September 2022 - Carolina Complete Dental Blog

September 27, 2022

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care discuss overbites—how much is too much, and is having an overbite bad for your oral health? Do you know the status of your occlusion? That’s the technical term used to describe the way your maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth align. If you happen to have a bite that doesn’t connect quite right—or at all—it’s referred to as a malocclusion.

You might ask yourself, “Well, I can eat and speak without any difficulty, so does the way my teeth touch really matter?” Goose Creek dentists at Carolina Complete Dental Care are here to explain why your occlusion is important and focus on the impacts of an overbite. Stay tuned to our blog for discussions on other types of bites, too!

Goldilocks & The Three Bites

When determining whether your bite is properly aligned, the size of your jaws is considered as well as the size of your teeth in proportion to your jaw. With ideal alignment, your teeth should meet at the same time and with equally distributed amounts of pressure. For this to happen, the fine points of your teeth (called cusps) must be arranged like puzzle pieces meant to fit together instead of a corner piece being forced into the middle. It might be a strange visual, but it works when we delve into how an improper bite can cause pain. First, let’s continue discussing the signs of a healthy bite!

It’s normal for the upper jaw to be a little bit larger than your lower jaw, and for your upper set of teeth to overlap your bottom teeth ever so slightly. This harmonious connection permits you to chew food without frequently chomping into your cheeks and tongue, and protects your crowns from excessive wear. So, you want a jaw and bite alignment that isn’t too far forward or too far back, but just right.

I Know the Pieces Fit

Back to the puzzle piece analogy—if your jaws and teeth are disproportionate and don’t fit well together, this incompatibility can cause actions that would otherwise come naturally to take more effort and potentially cause pain. When it comes to overbites specifically, complications can include:

Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease
Excessive wear of your enamel
Jaw and facial pain
Headaches and migraines
Discomfort when speaking or eating
Sleep apnea
Altered facial structure

Who knew such a seemingly small abnormality could have such large health consequences? Well, dental health professionals know and want to inform you because these symptoms can get in the way of your quality of life. Luckily, there are ways to correct an overbite, and as technology continues to improve, the methods used to change your bite can be more comfortable, discreet, and economically friendly. Before we discuss those, let’s talk about the potential reasons behind the development of an overbite.

B-B-Bad, Bad to the Bite

What may be the biggest contributor to occlusions and malocclusions is completely out of your control—genetics. However, there are habits formed in childhood that can hinder your bite’s proper formation, such as:

Tongue Thrusting – This is also called a reverse or immature swallow. Tongue thrusting is an orofacial muscular imbalance marked by a tongue that protrudes through your incisors (front teeth) when you swallow, speak, and while your tongue is at rest. This behavior can indicate a breathing disorder and can push the front teeth and jaw forward.
Thumb-Sucking & Overuse of Pacifiers & Bottles – These habits can be hard to break because they seem like healthy ways for babies and toddlers to self-soothe and deal with teething, but unfortunately, they can lead to changes in the jaw and teeth that require intervention. As little ones grow, habits like chewing on writing utensils or fingernails can also produce negative effects (especially chipping of the teeth).
Teeth Grinding – It should come as no surprise that teeth grinding is a habit dentists strongly advise against, but it may be done unconsciously or while you sleep. The pressure of teeth grinding can cause your enamel to weaken and break, creating the need for restorative dental work, as well as inflammation of your TMJ (temporomandibular joint). Mouthguards can help with nighttime teeth grinding and give your TMJ well-deserved rest.

Corrective School for Wayward Bites

In 2015, 4 million people were wearing traditional braces to correct their bites. Treatments like Invisalign® have helped over 7 million people worldwide get their teeth into healthier formation since their use began in 2000. Adults are seeking orthodontic treatment for themselves or their children and teens not only because properly aligned teeth are undeniably beautiful and therefore confidence-boosting, but because the health benefits include an easier oral hygiene routine with happier gums, tooth roots, and jaws.

If you’ve been told you have an overbite, suspect your teeth aren’t meeting right, or are interested in straightening your smile, contact Carolina Complete Dental Care today! Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams are always happy to help Goose Creek friends and neighbors transform their smiles and experience the difference a healthy bite can make.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

September 13, 2022

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental Care, share some of the facts about electric toothbrushes versus manual, and why the investment is worth it for your oral health! Electric toothbrushes have been on the market for years now, and whether you’re a devout user or a critical skeptic, you may still be wondering: do they really work better, or have we all been duped? Carolina Complete Dental Care is here to break down some of the myths and separate fact from fiction to give us the spin on electric versus manual toothbrushes.

What’s Wrong with Ol’ Trusty?

Well, nothing… really. People have been brushing manually since the Middle Ages and continue to use manual toothbrushes effectively today. So why reinvent the wheel if it already rolls? Simple—technology and innovation drive us forward. Wheels today aren’t made of stone, they’re made from high-tech metals and rubber because we’ve discovered better materials and designs that fit our modern needs. Yes, they both accomplish the same end goal, but one is clearly more efficient than the other.

So, the question becomes not what is wrong with manual toothbrushes, but what’s wrong with how we’re using them? With the proper technique and routine, manual toothbrushes and floss are usually all that’s needed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The problem is, most of us slack off with “drive-by brushing”—we don’t brush long enough or use the proper technique to clean our teeth and gums effectively.

Don’t Fight the Power

Standing up and speaking out for social justice causes is encouraged, and the power of electric toothbrushes is one movement you may want to jump on board with. Electric toothbrushes clean at up to 30,000 strokes per minute, while manual brushes only produce up to 200 strokes. More brush strokes equal more plaque removed, so that figure alone should tell you an electric brush is well worth the extra cost.

Compared to manual toothbrushes, electric models reduce 21% more plaque and 11% more gingivitis after three months of use according to an analysis of 56 studies published in 2014 by the international evidence-based research organization, Cochrane.

Quit Working So Hard

Do you ever struggle to find the energy to brush and floss right before bedtime? No… just us? Ok. Well if you did, you might be interested to know that electric toothbrushes are not only more effective, but they require less effort than a manual. As the name implies, manual brushes require your own energy to move the brush in small circles (not up and down). With electric models, however, you can sit back and let the brush do the work for you. That is not to say you don’t have to do anything—you still need to move the brush along each tooth surface and get the bristles between teeth and under the gum line—but the brush does most of the heavy lifting. So, if your technique isn’t perfect (like most of us), you can rest assured you’re still getting a quality clean each time.

Proper brushing technique requires a certain level of dexterity, which can make it difficult for children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Electric brushes are great for everyone, of course, but these particular demographics that may otherwise struggle to brush effectively can have a trusty tool on their side to get the job done better.

But They’re So Expensive

Not compared to a dental crown or gum disease treatment! We know, the cost of an electric brush can be more than three times that of a manual (and often you get a manual brush for free after seeing the dentist), but if you look at the lifetime value and return on your investment, electric is the way to go. Electric brushes can range anywhere from $30-$200+ dollars, but with up to 150x the cleaning power, the investment is well worth it.

If you’re an expert brusher and flosser with perfect technique and you’ve never had any issues with tooth decay or gingivitis, then a manual toothbrush is probably just fine—but if you’re like the rest of us, an electric toothbrush is the way to go. Carolina Complete Dental Care would be happy to recommend one that suits your individual needs and budget. Whatever brush you use, be sure to use light pressure, a 45-degree angle, and small circular motions for at least two minutes, twice per day for the best results.

If you’d like to talk toothbrushes with Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, or Dr. McAdams, contact your Goose Creek dentist at Carolina Complete Dental Care today! And remember, when it comes to choosing a toothbrush—you gotta feel it… it’s electric! Boogie woogie woogie woogie!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.