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.

 

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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.

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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.

 

What Are Same Day Crowns?

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Same-day dental crowns in Medina, OH are made of a ceramic material that matches your tooth’s natural color. While the cost of same-day crowns varies, the quality and durability of each procedure are unquestionable.

Same-Day Crowns in Medina, OH vs. Traditional Dental Crowns

Same-day dental crowns are a modern way to replace your missing tooth. Traditional crowns require two appointments and several weeks for fabrication. During the first appointment, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth and send it to a dental laboratory. Technicians then use this impression to build the final restoration. This process can take several weeks, and you may end up wearing a temporary crown for weeks. But with the help of recent technology, you can get a high-quality, custom-made dental crown in as little as one visit.

How Same-Day Dental Crowns Work

As long as your tooth meets the qualifications, you could be a candidate for same-day dental crowns. With computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM), the dentist can create your new crown in just over two hours. Using 3-D scans of your tooth, the Medina, OH dentist creates a model and then mills the crown in the office. With a same-day crown, you can be back to your regular activities in just a little over two hours.

Benefits of Same-Day Crowns

Same-day crowns are made from the same material as traditional lab-milled crowns and can withstand typical daily wear and tear. While no dental crown is indestructible, same-day crowns need to be cared for just as you would care for your natural teeth. And because they are made of porcelain, they look just like natural teeth. You and your closest friends and family members won’t even notice that any original tooth structure is damaged or missing. If you have a damaged tooth, same-day dental crowns may be an excellent choice for you. Same-day crowns do not have the drawbacks of traditional dental crowns, plus they can be installed in just one appointment.

If you have one or more damaged teeth, why not consider same-day dental crowns? Contact your Medina, OH dentist today to learn more.

Are Tooth Fillings Always Visible? 

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Most people assume dental fillings are easy to spot. After all, decades of using amalgam fillings have made this assumption believable. However, just because you needdental fillings in Medina, OH, it does not necessarily mean you will walk away with visible spots on your repaired teeth. Here is a closer look at everything you need to know about the dental fillings you will get at a modern dentist.

Visible fillings are more common where they cannot be seen

When people think of dental fillings that are visible, they are likely to be thinking about amalgam fillings. Amalgam fillings are made of metal, and these fillings have been a standard way of filling a treated cavity for many years. While the material is exceptionally resilient, the end result is a gray-toned spot on the tooth that is visible.

These dental fillings are highly fitting for the teeth in your mouth that do the most work when you chew. So, in other words, they are most common in the back teeth. Therefore, even though the fillings are easy to spot, they are not so apparent because of their placement in the mouth.

Most dentists prefer to use composite fillings today

The more modern way to approach filling a cavity is with composite fillings. This material is made with plastic resins, and the material can be shaded so that it perfectly matches the shade of the tooth. Therefore, once a composite filling is placed by a skilled dentist, that filling doesn’t show up.

Because composite fillings are not visible, these are usually used to repair teeth in the front of your mouth. However, composite fillings can also be used to repair teeth in the back of the mouth. The only issue with composite fillings in the molars and jaw teeth is the filling may have to be replaced more frequently because composite is not as resilient as amalgam.

Find Out More About Fillings from a Medina, OH Dentist

Dental fillings could easily be deemed as one of the most valuable treatments in dentistry. Cavities are extremely common for both children and adults, with most people having at least one affected tooth in their lifetime. If you would like to know more about fillings, be sure to talk to aMedina, OH dentist about your concerns. Reach out to us at the Evanko Dental Group of Medina to schedule an appointment for preventative dental treatments.

Signs You’re Grinding Your Teeth While You Sleep 

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Even though bruxism (grinding your teeth) is relatively common, a lot of patients have no idea they have a problem until the dentist recommends bite guard treatment in Medina, OH. The fact is, you may have issues with either clenching your jaws or grinding your teeth together long after you’ve fallen asleep. Therefore, the problem is one that is easy to miss. Check out the signs you may be grinding your teeth after you go to sleep for the night.

You wake up with jaw pain or headaches

Jaw pain and headaches are some of the more ambiguous symptoms of bruxism because they can easily be related to and blamed on some other issue. Bruxism causes jaw pain and headaches because of the amount of stress you put on your muscles while clenching. You may wake up feeling like you laughed a great deal the day before, or have a headache without any logical cause.

Your teeth seem to be excessively wearing

Most healthy adult teeth are not smooth; they boast ridges, points, and valleys. These formations help you chew food more effectively, but people who grind their teeth can have flatter, worn teeth. Oftentimes, molars are the first teeth to show signs of wear because these teeth have a broader contact surface between the upper and lower jaw. Naturally, if your teeth start to wear down substantially, you may notice pain in those teeth or even difficulties with chewing.

You have chipped or cracked teeth

Chipped and cracked teeth are a telltale sign of grinding your teeth if you have not sustained any level of direct dental trauma. Grinding your teeth repeatedly breaks down their structure due to the sheer force and stress. Therefore, you may find one of your teeth chipped, broken, or cracked.

Talk to a Medina Dentist for Help

If you do suspect that you are grinding your teeth in your sleep, talking to a Medina, OH dentist about the issue is extremely important. Bite guards can be used to protect your teeth while you sleep, and these are most functional and comfortable when custom-made by a skilled professional. Reach out to us at the Evanko Dental Group of Medina to schedule an appointment.

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

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Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, affects numerous people. Unfortunately, it can cause a variety of problems such as sensitive teeth, headaches, jaw pain, and more. If you are one of the many who grind your teeth during the day or at night and wonder why it’s happening and what your dentist in Medina, OH can do about it, here’s what you need to know.

Stress and Anxiety

Should you be under stress at school, work, or within your personal life, the anxiety you are feeling will likely be a primary reason why you are grinding your teeth. For some people, this habit is developed and exacerbated when they are involved in intense concentration, such as when taking a test.

Foods and Drugs

Unfortunately, if you love coffee, alcoholic drinks, or tobacco products, all of these can be causing your teeth grinding. In many instances, these things cause or worsen acid reflux in certain individuals, which is often related to nighttime teeth grinding. In some cases, people who are taking medications to treat depression report teeth grinding to be a side effect. By cutting back or eliminating some of these items from your life, your teeth grinding may disappear as well.

Treatments

2If you suffer from teeth grinding, your dentist will probably outfit you with a night guard. Resembling a retainer you may have worn years ago if you had braces, the night guard will be customized for your mouth and be worn while you sleep to prevent your teeth from being damaged. Other forms of treatment can include being prescribed muscle relaxers that help relax the jaw at night, or using stress management techniques such as biofeedback or meditation to reduce stress levels.

Address the Underlying Cause

While dentists agree these treatments can be effective, they also emphasize that patients need to address the underlying cause of their teeth grinding. Since no treatment is looked upon as a silver bullet, getting to the cause of stress, anxiety, and tension can be life-changing and put a stop to teeth grinding.

Whether you grind your teeth more during the day or night, finding out why it is happening and seeking appropriate dental treatment is important. Rather than risk tooth fractures or jaw issues, discuss your teeth grinding in detail with your dentist in Medina, OH

Your Child Is Afraid of the Dentist? What You Can Do

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Lots of kids have feelings of trepidation about visiting the dentist. Some children feel this way because they’ve picked up on fears from their friends. Other kids are just shy.

If your child has some fears about going to see the dentist, you can take action to make visiting the dentist in Medina, OH a more positive experience. By helping your child to develop a more positive view of the dentist, you can help set up your little one to have good oral hygiene into adulthood. Here’s what you can do to make a difference.

Talk Positively About the Dentist

Your child will take notice of the way you talk about the dentist. If you say good things about the dentist, then your child will have more positive associations with the dentist. Say good things about your visits to the dentist – both before and after. Make a point of saying these things in front of your child to ensure they hear you.

Play “Dentist”

Children often work through their fears by playing out stressful experiences. You can show that visiting the dentist is a good experience by playing “dentist office” with your child.

Pretend to be the dentist, and have your child be the patient. Show your child the way the dentist will look at their mouth and compliment their teeth. If your child wants to take a turn being a dentist, let them!

Read Books About the Dentist

There are many children’s books about the dentist that show what the experience is like. Reading your child books before taking them to the dentist will help them feel like they know what to expect.

Find a Dentist With Pediatric Experience

When the time comes to make a dental checkup appointment in Medina OH, make an appointment with a dentist who has pediatric experience. Finding a good pediatric dentist will help ensure a good experience.

Pediatric dentists know how to help kids feel comfortable and often have special equipment and even toys that can make the experience better for your child. Not sure which dentists are best?

Call around to the dentists in your area to ask questions about how they handle pediatric patients. Calling around to dentists can help you find a professional that you’re comfortable with.