Foods for a healthy mouth

Maintaining your oral health entails much more than flossing, brushing, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis. However, a healthy and well-balanced diet also plays an important role in your oral health. In some cases, a well-balanced diet can help prevent tooth decay from forming and gum disease from developing.

Whether you’re starting a new year’s resolution or making changes to your existing diet, this list is a great resource!

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are both high in fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that are good for you. Moreover, fruits and veggies have high water content which provides additional hydration. Produce like cucumbers, celery, broccoli, apples, and carrots are crunchy and can clean or remove particles from your teeth. Additionally, fruits and vegetables help produce saliva to protect your teeth from decay. Vitamins and nutrients found in produce are essential to healthy gums, which can also help restore tooth enamel.

Calcium-rich foods

Foods high in calcium are a staple for your oral health. Dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt are rich in calcium and phosphate work to help build enamel and strengthen the teeth with essential minerals.

Protein

Protein is what keeps us satisfied—but did you know that it’s also a great source of phosphorus? Look to lean meats, fish, and eggs for protein-packed food sources.

Whole grains and nuts

Not only are whole grains and nuts heart-healthy, but they also offer benefits to your oral health. For instance, they are loaded with nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that work to protect your mouth and keep it healthy. Vitamins like magnesium and vitamins B and E can help protect against cavities, build strong enamel, and fight gum disease and inflammation.

Schedule your routine checkup

What we choose to consume has a direct impact on our bodies and oral health. Following a well-balanced diet along with visiting your dentist for regular checkups can help keep your smile healthy and happy. Contact us today to schedule a routine dental checkup at our West Wichita office!

Overcoming Your Dental Anxiety

Do you fear going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Dental anxiety is an extremely common condition to experience—and is a serious situation.

Signs of dental anxiety

Those who fear going to the dentist tend to avoid dental visits at all costs. In some cases, patients who suffer from dental phobia may only go when forced to or while experiencing extreme pain.

If you commonly experience any of the following, you might have a dental phobia.

Feeling nervous before/during your appointment
Trouble sleeping the night before
Physical illness when visiting your dentist

Dental phobias can be caused by:

Fear of needles and injections
Fear of experiencing physical pain
Loss of personal space and/or control
A negative past experience

Coping with dental anxiety

The first step in addressing your fears is to identify that you have a phobia. The next most important measure you can take is to discuss your anxieties with your dentist. Once we are aware of your fear, we will take every necessary step to help you feel more comfortable and less anxious about your visits.

Our approach to individualized care includes a treatment plan unique to your needs without skimping on exceptional dental care. We will walk you through each step of your appointment to help you prepare for what to expect.

Caring for your dental health

At Reflection Ridge Dental, our goal is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to each of our patients. If you are experiencing dental anxiety, talk with our dental team about your reservations and how we can help ease your tensions. We provide an array of dental services to residents in the Wichita area, including cosmetic dentistry, restorations, laser decay removal, and more.

Call our office at (316) 721-2024 to schedule a new patient consultation today. We look forward to meeting you!

How to Perfect Your Flossing Routine

Flossing is an important habit to incorporate into your everyday oral hygiene routine. Moreover, flossing keeps your gums and teeth clear of debris and bacteria. If flossing isn’t part of your everyday dental routine, it can lead to the development of plaque and other dental issues and diseases.

As a general rule of thumb, the American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day and brushing twice per day. Incorporating flossing into your daily routine is not only good for your teeth, gums, and oral health, but also for your overall health.

3 steps to achieve proper flossing

First, wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers, leaving a couple inches of floss to work with.
Second, hold the floss taut between your thumbs and index fingers, sliding it between your teeth gently.
Lastly, curve the floss around each tooth and be sure to reach your gum line.

What type of floss should I use?

Nylon or multifilament floss – this type of floss is available waxed or unwaxed in a variety of flavors. It can be prone to shredding or tearing between tight teeth.
Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or monofilament floss – this material is more expensive but less likely to shred, making it easy to slide between the teeth.
Floss picks and water flossing is also available if traditional floss is difficult to use.

Excellent oral hygiene goes beyond brushing your teeth twice a day. Additionally, it involves flossing properly to reduce the likelihood of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Book your next appointment with our team

Talk with your dentist about your dental hygiene routine and oral care products that are most effective for you. At Reflection Ridge Dental, we personalize appointments based on each patient’s needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

Oral Health Routines for a Happy, Healthy Smile

You’ve probably heard that a healthy mouth is associated with a healthy body. This is mostly true, as your teeth and mouth can show first signs of deficiencies and disease.

Oral health is linked to overall health

Your oral health is a window to your body’s overall health. For example, problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bodily infections, and other conditions can affect your oral health. Furthermore, these conditions can lead to periodontal disease, gum disease, gingivitis, and other oral infections.

5 ways to improve your oral routine and maintain a healthy mouth

Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes.
Floss daily.
Incorporate mouthwash into your routine.
Limit sugary food and beverages.
Drink more water.

When to seek help from your dentist

If you notice any changes to your teeth or mouth, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. For instance, issues may include bleeding or swollen gums, new sensitivities to teeth, painful chewing, unusual taste or consistent bad breath. Most importantly, taking good care of your oral health is a long-term investment in your overall health.

At Reflection Ridge Dental, we offer preventative services like routine dental checkups, laser decay removal, comprehensive dental services, and more. In addition, our team of dentists and hygienists are committed to serving patients with top-notch care. We have a patient-first attitude and we are proud to provide dental care to your entire family.