Asheville Dentist | New Year’s Resolutions for Your Oral and Overall Health

Welcome the new year with a renewed commitment to living healthy. Commit to a resolution that will keep your overall health in good shape as well as your oral health. Here are some dental health tips to consider that will keep you smiling and feeling great.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Poor nutrition can affect the entire immune system, increasing susceptibility to many common oral disorders, including gum disease. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and other nutrients that help to improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation. In addition, crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery can help remove plaque and acids from teeth.

Quit smoking

Smoking increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. It also increases your risk for tooth discoloration, cavities, gum recession, gum disease and oral cancer. Smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers.  If you currently use tobacco, consider chewing sugar-free gum. It can stimulate the flow of saliva and can help wash away bacteria.

Limit your alcohol intake

You may already know that excessive alcohol intake can have an effect on your overall health. But it can also impact your oral health. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, those who consume excessive alcohol have increased gum recession. Studies show that people who regularly consume alcohol are also less concerned about their basic health and oral needs.

This year, do yourself and your teeth a favor. You can maintain a healthy diet and improve your oral hygiene. For more information on how you can improve your oral and overall health this new year, contact our Asheville dentist.

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Phillips & Schmitt, DDS, PA   

1111 Hendersonville Rd       
Asheville,      NC      28803    

Phone: (828) 254-1944  
URL of Map

Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

About 10 million wisdom teeth are removed each year from 5 million people. Oral surgery to remove wisdom teeth is a standard procedure that is practiced every day.  After visiting your dentist, he or she may recommend to get your wisdom teeth removed. However, you may wonder why you need them removed even though they don’t cause pain.

Just because your wisdom teeth are not a source of pain doesn’t mean that there is nothing wrong. Most of the time, wisdom teeth need to be removed because they don’t have room to grow properly and may cause problems. Other reasons include:

Damage to other teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can shift other teeth as they continue to grow. This can undo the effects of braces, crowns, bridges and partial dentures. It can also cause mouth pain and bite problems.

Sinus issues: Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, pressure and congestion.

Jaw damage: Impacted wisdom teeth may develop cysts or tumors. If they aren’t treated, they can hollow out your jaw and cause damage to nerves.

Inflamed gums: Because there is limited space for wisdom teeth to erupt, infection and inflammation may be common. Gum disease and inflammation can lead to receding gum tissues, deterioration of the jawbone and tooth loss.

Cavities: Your wisdom teeth are more susceptible to cavities since it is more difficult to clean them. Bacteria can grow, which causes cavities to form.

Before deciding on getting your wisdom teeth removed, your dentist will look at the shape of your mouth and the position of your teeth. In addition, he or she will take x-rays to determine the growth pattern of your wisdom teeth.

There is no age limit to getting your wisdom teeth removed but as you get older, surgery and recovery can be more difficult.  In most instances, you can wait several months to see if anything changes in your wisdom teeth before making a final decision. However, if you experience pain or swelling near the back of your teeth, contact our dentist in Asheville for a consultation.

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   Phillips & Schmitt, DDS, PA   

     1111 Hendersonville Rd      Asheville,      NC      28803    

   Phone: (828) 254-1944    URL of Map

Dangers of decay in children’s teeth by Dr. Phillips and Dr. Schmitt

Dangers of decay in children’s teeth

Tooth decay is a serious risk for individuals that don’t maintain their routine cleanings. An important time to make sure tooth decay doesn’t occur, is when the individual is a child. The care of your child’s baby teeth could dictate positive or negative effects of their adult teeth.

The consequences of tooth decay should be highly emphasized to your children if they fail to brush at least twice a day. There were studies conducted that one in four children do not practice the recommended twice a day brushing of their teeth.

Disregarding daily brushing as a child will not only present the risk of tooth decay, but it could lead to cavities, pain, more infections, tooth loss and a slew of other oral health problems. Tooth decay could also lead to a fear of the dentist.

Effects of Tooth Decay on Your Child’s Health

Everyone has a risk to receive a cavity. Without a visit to the dentist in Asheville early, your child will not become familiar and comfortable with dental visits.

Parents should immediately contact their dentist in Asheville, NC if these early symptoms become visible:

• The gum line will have a dull white color
• Brown spots on the child’s teeth
• Red swollen gums

Dental Phobias

Children who experience tooth decay early may associate the dentist with pain and develop a dental phobia. These children may carry this phobia through their adulthood.

Many of these adults that obtain dental phobias will neglect the services of a local dentist and receive even more oral issues like rotting teeth. Rotting teeth can lead to invasive root canal therapy and reconstructive work.

How to Avoid Tooth Decay

Create a fun experience with your children to have them enjoy brushing regularly. With the guidance from your Asheville dentist and hygienist, they will be able to show you how to care for your child's teeth. Also, making sure to use proper oral health products such as a full-strength fluoride toothpaste and/or fluoride mouthwash can help reduce the risk for cavities.

Prevent Tooth Decay from the Start

Omitting bad habits from the beginning of a child’s life is extremely important in stopping tooth decay. Failure to take initial action of explaining to your children the results of tooth decay could begin a pattern of lifelong dental problems.

A child should visit their dentist in Asheville, NC every six months for checkups and cleaning. For more information on preventative measures for tooth decay, contact your dentist.

By Drs. Douglas Phillips and Donald Schmitt

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