How to Beat Bad Breath

Most of us are no stranger to bad breath. In fact, studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath or halitosis, at some point in their lives. It’s one thing to have a foul odor protruding from the mouth after eating a cup of coffee, smoking a cigarette, or eating a meal that is heavy in garlic or onions. Regardless of what is causing your bad breath, our doctors at Evans Dental Care can help you get the situation or stink, under control.

Bad breath can happen at any time of the day due to the large quantities of bacteria that are always present in the mouth. When we eat, the foods left in the mouth feed on these bacteria and result in a foul-smelling odor. Dry mouth, periodontal disease, and lifestyle factors such as smoking will also contribute to bad breath. You can combat these odors by brushing at least twice a day and cleaning between the teeth with floss after every meal. Regular dental checkups will help you prevent periodontal disease and dry mouth and stop these conditions before they become serious.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or bad breath, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Sjogren's Syndrome

People with conditions that affect their oral health will be treated with understanding at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg. As a holistic practice, we pay close attention to how the mouth relates to the rest of the body. Sjögren’s Syndrome is one disorder which has repercussions for which patients will depend on an informed dentist’s help to manage.

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that usually occurs in older women. It describes what happens when the immune system attacks the tear and saliva glands, along with the joints and skin. Besides being painful, it prevents the body from producing enough saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Without saliva, patients will also have more difficulty removing food debris from their mouths, increasing their risk of dental or gum infection.

It is unknown what causes Sjögren’s Syndrome. However, it is possible to manage dry mouth. Patients are advised to chew sugar-free gum and to use throat moisturizers. Diagnosing Sjögren’s Syndrome will require a sampling of the patient’s saliva glands. If the tests come back positive, we may be able to help patients obtain stronger medications for stimulating saliva production.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Electric Toothbrushes

At the holistic practice of Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, we encourage our patients to develop the oral hygiene routine that meets their unique needs. In the face of the wide variety of products on the market today, we want to help our patients to make one of their biggest choices: whether to use an electric toothbrush.

An electric toothbrush is not cheap. Moreover, studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are not better than correct use of manual toothbrushes for preventing tooth decay and gingivitis. But correct use of a manual toothbrush requires it to be used for two full minutes per session and on every tooth surface. Some people have a lot of trouble doing this.

An electric toothbrush is obviously a less stressful option for people with motor neuron disorders or who otherwise have difficulty using their hands. Many electric toothbrushes also come with apps that inform the patient of which tooth surfaces they’re skipping over and whether they’re brushing too hard or for long enough. Some are also compatible with mobile device games for children that reward them for improving their brushing. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the price of the electric option is less than whatever cost a particular patient is likely to incur if they continue to be unable to use a manual toothbrush.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

How to Care for Dentures

We provide patients with comfortable, safe prosthetic teeth at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg. Our philosophy of personalized care ensures each patient’s dentures will be a good fit and will be supported as needed. But in order to prevent infection and further oral problems, patients need to understand how caring for dentures differs from normal oral hygiene.

Dentures need to be kept wet. When the patient removes them at night, the dentures should be placed in room temperature water. While there is nothing wrong with using a dissolvable product to clean them, the dentures should still be brushed each morning and night. This should be done by scrubbing them all over with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If patients have some remaining natural teeth, they may use separate toothbrushes, because dentures cannot be cleaned with ordinary toothpaste. Minerals in toothpaste which are beneficial to enamel can scratch plastic dentures. Patients should also brush their gums in the morning in order to restore blood flow and to clean in between any abutments of mini-implants they may have.

It is important to not put a denture in hot water, or else the plastic may bend and warp. If a denture does become misshapen, it should be only be repaired by professionals.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Prevent Periodontitis

Healthy gums are firm, pale, and pink in color. When comes become inflamed, they may appear red or purple in color, depending on the severity of the inflammation. If your oral care routine isn’t up to par, or if you aren’t brushing or flossing properly, these poor habits can lead to gingivitis. When gingivitis is left untreated, it will advance into a condition called periodontitis, which our doctors at Evans Dental Care will work hard to help you treat.

Periodontitis is caused by bacterial plaque that hasn’t been removed through proper brushing and flossing. When plaque builds up on the teeth and isn’t brushed away, it will turn into tartar which only a dental professional is able to remove. If periodontitis isn’t treated, the gums will recede and the tooth (or teeth) may become loose. Other problems that patients may experience are dental abscesses, exposure of tooth roots, and difficulty chewing. If you experience gum inflammation of any kind, schedule a dental appointment to get the situation under control.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly

Are you convinced that your oral care routine is up to par, but you still notice a little pink in the sink? Perhaps it’s because you aren’t brushing enough, or you aren’t brushing correctly. Most of us might be surprised to learn that there is a proper way of brushing our teeth. At Evans Dental Care, we would like to tell you what it is so that you can maintain a healthy mouth.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line.


• Gently move the brush in a circular motion.


• Brush the outer surfaces and the inner surfaces, one tooth at a time (not one area at a time).


• Brush the chewing surfaces in a back and forth motion.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Remember that brushing your teeth isn’t the only part of a complete dental routine. Don’t forget to floss or WaterPik daily and visit us regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

 

How to Floss Correctly

It’s no secret that there is a right way and a wrong way to do anything, but, you may not think that there is a wrong way to floss your teeth. At Evans Dental Care, we are here to tell you that there actually is, and we’d like to take the chance to explain to you how to floss properly. Doing so can reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease and other dental diseases.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Firmly rub the side of the tooth 10 times, moving the floss in an up-and-down motion. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!


• Floss at least one time per day.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.