Tooth-Brushing Tips

Even though we’ve been brushing our teeth for our whole lives, many of us are surprised to learn that we’re not doing it properly. How many of you think it’s a race when you step in front of the sink? You may brush for less than a minute, leaving a layer of plaque behind. Plaque that isn’t removed can harden into tartar, making it harder to keep teeth clean. That’s why it is important to utilize these brushing tips in between professional cleanings and dental checkups with our doctors at Cadena Dentistry.

• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Move the brush back-and-forth gently in short strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

If you have questions about your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn about our services that we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Get Tartar Under Control

 

It’s no secret to us that plaque can be bad for your teeth. When this sticky substance has the chance to fester and hardens into tartar, it can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Unlike plaque, tartar is a mineral buildup that’s fairly easy to see, if above the gum line. So what’s the difference between plaque and tartar? The only way to remove tartar completely is to visit our hygienists at Cadena Dentistry for a professional cleaning. 

The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown color to teeth and gums. In between dental visits, proper brushing, especially with tartar control toothpaste, and flossing are necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Once tartar has formed, the process for removing it is called scaling. During a scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove tartar from your teeth and below the gum line. 

If you have tartar buildup on your teeth and are long overdue for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

It’s no secret to us that plaque can be bad for your teeth. When this sticky substance has the chance to fester and hardens into tartar, it can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Unlike plaque, tartar is a mineral buildup that’s fairly easy to see, if above the gum line. So what’s the difference between plaque and tartar? The only way to remove tartar completely is to visit our hygienists at Cadena Dentistry for a professional cleaning.

The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown color to teeth and gums. In between dental visits, proper brushing, especially with tartar control toothpaste, and flossing are necessary to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Once tartar has formed, the process for removing it is called scaling. During a scaling, the dentist or hygienist uses special instruments to remove tartar from your teeth and below the gum line.

If you have tartar buildup on your teeth and are long overdue for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

 

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatment

When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities such as brushing, flossing, eating and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. This occurs when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath the teeth, called the dentin. If you are concerned about what may be causing your teeth to be sensitive, give our staff at Cadena Dentistry a call.

Some other causes of sensitive teeth are teeth grinding, tooth-whitening products, consumption of acidic foods and chipped or broken teeth. The good news is that there are many ways to control sensitive teeth. You can start by maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once daily. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing and consider using desensitizing toothpaste that possesses the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

What Are Dental Cavities?

Dental cavities are holes in teeth caused by tooth decay. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well. You can prevent these cavities by scheduling regular dental every six months with one of our dentists at Cadena Dentistry, reducing your sugar intake, as well as brushing twice a day and flossing daily.

If cavities aren’t treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. Finding cavities in the teeth can be tricky, which is why a dentist should always be involved in diagnosing for cavities. Sometimes, cavities can go unnoticed for weeks or months and your dentist will find them during your regular exam. If you experience sensitivity in your tooth as well as visible holes and pits, give us a call right away to discuss your treatment options.

Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Smoking and Dental Health

Smoking is unhealthy at all costs. It not only can lead to oral and lung cancer in the long run, but its early effects can be cosmetic too. When you smoke, you inhale at least 30 different burning chemicals besides nicotine and tar. These include ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. The residue leaves a stain and gradually it becomes noticeable, causing your teeth to harden and turn yellow. Of course the best solution to this problem is to quit smoking, but when you can’t quit cold turkey our staff at Cadena Dentistry can offer a variety of options to esthetically enhance and restore your smile.

People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums don’t heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque and causes gum to disease to get worse more quickly in non-smoking.

If you smoke, it’s important to visit our dental team regularly. People who smoke are more likely to have stained teeth, and therefore may need appointments with the dental hygienist more often. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Cleaning Your Dental Implant

Dental implants are a very common procedure to replace missing teeth. Implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, cleaning your dental implant is critical to avoid infection. Here at Cadena Dentistry our dentists will discuss implant maintenance care once the implants are placed.

Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements is just as important as cleaning natural teeth, as both depend on healthy surrounding tissues for support. To ensure that the implant lasts as long as they should, some special techniques and efforts are required to keep the implant clean and free of dental plaque. Plaque has the ability to cause infection in the tissues around the implant which will lead to its ultimate failure. Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

During your professional cleaning, our dental hygienists play an important role in keeping your dental implant infection free. To learn more about dental implants and other services provided at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

 

Brushing your teeth is not just for a whiter smile and fresher breath, it’s important for your overall health. When you brush, you remove plaque – the thin film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and will cause cavities, gum disease, and if you ignore it long enough, it will cause your teeth to rot and fall out. Everyone knows why they have to brush their teeth, but here at Cadena Dentistry we want you to know how to properly brush them. 

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine and it takes at least two minutes. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. That way you can physically monitor your time. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations. The proper brushing technique includes: placing your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently moving the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes and brushing your tongue to remove bacteria that causes bad breath. 

If you need assistance with your dental routine or you need to schedule a checkup, give us a call today! To learn more about our services provided at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322Brushing your teeth is not just for a whiter smile and fresher breath, it’s important for your overall health. When you brush, you remove plaque – the thin film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and will cause cavities, gum disease, and if you ignore it long enough, it will cause your teeth to rot and fall out. Everyone knows why they have to brush their teeth, but here at Cadena Dentistry we want you to know how to properly brush them.

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine and it takes at least two minutes. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. That way you can physically monitor your time. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations. The proper brushing technique includes: placing your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently moving the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes and brushing your tongue to remove bacteria that causes bad breath.

 

If you need assistance with your dental routine or you need to schedule a checkup, give us a call today! To learn more about our services provided at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.