Future of Dentistry Blogger

Most people know that the sugar in candy, cookies, juices and sodas can harm your teeth, but some people don’t realize that all carbohydrates can cause cavities. As we’ll describe in this post from Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, a handful of pretzels or a piece of pumpernickel bread can have the same effect on your teeth as a fudge brownie.

All carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, which are converted into plaque, which can then cause cavities and gum disease. Carbs are naturally sticky and adhere to your teeth. Eating carbs with meals is healthier than eating them as snacks because more saliva is generated at mealtime. Saliva helps prevent food particles from sticking to teeth.

Another way people can improve their oral health is to get plenty of calcium: 800mg a day for men and 1,000mg for women under 50. Calcium helps strengthen your jaw and secure your teeth firmly in the jaw bone.

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we want all our patients to enjoy clean teeth and healthy smiles. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley also come to us for cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we urge all of our patients to brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. This very good habit is the single most important thing you can do to maintain your dental health.

What kind of toothpaste should you use? There is no one-size-fits-all product on the market. One patient might be interested in whitening toothpaste, and another may need something for sensitive teeth.

There’s a huge selection of toothpastes in any grocery store, from those aimed at children to so-called natural toothpastes. You want to make the best choice for your teeth, but it isn’t always easy to make up your mind.

Different types of toothpastes have specific active ingredients that make them work. Fluoride is by far the most important thing to look for. But there are many other ingredients; what follows is a rundown of the more common ones.

• Detergents: Sodium lauryl sulfate is nearly ubiquitous, not only in toothpaste, but in other personal care products like shampoo. Sometimes it’s called Sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl ether sulfate. It’s the stuff that makes products foamy. Some people are sensitive to it, and some consumer advocacy groups say it can be hazardous. There are toothpastes that don’t have it.
• Whiteners: The most common toothpaste whitener is hydrogen peroxide, but there are others, like polyphosphates. While they do a modest job whitening teeth, many experts agree that the whitening agents aren’t strong enough, or in contact with the teeth long enough, to do a really good job. To get really white teeth, try professional whitening from a dentist.
• Desensitizers; Some people’s teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold foods than others. And some are more tactile-sensitive. Used on a regular basis, desensitizing toothpastes can be very effective, but it’s a good idea to get a dentist’s recommendation first.
• Plaque Fighters: A toothpaste ingredient called triclosan is believed to fight plaque and gum inflammation. While it seemed promising at first, more recent studies indicate triclosan may contribute to antibiotic resistance, and disrupt hormones and the immune system.

Always read the label, and make sure the toothpaste you’re considering has the American Dental Association seal. If you see it, it means the ADA considers it safe and effective. Whatever you choose, brush and floss twice each day!

Feel free to ask us for a recommendation, and what might be best for your particular set of teeth. At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we offer general and restorative dentistry. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley also trust their smiles to our cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!

You smile deserves regular attention. If you haven’t had a dental exam in a while, give us a call at Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover. Consider these important reasons for having regular cleanings and checkups:

1. Check Up: It’s time, and this is the best way to prevent dental problems.
2. Clean Up: Our dental hygienist is ready to give you a super clean smile.
3. Brush Up: If it has been a while since your last dental visit, it’s probably time to come in for a refresher course on appropriate dental hygiene.
4. Avoid Pain: If you have dental pain and have been putting off a trip to the dentist, come in now, because we specialize in relieving dental pain.
5. Fillings: We can find and fill all your dental cavities in almost no time at all. This will help you skip more painful dilemmas down the road, and helps some of those sensitivities to hot and cold.
6. Prevent Gum Disease: We’ll evaluate the health of your gums and make any suggestions to help you improve.
7. A Whiter Smile: We can help. We have tooth whitening options available that will upgrade your smile and make your teeth whiter.
8. Tooth Replacement: If you are missing a tooth, we can help restore your smile with a dental implant.
9. Cosmetic Dentistry: Considering making improvements to your smile? We have the procedures to do it.
10. Confidence: Nothing brings you more confidence than a healthy smile.

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we can maintain your dental health and improve your smile! Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to us for general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!

Are you suffering with a toothache, but ignoring the pain? It won’t get better until you have us take a look, at Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover. Toothache pain is like an unpaid speeding ticket. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.

Many dread seeking relief from a dentist because they fear the treatment will hurt worse than the pain they are experiencing. But waiting too long is never a good idea.

The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity. In most cases cavities are easily treatable, and will relieve your discomfort.

A toothache may also be a symptom of something more serious, like gum disease. You may also have sustained an injury that is worse than you realized, or may even have an abscessed tooth.

Finally, a toothache can indicate something that has nothing to do with the tooth itself. Toothache symptoms can be mimicked by a sinus infection, shingles, or something else.

The point is, don’t ignore it! At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we treat toothache symptoms every day. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley rely on our care. Services include general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

In this post from Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we are going to discuss those small irritations in the mouth that have the potential to become big problems.

Injuries, sores, or inflammation in the mouth can be very uncomfortable. These non-specific irritations, called stomatitis, have many different causes.

They may be caused by cold sores, gum disease, teeth grinding, or biting the inside of your mouth. They may also be connected to broken teeth or braces.

Any inflammation of the membranes in the mouth can be classified as stomatitis. Stomatitis can influence your ability to speak, eat, and even to fall asleep at night.

The good news is that most of these irritations clear up on their own in less than two weeks. However, there is a possibility that a viral or bacterial infection can occur. It’s important to let us know about these sores if they don’t clear up after several weeks. Even if there are no complications, we can help you treat the symptoms of stomatitis.

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, one of our main objectives is helping patients maintain good dental health. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

In this post from Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we’re going to discuss mouthwash. Many people use mouthwash to freshen their breath and help prevent tooth decay. While some mouthwash has cavity-fighting additives, it should never be considered a substitute for brushing your teeth. Good dental health is centered on regular brushing and flossing.

It is important to know what kind of mouthwash you’re using. Some merely mask bad breath, while others help reduce the bacteria that causes plaque.

If you cope with bad breath, be sure to use a mouthwash with ingredients that also help prevent tooth decay, such as fluoride. You should also understand that some of the ingredients can be dangerous, even toxic, if not used properly.

Ingredients to watch out for are chlorhexidine gluconate, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, and methyl salicylate. If you experience throat pain, vomiting, headache, or abdominal pain after using mouthwash, seek medical help immediately.

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, services include general and restorative dentistry. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley trust us with their dental health! Contact us today!

Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems there is. Are you doing everything you can to prevent it? In this post from Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover we have some practical ideas that can help.

Avoid Refined Sugar

This one is probably obvious, but avoiding sugar should be your number one strategy to prevent cavities. Sugar and starch forms plaque, that sticky film that can coat the teeth. The acids in plaque start the process that forms cavities.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a type of sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some plants. It is not the same kind of alcohol that makes people drunk, so it’s okay for anyone who is avoiding that type of alcohol. It is popular as a sweetener and can actually be good for dental health.

Brushing

Daily brushing and flossing is still your best bet for preventing cavities. It cleans off the plaque that leads to cavities, and also helps to prevent gum disease.

Along with brushing, regular checkups at Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover help you maintain good dental health. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

There are many different types of mouthwash on the market. Some tout germ-killing abilities, others emphasize fluoride content, and some claim to whiten teeth while freshening the breath. These are all great benefits, but at Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover we ask: will they meet your oral care needs?

Many people wonder if mouthwash should be part of their dental routine. Brushing and flossing have the greatest impact on dental health, so is mouthwash necessary?

As long as you follow the instructions on the bottle, mouthwash may slightly benefit dental health. Rinsing with a mouthwash with fluoride can’t hurt your teeth, but allowing a bit of diluted toothpaste to stay on tooth surfaces after brushing probably has the same effect.

People coping with bad breath often believe that mouthwash can solve the issue. Actually, mouthwash that contain alcohol can make it worse because by causing dry mouth. Mouthwash without alcohol – often called fluoride rinses – are usually better for freshening breath.

Bottom line? Never substitute mouthwash for proper brushing and flossing. If you use mouthwash, choose one with fluoride and no alcohol.

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover we offer general and restorative dentistry. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley trust us with their teeth! Contact us today!