6 Signs of Poor Oral Hygiene and What You Should Do

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Poor oral health and hygiene can cause many problems. Knowing the signs can help you determine when it’s time to get help from your dentist in Woodbridge VA. At Niles Dental, we provide a range of services to help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you have periodontal disease, get treatment from a dentist right away. Here’s what to watch for.

Signs of Poor Oral Hygiene

There are many signs of poor oral hygiene. Below are some of the warning signs to watch for.

  1. Bad breath. Bad breath should go away when you brush your teeth. If your breath is bad even after brushing your teeth, this could indicate an excess of bacteria or infection somewhere in your mouth.
  2. Gum tenderness. Discomfort in the gums can be a sign of periodontal disease. If you routinely have gum tenderness, talk to your dentist.
  3. Gum recession. Gum recession is another sign of periodontal disease. Gum recession can lead to bone loss, which in turn leads to loose permanent teeth.
  4. Loose teeth. Permanent teeth should not become loose. If your teeth are loose, talk to your dentist as soon as possible.
  5. Frequent cavities. Some people get cavities due to issues with genetics or diet. However, frequent cavities could also be a sign of poor oral hygiene.

What to Do About Poor Oral Hygiene

If you have poor oral hygiene, make an appointment with your dentist for a dental exam in Woodbridge, VA. If you have gum disease, the dental professionals at Niles Dental can help. Call today to get your appointment scheduled as soon as possible.

4 Benefits of Using an Electric Toothbrush

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Brushing our teeth is a simple activity we do every single day. It keeps our teeth clean, fresh, and free from plaque and tartar. While many of us use a standard toothbrush to maintain our oral health, some utilize the electric alternative—and the reasons why may surprise you.

Keep reading to learn the four benefits of using an electric toothbrush.

More effective cleaning

For starters, electric toothbrushes do a better job at cleaning. These devices create thousands of brush strokes per minute, significantly more than what you get with a standard toothbrush.

Easy to use

While a manual toothbrush can effectively clean teeth and gums, it can be difficult to use. This is especially true for those with hand mobility issues. If you’ve ever felt like brushing your teeth was a workout, consider investing in an electric toothbrush. These devices do all of the hard work for you!

Want to learn more about electric toothbrushes? Whether you need more information or want to book an appointment for dental care in Woodbridge, VA, contact Niles Dental today!

Less waste

Electric toothbrushes may also contribute to less waste for the user. When you’re ready for a new toothbrush, electric models allow you to only replace the head of the brush. With manual toothbrushes, you have to replace the whole device, leading to more waste.

Great for braces and other appliances

If you have braces or another dental appliance, effectively cleaning your teeth and gums can be difficult. This is where an electric toothbrush can help! These devices help you reach those nooks and crannies you can’t access with a manual toothbrush.

Want to learn more? Need to schedule a professional dental cleaning? Whatever the case may be, call Niles Dental today! We’re happy to have a skilled and reliable dentist in Woodbridge, VA.

How Often Should I See the Dentist?

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Hopefully you see your dentist in Woodbridge, VA on a regular basis, but do you know how often to see the dentist? Do you know when to see the dentist for a dental emergency? Do you know when to see your dentist about concerning dental symptoms? In this article, we’ll talk about when and why you should see the dentist at Niles Dental.

When should I see the dentist for regular appointments?

Most dentists recommend that their patients come for dental cleanings every six months. Seeing the dentist twice annually can help you avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar that can cause gum recession and periodontal disease.

During these regular dental exam appointments in Woodbridge, VA, your dentist will remove any calculus on your tooth enamel, consult with you about your oral hygiene routine and give use tools like fluoride treatments to take care of your teeth.

When should I see the dentist for a dental emergency?

See the dentist as soon as possible for all dental emergencies. Dental emergencies include:

  • Loss of a permanent tooth
  • Cracking or chipping of your tooth
  • Severe pain in your tooth

In fact, if you’ve lost a permanent tooth, the faster that you get to the dentist, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to save your permanent tooth. In a case like this, get to the dentist office within half an hour or less.

What symptoms of dental problems should prompt me to make a dental appointment?

It’s important to see the dentist if you’re noticing symptoms of a dental problem such as:

  • Breath smells bad, even when you’ve brushed your teeth
  • Gums are receding from your teeth
  • Gums are red and puffy

These are all signs of a problem. Seeing the dentist as soon as possible can help you take care of your teeth.

Is it time for you to see the dentist at Niles Dental? Call today to make an appointment.

4 Ways to Brush Up Your Oral Hygiene Habits

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Your oral hygiene habits help keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. It’s important to evaluate your habits from time to time to ensure that you’re taking the best care of your teeth possible. Below, we’ve listed four things you can do to ensure that you’re taking good care of your teeth. For more advice, work with your dentist in Woodbridge, VA. Your dentist can give you more personalized tips that will help improve your oral hygiene.

1. Time How Long You’re Brushing Your Teeth

You should be brushing your teeth for two minutes each time you brush. If you brush your teeth for longer than this, you could damage your tooth enamel and gums. If you don’t brush your teeth long enough, you may not be cleaning well enough when you brush. Use your phone or a stop watch to brush your teeth for two minutes each time.

2. Switch to an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes use vibration or oscillating motions to help keep teeth clean – cleaner than teeth that are brushed with a manually controlled toothbrush. Switching to an electric toothbrush can help boost your dental hygiene and keep your teeth free of plaque and tartar. There are many types of electric toothbrushes on the market, so if you’re having a hard time picking one, ask your dentist for a recommendation.

3. Get a Tooth Brushing Tutorial from the Dentist

Over time, many people develop bad habits when they’re brushing their teeth. Whether you’re missing the back teeth or pushing too hard against the tooth enamel and gums, you could be doing your teeth a disservice when you brush.

Next time you go to the dentist for a dental cleaning in Woodbridge, VA, ask your dentist to give you a tutorial on how to brush your teeth. Your dentist can show you how to brush your teeth and can also evaluate your current tooth brushing habits to let you know what you should be doing differently.

4. Find the Right Toothpaste For You

There are many types of toothpastes on the market. Find the one that meets your needs – whether it’s a whitening paste, a paste that addresses tooth sensitivity, or a toothpaste that’s safe to use with dental implants or crowns.

Want more advice? Call Niles Dental today.