Category: Oral Health

Yummy Foods for a Healthy Smile

Posted August 29, 2023 by Paris Mountain Dental

Many foods, like sugary drinks and starchy snacks, are poor for your teeth and gums. We recommend prioritizing dietary choices that will benefit your dental health! For example, the following yummy foods help promote a healthy smile:

Strawberries

These bright berries are sweet, juicy, and rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Vitamin C promotes healthy gums and strengthens blood vessels, reducing the risk of gum disease. The natural astringent properties of strawberries can also help remove surface stains from your teeth, enhancing your smile’s brightness.

Grilled Vegetables

Grilling is a popular cooking method, but it’s not only for meats! Try grilling an assortment of vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant. These vegetables are rich in fiber, which promotes saliva production and helps scrub away plaque from your teeth while you chew.

Dairy Products

Calcium-rich dairy products like low-sugar yogurt, whole-milk cheese, and milk support strong teeth and bones. Dairy products also contain a protein called casein that forms a protective layer on the tooth enamel, shielding it from acid erosion.

Salmon

While calcium is great for the teeth, it won’t matter how much you eat if your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is helpful in processing and absorbing calcium. Salmon is one of the best foods for getting vitamin D. The healthy fats from salmon also help prevent oral disease.

Pears

Similar to vegetables like celery, pears are fibrous and can easily stimulate saliva production. Pears also have acid-neutralizing effects in your mouth. Add sliced pears to a salad or eat them on the go!

Schedule a Dental Appointment in Travelers Rest, SC

While what you eat is important, how you care for your smile is even more important! Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles. And don’t forget to schedule routine dental appointments for you and the whole family at Paris Mountain Dental!

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Healthy Oral Habits to Teach Your Kids

Posted June 28, 2023 by Paris Mountain Dental

Here are several oral health habits you should help your child establish when they are young!

Brush Teeth Twice a Day & Floss Daily

One of the most beneficial habits for a child to learn early on is to brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning when they wake up and again at night before bed. Encourage them to brush in gentle, circular strokes across all surfaces of their teeth for two minutes. Babies, toddlers, and young children will need their parents to brush their teeth for them. Depending on their level of maturity, physical development, and any special needs, your child may be ready to brush their own teeth with supervision around age 5-7. As soon as they have 2 teeth touching, your child will benefit from daily flossing.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Guide your child to develop a positive relationship with food. Allow them to learn how to consume sweets in moderation. Expose them to a balanced variety of foods. Some of our favorite healthy snack options for kids include:

Celery and apple slices with nut butter

Cheese sticks

Whole fresh fruits, like oranges, apples, berries, and kiwi

Whole-grain toast with avocado

Egg quesadillas

Unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon

Trail mix

Fresh vegetables with hummus or plant-based ranch

Yogurt parfaits

Smoothies

Drink Plenty of Water

Encourage your child to drink plenty of water every day, especially instead of soda or soda. Water helps give the body energy, reduces cravings, and prevents dry mouth.

Regularly Visit the Dentist

We understand that dental visits can feel scary and intimidating for kids. However, becoming accustomed to routine dental visits early on means they will be more likely to continue these visits, which will contribute to good oral health through adulthood. Finding a compassionate dentist who can accommodate your child’s unique needs and appreciate their personality will show your child that going to the dentist can be a positive experience!

At Paris Mountain Dental, we provide comprehensive dental services and accept patients of all ages. We also offer family block scheduling so we can schedule family members at the same appointment time or back-to-back for your convenience. Please contact us to schedule an appointment for your child!

How to Floss Your Teeth

Posted December 29, 2022 by Paris Mountain Dental

When you visit our office, you will likely be reminded to brush and floss your teeth every day to help prevent cavities and gum disease. If you’re not sure how to floss your teeth properly, these tips can help!

Tips to Floss Properly

1) Break off about 18 inches of floss. Wrap a majority of your floss in one of your middle fingers and the rest around the same finger on the opposite hand.

2) Hold the floss between the thumbs and pointer fingers. This hold is how you will guide the floss.

3) Gently guide the floss between each tooth. Some teeth may require more force than others.

4) When the floss is inserted between teeth, curve it into a C shape and slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth on each side.

5) Gently guide the floss up and down. Repeat for every tooth surface with a new section of the string of floss.

Why Is It Important to Floss Properly?

Daily brushing and flossing will not be painful or cause bleeding for healthy teeth and gums. However, infrequent or improper flossing can cause bleeding gums. Flossing too hard can damage the tissue between your teeth. Being inconsistent or too gentle will not effectively get food particles and bacteria out, thus increasing your risk of bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.

What to Use to Floss Your Teeth

You’ll likely notice many different dental products available in the oral care aisle at the store. These products may include several types of floss, such as traditional string floss, dental picks, and water flossers. Using a combination of these products will likely yield the best results! Choosing a product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance indicates it will be safe and effective. You can also consult with our team for personalized recommendations.

Preventive Care in Travelers Rest, SC

Brushing and flossing are vital parts of good at-home preventive care. Additionally, you should schedule routine cleanings and exams at our office. We offer comprehensive oral healthcare services. Please contact us today to schedule a visit!

Fall Foods for a Healthy Mouth

Posted September 24, 2022 by Paris Mountain Dental

When it comes to maintaining a beautiful smile, regular brushing, flossing, and preventive visits to Paris Mountain Dental are a great start. But there’s another major component to protecting your teeth and gums: your diet. You probably already know that consuming too many sweets can increase your risk of cavities and gum disease – so what foods should you be actively seeking out instead? To help you make seasonal teeth-friendly choices, we’ve put together this list of fall foods that will promote a healthy mouth.

1. Apples

When the weather begins cooling, it’s the season for apple picking. Apples are at the top of our list of fall foods for several reasons! They provide vitamin C, which is necessary for healthy gums and fighting off infection. The fibrous structure of apples acts like nature’s toothbrush by gently scrubbing your teeth of plaque and food particles. Plus, there are many ways to incorporate them into your diet. For example, dip slices into nut butter, spiral onto a salad, or mix chopped apple into oatmeal.

2. Nuts

Nuts are a satisfying year-round snack that contain protein, calcium, and phosphorus, which are important for strengthening and repairing tooth enamel. Pistachios are delightful for snacking. Stir pecans and walnuts into oatmeal, cream of wheat, and baked goods. Mix walnuts or pine nuts with spinach, kale, and/or basil leaves, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon to make excellent pesto that can be served on pasta or spread on sandwiches. Remember to never bite the shell of a nut to crack it–you might crack your tooth! Buy shelled nuts or use the appropriate tools to remove the shells.

3. Pumpkin

Pureed pumpkin is delicious in pasta dishes, soups, pancakes, pie, and other baked goods. Pumpkin contains zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. These nutrients help fortify your gums, prevent tooth decay, and strengthen your bones.

Please contact Paris Mountain Dental to ask questions about your oral health or to schedule an appointment!

How Dental Problems Can Affect Overall Health

Posted April 11, 2022 by Paris Mountain Dental

Brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist protect your oral health. Did you know that good oral hygiene protects your overall health, as well? Neglecting the care of your teeth and gums can have long-term consequences. Here are some ways that dental problems can affect your health.

Gum Disease Worsens Diabetes

Gum disease (also known as periodontitis) is an infection of the gums. Research shows a two-way relationship between gum disease and diabetes. If you have diabetes, you’re more vulnerable to gum disease. In turn, gum disease makes diabetes more difficult to manage by raising your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, it’s important to avoid getting gum disease.

Tooth Loss Affects Your Diet

Losing just one tooth can affect your chewing function. The more teeth you lose, the harder it is to eat whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and lean meats. This eliminates many nutritional foods from your diet. A poor diet leads to health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, unhealthy weight loss or weight gain, and malnutrition.

Gum Disease Increases Risks During Pregnancy

Changing hormone levels during pregnancy affect oral health in a few ways, including increasing the risk of gum disease. Unfortunately, there are links between gum disease and pre-eclampsia, premature birth, and underweight infants. Routine dental care is an essential part of your health management during pregnancy.

Tooth Infections Can Spread

Tooth infections are often caused by untreated tooth decay. In some cases, an untreated infection can spread from the tooth to your face, neck, and other parts of the body. Tooth infections can even lead to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition. While rare, people have died from tooth infections that spread.

Maintain Great Oral Health at Paris Mountain Dental

Dental problems affect your oral health and your overall health. Issues like gum disease are especially far-reaching and often worsen existing health conditions. Thankfully, you can keep your health in great shape by brushing, flossing, and visiting our office for services like cleanings and exams. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ghimire, please contact our Travelers Rest office today!

Good oral hygiene protects your overall health!

The Best Tools to Fight Gingivitis

Posted March 10, 2022 by Paris Mountain Dental

Gingivitis, or early stage gum disease, affects millions of Americans every year. When caught in the early stages, this progressive ailment can be reversible if you invest in the right tools to fight it. Here are some of our favorite gingivitis-fighting tools at Paris Mountain Dental.

Signs of Gingivitis

Some of the common signs and symptoms of gingivitis include:

Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
Bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
Receding gums

If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with Paris Mountain Dental as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and to potentially catch your gum disease in the earliest stages possible.

Antibacterial Mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth is a gentle, effective way at curbing bacteria growth under the gumline. Your dentist can recommend the right antibacterial mouthwash for your smile as well as specific instructions on how often you should use it.

Dental Floss

Dental floss is one of the most powerful ways to address and prevent gum disease. After all, dental floss is the most effective way to dislodge plaque and bacteria from under the gum line, which is how gum disease starts in the first place. You must floss your teeth and gums twice a day to keep them healthy. If you experience bleeding or swelling when you floss, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.

Water Flosser

In addition to dental floss (which you should use twice a day!), a water flosser is a great way to break up plaque and bacteria under your gum line. Using pressurized streams of water, this tool delivers a gentle yet powerful clean, making it ideal for patients who might have difficulties maneuvering regular floss.

Electric Toothbrush

A soft-bristled toothbrush is a great tool to use to prevent gum disease, but an electric toothbrush delivers a more accurate, powerful cleaning experience, making it a great tool to use to fight gingivitis. Many electric toothbrushes come with different settings, including ones that are tailored for gum care.

Dental Picks

If you have tight spaces between your teeth, it might make it harder to floss. Dental picks are a great tool to help you squeeze into tough-to-reach spots and keep them free from plaque and bacteria.

Affordable Comprehensive Dentistry in Travelers Rest, SC

Twice-yearly dental appointments are extremely important, especially for those who might have gum disease. At Paris Mountain Dental, we offer comprehensive preventive dental care along with cosmetic and restorative procedures to give our patients healthy and gorgeous smiles. We also make our services affordable with flexible financing and an in-house dental savers plan. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

Stop gingivitis from becoming gum disease with early treatment!

Are You Overdue for a Dental Cleaning?

Posted February 10, 2022 by Paris Mountain Dental

Cartoon of a lady at the dentist for a dental hygiene cleaning.

Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Did you know that your smile needs regular dental cleanings to stay in tip-top shape? In addition to cleaning your teeth at home, professional cleanings are a necessity for a healthy smile. Keep reading to learn more about dental cleanings!

How Do I Know When I Need a Dental Cleaning?

The American Dental Association states that adults and kids should get a professional dental cleaning twice a year. Even if you follow a strict at-home oral hygiene regimen, it’s not uncommon to miss the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. Professional cleanings give your dentist and hygienist a chance to thoroughly clean every inch of your teeth and gums. It also allows them to check for any dental issues and catch them while they’re still small.

What Is a Professional Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleanings are professional-grade cleanings performed by trained dental hygienists. They are a more thorough cleaning treatment that is geared towards removing plaque and tartar buildup. Hygienists utilize special dental tools to scrape off hardened tartar without damaging the teeth. Then, they use a gritty paste and an electric brush to perform a deep cleaning. This is followed by water flossing to remove any trapped particles and debris. After the teeth and gums are completely clean, hygienists will use a polishing paste to make the teeth shine. If needed, fluoride treatments are applied at the end of a dental cleaning. Fluoride helps remineralize weakened enamel to strengthen teeth. Fluoride treatments can be applied by biting into a foam tray or painting the fluoride varnish directly onto the teeth.

Overdue For Your Dental Cleaning?

Have you put off your next dental cleaning? Don’t wait any longer! At Paris Mountain Dental in Travelers Rest, SC, we have extensive experience performing thorough deep cleanings. We’re dedicated to helping our community achieve and maintain a lifetime of great oral health. Please contact our office to schedule your cleaning!

Dental cleanings provide great preventive dental care!

Prevention Saves Money in the Long Run

Posted September 14, 2021 by Paris Mountain Dental

Staying on top of your oral health can have a positive impact on your smile and your wallet! Preventive dentistry is the key to preventing cavities and avoiding more costly dental issues down the road. Here’s what you need to know about preventive dental care and how it can benefit you!

The Importance of Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is the foundation for a healthy smile. Preventive care includes dental cleanings and examinations as well as at-home oral hygiene regimens. With biannual cleanings and exams, your dental team can thoroughly clean your teeth and gums by removing any plaque and tartar buildup that you may have missed when brushing your teeth at home. After your cleaning, your dentist will examine your mouth to ensure you don’t have any signs of dental issues, such as cavities. In addition to regular dental visits, you should also maintain a strong at-home oral hygiene routine by brushing twice a day for two minutes each and flossing daily.

Extra Prevention for Kids

Teaching kids good dental hygiene habits will set them up for success maintaining a healthy smile as an adult. Dental sealants and fluoride treatments are two procedures we offer in the office that are especially effective preventive treatments for kids.

Don’t Leave Dental Issues Untreated

If you have any dental concerns, please don’t push them by the wayside! The sooner you seek treatment, the better. If an issue arises in between your biannual visits, contact your dentist right away. When small problems are left untreated, they can turn into more complex and costly dental issues in the long run. If you are experiencing any of the following dental issues, please call Paris Mountain Dental right away.

Bleeding, Sensitive Gums

Chronic & Throbbing Toothache

Sensitivity to Hot & Cold

Sudden Tooth Discoloration

Protection Is Part of Prevention

Preventive dentistry also includes preventing damage to teeth when possible. This means that the athletes in your family should wear an athletic mouthguard when participating in contact sports. The cost of a custom-fitted mouthguard is negligible when compared to the cost of replacing a knocked-out tooth.

Looking For a Dental Home in Travelers Rest, SC?

Finding a good dental home can help you prevent tooth decay and keep your smile healthy. At Paris Mountain Dental, we are passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve and maintain great oral health! We understand that taking care of your smile is a big responsibility and we’re ready and equipped to assist you along your dental health journey. Please contact us to book your consultation!

Regular preventive care will save you money in the long run!

When Should a Tooth Be Extracted?

Posted August 19, 2021 by Paris Mountain Dental

We always try to save a natural tooth if we can. That often means performing a root canal, but this therapy is not always the best option for all teeth or all scenarios. Sometimes, tooth extraction ends up being better for your health. When would you need a tooth removed? Here are the most common reasons.

Excessive Trauma or Decay

If a tooth has been severely damaged or decayed, taking it out is the best choice. Decay is preventable when you take good care of your teeth and visit the dentist. To avoid dental trauma, wear a mouthguard when you play sports and chew hard foods carefully. However, sometimes accidents happen and an extraction is necessary.

Gum Disease Damage

Severe gum disease makes your gums pull away from your teeth. This causes teeth to become loose. Gum disease can also cause bone loss and infections. Rather than waiting for your teeth to fall out, a clean extraction is better. You can avoid gum disease by brushing, flossing, and coming in for professional cleanings twice a year.

Crowded or Impacted Teeth

Sometimes crowded teeth damage your smile. Teeth that are too close together are harder to clean, which makes them more vulnerable to decay. They can also grind against each other. Impacted teeth refer to teeth that haven’t erupted properly. Wisdom teeth are often impacted, so it’s common to need some or all removed.

Dental Extractions at Paris Mountain Dental

If Dr. Ghimire decides a tooth extraction is the best choice for your health, our Travelers Rest team will ensure that the experience is as comfortable as possible. A topical anesthetic is always applied, so you may feel pressure when the tooth is pulled, but no pain. If you’re nervous, we also offer nitrous oxide sedation. For a smooth healing process, we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions for the next 2-3 days of recovery. Wondering if you need an extraction or want to know more about our other services? Please contact us today!

We make tooth extractions as comfortable as possible.

How to Maintain Healthy Gums

Posted July 12, 2021 by Paris Mountain Dental

You can’t have healthy teeth without healthy gums as their foundation! Maintaining healthy gums is one of the most simple and powerful ways to boost your oral health. Here are Paris Mountain Dental’s top tips for maintaining healthy gums.

1. Floss

Flossing is one of the best ways to keep your gums healthy. Plaque, food particles, and bacteria can get trapped in the tight spaces under your gum line, and can’t be removed through simple brushing. Flossing helps remove bacteria from under the gum line to keep them clean and prevent gum disease, which starts with gum inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and pain.

2. Avoid Smoking

Smoking is extremely damaging to your health, and is one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and many more deadly ailments. Smoking begins in your mouth, and the harmful chemicals in cigarettes can cause dry mouth and increased bacteria growth, accelerating your chances of developing gum disease.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Diets that are high in sugars, starches, and acid speed up the development of cavities and decay. Eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, and fiber supports healthy saliva production and naturally curbs bacteria growth.

4. Have a Consistent Oral Hygiene Regimen

One of the most simple and powerful ways to maintain your oral health is by brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly twice a day. If you use a fluoridated toothpaste, even better! Consistent brushing and flossing helps keep your teeth and gums free of bacteria.

5. Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

Dentists and dental hygienists are specially trained in detecting oral health issues even before they’re visible. They can perform any necessary deep cleanings using professional tools to keep your gums clear of tartar and buildup. At Paris Mountain Dental, we offer a suite of preventive services designed to improve your oral health.

Comprehensive Dentistry in Travelers Rest, SC

Our staff is committed to helping you have a healthy, beautiful smile, starting with strong gums. Whether you need a preventive or more advanced, custom treatment to suit your needs, we’re here for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment and take a look at our financial page to learn more about our flexible financing options.