You protect your skin from the sun, but what about your teeth? Richview
Family Dentistry has some tips about caring for your teeth in hot weather.

The Pool

• Brush your teeth after swimming in a chlorinated pool. High chlorine levels can weaken your teeth.

Drink water!

• Your saliva helps protect your teeth from decay and bad breath. Stay hydrated!

Mouthguard

• Lots of outdoor sports are going on during the summer, so make sure you’re protecting your teeth from being damaged by a wayward ball or someone’s elbow.

Bottle caps

• Do we really need to warn you against opening a bottle with your teeth? Sure, it’s fun to show off to your friends, but chipping a tooth could slow down your summer fun.

Smile!

• Summer is the time to smile! Smiling reduces stress and helps your heart, so show those pearly whites. And if you don’t have “pearly whites”, come see us at #RichviewFamily.

Here are some more tips from the American Dental Association

Avoid sugary drinks and snacks. With the rising temperatures, it’s natural to want to quench your thirst. Just try to drink more water instead of sugary juices and sodas. Let your kids tell you when they’re hungry. Don’t offer sugary snacks. They’ll let you know when they want something to eat, but keep it healthy, like carrot sticks and fruit.

Stay On a Routine

No matter how busy your kids get over the summer months, make sure they stay in the routine of brushing for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing daily. Be sure your kids know the importance of flossing. Any child over 10 years old should know how to floss between any two teeth that touch. If your child needs help, try putting your hands over theirs to guide them and get the job done.

If it’s time for a check-up or cleaning, make an appointment now with Richview Family Dentistry. Call to make an appointment (931) 647-2243.

Richview Family Dentistry recommends brushing twice a day for 2 minutes for great oral health

The American Dental Association says you should be brushing for two minutes twice a day to boost your oral health. Science shows that if really can boost your oral health

Why brushing twice a day matters

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. Brushing helps remove plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. When the enamel breaks down, that’s when cavities can form.

The ADA recommends:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush.
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
• Make sure to use ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.

They also recommend the proper brushing technique:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short strokes
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes

Brushing is not the only way to have good oral health. Regular check-ups with your dentist and hygienist are also recommended.

If it’s time for a check-up or cleaning, make an appointment now with Richview Family Dentistry. Call to make an appointment (931) 647-2243

Source: https://www.self.com/story/how-long-to-brush-teeth

Richview Family Dentistry offers cheers with your bubbly but tips for keeping your smile bright white.

Champagne and tooth discoloration

Although champagne is light in color, drinking champagne regularly can lead to tooth discoloration and stains. To avoid staining your teeth, consider drinking champagne with a straw. This will help the champagne bypass your front teeth and thus avoiding the potential for severe stains.

Champagne and tooth decay

Since there is sugar in champagne, it can contribute to tooth decay. As oral bacteria feed on sugars caught on the surface of the teeth, this can lead to the formation of cavities and the weakening of your teeth. Brushing and flossing is always a great way to prevent tooth decay, so after having champagne, brush and floss your teeth to avoid doing damage to the tooth enamel.

Champagne and dental erosion

The bubbles in champagne can also lead to problems with tooth structure. The carbonation creates a higher level of acidity in your mouth. When your oral pH is more acidic in nature, it can cause weakening and softening of the tooth enamel.  This is known as acidic erosion or tooth erosion. To help reduce the acidity of your mouth, rinse your mouth out with water after having champagne.

If your teeth become stained or discolored, teeth whitening treatments can help. For severe stains that don’t respond to teeth whitening, porcelain veneers may be best. For tooth decay or damage done to the structure of teeth, it is always best to see your dentist as soon as possible to determine the best dental restoration.

If you need any of these services, make an appointment with Richview Family Dentistry. And don’t worry, we know how busy you’re going to be during the holiday, so we’ll send you a reminder. Call to make an appointment (931) 647-2243.

What to avoid for clean teeth and fresh breath.

With the holiday season comes festive parties and sweet treats. Here are some tips for keeping your teeth clean and your breath fresh from Richview Family Dentistry.

• Don’t deny your cravings but keep it in moderation. It’s time to splurge! But instead of the sticky, gooey, sugary treats, go for the cheese tray or the veggies tray.
  • Crunchy fruits and vegetables, especially carrots are a great choice, as are whole grain crackers.
  • Adult beverages are highly acidic which in time will wear away at your protective tooth enamel. To cut down on the acid, eat some cheese.  That’s right.. The alkaline in the cheese neutralizes the acid in the beverage.
• Drink clear liquids. Red wine and cranberry juice are both full of cancer-fighting antioxidants but both are potent tooth stainers. So opt for light colored or clear beverages.
• Chew cinnamon gum. Cinnamon gum contains an ingredient called “cinnamon aldehyde,” which is the essential oil that hunts down and destroys cavity-forming bacteria. Cinnamon can also keep your breath fresher, longer especially after those garlic-laden dips.
• Drink plenty of water. Water has so many benefits, especially during the holidays when you are out and about. Water keeps your skin fresh and hydrated but most importantly, water can clean away freshly formed bacteria from your teeth. It will also loosen that spinach left over from that delicious dip.
• Stick to your daily oral health routine. Twice a day flossing, brushing and gargling. You may want to skip this daily routine during the holidays, but don’t!

Even if you’ve lost track of your brushing and flossing routine, you can make up for it with and after holiday cleaning from Richview Family Dentistry. But do it now because you know how busy you’re going to be during the holiday. Call to make an appointment (931) 647-2243

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Source:
Absolute Dental

Richview Family Dentistry Wants To Help Your Child Maintain Healthy Hygiene Habits During The Halloween Season

Halloween is just around the corner, which means your kiddos will soon be busy building their stockpile with the bags full of free candy they’ll get from their hard work trick-or-treating. Although your kids might fall victim to those sweet treats, adults are at risk too! Dr. Wall and Dr. Sherrill want to help you keep your kid’s mouth and your mouth healthy during Halloween. Don’t get spooked at your next appointment, use these tips to help keep you smiling.

Timing is everything

Candy is hard to resist, especially during the Halloween season, so it’s best to eat candy and other sugary foods with meals. According to the ADA, saliva production increases during meals and will help cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth, and it will help rinse away food particles.

Things to avoid

• Snacking on candy throughout the day
• Sticky treats
• Sugary beverages
• Hard candies

What can help

Drinking lots of water, brushing and flossing regularly and maintaining a healthy diet are all great ways to combat the effects of overindulgence in the Halloween candy bag. Another great way for parents to keep an eye on their children’s intake is to monitor their candy. Keep it hidden in a safe place and reward them with pieces after good behavior!

It’s important to monitor your child’s dental hygiene habits to help them establish a foundation of healthy practices. Brushing, flossing and regular check-ups are all part of a healthy smile! If you are unsure of kid-friendly and age-appropriate dental hygiene practices, Dr. Wall and Dr. Sherrill can help!

Contact Richview Family Dentistry at 931.647.2243 and schedule your appointment and your child’s next appointment today! Regular visits to your dentist can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early when they are easy to “treat.”

Richview Family Dentistry Wants To Help Your Child Maintain Healthy Hygiene Habits

Summer is still in full swing, but fall is just around the corner! Don’t let the back-to-school season sneak up on you and your family. While back-to-school for most is a busy time full of school shopping and parent-teacher meet and greets, you should also include dental visits for your children on your to-do list! Keeping their mouths healthy and happy is essential for a productive school year. Here are some hygiene tips to keep your kids smiling all school year long!

• Plan for appointments throughout the school year
• Keep your child’s diet on track with healthy snacks
• Practice good oral health at home
• Plan for dental emergencies

Back-to-school dental appointments can fill up faster than usual for dentist offices, so be sure to make it a priority to get your child in for a check-up. Once you’ve got the back-to-school visit taken care of, go ahead and plan the rest of your child’s appointments in advance. That way, you are able to plan around them once their extracurricular activities begin, giving you one less thing to worry about!

One thing that will help your child’s visit go smoothly is keeping them on a healthy diet. Not many kids are a fan of the dentist, but having regular cleanings doesn’t have to be a scary thing! A healthy diet can help prevent cavities and plaque buildup. When packing your child’s lunch, remember to include things like fruits low in citrus, cheeses or almonds, and avoid juices/sports drinks that are high in sugar as well as sodas. When it comes to staying hydrated, water is always the best option!

Don’t forget: Good hygiene starts at home! Encourage your child to brush with you in the mornings until they are able to get on a schedule of their own. Some dental habits vary depending on the age of your child, so be sure to check and make sure they are getting age-appropriate oral care.

Lastly, be prepared for a dental emergency. While you’re at your child’s dental appointment, pick up your dentist’s business cards. Give these cards to your child’s teacher, or put in their backpack and carry one in a purse or wallet as well. Having the contact details for your preferred dentist on you at all times can give you some peace of mind if an oral emergency occurs.

Going back-to-school can be a hectic time for both children and parents, but with the help of these oral health tips, it should help make the process a little easier on everyone! Your child will be able to go back-to-school with confidence in their healthy smile!

Contact Richview Family Dentistry at 931.647.2243 and schedule your child’s back-to-school appointment today!