teeth | Queen City Dental Arts

Merry Christmas From Queen City Dental Arts

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:14:56 +0000

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
I couldn’t find my toothbrush … was it taken by my spouse???
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.
In hopes that maybe I’ll get a new Sonicare!
And I need some more floss, all tied up with a bow,
So the fact that mine has been empty for months, my hygienist won’t know!
I promise myself that I will keep my teeth healthy this year,
So going to the dentist isn’t something I fear.
Maybe they’ll tell me I need a new crown.
Well, that’s ok, I’ll have the best smile in town!
Dr. Stenvall and her team really are not all that frightening.
I even enjoyed my appointment for in-office whitening!
I heard them exclaim as I was finishing my Zoom,
“We love our patients, we’ll see you again soon!”

Well, that may not be exactly how we remember the famous Christmas poem, but you get the idea! However it is said, we would like to wish you and your family a wonderful, healthy holiday season. Our team at Queen City Dental Arts looks forward to seeing you and your smiling faces in 2024!

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Secrets to a Healthier Smile with Diabetes: Your Guide to Oral Care

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:31:53 +0000

We all know someone with diabetes or may even struggle with diabetes ourselves. We also know that diabetes is a disease that affects our entire body, including our oral health. One of the main challenges of diabetes is controlling blood sugar. People with high blood sugar also have a higher concentration of sugar in their saliva, which puts them at a higher risk of getting cavities since saliva is normally protective of teeth. Higher sugar content in saliva also makes your mouth an environment where it is easier for plaque and bacteria to build up on your teeth. More plaque and bacteria mean you are at a higher risk for periodontal (gum) inflammation or even periodontal disease and bone loss, which can lead to tooth loss.

People with diabetes are also at risk of having decreased saliva (dry mouth or Xerostomia). This can lead to increased risk of tooth decay, ulcers, sores and thrush (burning mouth or tongue). Dry mouth can be caused by uncontrolled blood sugar or simply from the medications that diabetic patients take. Make sure to let Dr. Stenvall know about any changes to your medications which will help her to know what medications she can and can’t prescribe you.

It is even more critical for diabetic patients to be diligent with their oral home care, because of these complications. We recommend our diabetic patients purchase an electric toothbrush and use it twice a day so they can thoroughly and easily keep their teeth clean. Also, maintaining regular hygiene visits at Queen City Dental Arts to help prevent oral problems and to catch any potential problems early before they create any pain or infection.

Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the most important aspect in maintaining overall wellness when you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Your HgA1C (Hemoglobin A1C) is the best way to determine the stability of your long-term blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar is well-controlled, your A1C will most likely be below 7%. Higher A1C may cause poor healing in patients. Let our team at QCDA know if your diabetes is uncontrolled. You will want to postpone any surgical procedures until your blood sugar is more stable unless you have an acute dental infection that needs to be addressed right away. Be sure to follow any post-op instructions closely to prevent any complications after you go home.

Prevention is always the best policy! Do your best to keep your mouth clean at home by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Work with your doctor on maintaining controlled blood sugar and if you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Reach out to Dr. Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team if you have any questions about diabetes and how it may affect you and your oral health!

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Back to School Tips for Dental Health

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 06:00:30 +0000

As the hot days of August come to an end and we start to notice chilly nights and cooler mornings, we start thinking about the change to fall and back to school! We understand that schedules and routines go out the window during the summer, with non-existent bedtimes and meals and snacks whenever. It is important to get your child’s teeth back to school ready and to get back into the routine of brushing and flossing regularly. We have a few tips to help the transition back to school go a little smoother.

It is important that your child gets back to brushing their teeth twice a day for two minutes. Two minutes is a long time! To make it easier for kids, we recommend playing one of their favorite songs, that is about the same amount of time, to help them gauge the 2-minute time frame. Flossing is just as important for kids as it is for adults. Supervise your kids when they floss the first few times to make sure they aren’t damaging their gums. Don’t forget that toothbrushes should be swapped out for a new one every three months. Back to school is a good time to start fresh!

If you pack your child’s lunch, make sure you are including food and drinks that promote dental health. Since most kids can’t brush their teeth after lunch while they’re at school, try to avoid sugary and sticky foods, such as candy, cookies and fruit snacks. Those foods will sit on your kids’ teeth all afternoon. Avoid sodas and sugary juice – it’s always best to stick to water. Good snacks to pack would include raw vegetables, celery with peanut butter, string cheese, yogurt and non-sweetened applesauce.

Make sure that you and your family are scheduled for your regular dental cleanings. It’s always easier to have them on the calendar before the homework, projects, and extracurriculars kick in. We all know how busy this time of year can be, but know that all of us at Queen City Dental Arts are here to help get your child’s smile back-to-school ready!

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So Many Toothbrushes So Little Time

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 06:02:17 +0000

Hopefully, we all follow our dentist’s recommendation of brushing our teeth twice a day. But how do we choose what kind of toothbrush is best? With all of the options available to us, it can be difficult to feel confident in what we’re using to keep those pearly whites staying pearly white! There actually really is no right or wrong answer or any “best” toothbrush. A toothbrush that you are comfortable using and that you will use every day is what’s best for you! To help you make a decision, here are some tips that we have found helpful in choosing a toothbrush and what to look for when it’s time to replace what you have.

You do want to take into consideration the size of the toothbrush head. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but typically, for adults, the regular adult toothbrush size is adequate. People who have smaller mouths may opt to buy a brush with a smaller head so they can reach the back teeth where there’s less room. It’s important to choose a brush with a long enough handle that can help you to reach all the sides of all of your teeth. One with a non-slip grip helps too so you can hang on to it when your brush gets wet.

Toothbrush bristles also come in a variety of options. Soft-bristled brushes are the only ones we recommend as medium or hard bristles can actually damage the enamel, tooth roots and the gums.

Many people think an electric toothbrush will get your teeth cleaner, but studies don’t show a statistically significant difference in the prevention of gum disease for people who use an electric vs a manual toothbrush. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. A manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job if used properly and for the correct amount of time (2 minutes!). Electric toothbrushes are great for people with limited range of motion, such as arthritis, or for people who rush through brushing. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that tells you when your 2 minutes are up. Some people prefer the feeling of a toothbrush that vibrates while others prefer the feeling of a manual brush. The brush heads of electric brushes tend to be smaller as well, so that may take some getting used to if you do make the switch.

Your best rule of thumb when choosing a toothbrush is to choose one that is ADA approved. Once you see that seal of approval, it comes down to which brush are you going to use and use well! Dr. Stenvall and the team at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, are always happy to answer any questions about products you might see. You can reach us at 704-542-6533, and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

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To Whiten or Not To Whiten?

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 06:01:53 +0000

We have patients come in quite often asking if they should whiten their teeth. That is not necessarily a question we can answer for you. The main reason you should definitively not whiten your teeth is if you have areas of untreated decay or infection present in your mouth.

Whitening your teeth is a very personal matter. If you are unhappy with the shade or color of your teeth, then yes!

There are certainly some things to be mindful of when you whiten your teeth. Whitening should not be done more than 3 to 4 times a year. Once you complete your initial treatment, whether in the dental office or at home, you can expect to want to “touch-up” the shade for a couple of days, a few times a year. If you choose to whiten more often, you may cause the enamel (the outer layer of teeth) to become more translucent and the substructure to show through giving you a more yellow color. It is also possible to cause erosion of the enamel by whitening too often, which will actually cause teeth to stain more easily and eventually need further dental treatment.

At QCDA, we offer 3 ways to whiten your teeth:

1-OpalGo is the quickest and easiest product. The package comes with 10 sets of upper and lower pre-filled trays. You wear one set of trays per day for 10 days, 15-60 minutes per day depending on the strength purchased.

2-Opalesence custom trays is a very effective home treatment product. You will have custom whitening trays made in our office and have 8 tubes of gel included. Most patients use these trays for 7-10 days, wearing them from 2-4 hours per day.

3-Zoom In-Office Whitening combines the powerful whitening gel with a violet light. This requires a quick consult visit and then will take about 2 hours of your time in our office for the procedure. You will leave our office with significantly whiter teeth and custom made trays for touch-ups at home.

For any further questions or if you are interested in any of the three whitening products we offer here at QCDA, contact the office! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Meghan Stenvall or learn more about teeth whitening in Charlotte, North Carolina, call 704-542-6533 today!

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Sports Drinks: How Good Are They?

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 29 May 2023 17:33:23 +0000

You get up early to get in a work-out before your kids wake up and start the hectic morning routine to get out the door. Then you’re at work for 8 hours before you drive to sports practices, make dinner and do all the other things required of your day before you finally fall into bed just to do it again the next day. It’s no wonder many of us turn to energy drinks to get us through the day!

Studies actually show that young adults are the highest consumers of energy drinks, with 34% of males between the age of 18 and 24 drinking energy drinks on a regular basis. While they do provide a quick boost of energy, they also can wreak havoc on teeth. Many energy drinks contain a high amount of sugar. Some contain up to 55 grams of sugar, the equivalent of 14 teaspoons of sugar, and almost twice as much as the recommended daily allowance! Any food that contains sugar will contribute to tooth decay and the more frequently your teeth are exposed to sugar, the risk of decay increases. So if you’re someone who sips on energy drinks or drinks multiple energy drinks in one day, remember that you’re increasing the risk of getting cavities!

Energy drinks, even the sugar free varieties, are also highly acidic. By creating an acidic environment, energy drinks cause the protective enamel layer of teeth to be more susceptible to eroding. When the enamel is damaged or weakened, teeth are more prone to bacteria creating cavities, which can ultimately cause sensitivity and pain.

The best solution is not to drink energy drinks at all, but if you do, make sure you limit yourself to one. Drinking some water afterwards can help to reduce the sugar and acid on your teeth as well. Chewing sugar-free gum after you drink an energy drink can also help to promote saliva production, thereby protecting your teeth.

Dr. Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team in Charlotte, NC, are always ready to answer your questions about energy drinks and the health of your teeth. Please give us a call today at 704-542-6533 with your questions and concerns. We are here to help you maintain your healthy, beautiful smile!

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Why Take Dental X-Rays on a Child?

bpadmin (lorna.goodman) — Mon, 01 May 2023 20:41:11 +0000

There would be no need for dental X-rays if all dental issues existed above the gum line. However, this is simply not the case. Damage, decay and infections that cannot be seen by the naked eye are only visible on X-rays. Dental X-rays are the only way to get a complete view of your child’s mouth. It is important to see how permanent teeth are developing before we can see them in the mouth. We require all children (and adults) to wear a lead apron with a thyroid collar when X-rays are taken in our office. Digital X-rays take less than one second and use up to 90% less radiation than traditional film that is still used in some dental offices today.

At Queen City Dental Arts, you and your child’s safety is our first concern when giving you the best dental care possible! Our general and emergency dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall and team in Charlotte, North Carolina, are here to help! We invite you to give us a call today at 704-542-6533 to learn more or to schedule a dental visit.

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