How can i floss better at home?

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Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay, and this is likely not news to anyone. In addition to brushing, flossing can root out some of the most stubborn food particles that can build up between teeth. The problem? It’s not always easy, particularly if your teeth are set close together. Below, we’ll look at a few ways to floss better, so you can develop a better routine.

Try New Things

One of the best ways to floss better is to start with better floss. This may take some experimentation to get right, as the right floss for your friend may be very different from the right floss for you. You can also try interdental brushes, flossing picks, or water flossers. While the latter two are not always as effective as regular brushing, a dentist in Beaver Dam, KY can help you decrease plaque and tartar if you’re not flossing with standard floss.

Be More Mindful

Whether you play classical music in the background or watch a video about flossing on YouTube, sometimes it’s as simple as taking your mind off of other matters, which are likely many, and putting your mind into the task. Slowing down and taking the time can cause your technique to improve immediately.

Visit Your Dentist in Beaver Dam, KY

Flossing isn’t just good for your teeth; it’s great for your gums. When you floss regularly, you can avoid inflammation or bacteria that leads to gum disease. Unfortunately, brushing and flossing can’t take the place of professional teeth cleanings in Beaver Dam, KY. If you’re looking for a dentist who can help you keep up with all of your better habits, contact the staff at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry. We’re here to support you with your long-term dental health!

Why Is My Breath So Bad?

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Bad breath can be embarrassing. Bad breath can strain interpersonal relationships and may even lead to problems with your confidence. Working with your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, you can combat bad breath. It helps to know the causes of bad breath, and what you can do about it. In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know to enjoy fresh breath and good oral hygiene.

Causes of Bad Breath

Many things can cause bad breath.

  1. Periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the gums. The bacteria that cause gum disease can lead to chronic bad breath.
  2. Cavities. Tooth decay and cavities can cause bad breath that can’t be brushed away.
  3. The food you eat. Some foods have a way of affecting your breath for hours after you eat, even if your teeth are clean. Onions and garlic are examples of these types of foods.
  4. Poor oral hygiene. Failure to brush your teeth well or often enough can lead to bad breath.

What to Do About Bad Breath

If you have bad breath that won’t go away even after brushing your teeth, see your dentist. You may have a cavity or gum disease. If poor oral hygiene or health is the cause, your dentist will let you know.

How to Avoid Bad Breath

To avoid bad breath, brush your teeth for two minutes daily, and floss once daily. Use an electric toothbrush if possible. Come to the dentist for teeth cleaning in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, twice per year, or more often if your dentist recommends. To schedule your next appointment, contact us today.

5 Teeth Cleaning Tips That Make a Difference

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The way you clean your teeth makes all the difference in the world. If you use best practices when brushing your teeth, it will be easier for you to maintain healthy teeth and gums. As your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, we can help you learn ways to keep your teeth clean. Below, we’ve listed five best practices you can follow to maintain clean and healthy teeth.

1. Choose A Good Toothbrush

Choose a toothbrush with an ergonomic grip. Your toothbrush should also have a small enough head that it can fit easily in your mouth and around your teeth. Your dentist can recommend toothbrush brands and models that will be good for your teeth.

2. Use a Gentle Touch

You don’t need to scrub your teeth hard to get them clean. Brush gently to avoid damaging your gums and tooth enamel.

3. Brush With Soft Bristles

Just as you don’t need to scrub hard when brushing your teeth, you also don’t need to use a toothbrush with hard bristles. Choose a soft bristle toothbrush to keep your teeth clean.

4. Consider Switching to an Electric Brush

Electric toothbrushes can keep teeth cleaner than manual toothbrushes. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush to clean your teeth.

5. Maintain a Fresh Toothbrush

Replace your toothbrush every three months. If you have an electric toothbrush, replace the toothbrush head every three months. This helps ensure that you’re brushing with a clean toothbrush, and can also ensure that you’re cleaning your teeth with bristles that are in good condition.

Want to know more? Ask your dentist the next time you come in for preventative dental care in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY. Call today to make an appointment.

Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning: What’s the Difference and When Do You Need It?

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The more often you visit your Owensboro, KY dentist, the easier each visit is. Your dental exams will include dental cleanings, which are designed to rid your teeth of things that normal brushing and flossing can’t. But if you let your appointments fall by the wayside, you’ll more than likely find that your visits are more complicated, since more time has elapsed, possibly allowing all sorts of unwelcome bacteria and disease to take hold. In that case, you’ll need a deep cleaning. So when it comes to deep cleaning vs. regular cleaning, here’s what you can expect.

Regular Cleanings

Regular cleanings, also known as prophylaxis, focus on maintaining oral health by removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. This type of cleaning is typically performed every six months and helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other common dental issues. Regular cleanings are effective for people who have healthy gums and teeth, with no signs of severe gum disease or infection.

Deep Cleanings

Deep cleaning, on the other hand, is a more intensive procedure aimed at treating gum disease. Also called scaling and root planing, deep cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from beneath the gumline, where regular cleanings can’t reach. It also smooths the roots of the teeth to help gums reattach and heal properly. Dentists usually recommend deep cleaning for patients showing signs of gum disease, such as bleeding, swollen gums, receding gums, or bone loss around the teeth.

Which would you rather have? We assume you’d rather get by with just the regular cleanings! Why not close the gap between your dentist appointments right now and contact your Owensboro, KY dentist for your next dental exam?

Something’s Stuck in My Gums: What to Do?

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Everyone’s experienced it at one time or another. Having something stuck between your teeth is one thing. But having something stuck in your gums is a whole other concern. This is because the food debris that’s stuck in your gums will quickly begin to decay. Bacteria will feed on it, leading to more problems, and eventually the health of your tooth may even be threatened. If you’ve got something stuck in your gums, here’s what you should do.

Rinse Your Mouth

First, try rinsing your mouth. Swish water between your teeth where the debris is trapped. This might dislodge the item. If not, try the next step.

Floss

Gently use dental floss to try and dislodge it, being super careful not to push the debris farther into your gums. You might also use the pad of your finger to apply pressure to move the piece of food debris away from the gums.

Don’t Use a Toothpick

Avoid the use of any sharp objects to dislodge the debris, as this could easily damage your gums. It could also increase the risk of a gum infection.

If you can no longer see the debris, it’s time to visit your dentist in Owensboro, KY.

Symptoms to Look For

Contact your dentist and let them know if you have any of the symptoms listed here:

  • redness
  • swelling
  • pain
  • tenderness
  • bleeding

If you have these symptoms, your dentist may want to schedule you right away for an appointment.

When to Avoid Self-Removal

There are times when you should skip the steps of trying to remove the debris yourself. If the debris is deeply embedded, causing significant pain, or if your gums are already bleeding, avoid attempting to remove it on your own. Self-removal efforts in such cases can worsen the problem, leading to more severe gum damage or infection.

Contact your dentist in Owensboro, KY today for assistance with all your dental care needs, including if you have debris stuck in your gums.

Conversation between two dentist in dentist's clinic

3 Questions to Ask Your Dentist at Your Next Dental Appointment

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When you go visit the dentist, it’s important to make the most of your check-up. Your dentist in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY, can give you a lot of good advice to help you take care of your teeth, but asking questions gets the conversation started. Below are three questions you can ask the next time you visit the dentist.

1. What can I do to improve my oral hygiene routine?

Your dentist will have a good sense of how you’re taking care of your teeth just by looking in your mouth during your checkup. Your dentist will be able to see where plaque is building up on your teeth and where your teeth are getting properly brushed. Asking this question prompts your dentist to give you a tooth brushing and flossing tutorial.

2. Am I at risk for any dental conditions?

If you’re at risk for dental conditions, your dentist will likely know just by asking you questions about your lifestyle, habits, and medical conditions. For example, if you smoke, your dentist can tell you about how this affects your dental health. If you’re pregnant, this can put you at risk for certain dental conditions as well.

Asking this question gives your dentist an opportunity to talk about the dental conditions that you’re most at risk of experiencing and what you can do to avoid those conditions.

3. When should I make my next dental appointment?

Most people need to see the dentist every six months for preventative dental care in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY, but if your dentist has identified a condition or dental problem, your dentist may ask you to return sooner. Ask your dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry when they hope to see you back.

3 Goals for Your Oral Hygiene In the New Year

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The new year is coming soon, and it’s the perfect time to brush up on your oral hygiene routine. Having goals for your dental health and your smile can generally help you have a brighter and more beautiful smile by the time the next year comes to a close. As your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, we’re committed to helping you with these goals. Below are three excellent goals to have for your smile in the new year.

1. Achieve a whiter, brighter smile.

Do you want whiter teeth? You can have them if you sign up for professional teeth whitening services. Going to the dentist for teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile without any risk of over-whitening. We can help you make your teeth several shades whiter, all in just one session. Professional teeth whitening is an easy and efficient way to make your teeth look healthy! To find out more about our whitening services, call our office.

2. Straighten your teeth.

If your teeth are crooked or your jaw is misaligned, straightening your teeth can be good for your oral hygiene. Crowded teeth specifically can be very problematic because teeth that are crowded together are harder to clean. Get your teeth straightened with clear aligners or braces. At Travis Wilson DMD, we can help you with either of these straightening devices.

3. Start seeing the dentist twice.

If you only see the dentist once a year (or less), you could be doing your teeth a great disservice. Start seeing the dentist twice annually to avoid cavities, infections and gum disease. Call us today to make your next appointment for dental preventative care in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY.

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3 Questions to Ask the Dentist At Your Next Appointment

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When you visit the dentist in Beaver Dam, KY, it’s important to make the most of your time at the office. Asking the right questions during your dental appointment can help you get the information to take good care of your teeth when you go back home. Below are three examples of good questions that you can ask during your next dental appointment.

1. Is there anything I can do to improve my oral hygiene routine?

Are you cleaning your teeth well when you brush? Where are you missing spots? What can you do to improve the way you brush and floss? Your dentist will be able to see where there are deficits in your toothbrushing and flossing routine and will be able to point out areas for improvement.

2. How is my dental health?

Are your teeth and gums healthy? Are your teeth and gums at risk for certain conditions? Your dentist will be able to tell you.

3. What do these symptoms mean?

If you’re experiencing symptoms like tooth pain, discomfort or sensitivity, talk to your dentist. Your dentist can help you interpret these sensations and tell you what to look out for moving forward. Your dentist may also have some suggestions for how you can alleviate discomfort in the future.

Make a List of Questions for Your Next Dental Cleaning

Your dental cleaning is the perfect time to ask questions about your oral health and hygiene. If you have questions for your dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, write them down before your next dental appointment. This will help you remember these questions during your appointment for dental preventative care in Beaver Dam, KY. Call today to make an appointment.

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3 Things You Can Do to Avoid Periodontal Disease

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Periodontal disease can be devastating to your smile. Gum disease can cause gum recession and eventually tooth loss. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prevent periodontal disease in Owensboro and Beaver Dam KY. Below, we’ve outlined some of the things you can do to maintain good oral health.

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Good oral health starts with good oral hygiene at home. There are many things you can do to keep your teeth clean, with less bacteria. Some examples:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily. Brush your teeth once in the morning and once at night before bed, following the instructions provided to you by your dentist.
  • Floss once per day. Floss every night before bed, again following flossing instructions provided to you by your dentist.
  • Switch to an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes use an oscillating motion to get the teeth especially clean. Most models also come with a timer to ensure you brush your teeth for long enough.

2. See the Dentist Twice Per Year

Unless yourdentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam KY tells you otherwise, you should go in to see the dentist twice per year. Your dentist can examine your teeth, clean away plaque and tartar, and diagnose any conditions in their early stages.

3. Know the Signs of Periodontal Disease

Know the signs of periodontal disease, and see your dentist if you notice any of them. Signs include:

  • Bleeding, swollen gums
  • Bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing your teeth
  • Loose or missing permanent teeth
  • Receding gums

Are you noticing the signs of gum disease? Get help from a dental professional. At Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, we diagnose and treat periodontal disease. Call today to make an appointment.

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Best Foods for Your Oral Health

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Brushing and flossing daily can do wonders for your oral health. However, did you know that certain foods can also be healthy for your teeth and gums? In this post, we’ll talk about the best foods for your oral health.

Fiber-Rich Fruits and Veggies

Fiber is great for our dental health, especially in the form of fruits and vegetables. These fiber-rich foods help to clean our teeth and gums, resulting in a cleaner, healthier smile. Furthermore, these foods get saliva flowing, which is also very beneficial for reducing dental issues. In fact, this can even help prevent cavities and gum disease.

While eating fiber-rich foods is important, you should also visit a dentist for routine checkups. To schedule a checkup and teeth cleaning in Owensboro, KY, or the surrounding area, make an appointment with Dr. Travis Wilson today!

Dairy Products

Several dairy products are also excellent for our dental health. This includes plain yogurt, cheese, milk, and other forms of dairy. These foods help to create more saliva, and the calcium and phosphates help to restore minerals lost in your teeth. Another perk is that dairy products rebuild tooth enamel, keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Fatty Fish

Eating fish benefits many areas of our bodies, including our teeth and gums. One reason is its high source of vitamin D, which is necessary for almost every system in our body. Another benefit of this vitamin is its ability to lower the risk of tooth decay. Vitamin D and vitamin K2 work together to bring calcium to our teeth, helping to strengthen the enamel. Fatty fish is also rich in omega-3s, which supports gum health and may even help prevent and treat gum disease.

Speak with our dentist in Owensboro, KY, today to learn more beneficial foods for your oral health!