1) Brush: It seems obvious, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Dr. Stenvall recommends that we all brush our teeth for a full two minutes, twice a day, every day. It doesn’t matter if you have a manual toothbrush or a fancy electric toothbrush. As long as they are used properly, both can do a good job. Make sure to angle the bristles at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line and get the front and back of every tooth.

2) Floss: It may not be everyone’s love language, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important. We recommend flossing daily. It can be in the morning or at night, in the shower, in front of the TV, whatever is easier for your routine that makes it something that you will remember to do! C-shape flossing is the best (flossing down the sides of each tooth), but if you only have floss picks, they are better than not flossing at all. Believe it or not, if you aren’t flossing, you’re actually not cleaning one-third of the surface of your teeth. People who do not floss regularly are at higher risk of getting cavities between their teeth.

3) Fluoride: Dr. Stenvall recommends using a toothpaste that has fluoride in it. The outer part of the tooth, or enamel, uses fluoride to re-mineralize, so if you are consistently exposing your teeth to fluoride, weakened areas of the enamel can actually go away. Some mouthwashes have fluoride in them as well; look on the bottle for ones that say “fluoride rinse.” Not all “antiseptic rinses” are created equal.

4) Regular checkups: We recommend that everyone come in for routine checkups every six months (3-4 months if you have ever had periodontal treatment). Even if everything is feeling fine, there may be issues starting that need to be addressed. Dr. Stenvall always recommends being proactive rather than reactive. If there’s an issue that can be fixed early, it’s always better to have a small filling than to end up with pain once the cavity gets larger.

5) A healthy diet: Try to limit the number of snacks and time spent sipping throughout the day. We know that a caffeinated drink in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up is critical in surviving some days, but try not to sip them for hours. The more often we eat or drink, the more acidic the environment of our mouth is, and the more susceptible to decay are your teeth. Healthy snacks are those that don’t get stuck in our teeth, like fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese and yogurt. Things that are sticky and sweet or things like chips and cookies that can get lodged between your teeth will be more likely to cause cavities. Of course, water is always the best option as far as drinks are concerned.

We often forget to love ourselves when it comes to showing love to the important people in our lives but remember that, through some simple steps, you are showing yourself love by taking care of your oral health. If you ever have any concerns, Dr. Meghan Stenvall and the Queen City Dental Arts team are always here to help!

The post What Is Your Mouth’s Love Language? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Whether it’s from a past bad experience or just simply a fear of dental offices, the fear of dental work is a common obstacle for many people to overcome. In fact, 60% of people are afraid of coming to the dentist, and about 9% have a true phobia. Like Bob, we often see this fear prevents people from coming to the dentist until they are in pain and have a dental emergency. Fortunately, dental phobia can be overcome, and you can enjoy better dental health without dreading your trips to the dentist.

Some tips to overcoming your dental fear include:

1) Make sure to express your concerns to your dentist and their team. Identify what it is that you’re afraid of. Are you scared of needles? Pain? Both!? We promise we won’t find your fears silly. In fact, we probably can relate! A good dental team will listen and help to put your fears at ease. If we know your fears ahead of time, we can support you and help to make you comfortable during your treatment, whether by scheduling extra time to allow for breaks or by providing you with a blanket and headphones if it’s the sound of the dental drill that bothers you.

2) Visit the dental office before your appointment. We’d love to meet you and take time to talk to you about any concerns you may have regarding your dental treatment. This way, we can be prepared on treatment day to help support you through your appointment.

3) Schedule appointments first thing in the morning. This way, you don’t have all day to think about it. Also, nerves may be frazzled by the end of a stressful work day, which may cause increased anxiety about an already stressful appointment looming in the future. We do our best to see patients at appointment time, but there is always the possibility of us running behind schedule.

Scheduling in the morning ensures less time waiting in the office as we won’t be running behind first thing in the morning. A big part of overcoming dental fear is by trusting your dentist and their team. Whether it’s been six months or six years, Dr. Stenvall and her team at Queen City Dental Arts can promise you a judge-free visit. We offer you a caring, compassionate and welcoming environment with treatment options and a listening ear. Give us a call at Queen City Dental Arts to discuss any questions you might have about reclaiming your oral health!

The post Lions and Tigers and… Going to the Dentist! Oh My! first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

You may have a congenitally missing tooth or know someone with a congenitally missing tooth. In fact, between 2% and 8% of the population has this dental condition. Any tooth can be congenitally missing, but more often than not, it happens to upper lateral incisors and lower second premolars. It appears that having a congenitally missing tooth is often passed down through genetics, but it is also more likely to happen with certain conditions, including cleft lip, cleft palate and Down Syndrome.

Having a congenitally missing tooth, especially in the front of your smile, can be reason to be self-conscious, but missing teeth can also potentially lead to other dental problems, like trouble eating, bone loss and shifting of other teeth. Fortunately, with today’s dental advancements, we have the ability to replace missing teeth. The first step is to visit us at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. We’d be happy to discuss options with you to get on your way to a healthier, natural-looking smile. We invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall to learn more about treating missing teeth in your smile. Please call 704-542-6533 today!

The post Unlocking the Mystery of Hypodontia: Exploring the Missing Teeth Phenomenon first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.

Sometimes, a tooth with a cavity can be sensitive to cold temperatures. This is because a cavity is a weakened part of the tooth, and the nerve is less protected, making the nerve more sensitive to temperatures fluctuations.  You may also notice sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks.  If you are noticing sensitivity to hot foods and drinks, the cavity may be so deep that it is damaging the nerve.

Another way to tell if you may have a cavity is to look for white or brown spots on your teeth or visible pits or holes.  The longer a cavity is present on a tooth, the bigger it gets and a tooth may chip or break over time.  It is always better to restore or “fix” a cavity when it is small so that less tooth is removed in the process.

Of course, these symptoms don’t necessarily mean that you have a cavity.  If you are ever concerned or if you are starting to notice any of these things, our Queen City Dental Arts team is always happy to take a look. Our skilled dentist, Dr. Meghan Stenvall in Charlotte, North Carolina, is happy to help you and your family with all of your dental health concerns. Please call 704-542-6533 to speak with a caring member of our team to schedule a visit.

The post Do You Know the Common Symptoms of Tooth Decay? first appeared on Queen City Dental Arts.