Summertime Snacks for Healthy Teeth

Posted on: August 26th, 2016 by tcg_admin

Fall is quickly approaching, which means there are but a few short weeks left to fit in this year’s summer fun!

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, did you know these summer snack favorites can be great for your oral health?

Be sure to stock up on these tooth-friendly treats during your next trip to the grocery or farmer’s market (while you still can!).

1) Berries

Berries are a fantastic alternative to more sugary snacks for those of us with a sweet tooth! Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants…the benefits of berries are numerous for your oral health and overall well-being. Check out your local farmer’s market, like the one in Nashville or our very own Clarksville Downtown Market for fresh local finds as the summer winds down!

2) Corn

This crunchy treat is great for your teeth! Corn can be enjoyed on the cob or as cut off kernels. Sweet corn is grown in abundance across KY and TN, so summer is prime time for us to enjoy the benefits of this snack in our neck of the woods. Corn is rich in phosphorous, magnesium, and fiber, making it super beneficial for oral health. Just don’t forget to floss when you’re done!

3) Summer Salads

Corn is not the only veggie that is good for your teeth. Mix up a fresh, crisp summer salad using ingredients from your garden, local produce stand, or of course, the grocery! The act of chewing fresh, crisp veggies can act as a natural way to “brush” your teeth during the day, helping break up and rid your mouth of debris.

At Richview Family Dentistry, we care about your family’s health and wellbeing. We are proud to recommend healthy snacks for you to enjoy as we soak up the rest of summer! Don’t forget to add a visit to the dentist to your routine as fall emerges. We would love to see you for an exam or dental cleaning soon. Give us a call at 931-647-2243 to set up your appointment today!

Protect Your Teeth Against Sports Injuries

Posted on: July 25th, 2016 by tcg_admin

When suiting up for sports this summer, don’t forget to protect your smile!

It can be easy to forget about your oral health when it comes to playing summer sports, but doing so is a mistake! While we love seeing all of our dental patients, we want to prevent emergency visits whenever possible. Check out our tips for protecting your teeth while playing this summer!

1) Wear a Mouthguard for Contact Sports

There are plenty of contact sports to be enjoyed in the summer, from baseball to soccer! Using a mouthguard is a simple, cost effective way to protect your child or yourself from unnecessary pain and expense due to a mouth injury. Whether playing organized summer sports, or a pickup game with friends, make sure you take your mouthguard along. Mouthguards come in a variety of styles and colors.

Standardized Mouthguards: Available at most drug and athletic stores, these are the least expensive and most easily accessible. Although they provide the least protection, stock mouth guards are “better than nothing” and can be purchased in a pinch.
Mouth-Formed Guards: While slightly more expensive, this type of guard forms to a person’s teeth for a more custom fit. Protectors that are mouth-formed can also be purchased at many sporting goods stores.
Custom Mouthguards: Custom guards offer the most protection for your mouth, along with the most comfortable fit. Custom mouthguards are created by dentists, and while they are the most expensive option, people who require the use of a mouthguard often find the cost well worth it.

2) Be Mindful of Your Teeth When Swimming

If you are a frequent swimmer, wear goggles so that you are sure to see well and avoid running into anything that might damage your teeth. If you are one of many swimmers who suffer from “swimmer’s calculus” (a yellow stain that can be brought on by spending lots of time in chemically treated water), be sure to see the dentist for a thorough teeth cleaning!

3) Wear A Helmet

Think a helmet is just for your head? Think again! Helmets can protect not only the top of your head, but your face and mouth as well. Falls and bicycle crashes are all too common in the summer, but a cracked tooth or worse may be avoidable simply by wearing a helmet!

Make sure to keep your family smiling by protecting your mouth this summer! Staying active is even more fun when you stay safe. If you are inspired to get a custom mouth guard or come in for a cleaning, give us a call at Richview Family Dentistry. We pride ourselves on our warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist!

Resources:

Delta Dental of California

Dentistry for the Entire Family

Fun Fact: Sunshine is good for your teeth!

Posted on: June 20th, 2016 by tcg_admin

Did you know that getting out in the sun this summer can be good for your oral health?

It’s true! The sun shining down is not only a mood booster, but a few rays can have a positive impact on your pearly whites! How? The increased production of Vitamin D, of course! Spending some time in the sun is a great way to naturally absorb this necessary vitamin.

Vitamin D is essential to your health for many reasons, but it is especially imperative for strong, healthy teeth! Here are just a few reasons why proper Vitamin D production should make you smile.

1) Vitamin D Helps You Absorb Calcium

We all know that calcium is necessary to strong bones and teeth, but you may not know that your body uses Vitamin D as a catalyst to absorb calcium. Whether you are getting your calcium from food or supplements, Vitamin D helps make sure it really takes!

2) Vitamin D Helps Fight Tooth Decay

Some studies suggest that Vitamin D is responsible for up to a 50 percent reduction in tooth decay! Wow, now that is what we call maximizing your time in the sun!

3) Vitamin D Helps Regulate Your Immune System

As your body’s first defense against illness, keeping your immune system strong is a must! Vitamin D can help do just that. Studies have shown that Vitamin D can also help your pancreas produce insulin and lower your blood pressure!

If spending time in the sun isn’t for you, don’t worry. You can get Vitamin D from food and supplements in order to reap the same benefits for your teeth! Some Vitamin D rich foods include:

Eggs
Milk
Salmon
Spinach
Kale
Soybeans
And more!

At Richview Family Dentistry, we are always on the lookout for fun ways to improve your oral health! Our office is a state-of-the-art facility that doubles as a warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist and leave with a smile! Check us out on Facebook, or contact us to make an appointment for your next cleaning. In the meantime, do yourself (and your smile) a favor and get out in the sun. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!

Sources:

New Beauty

Sunny Brook Dental

Web MD

Smiling is the best, for many reasons!

Posted on: May 25th, 2016 by tcg_admin

Smiling is a great way to improve your mood and your health.

At Richview Family Dentistry, we love to see smiling faces. That is why we have dedicated our lives to improving people’s smiles. As much as everyone loves to laugh and smile, there may be even more reasons to smile than you realized. Here are just some of the reasons smiling is the best:

Smiling boosts your immune system.

Smiling changes the chemistry in your body. Numerous medical studies have found smiling can help lower heart rate, steady breathing and relax the body, which results in a stronger immune system.
You feel better when you smile.

When a person is smiling, it affects muscles that make you feel happy or joyful. You smile because you are happy and when those muscles are in use, your brain sends endorphins. Smiling really does make you feel better!
Smiling is contagious.

When someone is having a bad day, pay them a compliment with a smile. The double-duty mood boosting effect will turn their day around for sure.
Smiling helps reduce stress.

There was a study performed in 2012 that brought a whole new meaning to the term “grin and bear it.” The people who had a bigger smile during a difficult task actually completed it with less stress. So, when you tackle something hard, remember to do it with a smile on your face!
Even fake smiles do the trick.

Even when your existing mood and surroundings suggest otherwise, faking a smile can help your improve mood and health. It only takes smiling for a brief period to experience the benefits — no matter how contrived it feels initially. In this case, maybe it’s OK to fake it a little.
Smile your way to success.

People who smile more often are perceived to be more attractive. Psychological research has shown that attractive people are perceived as more successful, intelligent, and friendly.
Smiling is a universal sign of happiness.

Language may be a barrier, but facial expressions like the smile are universal signs of happiness. So show your pearly whites and spread the happiness around!

At Richview Family Dentistry, we want to help keep a smile on your face and also help you feel confident in your smile! Contact us today to set up an appointment for a routine cleaning or a consultation for Invisalign. Our office is a state-of-the-art facility that doubles as a warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist and leave with a smile!
Sources:
Huffington Post
Life Hack
Body & Soul

Relief for Your Sensitive Teeth

Posted on: April 27th, 2016 by tcg_admin

There are many ways to make your teeth less sensitive.

Whether you love ice cream or hot soup, sensitive teeth can really cramp your style. But don’t stress too much, there are some easy steps you can take to reduce your sensitivity and smile easily. Sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of things including:

Periodontal (gum) disease
Tooth grinding
Tooth decay and exposure of roots at the gumline
Aggressive toothbrushing
Wearing away of the enamel

No matter the cause there are treatments for each. If you use some of these easy tips you will be able to reduce your sensitivity and enjoy your favorite treats in no time.

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Several brands of toothpaste on the market are designed to help people with sensitive teeth. They are formulated to block the tiny tubules in the dentin. They don’t work for everybody, but experts agree it’s usually the best place to start.

Use a softer toothbrush

Brushing with too much force and/or brushing with a hard-bristled brush can damage the protective tooth enamel. When the gum-line recedes, exposed dentin becomes even more vulnerable to toothbrush abrasion. Use a lighter touch, this allows the bristles to move more freely and do their job more effectively than when you press too hard

Avoid acidic foods

Red wine, fruit juices, sodas, oranges and pickles can all attack your tooth enamel! Limit these foods and drinks, and try to brush about 20 minutes after eating them (not earlier, or the brushing may hurt your enamel further). It is always a good idea to be cautious since enamel loss is irreversible.

Keep your teeth clean.

Plaque that forms on teeth, produces an acid that irritates teeth, especially if your teeth are naturally sensitive. Prevent plaque by brushing at least twice, preferably right after eating and especially before bed, and don’t forget flossing at least once a day.

If you have tried these remedies and you are still feeling pain and sensitivity, don’t worry. You can call Richview Family Dentistry and we can help you resolve your issue. We have lots of solutions, which all depend on the cause of your sensitivity. We have solutions for everything from tooth grinding to Gum Disease. Contact us to set up an appointment, at Richview Family Dentistry our restorative dentistry services can help bring back your smile!

Sources:
Colgate
How Stuff Works
Best Health

Make Brushing Teeth Fun, Not a Chore!

Posted on: March 28th, 2016 by tcg_admin

Tooth brushing with your kids can be a fun, family time that will help keep everyone healthy.

The recommended time for tooth brushing is 2 whole minutes, which can feel like an eternity, especially to kids. It may seem difficult to keep kids brushing the entire time, but there are some simple and fun things that you can do to keep them going!

Give them choices.

Toothbrush options are limitless. Bring your kids with you when you shop for a new toothbrush and let them pick. Children’s toothbrushes come in all kinds of varieties and colors, so let them choose their favorite character (Batman, Minions, Barbie). On top of that, there are countless toothpaste choices! Make sure that you pick one that is ADA approved, but otherwise let your kids try a new toothpaste every time you need a new tube to keep things entertaining!
Play a game.

There a lots of fun toothbrushing games to play. You can count each tooth as they brush and cheer as each one is clean. You can play “chase the sugar bug” and pretend that the toothbrush is chasing the germs away. You can also pretend to be animals and make faces at each other in the mirror while you brush. Open wide like a crocodile, show your teeth and growl like a tiger, yawn and show all your pearly whites like a hippo!
Musical brushing.

Nothing makes the time pass more quickly than a song! There are all kinds of fun brushing songs that you can look up on YouTube. There are also great apps (like Brush DJ and Brusheez) to help make the brushing time go faster!
Reward good brushing.

A reward isn’t a bribe, and it doesn’t have to be extravagant. You can choose small rewards for good brushing, like reading their favorite book, or playing a game together. You can also make a weekly chart to reward your kids with stickers, or a monthly chart that ends in a bigger reward like a trip to the movies.

No matter how you choose to reward your kids, teaching them to brush properly will help them for their entire lives. A little creativity can go a long way toward turning something that is a chore, into the best part of the day! For more ideas or to schedule your family’s next professional cleaning, give us a call at Richview Family Dentistry. We pride ourselves on our warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist!

Resources:
MYSA
Colgate
Aquafresh

Help, I lost a filling!

Posted on: February 29th, 2016 by tcg_admin

What do I need to do until I’m able to see the dentist?

Losing a filling can be a traumatic experience, but is isn’t necessarily and emergency. You may notice a filling has come out when you feel something in your mouth that feels hard, like a rock, or your tongue feels a strange hole or other change to one of your teeth.

1) Remove the filling from your mouth.

In general it is safe to discard your filling, it will most likely not fit where it was originally placed anymore. If you can’t find the filling and think that you swallowed it, don’t worry. It should pass naturally and not cause you any harm.

There are some common reasons for a filling to come loose and fall out. These include:

An older filling that has weakened over time.
A weaker filling material (some fillings are not meant to last forever).
Teeth grinding and clenching can cause a filling to become loose over time.
Chewing on hard items can cause a filling to chip and dislodge.
The filling being hit at a strange angle and dislodging during a meal can occur.
New tooth decay under the filling can cause it to loosen.

2) Call the dentist.

We will set up an appointment to fix the issue as quickly as possible. Although this isn’t an emergency, you will want to get the problem fixed quickly. In the meantime, there are a few things that you can do to make yourself more comfortable.

Use clove oil or an oral pain reliever (such as anbesol) to avoid discomfort. Over the counter pain medicine (Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin) will help ease discomfort too.
Avoid chewing with the damaged tooth.
Make sure to clean the area well after eating.
Rinse after every meal with warm salt water.
Temporary filling material containing zinc-oxide can sometimes be found over the counter to cover the spot until your appointment.

Once you get to our office for your appointment, we will be able to take over. Make sure you tell us exactly what happened, and what steps you took to protect your tooth when you come in. From there we will be able to fix any damage, remove any additional decay, and replace your filling. If you have any questions or are worried that it could be a more serious problem, feel free to call Richview Family Dentistry.

At Richview Family Dentistry in Clarksville, TN. we are committed to providing the best possible dental care for you and your family. From our dentists to our hygienists to the office staff who greet you at the front desk, we want you to have an exceptional experience every step of the way!

Sources:
Colgate
Oral Answers
Direct Dental

What should I expect when I schedule a dental cleaning?

Posted on: January 21st, 2016 by tcg_admin

A basic teeth cleaning is designed to clean and polish your teeth while also providing a general health screening for your mouth.

As intimidating as that might sound, it’s actually a relatively simple and painless appointment! At Richview Family Dentistry we are committed to providing you and your family with the best possible dental care.

No matter how diligent you are with your home routine, regular checkups with a dentist and hygienist are important. A professional cleaning rids your teeth of calcified plaque, called calculus or tartar, that can build up in hard-to-reach places. We can also watch teeth for early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental problems.

Cleaning Your Teeth

During the cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will:

Use a scaler (a small metal instrument) to scrape off tartar along the gum line.
Next, we will use an ultrasonic vibrating device to shake loose plaque and tartar off, then rinse it away with a stream of water.
This is followed by a tooth polishing. We will polish the teeth with a lightly abrasive paste. The now-smooth tooth surfaces make it more difficult for plaque to accumulate before your next cleaning.
We will finish up your cleaning with a flossing and fluoride rinse.

Tooth Exam

Once your cleaning is finished, the dentist will give your teeth a thorough exam. We will look for signs of decay, using a metal probe and a small mirror with an angled handle. We will also check for gum swelling and redness. Additionally, we will be on the lookout for evidence of tooth grinding as well as screen for other problems, including signs of oral cancer.

The majority of dental patients find routine teeth cleanings painless. Most dental cleanings last between 30 minutes to an hour. After a cleaning, you may notice that your teeth feel fresher and look brighter, too!

To schedule your next routine dental cleaning contact us at Richview Family Dentistry. Our office is a state-of-the-art facility that is a warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist! Discover more about who we are, then call us at (931) 647-2243 to schedule your consultation.

Sources:
Healthline
Delta Dental
Dental One

Holiday Flashback!

Posted on: April 8th, 2013 by tcg_admin

Richview Family Dentistry is excited to roll out our new website! A significant new feature of the website will be our News blog. Look here for updates about the office, volunteer work, dental news, Invisalign and implant news…and maybe even a post or two sharing the girls’ secret recipes! To kick off our blog right, we’re going to have a celebratory Holiday Flashback to share the fun we had at the office for Halloween 2012!