Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants - February 2023

THINKING ABOUT GETTING DENT

4 Ways They Improve Your Overall

People decide to get dental implants for an abundance of reasons. Some reasons could be because a patient has missing teeth, wants to restore their ability to chew, or because it’s a better alternative than dentures. But most importantly, dental implants can improve and preserve the health of your bone and gums. Here are four ways dental implants can protect your overall oral health. LOWERS YOUR RISK OF CAVITIES AND GUM DISEASE. When you have missing teeth, brushing and flossing are difficult because of the empty socket(s) inside your mouth. Because of this, you have a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, open tooth sockets can trap food particles, bacteria, and plaque. One of the main reasons that gum disease occurs is because plaque and decay aren’t treated. However, when you have dental implants, they fill in those sockets, act as regular teeth, and prevent other dental conditions from occurring. PROHIBITS FURTHER TOOTH LOSS. Most of us know that the roots in our mouths keep our teeth in place. But the surrounding teeth help secure other teeth in place as well. Because of this, if

you lose one of your teeth, you are more likely to lose additional teeth. Dental implants can prevent further tooth loss by filling in the gap in your mouth and providing your other teeth with something to lean on and secure them.

3 WAYS TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT BRUSHING THEIR TEETH

Good dental hygiene starts at a young age. As parents know, it can be challenging at times to motivate kids to keep their teeth clean. What can you do if your kids simply aren’t interested in brushing, flossing, or rinsing? How can you instill these habits and get the ball rolling? It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! This month, we wanted to spotlight a few ways to get your kids excited (or, at least, motivated) to keep their teeth looking their best. Here are a few ideas to get you and your kids started.

this. Here’s what you can do: Get a timer and set it for two minutes. Then get your brushes ready and go! Whoever brushes for the full two minutes gets two points. Anyone who stops brushing during that time only gets one point. Then at the end of the week or month, tally up the points. Whoever has the most wins! Kids go head-to-head against one another — or against the grown-ups. Throw in prizes for a little extra fun! LET YOUR KIDS PICK THEIR TOOTHBRUSHES. Fun toothbrushes are just that — fun! When shopping for a new brush, let the kids pick their own. They can choose from different colors or characters — just as long as it’s a soft-bristled brush. At the same time, let them pick their own toothpaste. This is something that often goes overlooked. Sometimes, mint can be overwhelming for younger kids, so a fruitier or milder flavor is a good way to encourage them to brush better. REWARD GOOD HABITS. While we may be talking about practicing good oral care habits, this tip really applies to any good habits. They should be encouraged and rewarded. Much like the game, kids get points every time they brush. As they accumulate points, they can cash them in for prizes. Make up a schedule of prizes that they can choose from. Maybe for 10 points, they can get a small reward. If they save up 100 points, they get a much bigger prize. You can also add points for flossing and rinsing — and bonus points for brushing for the full two minutes.

MAKE IT A GAME. A rule of thumb is that you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Most of us, kids included, usually fall short of

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