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There’s nothing like the simple seasonal pleasures. What’s more enjoyable than a cup of hot apple cider on a blustery winter day, or a tall glass of ice water in the middle of a summer heatwave? Until, that is, tooth sensitivity makes that hot or cold treat no treat at all. If untimely tooth sensitivity is causing you problems, there are solutions we can offer!

Improving Brushing Technique

Careful brushing is a wonderful habit to get into, but sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. Over-energetic brushing can actually damage our enamel. And underneath that enamel is dentin, a more porous substance which allows heat and cold to reach the more sensitive inner tooth.

But, please, don’t give up on brushing! Switching to a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can make a world of difference. Dr. Pohl can recommend the most effective and safest way to brush, as well as suggest toothpastes designed to fight tooth sensitivity. Until you recover, now is the time to avoid acidic and sugary foods and drinks (which can also bother sensitive teeth) and home tooth-whitening products as well.

Preventing Gum Disease

When gum disease progresses, the gums can begin to pull away from the teeth. This recession exposes part of the root area, which is much more sensitive to heat and cold.  Regular checkups and cleanings can keep gum disease from developing. Gum disease that is already present can be treated, and we can discuss whether more intensive care, such as a gum graft, is advisable to protect the root area.

Treating Injuries to the Tooth

If you have a cavity, a fracture, or another injury to the tooth or nerve, sensitivity is a good sign that you should call us right away. And, sensitivity is a symptom that can disappear when we restore the compromised tooth, whether it requires a new or replacement filling, a crown, or a root canal. If your teeth are more sensitive as a result of tooth grinding or other orthodontic problems, we can identify those issues as well.

No matter the reason for your tooth sensitivity, we want to work with you to find out the cause of the problem and to find a solution for it. Call our Crescent Springs office if you notice any unpleasant or painful reactions to temperature, foods or even wind and air. Whether it’s advice on correcting your brushing style or treating tooth and gum conditions, we are here to help you.

People who have diabetes are usually familiar with many of the other health risks they face, including damage to the nerves, eyes, heart, and kidneys. But did you know that if you have diabetes you also have a much greater chance of developing gum disease? It's true, and like other diseases related to diabetes, the risk potential severity of gum disease is directly related to how well blood sugar is controlled.

The Causes

In diabetics, there are two primary mechanisms that increase the risk of developing gum disease, also called periodontal disease:

• Bacterial growth: Bacteria love sugar including the glucose found in blood and bodily fluids. Elevated levels of sugar in saliva can provide a very hospitable environment for bacterial growth. The risk may be elevated if your gums bleed.
• Circulatory changes: In diabetes, the blood vessels become thick, making it more difficult for blood to carry oxygen to the gums and to carry away harmful waste products. This decrease in circulation can weaken the mouth's natural resistance to decay. If you smoke, circulation can become even more compromised, significantly increasing your risk of periodontal disease.

Preventing Gum Disease

If you're diabetic, the number-one key to preventing gum disease is to make sure you do all you can to keep your blood sugar under control. In fact, studies show diabetics who have excellent control of their blood sugar levels have no more risk for gum disease than those who don't have diabetes. Here are some other tips to keep your gums healthy:

• Floss your teeth gently, curving the floss so it can gently reach just below your gum line to remove plaque and food particles. Rinse your mouth when you're done flossing.
• Use a soft-bristle brush to brush teeth twice daily, using small circular motions. Avoid pressing too hard on tooth surfaces.
• Brush your tongue gently to remove germs that can hide there.
• Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash to kill germs that are hard to reach.
• Keep track of how well your blood sugar is controlled and let Dr. Pohl know at each visit.
• Be aware that having diabetes may mean it takes you longer to heal after undergoing oral surgery.

Most importantly, be sure to visit our Crescent Springs office for regular checkups and tell Dr. Pohl about your diabetes so you can be sure to get the care you need. Follow these steps, and you can enjoy healthy teeth and gums for years to come.

It’s the holiday season! With so much to do and so much going on, you want to be at your best. We have some ideas to help make your season bright with a few easy tips for a healthy smile.

• Keep Your Smile Merry and Bright

There’s a lot going on during the holidays. Visiting friends. Traveling to see family. Parties and get togethers. With all the enjoyable festivities on your holiday schedule, you might be tempted to overlook brushing or flossing. But, please don’t!

Many of our favorite holiday traditions and activities are centered around sharing good company, good cheer—and good food.

Indulging in more treats throughout the day, especially sugars and simple carbs, provides more fuel for the bacteria in plaque. These bacteria produce acids that weaken tooth enamel—the first stage of tooth decay. Plaque buildup also irritates the gums, causing swelling, redness, pain, bleeding, and chronic bad breath.

How to avoid these not-so-jolly consequences? Make time in your holiday schedule for dental care! Brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing once each day removes plaque buildup and helps prevent cavities and gum disease.

• Holiday Snacks—Naughty or Nice?

We’re no Scrooges—enjoying holiday treats is one of the ways we celebrate. But since we’re trying to prevent a plaque buffet of sugar and simple carbs, it’s a good idea to add some healthier foods to the mix.

Whether it’s platters of snacks around the game table or a stylish hors d’oeuvre array, don’t forget to add nutritional, dental-friendly items to your plate. Options such as fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and whole grain breads and crackers are great partners for more indulgent selections because they’re lower in added sugars and provide vitamins and minerals to strengthen teeth and gums.

And from the candy bar? Hard candies and candy canes make our naughty list because they take a long time to dissolve while bathing your teeth in sugar. So do caramels, toffees, and gumdrops, which stick between teeth and gums. Soft chocolates? A much nicer choice, because they are more easily rinsed away by saliva or a drink of water. Which leads us to . . .

• A Toast to Your (Dental) Health!

The holidays offer some of our favorite seasonal beverages. But spiced lattes, mochas, and hot chocolate can be full of sugar.

The answer? Enjoy in moderation, and enjoy with a glass of water. Water washes away sugars, neutralizes acids, helps increase saliva flow for tooth and gum health, hydrates, and, when it’s fluoridated, protects and repairs your enamel. That’s a lot of gifts in one convenient package!

• Dashing through the Snow?

If you’re taking to the slopes, or the hills, or the rink for a little holiday exercise, don’t forget to protect your teeth and mouth. It’s not just sports like football and hockey that cause dental injuries—it’s any sport where you can fall or make contact with someone or something.

If you don’t have a mouthguard, they’re available at sporting goods stores in stock sizes or models that can be molded to your teeth. A custom mouthguard from our Crescent Springs office is more comfortable, fits better, and protects you better. This is a perfect gift to give yourself so you can take advantage of all those cold weather sports with confidence.

We all look forward to holiday surprises—but not when they take the form of cavities, gum disease, or dental injuries! In the flurry of holiday activities, keep up with your regular dental care, and you’ll be looking forward to a new year filled with happy and healthy smiles.

Nothing is more welcome at the Thanksgiving table than your happy, healthy smile! Here are some ideas to keep your holiday smile looking and feeling its best.

#1 Good Dental Hygiene Doesn’t Take Holidays Off

Thanksgiving day is bustling with activity, with shared meals and travelling and get-togethers in Crescent Springs. But it’s still essential to make time for proactive dental care. When foods stick around your teeth after you eat, the bacteria in plaque use those sugars and carbs to create acids which erode teeth and lead to cavities. And since Thanksgiving offers plenty of opportunities during the day to nibble on foods high in sugars and carbs, your teeth might need some extra TLC.

• If you’re home, brush and floss as usual after eating. If you’re travelling, bring a kit with a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste and some floss to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh throughout the day. 
• If you’ve been eating acidic foods like cranberry sauce, wine, or sodas, wait about 30-60 minutes to brush. Acids weaken enamel temporarily, and, until the enamel rehardens, brushing can be abrasive.
• Hydrate with water. Water helps wash away food particles from teeth and braces and helps neutralize enamel-damaging acids in foods and drinks by encouraging healthy saliva production.

#2 Be Choosy about Your Food Choices

• Make sure your plate has a healthy portion of protein and vegetables.
• If your dinner just isn’t complete without carbs, try whole grain rolls instead of soft breads and sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.
• Eat sweets and desserts with meals, when saliva production is high. This helps wash away sugars and neutralize acids.
• If you or your child wears braces, be sure to keep to braces-friendly foods. This means nothing crunchy, chewy, hard, or sticky.
• Make water one of your go-to beverages. If you do drink acidic beverages such as coffee, soda, or energy drinks, don’t sip them throughout the day. This bathes the teeth in acid for long periods.
• Chew sugarless gum if the team at Buttermilk Dentistry recommends it. Sugar-free gum encourages saliva production.

#3 Use the Right Tools When You Cook and Eat

And the right tools are never your teeth! Even when every surface in the kitchen is devoted to food prep and you can’t find the bottle opener or the nutcracker or the scissors anywhere, using your teeth to open bottles or nuts or bags of chips is a recipe for disaster. Avoid fractured and chipped teeth by using the appropriate tool for the job.

#4 See Your Dentist to Prevent Small Problems from Becoming Big Holiday Disruptions

If you’ve been suffering tooth pain or sensitivity, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pohl before the holidays to make sure your teeth and gums are their healthiest. Nothing takes the fun out of feasting more quickly than a dental emergency. 

Work with Dr. Pohl to ensure that your dental health is at its best for the holidays and every day. With proactive care, a tooth-friendly diet, and regular examinations, you’ll be welcoming friends and family with a beaming, healthy smile all year long.