Oral Health

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

Keeping your teeth clean is a critical factor in maintaining a beautiful smile. One of the advantages of visiting us at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati is having a thorough teeth cleaning and a review of your brushing habits.

Your Partner in Oral Health

Our dental hygienist can professionally clean and polish your teeth at your semiannual check-up. The hygienist also helps you keep your teeth clean by assessing their condition and recommending improvements to your daily teeth cleaning habits.

Having a professional dental cleaning is the only way to eliminate tartar, a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and contributes to decay.

Don’t Forget Basic Dental Hygiene

Brushing and flossing at least twice each day can keep plaque and tartar from collecting on your teeth and results in a cleaner, healthier smile.

To keep your teeth and gums in first-rate condition, come in to Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati for a check-up and cleaning. Patients come to us from Blue Ash, Loveland, Montgomery OH, and throughout the area. Our services include family and restorative dentistry. 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

You know the old saying: prevention is the best medicine. At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we are big advocates of preventative dentistry as the best way to maintain dental health.

Preventative dentistry, though, is more than healthy teeth and gums. Your dental health is directly related to your overall health. Poor dental health has been linked to various diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, premature birth and low birth weight, and diabetes.

Furthermore, poor dental health leads to gum disease. With regular brushing and flossing, and twice yearly dental checkups, gum disease is 100 percent preventable.

More Reasons
The above should be enough to get anyone in to the dentist’s office twice a year. But if it isn’t, here are three more very good reasons why you should get a cleaning and checkup every six months.

• Plaque and tartar. Even with brushing and flossing twice a day, plaque can build up on the teeth and gums. Plaque hardens into tartar. Simply put, there are areas in the mouth that your floss and toothbrush just cannot reach. Professional cleanings, however, can.
• X-rays. By taking dental x-rays and updating them regularly, we can detect problems that a simple visual inspection won’t turn up. The sooner new issues are treated, the better: treatment will be easier, less painful, and less expensive.
• Oral cancer. It isn’t just smokers who need to be concerned about oral cancer; anyone can get it. Finding it in its earliest stages gives you the best chance for successful treatment and a full recovery. We can check for any symptoms, and if we find them, tell you what you need to do.

As you can tell, there are lots of reasons why it’s important to see us at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Patients come to us from Loveland, Blue Ash, Montgomery OH, and throughout the area. Services include family and restorative dentistry. 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

Like all dentists, we diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati. These conditions can affect the tongue. Let’s review the tongue.

Have you ever considered all the vital things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow.

This strong and nimble gymnast is in near-constant motion during our waking hours. It is a wonder that we don’t accidentally bite it more often as we smile, chew, drink, breathe, swallow, cough, and laugh.

Your tongue can also reveal physical ailments. This may include digestive problems, infections, and diseases of the blood.

When we perform oral exams, the tongue is always looked at for signs of oral cancer and other serious diseases.

Here are some tongue abnormalities and possible causes:

• Swollen tongue: reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
• White tongue: dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia, or other nutritional deficiency
• Canker sores: may be linked to stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.

If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try avoiding products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products. It can be difficult to find SLS-free dental products. The following brands have previously offered SLS-free versions but labels carefully every time you buy a new tube. We have noticed that SLS has re-appeared in some brands. (Endres Gateway Dentistry has no affiliation with any of these companies.)

• Biotene
• Sensodyne Pronamel
• Tom’s of Maine
• Rembrandt Low Abrasion

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we offer family and restorative dentistry, and many other services. Call us to 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