Gairhan Dental Care works hard to keep the teeth of our Jonesboro, AR, patients healthy with regular cleanings and examinations. We also encourage our patients to perform routine tasks that will keep their teeth healthy and strong. The most obvious is to brush your teeth every night before bed, but did you know there are other things you can do to help? Let’s look at a few habits to improve oral health.

Nighttime Habits for Healthy Teeth

Oral hygiene is important throughout the day. You should brush your teeth in the morning and brush after lunch if you can. You want to stick to a diet low in sugary foods to avoid excess plaque leading to tooth decay. You also want to cut back on sugary drinks, particularly sodas. 

While all these daytime habits help, your nighttime habits are just as important for keeping your teeth healthy and strong. These habits go for children and adults! Here are some suggestions for starting at dinnertime and lasting until bedtime. 

Stop Sugary Foods and Drinks After Dinner

The less sugar you ingest before bedtime, the less you have to clean off your teeth, and the less bacteria grows in your mouth while you sleep. Sugar forms plaque on your teeth, which traps bacteria against your enamel — the hard outer shell that protects the inner living portion of your tooth. That bacteria will eat away at your enamel, decaying the tooth and causing cavities. Cutting back on sugar helps lower your chances of tooth decay. 

Drink Water Before Bed

Water cleanses your teeth and gums, reducing the chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Water also keeps your mouth moist, preventing dry mouth, which can also cause bacteria to grow rapidly. Plus, water is just good for you overall! 

We know what you’re thinking: Drinking water before bed means getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip. Here’s a solution: Drink lots of water until about half an hour before you go to bed. Take that bathroom trip, then, then again, right before you slip under the covers. That way, you can get healthy teeth and plenty of sleep! 

Floss Your Teeth!

You probably think you should brush your teeth first, then floss. Actually, that’s backwards! You should floss your teeth first because flossing loosens and removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth. Some of that plaque and particles end up on the surface of your teeth. That’s good because then you can brush it all away. By flossing first, you can get your teeth even cleaner than if you flossed after you brushed! 

Brush Your Teeth!

This is the most obvious one: You should always brush your teeth before bed! If you’re going to do the next step (and we’ll get to that shortly!), you should brush your teeth at least half an hour before bed. 

When you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent gum irritation and the wearing down of your enamel. You should use fluoride toothpaste (almost all of them are nowadays) and brush for at least two minutes each time, making sure to cover all sides and top of each tooth. If getting your back teeth is tricky, try using an electric toothbrush. It does the scrubbing for you, so you can maneuver it into place to get the back of your teeth cleaner than with a manual toothbrush. 

Ensure you don’t eat or drink anything for at least half an hour after brushing so the fluoride has time to react with your saliva and protect your enamel better. 

Use Mouthwash

A fluoride mouthwash provides extra protection for your enamel and gums. Should you use mouthwash before bed? You certainly can, but use it half an hour after you brush so your toothpaste fluoride has time to work first. That way, the mouthwash adds to the protection. Otherwise, using the mouthwash right after you brush simply washes away the toothpaste fluoride. Waiting half an hour doubles your fluoride protection. That extra protection will help prevent sensitive teeth!

Many people prefer to use mouthwash in the morning after brushing, mainly because they want to keep fresh breath as long as possible during the day. Let’s face it — you encounter more people during the day. You only need to use mouthwash once a day, so you can choose the time you prefer, whether first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Either way is good!

Other Ways to a Healthy Mouth

These are the basics of keeping your teeth healthy. There are other things you can do at night. For example, if you’ve recently ended your orthodontic treatment, you need to be sure you wear your retainers to keep your teeth from moving out of place. 

Snoring and sleep apnea can cause oral health problems. Breathing through your mouth rather than your nose can cause dry mouth and increase bacteria growth. Talk with us if you believe you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea! We can recommend treatments to reduce or eliminate your symptoms and improve your oral health! 

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles

Dr. Gairhan and the team at Gairhan Dental Care want you to have a healthy smile that can last a lifetime. That’s why we provide high-quality dental care and cosmetic dentistry options such as dental implants and veneers. If you ever have an accident or infection, our emergency dental services can take care of you when you have unexpected dental needs. 

If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, schedule an appointment for your semi-annual cleaning and examination. We want you to keep your teeth clean, strong, and healthy, and we want to help you with exceptional dental services. Working with Gairhan Dental Care, you can enjoy your amazing smile for years!

Some people hear “tooth extraction” and think the best way to do a cheap tooth extraction is to grab a pair of pliers. In reality, this can cause serious damage to your mouth, not just to the tooth you’re trying to pull. If you have tooth problems, you don’t want just a cheap dental extraction. You want a proper tooth extraction by a licensed professional who knows how to do it without damaging your other teeth, gums, or jawbone. Gairhan Dental Care can take care of your tooth extraction needs, whether it’s through general dentistry or emergency care. Here’s what you should know about tooth extractions.

Signs You May Need a Tooth Extraction

There are a few reasons you may need a tooth extraction. You may have had an accident that nearly knocked out your tooth or broke it into pieces, but it hasn’t completely come out. You may have a tooth that is rotted from tooth decay. You may need to remove a tooth to make room for other teeth to spread out. Perhaps you bit something and broke the tooth beyond normal repair. 

These are some of the main reasons we pull teeth:

• Overcrowding: All, most of, or some of your teeth are overcrowded, causing issues in speech or bite.
• Infection: Extreme tooth decay eroding teeth may infect your gums and other teeth if the tooth isn’t removed.
• Damage: Any trauma from sports or accidents may cause severe trauma resulting in tooth extraction.

What the Extraction Looks Like

What is a tooth extraction going to look like? Will you walk around with a huge gap? What happens after the tooth extraction? Once your tooth is pulled, a blood clot will fill the socket. Eventually, your gums will heal over the socket, protecting it and allowing the bone to heal properly. 

During the first 24 hours, don’t brush or rinse the socket, or the clot may not form properly. After that, it should be OK to eat and brush, though you might stick to soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, as your mouth will still be sore. 

The hole should close within a week or two. If it doesn’t, your clot may not have formed correctly, and you may have what’s called a dry socket. Contact Gairhan Dental Care if that’s the case, and we’ll bring you in to medicate the area and try to get it to close properly. 

What Your Dentist Does During an Extraction

Tooth extractions involve a lot more than just pulling the tooth. We need to know the extent of the damage and the best way to get the tooth out without damaging the surrounding bone, tissue, and other teeth. 

Here is what your dentist will do for a proper tooth extraction: 

• Examine the severity of the tooth damage on an initial visit. 
• Schedule an appointment for the tooth extraction.
• Administer anesthetics to numb your mouth before extraction. 
• Extract whatever is left of the natural tooth.
• Stitch the area and place gauze to stop the bleeding and help with blood clot formation.

We will provide more detailed instructions for care before and after your tooth extraction at your initial visit, so you’ll know what to expect.

How to Heal From a Tooth Extraction

You need to take care of yourself after tooth extraction. Without proper care, the blood clot that will help the socket heal won’t form properly. A dry socket could lead to pain and infection and should be treated right away. 

Here are some tips on how to care for your mouth after tooth extraction:

• Don’t use a straw
• Ice the tooth extraction area.
• Use painkillers if needed.
• Avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages after the procedure.
• Don’t eat or drink for a few hours.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water for constant disinfection, and call Gairhan Dental Care if you’re suffering from severe pain or suspect a dry socket.

How to Prevent a Tooth Extraction

How do you keep from needing a tooth extraction? It can be easier than you think. The first step is an obvious one: Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Accidents and injuries are harder to protect against because they’re so unpredictable, but there are ways to help well. 

Here are some preventative measures you can take to avoid tooth extractions:

• Floss before bed and make sure you floss between each tooth and in hard-to-reach places like molars.
• Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
• Floss at least once a day with dental floss between each tooth, including molars.
• Stop bad habits like tobacco use that can accelerate tooth decay and gum disease.
• Use a mouthguard while playing sports.
• Avoid a high-sugar diet.

Tooth Extractions in Jonesboro, AR

A tooth extraction may be the best solution to ease your dental pain. Patients in the Jonesboro, AR, area can contact Gairhan Dental Care if they’re concerned about a tooth. Once you schedule an appointment, we can examine your tooth and let you know if it can be saved or if a tooth extraction is the best way to go. 

How do you stop sensitive teeth pain? Are there home remedies for sensitive teeth? What can help sensitive teeth? Gairhan Dental Care has treated patients with sensitive teeth, and we have treatments that can reduce your tooth sensitivity and suggestions for home remedies for teeth sensitive to cold, heat, bitter, or sweet. 

What Is Tooth Sensitivity?

What is tooth sensitivity, and are there sensitive teeth home remedies? Tooth sensitivity is a reaction by your teeth to heat, cold, bitter, or sweet. Reactions can range from a slight twinge to pain lasting for hours. It’s caused by a thinning of the enamel, the hard outer shell that protects the inner, living portion of the tooth. 

Enamel can be thinned by tooth erosion or tooth decay. It’s important to see the dentist if you have sudden tooth sensitivity because if the dentin (middle layer) or pulp (inner layer) of the tooth is exposed, it could lead to infection and tooth loss. 

How Can I Help My Sensitive Teeth?

The best way to figure out how to help your sensitive teeth is to figure out why they’re sensitive in the first place. If you know what’s causing it, home remedies for sensitive teeth may be able to help. If not, we certainly can! 

Here are some of the reasons why your teeth may be sensitive.

• You’re not brushing and flossing every day. Without proper brushing and flossing, bacteria and plaque build-up on the tooth and weaken the enamel. This tooth decay can lead to cavities, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity. 
• You’re not using the best toothpaste for your oral health needs. Fluoride toothpaste strengthens your enamel and helps reduce sensitivity. Some toothpastes are made to reduce sensitivity so they can be used as well. If you have sensitive teeth, avoid whitening toothpastes because they may be harsh on your enamel as they try to penetrate and remove stains. They’ll make your sensitivity worse.
• You’re applying too much pressure when you brush. Scrubbing your teeth too hard can wear down your enamel and damage your gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub lightly when you brush. Better still, use an electric toothbrush and let it do the scrubbing for you. 
• You’re taking certain medications. Some prescription medications can reduce minerals in your body, including those that strengthen your enamel. This may lead to tooth sensitivity. If your teeth continue to get more sensitive, speak with your doctor about this side effect and see whether you might have other options. 
• You may be genetically prone to sensitive teeth. Some patients with certain genetic conditions may have teeth that don’t develop properly or have thinner enamel than normal. That makes them prone to more sensitive teeth. They will need extra care to brush and floss regularly, and fluoride or dental sealant treatments may be necessary regularly. 

How Do You Stop Sensitive Tooth Pain?

If taking these steps doesn’t work, there are other ways to reduce the sensitivity in your teeth. If home remedies for teeth sensitive to hot and cold don’t work, then a dental sealant may be the way to go. The dental sealant is safe for all ages and provides a special coating that soaks into the nooks and crannies of the enamel and protects it from bacteria and tooth decay. It also provides a protective coating from foods and drinks that make teeth feel sensitive. 

Regular fluoride treatments may also help. Gairhan Dental Care can provide a special fluoride treatment made to boost your enamel’s strength by providing more fluoride and soaking into your enamel much better than your regular toothpaste would. 

Sensitive Teeth Home Remedies

There are other ways you can help your teeth right at home. The best remedy is to floss at least once daily and brush at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Don’t eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after you brush so that the fluoride has time to soak into the enamel properly and strengthen it. 

You can also use a fluoride mouthwash for sensitive teeth. There are several available at local retailers. The mouthwash can get to areas your toothbrush may not reach. Again, wait half an hour after using the mouthwash before eating or drinking anything. 

Finally, the best way to take care of your sensitive teeth is to see your dentist regularly! If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, Gairhan Dental Care will provide a thorough examination and cleaning of your teeth when you visit twice a year. We can also provide the option of a dental sealant or fluoride treatment if you need it. 

Don’t live with tooth sensitivity pain! Schedule an appointment with Gairhan Dental Care so we can help!

Before you say goodbye to your perfect smile, let Gairhan Dental Care fill that cavity and save your smile. It’s important to have a cavity treated right away. The longer you wait, the worse the damage to your tooth and the more intense (and expensive) the treatment to save or replace it becomes. So let’s explore what happens if you don’t get cavities filled.

How a Cavity Forms

Before we talk about filling cavities, let’s talk about what a cavity is and how you can prevent it. A cavity forms due to tooth decay, which happens when plaque and tartar are not cleaned from the tooth properly or regularly. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that eat away at the tooth’s enamel — the hard outer shell that protects the living part of the tooth inside. When the bacteria eats through the enamel, it creates a cavity. 

Left untreated, the cavity makes its way to the dentin or the second shell of the tooth. Unlike enamel, dentin contains nerves, so the cavity may begin to hurt. Once the cavity makes its way to the center of the tooth, it hits the pulp, which contains the live tissue of the tooth and the blood vessels that keep it alive. The pulp also has more nerves. If a cavity hits the pulp, it can cause an infection or abscess. That infection can not only kill the tooth, but it can also get into the bloodstream and make you ill. The infection can kill the tooth, which leads to tooth loss. 

How to Prevent Cavities

How do you prevent cavities? Cavity prevention is very simple: Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, every day. That’s the main way to prevent cavities. You also need to visit the dentist at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning. 

At Gairhan Dental Care, we will clean your teeth thoroughly with our specialized dental tools. We will also remove any tartar that’s built up on your teeth. This is important because the tartar, or hardened plaque, holds tooth-decaying bacteria against your tooth, allowing the bacteria to eat away at your enamel. Only your dentist can remove tartar, which is why it’s so important to see a dentist twice a year for cleanings. 

How Long Can You Leave a Cavity Untreated?

What happens if you don’t fill a cavity? It may take a while to spot a cavity. They start small and on the enamel, which contains no nerves. That means the cavity won’t hurt at first. If you catch the cavity early, the treatment will be a lot easier and less expensive. This is another reason to visit your dentist regularly — they can spot early cavities with examinations and x-rays. 

A cavity may start small, but it may grow faster than you think. The cavity can penetrate the tooth to the pulp in as little as three months. Once it’s there, it will be painful and cause infection and tooth loss. The sooner you find and fix the cavity, the less painful it will be. 

How We Treat Your Cavities

Now that you know what happens if you don’t get a cavity filled, let’s talk about what happens when you fill a cavity. The doctors at Gairhan Dental Care know how important it is to treat a cavity early and properly, and we will recommend the proper treatment for the cavity depending on how far it’s penetrated the tooth. In the early stages, the tooth can likely be saved with a filling. Once the tooth is infected or dead, it probably will need to be replaced. 

We offer cavity treatment through our general dentistry services. We determine the best treatment by starting with a full examination and x-rays. We’ll see how deep the cavity goes. From there, we can treat it with a metal or ceramic filling. If the tooth is left discolored or misshapen, we can repair it using our cosmetic dentistry services. If the tooth is severely damaged, a crown may be needed to repair the tooth properly. The most severe damage may require pulling the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. 

What Happens If You Don’t Fill a Cavity

Left untreated, a cavity can cause severe tooth damage or even tooth loss, damaging your smile. You’ll want to keep that beautiful smile of yours! Brush and floss your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes a day. If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, visit Gairhan Dental Care twice a year for a thorough examination and cleaning. We’ll help you catch and prevent cavities and keep that gorgeous smile! 

At Gairhan Dental Care, we see tongue injuries often. Some just require a bit of time to heal, while others may require stitches or treatment from doctors. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Most of the time, the injury can heal on its own. However, if you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, you can visit Gairhan Dental Care and we can evaluate your injury. For now, let’s take a look at some common causes of tongue injuries and how to make a tongue stop bleeding.

Bite and Injuries Resulting in a Bleeding Tongue

Tongue bites are incredibly common. How many times have you been chewing away on tortilla chips, gum, or your favorite dinner food and you accidentally chomp down on your tongue? Most of the time, it just hurts. That’s because your tongue is one of the strongest muscles in your body. Still, it’s not always a match for rapid eating and not paying attention to chewing your food properly. 

Our first tip — slow down. The faster you eat, the better your chances you’re going to accidentally bite your tongue. Slow down and take your time chewing. This actually has several benefits. Aside from not biting your tongue, eating more slowly means you chew your food better. The faster you eat, the better the chances you will overeat before your brain tells you to stop. 

What happens if you do bite your tongue? Check the surface in a mirror. Most of the time, the injury is minimal. There might be a bit of redness or swelling where you bit your tongue. If so, just take it easy. The bite should heal quickly, usually within a week.

In some cases, the injury to the tongue from a bite will result in bleeding. While slightly more serious, most of the time, these small cuts can be treated at home. If the injury is more serious, such as resulting from an impact injury to the face, you may need to call us or visit a doctor right away. More serious injuries may take several weeks to heal.

How to Stop Bleeding on the Tongue

What happens when a bite or injury results in a bleeding tongue? If it’s a small cut, it will likely stop on its own after a few minutes. A deeper cut with more blood will require more attention. Here are a few tips on how to make a tongue stop bleeding.

• Use a dry cloth: Take a dry cloth and apply pressure on the wound for a couple of minutes to slow or stop the bleeding. Keep pressure on the wound until the bleeding stops. 
• Use an ice cube: If the bleeding doesn’t stop with just the cloth, wrap a piece of ice in the cloth and use it to apply pressure to the wound. The cold will slow or stop the bleeding.
• Rinse your mouth: You can use 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water to rinse the wound and stop the bleeding. Do not swallow the mixture. Instead, just swish it over the wound and spit it out.

If these methods don’t stop the bleeding from the tongue, contact your doctor right away. You may need to visit an emergency clinic if the bleeding does not subside. Also, if the bleeding does stop but the injury shows signs of infection after a couple of days, such as severe pain, pus, or fever, then visit your doctor right away. 

What to Do With a Bleeding Tongue 

If your tongue continues to bleed, the wound may be deeper than you first thought. In that case, you’ll need a doctor to take care of it right away. Because of the bacteria in your mouth and the food and drink you introduce to it, infection will be a strong possibility with a severe tongue injury. 

In the case of a large injury, your doctor will want to clean the wound and likely will close the wound with stitches or sutures. Your doctor likely will prescribe a round of antibiotics to ensure the wound doesn’t become infected. The doctor may also recommend that you clean the wound by swishing it with warm saltwater. This will not only keep the wound sterile, but it will also bring some pain relief to you. 

A doctor’s visit shouldn’t be necessary with a simple bite of the tongue. Most wounds are minor and will heal on their own. However, sometimes a doctor’s intervention is the best way how to stop bleeding of the tongue. If you think your tongue injury is one of those cases, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. The longer a tongue injury goes untreated, the better the chance of infection. 

Getting Help With Your Tongue Injury

If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, you can contact Gairhan Dental Care if you have questions about your tongue injury. We can help you decide whether a doctor visit will be necessary. You can request an appointment for an evaluation of your injury, and we can let you know if your frequent tongue biting is the result of a misaligned bite that may require treatment with braces or clear aligners to fix. Whatever the case, Gairhan Dental Care is here for you!

Do I Need Veneers?

If it’s healthy, you’re blessed. However, a smile appearance plays an important role in your self-confidence. Small defects such as cracks, an obvious gap at the front of your mouth, or stains from coffee and tobacco change how you interact with people.

Dr. Gairhan helps people attain their best-looking smiles. Porcelain veneers are very popular and effective in regularizing tooth shapes and colors. Plus, they strengthen weak tooth structure for a smile that’s as durable as it is beautiful. Veneers improve your smile appearance, giving you that all-important WOW factor without looking artificial or out of place. Your teeth will feel as good as they look.

What Are Veneers?

So what exactly are veneers? A veneer is a thin, hard shell that is placed over the tooth to improve the look. They can restore the appearance of the tooth’s shape that may be damaged by wear, cracks, or chips. They can also repair the appearance of teeth that are discolored or smaller than average and create a gap.

Direct Veneers

Direct veneers are made of porcelain, which is stain-resistant and has a surface that more closely matches the normal surface of a healthy tooth. This gives them a more natural look. It also means you can still enjoy your coffee without being worried about discoloration as long as you practice good oral hygiene habits and brush often and properly. 

Indirect Veneers

Indirect veneers are made of resin instead of porcelain. They are slightly thinner, so buffing the tooth isn’t necessary. Indirect veneers are considered temporary. As such, they only last 5-6 years before you need to replace them. That makes them less cost-effective in the long run. 

Because of their durability and advantages over temporary resin veneers, we use porcelain veneers in our cosmetic dentistry. 

How Do I Get Veneers?

The placement of veneers is a detailed process that will require more than one office visit. Usually, we can place them in 2-3 visits. 

The key to placing veneers is making sure there is enough room on the front of the tooth for the veneer to fit. That way, the veneers line up correctly and look more natural on your teeth. 

Dr. Gairhan consults one-on-one with her patients. She performs a comprehensive examination, including photos and X-rays, and considers patient input in all her care plans.

If porcelain veneers are your best choice, she’ll take oral impressions and send them to Arrowhead Dental Lab in Utah. This high-tech lab fabricates veneers individually, coloring and shaping them to disguise flaws and achieve a very natural look.

Dr. Gairhan resurfaces each tooth receiving a veneer. This enamel reduction allows your laminates to fit well and to bite with the opposite arch of teeth properly. Because enamel is removed, veneers are considered a permanent dental refurbishment.

Finally, when your veneers are ready, Dr. Gairhan will etch your teeth and bond the veneers in place with dental cement, which is tooth-colored and very strong. A special light activates the bonding chemical in the glue.

Once we’re finished, your mouth may be a little tender for a day or two. After your veneer procedure, you may experience a bit of dental and gum sensitivity, but this will resolve. Stick with the soft foods at first; then, you should be good to go. You can show off that beautiful new smile!

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Once the veneers are in place, how long will they stay there?

With proper care, porcelain veneers can last for 10-15 years or longer. 

Because they are bonded to the teeth after the teeth are buffed, they are considered permanent. You will need to replace them eventually because they may wear out or become damaged or discolored. But with proper care, that shouldn’t happen for several years.

How Do I Care for Veneers?

For the most part, you care for veneers just as you would your regular teeth. Brush and floss your teeth regularly, at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Veneers are stain-resistant, so a cup of coffee a day shouldn’t be much trouble, but if you drink black coffee in excess daily, you might consider brushing after that second or third cup. If you have more questions about veneers, we have answered some common questions here!

While veneers are durable, they can be damaged. Avoid chewing on hard objects such as pencils or pens, your nails, or ice because they can chip or damage the veneers. Teeth grinding can also damage them, so these may not be best for you if you have a habit of grinding your teeth in your sleep.

We Make a Difference

At Gairhan Dental Care, we offer veneers as part of our cosmetic dentistry services because we believe a beautiful smile can boost your self-esteem. Our services also include dental implants, teeth whitening, and filling in gaps from broken or missing teeth. Our goal is to grow your self-confidence by creating that perfect smile. Veneers are one of several solutions available to make that happen. Let us guide you to the smile of your dreams.  

Schedule an appointment for a free consultation, so you can see if veneers are right for you or if another procedure would be better. 

We are happy to guide you to your perfect smile! 

While most parents easily keep these basic principles of health top of their minds, their children’s dental health can sometimes fall to the wayside. In fact, 20 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 11 in America have at least one untreated decayed tooth. For kids ages 12 to 19, that number is 13 percent. 

We get it, we’re parents too. We know you’d never intentionally neglect any area of your child’s well-being. Life is simply busier than ever, and staying on top of it all can seem like an impossible task. That is why we want to help make healthy dental habits simple. We’ve put together five easy habits that you can start today to set your child up for life-long dental health. Read on to find out how you can implement these simple habits into your daily life.

The Golden Rule of Dental Health: Brush & Floss

It may seem like an overly simple concept, but the most important habit for good dental health is making sure your children brush and floss daily. Beginning when their first teeth emerge, parents can help their children brush their teeth with a small amount of toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. As your child grows, continue helping them properly brush their teeth at least twice a day — more often can be even better! If your child is reluctant to brush their teeth, there are some fun ways to encourage them! In addition to brushing, your child should floss their teeth at least once per day. Flossing ensures that any built-up or stuck food residue is removed before it causes any sort of unhealthy plaque. 

Finding Cavities

Your child can have a cavity and may or may not feel pain. If your child does feel pain, the pain will usually occur when:

• Your child bites down
• Your child eats something sweet
• Your child eats hot or cold foods

Some common non-painful signs and symptoms of tooth decay include:

• White spots on your child’s teeth
• Brown or black stains on your child’s teeth
• Cracks, holes, or other defects on your child’s teeth

Cavities are caused by harmful bacteria contained in the plaque on your child’s teeth. These bacteria produce toxins that mix with the sugars in your child’s food, producing a strong acid. This acid gradually eats through tough tooth enamel, causing a cavity.

Limit Sugar and Starch

We all know that too much sugar does not contribute to a healthy lifestyle, so it’s recommended to avoid over-consuming candy, soda, and other sugary snacks. The thing about sugar, though, is that it can be sneaky! Even relatively healthy foods such as honey, granola, and sweetened yogurt can coat teeth with a sticky layer of sugar. A buildup of excess sugar can cause a variety of dental problems, including tooth decay. For this reason, it is especially important to remind your child to brush and rinse their teeth after consuming sugary foods or drinks. 

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is a reliable way to incorporate important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals into your child’s diet. But did you know it is also great for your teeth? Fruits and vegetables contain a high water content, which not only helps with hydration but can actually help clean your teeth! Examples of the most dental-friendly fruits and vegetables include melons, cucumber, celery, and citrus fruits. 

Calcium Builds Strong Teeth

Did you know around 99% of the calcium in our bodies is stored in our bones and teeth? Calcium is a wonder mineral when it comes to strengthening your teeth! That is why it’s so crucial for children and adults to eat plenty of sources of healthy calcium each day. Calcium can be found in many foods, but a few are super-sources of this important mineral! These include dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, milk, leafy greens, sardines, and salmon, as well as fortified foods such as almond milk, oatmeal, and cereals. 

Monitor Pacifiers and Sippy Cups

This can be a tough one! Parents often have a love/hate relationship with pacifiers. We know that your child’s “binkie” may have become a beloved member of their nighttime routine, but it is important to monitor and limit their pacifier use. Prolonged use of both pacifiers and sippy cups can cause serious damage to your child’s teeth. Consistently using a pacifier past the age of two can contribute to misaligned teeth and even change the shape of your child’s mouth. When used all day, sippy cups can increase the likelihood of plaque buildup from the sugary residue, especially on their front teeth. For these reasons, it is recommended that children limit and preferably eliminate pacifier and sippy cup use by 2.5 years old. 

How Can I Make Oral Hygiene Fun for My Child?

Everyone, regardless of age, should brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once. However, children are notoriously stubborn, meaning that you may need to get creative to make brushing and flossing fun. Singing toothbrushes, which play a song the same length of time your child should brush, can help to make brushing interesting. Singing a special song or playing a special game each time your child brushes can also help them look forward to brushing and flossing their teeth.

When Should I Take My Child to My Dentist in Jonesboro, AR

Believe it or not, experts recommend that children see a dentist by their first birthday! This first visit will give your dentist the chance to ensure that your child’s growth and development are on track and also address habits that could pose a problem later on, like thumb sucking or infant tooth decay. Additionally, your child’s first dental visit will allow them to become comfortable with their dentist’s office and help to quell dental anxiety later on in life. As a dentist, I’m here to help guide parents and children through good oral hygiene habits and to help ensure there are no underlying dental issues.

At Gairhan Dental Care, we take extra good care of our little patients. We understand how these early experiences at the dentist can affect the way your child grows up viewing dental care. That’s why our team goes out of the way to ensure that your child has a great experience! Our office is bright and welcoming, and we take the time to get to know your child. We also provide fun, hands-on ways for your child to interact during their exam. Schedule an appointment with us!

Xerostomia happens when the salivary glands do not function properly. Salivary glands usually help your mouth stay wet by producing saliva. There are major health risks of a persistent loss of saliva. For one thing, feeding with a dry mouth may be difficult; it can impair taste, chewing, and swallowing. This could compromise your diet. A dry mouth provides optimal conditions for tooth decay and loss, too.

Possible Causes

Several things can cause dry mouth, including:

Medications: Medications are a consistent reason that people have dry mouths. The Surgeon General, upwards of 500 drugs (both prescribed and over-the-counter) have dry mouth as a side effect. Medications for allergies (antihistamines), a medication used to remove the excess fluid in your body (diuretics), and some medications you take for depression can cause chronic dry mouth. Additionally, chemotherapy drugs have a drying effect.

Radiation Therapy: Head and neck radiation can affect salivary glands—sometimes indefinitely. However, radiation that’s used to kill cancer cells in other areas of the body would not cause Xerostomia.

Disease: Dry mouth may be caused by many general body or systemic disorders. For instance, some autoimmune disorders cause the body to destroy its own moisture-producing organs throughout the mouth and eyes. Other known conditions that may induce dry mouth include Parkinson’s, diabetes, AIDS, and cystic fibrosis.

Nerve Damage: Often, if you experience trauma to your head or neck, you can cause nerve damage that is valuable to the production of saliva.

Getting Relief

Often, if you’re using the medicine on a regular basis, the doctor can either prescribe a replacement or change the dose to alleviate any dryness. Here are some additional things you can try:

Constantly sip water. Especially sipping or drinking water during meals. Ensure that any drink you’re consuming isn’t acidic and doesn’t have a lot of sugar. Drinking beverages that don’t have a lot of sugar or acid decreases your risk of decay.

Chew sugar-free gum. If your saliva glands aren’t damaged, chewing sugar-free gum can help your saliva glands produce saliva. Try to find a variety of gum that has Xylitol. Xylitol is a substitution for sugar that helps protect your teeth from decay!

Don’t drink or eat anything drying. Food that could be drying is crackers, nuts, toast, and spicy or salty foods. Drinks to avoid are alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks.

No Smoking. Smoking can cause your mouth to dry out and often create an increased risk of disease.

Start using a cool-mist humidifier. At night, keeping a cool mist humidifier running can help keep your mouth moist and keep you comfortable.

Find a saliva substitute or saliva stimulant. You can find an over-the-counter product that helps your saliva glands produce or replace your saliva. Sometimes your doctor can prescribe a clinical strength product as well. We’re happy to help you with some recommendations!

Maintain regular oral hygiene. If you keep brushing your teeth twice daily with a toothpaste that has fluoride, you can remove plaque and strengthen your teeth. Good overall hygiene is vital to keeping dry mouth at bay.

Getting a dental exam & teeth cleaning in Jonesboro, AR

Sometimes dry mouth can elevate your risk of tooth decay because your saliva helps prevent cavities from developing. It’s even more important to keep up your regular exam and cleaning schedule if you’re experiencing dry mouth. This also gives us an opportunity to find out what’s causing your symptoms and help prevent them. Schedule an appointment with Gairhan Dental Care today so we can help you keep your oral health where it needs to be!

Jonesboro, AR Tooth Pain Relief

One of the most common causes of tooth pain is tooth decay. If you have an untreated cavity, it can become infected or wear down the tooth to the point where it reaches the dentin layer, or the root becomes partially exposed, which can lead to sensitivity to hot and cold as well as tooth pain. Another common cause of pain is a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. A cracked or broken tooth may only seem like a cosmetic problem on the surface, but some traumatic injuries can allow bacteria to funnel through and reach the pulp (soft tissue inside the tooth), increasing the risk of infection and damage to the root.

Another common cause of tooth pain is gum disease, which typically begins with gingivitis (gum inflammation and bleeding) and progresses to periodontitis, which can result in everything from gum recession to tooth loss.

If you are experiencing jaw pain, you may have TMJ, a bite or alignment problem, or clenching and grinding your teeth while you sleep.

Treating Tooth Pain

The treatment for tooth pain depends on the cause. In cases of trauma where the pulp has been exposed to bacteria, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy. If you have a cavity that is too large to be filled with a standard dental filling, you may need a dental crown. If the tooth is damaged beyond repair or impacted (stuck under the gum line and unable to erupt properly), as is often the case with wisdom teeth, the tooth may need to be extracted, although this is usually a last resort.

Dentist in Jonesboro, AR

Don’t let tooth decay and gum disease ruin your smile and oral health. To learn more about your cosmetic and general dentistry options, contact Gairhan Dental Care by requesting an appointment or contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gairhan today.

Sometimes you can develop smaller chips on your teeth. These smaller cracks don’t have symptoms and can be treated using a bonding agency or other methods. However, when your tooth is deeply cracked, it becomes a more serious issue. You should seek out treatment for a cracked tooth early in order to save the tooth. There are a variety of tooth cracks, and treatment can differ on a case-to-case basis.

Minor Tooth Cracks

Tiny cracks in your tooth enamels often don’t have any repercussions and don’t need to be treated. These cracks will need to be evaluated if you’re having any tooth pain. After a careful assessment, we can determine if you need any further treatment or if the crack goes to the inner body of your tooth.

Vertical Tooth Cracks

Vertical tooth cracks go from the roots to the surface of the tooth. While it doesn’t cut the tooth in half, these cracks compromise the integrity of your tooth. When your tooth cracks vertically, you may only feel minor discomfort depending on how deep the crack is. In some cases, you may have sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down. You should never ignore these because treating cracks quickly help prevent the crack from getting worse.

Split Teeth or Deep Breaks

You’ll definitely be able to tell if you have a deep fracture in your tooth. The interior portion of your tooth is inflamed and painful. These splits or breaks need to be treated immediately, but we can rarely save the broken tooth.

Fix Your Cracked Tooth at Dentist in Jonesboro Arkansas

Treating a cracked tooth is determined by how badly your tooth is damaged. When it’s a smaller crack, and it’s treated early, we can repair it with a seal. If you have a crack that’s significantly larger, we may have to perform a root canal to treat it and put on a dental crown. If your tooth is completely broken, we may have to remove the tooth.

Overall, our favorite way to treat cracked teeth is to completely prevent them! If you’re in a situation where you may be hit in the mouth or jaw, please wear protective equipment that properly fits! Avoid dangerous situations that may cause your teeth to be in danger.

If you’re in Jonesboro, Arkansas, schedule an appointment with Gairhan Dental Care today!