Set Aside Time To Inspect Your Smile for Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Are you familiar with the symptoms of oral cancer? If you have any irregularities and abnormalities in your mouth, teeth, head, neck, or gums, it could very likely be associated with the disease. Thus, it is important to always keep a daily track of anything unusual with your mouth and visit your dentist as needed. Ideally, you should routinely schedule an appointment with your dentist for oral cancer screenings as necessary. If you’re suffering from oral cancer, it could often show itself through symptoms and signs present in your mouth. This can include visual clues such as red, white, or speckled patches, as well as persistent sores that continue to arise. If bleeding frequently returns, and if you have abnormal swellings or thickenings in your mouth, it could be linked to oral cancer. Common indications of oral cancer include changes in your oral health. This can include teeth moving out of their alignment or even difficulties with chewing and speaking. If your swallowing abilities are hindered, or if you have trouble moving your jaw or tongue, oral cancer may be to blame. Other common indications are throat soreness, chronic sore throat, or even dramatic and unexplained weight loss. For more about symptoms of oral cancer or to schedule an oral cancer screening with Dr. Scott Chandler and our team at our dentist office in Park City, UT, please contact Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD at 435-649-2078.
Why Tongue Care Should Be Part of Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Our friendly and experienced dental team is committed to making your oral health one of our top priorities at Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD, and we strive to meet all of your dental needs to help you enjoy a better smile. You can keep your smile in good health between professional dental cleanings by practicing daily dental habits, including cleaning your tongue. Your tongue is a prime environment for many oral bacterial acids, and neglecting to clean it regularly allows bacteria to build up and cause bad breath, a fuzzy coating on the tongue, a bad taste in the mouth, and even changes to your taste buds. Cleaning your tongue is easy. You can achieve a good clean by running your toothbrush from the back to the tip of the tongue, scraping away any bacteria deposits. Some patients prefer a tongue scraper, which is designed to avoid your gag reflex while cleaning and can be found in the dental aisle of most grocery stores. Whichever tool you choose to use, we urge you to keep it clean by rinsing it thoroughly after each use with warm water followed by an antibacterial mouthwash. Please feel free to contact our dentist, Dr. Scott Chandler, and our team at 435-649-2078 today if you have any questions about how to keep your tongue clean in Park City, UT, and to schedule your next dental checkup for a thorough cleaning. We would love to see you at Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD!
Choosing a Toothbrush
As you likely know, it is recommended that you replace your toothbrush about every three to four months. Don’t be sad to part with your toothbrush. Getting a new toothbrush as recommended helps your toothbrush help you. If you are unsure how to choose the toothbrush that was meant for you, continue reading for some tips from our dentist and team in Park City, UT. The Toothbrush Head The toothbrush you choose should have a small enough head that it can easily reach and clean all areas of your mouth. Your toothbrush should be able to clean every surface of your teeth. The Toothbrush Bristles The bristles of your toothbrush should be soft, or even very soft. A toothbrush that has hard bristles can potentially damage the tooth enamel. The risk of a hard-bristled toothbrush harming your teeth is heightened if you tend to scrub your teeth when you brush them. A toothbrush with soft or extra soft bristles can efficiently remove plaque and food particles from the teeth without risking damage to the tooth enamel. Manual vs. Powered If you have trouble brushing your teeth because of limited dexterity or arthritis, a powered toothbrush may be a great choice for you. A powered toothbrush may also be a good choice if you tend to scrub your teeth. However, a manual toothbrush can clean the teeth quite well if it is utilized correctly. Choose the type of toothbrush that works best for your needs. If you have any other queries or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott Chandler, we invite you to contact Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD at 435-649-2078.
Helpful Information About Cavities
Cavities are holes that develop in the teeth when tooth decay attacks. Typically, cavities form when you have poor oral hygiene, you forget to visit Dr. Scott Chandler every six months, or you eat many carbohydrates, like candy, cake, soda, bread, cereal, etc. Many people think children are the only ones who can get cavities, but that’s not true. Everyone can have a cavity if they’re not careful. Seniors can also fall victim to tooth decay because cavities develop around older fillings. Also, some seniors didn’t take good care of their smiles while they were younger, so their teeth are more fragile. Fortunately, tooth decay can be treated in a variety of ways. Your dentist can use dental filling if the cavity is treated early enough. If the cavity isn’t treatable with a filling, they can restore the tooth with a dental crown. If these treatments fail, the tooth will need to be extracted. For more information about cavities in Park City, UT, please call Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD at 435-649-2078 and talk to a member of our dental team. If you have a cavity on one or more of your teeth, please schedule an appointment today. We are happy to help you restore your oral health!
A Partial Denture Can Replace the Function of Extracted Teeth
Some cases of oral trauma and severe tooth decay are so pronounced that the affected teeth cannot be viably treated by endodontic therapy. In an extreme case such as this, a dentist like Dr. Scott Chandler might recommend extracting the teeth to help alleviate pain and prevent a serious periodontal infection. The recovery process will likely include a prescription for pain medication. If a dental abscess or other infection was present in the surrounding gum tissues, [heshe] might also include prescription antibiotics. These medications will need to be taken at the specified times and dosages. Once everything has fully healed the dental restoration specialists at Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD might be able to provide you a partial denture to replace the basic function of your missing teeth. It is a removable dental appliance that will be designed to replicate the missing teeth. They will be founded on a pink base that matches your local gums. The partial denture also includes some hardware components to help temporarily marry the unit with the adjacent teeth. The pink base will also closely match the structural shape of your gums. However, you might still like to apply a little denture adhesive for added hold. If live in the Park City, UT, region and you have a problem with one or more of your teeth, you should call 435-649-2078 to seek timely treatment with Dr. Scott Chandler and the staff at Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD.
Dental Crowns Can Restore Your Damaged Tooth and Improve Your Smile
Do you have a damaged tooth, meaning a broken, decayed, discolored, worn-down, or chipped tooth? If so, your dentist, Dr. Scott Chandler, might recommend restoring that tooth with a dental crown. A dental crown is a strong restoration that can replace your tooth’s enamel and improve its health and function. Dental crown treatment Your dentist will start by numbing the mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure a comfortable experience during the appointment. Then, [heshe] will cut a portion of the tooth enamel from the tooth to create room for the crown. Next, [heshe] will make a dental model or take a picture of your tooth and will send it to a dental lab. At the lab, technicians will custom make your restoration. As you wait for the crown to be custom made for your smile, your dentist will cover the remainder of your tooth with a temporary crown. Dental crown care Your dental crown can last a lifetime—but only if you keep it in top-notch condition. If you practice good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and visiting your dentist, you’ll be on the right track toward having a long-lasting dental restoration. Call Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD today at 435-649-2078 if you think a dental crown is the right treatment for you. We also encourage you to give us a call if you want to know more about dental crowns in Park City, UT. Our dental team will be more than happy to help you!
Here’s Some Flossing Tips
Dr. Scott Chandler and our team encourage each of our patients to brush and floss diligently every day. Individuals should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Unfortunately, there are many people who leave flossing out of their dental hygiene routine. Others do not know how to floss properly. Our dentist and team are pleased to give you tips on proper flossing. Before you begin, wash your hands with an antibacterial soap. This is especially important if you haven’t flossed in a while, as you may experience some bleeding and germs from your hands could infect your gums. Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of the floss around each of your middle fingers, leaving about one to two inches in between. Hold the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers and gently work it in between each tooth. Slide the floss gently up and down between each tooth. Make sure you go beneath the gum line by curving the floss in a C-shape around the bottom of each tooth. Use the extra floss to change to a new section from time to time. The finger with less floss will take up floss as it becomes dirty. This prevents the transfer of bacteria from one place to another. Never snap the floss into the gums, as this can damage the tissue. Please contact our dental office at 435-649-2078 today to learn more about flossing in Park City, UT, and to schedule your next visit.
Other Ways to Clean Your Teeth
Brushing and flossing form the foundation of dental hygiene. However, there are more things that you can do to help your smile stay clean and bright! Two of those things are to incorporate mouthwash into your morning and evening routines and to chew gum after meals. Mouthwash can be an excellent addition to the hygiene routines of some people. Therapeutic mouthwashes are the best, as they are formulated to do more than just freshen your breath. They can kill bacteria, fight plaque, and a host of other beneficial things. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on any mouthwash you choose to incorporate into your routine. After you eat, your mouth is more sensitive to abrasion. Thus, it is not a good idea to brush your teeth immediately after eating. However, it IS a good idea to get all of the food particles and debris away from your teeth as soon as possible. Enter chewing gum. Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating has been proven, through multiple studies, to stimulate saliva flow. This saliva flow cleans your teeth and delivers fortifying substances to your mouth. Of course, chewing gum with sugar in it also stimulates saliva flow, however, the sugar present in the gum feeds the bacteria in your mouth, negating the benefits of the gum. For more information, feel free to call Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD in Park City, UT at 435-649-2078. Dr. Scott Chandler and our team look forward to speaking with you.
Getting Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
As your dentist will tell you, it is important that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. As any parent can tell you, getting your child to do that is sometimes easier said than done! But it does not have to be a chore and with a little imagination and ingenuity, you can convince your child that brushing their teeth is not only important, but even fun! Get your child involved in the process. Let them pick out a toothbrush in their favorite color, or featuring their favorite cartoon character or superhero. Toothpastes now come in a variety of flavors and in interesting tubes. Let them pick out their own toothpaste, as long as it has the American Dental Association Seal of Approval. Let them practice brushing the teeth of toy, stuffed animal or action figure. You can watch videos with them about brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist. Praise and encouragement can work wonders when you want your child to brush their teeth. Let them know how proud you are for doing a good job brushing and try positive reinforcement with stickers or other small gifts as a reward for brushing. One of the best things you can do for your child is to set a good example. If they see you brushing and flossing on a regular basis, they’re more likely to follow your lead. You might try brushing your teeth together to make sure they have the technique down and are brushing for a full two minutes twice a day. If it is time for your little one to make a trip to the dentist (or for that matter, if it time for your regular cleaning and checkup), you can make an appointment to see Dr. Scott Chandler at Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD in Park City, UT, today by calling 435-649-2078. We’re looking forward to seeing your family!
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay, which is also known as a dental cavity, is a severe and dangerous dental issue that can damage your teeth and alter your oral health. Unfortunately, there are many things that cause tooth decay, and some of those things are: -Poor oral hygiene: This means you forget to brush twice a day, floss once a day, rinse daily, and visit your dentist every six months. If you fail to do these things, the harmful, decay-causing substances in your mouth won’t be removed, which can lead to cavity development. -Eating tooth-harming foods: This means eating sugary, high-carbohydrate, and acidic foods regularly. The sugar and carbohydrates promote cavity growth while the acid wears down the tooth enamel and gives the oral bacteria a chance to attack. If you think you might have a cavity, it’s important to call our office and schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Scott Chandler. The sooner you receive treatment, the better because the cavity can spread and make the problem worse. Call Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD today at 435-649-2078 if you have any questions, if you would like to learn more, or if you need to schedule an appointment. Our dental team is here to help you in any way we can!