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Summer Dental Health Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

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There’s something about summer that is unlike any other season. The activities are endless, from the late-night ice cream runs with family to picnics at the park with your neighbors. But with those activities comes a surplus of sugary snacks and drinks that can wreak havoc on your oral health. Follow these tips from Taylor Dental to keep your teeth pearly white and cavity-free this summer.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

With the summer heat pounding down, it’s more important than ever that you keep your body hydrated. If you aren’t drinking a sufficient amount of water, you could be dehydrating your body, resulting in dizziness, headaches, and even fainting.

But water does more than just hydrate your body — it helps to cleanse your mouth of bacteria and plaque that builds up after eating sugary foods! It can also help dislodge food particles that can cause cavities to form between your teeth. When enjoying a cold glass of water, don’t rely too heavily on carbonated beverages such as seltzer water. Although it will help hydrate your body and keep your mouth bacteria-free, too much exposure to carbonation can damage your enamel.

Create a New Routine

During the fall, winter, and spring, your family likely has a routine consisting of going to school, attending sports games or piano lessons, having a family dinner and getting ready for bed. But summer often throws you for a loop, and you need to scrap the entire routine.

Since school is out, you’re likely dealing with a different schedule that requires you to be more flexible with your day-to-day activities. Although your family may be doing things a bit differently in the summer, some aspects of your routine shouldn’t change — including brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Skipping your oral hygiene routine can have a lasting impact on the overall health of your mouth, which is why it’s important to continue making time for brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.

Watch What You Eat

What are some of your favorite activities to do throughout the summer? For many individuals, those activities often revolve around food. The summer treats seem to be never-ending, from eating funnel cake at the carnival, going on a late-night ice cream run, or eating dessert at a backyard barbecue.

While these sugary snacks seem like a good idea at the moment, they’re harmful to your teeth if you don’t thoroughly brush and floss afterward. Limit how often you and your family enjoy these sugary treats, making it a special occasion for everyone to look forward to rather than indulging every day. To ensure you’re keeping your oral hygiene up, brush right after eating dessert. You can also look for other low-sugar snacks to bring to the next barbecue, such as vegetables, hummus, crackers, nuts, and cheese.

Schedule Preventative Dental Care with Taylor Dental

Although the summer is hectic, take a break from the hustle and bustle and schedule a preventative dental visit with Taylor Dental. Instead of waiting for school to start up again and needing to plan the family’s dental visits around school, sports, and other extracurriculars, it’s a great idea to get an appointment on the schedule towards the end of the summer. We’ll give your smile a thorough cleaning and leave you feeling refreshed so you can show off your pearly whites at the Labor Day barbecue.

Here at Taylor Dental, we specialize in preventive dental care for your entire family. If any family member needs a dental cleaning this summer, give our team a call to schedule an appointment.

Direct From The Dentist: How Smoking & Tobacco Use Cause You Cavitites

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It’s no secret that smoking isn’t good for your health. But when you think of the health risks associated with smoking, your mind likely automatically thinks of lung cancer and oral cancer.

However, smoking wreaks havoc on many parts of an individual’s body — including their teeth! Smoking and tobacco products cause significant damage to your smile, and the longer you smoke, the more damage you’ll likely experience.

Before you can repair some of the damage to your teeth, Taylor Dental is here to explain how smoking and tobacco products cause cavities and what you can do to avoid causing future oral hygiene problems.

How Smoking Impacts Your Teeth

Smoking and tobacco products cause several issues to your oral health, ranging from gum recession to bone damage. Today we’re going to look at a few of the ways smoking damages your teeth and oral cavity.

Tooth Decay

More often than not, people assume most oral issues related to smoking-related to gum damage or cancer, but that’s not always the case. Your teeth can become significantly damaged as well, often beginning with tooth decay. Over time, smoking will cause large cavities to show up around the individual’s gumline, which weakens the teeth and often damages the root. It can also lead to tooth infections.

Periodontal Disease

Also known as gum disease, it is an infection in your mouth that impacts the gums. While the irritation may start as irritation, bleeding, and inflamed gums, it eventually leads to gum disease. When this happens, the individual will notice their gums receding, which exposes more of their teeth to potential damage.

Additional Oral Problems

Along with tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, there are other issues that smokers may experience. These include:

  • Tooth discoloration – Tobacco products often lead to stained teeth that are a dark yellow hue. Over time, it can stay your tongue as well.
  • Mouth sores – Smokers are more likely to experience mouth sores and ulcers when compared to individuals who don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
  • Oral cancer – Tobacco products, cigarettes, and cigars contain harmful chemicals exposed to your mouth every time the product is used. Exposure to these chemicals causes mutations in the cells of your mouth and throat, which increases the risk of oral cancer.

How Smokers Can Reduce the Risk of Cavities

Stopping smoking and using tobacco products is the best way to minimize the risk of cavities. Other recommendations include:

  • Preventative care – Regular dental visits are an absolute must for maintaining healthy oral hygiene to find minor problems before they become more prominent and painful issues.
  • Flossing and brushing – Along with flossing and brushing twice a day, consider doing so every time you smoke or use a tobacco product to help remove the harsh chemicals from your mouth.
  • Tweaking your routine – At your preventative dental appointment, ask your dentist what other tactics you can do to improve your oral hygiene, such as using an electric toothbrush, mouthwash, or a water pick.

Fix Your Cavities with Non-Metal Fillings At Taylor General & Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re a smoker or tobacco product user and are looking to create a picture-perfect smile, non-metal fillings might be the solution you’re looking for. Following your appointment for fillings, it’s important to schedule preventative care to ensure you’re protecting your teeth from further damage. Contact the team at Taylor Dental to schedule an appointment for non-metal fillings in Billings, MT.

We look forward to helping you reach the smile of your dreams!

Aftercare: 6 Ways to Care for Dental Implants

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A missing tooth or multiple teeth doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful smile. To restore your pearly whites, your dentist may recommend dental implants to replace your missing teeth. With dental implants, an artificial tooth is implanted directly into your jaw with a dental implant. Once the implant is embedded within your jawbone, it is used to secure a singular or group of artificial teeth in place to create the appearance of a perfect smile.

If you’re considering dental implants to get you the smile you’ve always dreamed of, there are a few aftercare tips for you to be aware of. Here are six aftercare tips for peace of mind with your dental implants.

Brush with a Soft Bristled Toothbrush

Have you bought the same brand of toothbrushes for the past ten years? Do you rely on the toothbrushes your dentist gives you as your bi-annual cleaning? After getting dental implants, you may need to change up the type of toothbrush you’ve been using to brush your teeth twice a day.

Using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can scratch the exterior of your dental implants. Instead, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush that will offer the same clean but with much gentler bristles. When browsing the toothbrush aisle at the store, look for a toothbrush labeled with nylon bristles to ensure you’re choosing a toothbrush soft enough to do no damage but still provide a thorough cleaning.

Use Products for Sensitive Teeth

Because your mouth has undergone surgery to get the dental implants attached to your jaw, it’s essential to take precautions against anything that may cause you additional discomfort. When selecting your mouthwash and toothpaste, opt for less abrasive options. The best way to handle this is to use toothpaste and mouthwash specifically designed for those with tooth sensitivity. Anything too abrasive can cause you extreme discomfort with repeat use.

Floss Your Teeth Every Day

How often are you currently flossing your teeth? If you aren’t flossing your teeth daily, then you aren’t flossing enough — especially when you have dental implants. Flossing is more important than ever when you have dental implants because of the plaque buildup around the implant. If the plaque isn’t removed, it can lead to infection and eventually cause a problem with your dental implant.

Watch the Types of Foods You Eat

This probably won’t come as a surprise, but there are certain types of foods you would avoid or limit when you have artificial teeth. Sticky and hard foods are known to cause damage to dental implants, so be mindful when eating any of the following foods:

  • Carrots
  • Apples
  • Caramel
  • Hard candy
  • Gummy candy
  • Chips
  • Steak
  • Ice

Avoiding or reducing the intake of these foods will help ensure your dental implant remains healthy and intact.

Limit Smoking and Alcohol

Dental implants are fully healed about six months. If your teeth are exposed to any additional trauma during this period, the healing may be delayed. Both smoking and alcohol are detrimental to the healing process for dental implants, which increases the chance of rejection or infection. When possible, avoid smoking or drinking alcohol to allow your dental implants to heal more quickly.

Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings

Regular visits to the dentist should always be on your calendar, especially if you have dental implants. Not only will your dentist be able to check on your dental implants and make sure everything has healed correctly, but they’ll also clean and check the rest of your teeth to prevent the need for additional dental implants in the future. By properly taking care of your dental implants, you’ll have a beautiful smile for many years to come.

Call Taylor Dental for Dental Implants

For dental implants or require other dental services in Billings, MT, reach out to Taylor Dental’s team to schedule an appointment.

Address Gum Disease Before Looking At Dental Implants

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Dental implants are an excellent option for those looking to make an imperfect smile perfect again. If you’re missing a tooth or multiple teeth from gum disease, you may be considering dental implants. Dental implants create a natural-looking smile that helps you talk and eat without issue.

A titanium or zirconium post is embedded through the gumline into the jawbone to appear like a natural tooth. The replacement tooth is fit to your mouth and fused to the rod to ensure it is secured in place.

But if you’ve suffered from gum disease in the past, there could be damage to your gum line or jawbone that requires attention before having dental implants. Taylor Dental is here to explain what gum disease is and why it needs to be addressed before getting your perfect smile.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums caused by an excess of bacteria-filled plaque building up around the gumline of your teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and can lead to additional health issues such as strokes and cardiovascular disease.

Gum disease is widespread and often exhibited in the following ways:

  • Receding gum line
  • Painful, swollen gums
  • Tender, bleeding gums
  • Pus between teeth
  • Loose teeth

Additional symptoms also include bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth. While these symptoms occur most of the time, it is possible to have gum disease with no warning signs. Proper oral hygiene is vital to prevent gum disease from worsening. If left untreated, you may lose teeth.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I’ve Had Gum Disease?

Before getting dental implants, you need to treat any existing case of gum disease. Periodontitis damages your gum line, causing your gums to recede. As a result, your gums are not likely stable enough to hold a dental implant in place.

If you’re hoping to get dental implants to perfect your smile but have had gum disease in the past, you must have a dentist evaluate your mouth. In certain instances, gum disease can cause your jawbone to lose bone density. When this happens, your jawbone may not be capable of providing a sturdy foundation for dental implants. A skilled dentist can evaluate your jawbone and determine if you need a bone graft before moving forward with dental implants.

Can I Experience Gum Disease After Getting Dental Implants?

After getting dental implants, you need to practice proper oral hygiene, similar to how you would take care of your natural teeth. Without adequately brushing and flossing, you will find yourself with bacteria-filled plaque covering your gum line — which can result in gum disease all over again. When untreated, you may find yourself suffering from bone loss, which will cause your dental implants to become loose and fall out or cause other oral problems.

Stick to a thorough dental hygiene routine and brush at least twice a day to minimize bacteria buildup, allowing you to maintain a healthy smile.

Call Taylor Dental for Dental Implants

Whether you’ve had gum disease in the past or suspect you may be suffering from gum disease, you must get evaluated by a dentist to ensure your jawbone is strong enough for dental implants. Taylor Dental can perform a thorough checkup and determine if you need a bone graft or another procedure before the surgery. If you have concerns about your dental implants or require other dental services, reach out to Taylor Dental’s team to schedule an appointment.

How Do Cosmetic Dentists Fix Dead, Discolored Teeth?

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Your smile is often the first attribute that people notice about you, which is why teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures. However, teeth whitening might not be the best course of action for a brighter smiler if you’re dealing with a dead or discolored tooth.

If you’ve suffered dental trauma due to a dental procedure, a fall, or a sports injury, the damaged tooth may react differently to whitening agents — not providing you with the white color you’re hoping for! Because of this, improving the appearance of dead, discolored teeth can be more difficult, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t cosmetic dental procedures that can help.

Determine the Cause of the Discolored Tooth

Before your cosmetic dentist can begin any procedure to get you a white smiler, they need to find out the underlying cause of your damaged tooth. Understanding if the tooth’s pulp is dead or alive will determine if you’re a candidate for external bleaching. If your discolored tooth is still alive, teeth whitening may still be an option. However, if the x-rays confirm that the tooth’s pulp is no longer vital, other options will need to be executed to achieve the desired pearly whites.

How to Fix Dead & Discolored Teeth

Here are a few different methods a cosmetic dentist may suggest to whiten a dead and discolored tooth.

Teeth Whitening

Depending on the severity of the discoloration, you may be able to get away with standard teeth whitening if the damaged tooth is only slightly darker. However, keep in mind that if the tooth is found to be completely dead, your tooth will likely continue turning a darker shade even after you bleach it externally.

Internal Bleaching

When external bleaching is no longer viable, a cosmetic dentist might opt for bleaching the tooth from the inside out. To do this, you undergo a procedure where a small hole is made in the rear of the tooth, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned out. From there, the dentist inserts a bleaching agent that is sealed within the tooth. However, this method won’t give you immediate results — it can take up to four visits before you get the degree of lightning you’re hoping for. Once you reach the desired whiteness, your dentist will permanently seal up the hole in the back of your tooth.

Colored Crowns

Another option is to skip bleaching altogether and have your cosmetic dentist install a colored crown over the top of the discolored tooth to blend it in with the rest of your teeth. This is also an excellent option for candidates who opted for internal bleaching, but the damaged tooth began discoloring repeatedly. By covering up the tooth entirely, you’ll quickly achieve the pearly whites of your dreams while also providing an added layer of protection to an already damaged tooth.

Porcelain Veneers

Similar to a crown, a porcelain veneer is used to cover up the tooth’s discolored appearance. Made of thin porcelain strips, these lay over top of the tooth to seamlessly integrate with your existing smile. Porcelain veneers are a preferred option over dental crowns when dealing with relatively healthy teeth because you can leave more of your natural tooth intact.

Dental Implants

Depending on the damage you’re dealing with, your cosmetic dentist may recommend a dental implant instead of an option focused on whitening the tooth. In this scenario, your dentist would replace the damaged and discolored tooth with a permanent replacement instead of covering up the discoloration. While dental crowns and veneers are incredible for those who have a single damaged tooth, dental implants are an ideal option for someone with a few discolored teeth next to each other.

Call Dr. Taylor for Cosmetic Dentistry in Billings Montana

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of a dead and discolored tooth, Dr. Taylor and his staff can help you determine if porcelain veneers and crowns are the right solutions for you. Contact our team to schedule a complimentary smile design consultation, during which you can sit down with Dr. Taylor and have him answer any questions you might have.

The Lifespan of Dental Implants and Other Dental Products

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A perfect smile doesn’t always come naturally — sometimes, you need dental implants to help you create a healthy and beautiful smile. Since dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, you can minimize any spaces or gaps in your mouth caused by lost teeth. Not only will dental implants allow you to improve your confidence, but they’ll make it easier for you to chew and speak since the crowns are anchored into your jawbone.

But how long will this investment last you? Taylor Dental is here to explain the expected lifespan of dental implants and steps you can take to help them stay in the best shape possible.

What Are Dental Implants?

If you are missing a tooth and looking for a permanent, natural-looking solution, a dental implant might be the right choice for you. An artificial tooth root is implanted directly into your jawbone with a dental implant to secure a singular or group of artificial teeth, known as dental crowns, in place.

Once the dental impact is installed, an abutment is used to connect the dental implant to the crowns and keep them in the desired spot. These dental crowns are custom fit to your mouth to blend into your existing smile. With a dental implant, you can have peace of mind.

What Is the Expected Lifespan of Dental Implants?

When considering dental implants, you’re probably wondering how long you can expect them to last. Will they allow your crowns to function normally for a lifetime? Or will they require a replacement in the next few years? You’ll be glad to know the dental implant can last your entire life when oral hygiene is maintained.

However, keep in mind that your smile isn’t only composed of the dental implant — the artificial tooth is the portion that is visible to the naked eye. While the implant can last a lifetime when taken care of, the crown tends to have a shorter lifespan of about 10 to 15 years before a replacement will be required. The location of the dental implant and crown can also impact how long they last. If the implant is in the back of your mouth, where most chewing occurs, it’s more likely to wear down quicker than an implant towards the front of your mouth.

You must follow best practices for oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing your teeth regularly, and scheduling preventative dentist visits every six months.

Will I Need Dental Implants Replacement?

In many situations, you may not need to replace your dental implants. However, if you notice that the dental implant and crown have become loose or damaged or you’re experiencing an infection, then it may be time to consult a dentist to determine if a dental implant replacement is needed.

Reasons You May Experience Problems with Dental Implants

While dental implants have a good track record for lasting upwards of two decades, some factors can contribute to the implants’ problems. Two of these reasons include:

  • Peri-implantitis – This is a gum disease that causes your body to attack the implants with an infection that can cause inflammation and damage the bone surrounding the tooth. As a result, the dental implant will fail.
  • Failed osseointegration – Another scenario is when your bone doesn’t grow around the dental implant as expected. When this happens, the implant isn’t secure enough to support a dental crown in place.

Along with these two conditions that lead to dental implant failure, there are other reasons why you may experience problems with dental implants. These include:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions – Individuals experiencing medical conditions such as diabetes or cancer have a much higher risk of dental implant failure. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, share that information with your dentist so they can monitor your progress and detect any potential issues early on.
  • Jawbone support – When considering dental implants, your dentist will need to evaluate your jawbone’s strength to make sure it can support the dental implant. If you have bone loss or lost teeth, implants might not be a viable solution without bone regeneration.
  • Dental implant location – As mentioned, the location of the dental implants causes problems. If the impact is in the back of the mouth, it will be relied upon to support constant chewing. This extra use can cause the dental implant to fail more quickly than an implant in the front of the mouth.
  • Teeth grinding – Those that grind their teeth at night knowing there are many adverse side effects, such as painful chewing, headaches, and jaw pain. If you constantly grind your teeth with dental implants, it can cause extra stress on the implants and cause them to chip.

If you have concerns about your dental implant or require other dental services, reach out to Taylor Dental’s team to schedule an appointment.

How Long Should You Wait To Get a Crown?

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Most people are not a massive fan of the dentist, especially if your visit requires a dental procedure such as a root canal. During the procedure, your dentist removes bacteria and infected pulp from the root canal to help prevent further infection of the tooth — helping you maintain the integrity of your natural tooth. Once the infected pulp has been eliminated, your dentist fills and seals your tooth.

Following the procedure, your dentist may recommend a crown to restore your tooth. A crown is an artificial tooth placed over the top of your existing tooth to improve its strength and appearance. The crown is customized to your existing teeth to restore the tooth to its normal size and shape.

But is a dental crown necessary? Can you get away with leaving on the temporary crown instead? How long should you wait to get a crown? Taylor Dental is here to provide all the answers you need to make the best decision for you.

The Benefits of Getting a Crown

If your dentist recommends getting a crown for a tooth, it’s an important decision to consider. Here are a few benefits of getting a crown done (sooner rather than later!).

Helps Prevent Damage

Your tooth is likely in need of a crown because you underwent a root canal to remove an infection from your tooth’s root canal. Because of the surgery, your tooth is more fragile, leading to further damage such as tooth cracks. Having a crown atop the tender tooth will provide extra protection to prevent any more damage.

Minimizes Tooth Sensitivity

If you’ve ever suffered from tooth sensitivity, you know how painful it can be. After a root canal, you might find yourself with more sensitive teeth when exposed to hot and cold temperatures. A dental crown will protect your tooth from these extreme temperatures and minimize your sensitivity.

Reduces the Risk of Infection

Because your tooth was infected, it has a higher risk of becoming infected again, even after a root canal procedure. Placing a dental crown over the top of your tooth helps to seal it off from bacteria that can recontaminate it and result in you needing a tooth extraction.

Improves the Appearance

While a root canal procedure doesn’t always affect a tooth’s color, there is a chance your tooth gives off a slightly gray hue. Adding a dental crown will help you retain a natural-looking smile by keeping the tooth the same shade as the rest of your teeth.

How Long Can You Use a Temporary Crown?

Directly following your root canal, your dentist might provide you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is created. This temporary crown covers the tooth and helps retain the tooth’s original shape, size, and strength until your permanent crown is ready.

A permanent crown can take anywhere from one week to four weeks for the dentist to custom-make to seamlessly fit into your existing smile. But if your temporary crown seems to be holding up, do you need to schedule your dental crown procedure as soon as it’s ready? Or can you continue to wear your temporary crown?

While your temporary crown can be worn for longer than the four weeks it might take for your custom-made permanent crowns to be created, it isn’t recommended that you postpone the dental crown procedure. The longer you leave the temporary crown in place, the more prone you are to infection or additional damage to the tooth.

What Happens If You Postpone Getting a Crown?

If your dentist recommends you get a crown following a root canal, you don’t want to put it off. By postponing a dental crown, you might experience one of the following scenarios:

  • Your tooth becomes compromised and becomes infected or damaged without the added layer of protection.
  • Your tooth, which is weakened from the procedure, cracks or chips — impacting the structural integrity of your tooth.
  • Your tooth can split in half without a crown in place, which will result in you getting a tooth extraction.

If you’re already experiencing any of these situations, call your dentist to schedule an appointment to determine the next steps.

Dental Crowns for Teeth in Billings Montana

Don’t put off getting a dental crown and risk damaging your tooth even further. The sooner you have your crown procedure, the sooner you can have peace of mind. The skilled team at Taylor Dental is ready to give you the peace of mind you deserve.

For all dental concerns, Dr. Taylor offers preventative care, as well as porcelain veneers and crowns. To prevent further damage or infection to your tooth, schedule an appointment with the leading cosmetic dentist in Billings, MT.

What’s the Difference Between Dental Inlays and Fillings

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How often does your dentist find cavities during your routine dental visits? Oral hygiene is essential, and even with regular teeth brushing, you might occasionally find yourself with a cavity. Tooth decay is the second most common disease after the common cold, so you’re not alone if you’ve had your fair share of cavities. Luckily, there are many dental restoration options available — but it can be hard to narrow down which choice is right for your specific type of tooth decay.

The goal of dental restoration is to restore your tooth to its natural state and reduce any discomfort you’re having. If you’re experiencing tooth erosion, Taylor Dental can help you determine if dental fillings or dental inlays are the ideal options for your teeth. Our team can walk you through what to expect during each procedure and the difference between the two.

What Are Dental Fillings?

If your dentist discovers a cavity during your dental exam, they may recommend treating it with a dental filling. During this process, the dentist will remove the tooth portion that is decayed or rotted from the cavity using a drill or laser. Once the damaged section is removed, they will use metal or porcelain material to fill up the space. In doing so, the filling enables you to go about your daily life with a normal feeling bite.

Dental fillings are a relatively quick and painless process, which is why they’re such a popular choice for resolving small or medium-sized cavities. However, they can become damaged over time and expand due to exposure to extreme temperatures or crack from excess pressure. If damaged, your dentist will likely drill out the existing filling and restore it to its original condition.

What Are Dental Inlays?

Like dental fillings, dental inlays are used to remedy cavities and decayed teeth — but the process for an inlay varies from that of a filling. To begin the tooth restoration process, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth’s damaged area and send this to a dental lab. From there, the dental lab will create an inlay that is built to the exact specifications of your tooth’s cavity. Once the inlay has been made, your dentist will need to drill out the decayed portion of the tooth and fit the inlay inside that space. After the inlay is inserted into your tooth, your dentist cements it in place to sit comfortably within your natural tooth — helping to strengthen your tooth from the inside out.

Dental inlays are the ideal treatment option for large cavities where a filling might not hold onto the natural tooth. Because the inlay needs to be specially created for your cavity’s size and shape, the process requires two appointments before your cavity is fixed, which may feel a bit uncomfortable for a few days between appointments.

Schedule an Appointment with Taylor Dental

Understanding the difference between dental inlays and fillings will help you feel more confident as you head into your next dental appointment and you’re faced with a cavity. Both options provide their own set of benefits, and your dentist will be able to help you determine which dental restoration procedure is the best option for your teeth. If you still have questions about dental restoration services, don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable cosmetic dentistry team.

For all dental concerns, Dr. Taylor offers preventative care, as well as non-metal fillings if you are experiencing tooth decay. To prevent or treat tooth decay, schedule an appointment with the leading cosmetic dentist in Billings, MT.

Is It Safe To Use A Plaque Scraper At Home?

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During your regular dental cleanings, your hygienist uses various special tools to clean your smile effectively. A plaque scraper, also known as a dental scaler, is used to remove your teeth’ plaque buildup. After leaving the dentist, you probably love how clean your teeth look and consider buying a plaque scraper so you can clean your teeth on your own. However, using a dental scaler at home can damage your oral health if done incorrectly and should be left for the professionals.

What Is a Plaque Scraper?

Along with flossing and polishing your pearly whites, your dental hygienist uses a plaque scraper to perform dental scaling. During this process, they remove any plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gumlines.

Removal of this buildup is essential to your teeth’ overall health — if left unremoved, it can lead to tooth decay or gum disease problems. Although removing plaque and tartar needs to be performed regularly, it isn’t a process that you should be undertaking on your own. Although the tools are available to you, dental scaling at home can cause more harm than good.

The Dangers of DIY Dental Scaling

Without the proper knowledge and training on operating the metal dental tools correctly, using a plaque scraper on your puts you at risk of injury or damage to your teeth. There is a lot of misinformation on the Internet offering instructions on using a plaque scraper on yourself. By utilizing a plaque scraper on yourself, you are putting yourself at risk of:

  • Gum damage or injury – A dental scaler is a sharp, metal tool used to pinpoint and scrape away excess plaque. Because of the sharp tip, it can puncture and damage your gums if misused. While gum damage might seem minimal at first, the repeated trauma can result in gum recession, increased sensitivity, and exposure of the roots of your teeth.
  • Mouth injuries – Along with injuries to your gums, a dental scaler can also damage the soft tissues of your mouth — including your tongue, inner cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and other areas of soft tissue.
  • Infection – If you accidentally cause trauma to your gums or mouth, you expose yourself to a potential infection. The excess plaque in your mouth can get lodged under your gumline, cause injury, and lead to an infection.
  • Gum recession – Your gum tissue is exceptionally delicate and needs to be handled with the utmost care. The sharp tip of the plaque scraper can cause damage to your gums and cause a recession of the tissue.
  • Tooth sensitivity – When your gums become damaged from too much scraping, the roots of your teeth might become exposed. As a result, you might find yourself struggling to eat hot meals or drink cold beverages due to increased tooth sensitivity.

If you suspect you need a thorough teeth cleaning, schedule an appointment with your dentist or dental hygienist before trying to use a plaque scraper at home.

How to Remove Plaque Safely

You should never attempt to use a dental scaler at home. The safest way to remove plaque and tartar buildup is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Regular professional dental cleanings with Taylor Dental help ensure you’re doing everything to maintain your oral hygiene. During your cleaning, our team will inspect your teeth and gums, as well as remove the plaque safely so you can continue showing off those beautiful pearly whites.

To remove plaque buildup or to schedule your regular dental cleaning, schedule an appointment with the leading dentist in Billings, MT.

I Brush & Floss My Teeth But Still Get Cavities. Why?

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Nothing makes a dentist visit more unenjoyable than finding out you have a mouthful of cavities — especially after you’ve been so diligent about flossing and brushing. Why is it that you still find yourself with pesky cavities making an appearance when following your dentist’s recommendations for cleaning your teeth?

No matter how good your dental hygiene routine is, some people are more susceptible to cavities than others. It might not be the answer you’re looking for, but cavities can be caused by genetics.

However, that doesn’t mean you need to suffer through cavity after cavity for the rest of your life. The team at Taylor Dental has put together a quick guide to help you better understand how cavities form and how you can reduce your risk of getting them.

What Are Cavities & How Do They Form?

Cavities are permanent damage, also known as tooth decay, that form tiny holes within your teeth. Without treatment, the damage can spread throughout the entire tooth and cause the whole tooth to rot. But how do these small holes come about?

Your teeth are comprised of various minerals that become damaged over time when exposed to sugary drinks and scratchy foods that cause bacteria growth in your mouth. This bacteria creates an acidic covering on your tooth that eats away at your tooths’ enamel. The more acid that builds up, the more the natural minerals in your teeth are weakened.

If the sugary or starchy treats are not thoroughly cleaned, you will find yourself dealing with tooth decay.

How to Reduce the Risk of Cavities

While some individuals are more prone to cavities, you can still take precautions to lessen the risk of tooth decay. Here are a few ways that you can improve your oral health and minimize the chance of cavities:

  • Scheduling regular dentist visits – Preventative care is absolutely crucial when it comes to maintaining healthy oral hygiene. Through regularly scheduled dental visits, your dentist can find small problems before they become larger and painful issues — pointing out problem areas you should focus on when cleaning your teeth.
  • Flossing and brushing – Do you brush your teeth every morning and night? What about after every meal? While most people follow the brushing twice a day rule, not many can say the same about flossing! Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once helps to remove any sugar or starch buildup on or between your teeth that can lead to cavities.
  • Changing your diet – If you are more susceptible to cavities, it can be beneficial to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. Make mindful choices when eating and determine the easiest places for you to make some changes. While sugar is in most foods, you can make a significant change by reducing your soda, coffee, or juice intake, as well as eating less candy and sweets.
  • Tweaking your oral hygiene routine – Sometimes brushing and flossing isn’t enough — or you might not be using the best products to get the most effective clean. Talk to your dentist about what you can do to improve your oral hygiene. Small changes can make a big difference, such as using an electric toothbrush, mouthwash, or a water pick.

Fix Your Cavities with Non-Metal Fillings At Taylor General & Cosmetic Dentistry

If you would like to replace your metal fillings with non-metal fillings or would like to schedule preventative care, contact the team at Taylor Dental to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you reach the smile of your dreams!

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