Why Do I Need to See Dentist Twice a Year?

why do i need to see a dentist twice a year

Why Do I Need to See a Dentist Twice a Year? 

The Importance of Seeing Your Dentist For Routine Cleanings

Most individuals would admit that going to the dentist is not at the top of their list of things to do. However, there are several benefits that should make you want to follow your routine cleanings. Today on the blog, our dentist in Lexington KY answers the question, “Why do I need to see a dentist twice a year?” 

Routine Cleanings Are Essential

The frequency with which you should see your dentist Lexington KY is determined by the condition of your teeth and gums, as well as your ability to maintain proper oral hygiene on your own.

The ultimate objective is to visit you frequently enough to keep any oral issues at bay. Tooth decay (cavities) and periodontitis (gum disease) may both cause pain and tooth loss and are completely preventable. Seeing a dentist near me on a regular basis can help avoid them. Or, at the absolute least, stop them in their tracks. Thus, it’s critical to sit in the chair at least twice a year.

Keep Your Dental Health In Check By Eliminating Bacteria

Keep in mind that the bacteria in your mouth are dangerous opportunists that can harm your dental health without your knowledge. Dr. Kim, the best dentist in Lexington KY explains that plaque, a potentially hazardous bacterial film, is continually growing on your teeth and gums. Plaque is a whitish, sticky material that may eat away at your enamel (the strong outer layer of your teeth) and cause cavities. If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, it can harden into tartar or calculus, which can lead to gum disease.

You definitely want to avoid plaque developing into tartar. Thus, this is why dental checkups are so important. Additionally, tartar cannot be removed by even the most experienced brusher and flosser.

Dental Health is Correlated to Overall Health

Aside from that, seeing your dentist in Lexington on a regular basis may help maintain more than just your teeth healthy. Our friend Dr. Boals, dentist Colorado Springs, explains that diabetes and anemia are two examples of illnesses that might manifest themselves in your mouth. If your dentist finds something out of the ordinary during a visit, they might refer you to a specialist who will examine you.

Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy

Visiting the dentist may also encourage you to improve your dental hygiene. Do you know how your teeth feel silky-smooth after cleaning, and how it motivates you to do everything it takes to keep them that way? Try to implement proper oral hygiene every day of the year!

Dental Anxiety Options

If you’re afraid of going to the dentist, there are several methods to make it less frightening.

Thus, speak with your dentist. Tell them about your dental phobias and ask if there is anything they or their practice can do to help. Listening to music through headphones, utilizing nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and other options are possible.

Going to the dentist on a regular basis might help you feel more comfortable with the whole process. Furthermore, keeping your teeth clean may result in fewer checkups in the future (or fewer appointments, period).

You can help your dental appointments flow more easily by maintaining good oral hygiene and decreasing plaque and tartar. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste (it builds your enamel) and floss once a day. Sure, it’s hardly the most exciting thing in the world. However, as anybody who has had a root canal will attest, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment.

Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry Today for all Dental Needs

Of course, our dental team is here to help with all dental health needs. So, contact our dental office in Lexington, KY to schedule a routine check-up today.

Healthy Halloween Tips From Your Dentist

Healthy Halloween Tips from Your Dentist in Lexington KY

Healthy Halloween Tips 

Healthy Halloween Tips from Your Dentist in Lexington KY

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays at Park Hills Family Dentistry! We’re so happy that the Halloween festivities are finally here. We love it all – sweet treats, scary movies, and spooky decorations. Trick-or-treating is awesome, but Dr. Jinyoung Kim, a dentist in Lexington, KY, wants to make sure your family’s oral health isn’t neglected this Halloween. Follow these healthy Halloween Tips from your dentist!

Focus on Brushing & Flossing

Brushing and flossing your teeth are two of the most basic yet critical steps you can take to maintain a healthy smile. Just two minutes of brushing with fluoride toothpaste will help ensure that plaque and sugar do not build up on your teeth. It is also critical to floss between your teeth, where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Our friend Dr. Dave Moghadam, a dentist in Easton, PA, adds that at-home care is an essential part of preventing gum disease. For more information about gum disease, read Gum Disease Must-Knows.

Choose a Few Sweets to Enjoy.

Although Halloween is just one day of the year, we all tend to snack on sweet Halloween treats well before and after Halloween. This can create a nuisance for your oral health. While avoiding sugary treats is most ideal, it can be a hard commitment, especially if you have little ones. However, you can limit your treat intake. For instance, you can limit to one piece of candy every day. That way, you can still enjoy your treats without putting your oral health on the line. 

Make Healthy Halloween Treats At Home

In your mouth, two types of bacteria cause damage: one feeds on sugar, and the other feeds on starch. A dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth as a result of the bacteria. Tooth decay occurs when plaque is not removed by saliva or brushing. Make your own sugar-free Halloween treats if you’re thinking about it. Lots of recipes can be found on the internet, ranging from sweets to savory dishes that can be served at a Halloween get-together.

Stay Hydrated

One of the best ways to avoid cavities this Halloween is by staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water so that the plaque doesn’t stick to your teeth. Dr. Kim recommends drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. This will not only help with your oral health but also your overall health. 

This Halloween, we hope you make your oral health a priority. Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry to schedule your next appointment! We provide quality dental care for patients in Lexington, KY. 

Signs of a Dead Tooth

how to fix a cracked tooth - Lexington KY

Signs of a Dead Tooth 

Most Common Signs of a Dead Tooth 

Are our teeth meant to last a lifetime? The short answer is yes! However, it does take discipline and consistency in your daily life. Without implementing daily habits and making good choices, you could end up with a dead tooth. So, how do you know if your tooth is dying? In this article, Dr. Jinyoung Kim, a dentist in Lexington, KY, discusses the most common signs of a dead tooth. 

Causes of a Dead Tooth

To keep them strong, healthy teeth have a pulp chamber in the center. According to the American Dental Association, the pulp contains the tooth’s nerve tissue and blood vessels, which help keep it alive. The pulp can be found all the way down to the roots of the teeth. Patients may injure their pulp on accident, which may cause your tooth to die. However, your pulp can be damaged in a variety of ways. One reason is a chipped tooth, and the other is a large cavity. Bacteria from your mouth can enter your pulp when you crack a tooth. It is also possible for bacteria to get into the pulp through deeper cavities. The pulp has the potential to become infected and die in either situation.

Signs of a Dead Tooth

When the pulp becomes infected and dies, a variety of symptoms may appear. Dr. Kim says that one of the most prominent signs of a dead tooth is a pain when biting or chewing. Other warning signs you should watch out for include sudden toothache and sensitivity to hot or cold drinks/foods. Our friend Dr. Cody Boals, a dentist in Colorado Springs, points out that when a tooth dies, pain isn’t always present. Because not everyone feels pain, they may not know that their tooth has died. It’s critical to have regular dental checkups if you want to catch dead teeth that aren’t causing any problems.

Options for Medical Treatment

Even if your pulp gets infected and dies, it won’t improve on its own. The infection that killed your pulp can spread to the bone surrounding your tooth if you don’t get dental treatment. If this happens, a pus-filled pocket may form in your jawbone. When a tooth is dead, you should contact an emergency dentist immediately. 

Dr. Kim may recommend tooth extraction or root canal therapy, depending on the state of your tooth. Your Lexington KY dentist will make a treatment plan for your tooth based on his or her findings. You may be advised to have your tooth extracted if it is severely cracked, for example. A root canal treatment may be able to save your tooth if the rest of the tooth is healthy except for the dead pulp.

Maintaining Good Dental Health

You can do a lot to keep your teeth in good shape. Dr. Kim says that the most critical part of maintaining a healthy smile is the oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day to keep your teeth healthy. This toothpaste repairs early tooth and gum damage and strengthens teeth by remineralizing weakened enamel. Also, be sure to floss at least once per day. Stay on top of your professional teeth cleanings and exams. Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY, to schedule your next visit! 

Signs You’re Grinding Your Teeth

sings you're grinding your teeth - lexington ky

Signs You're Grinding Your Teeth 

Top Signs That You’re Grinding Your Teeth At Night

Do you ever clench your jaw when you’re stressed? If that’s the case, this is a natural reaction. Many people, however, do this on a regular basis, even while sleeping, leading to bruxism or teeth grinding. Tooth grinding harms the teeth, produces persistent discomfort, and interferes with sleep. In this article, Dr. Kim, your dentist in Lexington, KY, shares signs that you’re grinding your teeth and what you can do to stop it.

Three Signs You Have Bruxism or Grind Your Teeth At Night

These are the three most typical indications that you grind your teeth. If you have any questions, please contact Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY.

Teeth Look Worn Down

Are your back teeth looking worn down? Each tooth should have some ridges. Flat or worn teeth are one of the most common symptoms that you grind your teeth at night. Dr. Kim says that this can cause some serious problems. Cracked teeth, fractured teeth, chipped teeth, lost fillings, and other unexplained tooth damage are also red flags. Please contact your dentist if you see this type of damage. Your dentist may provide you with a custom mouth guard to prevent any further damage. Without treatment, you can cause gum problems, tooth decay, and tooth sensitivity. 

Headaches & Facial Pain

Another indicator of teeth grinding is waking up with headaches, jaw pain, or weary facial muscles. People are frequently concerned by these symptoms; after all, you would expect to wake up feeling rejuvenated after a good night’s sleep. Most people, however, are unaware that this is a common symptom of chronic nighttime tooth grinding. If you have encountered these symptoms, please visit our dental office in Lexington, KY, to see how they can help. 

People who grind their teeth occasionally develop pain in the jaw or surrounding muscles. This can result in temporomandibular dysfunction (TMJ/TMD). TMD is a condition characterized by improper jaw movement. When you bite down or chew, you may hear a clicking or popping sound if you have TMD.

Sleep Deprivation

Bruxism, or tooth grinding, also causes sleep disruption for both you and your sleeping partner. When a person discovers that they grind their teeth, it is usually because their spouse or partner complains about the grinding noise they hear at night.

Other times, people become aware of chronic bruxism when they wake up exhausted and fatigued. In rare situations, their face may appear fatigued, or they may experience a headache. Because sleep is so essential to living a healthy lifestyle, it is critical to treat any issue that hinders you from receiving a decent night’s sleep.

Grinding is frequently a symptom of an airway issue. This can manifest as mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep apnea, says our friend Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO. Dentists are frequently the first doctors to identify a suspected airway problem since they may see the indicators on the patient’s teeth before additional symptoms appear.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

There are numerous reasons for bruxism, often known as tooth grinding. Unresolved or prolonged stress or tension is a common cause. Remember how we asked if you ever clench your teeth when you’re stressed? This is a very common reaction to daily stress. Many people find that exercising stress management and relaxation strategies improves their sleep and alleviate bruxism.

Bruxism can also be caused by misaligned, missing, or crooked teeth. The treatment of bruxism caused by dental alignment difficulties necessitates the services of a dentist or orthodontist. If you have crooked or irregularly spaced teeth and several of the top three bruxism symptoms, now is a good time to pursue orthodontic treatment or Invisalign to address these concerns. In addition to a more confident smile, you may sleep better and have less pain.

Some drugs might cause or worsen bruxism. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as Prozac and ADHD drugs such as Adderall have been linked to tooth grinding in some patients. Please inform your dentist aware of any over-the-counter or prescription medications you are currently using when you visit them.

How to Stop Teeth Grinding

Whatever the source of your bruxism, a dental checkup and consultation are the first step toward a solution. There are a few solutions that Dr. Kim may recommend:

Contact Dentist Lexington KY

Teeth grinding can cause serious damage to your teeth. We recommend that you seek professional dental care from the best dentist in Lexington, KY. Please do not hesitate to contact Park Hills Family Dentistry to schedule your next appointment!

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

how to fix a cracked tooth - Lexington KY

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth 

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth At the Dentist’s

Our teeth are extremely tough, but sometimes they do break. Teeth can crack for several reasons, but most of the time, it is related to oral health. In this article, Dr. Jinyoung Kim, your dentist in Lexington, KY, shares how to fix a cracked tooth at the dentist’s office. 

Causes of a Cracked Tooth

Broken teeth do not always produce instant discomfort. If the break has reached the tooth’s nerve, you may have periodic discomfort when chewing, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Whether or whether you are in pain, all breaks should be evaluated by your Lexington dentist as soon as possible in order to check the health and stability of the tooth and give any necessary treatment to prevent further degeneration or issues.

The following are some of the most common causes of these breaks:

  • Eating hard foods
  • Facial trauma as a result of an accident
  • Sport-related injury
  • Weak tooth due to gum disease
  • Old, massive amalgam fillings

Treatment for Damaged & Fractured Teeth

Minor chips on the margins of teeth rarely cause discomfort or issues, but your dentist may recommend a repair that involves smoothing the edge and putting a tooth-colored filling. This will protect your lips and tongue from being cut by the rough edge.

Since these difficulties are likely caused by a cavity, heavily fractured and severely shattered teeth may necessitate a professional solution. A big hollow can cause fractures and breaks and, if left untreated, can become excruciatingly painful. Cavities in the teeth can also develop infections along the exposed gum line and pulp. In such circumstances, root canal therapy may be required. Cracks and breaks can also expose nerve endings, causing your teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold air and meals.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is not usually required for broken or chipped teeth. Cracks can be repaired and held together with a specialized tooth cement when there is no discomfort or infection. However, a damaged tooth will likely be treated with a dental crown. Crowns are also used to treat other forms of splits and fractures, such as fractured cusps, split roots or vertical breaks, split molars, and as a preventative measure against subsequent cracks. If your tooth has deteriorated from the inside out and is irreversibly fractured, your Lexington dentist may recommend a tooth extraction.

Prevent Tooth Fractures

A cracked or fractured tooth may not be visible or painful, but just because it isn’t giving you any problems doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Our friend Dr. Ryan Helgerson, an emergency dentist in Grand Junction, recommends visiting your dentist regularly. Infections can develop quickly, so it’s critical to get the right treatment as soon as possible. Regular check-ups and consultations with Dr. Kim can help prevent fractures and cracks from becoming problems. If it’s been a while since you last visit the dentist, contact Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY.

What To Do If You Fracture or Crack Your Teeth

If you’ve fractured or broken a tooth, take the following steps right away before making an appointment with your emergency dentist in Lexington, KY.

  • Rinse with warm water
  • Apply gauze to the wound
  • Use an icepack for swelling
  • Take over the counter medication if necessary
  • Search for an emergency dentist near me

If your tooth is shattered, avoid brushing it and schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim as soon as possible. Our Park Hills Family Dentistry team will advise you on the best way to repair the break, which may include one or a combination of fillings, crowns, and root canal treatments. Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry today!