6 Improvements You Can Make To Your Diet To Care For Your Teeth

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What you eat impacts your health, including the health of your teeth. If you’d like to find a way to improve your diet to take care of your teeth, the dentist in Medina, OH, can help. We’re always happy to provide advice to patients to help them take care of their teeth, and we can help you too. Here’s what to know about what you eat and how it affects your oral health.

How to Improve Your Diet

Below are some suggestions that can help many people take care of their teeth. If you have health conditions, work with your doctor to create a diet that works for you.

  1. Reduce your intake of sugary drinks. Sugary drinks are everywhere! These beverages can damage your teeth and cause cavities. If you drink sugary beverages throughout the day, start looking for substitutes. In many cases, the best beverage is water. If you drink a lot of coffee, consider drinking it black (or at least without sugar).
  2. Reduce your intake of sugar generally. Drinks aren’t the only reason people consume sugar. If you eat sugary snacks throughout the day, take steps to cut back. Consider switching candies for boiled eggs, raw vegetables, or nuts.
  3. Avoid biting into hard candies. Hard candies can break or injure teeth. Avoid eating hard candies if possible, but if you must consume them, don’t bite down!
  4. Replenish calcium with cheese, plain yogurt, and milk. Dairy products can be good for your teeth and help replenish calcium in your tooth enamel.
  5. Chew sugarless gum.  Chewing sugarless gum with the American Dental Association seal of acceptance can help clean your teeth and stimulate the production of saliva.

Other Ways to Take Care of Your Teeth

Eating right is just one way that you can take care of your teeth. See the dentist twice per year and brush your teeth twice daily.

Make An Appointment For a Dental Exam in Medina, OH

When was the last time you saw the dentist? If it’s been more than six months, contact us for your next dental exam in Medina, OH.

Why Alcohol is Bad For Teeth

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Alcohol is legal for of-age adults, but just because you can imbibe, doesn’t mean you should. Alcohol must be drunk responsibly and in moderation in order to avoid associated hazards. One of the least discussed risks associated with drinking alcohol doesn’t involve endangering others, but oneself. Alcohol is one of the worst things you can drink in terms of oral health, your dentist in Medina, OH wants you to know. Rather than contributing vital vitamins and minerals, it has huge negative effects on oral health in more ways than one. Understanding these risks can help you to make informed decisions about alcohol and your dental health.

Enamel Erosion

Many alcoholic beverages, especially wine, beer and mixed drinks, are highly acidic. This acid gradually wears away the protective enamel on teeth, making them more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. Once enamel is eroded, it can’t regenerate, and this increases the risk of cavities, not to mention permanent staining of teeth.

Dry Mouth and Reduced Saliva Production

Even though you’re drinking a liquid, alcohol has a drying effect on the mouth (and body), reducing saliva production. Saliva is essential for neutralizing acids, washing away food particles, and preventing bacterial growth. A dry mouth creates an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to thrive, leading to bad breath, cavities and gum disease.

High Sugar Content in Alcoholic Drinks

Alcohol often contains high amounts of sugar, which fuels bacteria that produce acid and attack tooth enamel. Even lower-sugar options like wine and beer can still contribute to bacterial growth and plaque buildup, increasing the likelihood of cavities and gum inflammation.

Gum Disease Risk

Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to a higher risk of periodontal disease in Medina, OH. Alcohol can irritate the gums, weaken the immune response, and make it harder for the body to fight infections. Over time, untreated gum disease can lead to gum recession, tooth loss and even systemic health issues.

Increased Risk of Oral Cancer

Excessive alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for oral cancer. Alcohol irritates the soft tissues of the mouth and can increase the harmful effects of tobacco use, significantly raising the chances of developing cancer in the lips, tongue, and throat.

No one is saying you should stop drinking. But knowing the risks to your oral health is good for everyone. Contact us today to learn more.

5 Reasons to See the Dentist Twice This Year

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The year 2025 is here! Now is the time to start planning when you’ll go to the dentist in Medina, OH. Going to the dentist for regular preventative treatments is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you’re trying to determine how many times to see the dentist and when to visit the dentist this calendar year, we can help. Below are five reasons to see the dentist twice this year for teeth cleaning.

1. Dentists Recommend Twice Annual Visits

Many dental professionals recommend that their patients visit twice per year to get their teeth cleaned. This is how often it’s believed that most patients must see the dentist to maintain healthy teeth and gums. If your dentist has recommended a different tooth cleaning schedule, you should do what your dentist recommends. Otherwise, many dentists recommend visits twice per year for most patients.

2. Many Insurance Types Pay For Two Visits

Many dental insurance plans pay for their patients to visit the dentist twice per year for preventative care. This is an important part of routine care.

3. Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy

Going to the dentist twice annually helps keep your teeth clean and healthy. During your dental appointment, a dental professional will remove plaque and tartar that can cause problems like cavities and gum recession in your teeth. This helps you avoid gum disease and other conditions that can cause your oral health to deteriorate.

4. Catch Problems Before They Get Big

Everyone has dental problems sometimes. Visiting the dentist regularly can help catch these problems before they become significant or severe. When your dentist sees a dental problem just as it develops, your dentist can recommend treatment to help fix it.

5. Maintain Beautiful Teeth

Do you want to maintain beautiful teeth? Most people do. Going to the dentist regularly, your dentist can help you maintain white, clean, beautiful teeth. Have you made your appointment for teeth cleaning in Medina, OH, in 2025? If not, contact us today to make your next appointment.

Why Are My Teeth So Sensitive?

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Sensitive teeth can be annoying and uncomfortable! Sensitive teeth can also be a sign of a problem if you’ve suddenly developed sensitivity you didn’t used to have. If your teeth have suddenly become sensitive, your dentist in Medina, OH may need to take a look. Knowing what causes sensitive teeth can help you decide if you’ve got a dental problem.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Some of the things that cause sensitive teeth include:

  • Bruxism. Bruxism is a condition that causes the affected person to grind their teeth at night. Bruxism can wear down the tooth enamel, causing sensitivity and damage. If you don’t wear a mouth guard and you’re affected by bruxism, your teeth might even become chipped or cracked.
  • Brushing your teeth too hard. Brushing your teeth too hard can wear down your tooth enamel and may lead to tooth sensitivity. This is especially true if you’re using abrasive toothpaste.
  • Crack in your tooth enamel. A crack in your tooth enamel can cause sensitivity in the affected tooth. If this happens, you’ll notice that one tooth in your mouth has become more sensitive than others.
  • Cavity. Like a crack in your tooth enamel, a cavity can lead to sensitivity in the affected tooth.
  • Dental infection. A dental infection is what happens when a crack or cavity in a tooth leads the inside of the tooth to become infected. This can lead to severe pain and sensitivity.
  • Gum recession. Gum recession can expose sensitive tooth roots, leading to sensitivity.

What Can You Do About Sensitive Teeth?

If you have sensitive teeth, some toothpastes can reduce tooth sensitivity. It’s also helpful to determine the cause of the sensitivity. Determining the cause may help you reverse the problem, or at least stop it from getting worse.

Need Help for Sensitive Teeth? Call Your Dentist Today

If you have severe tooth sensitivity, it may be time for a dental checkup in Medina, OH. The professionals at Evanko Dental Group of Medina can help. Call today to make an appointment for your next dental cleaning and exam.

Think You Have a Cavity? What to Know

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Cavities are a common dental problem that people experience when they have poor oral hygiene and eat a lot of sugar. Cavities can cause pain and discomfort while eating, and if left untreated, a cavity can only get worse. If you have a cavity, it’s important to get a dental filling in Medina, OH, with your dentist at Evanko Dental Group of Medina. Here’s what you need to know about cavities and what you can do about them.

What Is a Cavity?

A cavity is a hole in your tooth enamel made by tooth decay. Cavities happen due to a combination of plaque buildup, poor oral hygiene habits, and a diet too rich in sugar. Cavities start as tiny holes but can get bigger over time.

What Are the Symptoms of Cavities?

If you have a dental cavity, you may not be able to tell. Not all cavities have symptoms, especially if the cavity is still small. In a case like this, the only way to find out that you have a cavity is by going to the dentist for your regular checkup. In a case like this, your dentist will diagnose the cavity and let you know the next steps.

If you do notice symptoms, they may include:

  • Sudden tooth sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Visible holes in the teeth
  • Pain in the tooth when biting down or when drinking
  • Discolorations and stains on the teeth
  • Bad breath even after you brush your teeth
  • Pain that occurs in the tooth randomly

What Should You Do If You Have a Cavity?

If you’re noticing symptoms of a cavity, seeing the dentist as soon as possible is important. You could have a cavity or another problem like an infection in your tooth (the symptoms of these problems can resemble one another).

If you have a cavity, your dentist can diagnose the problem and recommend next steps. Most likely, your dentist will recommend a filling for your tooth. At Evanko Dental Group of Medina, we offer composite (tooth-colored) and silver fillings.

Call your dentist in Medina, OH, today to learn more about getting a dental filling for your cavity. We’re here to help.

What Vaping Does to Your Oral Health

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It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes is harmful to your oral health, but what about vaping? Unfortunately, vaping might end up being just as dangerous to your oral health as smoking cigarettes. Talk with any dentist in Medina, OH and they will tell you it’s in your best interest to stop vaping if you want to protect your oral health.

What Vaping Does to Your Oral Health

Here are some of the dental issues that could occur if you continue vaping.

  • Dry Mouth

Vaping dries your mouth out meaning there is less saliva available to fight against bacteria. And since gum disease is caused by bacteria, and vaping continually reduces the saliva in your mouth, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease.

  • Gum Disease

The nicotine from vaping causes vasoconstriction in your gums which restricts the blood supply going to them. This can result in an infection and gum recession. Vaping also causes chronic bad breath, swollen or tender gums, loose teeth, or the complete loss of your teeth, as well as bleeding, red, and irritated gums.

  • Cavities

Flavored vape cartridges contain sugar. Unfortunately, plaque bacteria create a destructive acid when it comes into contact with sugar. So if you vape using flavored cartridges, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of getting cavities because you are continually filling your mouth with sugar from the flavored vapor. This results in your mouth creating a never-ending supply of destructive acid that will damage your teeth in more ways than one.

  • Stained Teeth

Vaping will have less of a staining effect than smoking cigarettes because it doesn’t contain ash or tar. However, even though vaping nicotine is colorless, it will turn light yellow when it’s exposed to oxygen. Therefore, long-term vaping could very well end up staining your teeth. You might be able to reduce the staining effect though if you schedule regular teeth cleaning in Medina, OH.

  • Oral Cancer

The nicotine used in vaping doesn’t contain tar, but it does contain loads of other ingredients that haven’t been around long to know for certain if they will end up causing cancer. So the answer to does vaping cause oral cancer is we don’t know—maybe it will, maybe it won’t. It’s too soon to tell.

Do You Need a Dentist in Medina, OH?

If you need a dentist in Medina, OH, please Contact Evanko Dental Group of Medina today. We offer a warm and welcoming environment and only use the most modern and comprehensive equipment and techniques available.

3 Tips to Help Your Child Maintain Healthy Teeth Throughout the School Year

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During the school year, keeping your child’s teeth healthy can be tough. After all, your child is not even in your presence for much of the school day. How can you help them keep their teeth clean?

As your dentist in Medina, OH, we’re here to help you help your child take care of their teeth. By giving your child the tools and information they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums, you can avoid problems like cavities. Here’s what you should know.

1. Send your child with healthy snacks and lunches.

Make it easier for your child to take care of their teeth by sending them with healthy snacks and lunches for their school day. Low-sugar snacks are best. For example, pita and hummus, celery or carrots, and ranch dressing are all examples of foods that are relatively healthy and low in sugar. Celery and carrots, in particular, are good for your child’s teeth because they have a crunch that helps clean your child’s teeth while they eat.

2. Monitor their tooth brushing habits.

Many children lack the coordination to brush their teeth properly. Until they’re about 8 or 9 years old, many children need to have their teeth cleaned by adults. Once they’re old enough to clean their own teeth, they still need their tooth-brushing habits monitored to ensure they’re brushing their teeth.

Pay attention to your child’s nightly routine, especially if they have a lot of homework that keeps them busy. Don’t let them forget to brush their teeth, and if they need help with the teeth brushing, offer to do it for them.

3. Make a dental appointment with your child’s dentist.

Don’t forget that your child needs to see the dentist on a regular basis to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Once the school year starts, you’ll need to make an appointment that won’t conflict with your child’s school schedule or after-school activities schedule. Work with your dentist’s office to find the best appointment for your child.

If your child shows signs of a dental problem, it may be time for a dental exam and cleaning in Medina OH. Call Evanko Dental Group of Medina to make an appointment today.

Afraid To Visit The Dentist? 4 Tips To Help

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A lot of people are afraid to visit the dentist, but that doesn’t mean that going to the dentist has to be a miserable experience. You can make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful by practicing guided meditation, engaging in mindful breathing, talking to your dentist and staying on top of dental appointments. Working with the dentist in Medina, OH can help. Here’s what we recommend.

1. Practice Guided Meditation

Meditation can help soothe feelings of anxiety by focusing attention and eliminating jumbled thoughts that can cause anxiety. Meditation is, in some ways, a very simple concept. Still, some people struggle to feel comfortable meditating, especially if they have never done it before.

Meditating is easier if you start with guided meditation. During guided meditation, you’ll hear a narrator or instructor telling you what to do. If you’re not used to meditation but would like to try it to ease feelings of anxiety about the dentist, guided meditation is an excellent option.

2. Engage in Mindful Breathing

Mindful breathing is similar to guided meditation in that it can help you focus your thoughts and feel more at home in your own body. Notice your breath as you breathe in and out. Notice how you feel about your breathing. If you’re feeling anxious, pull in a breath slowly, hold it, and then let it out gently. You’ll feel your anxiety levels diminishing as you do this.

3. Talk to Your Dentist

Your dentist will have dealt with patient anxiety in the past. Talking to your dentist can help because it gives your dentist a chance to suggest solutions. Your dentist may suggest strategies like using a signal that you need a break. When you give the sign, your dentist will pull away and let you have time to breathe. This gives you some control over your dental appointment.

4. Stay On Top of Dental Appointments

Staying on top of dental appointments makes each dental appointment just a little bit easier. When it’s time to see the dentist, call for an appointment as soon as possible. By seeing the dentist and maintaining clean, healthy teeth, you’ll avoid difficult dental procedures.

If it’s been more than 6 months since your last dental cleaning in Medina, OH, call Evanko Dental Group of Medina to make an appointment.

4 Reasons to Take Your Baby to See the Dentist

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Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you take your baby to see the dentist by the time they’re one year old? Taking your baby to the dentist is good for your baby’s oral hygiene, even if they only have one tooth. Below are four reasons that you should be bringing your baby to the pediatric dentist in Medina, OH.

1. Catch Dental Problems Early

Starting from your baby’s first visit, the dentist will check your baby for dental problems. This enables your baby’s dentist to catch dental problems early and recommend treatment as needed.

Catching problems in their early stages can help prevent those problems from making bigger problems later on. This can save you time and money, and may save your baby from pain or discomfort that could come from advanced dental problems in a few years.

2. Help Your Child Adjust to Dentist

Some children are uncomfortable at the dentist office, others accept it easily. Bringing your child to the dentist from a young age helps your child adjust to the routine of going to the dentist. The more your child sits in the dentist chair and experiences dental exams, the easier it is for your child to go back. By the time your child is 4 or 5 years old, they should be a pro!

3. Establish Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Seeing the dentist regularly for teeth cleaning in Medina, OH is a part of a good oral hygiene routine. By taking your child to the dentist from the time they’re a baby, you’re helping your child to establish good oral hygiene habits.

4. Find Out More About Caring For Your Baby’s Teeth

Until your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, you’ll be responsible for your child’s at home dental care. At the dentist office, your child’s dentist will help you with this. The dentist will show you how to brush your baby’s teeth (or tooth).

If your baby has their first tooth, or if they’re one year old, then it’s time to make your baby’s first appointment with the dentist. Contact Evanko Dental Group of Medina to make an appointment.

What Are the Benefits of Fluoride?

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The 2021 Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges report states that the use of products containing fluoride is an important aspect of dental care to prevent the development of cavities. Today, fluoride is readily available in toothpastes, rinses, as a supplement in the public water supply and as a varnish applied to the teeth following dental cleanings at Evanko Dental Group of Medina.

What is Fluoride?

Through direct contact with the teeth and gingival tissue (aka gums), fluoride supplementation prevents tooth decay in people of every age group. Fluoride protects the teeth that have already emerged, as well as the teeth that are still developing beneath the gingival tissue. The teeth receiving fluoride during this early stage of development become stronger, which reduces the likelihood of future dental caries. At Evanko Dental Group of Medina, pediatric dentist Dr. Jeff Evanko and his team prescribe and recommend a variety of products that contain fluoride.

Fluoride Strengthens the Teeth

Fluoride forms fluorapatite, which is a building block that strengthens the teeth through mineralization. The mineralization process involves chemical hardening, which prevents the breakdown of the minerals in the teeth. In addition, strengthening the teeth helps protect them from the damage that certain foods and drinks can cause (e.g., citrus fruits and soda).

Fluoride Reduces the pH Level in the Mouth

Fluoride inhibits the growth of three types of bacteria that reside in the mouth and contribute to the development of cavities. These bacteria are Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Fluoride makes the environment in the mouth more acidic. It accomplishes this by lowering the pH level. Acidic environments are not hospitable to bacteria.

As an experienced pediatric dentist in Medina, Ohio, Dr. Jeff Evanko enjoys teaching children how to properly care for their teeth. The entire team of dental professionals at Evanko Dental Group of Medina are passionate about helping patients strengthen their teeth and keep their mouths healthy to reduce the likelihood of future dental problems.

Contact Us for a Dental Cleaning and Fluoride Treatment

If you are in the Medina, OH, area, and would like to schedule your child for a dental cleaning and fluoride treatment, contact the Evanko Dental Group of Medina today.

Please use our online form to request an appointment, or call us at 330-725-6182 to schedule an appointment. The Evanko Dental Group of Medina is located at 3637 Medina Road, #200 in Medina, Ohio.