The Impact of Misaligned Teeth on Overall Health

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Misaligned teeth, also called malocclusions in Centerville and Beavercreek, OH, refer to teeth that are not properly positioned in your mouth. And while many people focus mainly on how their teeth look, misalignment can actually affect their overall health.

The Different Types of Misaligned Teeth Explained

Your  dentist in Centerville and Beavercreek, OH, will use the following terms when referring to the condition of your teeth.

Crossbite – This is when your upper teeth fit inside your lower teeth when your mouth is closed.

Overbite – This is when your upper teeth overlap your lower teeth more than they’re supposed to.

Underbite – This is when your lower front teeth extend beyond your upper front teeth.

Open Bite – This is when your upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when your mouth is closed.

Overjet – This is when your upper front teeth stick out further than they’re supposed to. Sometimes referred to as “buck teeth.”

These conditions are caused by any number of factors, such as genetics, destructive childhood habits, or trauma. But misalignment is a common dental concern across all age groups.

Oral Health Consequences and the Effect on Your Bite

Crooked teeth make cleaning difficult. This could potentially lead to plaque buildup. It will also increase your risk of getting cavities and gum disease (not to mention bad breath). Misaligned and crooked teeth can also cause uneven pressure and wear on your teeth. This could result in chips or fractures.

Connection to Overall Health

There are links between your oral health and overall health. Poor oral health can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and even sleep issues. Another thing most people don’t realize is that misaligned teeth can indirectly affect their digestion. You might also be surprised that misaligned teeth can affect your posture. Who knew!

Treatment Options

There are plenty of options available to correct your misaligned teeth. Your dentist might recommend braces or clear aligners. Or, if you just have minor issues, you might only need a retainer.

Early intervention in children can help prevent long-term issues. For example, if your child’s issues are readily noticeable from a young age. Or if your child is older but still sucks their thumb or won’t give up their pacifier, they might need a palatal crib to break the habit.

Looking for a Reputable Dentist in Centerville or Beavercreek, OH?

Ignoring misaligned teeth can result in major dental issues now and going forward. Please Contact Bellbrook Family Dentistry today to schedule an evaluation. Let’s work together to protect your smile and overall health!

How to Make the Most of Your Phillips Zoom® Whitening

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A whitening appointment can feel like magic—one visit and years of stains are lifted. Phillips Zoom® is one of the most popular systems for this, and it’s easy to see why the results get people talking. But the truth is, what you do after leaving the dental chair at Bellbrook Family Dentistry matters just as much as the treatment itself. With a little care, that new brightness lasts longer and looks better day to day.

Watch What You Eat (At Least At First)

The first forty-eight hours are key. Your Bellbrook, OH dentist wants you to know that right after whitening, teeth are slightly more porous, which means they can soak up colors more easily. Coffee, red wine, tea, and dark sauces are best left alone for a couple of days. Even berries can undo some of the progress. Many patients stick to a “white diet” for a short stretch—foods like chicken, potatoes, plain pasta, and milk. It isn’t glamorous, but it works. After that window closes, moderation is the real trick.

Don’t Slack on the Basics

Whitening doesn’t cancel out the need for brushing and flossing. If anything, good habits matter more because fresh enamel will hold its shine only if stains are kept away. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with water after meals when possible. Whitening toothpaste used sparingly can help polish off surface stains, but your regular six-month cleaning at the dentist is what keeps everything on track.

Use Touch-Ups, Not Overkill

Many Phillips Zoom® patients go home with trays for touch-up gel. These are a great tool, but they’re not meant to be used every week. Follow the schedule your dentist gives you. Overdoing it can cause sensitivity or gum irritation. When used properly, though, the trays stretch results and keep the shade consistent.

Small Habits Add Up

Simple choices make a difference. Drinking water after a glass of wine, using a straw with iced coffee, even swishing after meals—all help prevent stains from taking hold. Avoiding tobacco is an obvious one too.

In the end, whitening is an investment. Protect it with small daily habits, regular dental visits, and smart touch-ups, and your Bellbrook, OH Phillips Zoom® Whitening results will stay bright far beyond the day of treatment.

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.

5 Restoration Dentistry Procedures To Know About

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Damaged and broken teeth can cause uncomfortable problems for patients. Tooth decay, dental injury, and cracked tooth enamel can cause pain and discomfort. Some types of dental injury can even lead to dental infection. Your dentist in Bellbrook, OH, can help. At Bellbrook Family Dentistry, we provide a range of restoration dentistry procedures to restore your teeth to their original functionality. Below are five types of restoration dentistry procedures that we provide for our patients.

1. Cavity Fillings

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth. We typically call this tooth decay a cavity. Cavities can be painful and if they get out of control, the tooth can become seriously infected. Dental fillings in Bellbrook, OH, are the solution. At Bellbrook Family Dentistry, we provide amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth-colored) fillings. These fillings are long-lasting and help restore your tooth to its original shape and functionality.

2. Crown Installation

When a tooth becomes damaged by a chip, break, or crack in the enamel, dental crown installation can help restore the tooth. A dental crown is a cap that fits over the tooth enamel. Dental crowns can be tooth-colored or made of metal. If you want to ensure that your tooth looks like a natural tooth, talk to your dentist about options for tooth-colored crowns.

3. Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a replacement tooth that uses dental crowns fitted over the adjacent teeth to keep the replacement tooth in place. Dental bridges help fill the gap when a tooth is missing and make your smile whole again.

4. Dental Implants

A dental implant is another type of replacement tooth. Dental implants are drilled into the jaw and fused with the bone to keep the tooth in place. A crown sits on top of the dental implant to make the implant look natural.

5. Implant Retained Dentures

Implant-retained dentures are dentures that use implants to keep the denture in place. Implant-retained dentures don’t slip out of place like traditional dentures.

Need Restoration Dentistry? Contact Us

Bellbrook Family Dentistry uses restoration dentistry services like the ones listed above to help their patients maintain beautiful, functional teeth. To find out how you can benefit from restoration dentistry, make an appointment today.

What Is Fluoride? How Can It Help My Teeth?

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It is important to maintain strong teeth and healthy gums. Fluoride is one tool you can use to keep your teeth healthy. At Bellbrook Family Dentistry, we provide fluoride treatments and can also teach patients about the benefits of fluoride. If you have questions about fluoride, talk to your dentist in Bellbrook, OH.

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is found in many foods and water. Fluoride can help to remineralize your teeth if you’re suffering from minor tooth decay and can help strengthen your tooth enamel to prevent cavities. Fluoride is an important part of your diet and an important mineral to consume.

How Can Fluoride Help My Teeth?

Teeth lose and gain minerals every day. Fluoride helps add to the minerals in your teeth. If you’re suffering from tooth decay, this means that fluoride can help reverse these effects.

How Can I Get Fluoride?

There are many ways that you’re probably exposed to fluoride every day. Some examples:

  • Normal diet. Much of the food you consume contains fluoride.
  • Toothpaste. Fluoride can be found in many types of toothpaste. If you want to get fluoride from your toothpaste, check the label for indications that it contains fluoride.
  • Mouthwash. Some mouthwashes can be fluoridated, but not all. Look for this on the label when you’re buying mouthwash.
  • Water supply. Most communities in the United States add fluoride to their water. Check with your local city hall or water supplier to find out whether your community’s water has fluoride.
  • Fluoride treatments at the dentist. You may also get fluoride treatment when you go for a regular tooth cleaning at the dentist’s office.
  • Medication. If the water in your community isn’t fluoridated, you may need medication to get the fluoride content your teeth need to stay healthy.

Need a Dental Cleaning? Call Your Dentist At Bellbrook Family Dentistry
Do you need to get your teeth cleaned, or are you concerned that you need fluoride treatment? See your dentist at Bellbrook Family Dentistry in Bellbrook, OH, for a dental cleaning.

5 Questions to Ask Your Dentist At Your Next Dental Appointment

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Are you getting the most value out of your dental appointments? If you’re not using the time to ask your dentist questions about your dental hygiene, then you could be missing out. Below are some smart questions to ask your dentist in Bellbrook, OH. Here’s what to know.

1. Am I at risk for any dental conditions?

Your dentist will be able to see the signs of dental conditions that could be in the process of forming. In addition, your dentist will know your medical history and what you’re at risk of contracting due to existing medical conditions.

For example, people who have diabetes are at higher risk for dental problems like periodontal disease. You can protect yourself by seeing the dentist regularly and remaining vigilant about oral hygiene. First, you need to have the conversation with your dentist.

2. What can I do to prevent conditions I am at risk for?

Your dentist will give you advice to ensure that your oral hygiene routine addresses your risk factors. You may want to bring a notebook to write down what the dentist says, although they may print off notes if you need them.

3. What can I do to improve my oral hygiene routine?

Your dentist will be able to see how your oral hygiene routine is working for you. If you have plaque or tartar build up in certain areas of your teeth, for example, your dentist may direct you to work harder when cleaning these areas.

4. When should I return to the dentist?

Most people need to see the dentist every six months, but some may need to see the dentist on a different schedule. Find out from your dentist when you visit.

5. What can I do to improve my smile?

Your dentist may recommend teeth whitening or aligners to improve your smile. Find out by asking the question!

Are you going to visit Bellbrook Family Dentistry for your dental cleaning in Bellbrook, OH? If so, you have the perfect opportunity to ask all the questions you have about your oral hygiene and self-care. Write down your questions before you go, so you won’t forget to ask the questions when you arrive.

Tooth Extractions 101: Information for Concerned Patients

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While your dentist will always do what they can to save a tooth that has problems, teeth do sometimes have to be extracted. Extractions are a common dental office procedure, but for patients, the whole idea can sound understandably intimidating. Here is a look at some of the common questions concerned patients tend to have about getting a tooth pulled.

How bad does it hurt to get a tooth pulled?

While having a tooth pulled can come along with some discomfort, the dentist will go to great lengths to make sure you are not in pain. Local anesthetic can be injected to numb the sensitive nerves in your soft tissue. Once the anesthetic has kicked in fully, you really should not feel any pain. You may feel some pulling or movement as the dentist works, but not anything more. After the procedure, you can have some pain and tenderness at the extraction site, but the pain is most often manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Will there be a lot of bleeding after the extraction?

You will have some initial bleeding after the extraction. The dentist will place a gauze pad in your mouth to bite down in order to apply pressure and encourage a blood clot to form. The bleeding will naturally subside as time goes by, but you could have some bleeding for up to 24 hours as the blood clot forms.

What is a dry socket and how do you avoid it?

A dry socket is what happens when the blood does not clot after the extraction, so you may have continued bleeding. Dry socket can also occur if the initial clot breaks up, dissolves, or dislodges. You may feel some pain and sensitivity with a dry socket, and the opening can make you vulnerable to infection. Avoiding a dry socket is a matter of avoiding certain activities after the extraction, such as smoking, sucking through a straw, drinking really hot liquids, and brushing in the area.

Talk to Us About Tooth Extractions in Bellbrook, OH

In the end, getting a tooth pulled is really not a huge ordeal. When you have a good dentist walking you through the process, you will feel much more comfortable. If you have questions about tooth extractions, reach out to us at Bellbrook Family Dentist in Bellbrook, OH.

4 Ways Your Dentist Can Help You with Dental Anxiety

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Even though being afraid of the dentist is often assumed to be an issue only for children, adults can have anxiety about dental treatments just the same. Roughly 75 percent of all adults have some level of anxiety or fear about seeing the dentist, and some situations can be severe. If you have problems with dental anxiety, your dentist may be able to help you. Here’s a look at how a good dentist will help you when you suffer from dental anxiety.

1. Provide Understanding

Part of the fear of dental treatment comes from a lack of understanding of what is taking place. After all, you are not necessarily watching the dentist work; you are only on the receiving end and guessing what is causing various sensations. If you better understand what will take place once you are in the treatment chair, you may feel a bit less apprehensive about the whole situation.

2. Offer Medications to Calm You

In the most severe cases, no amount of explanation can help curb an anxiety attack when you sit down for treatment. If you suffer from the most severe phobia of dental treatments, are prone to panic attacks, or feel completely terrified, the dentist may be able to help you relax by offering medications to calm you down before treatment.

3. Be Mindful of Your Anxiety During Procedures

If the dentist knows you have issues with dental anxiety, they will be more cautious when performing treatments. For example, they will talk to you throughout each step, check in to make sure you are OK, and give you a moment to relax when you are feeling overwhelmed.

4. Help You Effectively Deal with Pain

One of the biggest fears for most people who suffer from dental treatment anxiety is the pain that may be felt during treatment. Therefore, if you know your pain will be effectively managed or counteracted during treatment, it can help put your mind at ease. The dentist can help make sure this happens by using anesthetics and taking time to make sure you are feeling no sensation before treatment starts.

Reach Out to Your Dentist in Bellbrook, OH

The anxiety induced by dental treatment is very real, and it prevents many people from getting the care they need for their smiles. Don’t let your anxiety of the dentist hurt the health of your smile. Reach out to us at  Bellbrook Family Dentistry  in Bellbrook so we can help you out.

A Look at the 5 Facets of General Dentistry

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The general dentist is your go-to for a healthy smile. However, most patients are unaware of exactly what all general dentistry encompasses. Here are a few things that tend to be offered by a practice for general dentistry.

1. Cleaning and Hygiene

It is best to have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at least once a year, but most dentists recommend cleaning every six months. Cleaning is an important part of general dentistry because it gets to all those stains and bits of hardened tartar that can be impossible to remove with regular brushing and flossing.

2. General Dental Repairs

General dental repairs can include things like tending to cavities, chipped or broken teeth, or other dental injuries or performing a root canal to save an ailing tooth. Teeth are strong, but they can also be damaged during facial trauma. General dentistry services always offer various repairs for the many situations humans can run into with their teeth.

3. Exams and Testing

Dental exams are more than just a dentist looking in your mouth. A thorough exam can include x-rays of the teeth and bones that support the teeth, gumline examinations for deterioration of the gums or problems under the gums, and visual assessments for signs of oral cancer, infection, and other problems. Testing in general dentistry may involve performing tests on soft tissues in the mouth for cancer cells or saliva for acidity levels. Exams and testing are critical in preventative dentistry as they can protect your oral health for the long term.

4. Extractions

Extractions involve removing a permanent tooth that is beyond repair. While having a tooth extracted is usually not ideal, it is something that must happen if a tooth is severely decayed or otherwise damaged.

5. General Cosmetic Dentistry

While cosmetic dentistry involves a broad array of smile restoration options, the general cosmetic dentistry offered by a general dentist is a bit more conservative. Some things that may be offered include:

  • Dental bonding procedures
  • Teeth whitening
  • Single-tooth implants
  • Crowns and bridges

Keep Your Oral Health in Check with the Help of a Bellbrook Dentist

Your oral health is just as important to your overall health as anything else. If it has been a while since you have had a dental checkup, reach out to us at Bellbrook Family Dentistry in Bellbrook, OH to schedule an appointment.

How Do You Know If Your Child Needs Braces?

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About four million children in the U.S. wear braces, and the likelihood of children needing braces as their permanent teeth grow is relatively high. However, not all kids will have to have braces even though many parents assume their child will need them. Here is a look at a few general signs your child may eventually need braces.

Your child was a thumbsucker or used a pacifier for several years.

Thumbsucking and pacifiers are natural comforts for babies, but if your child uses these comfort measures beyond the age when their baby teeth have grown in, there can be a higher likelihood that they will eventually need braces. The continued pressure against the teeth can cause them to grow in at an outward slant.

Your child lost their baby teeth later in life than most children.

Children who lose their baby teeth a little later than most ca be more likely to need braces as well. The baby teeth can alter the growth path of the permanent tooth if it stays in place too long. Most children will start losing their baby teeth around the age of six years old. While the exact timing can vary depending on the child’s physiological development, prolonged tooth loss can cause future issues.

Your child’s teeth do not “meet” when they close their mouth.

If your child already has all of their permanent teeth in place, take a look at how their bite aligns when they close their mouth. If there is a slight under or overbite, the child may not necessarily have to get braces. However, if the difference in bite is pretty drastic, your child may need braces to correct the issue.

Your child has unevenly spaced teeth with gaps between or crowding.

One of the more obvious and definitive signs a child needs braces is if there are spaces and gaps between teeth or issues with crowding. Gaps can develop due to irregularities in the growth paths of permanent teeth. Crowding may occur due to genetics or due to slow or delayed loss of baby teeth.

Talk to a BellBrook Dentist About Braces

Learning that your child needs braces can be a little intimidating, but the process is so routine and so carefully honed that most children do just fine with the process. If you believe your child needs braces, reach out to us at Bellbrook Family Dental to schedule an appointment.