Oral Health

Are manual toothbrushes obsolete? Would you believe people have been asking that question for more than fifty years? At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we assure you that the answer is no. When it comes to maintaining your dental health, an old school manual toothbrush is one of your best friends.

“Wait a minute,” you might say, “isn’t an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?”

That very question was addressed in the Journal of the American Dental Association, way back in 1964. Their article sensibly concluded that all toothbrushes, when used properly, are effective at removing food debris and plaque to keep your smile free of decay.

Use What Works

Electric toothbrushes are great, and they certainly have their place. But they do not do a better job cleaning teeth, simply because they’re electric.

For most people, it comes down to personal preference. Manual and electric do a good job cleaning your teeth. An electric toothbrush can be a tremendous benefit to anyone with issues like arthritis. A manual may take a little longer. But they’re a lot cheaper! At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours.

When it comes to any toothbrush, the most important thing is to choose one with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.

When all is said and done, the important thing is to find a toothbrush that works for you, and then use it. At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we stress the importance of brushing and flossing twice a day. People from Montgomery, Blue Ash, and Kenwood trust us with their dental health, and come to our office for family and restorative dentistry. Call for your next checkup today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

This post from Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati focuses on  baby teeth. Why would you take care of them when they’re just going to fall out and go to the tooth fairy? It’s a good question with an even better answer.

Parents should never feel like they are wasting their time taking care of their little one’s teeth. Those baby teeth are important. For one thing, they’re needed to keep the proper amount of space available for the permanent teeth that come later.

Baby teeth are also invaluable in the development of clear speech.

Take Care

Even before your baby’s teeth come in, you should be cleaning out their mouth. Give special attention to the gums. The best way for cleaning is to use a soft cloth dipped in warm water. No toothpaste is necessary. At this point, it’s enough to wipe them clean.

Once the teeth do come in, get a small, baby-sized toothbrush. You still don’t need any toothpaste, although you can use a tiny dab if your want to. Gently brush whatever teeth are there.

Remember to never put you little one to bed with a bottle.

When that first tooth comes in, it’s time to bring your baby in for their first checkup. If they reach the age of one and there still aren’t any teeth, bring them in just the same.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we want the very best of dental health for all our patients, and it starts when they’re still babies. People from Montgomery, Blue Ash, and Kenwood come to our practice for family and restorative dentistry, and many other services. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we do more than just cleanings and checkukps. Let’s consider four common conditions that you should ask us about.

• Bad Breath. Sure, nobody wants to admit that they have bad breath, but bad breath can be treated. It is usually linked to bacteria build-up in the mouth. This means that it might be a symptom of accelerating decay. Discuss it with your dentist who can help you overcome this condition. (Your friends will appreciate it.)
• Dry Mouth. Also known as xerostomia, this lack of saliva is very annoying and can predispose you to a host of problems like decay and gum disease. It’s a common side effect of some medications, so make sure to bring a list of current prescriptions with you to your appointment.
• Jaw Issues. If you notice inexplicable jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to let us know. These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called TMD (temporomandibular disorder).
• Teeth Grinding. If you’ve been stressed out and find that you’ve been grinding your teeth, be sure to tell us about it. A simple appliance can protect your teeth.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, patients come to us from Montgomery, Blue Ash, and Kenwood for high-quality care, including family and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

Good dental health means having healthy teeth and gums. Maintaining it is something that you have to work at every day. It can be a real balancing act: using the right oral care products, your personal oral care habits, and seeing us at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati twice a year.

Did you know your dental health can be impacted by your general health? There are many common medical conditions that pose a risk to oral health. Just a few examples:

• Diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues.
• A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many common medications can cause dry mouth.
• Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we help our patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that may seem unrelated to dental health. Patients from Loveland, Blue Ash, and Montgomery OH call us for family and restorative dentistry, and much more. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we want all our patients to keep their teeth as clean as possible. But we know a lot of them want convenience. That’s why so many use floss picks instead of conventional dental floss.

These little tools are quite handy. They usually have a handle that is pointed and can double as a toothpick, and a length of floss strung in a U-shaped groove. They are affordable and can be used more discretely than floss.

While this may seem like a dream come true, floss picks are, in fact, a step below actual floss when it comes to effectiveness. Only regular string floss has The American Dental Association approval for cleaning in between teeth.

One of the issues with floss picks is that they can’t curve around teeth, which is necessary for thorough plaque removal.

What to do? If you love floss picks, continue to use them when convenient. But try to use regular dental floss, too, especially at the end of the day.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry we want the best possible dental health for all our patients. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry, and our patients are in Loveland, Blue Ash, Montgomery, and throughout the Cincinnati area. Call to schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

Here is an important message from Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati. The link between your dental health and your overall health is well-established, but new research is making the case even stronger. Brushing your teeth twice a day may help decrease your risk of heart disease.

Dentists and  doctors have known for years about the connection between gum disease and heart problems, But a recent study analyzed oral health habits and heart disease risk. Science Daily reported on the study which was published in the British Medical Journal:

Researchers found that [study subjects] who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day.

In other words, you aren’t healthy unless your gums and teeth are healthy.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we want to see our patients for regular cleanings and checkups, and the benefits to your health have never been clearer. We offer family and restorative dentistry, and treat patients from Blue Ash, Loveland, Montgomery OH, and throughout the area. Call to schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

In  this blog post from Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we examine saliva, and its role in your dental health.

Now, don’t be squeamish! Saliva is mostly water. No surprise there. A small portion of it, though, is made up of enzymes, antibacterial substances, mucus, and minerals. The ideal pH balance of the mouth is maintained by saliva, and pH balance is a critical factor for preventing cavities.

The minerals in saliva help to maintain the enamel surface of the teeth. Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis.

Now that you know how important saliva is to dental health, you can probably see why inadequate salivary flow should concern you. For most people, everyday chewing is enough to stimulate salivary glands to release saliva. But a condition called dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is an ailment that should be dealt with quickly before oral health problems occur.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we want the best possible dental health for each of our patients, who come from Blue Ash, Loveland, and Montgomery. Services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

Visiting Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months may  seem inconvenient sometimes, but you may benefit in ways you’d never imagine.

A recent study showed that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

Not only that, but brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes may lower your risk of heart disease. The study says that eople who brushed less than twice a day, and for less than two minutes, were three times as likely to have heart issues than those who brushed at least twice, and for at least two minutes.

A cardiologist who was not associated with the study said it’s possible that those who are attentive to their dental health may simply be more health conscious overall.

Still, researchers believe it strengthens the notion that there is a clear link between your dental health and your overall health.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati we encourage all our patients to brush their teeth for two minutes at least twice a day, and to floss, too. It’s the best way to keep cavities at bay. Our services include family and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we want all our patients to protect their teeth against unnecessary damage. Here are some things to keep in mind, and to never do!

1. Chewing on hard foods

We’re looking at you, unpopped popcorn kernels and hard candy.

2. Chewing on hard things

This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.

3. Grinding your teeth

If you grind your teeth, discuss it with your dentist. An appliance can guard your smile.

4. Eating too much sticky food

Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can break teeth.

5. Drinking anything besides water frequently

If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks consistently, you are asking for dental problems.

6. Playing sports without a mouthguard

Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most children are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock types are ready-made and rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.

7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush

A hard-bristled tooth brush can weaken teeth and cause gums to pull away. Brush away food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.

8. Ignoring dry mouth

Saliva is important. Saliva rinses food fragments off of teeth and helps neutralize acids. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to decay. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth frequently.

9. Using teeth as tools

Use scissors to open a string cheese or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.

10. Ignoring bad breath

Bad breath is often caused by bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating decay. Discuss it with your dentist. (Don’t be embarrassed. We treat bad breath all the time.)

11. Ignoring jaw pain

If you suffer from jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.

Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati. There are a number of treatments available. Our services include family and restorative dentistry, and we treat patients from Loveland, Blue Ash, Montgomery OH, and the surrounding area. Call today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242