Protecting Your Teeth During the Holidays

Posted on: December 4th, 2019 by tcg_admin

Richview Family Dentistry wants to give you some tips on how to take care of your teeth during these festive times.

During the holidays, we tend to eat more and drink more. The usual fare at any gathering usually contains more sugar and carbs than your normal daily meals. It is this reason why taking care of your teeth is so important.

Teeth are exposed to higher levels of sugar and acidic food and drinks. Here are some tips to get you through the holidays.

Swish!

After consuming food and drink that are high in sugar, make sure to at least rinse your mouth with water. This can lower the pH levels which drop due to sugar and carbohydrates.

Eat Wisely!

Eating cheeses, nuts, crackers, and fruits over sugary sweets is always a good alternative.

Calm Down!

Something people don’t often think about is that stress from the holidays can cause clenching and grinding of teeth. Ask us about using a nightguard while you sleep.

And by all means, be careful when eating hard candy and don’t use your teeth to open packages and remove tags.

Red Wine!

If you’re going to indulge with red wine, brush, and floss BEFORE consuming. Stains cling to the film of plaque on the teeth so, brushing beforehand can minimize the chance of staining.
As with sugary treats, rinse your mouth with water after consuming red wine.
Eat as you drink. Cheese and crackers can act as a barrier to the acid in the red wine.

We want you to enjoy the holidays, but we also want you to enjoy a clean, bright smile.

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

Gum Disease. What is it? How to Prevent it.

Posted on: October 14th, 2019 by tcg_admin

Richview Family Dentistry wants you to know about gum disease. What causes it, how to treat it, and how it can be prevented.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on teeth.

The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage, it can be treated with professional cleaning, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

Advanced gum disease is also called periodontitis and can lead to the loss of teeth, tissue, and bone that supports the teeth.

Aggressive periodontitis is a highly destructive form of periodontal disease that occurs in patients. With this diagnosis, there is rapid loss of gum tissue and bone surrounding the teeth and the teeth become loose.

Here are some warning signs:

Gums that bleed easily
Red, swollen, tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Some increased risk factors:

Poor oral hygiene
Smoking or chewing tobacco
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Some medications like cancer therapy drugs and oral contraceptives

Your best defense against gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, eat a balanced diet and schedule regular dental visits.

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

Source:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease?utm_source=social&utm_medium=twitter&u
tm_content=gumdisease

Wine and Cheese… Good for Your Teeth?

Posted on: July 23rd, 2019 by tcg_admin

Richview Family Dentistry wants to give you the skinny on how having cheese with your wine can protect your teeth

While it’s true that wine can be harmful to your teeth, the good news is that having a little cheese with your wine can actually protect your teeth.

The Bad News:

Red wine – Red wine is likely to leave dark stains or film on your teeth that will stain them quickly.
White wine – white wine has a higher acid content which slowly dissolves the enamel which is a more permanent stain caused by the slow erosion of the enamel.
Sparkling wine – It’s the bubbly that we really need to watch out for. Sparkling wines tend to have the highest acid content.

The Good News:

Eating cheese with your wine helps neutralize the acidity in the wine, protecting the enamel from erosion.
Eating cheese will cause calcium to build up on your teeth, as well as close the tiny micro-pores on the surface. Stick to hard cheese, since they have more calcium and are usually healthier.

BUT! – Don’t brush your teeth right after finishing a glass of wine. Brushing causes the enamel that has softened from the acid to be brushed away quicker.

INSTEAD – brush your teeth an hour or so BEFORE drinking.

Another solution is to drink Sparkling Water in between glasses of wine. Swish it around in your mouth and allow the bubbles to loosen up and scrub away the stain.

And one last tip is to eat Fiber. Foods with high fiber content, like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and potatoes help produce more saliva and the chewing will scrub away stains as you chew.

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

Source:

https://washfm.iheart.com/featured/toby-and-chilli-mornings/content/2018-08-14-want-better-teeth-eat-cheese-and-wine/

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Posted on: October 13th, 2017 by tcg_admin

Restorative dentistry involves the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

At Richview Family Dentistry, we can suggest a treatment plan to restore teeth that are decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored or even missing. Teeth that are affected by any of these developmental or trauma-related defects can qualify for restorative care. Whether it’s a filling, crown, implant or bridge, there are several options available depending on need.

There are four primary types of dental materials used to restore teeth:

Porcelain
Dental amalgam
Composite resin
Gold.

Composite resin includes ceramic or plastic compounds that can be used with other materials like glass ionomers. There are also other precious and non-precious metals similar to gold, and almost as durable. In any of the above materials, there are a variety of treatment options designed to restore the surface of teeth or replace missing teeth.

Fillings

Fillings often use amalgam to restore the tooth’s surface, and are generally placed on posterior or teeth located in the back of the mouth. Amalgam fillings are an alloy, which does contain mercury or a mercury substitute. Composite fillings, on the other hand, are resins used for tooth-colored restorations and are used in both front and back teeth. Many people prefer these because they’re hard to notice when in their mouth.

Veneers

Veneers are a layer of material (porcelain or composite), and are tooth-colored similar to composite fillings. They are bonded or cemented to the surfaces of one or more teeth, mainly those in the upper and lower front teeth (incisors). They help to improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, cracked or uneven.

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns are a type of restoration covering the entire portion of a tooth that has been damaged, chipped, cracked or, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site, subject to extensive restoration that threatens the rest of the tooth. They can be fabricated from gold, porcelain or another ceramic material. Bridges, however, are a prosthetic replacement of one or more natural teeth. They consist of crowns that are adjacent to the space with a replacement tooth (pontic) attached to the crowns.

If you are worried you may have gum disease or are ready for a routine cleaning, contact Richview Family Dentistry. Dr. Wall and Dr. Sherrill are ready to help you get your mouth healthy and keep you smiling bright! At Richview Family Dentistry we’re the best choice for all your family’s dental needs, including dental implants, teeth straightening, cosmetic, and preventative dentistry.

Sources:
Colgate.com
MouthHealthy.org

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