It’s no secret that having good oral health plays a key role in having good overall health. Part of ensuring that you have good oral health is developing a hygiene routine that is appropriate for your oral health needs. In addition to your daily routine, you should regularly see a dentist for cleanings and checkups. For some, regular cleanings are part of a yearly routine, but for others scheduling a dental appointment sometimes slips off the radar. While the American Dental Association (ADA) doesn’t directly specify the required number of visits, the recommendation is once or twice a year. Regular visits likely include prophylaxis (a dental cleaning) to remove any plaque or tartar buildup and to have a checkup with your dentist. There are issues that might occur in your mouth that aren’t immediately visible to the naked eye. Having a professional check your teeth and mouth can help prevent issues before they arise. We also recommend getting X-Rays done once a year to monitor your oral health from year to year. X-rays are also helpful in detecting the earliest beginnings of oral problems like cavities and gum disease that might not even be visible upon visual examination to your...

As the holidays roll around once again those sneaky sugary treats and acids tend to feature more prominently in many diets. While it’s not a bad thing to enjoy these tasty treats in moderation, it is also a great opportunity to discuss how you can help reduce acidity in your mouth. What is pH When describing the level of acidity in a substance, a scale of 0 to 14 is used. Zero represents the most acidic while 14 represents the most alkaline. The middle of the scale at 7 is the equal balance between the two and is where pure water resides on the scale. Why is pH Important As we touch on in our blog How Acids Impact Your Teeth, the enamel, which is the outer most protective shield for your teeth, can become damaged by too much exposure to acids. Think of it in these terms, when an acidic food or beverage is consumed the pH in your mouth is tipped. This imbalance then creates demineralization of the enamel which can create long-term damage. Types of Foods That Are Highly Acidic Acidity or the pH of a food can vary, and the higher the acid content the worse...