Philly Dentistry

Why do my teeth look darker?
This is common questions most adults start to ask as they get older. You’ll notice your teeth are harder to keep clean and white as you age. This happens because the colorless, sticky layer of bacteria also called plaque can build up quickly and in larger amounts as we age. Another reason is that changes in dentin or the bone-like tissue that’s under your enamel will cause your teeth to look a little bit darker. It’s important to maintain your routine check-ups with your dentist so they can monitor your oral hygiene and tell you different ways you can help whiten your teeth.

Some foods have become harder to chew and swallow?
Maintaining a proper diet is important for everyone, young and old. It’s common for older adults not to eat a well-balanced diet. They typically avoid eating meats, raw veggies and fruit because they have trouble chewing or swallowing them. Problems like this can occur from bad fitting dentures, painful teeth, changes in facial muscles and even dry mouth. Other older adults find that they lost some sense of taste due to a disease or specific medications. By not having a proper healthy diet, older adults will lack calcium, protein and other essential nutrients to help their overall dental care. This is why it’s so important to have a well-balanced diet so you get the nutrients you need to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

Why does my mouth feel dry?
A common problem as you age is that your saliva flow reduces which results in dry mouth for older adults. It is mainly caused by medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications. When you experience dry mouth some common side effects can be sore throat, a burning sensation, difficulty swallowing, or dry nasal passages. When left untreated dry mouth can cause damage to your teeth. You need your mouth to produce saliva to wash away any food to prevent plaque buildup so cavities don’t form. To help your dry mouth problems many people use sugar free gum to help stimulate the saliva flow. This can help you fight against any future cavities.

Dental implants instead of dentures?
Dental implants are very common now a days for older adults instead of getting dentures. Dental implants are great because they act just like your natural teeth and function the same way. Ask your dentist at your next appointment if you’re a candidate for dental implants because unfortunately, everyone is not a candidate. Our dentist will evaluate you carefully and let you know what your best option is for your specific case.

Give us a call today and schedule a free new patient consultation and let the best dentistry in Philadelphia take care of your every dental need. 215-568-6222. And if you’re one of those cool older adults who has Instagram give us a follow @PhillyDentistry to stay up to date with all the latest information about our office.

Good oral hygiene starts with brushing and flossing your teeth, but sometimes you can over do it. Over brushing your teeth can actually cause more damage than good. When you over brush something happens that’s known as “toothbrush abrasion” which can lead to sensitive teeth and receding gums.

When you brush too hard, you end up wearing down your tooth enamel. When you wear down your tooth enamel, you’re wearing down the protective layer for your teeth. This will eventually lead to your teeth becoming sensitive to hot and cold. Another side effect from brushing hard can cause damage to your gum tissue. This can lead to gum recession and exposing the root of the tooth which will leave your gums more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay.
People who are most at risk for tooth and gum damage are those who brush forcefully while using medium to hard bristled toothbrushes. Here are some signs to look for if you may think you’re over brushing your teeth.

⦁ Your toothbrush bristles are spread out
⦁ Red or swollen gums after you brush
⦁ Bleeding gums
⦁ Gums are receding

If you’re reading this and you’re someone who thinks they may be brushing too hard, here is some advice on how you should start brushing your teeth. Start by gently brushing your tooth’s surface in a circular motion to remove any harmful plaque. If you have trouble doing this then you should upgrade your toothbrush to an electric toothbrush because electric toothbrushes use this circular motion very effectively. Here are some tips from our dentists on the correct technique of brushing.

1. First use a soft-bristled toothbrush
2. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and aim towards the gum line
3. Apply enough pressure to feel the bristles against the gums.
4. Brush in a circular motion, not a sawing motion back and forth.
5. Brush for two minutes.

You’re probably thinking how often should you brush? The ideal amount is two to three times a day. If you’re brushing after every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner this will help you prevent any harmful bacteria from growing. It’s important to know that you should brush your teeth at least an hour after you eat each meal. By brushing too soon it can cause damage to your tooth’s enamel.

When it comes to your dental health it’s important to not wait until the problem worsens. If you end up waiting, you’ll cause yourself more harm than good and will cost you more money in the long run. Here’s a tip when it comes to your toothbrush bristles, they break down with use and become worn which can cause damage to your gum tissue. Remember to replace your toothbrush or brush head once every three months. An easy way to remember to change your toothbrush head every three months is to buy a Quip Electric Toothbrush and sign up for their 3-month service. Every 3 months for only $5 they will send you new toothbrush heads directly to your front door, so you always remember to change your toothbrush head to get rid of any harmful bacteria that may be lingering on it. It’s very crucial to change your toothbrush head every 3 months to ensure you’re brushing under the best circumstances. At Philly Dentistry we enjoy playing fun games with our patients that allows them have a chance to win cool prizes, such as a Quip Electric Toothbrush. If you’re one of our patients make sure to ask a staff member at your next visit how you can win!

Now, that you know the truth about over brushing…lighten up! Over brushing can cause real damage to your teeth. So, if you notice your gums receding or your teeth are becoming sensitive, give Philly Dentistry a call right away and we will take great care of you 215-568-6222. Send us an email at info@phillydentistry.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date with our office.

Traveling is a part of life, whether you’re just traveling for a weekend getaway or you’re going on a month-long adventure, your teeth are coming with you. Your bags are packed and you have everything you need, but do you have everything you need to maintain your oral health?

It can be easy to get out of your oral hygiene routine when you travel. After all, you’re on vacation and excited to have fun and let’s be honest your oral hygiene is not that fun, but it is very important. Here are some dental tips to maintain your healthy teeth and gums while you’re traveling.

1. Pack your dental necessities. Your dental necessities are your toothbrush, floss and mouthwash and don’t forget your night guard if you’re a grinder or clencher which most people are.

2. Plan ahead. If you plan on traveling make sure you schedule a dentist appointment before your trip to make sure nothing is wrong before you go away. It wouldn’t be fun to be somewhere far away and need to go to an unfamiliar dental office.

3. Keep floss close to you. Keeping floss in a bag that’s always with you can help when you’re eating some great food on your trip, but don’t forget to use that floss because that food you forget about in-between your teeth is now turning into plaque and can cause you to get a cavity. That’s why it’s important to floss daily to remove any plaque in-between your teeth.

4. Protect your toothbrush from germs. You should always use a protective cover for your toothbrush to ensure germs and bacteria are not getting on your toothbrush before you brush your teeth.

5. Let your toothbrush breathe. Going off of the fourth tip it’s important to cover your toothbrush to protect it from germs, but you also want your toothbrush to be able to dry so it’s not wet which can breed bacteria. Make sure your toothbrush is dry before you cover it.

6. Flight tips. While flying make sure you drink lots of water and avoid sticky sugary snacks. Also, while you’re up in the air chew sugar-free gum.

7. Avoid any dental ruins. Examples would be to not chew on any ice, hard candies and anything that is hard so your teeth do not chip or crack.

8. Water warning. Make sure you check that the water is safe before you drink it while on vacation. Depending on where you go the water may not be safe to consume, but you may be unaware of it so, make sure you are asking someone local if the water is safe to drink. If the water is not safe to drink use bottled water to brush your teeth.

Enjoy your next vacation and remember these dental tips while traveling to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life. Give us a call at 215-568-6222 to schedule a free new patient consultation to ensure you’re healthy for your upcoming travel adventure.

The older you get the more rules they try and get you to follow and that doesn’t change with your dental health. When you get older more dental issues can occur such as, gum disease, dry mouth and root decay. Dental diseases have been linked to other health issues including heart disease, respiratory infections and even mental health disorders. Therefore, elderly people should practice great oral health to prevent any of these dental diseases. Here are a few dental care tips for the older generation so they maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

1. Having a good dental routine is very important. Make sure that you are brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and using mouthwash to rinse. When you’re older you are prone to develop more bacteria in your mouth and that is why it is important to use an antibacterial mouthwash to help destroy and plaque or bacteria that is left behind after brushing your teeth. Another way to keep a good dental routine is to visit your dentist every six months so they can check to make sure everything is in good health.

2. Using an electric toothbrush. As you age it becomes harder to use a manual toothbrush. So, by switching to an electric toothbrush it will assist you when you’re brushing. Switching to an electric toothbrush will help elderly people who have limited movement because of things like arthritis and other health conditions. An electric toothbrush will do most of the physical work, ensuring that their teeth are getting a proper cleaning every day.

3. Clean your dentures daily. Dentures can be identified to the older generation because of all the dental issues that occur when you age. If you have dentures it’s important to clean them daily just as you would with your natural teeth. The only difference between dentures and natural teeth is that dentures cannot be cleaned with just regular toothpaste. There is a specific kind of formula toothpaste designed for dentures. Another tip is to always keep your dentures in water or denture solution when you take them out to prevent them from drying.

4. Medication side effects. Make sure you are checking the side effects from any medication you are taking. We’ve all seen our parents or grandparents taking 10 different medications every day so it’s important to know what the side effects can be. Some common side effects could be dry mouth which will lead to a buildup in plaque and bacteria. This can result in cavities or other dental problems such as, gum disease. If you are unsure about any medication side effects, be sure to ask your dentist at your next appointment and they will let you know.

Don’t wait any longer, even when you’re older it’s just as important to visit your dentist for your routine checkups. Give us a call today to set up a free new patient consultation with one of the best dentists in all of Philadelphia!

Email: info@phillydentistry.com
Phone: 215-568-6222
Social Media: @PhillyDentistry

During the whole month of September take advantage of our monthly special of buy 6 veneers and get 2 FREE! Veneers can help with many dental problems such as, gaps, shape, discoloration and so much more. If you are interested in having a perfect smile here are a few things you should know before getting porcelain veneers from Philadelphia Dentistry.

1. Your new smile will be made specifically for you. You decide all your specifications so we can give you the smile you always wanted. We customize the veneers to give you an all-natural look to get rid of any dental issues you want to change. Our great dentists will take into consideration the enamel thickness and your bite when helping you decide what looks best for your specific smile.

2. It’s important to know that your veneers will not be placed on you at your first visit. This is typically a two-appointment process at Philadelphia Dentistry. Our doctors want to also make sure that you are a good candidate for veneers or if they think there’s a better option for your smile. Like I mentioned above we want to make sure your smile is perfect before we send anything to our trusted lab.

3. Before your veneers are delivered you will have to wear temporary veneers. Your temporary veneers will look very similar to your porcelain veneers that are being made in our lab. This will give you an opportunity to see how your new smile will look without giving you a huge surprise after the real veneers are placed on your teeth. The temporary veneers will be placed on your teeth with temporary bonding cement so they can be removed when ready for the final step of the process, the veneer delivery.

4. The process is not too painful at all. There may be a little discomfort related to the placement of your veneers, but not a lot. Our patients should not feel any actual pain while this is being done. Our doctors are some of the gentlest dentists in Philly and will numb the area that is being worked on to ensure you feel nothing. The patient may experience a little bit of sensitivity on the gum line the day the veneers are delivered, but should go away in a few days.

5. Your natural teeth will still be there under the veneers, but they will be a little smaller and thinner so the veneer can go on top of the natural tooth. This is to ensure that the veneers will hold on to your natural teeth and fit properly. It varies patient to patient for how much the tooth needs to be shaved down. It’s important to keep in mind that the placement of your porcelain veneers is one that is permanent so be sure to pick a dentist office you can trust. Philadelphia Dentistry has done the most veneer cases in all of Philadelphia which means we have the most experience when it comes to giving you the smile you always wanted.

Give us a call today 215-568-6222 for a free new patient consultation to see if porcelain veneers are the best option to correct your smile. Our trusted doctors will give you a free exam and discuss your options with you. If porcelain veneers are the right choice you can take advantage of the September monthly special of buy 6 veneers and get 2 FREE! That’s a huge savings for something that will change your life. Don’t forget to follow us on social media @PhillyDentistry to stay up to date with the best dentistry in Philadelphia!