Blog | Briggs Family Dentistry

Posted by Briggs Family Dentistry on Mar 28, 2016 in Blog |

Dental anxiety – how can I overcome my fears?

Dental anxiety is not an unusual term. The mere thought of visiting the dentist, often gets your pulse racing and blood pressure soaring. Even a rational human being, avoids the fact that a regular visit to the dentist is a necessity for the oral health. Prevention is better than cure. It is best to face your fears head on and take preventive measure, rather than procrastinating till there is a serious issue at hand. Preventive treatment will be less painful than one that is due to an infection. What one should understand is that a visit at regular intervals not only keeps you in good oral health, but also keeps your teeth sparking white and clean. We are not always perfect when it comes to brushing and flossing. Over a period of time plaque or tarter can set in, bringing with it dirty brown marks that can be difficult to remove with simply brushing. Your dentist can take care of these at your wellness visits and have them scraped,...

Posted by Briggs Family Dentistry on Mar 24, 2016 in Blog |

Cosmetic Dentistry-Choose the Right Practice

Cosmetic dentistry is that part of dental science that works at perfecting your teeth and promises you with the most bewitching of smiles. Be it cracked, broken, chipped or discolored teeth, cosmetic dentistry helps to remove cosmetic imperfections, as the name rightly suggests. While most of the cosmetic dentists perform regular functions such as veneers, teeth whitening, invisalign and many others, it is important to select the right dentist who fits in with your needs. It is important for your dentist to hear you, address your concerns and then outline a treatment plan that would benefit you completely, Of course, keeping in mind the overall health of your teeth and gums. While there are numerous cosmetic dentists around, what should you look for while selecting a cosmetic dentist? Affordable: Cosmetic dentistry is expensive. It is therefore important to find a cosmetic dentist who is affordable, yet does not compromise with the quality of treatment. They should also be able to work out a comfortable payment plan for you. Fast...

Posted by Briggs Family Dentistry on Dec 11, 2015 in Blog |

Gifts Your Mouth Will Thank You for this Holiday Season

As the holiday cookies come out of the oven and the candy canes hook onto the tree, you may spend more time than usual worrying about your waistline. Controlling your enjoyment of the sweet stuff is necessary throughout December, but you should spend just as much time worrying about the impact those holiday treats may have on your child’s teeth. It’s important that they maintain a healthy teeth-brushing routine and balance the treats with healthy foods, but you may also consider wrapping up a few gifts that promote dental health. The staff here at Briggs Family Dentistry wants to help you celebrate the holidays healthfully, so we rounded up a short list of smile-friendly gift recommendations: Dr. Fresh Smiley Gripper Toothbrush: These friendly toothbrushes are designed with small suction cups that attach to your bathroom sink, allowing the brush to stand upright. This prevents your young brusher from leaving the toothbrush on the sink where the bristles can pick up germs. Other gripper toothbrush designs are available, including a...

Posted by Briggs Family Dentistry on Dec 3, 2015 in Blog |

The Toothbrush Breakdown: Manual vs. Electric

Most everyone agrees that good teeth-brushing habits are an absolute necessity for good dental health, but there’s some controversy as to whether a manual or an electric toothbrush is the better choice for getting the job done right. Here at Briggs Family Dentistry, our Scottsdale dentists have some facts that may help you decide for yourself. Pros and Cons of Manual Brushes • Low Price: The affordability of the manual brush makes it easy to replace often. Your brush should be replaced whenever the bristles become worn. • Better Control: A manual brush offers better control to the user. Those with very sensitive teeth or other mouth problems often prefer this brush. • A Bit Boring: Those trying to get their children to brush may find the manual brush a little too boring to keep them interested. Children may develop better brushing habits with a more exciting electric brush. Pros and Cons of Electric Brushes • Easier Brushing: Because an electric brush essentially does all of the work for...

Posted by Briggs Family Dentistry on Oct 30, 2015 in Blog |

Oil Pulling – A Trick or Treat?

What was once an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique 5,000 years ago is now a trending topic among millennials. If you haven’t heard of oil pulling yet, allow us to fill you in. What is it? Oil pulling involves the swishing around of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes – specifically sesame oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil. The vitamin constitution and unrefined qualities in these oils are reported to ease gum inflammation and help with bad breath. It has also been reported to whiten teeth, relieve jaw pain, strengthen teeth and gums, and even relieve headaches. The only reported adverse effects are upset stomach and diarrhea. Is this trend all hype? Or is there merit behind its supposed benefits? In a study conducted with two groups of ten, the group who used oil pulling and the group who used chlorhexidine mouthwash both reported a decrease in plaque and increase in gum health. However, despite these results along with hundreds of online testimonials, the ADA does not recommend oil pulling...

Posted by Briggs Family Dentistry on Nov 25, 2014 in Blog |

A Happy Mouth For The Holidays

The Holiday Season is here and this great time of year seems to show up quicker every year. The Holiday blur usually brings more gatherings and travel resulting in the possibility of good oral health going down the drain. Below are some tips to help keep a happy mouth during the Holidays so the New Year doesn’t come with a lot of damage to repair. Foods containing a lot of refined sugar have been shown to make plaque growfaster. Starting with Halloween, sugary sweets seem to be everywhere. Candies that stay in your mouth for a longer period of time like lollipops or caramels are the ones best to avoid. If you do want to partake in these treats (and I don’t blame you) mouthwashes are great for a quick rinse to help kill some germs that cause plaque. Fluids can also beat up your teeth. While green and black teas are healthy and shown to help slow or kill bacteria of the mouth that leads to plaque...