We all know the most common mistakes people make when it comes to their oral health, such as eating or drinking sugary food or beverages, or not brushing on a regular basis. But did you know that you could be hurting your oral health by biting your nails? It’s true! When you bite your nails, your lower jaw is protruding outward, in an unnatural way. This can cause jaw pain, wear down the enamel of your teeth and it leads to chipping! Check out a few other things that can cause damage to your teeth:

Not drinking enough water

Drinking water helps wash out food particles that may be left on your teeth after a meal. Also, a dry mouth is more likely to accumulate bacteria and cause tooth decay and cavities. So, skip the energy and sugary drinks and reach for some good ol’ H2O!

Brushing too vigorously

Weird, right? You think the harder you brush the more bacteria you’re getting, but that’s actually not the case at all! Overzealous brushing at the gum line can worsen gum recession. Gently brushing twice a day is the way to go!

Too much acidity

Sugar always seems to be the star of the show when it comes to foods to avoid for good dental health, but acid is up there as well. Fruits such as lemons and oranges are high in acid as well as some juices and can eat away at your enamel. Even some salad dressings have high acidity levels! So, make sure you’re limiting your intake and brushing after consuming!

Using your teeth as a tool

We’re all guilty of using our teeth as a tool at some point. Whether you can’t get that pesky packet open or ripping a tag off, we’ve all done it. Well, stop right now! Using your teeth as a tool can cause serious damage and can lead to chipped or cracked teeth.

Chewing Ice 

Chewing ice doesn’t seem like that bad of a thing, it’s just water, right? WRONG! What we seem to forget is that ice is a hard and solid substance, not meant to be chomped on. Chewing ice can cause a chip or crack in your teeth, so avoiding it can save you a lot of time and pain!

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking to some kids is a sense of comfort but what they don’t know is that it’s causing a lot of damage to their teeth. The thumb is pressing on the upper palate causing permanent teeth to move and spread apart. Most dentists will give tips on how to break the thumb sucking cycle!

Smoking 

Smoking already has so many proven health risks, and damage to your mouth is one of them. Aside from the smelly breath and stained teeth, smoking can cause a build-up of plaque and bacteria that can lead to gum disease.

Questions or want to schedule an appointment? Call 603-624-3900 today!

It’s common knowledge that brushing and flossing twice a day is crucial but if you avoid brushing your tongue, you aren’t properly fighting bacteria.

The buildup of bacteria on your tongue isn’t from harmless saliva, it’s microorganisms that gather on the surface of the tongue. Killing the bacteria on the tongue is much more difficult than removing it from the teeth because the biofilm cells are still thriving under the surface.

The Proper Way to Clean Your Tongue

Every time you brush your teeth make sure to brush your tongue as well. All you need to do is brush back and forth, side to side and then rinse your mouth with water.

A tongue scraper is a great tool that sufficiently peels mucus from the tongue. The scraper should be rinsed with warm water after each swipe. Use light pressure and focus on the center of the tongue to prevent bleeding.

Cavities & Brushing Your Tongue

Any bacteria that has been left behind on your tongue leads to bacteria on the teeth. This can cause cavities and lead to tooth decay. Bacteria will have a negative impact on tooth enamel and increase the likelihood of decay as well as gum disease.

Benefits of Cleaning Your Tongue

Not only does cleaning your tongue remove hazardous toxins and bacteria from the mouth but it can also enhance your taste buds. All the gunk on your tongue that builds up can block your taste buds. Removing the plaque will expose the taste buds and make the food you eat more flavorful.

Toxins won’t get reabsorbed by the body either when you scrape the bacteria off your tongue. Additionally, saliva production is increased which promotes a better digestion.

Bad breath is typically caused by a build-up of food, bacteria, fungi and dead cells on the back of the tongue. Even if the front of your tongue looks healthy, the back of your tongue could have a great deal of buildup which people can smell. You can say goodbye to bad breath when you regularly clean your tongue.

For more information regarding tongue cleaning, call the expert dentists at Lindner Dental at 603.624.3900. Feel free to contact us to schedule regular cleanings.

The process of finding the perfect dental specialist can pose challenging as there are numerous dentists with their own specifications, locations and hours. Some dentists have their names ending with “DDS” (doctor of dental surgery) while others include “DMD” (doctor of dental medicine).

While general dentists take on the basic tasks of fillings, cleaning, x-rays and check-ups, often times patients need to seek out an Orthodontist, Endodontist, Cosmetic Dentist or Pedodontist.  First, define your needs before seeking out your specialized dentist.

Define Your Needs

It’s best to first specify why you need to see a dentist. Does your baby need his or her first cleaning? Are you interested in braces or Invisalign? Perhaps you have tender gums? In instances that go above the basic cleaning or extraction, you need the services of a specialist.

See below for a defined list of specialists:

• Pedodontist: Child Dentist
• Endodontist: Root Canal Specialist
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon: Toot Extraction & Oral Surgery
• Prosthodontist: Restorative Specialist
• Periodontist: Gum Disease Treatment Specialist
• Orthodontist: Dental Braces & Bite Specialist

Ask the Right Questions

When you believe that you have found the right dentist, always make sure to ask a few key questions. Inquire about the dentist’s clinical experience and training, especially when it comes to the procedure you require.

Consider how far the drive is from your home to the dentist’s office. Along with this, find out if your dentist is available for emergency situations. If you feel panicked when going to the dentist or may be undergoing intensive treatment, ask if the office has sedation dentistry or technology such as CEREC. A crucial factor when choosing a dentist is checking to see if they accept your dental insurance.

When you are seeking a dentist in the Bedford NH area, contact Lindner Dental. Our professional team of dentists specializes in an array of areas including pediatric dentistry, Invisalign, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and more.

The Lindner Dental staff had a great time participating in the Bagels and Biscuits 5K. 10% of the proceeds were donated to the Animal Rescue League of NH.