What Causes Cracked Teeth?

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A cracked tooth can sneak up on you—one day your bite feels fine, and the next, there’s a sharp twinge when you chew or sip something cold. While enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it isn’t indestructible. Everyday habits, wear and tear, and even simple accidents can cause tiny fractures that lead to bigger dental problems if ignored.

Everyday Stress on Your Teeth

Teeth handle a lot of pressure over a lifetime. From grinding and clenching during sleep to crunching ice or hard candy, small, repetitive stress can eventually wear down enamel. People who unconsciously grind their teeth, a condition called bruxism, are especially at risk because the constant force can create fine cracks that deepen over time. Even chewing on non-food items like pens or fingernails can contribute to micro-damage that weakens the tooth’s surface and leads to cracked teeth in Bellbrook, OH.

Sudden Impact or Trauma

Sometimes, cracked teeth are the result of a single, unlucky moment. A fall, a sports injury, or even biting into a hard piece of food at just the wrong angle can cause a visible fracture. The force doesn’t have to be extreme—if a tooth already has an old filling or weakened enamel, it can break more easily. Wearing a mouthguard during sports or high-impact activities can go a long way in protecting against those sudden mishaps.

Age and Dental History

As the years go by, teeth naturally experience fatigue. The combination of chewing, temperature changes, and minor wear makes older teeth more prone to cracking. Large fillings can also make teeth more fragile, as they reduce the natural structure that supports the enamel. Likewise, root canal-treated teeth may be more brittle because they no longer have a living nerve inside to keep them hydrated.

Recognizing the Signs and Acting Quickly

Cracks in the teeth don’t always announce themselves clearly. Some people only feel pain when they bite down, while others notice sensitivity to temperature or sweetness. If left untreated, even a small fracture can lead to infection or tooth loss. Early diagnosis is key, so if something doesn’t feel right when you chew, it’s best not to wait—your dentist in Bellbrook, OH can repair the damage before it worsens.

Why Choose a Family Dentist Instead of a General Dentist?

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If you’re thinking of changing dentists or if you’ve recently moved to a new area, you might be tempted to look for a good general dentist in Bellbrook. After all, they can certainly complete most of the major services, including exams, cleanings, and fillings. However, there are a few extra considerations to take into account if you have a family that you might not have thought about. Here, we’ll look at why family dentists may be a better option if you’re looking for a dentist for the whole group.

A Streamlined Experience

A reputable family dentist in Bellbrook, OH can streamline your whole experience, making it easier to keep track of all your obligations. So, whether you need to take your youngest in for a cleaning or your oldest in for a cavity filling, you can coordinate it all with a staff that keeps all your family’s records in one handy place. When many oral health issues are hereditary, a good family dentist will keep an eye out for developing issues that could turn into much bigger problems down the line.

Compassionate Care

Even the most general dentists will typically make some concessions for the younger crowd. Whether that’s fun family magazines in the waiting room or bright paintings on the wall, you’ll find some degree of comfort carved out for your kids. However, a family dentist is typically better equipped to deal with the tougher cases, especially if you have a child who’s more fearful of having their mouth poked and prodded. Choosing the right staff can not only make it easier to bring your kids to the dentist, with less pushback and more smiles, it can also help your child develop a better relationship with the dentist for the rest of their life.

Finding the Right Fit

It can take a little while to find a good dentist for your family. If you’re looking for a team that can support patients of all ages, the staff at Bellbrook Family Dentistry is here to help you answer questions about our treatments, services, technologies, methodologies, and strategies. Learn more by contacting us today!

Considering an Electric Toothbrush? What to Know

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The first step in taking good care of your teeth is finding the right toothbrush. While manual toothbrushes can get the job done, studies show that electric toothbrushes can do a better job of removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. Your dentist in Bellbrook, OH, can help you find the right electric toothbrush for you. Here’s what you need to know about electric toothbrushes.

How Is An Electric Toothbrush Different?

Manual toothbrushes are simple: they consist of a plastic grip and soft bristles to brush against your tooth enamel. Electric toothbrushes have many additional components that can make them more effective. Here are some features you’ll find on electric toothbrushes:

  • Timer: Many electric toothbrushes have a timer that alert the user when they have been brushing for two minutes.
  • Rotating or sonic head: Most electric toothbrushes have a round head that rotates, or a rectangular head that moves from side to side quickly. This helps clean the teeth.
  • App: Some electric toothbrushes come with an app that tracks your toothbrushing habits and helps you improve.

Benefits of An Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are better for removing plaque from your teeth. For many people, this is the main reason to use an electric toothbrush. There are other benefits as well. Some additional benefits of using an electric toothbrush include:

  • Electric toothbrushes make it easier to clean your teeth if you have mobility problems.
  • Timers on electric toothbrushes prevent you from brushing your teeth for too long.

Tips When Using An Electric Toothbrush

Here are some tips for getting the maximum benefit out of your electric toothbrush.

  • Brush twice daily for 2 minutes each time.
  • Do not push hard on your teeth with the toothbrush. Let the movements of the toothbrush clean your teeth.
  • Replace the toothbrush head every three months for maximum effectiveness.

If you’re having a hard time choosing the right electric toothbrush for you? Talk to your dentist to get a toothbrush recommendation.

Get Preventative Care From Your Dentist

Even if you have an electric toothbrush, continue to see your dentist for a dental checkup in Bellbrook, OH, every six months. If it’s time for your dental appointment, call today.

Hidden Dangers of Natural Fruit Juices For Your Child

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As a loving parent, you may have decided a long time ago to limit the amount of processed foods that your child eats. That’s a smart way to protect teeth and gums, as your family dentist in Bellbrook, OH will tell you. And, as far as beverages go, natural is considered best as well. But fruit juices—even natural ones with no added sugar—contain enough naturally-occurring sugars that you should consider limiting them, too. Excessive juice consumption can contribute to tooth decay, enamel erosion, and other oral health problems, making it important for parents to understand the hidden dangers and how to protect your child’s teeth.

High Sugar Content and Tooth Decay

Even natural fruit juices contain high amounts of natural sugars, which feed the bacteria in the mouth. This process produces acids that attack tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Since young children have thinner enamel than adults, their teeth are more vulnerable to decay. Frequent juice consumption, especially between meals, increases the risk of early childhood cavities, sometimes called “baby bottle tooth decay.”

Acidic Erosion of Enamel

In addition to its sugar content, fruit juice is naturally acidic. Citrus-based juices like orange, apple and pineapple juice contain acids that wear down enamel over time. Once enamel is weakened, teeth become more sensitive and prone to decay. Unlike other body tissues, enamel doesn’t regenerate, making it essential to limit acidic exposure from fruit juices.

The Risk of Sending a Toddler to Bed with Juice

One of the most harmful habits for a child’s teeth is sending them to bed with a bottle of fruit juice. When juice sits on the teeth overnight, sugar and acids have extended contact with enamel, creating the perfect conditions for cavities to form. This habit can quickly lead to severe tooth decay, requiring extensive dental treatment. To prevent this, children should only be given water in their bottles or sippy cups before bedtime.

From the standpoint of your dentist in Bellbrook, OH, fluoridated water is the best beverage of choice for children and adults alike. Of course, we understand that plain water can be a little bit mundane, so might we suggest adding only a small drop of fruit juice, just for flavor? For more great tips about ensuring your child’s oral health, contact us today!

6 Ways To Help Your Child Avoid Cavities

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Cavities are painful and unpleasant. When your child has a cavity, this can lead to urgent visits to the dentist in Bellbrook, OH. It’s best to avoid cavities if you can protect your child from this problem.

While there’s no silver bullet to prevent cavities, you can help them avoid dental decay by developing good habits at home. Below are six things you can do to help your child maintain healthy teeth and gums.

1. Provide Sugarless Snacks

Sugar is one of the main causes of dental decay. If your child eats a lot of sugar, they’re at higher risk for cavities. One way to help your child avoid this problem is by providing sugarless snacks at home. There are many foods that are healthy, filling, and yummy for kids. Peanuts, nuts, crackers with cheese, and hummus on pita are all examples of low-sugar foods that kids enjoy.

2. Keep the Soda Out Of the House

Soda is high in sugar and bad for your child’s teeth. Keep soda in the house at a minimum, or avoid buying soda at all. Encourage your child to drink water or milk.

3. Brush Their Teeth and Teach Them How

Most kids aren’t very good at brushing their teeth when they’re very young. They don’t have the dexterity in their hands or the coordination to brush their teeth effectively. You can help them maintain healthy teeth by brushing their teeth for them.

As you do it, describe how you’re doing it, and how important it is to do a good job. When they’re old enough to learn how to do it on their own, let them practice after you brush. When they’re ready, they can start brushing on their own.

4. Replace Their Toothbrush Every 3 Months

Toothbrushes only last about three months. Replace your child’s toothbrush every three months to help ensure that they’re brushing with a good tool.

5. Take Them to the Dentist Every Six Months

Kids need to see the dentist every six months, like adults. Make your child regular dental appointments to help them maintain healthy teeth and gums.

6. Consider Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a protective coating that can dramatically decrease the risk of cavities. To find out more about dental sealants in Bellbrook, OH, talk to your child’s dentist today.

The Best Snacks for Healthy Teeth in Kids

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As a loving and responsible parent, you want your kids teeth and gums to be as healthy as possible. That means providing oral hygiene tools like flossing tape, toothbrushes and toothpaste and maybe mouth rinse. But it also should include other steps, like making sure your kids have a healthy diet. The diet plays an important role in keeping the body in shape so it can combat everything from viruses to bad bacteria, and we all know very well that bad bacteria love to destroy teeth and gums. Kids love snacking and sugar, but if you can find a way to give your kids all the snacks they crave without the unhealthy sugars, you’ll be ahead of the game! Here are the best snacks for healthy teeth in kids from your Bellbrook, OH dentist.

Cheese

Good cheese is packed with protein, and it has the added benefit of being very filling so kids are less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks. Most cheeses will do, but avoid the single, processed American cheese.

Granola Mixes

You can make these at home, and even get the kids involved. All you have to do is assemble the ingredients and mix them in a bowl. You could make individual servings and bag them up for quick snacks on the go. If you’re too busy to make at home, there are lots of tasty granola options at supermarkets of all sizes.

Seed Crackers

Look past the Ritz cracker boxes and look for seed crackers. These often have less sugar than big name brands, and are usually packed with seeds like chia, sesame and others. These can be combined with cheese snacks, too.

Flavored Water

Invest in a fun water diffuser and flavor water for your kids. You can flavor with orange, strawberry, blueberry, lemon, cucumber and more. Your kids will feel like they’re drinking soda, but will get essentially vitamin water!

Deli Meat Slices

Another filling and protein-packed option is deli meat slices. Rolled up turkey, chicken and chopped ham are tasty and healthy alternatives to things like potato chips.

Are you looking for a good family dentist in Bellbrook, OH to bring your kids to? Look no further than Bellbrook Family Dentistry. Contact us today to book an appointment!

3 Signs You Might Need a Night Guard

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If you grind your teeth at night (a condition called bruxism), you could be doing real, lasting damage to your teeth. Teeth grinding puts pressure on your tooth enamel and can lead to broken, chipped, or even lost permanent teeth. 

Nightguards play an important role in the protection of your tooth enamel. Unfortunately, many people who grind their teeth at night are unaware that they’re doing it. You can protect yourself from teeth grinding with nightguards in Bellbrook, OH, but how do you know if you need them? Below are three signs.

1. You Wake Up With Headaches

Tension and pressure from bruxism reverberate up the jaw and into the cheek, head, and neck. This tension can lead to headaches that patients experience when they first wake up in the morning. If you get headaches in the mornings, this could be a sign that you grind your teeth throughout the night. 

2. Your Spouse Noticed You Grinding Your Teeth

You may not be able to tell if you’re grinding your teeth at night, but your spouse will likely notice. Teeth grinding creates a noise that bed partners often pick up on. If your spouse has noticed you grinding your teeth, especially if they notice it regularly, see your dentist to get a nightguard. 

3. Your Teeth Are Worn Down or Damaged

Grinding your teeth can cause the tooth enamel to become worn or can cause your teeth to become broken. If you have bruxism, you may even notice your permanent teeth becoming loose. 

You may not know these are signs of bruxism, but your dentist in Bellbrook, OH, will. Seeing the dentist on a regular basis can help you identify problems like bruxism, so you can get a nightguard. Most dentists recommend that their patients come in for dental appointments every six months. Maintaining this dental exam schedule can help you catch the signs of bruxism early before problems like loose permanent teeth develop. 

The professionals at Bellbrook Family Dentistry prioritize patient dental health. Our experienced professionals can recognize problems like damage created by bruxism. To stay on top of your dental health, contact Bellbrook Family Dentistry to make an appointment. 

 

Having a Problem With Bad Breath? What That Could Mean

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Bad breath is usually amended when you brush your teeth. If your bad breath isn’t fixed with proper tooth brushing practices, then it may be time to see your dentist in Bellbrook, OH. Chronic bad breath, also called halitosis, can be a symptom of a dental problem. Here’s what you should know about bad breath.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath can be caused by a variety of problems.

  • Poor oral hygiene. If your oral hygiene routine is inconsistent or you don’t brush and floss properly, then your bad breath could result from poor brushing, flossing, and dental cleaning habits. Your dentist can show you the proper way to brush and floss if you would like a tutorial the next time you go to the dentist.
  • Bacteria. Bad breath that’s caused by a normal amount of bacteria will go away easily when you brush your teeth. However, if you have a cavity, infection, or inflammation with excessive bacteria, brushing may not fix the problem.
  • Food in the bloodstream. Some foods continue to hang out in the bloodstream and affect your breath long after you’ve eaten them. Garlic and onions are good examples of this. You may be able to tell if your bad breath is the result of your diet by paying attention to what you’re eating and noticing when your breath seems to be the worst.

What Should You Do If You Have Bad Breath?

If you have bad breath that can’t be fixed by visiting the dentist and don’t believe your problem is related to the food you’re eating, contact your dentist. You could have a condition like gum disease, a cavity, or an infection in your tooth. Your dentist can help you diagnose the problem and recommend treatment.

If you have a cavity, a filling will be required. If you have an infection in your tooth, you may need a root canal treatment.

Get Help for Your Bad Breath From Your Dentist

At Bellbrook Family Dentistry, we provide dental cleanings and exams in Bellbroook, OH. Get your bad breath checked out today: call to make an appointment.

Scaling and Root Planning – FAQs  

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While typical dental hygiene appointments in Centerville, OH, are an important part of your routine dental care, sometimes, teeth cleaning must be a more intensive process. Knowing what to expect will be vital if your dentist recommends a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. Take a look at a few of the most common questions associated with deep dental cleaning.

What does scaling and root planning mean?

Scaling and root planing is a type of deep dental cleaning that involves removing calculus and buildup that has collected below the gum line. While standard oral hygiene appointments take care of everything above the gum line, scaling, and root planing is a deeper process. Usually, only certain sections of the mouth are completed during one visit. For example, you may have four appointments, and each will target a section of the mouth.

Is deep dental cleaning painful?

Deep dental cleaning requires the hygienist to go beneath the gum line to clean the base of the tooth. Therefore, there can naturally be more sensitivity due to the interaction with the soft tissue. However, before the cleaning process begins, you will be given injections of local anesthetic. This medication desensitized the areas being targeted to keep you comfortable during the cleaning. You may also have some minimal tenderness after your appointment, but this is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

How long will the appointment take? What about recovery?

An appointment for deep cleaning can take a bit longer than a standard dental hygiene appointment. This is because anesthetic is used, and the cleaning process can be a little more time-consuming. However, most scaling and root planning visits are completed within about 45 to 60 minutes. After the appointment, the gums will begin to heal and reattach to the base of your teeth. The healing process can take a few weeks, but the benefit to your overall dental health can be substantial.

Discuss Your Oral Health with a Centerville Dentist

If you are looking for a good general dentist in Centerville, be sure to look for a compassionate care provider with the collection of services you need. Reach out to the team at Bellbrook Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

 

When Do I Need Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)?

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Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a way for medical professionals to learn more about the anatomy of your face. The difference between this technology and other imaging technologies lies in the details. While X-rays certainly can provide insight into everything from the health of your teeth to the strength of your jawbone, dentists may need even more information in the case of a difficult diagnosis or a more complex procedure. We’ll look at what it is and why a dentist in Bellbrook, OH might recommend it.

What Is CBCT?

CBCT uses a special beam to create a 3D view of the interior of your face. The device is named for its cone shape, and it’s excellent for rendering crisp, clean images of your bone structure, soft tissue, and teeth positions. This is an important tool for many dentists because a variety of conditions start out as microscopic.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, such as discomfort while chewing or locked jaw, this imaging technology can be exactly what you need to help a dentist diagnose and treat the issue. From TMJ to dental tumors to implant planning, you may be asked to have a CBCT scan for a variety of reasons.

Knowing Is Half the Battle

While the dental field is rooted in science, the reality is that not all dentists are created equal. Some will rely on traditional measures to diagnose and treat problems, even if there are more advanced techniques available. When you choose a dentist who invests in their equipment, you choose a professional who will stop at nothing to help you protect your oral health.

Find a Dentist in Bellbrook

If you’re interested in CBCT technology in Bellbrook, OH, Bellbrook Family Dentistry is here to help. Whether it’s because a past dental treatment hasn’t fixed the problem or because you can’t find a root cause for your symptoms, we’re here to get to the bottom of the matter. We can also employ CBCT if you’re interested in getting a specific procedure, such as tooth implants. Contact us today to learn more about how we use the latest equipment available to help you stay healthy.