Highland IN Dentist | Don’t Miss Your Screening

Oral cancer does not discriminate. It affects those of all ages, genders and races. Smokers do develop oral cancers at higher rates than non-smokers. However, this does not absolve the rest of the population from being at risk, as well.

It’s incredibly important to keep to your recommended schedule of oral health examinations. By visiting your general dentist at least twice per year, it is much more likely that our dental team will be able to identify potentially cancerous lesions in early stages. As you may know, the key to survival of most forms of cancer is early detection. Oral cancers are treatable, especially if caught before displaying obvious signs. The best results occur when oral cancer is identified and treated during early stages.

If your general dentist identifies a lesion that appears to be irregular, he or she may refer you to our team. We’ll recommend the next steps. Once pathology has been identified, we can proceed with treatment if necessary.

We will complete a biopsy to confirm whether a lesion is cancerous. It is not possible to confirm an oral cancer diagnosis without a biopsy. For this reason, try to refrain from making assumptions until we have confirmed your diagnosis. If it’s been more than 6 months since your last appointment or if you have noticed a lesion, bump or irregular patch of skin that doesn’t heal within a few days, consider an oral cancer screening by your general dentist. Know that your Highland dentist will provide you with advice and may refer you to our team for a closer look.

If you have considered skipping the recommended dental visits that provide your first line of defense against oral cancers, please reconsider. It could save your life. Contact Artistic Family Dental of Highland today.

Artistic Family Dental of Highland

Phone: (219) 836-7684

Url: https://highland.artisticfamilydental.com/

3307 45th St.

Highland, IN 46322

Dentist 46322 | Oral Hygiene at Work

Do you brush your teeth after lunch? If you’re one of the millions of people who work outside the home, chances are you don’t have the time or resources to brush during the day. However, not being able to brush doesn’t mean you can’t protect your teeth at work.

Grab a drink of water. When you finish eating, get a drink of water. Swish the water around in your mouth, then spit or swallow it. Water helps to remove small particles of food that can remain on your teeth after your meal or snack.

Chew sugarless gum. There are certain types of sugarless gum that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) as good for your oral health. The reason for this is that chewing stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth. That saliva washes away food particles and helps to neutralize acids on your teeth.

Limit time drinking coffee or soda. Coffee, soda, tea, and many other beverages contain high levels of sugars and acids. The more time you spend sipping your drink, the longer your teeth are exposed to these sources of decay. Instead of spending an hour taking small swallows, drink quickly to limit exposure, then rinse your mouth or switch to water to help counteract the effects.

Brush and floss when you can. Try to keep to a regular routine of good oral hygiene practices when you are at home. Brush at least twice daily, for two full minutes each time. Floss or use an interdental cleaner of your choice once a day. Keep your recommended appointments to have your teeth cleaned and evaluated by our team.

Taking care of your teeth doesn’t have to interrupt your workday. Keeping these simple tips in mind can help protect your mouth from tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues.

To learn more ways to preserve your oral health, talk to our team during your visit. Contact our office to schedule your next appointment today.

Artistic Family Dental of Highland
3307 45th St., Highland, IN 46322
(219) 836-7684

Dentist in Highland, IN | What You Need to Know About Using Mouthwash

46322 Dentist

Mouthwash can be helpful in decreasing the amount of bacteria in your mouth. It can also be a useful way of combating decay. But not everyone needs to use a mouthwash. If you are wondering whether you should be using a mouthwash, here’s what you need to know.

Types of Mouthwash

Not all mouthwashes are made equal. Antiseptic mouthwashes work to fight bacteria, helping to reduce your risk of developing gingivitis, plaque build-up, or bad breath. More specialized mouthwashes for those with periodontal disease or dry mouth are also available with a prescription.

Do I Need to Use Mouthwash?

Talk to our experienced, oral health team about your daily brushing and flossing habits to hear our suggestions. Generally, if you are brushing twice each day and keeping up with flossing, you likely don’t need to use mouthwash. However, if you develop decay easily, it is best to consider an anti-cavity rinse. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), these mouthwashes are able to combat an additional 50% of decay-causing germs.

Mouthwash can also be effective at diffusing bad breath odors, so you can use it after eating strong smelling foods.

Tips on Using Mouthwash

If our dentist suggests you use a mouthwash, follow this advice. You should rinse your mouth after brushing and flossing. When doing so, your lips should be tightly closed as you swish the wash around. You will want to continue this for about 30 seconds. Make sure you spit the mouthwash out completely. Avoid rinsing your mouth out, as well as eating for the following 30 minutes.

Does Mouthwash Have any Side Effects?

When using an alcohol-based mouthwash regularly, you may feel burning in your mouth. Changes in taste are another effect to be aware of. If your mouth is beginning to develop sores, mouth ulcers, or increased sensitivity, stop using the mouthwash and schedule a visit to our office. For children, it is important that you supervise their brushing, as swallowing mouthwash, particularly with fluoride, can be dangerous.

Mouthwash can be a useful tool for anyone fighting bad breath, as well as those at an increased risk of developing oral issues such as gingivitis. If you will be using mouthwash, know how to use it the right way for maximum impact. If you keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine, mouthwash is not necessary. You can talk to our team during your next visit to learn more.

For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next appointment, please contact our office.

3307 45th St.
Highland, IN 46322
(219) 836-7684

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Highland Dentist | 4 Ways to Make Brushing Fun for Kids

Dentist in Highland, IN

As a parent, the best way to help ensure your child has a lifetime of healthy teeth is to help them establish great dental hygiene habits as they grow.

Here are some useful tips for keeping your child engaged by making dental hygiene fun:

Pick out a special toothbrush.

One great way to keep your child excited about brushing is to allow him or her to choose their own toothbrush in a favorite color or branded with a favorite cartoon character. Child-size soft-bristled brushes come in a wide variety of options designed to make your child like their toothbrush.

Choose children’s toothpaste.

Another great option is to use a toothpaste that is designed for kids. While adults generally prefer the fresh mouth taste of a minty toothpaste, many children find mint to be too powerful a flavor. This can make brushing unpleasant or even painful to sensitive taste buds. Instead, let your child choose a children’s toothpaste. There are many options available in a variety of soft mint, fruity, and bubble gum flavors. It is much easier to keep your child brushing for a full two minutes when their toothpaste tastes good.

Use a timer.

Two minutes can seem like a long time to a child. It can be very difficult for your child to try to estimate or count how long to brush without some kind of visual aid. You can help your child stay more engaged and ensure a full two minutes of brushing by using a timer. Choices range from a small sand timer your child can flip over, to a manual stopwatch with buttons to press, or even an app on a phone or tablet to time digitally (if your child is old enough). By letting your child take control of the timer, they can be more confident and more engaged in their brushing.

Brush together.

A parent is the first and strongest role model for their child. Brushing together can help your child model your great brushing technique, which will improve their own. Additionally, brushing together emphasizes to your child that brushing is important. When your child sees that you take dental hygiene seriously, they are likely to follow suit.

For more tips on making dental hygiene fun for your child, contact our office.

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Dentist in Highland, IN

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