Oral Health

You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to auto pilot morning and night and get it done. But are you doing it right? At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we find that many of our patients make mistakes in their brushing, and could benefit from some helpful reminders.

Here are important tooth brushing tips:

1. Take your time.
After a long day, you want to get it over with and go to bed. But teeth cleaning takes time and careful attention. Time yourself the next time you brush—you might be surprised at how rapidly you finish. The process should take at least two to three minutes.

2. Don’t forget to floss.
No matter how agile you can be with your brush, it’s all but impossible to clear away the plaque from all those narrow gaps between your teeth. That is where bacteria can easily propagate and start the decay process. Flossing is an important part of the process.

3. Use the right toothbrush.
It is ironic that some people damage their enamel or gums because they brush too vigorously with a rigid brush. We recommend using a soft brush.

4. Don’t keep your tooth brush near the toilet.
This is awful to think about, but each time the toilet is flushed, bacteria is sent far into the air—even if you close the lid. Keep your toothbrush in a clean place and allow it to air dry.

5. Use fluoride toothpaste.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but some toothpastes don’t contain fluoride. It isn’t just for kids, either. Your enamel is consistently under assault from acidic foods and drinks and fluoride helps it remineralize.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, our services include family and restorative dentistry. We get patients from all over, including Loveland, Blue Ash, and Montgomery OH.

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

When is the last time you had a dental check-up? At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we like our patients to see us every six months. It’s the best way to stay on top of your dental health.

Know The Risk Factors For Oral Problems

Most people are in a medium to low risk category for dental problems. However, if you use tobacco or alcohol, eat a lot of sugar, have an eating disorder, have poor oral hygiene behaviors, or are plagued with medical conditions that impact your mouth, you are likely in a higher risk category. It is essential to your dental and physical health to have your teeth checked right away.

Your dental health strategy should include:

• Daily brushing and flossing. You should brush and floss twice a day. Just before bedtime is especially important, because it cleans out the germs and plaque that build up during the course of the day.
• Proper brushing. It’s important not only to brush, but to brush properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion along the gum line. Take your time; a minimum of two minutes is recommended. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
• Using fluoridated toothpaste. There are lots of choices when it comes to toothpaste. Whether you prefer mint flavored or bubble gum, fluoride is the most important consideration. It is your best defense against cavities.
• Seeing the dentist twice a year. You saw this one coming, right? Your daily dental health care habits are essential, but so is the attention and care of a dentist.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we assess many factors to determine the status of your dental health, and want you to have a beautiful smile for life. We offer family and cosmetic dentistry, and serve the Loveland, Blue Ash, and Montgomery Ohio area. 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

During a dental checkup at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we do a thorough inspection of your teeth and gums. But visual inspections can’t tell us everything we need to know, which is why we take x-rays.

For most patients, we update our x-rays once a year. They help us to make accurate diagnoses by showing what cannot be seen by the eye alone. Also known as radiographs, the images give us the total picture: not just inside your teeth, but the tip of the roots and the bone under the gums. Thanks to x-rays, we are able to identify and treat dental issues before they become more serious.

There are several types of x-rays:

• Bite-Wing x-rays give us a picture of the upper and lower back teeth. We can see how they touch each other and see if there is any decay.
• Panoramic x-rays give us the big picture: a view of the teeth, jaws and jaw joints, nasal area, and even the sinuses. These are especially useful if we think the patient may need orthodontics or a dental implant.
• Occlusioal x-rays show us the floor of the mouth, and the bite of the upper or lower jaw. They’re good for showing the development of children’s teeth, both the baby and permanent teeth.

X-rays use radiation, but are designed to minimize patient exposure. Patients only get negligible amounts, making them safe. The latest generations of x-rays reduce radiation even more. Still, we take that the added safety measure of covering the patient with a heavy leaded apron and collar.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible dental care. Our services include family and restorative dentistry, and patients also come to us from Loveland, Blue Ash, and Montgomery OH. Schedule an appointment 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

Along with brushing, flossing is the most important thing you can do for healthy teeth and gums. There’s a variety of floss types to choose from. Which one is best for you? It depends. At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we’re using this space to summarize what’s available, and what might influence your choice of dental floss.

The reason that flossing is so important is that it removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Left on the teeth, plaque hardens into floss and contributes to tooth decay. The Academy of General Dentistry goes so far as to call flossing the most important thing you can do to fight plaque.

What Kind Is Best?

When it comes to what dental floss to use, there is a lot to choose from. Flavored or unflavored? Waxed or unwaxed? Wide or thin?

No single type of floss is right for everyone. You might even benefit from having more than one kind in your medicine chest. With a little trial and error, you can narrow down your choices to find what works best for you.

A recent study shows there really isn’t much difference, if any, in the effectiveness of the different types of dental floss. Here are some things to consider:

• Waxed floss fits more easily into tight spaces
• Unwaxed floss tends to squeak against clean teeth, an indicator that plaque is gone
• Wider dental tape may work better in gaps between teeth, and on bridgework

One word of caution: we recommend traditional string floss that you can pull out in a long strand, as opposed to a flossing pick. Those little picks are popular, but they only have a tight strand of less than an inch of floss. That makes it all but impossible to wrap any floss around your teeth – and flossing is far more effective when you do that. The little picks are fine for a purse or backpack, when you’re on the go. Just be sure to use regular floss as part of your dental hygiene routine before bedtime.

Whatever your preference may be, the important thing is to floss at least once each day.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we also like to see you for a checkup every six months. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. We also welcome patients from Blue Ash, Loveland, and Montgomery OH. Schedule your next 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 strive for excellence in dentistry every day. Providing the best possible dental care goes beyond cleanings and exams. We like patients who ask a lot of questions, because that tells us they are taking a strong interest in their dental health.

Common Questions

One of the questions we’re frequently asked is whether it’s really necessary to have a cleaning and checkup every six months. Our short answer is, yes! But a more nuanced answer includes that time-honored truth that prevention is the best medicine.

Every appointment includes a thorough cleaning by a hygienist. Then the dentist examines your teeth and gums, looking for any new cavities and signs of gum disease. Every checkup also includes a screening for oral cancer.

Sometimes we need to see patients more frequently. Someone with gum disease, or who is undergoing orthodontic treatment, should have appointments more often than twice a year. We determine that on a case-by-case basis.

More Questions

Patients often wonder how long a filling will last. Some people think they’ll last a lifetime, but unfortunately that is not usually the case. Fillings can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problmes. You can extend the life of any restoration with good oral hygiene at home. If you have any questions about what that means, don’t hesitate to ask.

What kind of toothbrush is best? This is among the most-asked questions for any dentist. Manual and electric toothbrushes, used properly, both do an excellent job. We recommend soft bristles, with mixed bristle heights and angles. They do a better job getting between the teeth.

To really get between the teeth, we also recommend daily flossing. String floss is best, but whether it’s waxed or unwaxed, flavored or not, or wide dental tape is up to you.

And More!

When it comes to toothpaste, we recommend one that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. That means it contains fluoride, which strengthens and protects your teeth.

These are just some of the common questions we get from our patients at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati. Have we missed anything you’ve wondered about? Never hesitate to bring your questions to your checkup. We offer family and cosmetic dentistry, and also serve patients in the Blue Ash, Loveland, and Montgomery OH areas. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

Flossing is a bit of a chore. It takes a little extra time, and it can even be painful if you haven’t flossed in a while. It’s no wonder the team at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati is constantly reminding patients to ‘brush and floss!’

Flossing isessential, You’ll never hear one of us say ‘don’t worry about the flossing.’ It just isn’t going to happen, and for two critical reasons. Here they are:

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath is something we all worry about. It’s part of our ‘appearance, and we are all aware of how that can influence our relationships.

When we meet new people, speak with others in close quarters, or greet a partner, bad breath is on our mind. We worry about how bad breath affects first impressions.

It makes sense, then, that bad breath would be one of the things you might worry about.

Flossing is a great way to help you avert bad breath.

Flossing helps prevent plaque buildup between your teeth. It also helps flush out pockets of bacteria. Together, plaque and bacteria can create bad breath.

To limit your chances of being caught with bad breath, floss every day.

2. Cavities

When bacteria is allowed to concentrate on your teeth, tooth decay can occur. Plaque buildup is a concentration of bacteria. When plaque is allowed to remain between your teeth it gives bacteria a chance to destroy enamel and damage your teeth. Cavities are damage to your teeth caused by bacteria.

Flossing gets between your teeth where your brush can’t get and cleans away~> plaque buildup. It also loosens pockets of bacteria that can be removed with a quick rinse.

Flossing will help you keep plaque and bacteria from developing between your teeth.

Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati recommends you floss your teeth every time you brush. At the very least, we encourage you to floss every day before you go to bed. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:

513-791-8880

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242

It’s easy to become too attached to familiar objects, and that includes the tools you use to clean your teeth. Like a comfortable pair of slippers, that toothbrush you use every night may have an easy, cozy feel you’re not ready to give up just yet. But at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we want you to think twice, because that familiar toothbrush can be a threat to your dental health.

To put it simply, your toothbrush should be replaced from time to time. We recommend a new one every three months or so. You don’t have to circle your calendear, or set up an alert on your phone. But you do need to keep track of how long you’ve used a toothbrush and get a new one when the time comes.

If you keep using an old toothbrush, it is less effective at cleaning plaque off of your teeth and at the gumline. That much is obvious, because it’s easy to see the bristles bending out of shape.

But there are other things to consider. When you finish brushing your teeth, there is always some stuff that remains on your toothbrush. Over time it can breed and multiply. The average toothbrush, in fact, has more than one million bacteria particles. Most of them aren’t bad for you. But some are, and if you keep using that favorite old brush you re-introduce this bacteria into your mouth, over and over. Bacteria and food debris is what you are trying to get out of your mouth in the first place.

As if the preceding paragraph wasn’t enough, here’s one more thing to think about: your toothbrush can grow mold. That’s why we recommend keeping your brush in an open place where it can air dry. Even so, time takes its toll and mold can grow. If you notice any black spots on your toothbrush, replace it right away. It might be mold.

The bottom line? Replace your toothbrush every three months, if not more often. Always use a soft-bristled brush, too; they are easiest on your gums, but rigid enough to get plaque off the surfaces of your teeth. And don’t forget to floss.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Our patients also come from Loveland, Blue Ash, and Montgomery OH. Call our office 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

This message from Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati is about mouthwash.

If you’ve ever visited a grocery store dental aisle, you know that there are many different types of mouthwash. Some tout their germ-killing abilities, others emphasize their fluoride content, and some claim to whiten teeth while freshening the breath. These are all great benefits, but will they help meet your oral care needs?

Many people wonder if daily mouthwash should be part of their dental routine. Brushing and flossing are the two important habits that have the most significant influence on dental health, so if you’re doing these two things, is mouthwash necessary?

As long as you follow the instructions on the bottle, mouthwash may slightly benefit dental health. Rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride can’t hurt your teeth, but allowing a bit of diluted toothpaste to stay on tooth surfaces after brushing probably has the same benefit.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we are committed to excellence in dentistry. Services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment 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

Healthy gums are as important as healthy teeth. Proper oral hygiene helps keep both your teeth and gums in good shape. At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we do our best to ensure good dental health in each of our patients.

When brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle with the bristle tips aimed at the line where the tooth and gum meet. The bristles of a soft toothbrush can clean the food particles in the pockets in front and in back of the tooth, but you need floss to clean between them. Be careful to (gently) get the floss down into the pocket between the tooth and gum. Scrape food particles up and out of the pocket.

Back to brushing: if the toothbrush is not held at the correct angle, the bristles can’t get in the pockets to clean out the bacteria before it turns into enamel-damaging plaque. If plaque accumulates in the gumline pockets, the gums can start receding.

Eventually, the pockets will become too deep for your toothbrush bristles to reach. Unfortunately, the tooth structure below the gumline is more susceptible to decay than the enamel above the gumline.

There is more than one way to damage your teeth—even if the visible parts of your teeth are cavity-free, gum disease can cause issues with the parts you can’t see.

We work with our patients of all ages to establish essential oral hygiene habits.

At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we provide comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry. We also serve the Blue Ash, Montgomery, and Loveland areas. Schedule a 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