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Friday, 28 April 2023 19:37

6 Tips for Healthy Gums

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When it comes to oral health, it’s about so much more than just teeth. Your gums play a critical role in maintaining a healthy mouth, and even in ensuring your teeth remain healthy and strong. Even if your teeth are cavity free and aesthetically beautiful, that doesn’t mean you are immune to gum disease. Gum disease can oftentimes be completely painless, and therefore difficult to detect. Understanding Gum Disease Gum disease affects 47.2% of adults ages 30 and up, according to the CDC. It begins with plaque that builds up under and along the gum line, and can cause infections that hurt the gum and bone, leading to tooth decay and other issues. The presence of plaque can also cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Gingivitis can cause your gums to become red, tender, swollen, and inflamed, and can cause bleeding as well. As unpleasant as that sounds,…
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Friday, 07 April 2023 19:37

Tooth Mishaps

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Children's Dental Emergencies– What Parents Should Know Dental accidents can occur anytime, anywhere, and parents need to be prepared for these unforeseen situations so they can react quickly and appropriately. Knowing what to do when faced with a children’s dental emergency can mean the difference between your child losing a tooth forever or saving that permanent tooth by taking the right actions immediately. No matter what the dental emergency is, it’s imperative that you take your child to the dentist or the closest emergency room as soon as possible. What do I do if my child cracks a tooth? If your child cracks a tooth, rinse the mouth out with warm water to cleanse the area, and put a cold compress on the face to help reduce pain and swelling. See the dentist as soon as possible for the next steps. What should I do if my child knocks a…
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Friday, 31 March 2023 15:56

Am I Using the Right Oral Care Products?

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How to Choose the Best Toothpaste for You and Yours If you’re toothpaste shopping at your local store or supermarket, you’ll probably find yourself presented with an almost overwhelming number of choices. Rows and rows of boxes of toothpaste from different brands, with different claims– tartar control, whitening, sensitivity, fresh breath. So how do you choose the best toothpaste for you? We’ve got a few tips to help you narrow down your choices, and of course, your dentist at Tedford Family Dentistry is always happy to answer any questions about choosing the right oral care products. First ask yourself some helpful questions about your teeth and gums. Do you have sensitive teeth? Are you looking for whitening help? Do you need extra tartar protection? Do you have gingivitis or any other gum disease? Are you looking for a toothpaste that will appeal to your kids? No matter what the situation,…
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Friday, 17 March 2023 15:56

10 Things You Didn't Know About Teeth

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Inspire Your Dental Health with These Facts At Tedford Family Dentistry, we think teeth are fascinating. Of course, not everyone shares our level of enthusiasm for all things dental health; however, we think you’ll find these strange and interesting facts about teeth to be rather entertaining. We hope, too, to inspire you to work toward greater dental health by furthering your knowledge about teeth. So here are 10 things you didn’t know about teeth to galvanize your personal dental health journey. 1– Teeth are not bones. A common misconception, teeth are actually not bones. Though they are hard and white, they are made up of different materials than your bones are. Bones can heal themselves over a long period of time, while teeth do not have this ability to recover from stresses. 2– They are as unique as fingerprints. An important tool in forensics, teeth are just as unique as…
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Friday, 03 March 2023 15:56

Low Cost Dental Care

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Chattanooga Family Dentists Think Sealants Are Key to Low Cost Dental Care The staff at Tedford Family Dentistry in Ooltewah, TN always stresses the importance of taking care of your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing, avoiding sugary food and drinks, and consistent cleanings and dental exams are all crucial in maintaining a healthy mouth. When we slack on these things, the effects can often be painful and extremely costly to rectify. Filling cavities, getting root canals and needing crowns are things we all want to avoid. But in addition to proper cleaning, dental sealants are a great way to help keep tooth decay at bay. Where are the sealants applied? Molars can be rough and craggy, with lots of tight nooks and crannies for food particles and bacteria to hide. This is where sealants come in! You can actually safeguard your child’s molars with these thin, protective coatings that can…
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Friday, 17 February 2023 15:56

5 Frequently Asked Questions about Ooltewah TN Teeth Whitening

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It’s comforting to know that our Ooltewah TN family dentistry offers teeth whitening as part of our cosmetic dentistry services, but there are things that you can do to minimize the impact of stains and discoloration before this is needed to restore your pearly white smile. This month’s blog is dedicated to answering frequently asked questions about teeth whitening… Why do teeth stain? Teeth become yellow or gray for a variety of reasons that may be behavioral or simply the effects of erosion of the enamel over time allowing more of the color of the dentin to show through. How can I maintain the whiteness of my teeth? There are a few different things you can do to keep your natural smile looking it’s best. You’ve no doubt heard the expression “You are what you eat…” Turns out, this is true, at least when it comes to the coloration of…
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Tuesday, 07 February 2023 14:15

Can You Get Rid of Gingivitis

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Can You Get Rid of Gingivitis
Almost half of the adults in the US have some type of gum disease. Fortunately, gingivitis, which is the initial stage of gum disease, can be reversed by having proper oral hygiene. Schedule regular dental check-ups to eliminate plaque and tartar, which are the leading causes of gum disease. There is no overnight solution for healthy gums, but forming good habits will help to maintain oral health in the long run. What Does Gingivitis Look Like? Gingivitis causes redness of the gingiva, or the gum line that meets the base of your teeth. It typically causes inflammation, making gums appear puffy. Gingivitis also causes bleeding gums more often during brushing or flossing, with bad breath as a common symptom as well. Why Does Gingivitis Occur? To address gingivitis, it is important to recognize the root cause. Plaque, an invisible layer of bacteria, tends to thrive in the mouth as it…
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Friday, 03 February 2023 15:56

The Chew on Gum

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According to a 2015 study, 100 million bacteria can be removed from the mouth after 10 minutes of chewing sugar free gum. There are more benefits to chewing gum than just minty fresh breath. It can help various other aspects while you chew: Oral Health Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help to clean teeth by rinsing off and neutralizing the acids left behind by plaque and bacteria. In addition to preserving tooth enamel, chewing sugar free gum stimulates saliva flow up to ten times the normal rate. Xylitol, the artificial sweetener found in sugar free gums, prevents the growth of oral bacteria and cavities. The ingredient prevents bacteria from adhering to the tooth, stopping cavities from forming. Cognitive Function Not only does chewing gum help to strengthen teeth, but it has also been linked to improving cognitive function. The action increases blood flow to the brain and elevates the…
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Friday, 20 January 2023 15:56

Senior Chattanooga Dental Care: The Special Dental Needs of Seniors

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Senior Chattanooga Dental Care Our seniors are precious and need special consideration to remain healthy. Dr. Tedford works to provide affordable senior dental services like dentures, implants, bridges, and more to the Ooltewah, Chattanooga, Collegedale, and Cleveland, TN communities. In fact, we have a dedicated page on this website to specifically address senior citizen dental care needs. Readers can learn more about minimizing root decay that can lead to age-related gum loss and tooth loss. Lost Bone mass can also harm the jaw and increase the need for dental implants. Wear and tear related to time also impacts how well dentures fit. Decades of exposure to coffee, wine, and sodas show erosion of the dental enamel. Dr. Tedford assists seniors with routine dental care and cleanings, implants, dentures, veneers, bridges, and teeth whitening. It’s important that our retirement years be spent comfortably, which includes retaining our ability to chew food…
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