Hewlett Family Dental Blog

Something interesting happens around this time every year. People start reflecting on the last twelve months and start thinking about some things they can change in order to make the next twelve even better. These changes, or resolutions, are usually quickly lost within the first few weeks of the new year. But this year, Hewlett Family Dental wants to help you make some solid, easy-to-keep resolutions to improve your oral health in 2020! Brush & Floss One of the easiest resolutions you can make for better oral health is to brush and floss your teeth regularly. This means brushing twice a day, every day, and flossing once a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to gently (emphasis on gently) scrub away bacteria and plaque buildup. But brushing alone doesn’t reach all surfaces of your teeth. This is where flossing comes into play. Flossing between each and every tooth daily removes the things that brushing alone can miss. Following this at-home oral...

‘Tis the season for giving and of course, feasting! Indulging in your favorite holiday foods and festive drinks this time of year is inevitable, so it’s important to take special care of your teeth to ensure they stay healthy and white as snow. Follow these teeth whitening tips to keep your teeth merry and bright throughout the holiday season and beyond. Sip Through Straws Seasonal lattes, coffee, tea, hot buttered rum, red wine and other dark beverages should always be sipped through a straw in order to prevent tooth stains and yellowing. Using straws will reduce how much your favorite beverages come in contact with your front teeth. So, the next time you’re offered a drink at a holiday gathering or restaurant, politely ask for a straw, or better yet, stash one in your pocket or purse so you always have one on hand. Give Your Mouth a Good Rinse Rinsing your mouth with water after eating and drinking is essential for keeping your teeth pearly-white during the holidays ...

To help keep your smile bright and healthy during the busy and party-filled season, here are  12 days of holiday dental tips  to see you (and your teeth) safely through the season! #1 Be cautious of candy canes  – Hard candy is tasty and readily available at the holidays from candy canes to peppermints, but it can crack your teeth if you bite down wrong. It may be better to let candies dissolve to prevent any chipping or other damage – but be sure to brush thoroughly after eating candy of any kind. #2 Stay clear of soda  – Holiday parties are rife with soda and this sugary substance is never good for your teeth. Read more here. If you want something bubbly, try fizzy water rather than soda. If you must drink soda, use a straw to keep most of the acid off your teeth. #3 Watch the wine  – If you like a nice red, be mindful of how this can stain your teeth. White wine is less of a risk to your white smile. If you do drink red, do so with food to mitigat...

Most kids won’t ever turn down a sweet treat, but candy and sugary goodies are not good for them. Over-consumption of white sugars can not only lead to tooth decay needing dental restoration, but can lead to bad eating habits that can result in childhood (or adult) obesity and a life full of health problems. And the older your kids get, the less chance you’ll have to influence their habits, so now is the time to get them out of the habit of eating sweets. Here’s five tips to help cut down on sugar in your kid’s diets. #1 Skip the soda Soda is one of the worst sugars to allow your child to indulge in and lays the groundwork for lifelong bad choices in beverages. Instead, encourage consumption of water, milk and juice (although juice intake should not be excessive and never before bed). At restaurants, unsweetened tea with raw sugar or honey to sweeten it can be a nice indulgence now and then. Or try seltzer water for a fizzy, low-sugar treat. Kids that don’t grow up drinkin...

Have you ever noticed inflamed gums or slight bleeding while you brush or floss? Like many individuals, you may have ignored the inflammation and blood until one day you realized that the problem only got worse. If you’re feeling alarmed, it’s for a good reason. According to the  National Library of Medicine , bleeding gums is an early sign of  gum disease that requires a sense of urgency and treatment. After noticing signs of gum inflammation and/or bleeding, it’s critical that you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. Though your appointment maybe a few days or even weeks away, there are steps you can take to reduce the inflammation and stop the bleeding in the meantime. Check out our methods below! Improve your diet Improving your diet means one thing: eating  healthier . Throw out the sugary foods and candy that are not only hurting your gums but hurting your entire body. Your gums require good nutrition to stay healthy. Consider incr...

 It’s no secret that bathing your teeth in sugary drinks can lead to cavities. But in this season of piña coladas and mojitos, we wanted to know just how bad are our favorite summer refreshers? We asked Priyanka Patel, DMD, a general dentist in Chicago, to weigh in. Lemonade: This classic summer go-to for picnics, barbeques and kiddie entrepreneurs is problematic more for its high acidity than its sugar (though that’s trouble too). Lemons are the most acidic of all citrus fruits. “Acid can be more damaging than sugar, because it breaks down tooth enamel, making it easier for bacteria to come in,” says Dr. Patel. What’s more, lemonade made with preservatives tends to be high in sugar—up to 40 grams (that’s 10 teaspoons!) per serving—but if you make your own fresh batch, you can opt for a lighter touch. Dr. Patel also suggests flavoring water with lemon rind, sliced cucumber, or berries as a tooth-friendly alternative. Wine: All wines, especial...

Early dental care for children is very important. Although most babies do not have visible teeth for the first six months to one year of their lives, good dental care starts from the very beginning. Baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent adult teeth, but neglect of your child’s first teeth may lead to serious health issues. In making sure your child has proper dental care, you will help to safeguard their smile, and also assist them in building a lifetime of good oral care habits. Before Tooth Eruption The first baby teeth start to show up at around six months old and will likely appear in the front of the mouth. But even before they arrive, you need to keep your baby’s mouth clean. Using a clean, warm, moistened cloth or a piece of sterile gauze,   gently wipe your baby’s gums with your index finger. Be thorough, but use light pressure. The goal is to remove any food particles or milk film from their gums. Teething Teething can be frustrating for a ...

College is an exciting time for young adults. It’s the start of independence, finding themselves, adulthood, and developing a real routine, but one thing that many seem to forget is their oral hygiene. Dental health is important and can affect you for the rest of your life. Here are several ways to ace your next dental exam.  Habits to Develop Replace your toothbrush regularly- Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months or at the start of each semester. If your toothbrush is worn out with frayed bristles, it won’t clean your teeth as well. The ADA recommends using a toothbrush that fits your mouth with soft bristles. Brush your teeth twice a day- Brushing your teeth twice a day should be a top priority if you want to remove any plaque and prevent cavities. An easy schedule for on-the-go college students to follow is to brush after breakfast and before bed. Floss at least once a day- This should go hand in hand with brushing twice a day since flos...

Tooth Tip Tuesday 3 Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth! Wisdom teeth can drive patients to the brink of desperate pain relief. One sign of pain in the back of the jaw usually means impacted wisdom teeth. There are an array of symptoms and signs that will alert you something is not right. Once you have an assumption something is wrong, it’s time to take action! Three primary signs of impacted wisdom teeth: 1. Toothache, sharp pains coming from the back of the mouth. 2. Swelling around the jaw. 3. Tender, swollen, bleeding red gums. Other common signs would be: 1. Bad Breathe 2. Headache, pain between jaw & skull. Known as TMJ 3. Unpleasant taste in your mouth. 4. Swollen glands. 5. Difficult opening mouth. 6. Even ear aches. Call to Action: If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call out office at  (502) 633-2229

We all know that dental floss is for flossing your teeth, but did you know there are other things you can do with dental floss? Yup-- Check it out!   Floss Use in Camping and Survival Training Weighing less than half an ounce, campers can easily stash both the waxed and un-waxed varieties in their backpack without a problem. So make Bear Grylls proud, pack it in your camping kit for your next trip. 1.       In a pinch, un-waxed floss and a sterile needle can stitch a wound until you reach an emergency room. 2.       Use dental floss as virtually unbreakable thread for clothing repairs. I personally have used it for sewing on buttons when traveling. 3.       Make a fishing pole with floss and a sturdy branch to catch small to medium size fish. 4.       Stitch busted fishing nets. 5.       Use floss to tie sturdy sticks together for an impro...