(217) 546-3333Tips for Keeping Your Teen’s Braces Clean
December 31, 2012
Tips for Helping Your Teenager Keep Their Braces Clean
It’s common for teens to sometimes be a little lax in their day-to-day dental care, but the negative effects of not keeping up on this regular cleaning can be exacerbated if braces or another orthodontics device is involved.
While orthodontics are used to help improve and perfect a smile, if not cleaned daily issues such as gum inflammation, discoloration of teeth, and halitosis may present themselves. A bit of preventative dentistry is all it takes to keep your teen’s mouth in a good state of health.
To assist your teen in preventing painful gum inflammation you should remind them to clean their 
teeth after eating and brush at least twice a day. If you’re family dentistry office hasn’t given them a few spiral dental brushes, pick some up for your teen. These special brushes work well to remove debris that has become lodged in and around the braces and teeth. They are also small enough that your teen can carry them around in their purse, wallet, or backpack inconspicuously and use whenever needed.
If your teen has bracket orthodontics, discoloration could be an issue. The enamel that is covered by the brackets will maintain the same color of the tooth as the day they were placed. If your child is consuming a lot of stain inducing drinks such as tea, coffee, and dark colored soda without brushing afterwards they may be at risk of discoloring their teeth to a degree that they will not match the enamel on the underside of the brackets when removed. Encouraging your teen to brush, or at the very least rinse, after each meal or drink is an easy solution.
Halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, is a common aliment when the mouth not cleaned correctly or regularly. For a teen it can be mortifying to realize they have bad breath and aren’t able to remedy it, so buying individual use mouthwash packets is a great way to help your teen keep their breath fresh on the go. To keep halitosis from becoming a chronic problem you should remind your teen to brush and floss thoroughly in the morning and before bed.
At Advanced Dental Care, Dr. VanderMolen specializes in family dentistry and is available to help your teen and the rest of your family with their preventative dentistry needs. Call (217) 546-3333 to help your teen get closer to a confident smile.
Preventative Dentistry: Keeping up with Your Check-ups
October 30, 2012
Why adults should keep up with their dental checkups
Many of us might think that once we have grown all our teeth and our oral health has been monitored as they grow, that there is no need to make regular visits to the dentist. We may be over confident about our oral health if all we do is clean and floss our teeth daily. Most recent surveys show that periodontal disease is on the increase amongst the young adult population, and this can be halted quite easily by a regular visit to the dentist when preventative dentistry measures can be undertaken.
The majority of adults will not make an appointment to see a dentist until there is a noticeable problem, which could be an unbearable pain. Normally, by this time it is far too late.
How often should I visit a dentist?
Adults should be in the dentist’s chair for a check-up just as often as any age group, so that a possible problem can be detected before it becomes serious. General dentistry check-ups can save the patient an enormous amount of time, pain and money in restorative care in the long run. The normal time frame between each visit is 6 months, but there are situations that require check-ups more frequently.
Those most at risk are persons who are:
Suffering from gum disease, recommended once every 3-4 months in order to restore the gums.
Suffering from diabetes, who often experience dry mouths and a weakened immune system. They need to visit their dentist often in order to maintain strong, functioning teeth and reduce the chances of gum disease.
Regular smokers, who should make an appointment for a check-up with a dentist at least twice yearly for possible signs of oral cancer.
Dr. VanderMolen provides the dental services you need in the Springfield, IL area. Come see us for a consultation and preventative cleaning. Contact Advanced Dental Care, at (217) 546-3333 to discuss the options available to you.
Preventative Care – Springfield IL – Is Manual Cleaning as Effective as Ultrasonic Scaling?
August 14, 2012
Is Manual Cleaning as Effective as Ultrasonic Scaling?
Most dentists ask you to come to the clinic every six months for a check-up and dental cleaning. Dental cleaning is the preventative procedure that assures gums and teeth stay healthy.
Have you noticed what kind of cleaning instruments your dentist uses? Many dentists involve ultrasonic scalers in removing the calcular deposits and plaque on your teeth. This machine vibrates and emits water during the whole cleaning process. Because ultrasonic cleaning is more efficient and less tiring than hand- activated scaling, many dentists choose this, especially if there are calcular deposits.
Manual or hand activated cleaning pertains to the hand instruments like scalers and curettes. When it comes to fine deposits attached on teeth, manual scaling is superior. A hygienist or dentist can put more energy in manual cleaning. As this option is more strenuous, more dental practitioners prefer ultrasonic scaling. Often it is the practice that, after the ultrasonic scaling, manual scaling follows.
In the hands of a skilled dental health professional like the staff at Advanced Dental Care, ultrasonic scaling and manual scaling can yield the same results and effectivity.
Because of the vibrating action of the ultrasonic scalers, we can say that the tactile sensibility, the ability to feel if there are still any remaining deposits attached to the tooth, of the dentist or hygienist is hindered. Thus, to ensure that no remaining dirt is left, hand-activated scaling is still suggested after ultrasonic scaling.
It is, again, a matter of inclination whether patients would want ultrasonic or hand- activated scaling. Patients consider the time spent during the cleaning procedure and the sensitivity that could be possibly felt.
May it be ultrasonic or hand-activated cleaning; you will notice the improvement on your gums and teeth afterwards. However, you will still need to maintain the professionally cleaned area with regular tooth brushing and flossing.
Dr. VanderMolen and the staff at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield care about keeping your teeth healthy and beautiful. For more information on preventative care or any of our other services, contact our office at 217-546-3333.