Knoxville Dentist Says Herbs Are Good For Your Teeth

Everyone knows that daily brushing and flossing, in addition to regular checkups and professional teeth cleaning from the dentist, are the best ways to stay on top of your oral care needs. But did you also know that there are some natural ways to sustain a clean, healthy smile? Your Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Epenbach explains how your mouth can benefit from the addition of certain herbs to your oral care regimen.

Fresh Herbs for Cleaner Teeth and Better Breath

If you have parsley, cilantro, and rosemary in your spice cabinet, then not only can you make a great pasta sauce, but you can also use them help your breath! That’s right, chewing herbs such as parsley, cilantro, rosemary, and mint can decrease the odors in your mouth that are caused by bacteria. Dried herbs don’t do quite as good a job as fresh ones, but they can be utilized to create a natural mouth rinse by simply adding water. Continue reading

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Test Your Oral Health Knowledge

Dr. Jim Erpenbach practices holistic, restorative, general, and cosmetic dentistry. Our staff is committed to the overall health of our patients. As emerging research suggests a strong connection between oral health and total wellbeing, we strive to provide our patients with education on how to preserve their oral health. Are you an oral health whiz? If you’re a fan of trivia, take the short quiz below to test your knowledge.

Oral Health Quiz

Q1. How often should you visit the dentist?

A. When I have time

B. Once a year

C. Every six months

D. When I have a toothache

Q2. How long should you brush your teeth?

A. Thirty seconds

B. Two minutes

C. Five minutes

D. None of the above

Q3. Which of these symptoms may indicate gum disease?

A. Gums that bleed easily

B. Gum tissue that appears red or purple

C. Loose teeth

D. All of the above

Q4. Which part of your tooth structure protects your tooth from cavities?

A. Dentin

B. Tooth Enamel

C. Pulp chamber

D. None of the above Continue reading

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Knoxville Dentist Gives Little Known Facts about Dental Veneers

Veneers are Stain Resistant but Still Require Maintenance

One of the benefits of porcelain veneers is the material is less porous than natural teeth and dental bonding, meaning that stains have less to adhere to on the surface of these restorations. Additionally, veneers cover light discolorations on the front of your teeth with thin porcelain shells. However, maintaining your veneers  with thorough oral hygiene is the only way to continue to benefit from these smile whitening attributes.

Complete Oral Hygiene Keeps Your Veneers White

Since veneers are attached using dental bonding, the material around the edges of your teeth is most susceptible to staining. Overtime, the sides of your tooth may appear slightly darker than the rest of your tooth. You can avoid staining by flossing regularly to remove the food particles that attract decay and bacteria. Flossing every day is not only helpful for keeping your cosmetic dentistry restorations bright, but also for preventing plaque buildup along your gum line which could cause gum disease.

Preventing Porcelain Veneer Staining

Drinking from a straw is another great way to prevent some staining along your front teeth. You can also remove some surface stains and keep your smile healthy with routine dental cleanings. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings every six months to prevent more cavities, protect yourself from periodontal disease, and detect oral cancer early.

Whitening Cosmetic Restorations

Porcelain veneers and other cosmetic restorations are obviously not made of the same material as your teeth; therefore, veneers, dental bonding, and porcelain crowns will not benefit from whitening treatments the same way your natural teeth will. If you want a drastically whiter smile, consider professional teeth whitening in Knoxville before veneer placement. During fabrication the porcelain veneers can be dyed to match your whiter smile. Continue reading

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