Make Sure You Are Brushing for 2 Minutes!

To really get a good cleaning, you should be brushing your teeth for about two minutes. Do you brush yours for two? Many patients only brush their teeth for a few seconds without really realizing it. Take some of our tips for making sure you are brushing for a full two minutes. In addition, make sure you see Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in our Enid, OK dental practice for routine professional cleanings!

Brushing your teeth two to three times per day is so important to remove bacteria, however if you are only doing a quick sweep, you are leaving tons of the bacteria in there. Start by breaking your mouth into four quadrants; the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. Brush each quadrant for thirty seconds. This ensures that you are getting an even brushing and also doing a good job.

Another great way to ensure you are spending enough time is by investing in a toothbrush that has a timer. Many electric toothbrushes and some manual ones have timers that buzz or beep when you have hit two minutes. For an entertaining way of brushing, keep a music player in your bathroom. Play your favorite song and jam out until it hits the two-minute mark.

Brushing your teeth may seem like a simple task, but it is vital to your oral health. To schedule your next dental cleaning with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call our office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Keeping White Teeth White

Keeping a white smile can be more difficult than it seems. While brushing your teeth helps in a big way, there are other factors that go into keeping a white smile. Here at the office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, we offer professional teeth whitening to get you started, however, take some tips for keeping those teeth white!

As mentioned before, brushing your teeth is a huge factor in have a bright smile. Make sure you are brushing two to three times per day. In addition, do not skip flossing! The bacteria and other debris that can become stuck in between teeth contribute to plaque and stains. Floss once per day.

Using tobacco is a habit that has a major effect on your health. Not only is it terrible for your oral health and your overall health, but it also stains teeth over time. Whether you smoke it or chew it, it’s time to quit!

When eating dark foods like blueberries and soy sauce or when drinking dark liquids like tea or cola, be sure to rinse your mouth out afterwards. This will help wash away the stain-causing debris and keep it from sticking to your teeth. Sip dark liquids through a straw so that it minimizes how much of the liquid will touch your teeth.

To find out more about our professional whitening system, contact the office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK by calling (580) 237-2213. You can also reach us through our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush for You

When brushing your teeth, it is important to not only have the right technique, but also the right supplies. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK wants to make sure all of his patients have the proper knowledge about brushing their teeth. Take some tips for choosing the right toothbrush for you!

Toothbrushes may seem like a simple choice, but these days there are a lot of options. Let’s start with the most obvious difference: manual vs. electric. Studies have shown that as long as the brusher is doing a good job, an electric toothbrush does not clean teeth any better than a manual toothbrush. However, for patients who have trouble using their hands like those with arthritis, an electric toothbrush may get them a better cleaning. This is because they do almost all of the work; they just need to be held in the right place.

Next, you will want to make sure that your toothbrush has a small enough head. A large toothbrush head may have a ton of bristles but it you cannot maneuver it around all the corners of your mouth, you will not be cleaning your teeth properly. In addition, a good grip will also help with maneuvering the toothbrush around.

Next, you want to be sure that you are not using stiff bristles. These can irritate the gum tissue; causing recession. Stiff bristles can also wear down on enamel causing teeth to become cavity prone and sensitive.

To schedule your next dental cleaning with Dr. Dennis Morehart, call our Enid, OK dental office at (580) 237-2213. Appointments may also be made through our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Types of Tooth Extractions

At the dental office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS we understand that your permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime. However, there are a number of reasons (aside from wisdom teeth) why tooth extraction may be needed. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. Other reasons include a crowded mouth, infection, or risk of infection. Once Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS decides whether you’re a “tooth extraction candidate” he will make you as comfortable as possible before he performs the procedure.

If you need an extraction, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will first take an X-ray of the area to help plan the best way to remove the tooth. Once this is done, he will perform one of two extractions: a simple extraction, which is performed on a tooth that can be seen in the mouth or a surgical extraction that is used if a tooth has broken off at the gum line or has not emerged into the mouth yet. During a tooth extraction, you can expect to feel pressure, but no pain depending on the type of anesthesia you are administered.

If you believe you have a tooth that may need to be extracted, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.