling your water bottle, etc. Good habits take effort and discipline. Follow the tips from today's blog to get started on a healthier path for a happier life. And Access Dental and Dentures will have your back! We love taking care of your dental health.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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