December 2021 Newsletter

 

How Apples Are Good For Your Teeth

People have been asserting that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” since the 19th century. While it may not necessarily be true that those who eat apples never have to see a doctor, apples certainly have great health benefits for our bodies! Did you know they can even be good for our teeth? Let’s take a look at what the research says …

 It’s widely thought that chewing a crisp, fresh apple can help brush away plaque on our teeth. We’re not too sure on this one, as some studies show a higher plaque content on teeth after eating an apple. At the same time, there is evidence to suggest some polyphenols in apples can lower the ability of cavity-causing bacteria to adhere to teeth. Further, some studies have shown that the antioxidants in apples can help prevent periodontal disease.

Apples even contain a (very) small amount of fluoride. This is worth noting, as fluoride is so important in helping prevent cavities.

 Lastly, the act of chewing an apple stimulates saliva production. Saliva helps wash away food debris and bacteria. Remember, though, apples contain sugar and acid so it’s best not to go overboard with them. You can even swish with water after eating one to wash away some of the sugar left behind.

As the science continues to look into how apples affect our teeth, one thing we know is true: regular dental visits, along with daily tooth brushing and flossing, is your best defense against tooth decay!

Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

You look at your calendar to see that it's here again- your bi-annual dental cleaning. If this is not a joyous realization you are not alone. According to Columbia University of Dental Medicine 40 million Americans dread going to the Dentist. Many avoid it altogether because the fear is to overwhelming.

Why Are So Many of us Afraid of the Dentist?

For many of us it all stems from a bad past experience. Maybe it was having a tooth pulled as a child or a root canal gone wrong.  Possible you had a not-so-gentle dental hygienist who made your dental cleaning a traumatic and painful experience. It could also simply be the fear of the unknown and not being educated on a procedure before it happens.

Looking past our painful memories, it is important to remember that not every office/dentist/hygienist is the same. At Bradshaw dental our staff is extremely gentle and informative. Over the years the industry has also developed new technology to make going to the dentist practically pain-free.

We understand that even with this knowledge patients come in still uneasy about their appointment. If this is the case with you here are some tips on how to cope with your fear of the dentist.

Overcoming Your Fear

1. Get to know the dental staff.
Dr. Bradshaw and our hygienists have your best interests in mind and want you to feel comfortable. Talking with them and sharing some laughs may ease your worries and help you trust the staff working on your teeth. You can even read Bios of our staff on this blog before your visit!

2. Agree on hand signals
Let Doctor Bradshaw and our team know your concerns. Agree on a hand signal if you are feeling pain or need a break. Simply raising your hand during a procedure can help them know to stop. This helps you feel a little more in control.

3. Practice breathing techniques before your visit
Try sitting at home and practice focusing on your breathing. Try 5 counts breathing in and then slowly breathing out for 5 counts-1...2...3....4....5 and then start again. Close your eyes and really focus on relaxing your body. Then next time you are in the dentist chair try it again. When your body and mind are relaxed it is not only helpful for you but also that staff to work on your mouth.

4. Bring your own headphones and music
Let doctor Bradshaw know that you prefer listening to your music before the procedure. Then put your headphone in and turn on your  favorite tunes. This can help distract your mind and make it a more enjoyable experience.



Don't let your fears keep you from routinely visiting the dentist. This can cause many oral health problems which could eventually result in many expensive and lengthy procedures. Doctor Bradshaw and our staff are here for you and want the best for you and your health. We will see you at your next appointment! :)

What is plaque?

Most people have heard of the word “plaque,” and know it’s not something you want on your teeth. Yet, they don’t know what exactly plaque is or how it contributes to dental decay. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that lives on the surface of your teeth and along the gumline. It accumulates from normal daily activities such as eating and drinking, especially if you’ve been consuming a lot of sugars and starches. Ever had that fuzzy feeling on your teeth that goes away after you give them a good brush? Yep, that’s plaque. Plaque is what contributes to dental decay, as bacteria like to consume the sugars in your mouth and excrete acids that wear away at your tooth enamel. When you don’t regularly brush and floss away plaque, it forms tartar. Tartar is the calcified substance on your teeth that only a professional cleaning can remove.

 To regularly remove plaque:
1. Brush thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
2. Floss at least once a day to remove plaque that your brush can’t reach.
3. Visit us for your regular dental cleanings.

If plaque is something you're concerned about, make sure to bring it up at your next visit. Bradshaw dental has several treatments/products available that may help.

How To Know If You Have A Cavity

According to the National Institutes of Health, the most prevalent health condition after the common cold is tooth decay.

It’s more than likely that if you haven’t already had a cavity, you will develop at least one in your lifetime.

So, how do you know if you have a cavity? Well, depending on the severity of your tooth decay, you may experience a variety of symptoms. Here are some of the accompanying symptoms that go along with tooth decay.

• Nothing (in the early stages)
• A toothache or spontaneous tooth pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain (slight or severe) when eating something sweet, hot, or cold
• Staining (brown, black, or white) on the surface of your tooth
• Visible holes in your tooth. Those holes are cavities
• Pain when biting down The best time to catch a cavity is in the early stages, when there are few, if any, symptoms.

 Keeping your twice yearly (or more) visits with us will ensure we catch them in time. We will let you know the best course of treatment for your particular situation. The recommendation could be as easy as watching and waiting to see if we find any tooth decay in the very early stages. Or, if you are symptomatic, we may have to formulate a more in-depth treatment plan. As always, brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day, and try to minimize the amount of sugar in your diet. These steps will help you be proactive in preventing cavities. Even better, your teeth will thank you for it!

Reasons Why You May Have A Dry Mouth

We all know drinking enough water is good for our health. And when you’re feeling parched, there’s nothing better than a tall drink of ice-cold water to dampen that dry mouth of yours. But what do you do when you find yourself constantly needing to wet your whistle? There are numerous reasons you could be suffering from dry mouth. Below are the top five.

 Physiologic 
Sometimes having a dry mouth is just a normal part of life. Temporary anxiety, open-mouthed breathing, mild dehydration, menopause, pregnancy, and decreased saliva due to sleep are all normal causes of dry mouth.

 Prescription medication
Sixty-three percent of the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. are known to cause dry mouth. And the higher the number of medications a person takes, the higher the chance of dry mouth. That’s why as we age, we tend to experience more instances of dry mouth. It’s not necessarily age-related, but our consumption of medication may cause this side effect. Habitual use of alcohol and tobacco Use of any of these products will dry out the oral cavity. Please drink in moderation, and make sure to up your water intake when you imbibe. As for tobacco, we always recommend quitting as soon as possible.

 Chronic Disease 
Diabetes, Sjogren’s disease, Sarcoidosis, Hepatitic C can all cause dry mouth. Psychogenic or Idiopathic When symptoms are present without an identifiable cause (idiopathic), or because of psychological causes (psychogenic), they can be difficult to diagnose.

If you find yourself with a persistent, unidentifiable case of dry mouth, you should make an appointment with Doctor Bradshaw. Figuring out which one is causing your dry mouth is so important because a dry mouth has a big effect on your dental health. Saliva is so important for swishing away bacteria. The dryer the mouth, the more prone you are to cavities, bad breath, and gingivitis.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea