Tag: Dentist Biloxi MS

Brushing your teeth can feel like a no-brainer after decades of practice, but are you aware of the mistakes surrounding home care that you might be making? Keep your oral health top-notch by reading our quick list and see how you fare. 

1. Timing – Make sure you don’t brush immediately after consuming sugary or acidic drinks. You can demineralize the enamel on your teeth by doing this. Rinse your mouth with water, then wait for 30 minutes to an hour before you brush. 
2. Borrowing a Brush – Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to toothbrushes. When you share toothbrushes with somebody, you can spread illness and germs through oral contact. Make sure to get your own toothbrush, and label it or keep it separate to ensure you don’t get them confused. 
3. Distance from the Toilet – Flushing a toilet can spread bacteria through the air. Make sure to place your toothbrush as far as possible from your toilet, or put a cover on your brush to protect it from contamination. 
4. Rinsing after Brushing – Most toothpastes contain fluoride, which can help strengthen the enamel in your teeth. It takes time to work, however, so make sure you don’t rinse your mouth right away after brushing. This can wash away the fluoride before it can do its job. 
5. Brushing Too Much – When you brush too frequently, you run the risk of wearing down the enamel on your teeth. Focus on brushing all facets of your teeth instead of how vigorously you can brush. 

There is more to brushing your teeth than you might think. These tips can help keep you aware of mistakes you might be making. Remember, daily brushing and flossing are only the foundation for optimal oral health – professional dental care is important, as well. For more advice or to schedule your next visit, contact our office.

Discomfort and pain in your jaw, clicking while you talk or  

chew, and swelling on the sides of your face can be caused by  

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). TMD can make  

talking and eating both painful and uncomfortable. Our team  

understands how TMD can make your day a challenge. We’ve  

compiled a list of helpful tips for managing TMD discomfort,  

but also encourage you to schedule a visit to see us for a full  

evaluation. 

Finding Relief at Home 

If your jaw is swollen, try applying a cold compress to your face. We recommend holding the  compress in place for about 10 minutes. If you are able, try a few gentle jaw stretches. After the  cold compress, apply warm, moist heat to the same area. You can keep this warm compress in  place for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.  

If your discomfort is particularly noticeable, try over-the-counter pain relievers such as  nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or ibuprofen. If you find yourself taking pain  relieving medications daily, please contact us immediately. 

The “Don’ts” of TMD 

Applying excess pressure to your jaw can make your TMD discomfort worse. Don’t use your  hand as a rest for your chin, as doing so increases the amount of pressure and strain placed on  your jaw. If you talk on the phone frequently, avoid holding the phone on your shoulder while  bending your neck to keep it in place.  

Clenching your jaw and keeping your teeth tightly closed can also lead to a build-up of pressure  in the jaw. During the day, try to keep your teeth from touching. By create a little space  between your teeth, you will be relieving pressure from your jaw. 

Contact Us 

Our Biloxi MS dentist is here to help you. Schedule a consultation with our dentist to learn more about the  solutions available for people just like you dealing with TMD discomfort. We will provide a  thorough examination to determine the best course of treatment for your TMD. 

Relief may be closer than you think. Contact Pure Smiles Dental of Biloxi to learn more today.

Enamel is the guardian of your teeth and the hardest  

material in the body. It’s the first defense against  

harmful bacteria which may lead to tooth decay.  

When you eat certain foods, it creates bacteria which  

attack your tooth enamel. Carbohydrates and sugary  

foods are examples of these foods. Brushing directly  

after eating can be harmful to your enamel. 

Why this is a problem 

When eating or drinking, the pH balance in your mouth changes. After each bite of acidic food,  the pH balance moves towards a level which causes demineralization. The new acidity softens  the enamel which can cause bacteria to get into the teeth. Brushing right after you eat may  damage your enamel. This is important because enamel protects your teeth from damage.  

Steps you can take to protect your enamel: 

If you’ve had anything acidic, don’t brush for at least 30 minutes.  

Fruits with citric acid are one example. If you are planning ingesting acidic foods or drinks, you  can brush beforehand. 

A glass of water will help remove the acid. Follow this by chewing sugarless gum. These steps  help create saliva which will help bring back the necessary pH balance needed for a healthy  smile. 

Try to avoid soda as prolonged phosphoric acid can cause permanent damage. Brushing your teeth twice a day is an important habit for optimal oral health.  

Have you ever been told you should brush your teeth right after eating? While this may sound  like the right habit to adapt, this practice could be detrimental to the health of your teeth.  Rinsing your mouth with water after eating may be a better option to keep enamel strong. Visit our Biloxi cosmetic dentist for an exam and we can give you tips for healthy, strong teeth. Contact Pure Smiles Dental of Biloxi today. 

You may not realize it, but you could be at risk of  

developing an unsightly medical condition known  

as a hairy tongue. While it is harmless in most cases,  

a hairy tongue is still an unpleasant ailment. The  

causes are not always completely known, but  

practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting  

our dental office for cleanings can help prevent  

the issue. Here’s what you need to know. 

What is a hairy tongue? 

With hairy tongue, your tongue may look like its  

covered in fuzz or hair, but this condition is  

actually caused by an accumulation of bacteria. The surface of your tongue is covered in small,  rough papillae which gives it its rough texture. Overtime, these papillae grow, shed, and are  replaced. Occasionally, the older papillae may fail to shed properly. This causes a buildup on the  tongue and can cause a hair-like appearance. 

Who is at risk of hairy tongue? 

According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, as much as 13% of the population may  have hairy tongue. Anyone can develop the condition, but certain risk factors such as age and  tobacco use increase your chances. 

What causes hairy tongue? 

While the exact causes of hairy tongue are not known, there are a variety of factors that can  put you at a higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene and a diet of soft foods can put you at an increased risk, as a lack of stimulation on the tongue can prevent the  shedding of older papillae. Excessive consumption of certain substances, including tobacco,  alcohol, coffee, and tea have been shown to contribute to this condition. Dehydration and dry  mouth can slow down the tongue’s natural refresh cycle of replacing papillae. 

The best defense against hairy tongue is a regular at-home oral hygiene routine that includes  twice daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Visiting our Biloxi dentist at least twice a year for  cleanings can also give us an opportunity to regularly examine your mouth and catch any early  signs of hairy tongue.  

If you’re past due for your regular cleaning or are concerned that you might be developing hairy  tongue, don’t hesitate to contact Pure Smiles Dental of Biloxi for an appointment today.

It is not uncommon for many of us to grab a  

bite to eat in a hurry. Americans have grown  

accustomed to bigger food portions at  

restaurants, but our mouths have not. Trying  

to fit that oversized sandwich or apple in your  

mouth might be worse for you than you have  

ever imagined. Below are some reasons why  

this could be detrimental for your oral health  

and what you can do about it.  

Why This Is a Problem 

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), taking bites that are too big for you to  chew can not only cause jaw and teeth issues, it can also cause digestive problems. Discomfort,  swelling and difficulty eating may result from opening your jaw too wide. Taking large bites may also result in food not being chewed thoroughly, which can lead to weight gain and digestive  issues.  

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) 

Constantly opening your jaw too wide becomes an even larger problem for people with  temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to  the skull bones enabling movement during chewing. People with TMD, usually have a  restriction with how wide they can open their jaws. Taking large bites of food, especially hard  foods like apples, can aggravate this condition making pain and jaw clicking worse.  

What You Can Do 

If you have food that is too large to chew or starts to cause jaw discomfort, try cutting your  food into smaller portions. This makes food easier to eat with less hassle. Also consider eating  softer foods that won’t harm your teeth or irritate your jaw.  

Tip: Avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, hard candies, and opening nuts with your teeth.  This can lead to a chipped tooth! 

Contact Pure Smiles Dental of Biloxi today to schedule an exam and cleaning. 

Are you embarrassed to show your smile  

because of missing teeth? For many people,  

missing teeth can create a feeling of diminished  

self-confidence. Modern dentistry can not only  

replace the gaps in your smile, our team can  

also create long-term replacements that look  

and feel just like your natural teeth. You have  

options. Here are a few of the most common  

tooth replacement solutions. 

Dentures 

Dentures are a solution for those who have lost many or all their teeth. They create a realistic,  aesthetically pleasing smile. They are ideal for patients that are missing multiple teeth on either  the top or bottom. Our team will start by taking an impression of your mouth. We will then  send the impression to a lab for a customized set of dentures to be created. Once your  dentures are ready, we will ensure a proper fit and make any necessary adjustments. Dentures  should be cleaned regularly with a non-abrasive cleanser. Our team will provide you with all the  information you need to take care of your dentures. 

Bridges 

You may have heard of dental bridges referred to as partial dentures. Dental bridges are a  replacement solution for one or more missing teeth. They help prevent your existing teeth from  shifting into the empty gaps of your missing teeth. Bridges utilize your surrounding teeth as an  anchor for your replacements. Our team can match the bridge to look like your natural teeth;  no one will even notice the difference. 

Dental Implants 

Dental implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement option. Unlike dentures, which may  require replacement, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. Our team will ensure  your gum tissue is healthy enough with adequate bone support to anchor the implant. For  some patients, additional preparations may be necessary such as a bone graft to guarantee your implant has a strong, stable foundation. 

The gaps in your smile can be filled. Our Biloxi Cosmetic Dentist can help you decide on a tooth replacement  solution based on your individual needs. It is important to fill the gaps of missing teeth to  prevent deterioration to your gums and the shifting of teeth into these empty spaces. 

Additionally, tooth replacement solutions such as dentures, bridges, or implants can help  improve your speech and comfort. 

If you are missing teeth, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team. Contact Pure Smiles Dental of Biloxi today.