National Children's Dental Health Month

Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? Each year, the American Dental Association decides on a theme for our child education programs, and this year’s is how to use fluoride toothpaste.

The most common children’s oral health problem is caries: the bacterial infections that secrete acid and damage tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. Fluoride shields teeth against acid, which is why we provide fluoride topical treatments during cleanings. It is important for children to develop a habit of brushing their teeth regularly since this will serve them well their entire lives. Although their baby teeth will fall out, pain from decay can interfere with their sleep, eating, and speech development, and make them more irritable and easily distracted.

Children, and everyone else, should brush for two full minutes during each session. They should use soft-bristled toothbrushes and be sure to brush on every tooth surface, and on the tongue. Fluoride toothpaste should be spat out after use because absorbing too much of it could cause the teeth to become discolored.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Soft Tissues Care in Winter

This has been a brutal winter for New Haven, and at Chapel Street Dental, we want to make sure our patients understand how to care for their mouths in cold weather. The health of the lips and other soft oral tissues are connected to dental health, so we’ve made this guide on how to avoid chapping and dryness.

One of the most important things to know is that wetting the lips causes them to dry out faster as the moisture evaporates. Long, hot showers will cause them to crack more easily and tucking them under the teeth will irritate them. If done as a habit, it could also cause the teeth to become misaligned. Lip balm works by sealing in moisture, but some fragrances and common ingredients, such as menthol, cause inflammation in some people, so it is a good idea to check the label and switch to a different product at the first sign of redness or pain.

Cold air contains less moisture, so a person who suffers from dry mouth will have worse problems in the winter. Because dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and other oral infections, this is something that needs to be taken care of. Throat moisturizers can provide protection, as can humidifiers placed in bedrooms, offices, or other places where people have to spend long periods.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Seniors and Tooth Decay

Chapel Street Dental in New Haven is here to provide for the oral health needs of people of all ages, including seniors. Many people know that children are the age group that is most at-risk for tooth decay; most dental hygiene educational materials are aimed at them and discuss how sugar can cause teeth to become abscessed and develop cavities. But lots of people don’t know how common untreated dental decay is in seniors. The Center for Disease Control estimates the frequency is one in five.

There could be many reasons for this. Some seniors become forgetful or have difficulty brushing and flossing because their hands are less dexterous. Some are suffering from dry mouth as a side effect of medication and don’t produce enough saliva to wash away food debris or maintain their teeth’s protective membranes. They may have also switched to softer foods which get trapped in their teeth more easily or stopped getting cleanings as regularly if their dental coverage was reduced.

What most seniors have in common is that their oral health was not always as bad as it is now, implying they know the importance of oral hygiene but are unable to maintain it. The good news is that we can help with all of these problems. Our services start at low prices and we can direct our patients to superior home dental products that will compensate for other problems they may be experiencing.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.