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Diabetes Can Affect Your Smile’s Health | Fayetteville, GA

Diabetes is a disease that affects more and more people every day, but did you know that it affects more than just your blood sugar? It’s true. Diabetes not only needs to be monitored to maintain your overall health but not taking care of your diabetes can also affect your mouth. Let’s explain.

Because diabetes revolves around your blood sugar levels, it can also affect the way your gums get infected, the bones that hold your teeth in place, and many other oral health issues. I know – it’s kind of overwhelming. But also, just a couple more reasons to make sure you take care of yourself when living with diabetes. Take a look at some ways to keep your dental health intact:

Diabetes first. Since you have now been diagnosed, it is important to make the necessary lifestyle changes in order to maintain a consistent level of health. Keep your blood levels in check, eat healthy, and make sure to exercise regularly. Healthy body, healthy smile.

Don’t smoke. It’s already bad for your health, but cigarettes and cigars also contribute to dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay. Keep the tobacco out of your mouth and look forward to fewer instances of these issues arising.

Dental implant care. You may not think of it as important but if you have dental implants, you should spend extra attention to your cleaning techniques because it could cause potential problems. If you wear a full or partial denture, clean it thoroughly each day to reduce bacteria.

Oral hygiene. Of course, don’t forget your dental hygiene altogether. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, use an antibacterial mouthwash, floss correctly once a day, and see your dentist for regular checkups.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Effective Tooth Brushing Tips | Fayetteville, GA

A sparkling smile not only enhances your appearance but also reflects good oral health. One of the simplest yet crucial habits to maintain that bright smile is proper tooth brushing. In this blog post, we’ll explore seven effective ways to brush your teeth, ensuring your dental hygiene is top-notch.

  • Start your oral care routine by selecting a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Soft bristles effectively clean teeth without causing damage to the enamel, while fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay.
  • Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use gentle, circular motions. Ensure you cover all surfaces of your teeth – front, back, and chewing surfaces. Don’t forget your tongue and the roof of your mouth to eliminate bacteria and freshen your breath.
  • Proper brushing requires time. Aim for a minimum of two minutes each session to ensure thorough cleaning. Consider using a timer or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer to help you keep track.
  • While it might be tempting to brush vigorously, harsh brushing can lead to enamel erosion and gum recession. Apply gentle pressure and focus on being thorough rather than forceful to protect your oral health.
  • Brushing alone might not reach every nook and cranny between your teeth. Incorporate dental floss to remove plaque and food particles from these tight spaces. Follow up with an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill lingering bacteria and leave your mouth feeling fresh.
  • Toothbrushes wear out over time, and frayed bristles are less effective in cleaning your teeth. Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months or sooner if bristles appear worn.
  • Even with a meticulous oral care routine at home, regular visits to your dentist are crucial. Professional cleanings and check-ups can identify and address potential issues before they escalate.

Achieving and maintaining good oral health is within reach by incorporating these seven effective ways to brush your teeth into your daily routine. A beautiful smile starts with proper oral care, and by following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, brighter smile. Remember, consistency is key, so make these habits a part of your daily life for lasting results.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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The Relationship Between Oral Bacteria and Sugar | Fayetteville, GA

The human mouth is a bustling ecosystem, home to a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria. While these microscopic residents play crucial roles in maintaining oral health, an intricate dance unfolds when sugar enters the scene. This blog post delves into the fascinating interaction between sugar and bacteria in the mouth, shedding light on the consequences of this sweet partnership.

As we indulge in sweet treats and sugary beverages, our taste buds revel in the delightful sweetness. However, the celebration doesn’t end there. Sugars act as a potent energy source for bacteria residing in the oral cavity. The most notorious culprits are Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, bacteria that thrive on fermentable carbohydrates, breaking them down into acids.

Acidic Tango:

When bacteria feast on sugars, they produce acids as metabolic byproducts. This sets the stage for an acidic tango that can have detrimental effects on oral health. The acids erode tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of the teeth, leading to the formation of cavities and dental decay. The more frequent the sugar consumption, the more intense this corrosive dance becomes.

Biofilm Formation:

Bacteria aren’t lone performers in this oral drama; they team up to create biofilms. These sticky, slimy layers of bacteria and sugars adhere to tooth surfaces, forming a breeding ground for further microbial activity. This biofilm, commonly known as plaque, becomes a hotbed for bacterial proliferation, contributing to the development of oral diseases.

Sweet Temptations and Oral Hygiene: While the interaction between sugar and bacteria may seem like an inevitable consequence of enjoying sweets, maintaining good oral hygiene can tip the balance in your favor. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups help remove plaque and prevent the escalation of bacterial activity, keeping your mouth in harmony.

The Role of Saliva:

Saliva acts as a natural defender against the sugar-bacteria duet. It contains minerals that neutralize acids and enzymes that aid in the remineralization of enamel. Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production, providing a helping hand in mitigating the effects of sugar on oral health.

The interaction between sugar and bacteria in the mouth is a complex dance with potential consequences for oral health. While sugar undoubtedly fuels bacterial activity, practicing good oral hygiene and mindful sugar consumption can help maintain a healthier balance. So, the next time you reach for that sweet indulgence, remember the intricate symphony playing out in your mouth and take steps to keep the harmony intact.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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The Anatomy of the Human Mouth | Fayetteville, GA

The human mouth consists of several distinct components, each with its unique functions. It’s a marvel of biological engineering, serving a multitude of essential functions that go far beyond mere communication. This intricate structure plays a vital role in our ability to eat, breathe, and express our emotions. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the anatomy of the human mouth and the various components that make it such a versatile and indispensable part of our bodies.

Let’s start with the most visible part: the lips. Lips are not only essential for facial expressions, but they also protect the delicate tissues inside the mouth from external factors. Just behind the lips, the cheeks form the walls of the mouth, helping to keep food within as we chew and swallow.

Inside the mouth, we find the tongue, a muscular organ responsible for tasting, moving food around, and aiding in speech. The tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae, which contain taste buds that allow us to perceive different flavors. It is a highly flexible and agile muscle that plays a pivotal role in forming various speech sounds.

The roof of the mouth is divided into two parts: the hard palate at the front and the soft palate towards the back. The hard palate provides a stable surface for the tongue and helps in the initial stages of chewing, while the soft palate is involved in closing off the nasal passages during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the nose.

The floor of the mouth is home to the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands, which secrete saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that aid in digestion and lubricate food for easier swallowing. It also helps maintain the health of the oral cavity by neutralizing acids and preventing tooth decay.

Speaking of teeth, they are integral to the mouth’s functioning. Humans typically have 32 teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type of tooth has a specific role in breaking down food. Teeth are anchored in the jawbone and are responsible for the initial mechanical breakdown of food before digestion begins in the stomach.

Behind the teeth, you’ll find the pharynx, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the esophagus, allowing for the passage of chewed food and liquids into the digestive system. This area also plays a crucial role in preventing choking by sealing off the trachea during swallowing.

The human mouth is a remarkable and complex structure, responsible for vital functions such as eating, speaking, and breathing. Its various components, including the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, salivary glands, teeth, and pharynx, work together seamlessly to support our daily activities. Understanding the anatomy of the mouth can lead to better oral health and a deeper appreciation of this incredible biological marvel.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Tooth Discoloration And You: What To Know | Fayetteville, GA

Tooth discoloration can target anyone, no matter how well we perform our oral care routine. Tooth discoloration isn’t something that happens overnight, it is the accumulation of years of simply being human. Thankfully, however, when we understand the main culprits of discoloration, we can work to mitigate our risk of it, and prolong our need or eventual desire for whitening treatments. Here are some of the most common culprits of tooth discoloration:

– One of the most common ones is a poor oral care routine. When we don’t employ proper brushing and flossing, we allow the residue from what we consume to remain on our teeth, working to subtly discolor them over time. If you notice hard-to-remove brown patches on or between your teeth, it may be tartar buildup, which creates obvious discoloration and needs to be removed by your dentist.

  • Any dark liquid such as red wine, coffee, soda, or even hot chocolate can discolor our teeth. Be mindful of the amount of dark-colored foods and drinks if you want to avoid discoloration, and brush 30 minutes after consumption to mitigate risk.
  • Tobacco in any form is another common contributor to discoloration. It commonly produces a yellow hue on the teeth that can’t be easily removed by our twice-daily routine.
  • The excessive use of fluoride, believe it or not, can also discolor our teeth. If we excessively use fluoride-infused oral care products it can be too much, causing streaking or leaving behind a brown outline around your teeth.
  • Enamel decay is a consequence of a poor oral care routine. Enamel protects our teeth, but it can be worn down over time and as it does, you will notice a variety of stains and changes to your teeth like white spots or yellow-brown streaks.

Help your pearly whites shine by taking these preventative measures:

– Brush 30 minutes after eating or drinking

– Floss twice daily

– Reduce sugary foods and drink intake

– Add calcium to your diet

-Don’t use tobacco

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.-

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The Dos and Don’s of Proper Brushing | Fayetteville, GA

Hopefully, you are brushing twice per day, every day, practicing those tips and tricks you learned as a kid. If you aren’t brushing twice daily, or are wondering if your technique is giving you the clean you need, here are some easy brushing dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

What You Should Do

– Use a 45-degree angle when brushing

– Use short, side-to-side strokes

– Brush gently, a touch helps prevent wear and tear on your enamel

– Brush at least twice a day, especially after consuming something sugary or acidic

– Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months

– Brush for a full 2 minutes; set a timer if you need to

– Allow your toothbrush to air dry

– Store your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet away from other bathroom germs

– Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is gentle on your tooth enamel

Things You Should Not Do

– Store your toothbrush on the sink counter where bathroom particles can get on it

  • Keep your brush flat
  • Use long strokes, short strokes are more effective
  • Brush with force

– Use the same toothbrush for life

– Brush for less than two minutes

  • Keep your toothbrush in a closed container
  • Use a stiff bristle brush

If you keep these tips and tricks in mind, your enamel and overall oral health will be much better off for it!

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Electric Vs. Manual Toothbrushes: What To Know | Fayetteville, GA

Whether you employ an electric or manual toothbrush doesn’t make or break your oral hygiene. How you use it does. If you struggle to get a thorough clean with a manual brush, or an electric brush would help you stick to the two-minute rule, it may be a good option. If you are really good about brushing for two minutes and getting to every corner of your mouth, a manual bush is just fine.

We all know the goal of brushing is to remove surface plaque before it becomes hardened tartar and eventually an oral infection. It’s important to maintain your entire oral care routine (brush, floss, rinse, and tongue scrape) twice daily for the best chance at avoiding oral health issues. Yet, arthritis, a motor disability, or simply being a kid can all contribute to someone’s inability to properly use a manual brush, so for those individuals, an electric brush may be a useful tool. Children’s electric brushes commonly play music or assist with their two minutes with a built-in timer. For those with motor disabilities or arthritis, an electric brush may ease their physical pain or discomfort.

In general, it doesn’t matter what you use to clean your teeth, it matters how thorough you can be at it.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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We All Accumulate Plaque: Here’s What To Do About It | Fayetteville, GA

Put simply, plaque feels and may even look like fuzzy house slippers that coat your teeth. It’s a sticky, colorless film of bacteria along the surface of your teeth and gum line that accumulates daily. Everyone accumulates, and subsequently removes plaque, daily. What we consume throughout the day can somewhat alter the amount of plaque we accumulate, but we can’t keep it from happening.

It’s important to retain a great oral care routine for the purpose of removing plaque. When plaque remains on the surface of, and in between, our teeth for prolonged amounts of time, it allows the bacteria in our mouth a chance to feed on it. When this happens, the bacteria release acid that wears your enamel and contributes to oral infections over time. Additionally, if you let plaque live in your mouth for too long, it turns into tartar, which takes a visit to your dentist to remove.

The most effective way to remove plaque is to brush and floss twice daily. Utilizing a tongue scraper and mouthwash can be an extra preventative measure but isn’t entirely necessary. As long as you employ proper brushing and flossing, you shouldn’t be at risk for developing tartar buildup or an oral infection.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Choosing the Right Toothpaste For Your Oral Health | Fayetteville, GA

There are a lot of kinds of toothpaste on the market to choose from. With so many different ways these options have differentiated themselves from one another, it can be daunting to figure out what the best option is for us. Here are some things you might want to consider when replacing your next tube of toothpaste.

Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is something many people struggle with, but there are a number of pastes on the market with additives that work to help. Sensitivity is commonly the result of weakened enamel, so sensitive toothpaste contains ingredients that work to strengthen the enamel to ease sensitivity.

Fluoride

Fluoride is commonly employed for its ability to keep cavities at bay, but there is a significant portion of the population that doesn’t like the idea of fluoride for daily use. That’s okay, as there are natural alternatives that may help mitigate cavities without the use of fluoride. While it won’t make or break your ability to fight cavities, it is effective and may be the most convenient option.

Flavors and Colors

In general, the flavor and color of toothpaste is simply a preference. If pink bubblegum toothpaste helps motivate your child to brush his or her teeth, it’s not going to hurt their oral hygiene to use it. Similarly, if you prefer pastes without flavoring, or enjoy spearmint over cinnamon, that is entirely up to you. If you know you are allergic to certain flavors or dyes, of course, it’s best to retain a paste that won’t make you sick.

Whitening Additives

A whitening additive such as charcoal has become a big trend in dental health over the last few years. Unfortunately, it can be too abrasive, and begin to deteriorate your enamel over time. In regard to charcoal specifically, it may be best to consult with your dentist, but in general whitening additives, like flavor and color, aren’t likely to hurt your oral health.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.

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Oral Bacteria and Mouth Health | Fayetteville, GA

We brush and floss our teeth to keep the buildup of harmful bacteria and the sugars they feed on at bay. Helpful and harmful oral bacteria coexist, and certain behaviors can advance one or the other. In general, a good oral care routine and healthy eating will keep the harmful bacteria at bay without any serious issues. 

Helpful Bacteria

Streptococcus Salivarius helps suppress oral pathogens like Streptococcus Pyogenes and Streptococcus Pneumonia that cause infections and autoimmune disorders. It also provides immune support to help reduce symptoms of oral and respiratory viral infections while crowding out other potentially harmful oral pathogens.

lactobacilli bacteria can fight several kinds of harmful bacteria and may help restore a healthy balance in your mouth. This bacteria can be found in some types of chewing gum and people with gingivitis may be asked to use it every day by their dentist.

Streptococcus Salivarius helps suppress oral pathogens like Streptococcus Pyogenes and Streptococcus Pneumonia that cause infections and autoimmune disorders. It also provides immune support to help reduce symptoms of oral and respiratory viral infections while crowding out other potentially harmful oral pathogens.

Harmful Bacteria

Streptococcus mutans is specifically found on tooth surfaces and difficult-to-clean areas like pits and fissures on the teeth. It feeds on the sugars and starches you eat, leading to the formation of cavities. This bacteria is the main cause of tooth decay in humans because it produces enamel-eroding acids and thrives in a low pH.

Periodontitis is a serious inflammatory disease that affects the tissues and the alveolar bone that support the teeth. While this disease is caused by several types of bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis is strongly linked to it.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the beautiful smiles Dr. Sukari McMiller has created visit us online today at www.dreamworksdentalcare.com.

Dr. Sukari McMiller proudly serves patients from Fayetteville and all surrounding areas.