Choosing the Correct Toothpaste

When stepping foot into the oral hygiene aisle at the drugstore, our doctors at Advantage Dentistry understand that the selections of toothpaste can be overwhelming. Should you go for tartar control, fluoride, sensitive or whitening toothpaste? When it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs. Here are some options to consider while browsing:

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste helps reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exact what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.


• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

If you have questions regarding oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

Oral Care for Senior Citizens

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems. These problems include but are not limited to darkened teeth, dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, root decay and gum disease. Here at Advantage Dentistry, we have plenty of restorative options for our patients to choose from if they are candidates. However, we encourage you to take care of your teeth on a regular basis, no matter how old you are. 

Seniors are more likely to suffer from a host of oral health issues resulting from their inability to provide themselves with adequate dental hygiene care. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers that may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to perform. These factors leave many seniors at risk of ignoring tooth decay and tooth infection until there is no alternative but tooth extraction. With regular checkups, problems can be caught in the earliest stages to help prevent serious conditions from occurring. 

If you are a senior seeking dental care please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

Benefits of a Tongue Scraper

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. This causes bad breath (halitosis) which can wreak havoc on a person’s life, relationships, and self-esteem. Our doctors at Advantage Dentistry want you to achieve the freshest breath possible. This is why we recommend implementing a tongue scraper into your daily oral care routine if you haven’t already. 

Although brushing your tongue with a toothbrush is effective, overall, a tongue scraper does the job better. Almost all of our oral bacteria live on and in the deep crevices of our tongue; therefore, the scraping action of this tongue tool collects these toxic coatings. With a cleaner tongue, you are able to reduce bad breath, as well as unblock your taste buds. Removing build-up from the surface of your tongue will open up its pores and allow for greater enjoyment of food flavors. This oral hygiene practice also promotes general tooth and gum health and removes bacteria and toxins responsible for periodontal problems, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.

If you suffer from bad breath, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

Stages of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth is officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

When an Extraction Could Help

Sometimes extracting a tooth is necessary for the health of your mouth. It is ideal to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible; however, it can be better to extract a problematic tooth if it is affecting your health. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we want our patients to understand why sometimes extracting a tooth is the right thing to do.

Decay

When decay is so bad that a filling or crown cannot fix the tooth, an extraction is the best option. Decay can lead to infection. Infection can affect the gums and other teeth. In addition, it can lead to other health risks like heart problems. This is especially important for patients with compromised immune systems.

Space

There are also cases where there just is not room for a tooth. Crowded teeth can become painful, they can lead to bad oral hygiene, and they can damage other teeth. Because they create hard-to-reach areas, bacteria can build up and cause gum disease and decay. They can create abnormal wear on teeth, creating pain and damage. Space is a common issue with wisdom teeth.

Tooth extraction is common and something we are able to provide here at our office. If you are experiencing pain to a tooth, be sure to come in for an examination. To schedule with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at (716) 877-2275. To learn more about us, visit our website, www.advantagedentistry.com.