What’s the Secret to Keeping Your Teeth for Life?

First things first – there is no secret. In fact, keeping your teeth for life is much easier than you might expect. The process is simple and easy to follow. For teeth that last a lifetime: brush, floss, rinse, and visit Omni Dental at our Council Bluffs or Carter Lake practice regularly. That’s the secret to healthy teeth for life!

Brush

Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential. Make it a routine to brush once in the morning and once again before bed. If you wish, you can also brush three times a day. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush with light pressure. When brushing, aim to carefully clean all tooth surfaces. This should take you about two to three minutes each time for a thorough cleaning. For optimal results, use quality toothpaste and replace your toothbrush about every three months.

Floss

Although you may not enjoy flossing, it’s a crucial aspect of a good oral hygiene routine. Incorporate flossing into your daily hygiene regimen by flossing at least once every day. Flossing not only removes food particles that get trapped between your teeth but is also helps to remove bacteria that cannot be seen by the naked eye. It’s important to remove bacteria build-up which eventually turns to plaque or calculus.

Rinse

Who doesn’t want fresh breath? Rinsing with mouthwash not only makes your breath smell minty fresh, but it also works hard to kill bacteria that lingers in your mouth after meals. A good rinse will decrease the likelihood of plaque formation and gum disease. This extra step can go a long way toward having healthy teeth for life.

Keep your appointments

We always recommend that our patients visit us every six months for routine check-ups and professional dental cleanings. Our Omni Dental team works to remove any build-up of plaque to prevent gingivitis and gum disease. During your appointment, your dentist will carefully examine your mouth to identify issues such as cavities, and treat them before they get worse. Ensuring your teeth last for life requires effort on our part, but also from you. Together, we can keep your smile happy and healthy for a lifetime.

To reserve your next appointment, please call Omni Dental in Council Bluffs or Carter Lake at (888)-860-4886.

 

Why Choose Invisalign For Teens

If you’re a teen, or the parent of a teen, who is considering orthodontic correction, Invisalign should be one option to think about! If you haven’t heard of Invisalign before, it is the invisible way to straighten your smile. Invisalign for Teens offers many different benefits that can make aligning your teeth simpler and more flexible compared to traditional metal braces. At Omni Dental, we are proud to be certified Invisalign providers for Kirkland residents!

How Does Invisalign Work?

Like conventional braces, Invisalign corrects a number of common orthodontic issues. This includes underbites, overbites, crossbites, and crooked or misaligned teeth. Omni Dental can provide Invisalign to straighten out your smile! The process uses a series of clear, custom-made aligner trays that will fit perfectly into your mouth. The trays are made of BPA-free plastic that is smooth, comfortable, and designed specifically for your unique orthodontic needs. Every two weeks, you change your set of aligner trays and your teeth will gradually move into place!

Benefits For Teens

As a teen, life is very dynamic and constantly evolving. The last thing you should be worrying about is dealing with uncomfortable metal braces! Thankfully, Invisalign for Teens is a trusted method for teenagers and young adults to straighten their smile with added convenience and flexibility. You can smile for photos and laugh with your friends, all the while feeling confident about your teeth! With Invisalign Teen, you will have the freedom to do the things you love – eating your favorite foods, playing sports and instruments, and just being yourself! The best part is you’ll have a perfectly straight new smile, without anyone knowing that you had braces.

Ready to change your life with a brand new smile? Ask your Carter Lake and Council Bluff dentist today at Omni Dental about getting Invisalign for Teens!

What is gum recession?

 

Gum recession occurs when the gum line recedes to the point where sensitive roots of the teeth are exposed. This leads to increased feelings of sensitivity to cold and sugary foods since the roots are no longer protected by the gums. If left untreated, gum recession can increase the risks of tooth decay and tooth loss. At Omni Dental in Council Bluffs and Carter Lake, we want to help ensure that your gums are at their optimal health.

Causes of Gum Recession

  • Periodontal disease – a serious oral disease arising from poor oral habits
  • Gingivitis – gum disease characterized by bleeding and swollen gums
  • Aging
  • Overly aggressive brushing and/or flossing – brushing hard in a scrubbing fashion will erode gum tissue at the roots of teeth
  • Genetic predisposition to gingival recession – having inherited thin, insufficient gum tissue facilitates gum recession
  • Bruxism – a condition where someone regularly grinds their teeth, usually during sleep
  • Chewing tobacco/smoking – promotes chronically dry mouth and reduced gum health

Periodontal gingivitis can also be the cause of drooping of the gums. This is a different condition in comparison to gum recession. If your dentist diagnoses you with periodontal gingivitis, the recommended solution may be a gingivectomy. A gingivectomy is a process that removes excess gum tissue that has been weakened by bacterial decay. Another option is a gingivoplasty, which reshapes the gums around the teeth. If left untreated, sagging, drooping, and receding gums may be a dangerous enabler of bacteria growth inside of the mouth. Food particles, mucus, and other debris can get caught in the pockets that are left behind. Oral bacteria is responsible for tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and chronic halitosis.

Treatments for Gum Recession

For the benefit of your health, it’s best to get your gums treated immediately if you notice any issues. It’s possible for your dentist to help reverse the effects of gum recession. One recommendation may be to switch from a hard-bristled toothbrush to a soft-bristled toothbrush that will allow your brushing to be more gentle. We may also recommend improving oral hygiene habits, including brushing after meals, rinsing with mouthwash, and getting regular cleanings every six months.

If you think you may be at risk of gum recession or gingivitis, our team of dental professionals at Omni Dental in Council Bluffs and Carter Lake are here to help. Give us a call today at (888) 860-4886 to reserve an appointment.

 

Oral Care Issues for Seniors

 

Oral health is an important and often overlooked component of an older person’s general health and well-being. Omni Dental knows that for many of our older patients, oral health can become an issue when the conditions of aging make it difficult to brush or floss their teeth as effectively as they once did.

Below are 4 common oral health challenges that our older patients encounter:

Dental Caries

It’s not just children who get tooth decay—oral decay is a common disease in people 65 and older.  Research from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research shows that 92% of seniors 65 and older have had cavities in their permanent teeth. The risk for tooth decay increases because many older adults don’t go to the dentist as often as they used to.  As a result, cavities go undetected and untreated for longer than they should.

Difficulty Eating

Gum disease, missing teeth, infection, cavities, or poorly fitting dentures – all can cause difficulty eating and can force seniors to adjust the quality, consistency, and balance of their diet.

Xerostomia

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimate that 20% of elderly people suffer from xerostomia (dry mouth), which means the reduced flow of saliva (saliva plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay). Common medications that may cause dry mouth are blood pressure medications, decongestants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, pain pills,  incontinence medications, and antidepressants.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis (gum disease) is an infection of the gums and surrounding tissues that hold teeth in place. While gum disease affects people of all ages, it typically becomes worse as people age. In its early stages, gum disease is painless, and most people have no idea that they have it. In more advanced cases, however, gum disease can cause sore gums and pain when chewing.
Scheduling regular appointments at Omni Dental is the key to addressing the above issues – our dental care professionals can provide a combination of education, proactive care, and management to help reduce or eliminate these conditions.

Contact us today and book your appointment!