Author: Kara Urland

It’s a fact, flossing daily helps protect against gingivitis by removing plaque and food particles, keeping your teeth and gums healthy, while giving you a beautiful smile.

So, do you floss daily?

Probably not! Well, you’re not alone because according to an American Dental Association (ADA) survey, only 16% of patients report flossing daily. 

The main reason people say they don’t floss every day is because it takes too much time but, flossing is a very important aspect of your gum health. In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology says, “Gum disease is typically caused when prolonged exposure to bacteria in dental plaque causes an inflammatory reaction. Flossing is an effective and useful way to remove the plaque, especially in between the teeth or under the gum line-places where a toothbrush cannot reach.”

Some people find flossing difficult, others say it makes their gums bleed or sore. Well, that bleeding and soreness means bacteria is causing an infection between your teeth. Flossing removes that! 

Here are a few tips to start making flossing part of your daily routine:

Create Flossing Cues

• One of the easiest ways to remind yourself to floss more is to create a flossing cue, a way to remind you to do it. This can be as simple as a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or a reminder alarm on your phone. There are even dental apps that help you set reminders such as Brush DJ. The app helps you to brush your teeth for the full two minutes to a randomly selected song from your playlist. The app entertains you with music while you brush, making brushing fun and exciting rather than boring. The app also allows you to set reminders to brush twice a day, floss, and see your dentist or hygienist regularly. Brush DJ is a free app.

Chunk Floss

• Studies in neuroscience show that one way to create a new habit is by chunking the desired one with something you already do. This action, called ‘habit-chunking’ can work for flossing too. Pick something that you do every day, dental or non-dental, and put floss there. Before you do that daily habit, floss first. By chunking, you basically trick your brain into creating a new habit without thinking too much about it.

Stash Floss Everywhere!

• If you only floss by the mirror, it may seem like a time-consuming chore, ut if you have it stashed in places like your purse, pocket, car, or by the TV, you can do it when you have any extra minute. So, stock up on floss, LOTS OF IT! 

Find the flossing product that works best for you

• Not everyone has to use string floss. Some find it difficult to maneuver while others think it is just plain slimy. If you have sensitive teeth and gums that bleed easily, choose a soft floss that slides easily and comfortably between the teeth. There are also many alternatives to string floss such as floss holders, floss picks, and water flossers.

Types of floss:

• Traditional Waxed Floss – this is the typical offering. The wax can help make it easier to get the floss between your teeth so if you have really tiny spaces this could be a good option for you.
• Non-waxed floss – The lack of wax might make the floss a bit thinner, but the absence of the wax acting as a lubricant might make it a little more difficult to thread between your teeth.
• Disposable Toothpicks – these have grown in popularity and can be a great option, whether you’re on the go or just need help getting those tough to reach back teeth. These come in large packs at most grocery stores and are great for having on hand at all times. Throw a few in your backpack or purse in case you find yourself away from the house and in need of a quick floss.
• Floss Threaders – these handy tools are especially great for individuals with braces or permanent retainers. You can take your floss and place it inside the threader and then use the threader to guide the floss where you need it to go.
• Electric or Water Flossers – these handy tools can be great for those who really can’t get into the regular routine of flossing, they use a combination of pressure and water to clean away plaque and stuck food from the hard to reach areas between your teeth. These are great options but might not clean the entire area. They can be a little more expensive and they might make more of a mess during your daily routine.

*It is always best to discuss floss alternatives with your dental professionals*

Reward Yourself After You’re Done!

• Just as individuals can form good habits, it’s also possible for bad habits to form. Help get yourself excited about flossing by rewarding yourself after you’ve done it. If you have a favorite TV show wait to watch it until after you’ve completed your flossing or mark off the number of days in a row you floss on your calendar and after 30 consecutive days allow yourself a special treat.

Take Baby Steps

• Start taking baby steps toward more flossing. Flossing a few times a week is better than not at all. It can even lead to more regular flossing later! You can even start by flossing just one tooth. Flossing just one tooth isn’t going to improve your overall periodontal health right away. But that’s not the point. The point is to make the act of flossing a habit, which will eventually lead to improved gum health. All you have to do to feel successful is to floss one single tooth at a time.  

Don’t ever feel defeated if you can’t seem to make it a daily habit. Just keep trying to do your best and know that we are always here to help you find tools and tips to clean in-between your teeth.

Keep in mind that flossing correctly is just as important as how often you do it. Here is a step-by-step guide and video by the ADA on proper flossing. 

Contact us at 717.243.9020 if you have any questions on flossing!

First things first, what exactly is a TMJ?

TMJ is an abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint. It’s like any other joint in your body, and good preventive health habits will help a lifetime of happy smiles and chewing.

The TMJ is located at the base of the skull in front of the ear structure and connects the lower jaw with the upper jaw. Unlike most joints located in the body, the TMJ is unique in its structure, composed of a rounded protrusion of the mandible that sits against an indentation in the skull, and a disc-like structure made of a soft bone called cartilage found in between the two bones.

How does the TMJ work:

• The first way is like a hinge to simply open and close the mouth, like a hinge on a door.
• The second way is a sliding motion where your lower jaw moves down and forward. This motion helps the TMJ to move backward and forward and from side to side for actions such as eating and yawning.

What can happen to the TMJ?

A variety of symptoms may be linked to TMJ disorders. Pain, particularly in the chewing muscles or jaw joint, is the most common symptom. Like any other joint in the body, it can be fractured. A fracture can swell and become sore, causing limited movement of the lower jaw and pain radiating to the head and neck area.

Other symptoms include:

• Radiating pain in the face, jaw, or neck
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint when opening and closing the mouth
• A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together

What Causes TMJ Pain?

Sometimes, pain can come from the teeth themselves, as opposed to the TMJ and surrounding ligaments.

Work or personal stress can be a source of aggressive jaw activity, according to the American College of Prosthodontists, and a general dentist, orthodontist or prosthodontist are the most qualified people to look at your teeth and determine if this is the cause.

Clenching can also cause pain, and some patients exhibit this behavior at night while sleeping.

How to treat TMJ Pain:

Pain in the TMJ is often temporary and can be treated with a combination of ice then heat to relieve the sore ligaments and muscles surrounding the joint. Over-the-counter pain medicines or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may provide temporary relief from jaw discomfort.

Your dentist may also prescribe a clear plastic bite/night guard, fabricated to help alleviate your symptoms after a thorough diagnosis has been made.

Although rare, surgery is sometimes required. A referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is sometimes appropriate and special imaging pictures of the joint may need to be taken to determine if surgery should be a part of your TMJ treatment.

You can also try eating soft foods, avoiding extreme jaw movements and practice gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises.

For most people, discomfort from TMJ disorders will eventually go away
on its own. Just like keeping your teeth healthy, your TMJ should warrant regular visits to your dentist to prevent complications during a routine dental exam.

Call us at 717-243-9020 to schedule an appointment!

Approximately 29.1 million people in the United States have diabetes? Also, around 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year and 8.1 million people living with diabetes don’t even know they have it.

So what does this have to do with your smile and how can you protect it? 

If diabetes is left untreated, it can take a toll on your mouth. Here’s how:

• You may have less saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry. (Dry mouth is also caused by certain medications.)
• Because saliva protects your teeth, you’re also at a higher risk of cavities.
• Gums may become inflamed and bleed often (gingivitis).
• You may have problems tasting food.
• You may experience delayed wound healing.
• You may be susceptible to infections inside of your mouth.
• For children with diabetes, teeth may erupt at an age earlier than is typical.

Diabetics are more prone to gum disease:

Bacteria in your gums can lead to periodontal disease. This chronic, inflammatory disease can destroy your gums, all the tissues holding your teeth, and even your bones.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. In fact, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for gum problems because of poor blood sugar control. As with all infections, serious gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise. This makes diabetes harder to control because you are more susceptible to infections and are less able to fight the bacteria invading the gums.

How do your gums affect blood sugar?

The American Dental Association (ADA) published research that suggests gum disease can raise your blood sugar. Their research compared people with healthy gums and people with active gum disease. They found that people who had active gum disease had higher long-term blood sugar levels. Researchers believe that harmful oral bacteria can be introduced into the bloodstream more easily through infected gum tissue. That bacteria, which flows through the bloodstream, triggers your body’s immune system to produce molecules that raise blood sugar. That harmful bacteria can be introduced into your body by simply brushing or eating!

How your dentist can help you fight diabetes:

Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing the progression of the disease. Practicing good oral hygiene and having professional deep cleanings done by your dentist can help to lower your HbA1c.

Dental x-rays or radiographs are an important part of your dental care. Along with an oral examination, they provide your dentist with a more complete view of what’s happening in your mouth.

BENEFITS OF X- RAYS

Dental x-rays give your dentist a picture of your hard tissues (teeth and bones) and the soft tissues that surround your teeth and jawbones.

According to the American Dental Association, x-rays can show tooth decay, fillings, gum disease, and types of tumors. Dental radiographs can also alert your dentist to changes in your hard and soft tissues. In children, radiographs allow the dentist to see how their teeth and jawbones are developing. Early detection of an infection or injury also can limit or prevent further damage to other areas of the mouth.

SAFETY OF DENTAL X-RAYS

Many wonder if dental x-rays are safe because they expose the patient to radiation. The ADA states that the amount of radiation used to obtain dental radiographs is very small. Dentists follow the ALARA principle, which stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,” when obtaining radiographs. This radiation safety principle limits your exposure by incorporating the following techniques: use of the fastest image receptor (that is, the fastest film speed or digital speed); reduction in the size of the x-ray beam to the size of the image receptor whenever possible; use of proper exposure and processing techniques; duse of leaded aprons and, whenever possible, thyroid collars.

Your dentist will decide when radiographs are needed on the basis of your oral examination findings, any symptoms you report, a review of your health history, your risk of experiencing oral disease, your age, or any combination of the preceding.

Call Noll Family Dentistry at 717.243.9020 for more information or to schedule your next appointment! We look forward to seeing you.

What do you do when you have a broken tooth? Though teeth are resilient, tooth fractures or breaks can still occur. There are multiple ways this can happen. Biting too hard, untreated cavities, and being hit in the mouth are some of the most common ways fractures or breaks take place.

What you can do for a broken or fractured tooth:

For a fractured tooth, there is really nothing you can do to actually fix it except go see the dentist. Even if a fracture looks small there could be an underlying fracture that negatively affects the nerve. There are some things you can do to alleviate pain until you are able to go to the dentist’s office:

Rinse Your Mouth. This helps clean away some of the broken tooth debris and helps to sanitize the now exposed area.

Apply Pressure To Reduce Bleeding. Use gauze and apply enough pressure so that the bleeding from the injury diminishes or stops.

Take pain killers sparingly. You’ll most likely want or even feel that you need to take pain killers to numb the sensation from the fractured tooth. This is perfectly understandable, just be sure to not use more than the recommended dosage.

What the dentist can do for a fractured or broken tooth

Before doing anything with the tooth or teeth will be examined to see what type of break occurred and the severity of it. We take a look through x-rays then determine the best course of action for the patient.

If a fracture is not too severe, it is usually able to be restored using a composite filling material in the missing area.

The fracture is sometimes too bad to be recovered with this method, then a crown procedure is the next available option. Crowns are coverings made of porcelain that encompass the tooth and protect them. This helps prevent the tooth from fracturing more and from future breakdown.

Sometimes even this method is not enough and an extraction of the tooth may be required. This is a simple procedure done with anesthesia. The only sensation you should feel is pressure on the area being operated on.

Want to learn more or looking for dental care in the Carlisle, PA area? Give us a call!

Why should you replace your missing teeth? When talking about replacing teeth, it is always valuable to both the patient and the provider. This stems further than just doing it to make yourself look better. Replacing missing teeth can deter a variety of problems that are caused when they are left unchecked.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

For the patient it gives them security in their mouth. With their teeth functioning correctly they will be able to chew properly and enhance their smile.

Replacing missing teeth makes future problems (such as teeth filling in the empty area) go away. When teeth shift, it changes one’s bite alignment. This not only makes it harder to clean the remaining teeth but can cause Headaches and TMJ Disorder among other issues.

Once the teeth are replaced it allows the mouth to function as a full unit like it is supposed to. Overall, replacing teeth will make life better both physically and mentally for patients.

Options for Replacing Teeth

1. Dental Implants – A surgical procedure that leaves the longest lasting and strongest results. It also does not affect the surrounding teeth as a dental bridge does. The main disadvantage is that not everyone can receive dental implants because of other health complications. The entire process also takes longer than other options, but that is to make sure someone who gets them recovers post-surgery correctly.
2. Fixed Dental Bridge – An artificial tooth/teeth placed on adjacent teeth to the missing area. This option’s main disadvantage is that it affects the surrounding teeth and can lead to infections if not properly maintained.
3. Dentures – Dentures are a removable set of teeth that can be good if you need a section or your whole mouth replaced. It is cheaper than the other options, but take much more to maintain upkeep and cleanliness.

Want to learn more or looking for dental care in the Carlisle, PA area? Give us a call!

Peanut butter is a heart-healthy food with good fats, but that classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich from your childhood might not be such a great idea for your mouth. Most kinds of peanut butter are made with a lot of sugar that feeds acid causing bacteria.

Here at Noll Family Dentistry, we recommend looking for peanut butter with no added sugar. It’s also a good idea to drink lots of water and brush afterward to make sure all of the sticky substance is removed from your teeth.

Peanuts and butter do have benefits for your mouth, in fact, research suggests that they can decrease your chances of gum disease. Just make sure to buy brands with only natural peanut oils not added fats. Peanuts are also a great source of protein which is an important building block for a healthy mouth and body. The protein in peanuts helps form and repair cells.

Of course, there are some risk factors of eating peanuts like breaking the shell. Using your teeth to break the shell is a major no-no. You’ll risk chipping or even cracking a tooth, which can be seriously painful. Instead, use your hands or opt for the already shelled variety.

Again, there is often a lot of unnecessary sugar in peanut butter so always check the ingredients and pick brands free of added sugars and syrups. And remember the sticky snack can stay on your teeth, promoting plaque-causing bacteria so be sure to brush and you can keep enjoying the delicious sticky snack!