Posted on

7 Tooth-Friendly Stocking Stuffers

Getting everything together for the holidays is a stressful task to take on. The last things left on your checklist is to wrap everyone’s presents and fill the stockings. Instead of packing them full of cavity-causing candy and knick-knacks that will hardly get used, choose a few of these tooth-friendly stocking stuffers from your dentist in Tracy.

An Upgraded Toothbrush

Everyone loves a new toothbrush, especially one that makes their morning and nightly routine a breeze. For your child, you can get them a fun electric toothbrush that dawns their favorite television characters or plays a neat tune for two-minutes to help them time how long they have been brushing their teeth for. For your teen or spouse, you can get them a high-tech electric toothbrush that effectively and efficiently removes plaque and bacteria from below their gumline.

Chewing Gums or Suckers Containing Xylitol

Instead of snacks that contain sugar that allows harmful oral bacteria to produce enamel-eroding acids and toxins, get your child sugar-free gum or suckers that contain xylitol. This substance helps protect their teeth from decay and keeps bacteria from attaching to their pearly whites.

A Tooth Fairy Container

If your child still hasn’t lost all of their temporary teeth, try making or buying them a tooth fairy box or container to store all of their lost teeth in. You can visit your local craft store and purchase a plain keepsake box and decorate it with their favorite colors, shapes, and cartoon characters.

Fun Flavored Dental Floss

More people than you would think regularly skip flossing their teeth. Getting your loved one a fun-flavored dental floss such as cinnamon, cupcake, bacon, or even pickle, may keep them from getting bored or tired of keeping up with their dental hygiene routine.

A Customized Sports Mouthguard

If your child or spouse plays sports or has hobbies that can put them at an increased risk of breaking or damaging their teeth, consider getting them a customized sports mouthguard that fits their mouth perfectly. Your dentist offers protection made from the highest quality of materials so they don’t have to worry about experiencing a dental emergency while doing what they love.

Healthy Candy Alternatives

It can be tempting to place a bag of candy or sweets in their stocking. However, sugary snacks will increase their risk of dental decay. Instead, stuff their stocking with their favorite fruit or healthy alternatives like a clementine, trail mix, or a flavor-packed popcorn seasoning to spice up their go-to snack.

Wacky Dental Hygiene Products

If your child has a hard time being motivated to brush and floss their teeth everyday, there’s nothing that can reignite their interest in their dental hygiene routine like exciting and fun products that make their bathroom more inviting. This can make brushing and flossing seem less like a chore and more like a fun daily activity.

There’s no better way to end the holidays than with a routine dental checkup and cleaning for your entire family. You’ll be grateful to start the new year knowing that all of your loved ones have clean bills of health from your family dentist.

About the Author

Dr. TJ Rattan has been a dentist for nearly a decade. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve healthy and happy smiles that boost their confidence. He offers comprehensive dental care and focuses on providing families with preventive treatment that helps them tackle oral health problems while they’re still small. For questions or to schedule your family’s semi-annual checkup and cleaning, visit Innovo Dental and Implant Studio’s website or call 209-207-9076.

Posted on

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every two American adults has gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Even if you don’t have any cavities and have the straightest and brightest pearl whites around, it’s still important to take note of your gums and whether they’re showing signs of infection. Because the disease begins by exhibiting small, hardly noticeable symptoms, it’s important to take preventive measures and visit your dentist in Tracy, CA regularly to stop it in its tracks. Read on to learn more about this common oral condition and how you can prevent it.

What is Gum Disease?

Your mouth is teeming with different types of bacteria, some aren’t harmful, while others can invade your mouth and produce countless side effects. Food particles mixed with saliva and harmful bacteria are constantly coming together to form a colorless sticky substance in your mouth called plaque. It coats your teeth and can harden into tartar if it’s not regularly cleared away with brushing and flossing. Once it hardens, the only thing that can remove it is a professional dental cleaning. These bacteria release harmful toxins that are known to cause inflammation, as well as a variety of other symptoms, infecting your gums and causing permanent damage when left to accumulate.

What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

There are two major stages of gum disease. The earliest is called gingivitis, and the more advanced form is called periodontitis or periodontal disease. When the condition is left untreated, the symptoms and effects become irreversible. However, your dentist may be able to treat and restore your oral health if you visit them early on, before it has had an opportunity to progress. Here are some symptoms of the condition, listed in order of severity:

  • Bleeding while brushing and flossing.
  • Inflamed, swollen, and irritated gums.
  • Chronic bad breath.
  • Sensitive teeth.
  • Painful chewing.
  • Receding gums.
  • Loose or shifting permanent teeth.
  • Tooth loss.

As soon as you notice any of these signs, immediately visit your dentist in Tracy so they can be addressed before they get worse.

4 Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

Although gum disease is so common, it is often easily preventable with the right oral care and maintenance. The best way to avoid harmful oral bacteria accumulation is to

  • Brush your teeth twice each day using fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes and floss every day.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that tobacco use weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight off oral infections.
  • Visit your dentist every six months for professional checkups and cleanings to diagnose and treat the issue before it causes permanent damage.
  • Rinse your mouth every day with antibacterial mouthwash to remove food particles, debris, and harmful bacteria from your mouth.

If you have any questions or would like recommendations and tips on how you can optimize your oral health and protect your mouth from gum disease, ask your dentist at your next routine checkup and cleaning.

About the Author

Dr. TJ Rattan has been a dentist for nearly a decade and is passionate about providing his patients with high-quality and thorough dental treatment. He understands the connection between his patients’ oral and overall health, which is why he offers effective gum disease treatment to stop the disease from progressing. For questions or to schedule a consultation if you notice any signs of gum disease, visit Innovo Dental and Implant Studio’s website or call 209-207-9076.