Some patients want to know more than that. They want to know the best tools for proper brushing and flossing. We can’t blame them — there are a LOT of options out there! So what is the best toothbrush and toothpaste to use?

Gairhan Dental Care is familiar with the varieties of toothbrushes and toothpaste out there. We know all the choices can be overwhelming, so we want to provide a few guidelines that can help you make the right choice for your oral health.

What’s the Best Toothbrush to Use?

If you’ve walked down the tooth brush/tooth paste aisle at the store, you probably know there are dozens of options for toothbrushes available. Colors, styles, manual, electric, “indicator” bristles, plain bristles, soft, medium…it’s a lot to take in! So what do you look for in a good toothbrush?

There are two main types of toothbrushes — manual and electric. Either toothbrush is fine to use, though electric toothbrushes tend to do a better job.

However, small children may not have the coordination to use an electric toothbrush well. For them, a manual toothbrush may be the better way to go. Adults and teenagers, however, would do better with an electric toothbrush because it has better scrubbing power and may have better reach than a manual toothbrush.

Do Toothbrush Bristles Matter?

It’s also important to get the right toothbrush bristles. The best choice is soft bristles, particularly if you have sensitive teeth and gums. Medium bristles are stiffer and can irritate your gums, especially if they are already irritated. Children need soft bristles because they tend to press harder sometimes when they brush, and you don’t want them doing damage to their teeth and gums.

Some toothbrushes come with colored bristles that fade over time. This can be a good option if you forget to change your toothbrush (manual) or toothbrush head (electric) every three months or so.

Once the bristles are faded, it’s time to change your toothbrush. This keeps bacteria from building up in your toothbrush. It also keeps the bristles strong and fully effective. Bent, dulled bristles don’t clean as well.

What Is the Best Toothpaste to Use?

As many toothbrushes as there are available, it seems there are twice as many types of toothpaste. Once again, the options can be overwhelming.

Which flavor is best? Do you want cavity protection, tartar control, or enamel protection…or aren’t those the same things? What about sensitive toothpaste? What about whitening toothpaste?

There is one thing you need to look for when choosing the right toothpaste: fluoride. Luckily, nearly every toothpaste available has fluoride, so that should make your search very easy. After that, it’s a question of preference because most toothpaste types are very similar. If you do have tooth sensitivity, sensitive toothpaste may offer a little extra protection.

Wanting whiter teeth? There are plenty of teeth whitening products to whiten your teeth at home. However, when it comes to tooth whitening, doing that professionally is the best way to whiten teeth. Gairhan Dental Care offers professional whitening treatments as part of its cosmetic dentistry services that deliver results in as little as one visit.

That’s far better than whitening toothpaste or teeth whitening strips, which can take weeks or months to produce any noticeable results. Also, if you do have sensitive teeth, whitening toothpaste may cause your teeth to from a weakening of tooth enamel.

The bottom line is the best toothpaste is fluoride toothpaste, so look for that first. After that, the choice is yours.

Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work?

Some people have asked about using charcoal toothpaste, which is supposed to whiten teeth. It does this because there are abrasives in the toothpaste that essentially buff stains from your teeth. While this is OK for occasional use, daily use of charcoal toothpaste can wear down your enamel. Your teeth can feel more sensitive, and the weakened enamel could make your teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay.

We don’t recommend using charcoal toothpaste, but if you do use it, use it very sparingly. Do not use charcoal or any whitening toothpaste if you have braces. It could change the color of your teeth around the brackets while keeping them the same under them.

That means that when your braces are removed, you will have dark squares in the center of every tooth. That’s definitely not going to look good!

Dental Cleanings in Jonesboro, AR

Gairhan Dental Care serves patients in the Jonesboro, AR, area and provides dental care from general cleanings to tooth whitening to crowns and veneers. We are happy to offer advice on the best way to brush your teeth to keep your teeth clean and healthy because we know your oral health affects your overall health.

Unhealthy teeth can’t chew food properly, and you may not want to eat if you have a mouthful of painful teeth! That’s why good oral hygiene is so important. Regular visits to your dentist for a thorough exam and cleaning is also important. You need to visit your dentist for a checkup once every six months.

If your teeth need a good cleaning, schedule an appointment with us, and let us give you a clean, polished smile. We will examine your mouth for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease and will treat any issues we find. Your oral health is important to us. We’re here for you when you need us!

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!

You’ve probably heard you should visit your dentist regularly, but do you know why? It turns out regular visits to your dentist can save both your smile and overall health. An unhealthy mouth has been linked to an increased risk of having a stroke, becoming diabetic, getting heart disease, and developing Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Emily Gairhan at Gairhan Dental Care in Jonesboro, Arkansas, can keep you and your smile healthy!

The Basics of Checkups

In addition to helping your overall health, regular dental visits help to keep your smile healthy. Dental issues can be tricky—although you may not always have symptoms, you may still have a dental problem. However, your dentist is highly trained to diagnose and treat dental problems before they become serious.

When you come in for regular dental visits, your dentist will take state-of-the-art x-rays and do a thorough, comprehensive dental exam to determine if your teeth are healthy and free of decay. You should visit your dentist at least once each year to ensure that your small dental issues get treated promptly and before they can become large dental problems.

In addition to visiting your dentist at least yearly, you should visit your dental hygienist at least every six months if your smile is healthy or every three to four months if you have gum or periodontal disease. At these appointments, your dental hygienist will clean your teeth to make them free of soft and hard deposits, as well as evaluate your gums for any evidence of gum or periodontal disease.

Regular dental visits are also the perfect opportunity for you to ask questions about your dental concerns and take advantage of the expertise, education, and tools your dental professionals can provide to keep your smile looking great!

Call Today!

When you visit your dentist regularly, you are taking one of the most important steps toward keeping you and your smile healthy. To discover more about the importance of regular dental visits and other preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dental services, contact Dr. Emily Gairhan. Go schedule your appointment with Dr. Gairhan today!

Teaching your kids good oral hygiene techniques is important for their oral health, as these practices keep the mouth clean and free of disease. Led by children’s dentist Dr. Emily Gairhan, Gairhan Dental Care (located in Jonesboro, AR) offers a full range of dental services to assist you in keeping your kids healthy. Here are our 5 tips for teaching oral hygiene to your children!

1. Videos and Books

Using educational videos and books is a great way to get your children excited about oral hygiene. Additionally, these materials are generally very easily accessed through your local library or through the internet.

2. Floss and Brush Together

Children mimic what their parents do, so showing your own kids what amazing tooth-brushing skills you have can inspire them to take care of their own teeth! After brushing, floss their teeth or teach them how to floss if they’re old enough to do it on their own. To make brushing and flossing fun, sing a fun song or create a rhyme about keeping teeth healthy.

3. Fun Kids Toothbrushes

Another way to keep your children’s interest alive is with fun, new toothbrushes. When it’s time to replace the old toothbrushes with a new one, opt for colorful, soft-bristled brushes or one with a cartoon character such as Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or SpongeBob SquarePants.

4. Keep Track of Time

The American Dental Association recommends that children and adults brush for two minutes twice a day. How do you know that your kids are brushing for long enough? Keeping a timer in the bathroom is one way to ensure your children are brushing their teeth for the recommended two minutes. You can also use a toothbrush timer app to encourage your children to brush longer.

5. Reward System

To make flossing and brushing more fun, create your own reward system. You and your kids can decorate a colorful poster with teeth, healthy snacks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other dental health themes to represent the days of each month. Every time your child brushes his teeth, give them a sticker to put on the poster as a reward!

Jonesboro, AR Childrens Dentist

Regular dental visits are also an important part of keeping your children’s smiles healthy for life. Schedule a dental appointment for your kids in Jonesboro, AR. Seeing a children’s dentist regularly will put your kids on a healthy pathway that can continue throughout their lives!

When it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, brushing and flossing each day will, of course, ensure the best results; however, this isn’t all you can do. What we eat also has an impact on our smiles. Follow these healthy habits between dental cleanings to nurture your smile.

1. Crunchy foods: Foods such as nuts and carrots help stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to neutralize acids that damage your teeth’s enamel and cause cavities. So munch on a healthy lunch full of crisp, healthy celery to help protect your teeth!
2. Dairy: You’ve probably already heard this, but milk and cheese are wonderful for your teeth. For our bones to stay strong, they need a steady supply of calcium. Furthermore, the protein found in dairy products can also prevent cavities from forming.
3. Water: While water might not sound like the most exciting choice, drinking enough water each day will not only provide you with ample energy but also prevent bad breath and cavities. This is particularly important for those who experience dry mouth, which can cause cavities and other unpleasant oral health issues. It’s recommended that you drink half your weight in ounces of water to stay properly hydrated throughout the day.
4. Yogurt: One study found that those who consumed yogurt had healthier gums. It may have something to do with the probiotics found in this creamy breakfast food; however, the study also found that yogurt killed the bacteria that is known to cause bad breath.
5. Garlic, cocoa, and nutmeg: These spices don’t just add wonderful flavor to our foods, but they also contain a chemical that helps fight cavity-­producing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. If you want to keep gum disease and decay at bay, start adding more of these spices to your daily intake.

While following these eating dos and don’ts will certainly go a long way to sustaining a clean smile, you still need to see your dentist every six months for a routine exam and cleaning. If it’s time for your next dental visit, then schedule your appointment today!