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Is Flossing Every Day Important? | Schnecksville Dentist

If you ask the average adult which part of their daily dental hygiene is their least favorite, chances are flossing will be at the top of the list. Not only did a survey conducted by the American Dental Association reveal that more adults would rather do something they find awful than floss, but it’s the frequency of times teeth are flossed is the biggest lie dentists hear on a day-to-day basis.

Flossing is merely the act of wrapping a piece of string around your teeth, one by one, in order to remove any bacteria and excess material stuck between each tooth. Fair enough, but we are also brushing our teeth to remove bacteria and excess debris – so, is it really that important? The answer is yes. And here are a few reasons why you may want to change your mind about flossing:

Better than brushing alone. A toothbrush works to removing plaque with its bristles. Brushing alone has one big drawback: A toothbrush’s bristles can’t adequately clean between the teeth or under the gums. That’s where floss comes in, to get in those tiny spaces between your teeth to get the grime out your toothbrush can’t reach.

Protects your gums. Where the gums and teeth meet are where flossing plays its major role. Particles of food can get lodged here, and plaque in this area will harden over time to form tartar, that your dentist will remove with a scraper. Tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis.

Helps prevent other diseases. Gum disease can have effects that go beyond discolored teeth, discomfort and bad breath. Research has shown that the bacteria in an unhealthy mouth can harm the rest of the body, leading to heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illness.

For more information about flossing, call Dr. Ladani in Schnecksville, PA at 610-799-0600 or visit www.extraordinarysmiles.net.

Dr. Sandip Ladani proudly serve patients from Schnecksville and all surrounding areas.

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World Diabetes Day and Your Smile | Schnecksville Dentist

Diabetes is a condition that affects so many. If you don’t have it, you may know someone that does. It’s a disease that affects over 400 million adults worldwide, with the projection of 642 million by 2040. Unfortunately, these frightening statistics only account for the diagnosed, which could account for many more. This is a serious issue – so much so, in 1991, the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization created World Diabetes Day on November 14th to raise awareness of this terrible disease affecting so many of us.

I know that you’re thinking – what does diabetes have to do with my smile? But there is actually a direct link between diabetes and dental health, and it revolves mainly around sugar.

We all know that sugar isn’t good for us. Well, an overindulgence of sugar isn’t good for us. It affects our blood sugar levels, something that needs to be controlled when diabetic. But it also causes cavities, which is why we go through our dental hygiene routine twice a day. If we allow the sugar to remain on our teeth, the bacteria will feed on it while wreaking havoc on our teeth. On top of that, if left untreated, high glucose levels can cause gum disease.

Do you see? It’s like a cycle – you have too much sugar in our system, we cause our blood sugar levels to go out of whack. If our levels are out of whack, it can cause gum disease and cavities. Not only that, but immune systems can become affected by not managing your diabetes. So, if you need dental surgery, it may even take longer to heal. It’s important to take care of yourself and your diabetes.

For more information about diabetes and your dental health, call Dr. Ladani in Schnecksville, PA at 610-799-0600 or visit www.extraordinarysmiles.net.

Dr. Sandip Ladani proudly serve patients from Schnecksville and all surrounding areas.

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Why Do We Need to Floss? | Schnecksville Dentist

When it comes to dental hygiene basics, we know there is a three-step process for optimal dental health – dental hygiene, healthy diet and regular dental visits for checkups. We may need a dental professional when something goes wrong, but it is up to us to keep up their maintenance. After all, you want to preserve your smile for as long as possible. And of all of the dental tasks we love to avoid, it’s definitely flossing, but it’s something that is just as necessary as every other step.

When we begin and end our day, it is important that we give our mouths a good cleaning, not only to get all of the food particles that may be stuck in our smile, but to keep our smiles healthy and free from issues like gum disease.

Flossing isn’t a new thing. In fact, flossing began in ancient China. They didn’t use the floss that we’ve come to know, but horse hairs. To be fair, what you use for floss isn’t point; the importance of flossing is to help aid your brushing efforts. Just like mouthwash can rinse out stuck particles, flossing gets those hard-to-reach areas in your mouth your toothbrush has trouble reaching. The cleaner your mouth is, the less chance dental issues may arise.

Now that you know the basics, here is a step-by-step guide to proper flossing: Cut yourself a piece of floss about 18 inches long and wrap both sides around your fingers. Pull it taut between your thumb and index finger and guide the floss in between each tooth in a gentle zigzag motion to gently scrub down all the spaces between your teeth.

For more information about flossing, call Dr. Ladani in Schnecksville, PA at 610-799-0600 or visit www.extraordinarysmiles.net.

Dr. Sandip Ladani proudly serve patients from Schnecksville and all surrounding areas.

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What You Need to Know to Keep Your Gums Healthy | Schnecksville Dentist

We may not know exactly what gum disease is, but we know we don’t want to have it. Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround your teeth. Because gum disease is typically painless, you may not even know you have it. And this is why you really need to keep your dental appointments – they are the only ones that can diagnose periodontal disease.

But what causes gum disease? Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, other factors can contribute to periodontal disease, ranging from hormonal changes, certain illnesses, medications, genetics to poor dental hygiene and bad habits, like smoking.

Gum disease may progress without producing obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. But there are some symptoms you may want to keep in mind. If you find you have any of these symptoms over time, it’s time to check in with your dental professional:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
  • Receding gums
  • Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Changes in the way teeth fit together when biting down

Thankfully, it isn’t difficult to keep gum disease at bay. Make sure you brush, floss and rinse with fluoride every single day. Choose to eat healthy and clean. Munching on healthy snacks and chewing sugar-free gum will produce saliva, the way we rinse our mouths naturally. If you are a smoker, make an effort to stop. Not only is tobacco use bad for you overall, but it wreaks havoc on your mouth. And lastly, keep your dental appointments in order to ensure all of your efforts are doing the job.

For more information about gum disease, call Dr. Ladani in Schnecksville, PA at 610-799-0600 or visit www.extraordinarysmiles.net.

Dr. Sandip Ladani proudly serve patients from Schnecksville and all surrounding areas.