Let’s get granular about cavities. We all know what cavities are, right? Tooth decay that creates permanently damaged areas in the hard surfaces of the teeth that become tiny holes. But the more we actually know about cavities, the better job we can do at preventing them. Did you know that cavities are one of the world’s most common health problems? According to the World Dental Federation, untreated tooth decay is an issue affecting nearly half of the world’s population. Cavities are most prevalent in children, teenagers, and older adults, but anyone with teeth is at risk of developing tooth decay. What Causes Cavities? Simply put, sugary foods cause tooth decay. So when bits of food and drink like bread, fruit, candy, milk, soda, and the like stay in contact with your teeth, they cause decay. The bacteria in your mouth turns these foods into acids, then the bacteria, acids,…
Friday, 20 November 2020 20:42

Happy Gums, Happy Teeth, Happy Holidays

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Holiday Gift Guide for Better Oral Health There’s a time and place for practical gifts, and our team at Tedford Family Dentistry thinks gifts that help promote better oral health are always a great way to go. So this year as you’re doing your holiday shopping, consider some of these top items from our holiday gift guide for better oral health! 1– Electric Toothbrush It’s a little luxurious, and a little boujee, but also such a nice thing to have– the electric toothbrush. Help that loved one in your life take their brushing up a notch. With cool options like Quip or Sonicare, you could even gift your loved one an ongoing subscription for top-of-the-line dental supplies. 2– Sugar Free Gum If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer for your kids or significant other, consider sugar free gum to accompany all the chocolate candy this year. Chewing gum can…
Friday, 16 October 2020 19:10

Beware of the Sweet Tooth

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Things Your Chattanooga Pediatric Dentist Wants You To Consider at Halloween! The costume-clad, candy-hunting holiday we celebrate now as Halloween was derived from an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain during which people would light bonfires, dress in costumes to ward off ghosts when the veil between the living and the dead was thought to be thinnest. Over time, the name and customs associated with the holiday have evolved to include jack-o-lantern carving, scary movie viewing, and trick or treating around neighborhoods. But even though Halloween might be a dream for your children (who doesn’t love dressing up and eating tons of candy?), it has the potential to become your Chattanooga pediatric dentist’s nightmare. So our team at Tedford Family Dentistry has compiled a list of tips to help you keep your child’s dental health in check through the sugariest holiday on the calendar. TIP ONE Know which candies are least…
When it comes to protecting your child’s teeth, the more you know, the better a job you’ll be able to do. Especially for first time parents, your knowledge about early dentistry and baby teeth may be limited, because this is a whole new adventure for you. So, here are a few things perhaps you didn’t know about baby teeth, and how you can best care for your child when it comes to oral health. Your baby’s first tooth is a big childhood milestone. You’ll be saying ‘so long’ to that gummy grin, and you’ll likely deal with a little fussing as your baby’s teeth begin to erupt and grow in. This process can come with a little pain and irritability for your baby, as well as a low grade fever on occasion. That said, a lot more changes during this stage than the way your baby’s smile looks. The Importance…
Thursday, 11 June 2020 12:57

Taking Care of Your Pearly Whites

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Chattanooga Family Dentist Explores Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene It’s likely that your parents have taught you about the benefits of good oral hygiene since early childhood. They taught you to brush your teeth, floss daily, avoid excessive sugary food and drink, and the like. But the benefits of taking care of your teeth and gums go well beyond appearance and fresh breath. Let’s explore some of the benefits of taking exceptional care of your mouth with healthy habits!  What does good oral hygiene entail? First of all, it’s a good idea to know and understand what it really means to practice good oral hygiene. It all starts with taking great care of your teeth and gums at home. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to ensure your teeth are clean and to mitigate tartar and plaque buildup. Floss your teeth at least once daily to rid your…
Chattanooga Family Dentist Talks Sensitive Teeth Odds are that at one point or another you’ve experienced pain or discomfort after taking a bite of fresh-from-the-freezer ice cream or a heaping spoonful of super hot soup. This sensation is linked to tooth sensitivity. Although pain caused by hot or cold food and drink can sometimes be a sign of a dental problem, your Chattanooga family dentist will also tell you it could just be the result of having sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is also known as “dentin hypersensitivity,” and can be a temporary issue or a chronic problem depending on the patient and circumstances. You may notice your teeth are sensitive to specific stimuli, like extreme temperatures. Sometimes these symptoms come and go or range in severity from mild to intense. Common triggers for tooth sensitivity include: Hot food and beverages Cold food and beverages Cold air (noticed when inhaling through…
Tuesday, 28 April 2020 12:50

Tips for When You Can’t See the Dentist

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Home Remedies for Toothaches COVID-19 has changed our daily lives in so many ways, and social distancing or sheltering in place means we don’t have the luxury of rushing out to see our Chattanooga dentist at the first sign of a dental problem. That said, we’ve rounded up some home remedies for toothaches and other tips that might help you avoid dental disasters during these difficult times. Not having ready access to a dentist means you should definitely pay extra attention to your regular dental hygiene habits. Be sure to make brushing your teeth and flossing a priority. It shouldn’t be an issue since we’re all spending so much extra time at home, right? Another important thing is to make sure you’re wearing your night guard regularly if you have one. Many of us grind our teeth at night while sleeping, and suffer from bruxism, which can cause a lot…
Thursday, 12 March 2020 15:01

Best & Worst Foods for Your Child's Teeth

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Tips for Cultivating Children's Dental Health Protecting your child’s teeth from decay and other problems is an important task for parents, and there’s lots of advice out there– good and bad. We all know cavities and dental problems can be both painful and costly, so working to actively avoid them for ourselves and our kids is something to approach with intention. Did you know that certain foods are great for dental health, while others can be particularly damaging? Our expert pediatric dentists at Tedford Family Dentistry in Ooltewah have compiled a list of best and worst foods for your child’s teeth, so you can stay informed and take a proactive approach to teaching your children healthy dental hygiene. Worst Foods for Your Child’s Teeth Sugary Drinks– You guessed it! You may not be aware of just how teeth-damaging sugary drinks and sodas can be. The acids and sugars beverages like…
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 14:46

Myths about Flossing– Debunked

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When it comes to oral hygiene, there are many myths floating around that may cause confusion about what actually IS right, good for you, and necessary when it comes to your dental health. How often should you see your Chattanooga dentist? How many times a day should you brush your teeth and for how long? And then there’s flossing. What are the hard and fast rules about flossing your teeth? And what myths beg busting? Below are a few flossing myths your friends at Tedford Family Dentistry would like to debunk in effort to afford you some clarity on the subject.   ONE: You only need to floss if you have food stuck in your teeth. OK, no. It’s certainly true that flossing comes in handy when you have annoying food particles stuck between your teeth; however, that’s not the sole purpose of this dental care task. Flossing your teeth…
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