Blog
To all the cat lovers out there, let’s pay tribute to our furry friends. October 29th is National Cat Day!
Social Media Sharing: #NationalCatDay
Embrace Dental Communication
A simple way to feel great about dental treatment is to stay informed and on top of the latest dental information available. Open dental communication can give peace to even the most fearful patients. At Westchase Premier Dental, we know that patient education has a calming effect on troubled patients. With the help of the Internet, health literacy resources are at everyone’s fingertips. When you’re in the dark about a dental treatment and reasons for regular exams, you’re far less likely to follow through. Fear of the unknown can keep you from seeking dental care. Knowledge is motivational!
Health Literacy Definition:
Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
There are many reliable websites keep dental communication widely accessible to everyone. Our top picks of websites dedicated to sharing information regarding dental procedures, technologies, news, and other dental health topics:
- Mouth Healthy –Â Mouth Healthy, part of the American Dental Association, is the patient guide to dental health. Learn about dental health topics, preventive oral care, common dental symptoms such as toothaches and mouth sores, and search for a new dentist. Learn how to brush your teeth properly, floss for healthy gums and what to do in a dental emergency.
- Colgate – Discover the Colgate Oral Care Center. The Oral Care Center provides information on dental health, oral health products, oral health guides, and much more.
- Mayo Clinic – At Mayo Clinic, over 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers share their expertise to empower you. Learn why it’s the right place for your health care.
- WebMD – The leading source for trustworthy and timely health and medical news and information. Providing credible health information, supportive community, and educational services by blending award-winning expertise in content, community services, expert commentary, and medical review.
In order to change the way you approach your dental care and oral health, your first step should be talking to your dentist. Give us a call for your next dental exam at (813) 475 – 4528. Our friendly staff is eager to hear from you. We continuously update our blog with new topics concerning dental care, treatment options, latest news, and more. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Today is National Day of the Deployed! Take some time to honor our deployed military currently serving away from home. Thank You!
Social Media Sharing: #DayOfTheDeployed
5 Ways Pumpkin Spice Lattes Affect Your Teeth
With the shift of seasons from summer to fall, we experience many long, anticipated changes such as crisp, chilly weather, shorter daylight time, colorful foliage and last but not least, pumpkin spice everything! When you head out to your local coffee shop and you step in to the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and pumpkin spice, you simply cannot resist. Just remember to brush and rinse after drinking your favorite autumn drink, your teeth will thank you.
Our top 5 ways pumpkin spice lattes affect your teeth:
1. The Jitters – Coffee contains high levels of caffeine. A large volume of caffeine in your diet can lead to teeth clenching and tightening of the jaw. This can result in dental problems such as tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth and jaw pain.
2. The Sugar Shocker – Pumpkin spice lattes typically have more than 12 teaspoons of sugar. That’s more than double the recommended daily limit per person. Oh my! All that sugar sticks to your teeth and if it’s not brushed away, it can quickly be the culprit to cavities.
3. Coffee Breath – As coffee sticks to your tongue, bacteria grows and causes bad breath (Halitosis) and various other dental problems. Adding a tongue scraper to your normal dental care routine helps cut down on the build-up and keeps bad breath at bay.
4. The Dark Side –Â Your enamel is porous and coffee can enter the tiny gaps and cause tooth discoloration. This is where teeth whitening treatments come in. Even a rigorous home oral hygiene routine may not be enough to combat the staining effects caused by drinking coffee.
5. The Breakdown – The acid in coffee can wear away the enamel on your teeth. This process weakens the enamel and leaves your teeth more prone to decay.
At Westchase Premier Dental, we want everyone to be able to still enjoy their morning lattes in moderation. We provide our patients and community with health and nutritional information to keep your smiles beautiful and healthy. Remember to brush as soon as possible following a sugary drink, maintain a vigilant hygiene routine at home, and stay on top of your regular cleanings and checkups.
For those seeking a healthier option, here is one of our favorite recipes we have found to be much easier on your smile: The Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
Give us a call at (813) 475 – 4528 to schedule your next dental checkup or to discuss teeth whitening to combat staining and bring back your bright, beautiful smile. We look forward to hearing from you!
National Farmers Day – October 12TH
October 12TH is National Farmers Day! It is a day for us all to pay tribute to all the farmers of today and throughout American history. Since October is nearing the end of harvest, it is fitting for us to celebrate National Farmer’s Day during this month. This is a time to really give thanks for your food and the perfect opportunity to show gratitude to those that made it happen from the ground to our dinner tables.
During harvest seasons, it is not uncommon for farmers to work 12 to 16 hours at a time and many dedicate their weekends to selling their foods at the local farmer markets. This is why it is so important to thank your local farmers for choosing a vocation that is often thankless and requires long, hard hours. Following harvest season, a farmer can actually take a much needed break! We thank the farmers across America for their endless hard work and dedication to growing the foods we all enjoy to eat.
By visiting your local farmers market, you can honor your local farmers for their efforts to bring everyone fresh, nutritious foods and also their valuable contributions to our economy. You can learn about the varieties of foods, how they are grown, harvested, and brought to the market. They appreciate the interest in their life’s work and shows them that we care about what we consume and how it is grown.
Westchase Premier Dental encourages healthy eating and fresh is always best! A healthy diet is beneficial for overall health and the health of your smile. Maintaining your bright and healthy smile is important to us and we encourage everyone to keep up with their 6 month checkups. Give us a call for your next appointment at (813) 475 – 4528. We look forward to seeing you.
Enjoy eating freshly harvested foods and remember the people that have grown it!
Happy National Farmers Day!
Happy Columbus Day from the staff of Westchase Premier Dental!
October 4th is National Golf Lover’s Day! We hope you get to get out there an enjoy yours!
How to Floss Your Teeth Like a Dental Hygienist
October is National Dental Hygiene Month! Oral hygiene is the foundation to excellent dental health. A proper dental hygiene routine at home is the best way to prevent dental complications and keep your smile looking bright and healthy. Westchase Premier Dental would like to share some expert flossing advice to help keep your smile bright and healthy. For those of you wanting to learn the techniques used to floss like a pro, this article is for you!
What is floss?
Floss is made from nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments. Flavoring agents, such as mint, may be added to make flossing more pleasant. There is no difference how waxed or unwaxed floss works in terms of effectiveness. Just use whichever you prefer and are more likely to use often. The type of floss you use doesn’t really matter as long as you are using it properly.
Proper Flossing Method
Flossing prior to brushing ensures that the particles and bacteria unearthed during flossing will be removed during brushing. Either way is acceptable as long as you do a thorough job. Also, be sure to floss at least once a day.
Wrap about 18 inches of floss around your two middle fingers, with one of the two fingers having the majority of the floss. By wrapping the floss around the two middle fingers, your index fingers are free to use to guide the floss. Start all the way in the back and slide the floss around your back tooth. Gently use an up and down motion going down to the gum line until you meet some resistance. As you get to each tooth, let out a little more floss and wrap it around the finger picking up the slack. This way you are using a cleaning area of floss and you transfer the bacteria from tooth to tooth. Move to the opposite side of that tooth and gently slide the floss down in between two teeth and work it up and down several times. Repeat this motion until you have reached all areas between your teeth, top and bottom. Make sure you don’t “snap” the floss so you don’t injure your gums.
Congratulations! Now you know just how to floss your teeth like a dental hygienist! We want all of our patients to have the insight to be able to brush the right way and give yourself the excellent oral care you deserve! Contact Westchase Premier Dental at (813) 475 – 4528 to schedule your next professional cleaning and exam.
Source: ADA.org
