Daily Archives: March 27, 2017

Idaho Falls Dentist

Healthy Diets Make Healthy Teeth

By: Michelle Tunquist

We all know that we need to brush our teeth twice a day, floss twice a day and visit the dentist every six months. These are “must dos” for good dental hygiene.  What you may not realize is that a healthy diet can have a huge impact on the health of your teeth.  Eat well and enjoy strong teeth and gums.

Must Dos!

These are the absolute minimum requirements for healthy teeth.  They are essential “must do” behaviors that will help keep your teeth from decaying.

  • Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day. Morning and night.
  • Floss Your Teeth Twice a Day. Morning and night.
  • Visit the Dentist every Six Months.
  • Regular check ups can catch issues before they turn into big problems.  A good cleaning can help maintain strong teeth.

Healthy Diet Tips for Teeth

Eating healthy isn’t just important for our body, it is also important for our teeth.  The foods we eat has an impact in how strong our teeth are and can make the difference in their overall health.  Follow these healthy eating tips to get strong teeth and gums:

  • Eat Calcium. Our teeth and gums are made up of calcium, which means we need to eat calcium to maintain healthy teeth and gums.  Calcium can be found in dairy products.  Make sure to eat enough cheese, milk, and yogurt to get the right amount of calcium.
  • Get Your Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb the calcium we eat.  Unless we get enough vitamin D, then eating calcium isn’t enough to keep our teeth strong.  We get most of our vitamin D from the sun, so get outside and soak up some rays.
  • Don’t Forget Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to dental problems like loose teeth and bleeding gums.  Make sure to keep gums and teeth strong by getting the proper amount of vitamin C.  Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits.  Drink some orange juice or eat a bit of grapefruit.
  • Avoid Sugar. Sugar can easily lead to tooth decay, so it is best to avoid sugar whenever possible.  A diet high in sugary foods is a bad choice for teeth.  Skip the candy and grab some fruit instead.
  • Drink Water. Drinking water increases saliva production which in turn can help battle bacteria.  Water also dilutes sugar and cleans out your mouth.
  • Rinse Your Mouth.  Quickly rinsing your mouth between meals will remove sugar from your teeth and prevent tooth decay.  If you can use mouthwash to kill germs between meals that is great.  If not, rinse with water, which still cleans out your mouth and can prevent cavities.

Eating Right for Strong Teeth

We only get one set of adult teeth that need to last the rest of our lives. Making good choices to protect our dental health will make it so that we can enjoy our teeth for a long time to come. Protecting our teeth isn’t just about brushing them twice a day. We can also maintain dental health by eating foods that will keep our teeth strong. Remember to eat healthy for a healthy smile.

Idaho Falls Dentistry for Healthy Teeth

Proper teeth brushing, flossing and healthy eating habits are vital for maintaining dental health. Regular checkups at our Idaho Falls dentistry are also important. Even with best efforts, we all get cavities.  We can take care of any problems that arise, so that you can smile without worry. Call today at (208) ­524-1700 to set up an appointment.

Idaho Falls Pediatric Dentistry

Tips to Get Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth

By: Michelle Tunquist

Getting kids to brush their teeth can be a chore that few parents look forward to.  If your children are like mine, they’ve been known to run and hide as soon as the words “brush your teeth” are muttered.  Little kids are rarely concerned about the future of their teeth, and many think losing a couple teeth is actually something that they wouldn’t mind.  Changing teeth brushing from a chore to a positive experience can make a big difference in getting your kids to brush.  Here are a few tips for how to make teeth brushing go more smoothly.

  • Show them the Plaque.  Plaque-disclosing tablets color the plaque on your child’s teeth and allow them to really see where they need to brush.  Many kids love to use these tablets and it helps them understand how to brush more effectively.  There are also some mouthwashes that will tint plaque and allow kids to see where they should brush.  You can find plaque-disclosing tablets at the dentist, the pharmacist’s counter and online.
  • Make it Fun. Kids are more likely to brush if it is a positive experience.  Rather than make it  another boring chore, liven it up and make it fun.  Try:
  • Making Bubbles. Have a competition with your kids to see who can make the most bubbles.  This will make brushing fun and encourage them to brush more.  After all, the more they brush, the more bubbles they will make.
  • Brushing with a Stuffed Animal. Let them bring a friend to brushing time.  Simply bringing a stuffed animal will make the process more fun.  Maybe their friend needs his/her teeth brushed too.
  • Singing a Song. Choose a favorite song and play it while they brush, or encourage them to sing a favorite song in their head.
  • Using an Egg Timer. Kids love to use timers.  Set up the timer and have them brush till the sand runs out.
  • Praise Your Kids. Everyone loves to get praised.  When your kids do a good job, let them know you appreciate their efforts.  It takes very little effort to say a positive word, but it can make the difference in how your kids feel about teeth brushing time.
  • Let them Pick the Toothpaste/Toothbrush. There are all types of fun toothbrushes and toothpaste.  Letting your kids pick their favorite character can motivate them to brush their teeth.  Sometimes all it takes to look forward to teeth brushing time is their favorite cartoon character.

Tips for Parents

As parents, we are ultimately responsible for the health of our children’s teeth.  Here are a few tips to help keep their teeth healthy and bright.

  • Schedule your kid’s first appointment when they are one years old.  The earlier they come in, the better.  This allows them to build a positive experience at the dentist and make sure that healthy habits start when they are little.
  • Brush your kid’s teeth twice a day.  Once they begin brushing on their own, make sure to continue to check that they are doing a good job and removing all food residue.
  • Floss your kid’s teeth as soon as they start touching.  Once teeth are close together, food can easily get caught between the teeth and cause teeth to decay.  If regular flossing is difficult, use child friendly flossers.
  • Talk to your dentist about sealants.  Sealants protect teeth and prevent cavities.

Idaho Falls Dentist Keeps Kids Smiling

At our Idaho Falls family dentistry, we care about our littlest patients and want them to enjoy their experience at the dentist.  We strive to make their visit as comfortable as possible.  Call today to make an appointment for your little ones.