Regular visits to your dentist are an important part of maintaining your dental health. In between regular check-ups, brushing and flossing your teeth will help your oral health. When you look for a toothbrush to perform this essential task, how do you know what kind of toothbrush is best? Here are some considerations when you shop for a toothbrush, but you can also start by asking a dental professional, like Dr. Aaron Schertzer, a family dentist serving Oakville, MO. 

Look For The ADA Seal

The American Dental Association (ADA) provides a seal of approval to toothbrushes that have met safety and quality standards for good dental health practices. When your toothbrush is ADA approved, the bristles will have safe tips and will not fall out during regular brushing. It also ensures that the handle is durable, and the brush will provide good prevention of tooth decay and gum disease when used properly and regularly. For additional recommendations, talk to your family dentist, like Dr. Schertzer in Oakville, MO. 

Manual Or Electric

There is a tremendous variety of toothbrushes to choose from and the choices might seem difficult. Most dentists will tell you that the best toothbrush is the one that encourages you to use it. While studies have not shown a conclusive increase in preventing gum disease or removing plaque when comparing electric over manual toothbrushes, if the features on an electric toothbrush are appealing to you, there is no reason to not use one. Some people may brush more vigorously when using manual toothbrushes and this can actually cause problems if too much pressure is applied. Using an electric toothbrush may provide the same feeling of a clean mouth with less vigorous brushing practices. 

There have been some studies suggesting that electric toothbrushes with oscillating heads are more effective in removing plaque than manual toothbrushes.

Size And Bristle Strength

The brush area of most toothbrushes is around one and a half inches long, which is sufficient for most people. Electric toothbrushes may have a smaller area but still clean efficiently. You want a handle that is comfortable and long enough to easily reach the molars in the back of your mouth, so you can do effectively clean those harder-to-reach teeth. Generally speaking, a soft bristle is fine for almost everyone. If you think you need a harder bristle strength, discuss this with your family dentist first. 

For specific questions about choosing the right toothbrush or other oral health issues, contact Dr. Schertzer, your family dentist in Oakville, MO. Contact us at (314) 892-2120 to schedule your appointment today. 

Tooth loss does not have to be a certainty. It's true that as we age this can become more difficult, but it's still a worthwhile goal to plan to keep your smile healthy and whole for as long as possible. It all begins with good dental hygiene habits, habits which should include regular visits to your local Oakville, MO, dentist, Dr. Aaron Schertzer of Advanced Dental Arts. Contact the office to find out if you're doing everything you can to protect your teeth from decay.

Battle Against Plaque

The biggest enemy of your smile's longevity is plaque. If you go some time without brushing you can feel it clinging to your teeth if you run your tongue over them. It's that sticky film that builds every day. It's made up of millions of bacteria that feed on the sugar from the foods you eat and create acids as a byproduct. Acids that can wear away the protective enamel on your teeth and damage your gums, potentially leading to gum disease.

Decay brought on by plaque can cause cavities, which progress down to the pulp of the tooth creating very painful infections that threaten the structure of the tooth, and at worse can into the jaw itself.

Gum disease can similarly spread and is a threat to the health of your whole mouth. In adults, periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss as it impacts directly the tissue that supports your teeth.

Good Habits Win

You can remove most of the plaque that builds on your teeth by brushing your teeth twice and a day, and flossing once a day to remove the food that accumulates between them. Some plaque may still remain in the spaces that are harder to reach, and it is this plaque that can harden into tartar thanks to the minerals in your saliva. It is the reason why regular visits to your dentist's office for a professional dental cleaning are important. During this procedure, your dentist can remove the accumulated tartar and may even reverse gum disease in its early stages.

Your dentist can also spot signs of decay and can treat cavities with dental fillings before they become a more troublesome concern. Beyond cavities, your dentist can also diagnose a number of other dental and health problems in general.

Family Dentistry in Oakville, MO

A lot of the necessary work to keep your smile healthy is done at home, but just as important is keeping up with your biannual dental cleanings and checkups. So make your appointment today with Dr. Schertzer of Advanced Dental Arts in Oakville, MO, by dialing (314) 892-2120.

Teaching Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits

You might not know it but tooth decay is the most common chronic disease that affects children in the U.S. The good news is that it can be prevented with the right oral hygiene habits. Dr. Aaron Schertzer is a dentist at Advanced Dental Arts in Oakville, MO. He specializes in family dentistry.

How to Encourage Good Oral Hygiene

Here are some important things to consider when you’re teaching your child good oral hygiene habits:

• Brush and floss daily: Teaching your child to brush and floss are the most essential parts of oral hygiene. You should teach your child to use toothpaste as soon as they are old enough not to swallow it. You can make brushing fun by using flavored toothpaste. As soon as your child’s teeth are touching, you should show them how to floss. Using a water flosser makes this much easier. Encourage them to brush twice daily and to floss once each day.

• Brush all teeth: The ADA recommends brushing for two minutes each time. Make sure your child is brushing the front, inside, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Setting a timer can get them into a routine.

• Use media: Watching videos and reading books about taking care of teeth can help children understand how important oral hygiene is. It’s much easier for children to learn oral care when they can see one of their favorite characters brushing and flossing.

The Importance of Regular Dental Visits

Early dental visits are important for children. You should start taking your child to the dentist within the first year after their teeth appear. It’s important to protect the health of primary teeth for the following reasons:

• They help children to bite and chew, maintaining good nutrition
• They benefit good speech development
• They are important for retaining spaces for permanent teeth
• A healthy smile makes children feel good about how they look

Oakville residents book their family dentistry appointments in advance at Advanced Dental Arts so they can be sure they never miss out on a check-up.

If you live in St. Louis and you are looking for family dentistry, contact Dr. Schertzer at (314) 892 -2120. He can also help recommend ways to teach your child good hygiene practices.

How your dentist in Oakville, Missouri can help your family’s smiles

It can be difficult and time-consuming to take care of your family’s dental needs. That’s why it’s important to seek out a family dentist who can help you take care of your loved ones and simplify your life. Dr. Aaron Schertzer at Advanced Dental Arts in Oakville, Missouri can help you and your family enjoy beautiful, healthy smiles!

More on Family Dentistry

When your entire family visits the same dentist, you save time. You don’t have to go searching around for a pediatric dentist to treat your children, nor have to go searching around for an orthodontist because your teen needs braces. Your family dentist can even take care of your smile whether you need cleanings and sealants or want cosmetic dental services like whitening, veneers, or implants. In short, your family dentist can do it all!

However, convenience is only one benefit of having a family dentist—it can also help you save money! Your family dentist can treat issues while they are small, preventing large, expensive dental problems. When your dentist sees your family on a regular basis, he can plan out needed dental services so that treatment is kind to your family budget.

Access to dental services when you need them is another important benefit of having a family dentist. Dental emergencies can be scary, especially if you are trying to find a dentist who can treat you after-hours or on weekends. If you or a family member has a dental emergency, your family dentist is ready to help when you need it most.

Your family dentist may be able to see multiple family members on the same day too. That means less time off of work for you and more efficient dental care for your family.

Call Today!

Make an investment in your family by contacting a family dentist who can take care of you and your loved ones' needs. To learn more about family dentistry and restorative, cosmetic, and preventive dental services, call Dr. Aaron Schertzer at Advanced Dental Arts in Oakville, Missouri today! (314) 892 -2120.