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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.

4 Common Questions About Everyday Tooth Care

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Do you have questions about dental care? Do you forget to ask these questions to your dental provider when you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair? That’s a common problem! In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common questions that people ask their dentist when they have time.

1. How often should I see my dentist?

Most dentists recommend that patients come back for their general cleaning every 6 months. Your dentist may recommend that you return more frequently because of a condition that you have or for other reasons. It’s important to see your dentist as often as recommended. Next time you go in for a teeth cleaning, your dentist should tell you how long to wait before making your next appointment.

2. How many times per day should I brush and floss?

Unless directed to do otherwise by your dentist, you should brush your teeth twice per day – once in the evening and once in the morning. Floss at least once per day, unless otherwise directed by your dentist. To ensure that the flossing and brushing is being done correctly, contact your dentist in Medina, OH.

3. Is mouthwash necessary?

Mouthwash is not necessary unless your dentist prescribes special mouthwash, or instructs you to use mouthwash. However, mouthwash can be a good tool to keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh. Use mouthwash according to instructions. There are different types of mouthwash including prescription products, mouthwash that prevents gingivitis and so on. The best mouthwash is the kind recommended by your dentist.

4. What can I do to prevent cavities?

There are many things you can do to prevent cavities.

  • Brush your teeth twice per day.
  • Floss once daily.
  • Avoid drinking sugary drinks or eating sugary foods, like candy.
  • Drink more tap water.
  • Consider dental sealant.
  • Get fluoride treatment from your dentist.

Want to know more about taking care of your teeth? Make an appointment.

At Evanko Dental Group of Medina, we’re committed to the care of our patient’s teeth. We’ll be happy to help you take care of your teeth, and would love to answer your dental care questions. Write them down, and bring them with you when it’s time to have your next dentist appointment.

5 of the Most Damaging Things You Do to Your Teeth (and don’t even know it)

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Patients are often surprised to learn during a general dentist appointment that they have problems with their teeth. Unfortunately, a lot of seemingly find habits and actions may put the health of your mouth at risk.

1. Brushing immediately after a meal

It can sound counterintuitive, but brushing immediately after you eat or drink may actually be bad for your smile. Acidic foods can raise the pH levels in your mouth temporarily, which means when you brush right after eating, you could be inadvertently encouraging tooth enamel to break down. As a good rule of thumb, try to wait around an hour to brush after eating.

2. Chewing on hard objects

The end of your pen, your fingernails, a metal hairpin—chewing on things can be a bit of a hard-to-break habit. However, this is one habit you really should break to protect your teeth. If you are constantly nibbling on hard objects, you can wear down the enamel of your teeth in certain spots and open up your smile to a host of problems.

3. Skipping the fluoride

Fluoride can be really valuable for your teeth. The ingredient can help remineralize the enamel of your teeth, which is important to protect your teeth from decay. If you drink only filtered water without added fluoride, don’t eat foods rich in the mineral, and don’t use dental hygiene products with fluoride, you could be putting your smile at risk.

4. Using low-quality dental hygiene products

Dental hygiene is ever-important to your oral health, but you do need to use high-quality dental hygiene products. A few pointers to remember:

  • Skip generic mouthwash that may cause more harm than good
  • Opt for toothbrushes made by recognizable manufacturers
  • Use high-quality floss or flossing tools

In general, if you look for products that have been approved by the ADA, you should be fine.

5. Chomping on sugar-ridden chewing gum

Some chewing gum can actually be good for your teeth because it helps to break down and slough away plaque. However, anything sugar-laden and especially sticky can be your oral health’s number one enemy. You are essentially keeping a wad of sugar in your mouth, which heightens levels of certain bacteria that can eat away at your tooth enamel.

Get More Tips from Your Medina Dentist

Worried about your smile? Rest assured, if you are working with a good dentist, you can negate many of the common problems with your oral health. Reach out to us at the Evanko Dental Group in Medina if you need to schedule a preventive dental appointment.

How Cigarettes Affect Your Oral Health

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Your dentist in Medina does everything possible to ensure your good oral health. However, sometimes bad habits can make it more challenging to maintain that good health. For instance, smoking cigarettes is not only bad for you overall; it actually negatively impacts your oral health. Here’s how.

Smoking Causes Gum Disease

Did you know that cigarette smoking is a leading cause of gum disease? Most people equate gum disease and tooth decay with sugar, but smoking can lead to the same outcome. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and can be caused by the ingredients in cigarettes. In fact, smokers are two times more at risk for gum disease than non-smokers. The more and longer you smoke, the higher that risk becomes. Even worse, continuing to smoke makes it more likely that common treatments for gum disease won’t work for you.

Smoking Causes Yellow Teeth

Have you ever looked at the teeth of someone who has been smoking for a long time? You’ll notice that smokers’ teeth are discolored. That’s due to some of the ingredients in cigarettes, such as tar and nicotine. Those ingredients stain teeth and cause them to look yellow and in poor health. Teeth whitening may remove the discoloration temporarily but it will soon return with more smoking.

Smoking Impedes the Healing Process

Smoking lowers your immune system and impedes the healing process. Anytime you have a mouth sore, tooth extraction, oral surgery, or another treatment that requires a time of healing, it will take much longer due to smoking. And a longer healing time means a higher risk of infection.

Smoking Causes Bad Breath

Everyone appreciates fresh breath. It’s a sign of good oral health. But if you smoke, your breath will never smell fresh. In fact, smoking causes bad breath, which will likely keep other people from wanting to be too near to you.

Smoking Increases Risk of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a terrible disease that can lead to all kinds of negative outcomes. When you smoke, you expose the tender tissues inside your mouth to deadly carcinogens that can lead to oral cancer.

If you currently smoke, talk to your Medina dentist about ways to quit the habit. The sooner you stop, the sooner you can start enjoying optimal oral health.