Did you know that some chewing gums can be beneficial for your teeth? Chewing gum contains Xylitol, which can greatly reduce bacteria. Gum can also help slow the decaying of teeth. It also relieves stress on sinus due to the constant jaw movement. Next time you’re chewing gum, think about the benefits it has for your teeth and your smile.

Tooth Grinding is also known as Bruxism. Many people grind their teeth, whether it is during sleep or when they are stressed. Most grind their teeth without being aware that they are doing it. Some symptoms include aching jaw muscles, damaged teeth, and facial pain. To prevent grinding and damaging your teeth, you can be fitted with a nightguard. If this sounds like you, visit us at Henrickson Dental and we can make you a custom mouth guard to prevent grinding.

At Henrickson Dental, we can provide you with x-rays at your dental visits. Although it is ultimately your choice, we recommend having the x-rays done. X-rays can detect early signs of oral problems, such as horrid plaque that builds up. If we detect problems early enough through the x-rays, we can treat them before they develop into major problems. Think of the future of your teeth when it comes to getting x-rays done.

Think of some of the things that annoy you most. Is bad breath up there? If you think you have a breath problems, there are ways to fix it. First of all, watch the foods that you eat. Foods such as onions and garlic can really give you nasty breath. Tobacco use could also be the cause. One of the main ways of keeping your breath smelling fresh is daily oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and floss daily. You can also brush your tongue to keep your breath fresh.

Flossing is a very important part of your daily oral hygiene. But are you flossing right? Make sure to get around all of the teeth, and be gentle with your gums. Good oral hygiene doesn’t only consist of brushing regularly. Be sure to do your flossing, too, for a bright and healthy smile.

When healthy and strong, wisdom teeth can be valuable to the mouth. However, many times the jaw isn’t big enough to hold the wisdom teeth, and they become misaligned or unable to come in. This requires removal. Other times when you may need your wisdom teeth removed is when a cyst forms, there is room around the tooth for bacteria to enter, and when they may damage adjacent teeth. If you are in doubt about the health of your wisdom teeth, come to Henrickson Dental for a check up.

Candidiasis, also known as Moniliasis or oral thrush, is a fungal infection. It occurs when the yeast Candida albicans reproduce in large numbers. It is most commonly found among denture wearers or people who are very young, elderly, debilitated by disease, or who have a problem with their immune system. Candida may flourish after antibiotic treatment. You can prevent Candidiasis by keeping your mouth healthy and strong. Good oral hygiene is essential. If you wear dentures, remove them at night.