Do you need to floss everyday?

Skipping your daily floss? You’re not alone—but you might be putting your smile at risk.
Here’s a quick, easy guide to mastering the art of flossing like a pro.

The 4 Simple Steps to Better Flossing

1. Step 1: Grab an 18–24 inch piece of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers.
   This gives you plenty of clean floss to work with for each tooth.
2. Step 2: Leave about 1–2 inches between your fingers and use your thumbs and index fingers
   to gently guide the floss between your teeth.
3. Step 3: Move the floss in a soft zig-zag motion as you slide it between your teeth.
   Don’t snap it in—you want gentle, not aggressive.
4. Step 4: Curve the floss around each tooth in a “C” shape and slide it up and down
   along the tooth and just under the gumline. Use a fresh section of floss as you move along.

And just like that—you’re a flossing pro!

Flossing keeps your gums healthy, your breath fresh, and your smile looking great. If you’ve got questions about your technique or your gum health, give our team a call at Plantation Point Plaza Phone Number 843-448-5757—we’re happy to help!

3 Modern Benefits of Dental Implants

Missing teeth?

You may be trying to decide what replacement procedure is best for you; dental implants, dentures or bridges – but more patients are choosing implants than ever before. Dental Implants are a permanent solution to a lost tooth (or teeth), and thanks to modern technology, dental implants in 2025 are strong, more natural looking, and longer lasting than other options. To help make your decision a little bit easier, we’ve created a list of the top three benefits of dental implants!

Dental Implants Act Like Natural Teeth!

One of the most well-known benefits of dental implants is that they look and act just like your natural teeth. When properly placed, dental implants are nearly impossible to detect. Unlike dentures, which are removable and can cause discomfort to the wearer, dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw and provide no discomfort. When dental implants are implanted to your jawbone, they provide the utmost of stability. This means that you can continue to:

• Eat your favorite foods
• Speak normally
• Enjoy your improved self-esteem!

Improves Your Oral Health

Losing a tooth can have a big effect on the overall health of your mouth. When a tooth is lost:

• Your gums begin to recede
• Teeth to begin to shift
• Weakening your jaw bone which causes major problems for the rest of your remaining teeth

Dental implants provide stability to the jaw and prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting.

Reliability

Due to the permanent nature of dental implants, when properly taken care of, the implants can last a lifetime! Luckily, taking care of your implant is simple. Simply treat the implant as you would your other teeth:

• Continue proper brushing and flossing
• Keep up with dental check-ups

Taking action to replace your missing tooth sooner rather than later will result in less headaches in the future.

If you are considering dental implants as a dental procedure, give our office a call to schedule your consultation at Plantation Point Plaza Phone Number 843-448-5757!

Did you know that mouth cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide? The sad truth is that oral cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women, and the fastest growing group of oral cancer patients are young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals. Now is the time to be proactive and get yourself checked for oral cancer.

Remember—early detection saves lives! It is more important than ever for young adults, as well as older men and women, to get regular screenings whether they think they’re at risk or not.

What are the risks?
Knowing the risks can help you make educated decisions about your health. There are several risks that increase your chances of developing oral cancer:
• Smoking and using tobacco products are a known long-term historic cause of oral cancer.
• Heavy alcohol usage also makes you more susceptible to develop oral cancer.
• The HPV virus, a sexually-transmitted disease, is the leading cause of oropharyngeal (the back part of the mouth) cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms?
The mouth is one of the body’s most crucial early warning signs in the fight against oral cancer. In between regular dental visits, it’s important to be aware of the mouth’s signs and symptoms. Remember, if you see any of these signs or symptoms, schedule an appointment at the office if you don’t see improvement within two-three weeks:
• Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice
• The development of white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth
• Lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together when you close your mouth
• Dramatic weight loss
• Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth

Don’t wait any longer. Be proactive about your oral health, and get checked today!

Everyone wants to have a whiter smile but making the decision to pursue whitening treatment can be tough. Myths and stereotypes can lead to negative connotations, inhibiting you from moving forward with treatment. Below are three misconceptions about teeth whitening:

1. Teeth whitening treatments at my doctor’s office are no more effective than those purchased at drugstores.
On the contrary, the maximum strength bleach that our dentists provide delivers the best and fastest teeth whitening results. Another factor that makes dentist-provided whitening kits most effective is the fact that the trays are customized to fit each individual patient perfectly which keeps the gel in closer, more precise contact with your teeth. Don’t waste your time at the drugstore when you can get a brighter, whiter smile from us in record time!

2. Tooth whitening harms enamel.
Despite this negative misconception, teeth whitening does not actually harm the enamel of a tooth. Bleaching works by opening the pores of a tooth. This allows for the peroxide to enter the inner structure of the tooth and remove stains. The pores will close again over time, leaving the enamel unharmed.

3. You can never drink coffee or wine again after whitening.
While patients are told to stay away from heavy staining and acidic foods, such as red wine and coffee, it’s not forever! Dentists recommend this just for the first few days after treatment because the pores in your teeth remain open and the chemical reaction takes place over the course of a few days.

Whitening treatments can be intimidating, especially if you are not properly informed. It’s important to know the facts when making decisions about your teeth! We want you to have a smile that will make you feel confident. If you have any questions about teeth whitening, contact our office today. We are always here to help!

Why should teeth get all the fame? Since the beginning of time, teeth have taken center stage in the oral health arena, while their close cousins, the gums, have occupied more of a back-seat role. So, we have decided to dedicate this article to gums! What makes them healthy, what makes them sick, and why they are so important for whole-body health?

Gingiva, or “gums”, are the mucosal tissue that cover the jaw and hold the teeth in place. When they are healthy and properly intact, they offer a protective barrier for the jaw and tooth roots against food and bacteria.

Healthy Gums:
Healthy gums typically are coral pink in color, and not recessed far above the tooth. They show a scalloped appearance over each tooth, are firm and resist movement. They take brushing and flossing well, usually with no reaction whatsoever.

Unhealthy Gums:
By contrast, unhealthy gums may exhibit red, white and even blue hues, have a puffy or orange peel texture and may bleed when brushed or flossed. Untreated periodontal disease can affect the whole body, as it is related to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Also, it can result in lost teeth and poor nutrition down the road.

Prevention is Key:
The good news is that most cases of periodontal disease are preventable. While we don’t know exactly what role genetics play in terms of periodontal health, we do know that practicing good oral health is the first step to preventing periodontal disease. Habits such as brushing twice and flossing once per day and regular exams and cleanings can help many people prevent or slow the progression of gum disease.

We hope you have learned something new about your gums!

If you have any questions about your gums, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

From powders to pastes, there are many ways people try to whiten their teeth. However, not every recipe we see online truly whitens correctly. It may be tempting to think ingredients in our own kitchens could hold the key to a brighter smile, but just because a method is natural doesn’t mean it’s healthy. In fact, DIY whitening may do more harm than good to your teeth.

With Fruits, like acid packed lemons and apple cider vinegar, you put your pearly whites at risk with prolonged contact. Using baking soda and lemons, for example, to scrub your teeth can wear away your enamel. Enamel is the thin outer coating of your teeth that protects you from tooth sensitivity and cavities. This enamel cannot be grown back, so it is very important to keep it in tip top shape.

With Scrubs like activated charcoal and baking soda mixes you may be using materials that are too abrasive on your teeth! This can end up actually making them look more yellow. Enamel is what you’re looking to whiten, but if you’re using a scrub that is too rough, you can wear it away. When that happens, the next layer of your tooth can become exposed – a softer, yellow tissue that’s called Dentin.

With Spices and Oils, like coconut oil and turmeric, there is really no evidence that these are helpful. Over using coconut oil has potential to be poor for your body, so using these strictly when cooking could be more beneficial than using them to whiten your teeth.

To best ways to whiten your teeth naturally is to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
• Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes
• Use a whitening toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance
• Cleaning between your teeth once a day
• Limiting foods that stain your teeth, like coffee, tea and red wine
• Not smoking or using tobacco
• Regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings

With these steps you should be well on your way to achieving that sparkling smile you are looking for, naturally! Call us today for more info, and to schedule an annual teeth cleaning Plantation Point Plaza Phone Number 843-448-5757

Yes, You Still Have to Floss. No, the dance move “flossing” does not count. The AP recently released an article making the claim that “there’s little proof that flossing works”. Their review cited a series of studies that found flossing does little or nothing to improve oral health. Here’s the problem: the studies were flawed. The AP concluded that floss does little for oral health, but it’s important to note that the evidence they cited was very weak at best. In fact, they said so themselves.

As acknowledged by the AP, many of these studies were extremely short. “Some lasted only two weeks, far too brief for a cavity or dental disease to develop” (Associated Press). They also say that “One tested 25 people after only a single use of floss” (Associated Press).

Of course, the evidence is unreliable. You don’t simply develop gum disease because you forgot to floss yesterday. Cavities and gum disease do not happen overnight. Gum disease is preventable by maintain great oral health habits for a long period of time. Lets put it this way: If a study claims drinking milk does nothing for bone health, but draws conclusions after only three glasses of milk, is it a reliable study?

The fact of the matter is floss removes gunk from teeth. You can see it. Gunk feeds bacteria which leads to plaque, cavities, poor gum health, and eventually gum disease. Floss has the ability to reach the food particles that your brush can’t get to. Using a sawing motion instead of moving up and around the teeth to clean the cracks. Positive results come from correct use and it’s critical that people learn to use a tool properly before discarding it as useless.

That’s just what floss is: a tool. Just like your toothbrush, it is designed to keep your mouth clean, and therefore keep your body safe from infection. Both your toothbrush and floss are designed to do what the other can’t, and both successfully remove bacteria from your mouth. Just like proper brushing technique, it is important that you know how to use floss properly, so that you can reap the long-term health benefits of good oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene is a long-term process and requires long term observations to make worthwhile conclusions. In the meantime, it’s obvious that you should continue to do everything you can to protect your well-being, and floss is one of many tools that can help you do that. If you would like a refresher on the best, most efficient techniques for floss use feel free to call our office today

What color are your teeth? Of course, there is no “right” answer. Teeth come in endless shades and ranges. When we talk about tooth color in our office, we try to break it down into no fewer than 40 shades (light to dark) and ranges (color). Everyone’s teeth are unique, and the possibilities are endless.

You may be wondering, what makes a tooth the color it is now or will be in the future? We all know about coffee and tobacco as being major culprits of stained teeth, but what else goes into the making of a tooth color?

Things We Can’t Control:
• Genetics – Inheriting your tooth color is a high possibility for your current color as well. You can also inherit your tooth’s propensity for staining.
• Aging – As we age, our teeth inevitably turn more yellow.
• Medicine Use – some medicines, such as certain antibiotics, can cause your tooth color to change.
• Injury – Traumatic tooth injuries can cause intrinsic discoloration of the inner part of the tooth, the “dentin”, which is difficult to remedy. Have you ever seen a tooth that looks “dead”? That gray tone has most likely been brought on by a traumatic tooth injury.

Things We Can Control:
• Food and Drinks – Certain foods and drinks, such as berries, sauces, coffee, dark soda, black tea and red wine, cause staining over time. Limit these foods and practice good oral hygiene habits!
• Over-fluoridation – Too much fluoride in children, while teeth are still developing, can cause tooth discoloration. Be sure to follow guidelines for safe fluoride use. Don’t abandon the use of fluoride altogether though. Fluoride offers numerous benefits such as: preventing tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks and reversing early tooth decay. But we’ve all heard that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing!
• Tobacco Use – It is well known that cigarettes and other tobacco products turn teeth yellow and eventually brown. Don’t smoke or chew.

What can you do about stained teeth? We’re glad you asked! We offer professional teeth whitening options for the best and safest results. No matter what tooth shade you’ve inherited (or created), we can help make it whiter. Give us a call today to find out more!

Many people believe that straight teeth are just for cosmetic purposes. However, there are many health benefits that accompany a beautiful smile. Read on for more information on how a straighter smile can help you be a healthier person!

1. Easy Maintenance

Simply put straight teeth are easier to clean. Crooked and crowded teeth make it more difficult to brush away and debris. It is also more likely for bacteria to grow in the pockets, causing possible tooth decay if not cleaned properly.

2. Avoiding Inflammation and Infection

When teeth are not aligned, they can irritate the gums and cause inflammation. Inflamed gums can be a characteristic of periodontal disease, which can be very serious. We can help prevent this by straightening your teeth.

3. The Mouth-Body Connection

In addition to the damage caused to gums, periodontal disease is also linked to other diseases in the body including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria builds up and begins to wear away your gums. Straight teeth will reduce the risk of these disease’s and health issues.

4. Straight Teeth are Safe Teeth

Straight teeth are safer because they are less likely to get chipped or damaged. When everything is correctly lined up, there is less surfaces that are sticking out and exposed to potential harm.

A healthy set of teeth leads to more confidence on top of all the health benefits. Beautifully aligned smiles are associated with increased self-confidence and lowered stress. When stress is lowered, your body is able to function better as a whole. Start reaping the benefits of a healthy, straight smile! Schedule an appointment by calling us today! We look forward to helping you get started.

Keeping your gums healthy is vital to ensuring that your mouth stays happy and healthy too! To ensure this, what are some ways to make sure your gums stay healthy and keep your smile shining bright for years to come!?

Floss, Floss, Floss
Flossing is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can take to fight against gum disease. Keep your gums healthy by flossing once a day to clean those areas in between your teeth which may be hard for your toothbrush to reach.

Brush and Rinse
Brushing twice a day is the most common method of keeping your mouth fresh and clean. It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash twice a day too! It is a great way to make an extra step in protecting your gums.

Use the Right Toothpaste
Choosing the right toothpaste is important for keeping your gums healthy. Make sure to grab a toothpaste that contains fluoride in order to get the best results when brushing. Fluoride helps rebuild weakened tooth enamel and reverse signs of tooth decay. Want to make sure you could get even better results? Grab a toothpaste backed by experts at the ADA!

Regular Dentist Checkups
Visiting your dentist twice a year is extremely important in ensuring that your teeth remain healthy and clean! Your dentist will be able to see early symptoms of gum disease, and will be able to get rid of tartar and plaque that may be stuck to your teeth. These bi-annual Check-ups will ensure that your teeth are in tip-top shape.

These four steps can help you significantly improve the health of your gums and reduce your risk of gum disease. If you have any more questions about how to keep your gums healthy, or how to prevent gum disease, give Comfort Dental a call at Plantation Point Plaza Phone Number 843-448-5757 today!