Benefits of Using a Tongue Cleaner

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS wants you to brush and floss daily, but you should never neglect your tongue after completing these tasks. Some people use a toothbrush to clean the tongue, however, this may not be as effective as using a tongue scraper tool. Tongue scrapers, which are available in most drugstores in various shapes and sizes, have been proclaimed as a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath, but this isn’t their only benefit.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. This oral hygiene practice also promotes general tooth and gum health and removes bacteria and toxins responsible for periodontal problems, plaque buildup, tooth decay and gum infections. Introducing a tongue cleaner/scraper into your oral hygiene routine, can simply boost oral hygiene while helping to prevent bad breath.

If you have questions about your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Tooth Friendly Diet

At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS we see it as our responsibility to share information to help our patients make good choices regarding their dental health and good dental health begins with a well-balanced diet. While a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats will benefit your overall health, there are a few stand out foods and nutrients that can really boost it.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “milk builds strong bones and teeth.” This is true because calcium prevents against tooth decay. Calcium is found in foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt as well as in fish and some vegetables such as kale and broccoli. Crunchy fruits and vegetables – like apples, pears, celery, and carrots – act as a detergent on teeth, wiping away bacteria that can cause plaque. We don’t have to tell you to stay away from sugary snacks, but even healthy foods have sugars in them. Therefore, no matter what you eat it’s always important to brush and floss afterward and remember to visit us twice a year for checkups.

If you have questions about a tooth friendly diet, give us a call. To learn more about the services provided at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

How to Prevent Teeth Grinding

Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. When this occurs, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can supply preventive treatment with a custom-fitted nighttime mouth guard.

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a symptom of bruxism. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS. He can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and abnormalities in your teeth and then fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.

If you have questions about bruxism and night guards, please give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Gum Chewing: Helpful or Harmful?

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, wants you to know that when it comes to chewing gum, it’s the type of gum you chew that makes a difference in whether it’s helpful or harmful to your teeth. The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth.

For most people, chewing sugar-free gum (especially gum sweetened with xylitol) can be a good preventive measure in situations when tooth brushing and flossing aren’t practical. It’s important to remember that sugar free or not, chewing gum should never replace good dental hygiene practices. Next time you are walking through the sweets aisle, look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal because you can be sure it’s sugarless. All gums with the ADA Seal are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol.

If you have questions about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about services provided at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.