What’s Your Excuse? Top Reasons People Aren’t Flossing

Flossing is one of the main ways to keep your gums, mouth, teeth, and whole body healthy. Yet more than half of all Americans fail to floss daily, and another 20% don’t floss at all. This is of particular concern for all of us at my dental office in Lenexa. So we wanted to shed  a bit of light on why so many people aren’t flossing.

So, What’s the Deal?

There are several reasons people aren’t flossing on a regular basis. Check out a few of the more common ones below.

They Don’t See The Point.

Flossing reaches places in your mouth that a toothbrush can’t. While brushing your teeth is still absolutely important in maintaining proper oral health, if you skip flossing, all of the spaces in between teeth are left uncleaned. With so many people forgoing the floss on a regular basis, it’s no surprise that most cavities are found in these exact spots. What’s more, flossing your teeth helps remove bacteria from below the gum line which can help reduce the risk of gum disease. Gum disease is an incredibly serious problem that can actually affect the whole body by increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack.

They Aren’t Sure How to Floss Correctly.

Although it seems pretty straightforward, there is a right way and wrong way to floss. Flossing will be uncomfortable if you’re not sure how to do it right. But we promise, it’s easy. Just follow the American Dental Association’s steps to successful flossing:

• Use about 18 inches of floss. Wrap the ends around each middle finger.

• Tighten the floss and wiggle it in between the space between teeth using a back and forth motion.

• When it reaches the gum line, form the floss into a “U” around the shape of the tooth.

• Press gently and glide the floss in an up and down motion.

• Repeat between each tooth, unwrapping a new, clean section of floss.

They Have Pain or Bleeding.

There’s a common misconception that if flossing hurts, you should stop. The truth is quite the opposite. If flossing is a bit painful, it’s actually a sign of not flossing enough. Additionally, if gums bleed, it could be a sign of gum disease. Even if flossing isn’t so comfortable, it’s important to get into the habit of doing it regularly. Like exercising, it hurts less the more you do it.  

If you’re having trouble flossing, or are experiencing pain or bleeding when you do, give my Lenexa dental office a call as soon as possible. We’ll work with you to find a flossing solution that works well for you and your health. And if we happen to find signs of a more serious problem, we’ll create an individualized plan to treat it.

Your Oral Health and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that mainly affects women over the age of 50. But it can happen to anyone no matter age or gender. Osteoporosis causes bone density to decrease, making breaks and whole-body concerns much more common. At my Lenexa dental office, we want to talk about how your oral health may be linked to osteoporosis.

Your Mouth & Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects 10 million Americans, and there are 34 million more who are at risk. As with many serious diseases, early detection is key. You may not even know there’s a problem until it’s too late. Sometimes signs aren’t obvious. So how do you get diagnosed if you’re not experiencing any symptoms? Your dentist!

In fact, your dentist may be the first member of your healthcare team to catch osteoporosis. When patients visit the dentist, the team is not just looking at their teeth, they also look at x-rays. These x-rays provide a wealth of information about what’s going on below the teeth, including bone density, and show us signs you or your medical doctor may not see or notice.

Signs & Symptoms

While we will be vigilant at your exams, here are some of the signs and symptoms we encourage our patients to watch for:

• Loose dentures

• Tooth loss

• Bone loss around the teeth or in the jaw

• Gum disease

Prevention

In addition to maintaining visits to your Lenexa dentist, there are other preventive actions you can take to decrease your chance of osteoporosis.

• Quit Smoking

• Consume caffeine limitedly

• Lower alcohol intake

• Get out and exercise

• Get enough vitamin D and calcium

If you’re experiencing any signs of osteoporosis, visit your doctor. Even if you’re not having difficulty currently, make sure to keep up with your regular visits to my dental office in Lenexa. We actively look for signs of potential osteoporosis and may be the first line of defense against the disease.

Accepting patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

You’ve Got Dental Questions, We’ve Got Answers

We know dentistry can be confusing, but at my Lenexa dental office, we want to make sure all our patients are comfortable coming to us if they have questions. We’re always happy to answer or clarify anything. In fact, in this blog, we want to talk about a few questions we hear a lot.

“Why are dental visits so important?”

The reasons behind regular visits with your dentist are much more broad than simply ensuring your teeth are cavity-free and getting those pearly whites cleaned and polished. Dental checkups are usually conducted every six months so we’re able to keep an eye on any potential problems and catch them before they become or create more serious issues. Most dental disease can be treated easily if caught early, so that makes regular appointments incredibly important. If you’re at increased risk for certain problems, like oral cancer or gum disease, we may recommend visits more than twice a year.

“Is it a big deal if my gums bleed when a floss?”

If your gums bleed at all, with or without the floss, you should get to your dentist in Lenexa as soon as possible. Bleeding gums are not normal, even though it’s often overlooked if the bleeding occurs while flossing. Sometimes, people even stop brushing or flossing if they feel the bleeding is caused by that alone. Typically it’s not. Bleeding gums is a key sign of gum disease and should be checked out so treatment can begin. Some other signs of gum disease are inflammation around the gums, red gums, or gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth.

“I know smoking is harmful to my teeth. What about smokeless tobacco?”

Just because smokeless tobacco doesn’t have the smoke doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Using smokeless tobacco may lead to gum recession and permanent damage to gum tissue, tooth discoloration, bad breath, and even cancer. If you do use smokeless tobacco, make sure to keep up with regular dental visits and keep an eye out for sores that don’t heal, a white spot or lump, or if you feel it’s become difficult to chew food. If you notice any of these issues, contact your dentist immediately.

If you have a dental question, give my dental office in Lenexa a call. We’d love to have you come in for a visit to talk about your concerns and get your questions answered. We strive to ensure each and every patient is educated, comfortable, and in good health.

Accepting patients from .Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City

Time to Toss Your Toothbrush?

How long has your toothbrush been in use? Is it past its prime? Is it time to toss it in the trash and invest in a new one? At my dental office in Lenexa, these are important questions that we’d like to provide some answers to.

Toothbrushes are designed to remove as much plaque, tartar, and bacteria as possible. They’re also designed to last a specific amount of time. The older the toothbrush, the less effective it will be. So, just how long can you expect your toothbrush to still be good at its job? What are some signs of an old, outdated, ineffective toothbrush?

Its Time is Limited

According to the American Dental Association, a toothbrush should only be used for about three or four months. Any longer and it will begin to show signs of wear and tear, and it won’t remove all of the dangerous particles hanging around. An ineffective toothbrush equates to an ineffective at-home oral health routine, which could create serious problems.

Signs You Should Toss It

As a toothbrush ages, there are some obvious signs that will show it’s time to toss it. Many key indicators are found in the bristles. Keep an eye out for:

• Fraying

• Flattening

• Crisscrossing

• Discoloration

If you notice any of these signs, head to the store and pick up a new toothbrush. Your teeth with thank you.

Proper Toothbrush Care

Once you have your new toothbrush, there are ways you can extend your time together.

• Rinse thoroughly after each use

• Never share your toothbrush

• Let it air dry

Just remember, even if you’re taking optimum care of your toothbrush, it won’t last forever. Always check it for signs of aging.

Having and using an effective toothbrush at least twice a day, every day, is only half of what we recommend for a healthy mouth. The other half is maintaining regular visits at my Lenexa dental office. Professional cleanings remove plaque and bacteria that even the newest toothbrush can’t. For a happy smile, make sure you’re doing both.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Any emergency is serious and should be treated as such. Dental emergencies, which include any injury to the teeth, gums, or mouth, are no exception. At my Lenexa dental office, we understand that a dental emergency can be scary, so we’re here to help give you a few tips on how to handle several types.

Abscess

An abscess is a very serious dental problem and should not be ignored. An abscess is an infection that affects the root or the space in between teeth and may feel like a painful pimple-like protrusion on the gums. If left untreated, an abscess might damage surrounding teeth, tissue, and the infection can even spread to other parts of your body. Because of these very serious concerns, it’s extremely important to get to your dentist as soon as possible. Prior to your appointment, try rinsing with warm salt water several times a day. This should ease the pain and encourage the bacteria inside to come to the surface.

Lost Filling

If you lose a filling, sugarless gum can be a temporary fix. Just make super sure it’s sugarless or you’ll experience some serious pain. Take a piece of the gum and place it into the cavity. Then call your dentist to get a permanent fix.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth might result from anything like a popcorn kernel, opening packaging with your teeth, or a fall. When a tooth is chipped, the first thing to do is rinse your mouth out with warm water and find any pieces, if possible, and rinse them off, too. Then apply gauze and slight pressure if there is any bleeding, and a cold compress to the cheek to ease pain. Get to your dentist to fix the chip.

Toothache

A toothache is your mouth’s way of letting you know that something is not right. Ease the pain and help keep other problems away by first rinsing with warm salt water. Salt water can help decrease swelling and keep dangerous bacteria from attacking. If the pain is severe, try placing a cold compress against your cheek or apply a bit of clove oil to the sore spot. Again, get to your dentist as soon as you can.  

One of the best ways to avoid a dental emergency in the first place is to maintain regular visits to my dental office in Lenexa. Regular checkups and cleanings allow us to catch and treat any potential problems before they can turn into an unexpected dental emergency. However, anything can happen at any time, so if you do experience an emergency, give us a call right away.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

No Toothbrush? No Problem!

It’s the time of year when we all venture out of our hometowns and spend some family time on vacation. To prepare, you’ve packed extra clothes, necessary medications, and even snacks. But you’ve forgotten your toothbrush. Now what? Not to fear, my Lenexa dental office has some tips to help.

Toothpaste but no brush?

This is probably the best case scenario. When you have toothpaste, you just need to find something to put it on to act as a toothbrush. Some people use a finger, others just swish some around in their mouths. The best thing to do? Find a clean washcloth or paper towel, wrap it around your finger, wet it slightly, and apply the paste. The washcloth or paper towel will act as a toothbrush and is better than a finger alone since they both have texture that can mimic toothbrush bristles. Make sure whatever you choose isn’t coarse or it can damage tooth enamel.

No paste and no brush?

Again we turn to our trusty paper towel or washcloth. Simply wet your make-do brush of choice and wipe each tooth individually from top to bottom for your top teeth, and from bottom to top fro your lower teeth. Make sure to rinse your towel between each tooth to limit the amount of plague that can get transferred from tooth to tooth. When finished, rinse well to remove any loose particles.

Got gum?

As a last resort, sugarless gum (emphasis on the sugarless), a teeth-buffing snack, or both, can help. Chewing gum naturally causes you to produce more saliva. More saliva means more bacteria is rinsed away and doesn’t stick around to cause decay. Nibbling on a smile-happy snack like cheese, crunchy carrots, or crisp apples can serve as micro-scrubbers if a toothbrush is nowhere to be found.

Thirsty?

One of the most important things you can do not only when you find yourself toothbrush-less, but every day, is drink plenty of water. Water hydrates your mouth and is a safe way to rinse away smile-damaging particles that tend to stick around.  

If you find yourself without a toothbrush, don’t panic. The tips above can get you through a night or two without one, just don’t make them permanent replacements for a real toothbrush. Get to the store to pick up a new one as soon as you can.

As always, we encourage visits to my dental office in Lenexa regularly to ensure a healthy smile and to check for any problems. If you’re heading out of town and want to get a checkup before you leave, just give us a call. We’ll be happy to help.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

To Brush, or Not to Brush at Work

There’s been a debate about whether or not it’s acceptable to brush your teeth at work following lunch or snacks. Is it gross to brush in the office bathroom? What do co-workers think about those who do? Is there any reason we should even consider doing this? At my Lenexa dental office, we’d like to weigh in and explain why we’re absolute supporters of brushing at work.

When it comes to great oral health, one constant is brushing at least twice a day. However, while it’s common to do this at home in the comfort of your own bathroom, there is a huge benefit to storing a toothbrush and toothpaste at work to use after lunch.

After eating, even when all evidence of food is gone, there are still particles lurking in the mouth. If not scrubbed away, these particles contribute to decay and even gum disease. But if you brush following a meal, the chance for dental problems greatly decreases. Not only will following this routine help keep your mouth healthy, it can help keep your career intact too.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Job

We aren’t saying that your healthy mouth will ensure job happiness or will give you immunity from a demotion, but we will confidently say your oral hygiene may directly affect the opinion of co-workers, bosses, or, if you’re looking for a job, a hiring manager.

According to a study of 1,000 people by the Academy of General Dentistry and Oral-B that asked respondents about oral health care habits at work, the majority did not brush after eating (a whopping 86%) but still said a healthy smile was important in the workplace.

Check This Out

• 40% said a smile was the first thing they noticed about a co-worker

• 32% claimed bad breath was the least attractive trait of fellow employees

• 96% believe a good smile is very or somewhat important to a person’s appearance

If you’re a bit uneasy about brushing in public, don’t be. The workplace is changing and it’s becoming increasingly common for employees to brush in the bathroom. Many bosses actually prefer this over meeting a client with awful breath or missing work time for dental problems. So go ahead, brush away!

Packing a toothbrush in your briefcase and transitioning into this routine of proper oral health care can keep your smile healthy for years to come. Pair that with regular visits to my dental office in Lenexa and you’re well on your way to a happy mouth and happy co-workers.

Accepting patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

Don’t Forget About Your Tongue!

At my dental office in Lenexa, we always talk about how important it is to brush everyday, twice a day, and to floss at least once. Following this routine is a great way to keep your mouth protected from harmful bacteria and acid, but there’s one thing we’re forgetting and want to make sure you don’t forget about it too.

The Tongue

We often forget about our tongues when we talk about oral hygiene. But we shouldn’t. A clean tongue is just as important as having clean teeth and clean gums. The tongue is home to about 10,000 taste buds and tons of other tiny bumps called papillae. These bumps and crevices create a great place for bacteria and acid to thrive. And that makes a clean tongue very important for a healthy mouth.

The Cleaning Routine

Every time you brush your teeth, make sure to gently scrub the surface of your tongue. This easy task is the best way to keep your tongue, and your mouth, healthy.

Sometimes we have patients who can’t successfully brush their tongues due to a sensitive gag reflex. For these patients, we recommend using a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is just as effective, if not more so, as brushing. A gentle scrape with this tool can immediately lower the amount of bacteria in the mouth and keep your mouth, and your teeth protected.

The Reason

Your teeth and your tongue are almost always touching. This means that anything on the tongue is directly affecting your teeth. If acid and bacteria are left to linger on the tongue, your chance for tooth damage increases. What’s more, a cleaner tongue can actually make food taste better since your taste buds aren’t covered with taste-inhibiting bacteria.

Along with proper brushing and flossing, and a clean tongue, you’re well on your way to getting your smile healthy. To ensure everything is working well for you and there aren’t any potential problems, it’s also really important to maintain regular appointments at my Lenexa dental office. We’ll work with you to ensure you’re getting the proper care you need and that your mouth is healthy for a lifetime.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

Keeping Teeth Safe During Morning Sickness

Pregnancy is pretty incredible. You’re bringing a new life into the world, you’re growing your family, and you’re becoming a parent again or for the first time. But the reality is, not all things that go along with pregnancy are awesome. At my dental office in Lenexa, we’d like to talk about one of those less exciting aspects of pregnancy: we’re talking about morning sickness.

Around 80 percent of pregnant women experience some sort of morning sickness. You don’t need us to tell you how much this reality is a huge burden and inconvenience to all aspects of life. We know that during this time your teeth are probably the last things on your mind, but you only get one set, so we’d like to share some information and tips to protect your mouth during pregnancy..

Vomiting or reflux caused by morning sickness can expose the teeth to a large amount of stomach acid. This acid can lead to decay and result in serious oral health concerns. But what can you do to decrease the amount of acid exposed to teeth if you continue to experience morning sickness?

Minimize the Risk of Decay

If you suffer from morning sickness, here are a variety of tricks to help keep your teeth healthy during pregnancy.

• Rinse with water after vomiting. Water is a great way to help remove dangerous acids from the teeth and can diminish the chance of decay.

• Wait to brush. Brushing immediately after vomiting can actually lead to more damage. Since the stomach acid can weaken enamel, scrubbing it with your toothbrush might cause scratching and more dental problems.

• Apply toothpaste. Smearing a small amount of toothpaste on your teeth can protect them against acid.

• Rinse with mouthwash. Choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash to swish around following any episode of morning sickness can also help keep teeth protected from stomach acid.

If you’re pregnant, first accept our sincerest congratulations. Then, call my Lenexa dental office to get a preliminary check up. We’ll make sure there’s nothing of concern in your mouth and we’ll talk with you about ways to keep your teeth healthy for the duration of your pregnancy and long after.

Welcoming patients in Lenexa, Overland Park, and Kansas City.

Dental Care for Your Furry Friends

At my dental office in Lenexa, we love animals, and we want to let all of our patients know that dental care for pets is just as important to keeping your furry loved ones healthy as it is to keeping your own smile healthy. While we don’t accept four-legged patients, we do want to provide you with some insight to proper pet dental care.

Signs of a Problem

Before we discuss how to keep your pet healthy, it’s extremely important to know the signs of some serious dental concerns.

• Bad breath

• Loose teeth

• Excessive drooling

• Bleeding

• Refusal to let you near the mouth

If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact your vet as soon as possible as they may be signs of something serious.

Chew on This

Anyone who has ever owned a puppy can attest to the fact that dogs specifically have a natural desire to chew. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing (we know, tell that your favorite pair of now-shredded slippers). Chewing helps strengthen teeth, massage gums, and scrape away tartar. So stock up on chew toys and let them chomp away.

Brush, Brush, Brush

Clean teeth are just as important to pets as they are for humans. Like their owners, pets can develop serious dental disease that not only affects their mouths, but their whole body. Certain dental problems can lead to heart, lung, or kidney disease. Don’t take pet dental care lightly. It’s recommended that all pets receive professional cleanings at the vet once a year. In between those visits, you can brush at home. All it takes is a clean piece of gauze wrapped around a finger, some pet-friendly toothpaste, and some practice. Get in the habit and brush two or three times a week.

Following the advice above can help keep your pet’s teeth healthy for a lifetime. Following a proper at-home oral health care routine and maintaining appointments at my Lenexa dental office can help keep your own health in its best shape. Don’t let dental problems plague you or your pet. Make the commitment to proper oral health.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and nearby neighborhoods.

Stop Missing Work Because of Your Teeth

There’s nothing worse than tossing away a well-earned vacation day because you have a dental emergency. Good news! You can stop missing work due to your teeth! How? Let my Lenexa dental office show you.

Oftentimes we avoid the dentist if we don’t have a problem. But that itself is a problem. Prevention is key! If we wait until we have signs of a dental issue, like pain, bleeding gums, or even a toothache, we’ve already waited too long. There’s a common myth that says you’d know it if you had a dental concern, but the truth is, that’s just not the case.

Many dental problems have no warning signs. Cavities, for example, don’t hurt when they’re shallow, new, and haven’t reached the nerves. If caught early, treatment is simple. If left to advance, cavities can cause pain and could need more in-depth treatment.

On a more serious note, oral cancer and gum disease may have little-to-no signs in the early stages. As they progress, however, they become extremely dangerous not only for your smile, but for your entire body. This is why we emphasize catching problems as early as possible. When detected in the first stages, both oral cancer and gum disease can be treated. Like anything else, if they’re not caught and are left alone, oral cancer becomes really serious and gum disease could lead to whole-health problems like heart disease, stroke, and even difficulty managing diabetes.

Since it is so important to catch serious dental problems as soon as they appear, even if you can’t feel them, it makes keeping regularly scheduled appointments with your Lenexa dentist extremely important. We traditionally recommend appointments at least every six months, sometimes even sooner. It’s not only important to keep these appointments to keep your mouth healthy, they can help catch any lingering problems before they become serious issues.

As always, appointments with us are important, but equally so is a healthy at-home routine. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day (yes, flossing is that important).

If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to a dentist, or if you’re due for a visit, give my dental office in Lenexa a call. We’re always happy to see you and will work with you to get your smile healthy so you can get back to enjoying your deserved time off.

Serving patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and neighboring areas.

Oral Health Care for Seniors - Yes, It’s That Important

It’s an inevitable fact. We’re all growing older every day. With age and body changes, medical issues tend to erupt, and dental care becomes even more important. At my dental office in Lenexa, we’d like to explain why regular visits for seniors is so crucial for a healthy body.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The mouth is the window to the rest of the body, and a lot of oral health problems are linked to problems elsewhere in the body. This makes it incredibly important to let your dentist in Lenexa know if you have certain health conditions that can affect your oral health. Some of these diseases include diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. When your dentist knows what’s going on in the rest of your body, they’re able to treat you properly. However, just like whole-body conditions can impact your oral health, your oral health can impact the rest of your body.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is incredibly prevalent among the older population. In fact by age 65, 1 out of 4 has gum disease. Additionally, the American Academy of Periodontology estimates 20-30 percent of adults have gum disease severe enough to put them at great risk for tooth loss. Gum disease not only increases the chance of losing natural teeth, it greatly affects the rest of your body.

This scary oral health disease has been linked to very serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Gum disease is treatable so it’s important to catch it early before it creates some dangerous problems. There are several things that can make someone more susceptible to developing gum disease including:

• Poor oral hygiene

• Bad diet

• Smoking

• Medications

Dry Mouth

Speaking of medications, they can work wonders in easing pain or treating chronic problems. However, they can also lead to a very dry mouth. Dry mouth is a big concern in keeping a mouth healthy. Without saliva, teeth are at increased risk for decay, oral infections can develop, and could lead to gum disease.

Grandparents, parents, and any elderly person should be seeing a dentist regularly to ensure optimal health. If it’s been awhile since the last dental visit, give my Lenexa dental office a call.

Accepting patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and nearby neighborhoods.

5 Bad Habits That are Harming Your Teeth

Even if you brush twice a day, floss once a day, and maintain regular visits to my dental office in Lenexa, you may be causing damage to your teeth without even knowing it. There are many common habits that most of us do subconsciously, and these habits can be detrimental to teeth.

1.    Teeth Are Not Tools. No matter how easy it may seem to simply use your teeth to open that bag of chips, remove that tag from new clothing, or open that jar of nail polish, it’s definitely not worth it! Using teeth as tools to open any pesky package can result in serious damage like chipped teeth and broken restorations. Saving a few seconds by using teeth instead of grabbing the proper tool just isn’t worth it.

2.     Brushing Softly is Best. There’s no need to vigorously scrub your teeth. In fact, doing so can create serious damage. Hard bristles and rough brushing can contribute to sensitivity, worn down enamel, and irritated gums. Instead, choose a soft bristled toothbrush and gently brush teeth at a 45 degree angle for best results.

3.    Cool it on Ice Crunching. Ice is one of teeth’s worst enemies. It’s not only super hard, it’s also super cold; two things that don’t go well for teeth. Crunching on ice is a great way to fracture teeth and get tiny cracks in them. Down the road, these tiny cracks lead to much bigger problems.

4.     Keep Fingers Away! Biting nails is another dental habit that leads to tooth damage, among other things. Your fingernails are dirty and biting them allows all the germs hiding underneath to enter the body (yuck!). Also, fingernails are hard, really hard, and chronic biting can cause teeth to shift, break, or crack.

5.     And Pens Too! Like nail biting, it’s a common habit to park a pen or pencil between your teeth at meetings or when deep in thought. This, too, places a lot of pressure on teeth, causing them to shift, crack, or damaging dental restorations.  

All habits are hard to break, and dental habits are no exception. So try your best to catch yourself and work on fixing them. Need some tips for helpful ways to break a habit? Talk to any of us at my Lenexa dental office!

Accepting patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and surrounding areas.

Sunshine and Your Oral Health

The daylight hours in the winter months are few are far between. Those rare times when the sun is shining, we’re usually stuck inside at work or it’s just too cold to enjoy it. This is particularly troubling for all of us at my dental office in Lenexa.

What’s So Great About The Sun?

It’s warm, soaking up the rays feels good, and it helps keep our planet from turning into a giant sheet of ice. It also provides us with several awesome health benefits. It can make our immune systems stronger, give our moods a boost, and supply us with a lot of vitamin D.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial to both your overall health and a healthy smile. This powerful nutrient is our first line of defense against germs since it regulates our immune systems. It also assists the pancreas and making insulin, can lower blood pressure, and helps absorb calcium. Calcium is key to building strong bones and teeth, so we’re big supporters of getting an adequate supply of vitamin D every day.

Other Ways to Get Vitamin D

During the winter months, daylight is shorter and it’s difficult to get outside to soak up the sun when it is out. This when turning to an alternative supply of vitamin D can help. Besides supplements, some vitamin D rich foods include:

• Fatty Fish (Salmon is a good choice!)

• Eggs

• Milk

Getting enough vitamin D is obviously crucial to your oral health. But if you’re not consuming enough of it, it’s not only your mouth that will suffer. Recent research has linked vitamin D deficiencies to osteoporosis, serious cancers like breast, colon, or prostate, and increased risk for type 1 diabetes.

At my Lenexa dental office, we want to keep your mouth and your whole body as healthy as possible. Vitamin D can certainly help. So go catch some rays or enjoy some vitamin-D-rich foods, not just for your smile, but for your whole being.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and surrounding communities.

Tooth Sensitivity: What to do When Both Heat & Cold Bother You

Cold drinks, hot soup, and a whole lot of pain. If you’re struggling with eating what you want without pain, especially if it’s common with hot or cold foods, you’re probably suffering from sensitive teeth. At my Lenexa dental office, we hear this often and we’d like to help.

The Why

There are many reasons your teeth could be susceptible to pain while eating or drinking something hot or cold. One of the most common is the tooth’s root structure has become exposed. This anatomy of the tooth contains a lot of nerves, and when it’s open to contact with elements, the pain can be extreme. The root structures typically become exposed through gum recession or eroded enamel, both of which can be caused by grinding, a lot of acidic drinks, and even aggressive brushing.

How to Fix It

• Toothpaste Choice. By simply changing your toothpaste to a more natural option with less harsh ingredients, you can help ease pain caused by sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, it’s wise to avoid toothpastes that contain sodium pyrophosphate, which is found in many whitening and tartar-control pastes. Instead, choose a toothpaste that designed specially for sensitive teeth and use it regularly.

• Softer is Better. When selecting a toothbrush, make sure you choose one that has soft bristles. Hard-bristled brushes can contribute to wear and tear on the tooth’s enamel and put you at increased risk for sensitivity. Additionally, brushing too hard can lead to similar results. If your brush’s bristles are sporadically angled, chances are you’re brushing too hard.

• Easy on the Soda. And acidic juice and food. The more acidic the food or drink, the more damage to your tooth enamel and the more likely you’ll suffer from sensitivity pain. Choosing water over soda is always wise.

If sensitive teeth are keeping you from enjoying the foods and drinks you love and you can’t seem to ease the pain, call my dental office in Lenexa. We’ll work with you to determine what may be causing your sensitivity and talk about proper treatments to get you back to eating and drinking without pain. Some common treatments may include application of a dental ozone, placement of bonding, or sometimes a simple bite adjustment.

Accepting patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and neighboring areas.

Are You a Nail Biter? 5 Reasons to Stop

Nail biting is one of the most common habits of humans, and the behavior is typically triggered by stress, boredom, annoyingly long fingernails, or excitement. However, at my dental office in Lenexa, we want to warn our nail biters that this habit can also contribute to a multitude of dental and whole-body problems.

1. Germs, germs, and more germs. Fingernails can hold a lot of germs and bacteria, almost twice as much as your hands. Nail biters are at increased risk for transferring those germs and dangerous bacteria into the body. What’s even scarier is that if gnawed of nails are swallowed, all that gross stuff that lives under the nail enters the body and may lead to stomach issues.
2. Save some dough! According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), nail biters spend an average of $4,000 more on dental bills throughout their lives than non-biters. This is mostly due to the fact that nail biting can lead to some serious dental concerns.
3. Tooth damage. Nails are hard, and when we bite them, the chance for chips and cracks greatly increases. Nail biters experience more cracks or chips in their pearly whites. Even more, nail biting can lead to bruxism, or clenching and grinding of the teeth. Bruxism itself can cause jaw pain, wear and tear on teeth, and headaches.
4. Take a break! Like other parts of your body, your teeth also need to rest. Your teeth are there to help you chew and eat, but in between meals, they should take a break. If you’re a nail biter, your teeth are constantly working. This may cause them to wear down quickly or could lead to a bad bite.
5. Ouch, my jaw hurts! Chronic nail biting can be detrimental for your jaw. In fact, constantly chewing your nails can cause TMJ Disorder. TMJ Disorder brings on its own set of issues like jaw pain, headaches, or popping or locking of the jaw.

At my Lenexa dental office, we’re always here to give you the advice you need to make sure your smile and your body are healthy. If you’re a nail biter, talk to us about it. We have tips that may help you quit, we’ll examine your mouth for any signs of damage, and work with you to get your smile in its best shape.

Serving patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and nearby communities.

Top Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

The holidays are well upon us, and there’s never been a better time to celebrate friendships, spend time with family, and be grateful for our health. However, with the hustle and bustle of parties every weekend, fulfilling wish lists pages deep, and all that food, it’s also a time when our health is at increased risk. At my dental office in Lenexa, we’re always focused on our patients’ health, and not just in their mouths, but throughout their entire bodies. With that philosophy always at the forefront of everything we do, this holiday season we’d like to share some tips for making your holiday season a healthy one.

Be Stress Free

Over the holidays, life seems to become so incredibly busy, it’s like there’s never a chance to breathe, let alone enjoy it. Try breaking the cycle of constantly being stressed by following these tips.

• Don’t overcommit. If you’re inundated with piles of invitations to holiday parties, don’t feel obligated to accept them all. Overcommitment to more events than you can handle can lead to loss of sleep and an increased risk of getting sick. Politely pass on some of those parties and stay in to relax instead.

• Stay within budget. Start your holidays by setting a budget, then stay within it. Managing the amount of money you’re comfortable spending on gifts, food, and travel can keep your stress levels low and give you one less thing to worry about.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry – Just Not Too Much

One of the best parts of the holidays is the variety of food and drinks available at every turn. While we’d never tell to you skip out on enjoying a holiday feast, your dentist in Lenexa will encourage you to monitor your intake of food and alcohol. Overeating can lead to an upset stomach, so watch how much you consume. The same thing applies to alcohol. If you’re of age, partaking a glass of wine with dinner or a dessert of eggnog is absolutely acceptable, just don’t overdo it. Alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water, and try to limit yourself to two adult beverages per party. Nothing compromises your immune system or makes you feel sicker than a hangover that belongs on the naughty list.

Wash Your Hands Often

During the holidays, we interact with more people, visit more houses, and are presented with more opportunities to swap germs. This makes washing your hands well and often really important. Scrub with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to rinse away harmful germs that can make you sick and put a damper on your holiday.

Everyone at my dental office in Lenexa wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Following these tips can help make it a healthy one too.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City, and surrounding areas.

What to Expect if You Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Awhile

Several things can keep you from visiting the dentist every six months as normally recommended. A bad experience, a fear of the dentist, finances, or maybe you’re just too busy. However, when you make the decision to get back in the dental chair, you may still feel reluctant. The team at my Lenexa dental office wants to ease your concerns and help you understand what you can expect at your first visit.

A Lecture-Free Zone

One of the main fears patients have when they’re getting ready to come back is fear of a lecture. When you visit your dentist in Lenexa, we don’t want you to be afraid of getting chastised. Our philosophy doesn’t include making our patients feel guilty, but rather we talk with you about your concerns and work together to ease them. With us, you’re never in trouble and we’re always here to help.

A Longer Visit

Your first visit after a hiatus will typically warrant a longer visit. This isn’t to scare you but because we like to spend time getting to know our patients personally and familiarizing ourselves with their mouths. We’ll also perform a thorough evaluation that will most likely include x-rays, a comprehensive exam, and cleaning. We’ll move at your pace and constantly ensure that you’re at ease.

Cavities

If it’s a been a few years since you’ve seen a dentist, there is a good chance that you have some decay and cavities. However, they’re nothing to fear. Most people, even those who do see the dentist every six months, get several cavities throughout their lifetime. But thanks to improvements in dental technology, treatment is easier, less painful, and faster than ever before. Getting a cavity filled is a much better option than leaving it untreated as a cavity that is left to fester can lead to more serious problems.

Whether it’s been a few months, years, or decades since you last visited the dentist, we’re here to welcome you to my dental office in Lenexa. Our goal is not only to get your mouth healthy, but to make sure you’re comfortable and that you’re an active part of your health care team. We welcome you to talk to us about your concerns so we can help ease your worries and get your smile back to health, beauty, and strength.

Welcoming patients from Lenexa,Overland Park, Kansas City, and surrounding areas