Do you get prodded and poked throughout the night by an annoyed spouse? “Roll over. You’re snoring again.” Situations like these can be very frustrating because you have no way to control whether or not you snore. Thankfully, your Erlanger dentist, Dr. Darlene Henry, can help. She discusses snoring, its causes, and how you can stop by answering your most frequently asked questions about snoring.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft tissues in the throat. During the night, the throat’s soft tissues relax, and when you breathe, they can begin to vibrate if they are in the path of the air. Thus rolling a snorer onto his or her side or stomach often stops the snoring because gravity no longer pulls the tissues down into the airway.
Can Snoring Be a Symptom of Something Worse?
If you wake up feeling tired despite getting a full night’s sleep, your snoring could be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Remember the soft tissues of the throat that vibrate and cause snoring? Well, OSA occurs when those tissues impede the flow of air and cause the brain to become deprived of oxygen. When the brain loses oxygen, it wakes the body. For people with OSA, this cycle can happen multiple times throughout the night, preventing them from achieving deep sleep?
How Is OSA Treated?
Your Erlanger dentist, Dr. Henry, treats OSA with a sleep guard that will help you stop snoring and let your achieve deeper sleep. The sleep guard repositions the jaw and tongue to keep the airway clear during the night.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Erlanger Dentist
Does your spouse rouse you during the night because of your snoring? Are you waking up feeling as though you never got to sleep? Your Erlanger dentist, Dr. Henry, can help you stop snoring and get quality rest. Schedule an appointment with your Erlanger dentist by calling our 41018 dentist office at 859-344-8500. We serve patients from Erlanger, Cincinnati, Crestview Hills, Fort Mitchell, Florence, Union, Independence, and Taylor Mill.
It’s easy to hop around from dentist to dentist every time you need a checkup and cleaning or other dental services. But did you know that people who select one dental practice to care for their teeth benefit from better oral health overall? It’s true. I’m happy to have a number of patients who have long trusted me and my team to care for their smiles for years — and now, they’re like part of our extended dental family.
Our entire staff is dedicated to providing the highest level of care at every turn. From regular checkups and cleanings to dental implants, one visit crowns, TMJ therapy, and much more, we truly do it all — and I want to make sure you enjoy your time when you’re with us. That’s why I’ve invested in the technology that increases comfort and efficiency in dentistry. VELscope detects oral cancer earlier than is possible with a traditional screening, and digital X-rays and intraoral cameras give us a more complete image of your smile, without exposing you to any unnecessary radiation in the process.
Our Comprehensive Services
When you trust a single dental office for all of your needs, your experience improves. No more running around all over town to receive a variety of services, and no need to worry about meeting with many different dentists and doctors.
I’m happy to offer superior care with my extensive experience across a number of dental fields, including general, preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. And if you’re a little nervous about visiting the dentist, let’s talk about it! I can help you really relax with options in sedation dentistry. Because if there’s one thing I firmly believe, it’s that visiting the dentist can be a comfortable experience. Nitrous oxide helps.
Read Our Patient Reviews
My team and I are confident that we provide superior services for families and neighbors in our area, but you don’t have to just take our word for it! Online reviews tell the real story, and I’m happy to have a number of positive write-ups to share with prospective patients. From our friendly staff and state-of-the-art facilities to our superior level of care, our extended dental family loves to share their positive experiences.
Just a few of the positive things we’ve heard include…
“Darlene Henry DMD makes going to the dentist a pleasant experience. Everyone in the office is friendly, caring and exceptionally professional. The quality of service is excellent.” – Dot H.
“A friendly and capable group of caregivers here. Always cheerful people who do excellent work in a pleasant office atmosphere. They make a usually dreaded experience practically enjoyable.” -Carole K.
We are so happy to be able to share these reviews with you. And once you have visited our office, we invite you to add your own to the list!
Plan to Come to See Us This Month!
If you’re looking for personalized, compassionate dental care, we can’t wait to welcome you to our dental family! Request an appointment today.
Although I have been in dentistry for over 40 years, it was only 20 years ago that I made the daily commitment to thoroughly cleaning my mouth. For the past 20 years, I have not missed one day of my oral health care ritual of flossing every tooth, two-minute brushing, and tongue scraping. This is a no excuses, bright line habit I do every single morning without fail. I love that I do this for myself (and for those closest to me) and today I want to share the many benefits of tongue scraping.
I believe brushing your tongue is more effective than nothing, but using a scraper is the most successful way to remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue. Tongue scrapers come in many forms such as stainless steel, gold, silver, brass, tin, copper, and plastic. Copper is my preference due to the anti-bacterial and conductive properties of copper. Many scientific studies have clearly demonstrated that copper has fast, broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness against the most toxic type of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The lymphatic system is a gatekeeper of the body’s immune system and it is believed that copper ions are absorbed into the lymph and blood to help support lymphatic flow.
Benefits of tongue scraping include:
Removal of bacteria and toxins
Stimulation of digestion and taste buds
Energize internal organs of the body
Freshens breath
Tongue scraping is an easy and effective way to maintain a healthy smile. Be gentle with this procedure and use care with the larger taste buds at the back of the tongue. But most of all enjoy the good feeling this brings to your entire day.
When I experience dental sensitivity, I never think of that as “normal.” I’m constantly surprised how many people will put up with sensitive teeth. I’ve heard all kinds of stories from patients with dental sensitivity. When patients say things like, “I just don’t drink hot beverages,” or “I haven’t eaten ice cream in years,” I feel for them. As a dentist, I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to do more than empathize. I can help you understand the causes of dental sensitivity and get rid of this issue once and for all.
Causes of Dental Sensitivity
Before I begin treatment, we need to understand the root cause of dental sensitivity. The basic reason you experience sensitivity is that your tooth’s nerve is triggered, causing pain. I need to know why this is happening. I’ll examine your teeth for warning signs of oral health concerns that can lead to increased sensitivity. Common causes of dental sensitivity include:
Worn enamel is one of the main reasons why patients experience sensitivity. Teeth grinding, chronic tooth decay, and aging can all lead to thinning tooth enamel.
Another cause of tooth sensitivity is soft tissue recession. When the gums recede, the sensitive root structures of teeth may be accessed causing discomfort.
Some patients are simply born with highly sensitive dental structures. Genetic predisposition may not be avoidable, but it is treatable!
Severe sensitivity to changes in temperature that lingers may be a sign of root canal infection. This serious oral health issue should be treated right away, so please call us immediately.
Preventing Dental Sensitivity
As is often the case in dentistry, prevention is your best option. I recommend patients visit me at least twice a year for preventive appointments. During these visits, we will discuss any oral health issues you’re experiencing. If you notice sensitivity, I can intervene right away to restore healthy tooth function. Additionally, I can provide nightguards for teeth grinders, prescribe professional-grade fluoride toothpaste for patients who struggle with chronic tooth decay, and recommend other preventive measures to avoid dental sensitivity.
Treating Dental Sensitivity
The ways of treating dental sensitivity are as varied as the causes of this concern, but I can create a personalized treatment plan that will have you eating a popsicle in no time! Some common treatments for dental sensitivity are:
In-office fluoride treatment
At-home application of desensitizing gel
Restorative treatments to replace lost gum tissue or build up tooth enamel
Trick or treat?! Both? At Halloween time, we all enjoy watching our kids get dressed up to collect candy from our neighbors. During this end of the year celebration and the entire holiday season, kids (and parents) consume large amounts of candy. Unfortunately, this increase in sugary treats is not great for teeth. This is especially true if you’re eating taffy or other sticky candies. In addition to coating teeth in highly acidic plaque, these chewy treats can damage restorations and teeth. Before you let your kids dig into their bags of Halloween candy, take a few moments to consider the possible dental repercussions of holiday sugar binges and monitor which sweets they eat.
Oral Health & Sticky Candies
Sticky candies are some of the worst treats for your teeth. Taffy, caramels, gummy bears, and other chewy sweets can do much more harm than most people realize. Some of the oral health issues I’ve seen caused by consuming too much sticky candy include:
Lost and damaged fillings
Dental crowns or fixed bridges coming loose or falling out
Kids with loose baby teeth that fall out prematurely
Adults who lose teeth
Pieces of the candy lodged between teeth
Cavities, cavities, and more cavities!
Preventing Cavities While Feeding Your Sweet Tooth
To keep your smile healthy, I’m in no way recommending you kick the candy out of Halloween altogether. Instead, consume delicious holiday treats in moderation. Eat a few candies. Then, drink water to rinse away any stuck on particles from your teeth. If at all possible, brush your teeth or use an antimicrobial mouthwash soon after eating candies. We all deserve a treat during the holidays, but we also deserve healthy smiles year round. The key to keeping your smile healthy and still feeding your sweet tooth – preventive dental care. Maybe I say that a lot, but it’s true! The best defense is a good offense, so keep up your daily brushing and flossing, and visit me twice a year to maintain your healthy, beautiful smile.
When it comes to repairing damaged teeth, I recommend you visit me as soon as possible, but not every situation requires urgent care on the same day. Lucky for my Erlanger dental patients, I’m here to help you protect your smile until you reach our office. One of the most common oral health concerns we hear about from patients is a lost dental crown. Over time, crowns can break away from the repaired tooth and need to be replaced. If you’ve lost a dental crown, take a breath and read this post to learn some first aid tips to care for your smile and relieve pain until you visit our Erlanger dental office.
What Happens if My Crown Comes Off?
The first thing you need to do is calmly assess the situation. Take a close look at your tooth, and consider the following:
Are you in pain? – if so, how bad would you consider it on a scale from 1 to 10?
Is the crown whole? – if it is, it may be possible to simply have the restoration replaced.
Is it potentially damaging your surrounding teeth? – feel how the bite fits together, and check for damage to the surrounding tooth structure like breaks or fractures.
Are there sharp edges that could injure your soft tissue? – if there are edges, move your mouth around to see if any of your soft tissue is at risk for damage.
In most cases, you can temporarily replace the dental crown using denture adhesive. Simply dab a small amount of adhesive into the crown. Then, reposition it onto your tooth. Until it’s fully repaired in our office, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and brush and floss with extra care. Remove the crown at least once a day to clean the tooth structure below. If your dental crown is damaged and cannot be put back in place, I’ll likely want to see you more quickly to ensure your tooth is not further damaged.
How Can You Help?
When you arrive at our office, we’ll clean the tooth and crown, removing old bonding material and ensuring there’s no leaking or plaque buildup. In most cases, we can simply recement the dental crown. However, if your crown is damaged, a new restoration may be necessary.
How Can I Care for my Dental Crown Repaired Tooth?
To prevent damage to your crown in the future, treat your restoration with care. Brush using soft bristled toothbrushes and minimally abrasive toothpaste. Consider switching to a waxed or easy glide floss to avoid unnecessary pulling on the crown. Visit our office twice a year, so we can assess your restoration and make sure it remains whole and functional.
With colder weather upon us, you might find yourself shivering when you’re outside. You may not even notice your teeth chattering, or if you do, you probably don’t think much about it. But did you know that actions such as teeth chattering, clenching, and grinding your teeth could all be causing damage to your pearly whites? Even though most of the time these actions are done subconsciously, it’s important to be aware of what the consequences can be and how, as your dentist in Erlanger, I can help you.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the term for clenching and grinding your teeth. Typically this takes place at night, while you are sleeping, so you may not even be aware that you’re doing it. However, your bed partner might know because grinding your teeth can be loud.
It can also cause damage to your teeth and your oral health such as:
Small fractures or chipping to your teeth
Excessive wear
Joint problems such as TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder
Tenderness in your jaw or when biting or chewing
Headaches or migraines
The Good News
The good news is that I can help protect your teeth from the damage that bruxism causes with a comfortable night guard that you can wear at night while you sleep. A night guard is made from plastic and it fits over your teeth to protect them. It can also be designed to relax your jaw muscles, which helps prevent you from clenching and grinding your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment may be helpful for patients who suffer from bite misalignment. When your teeth are not properly aligned, it can cause clenching, grinding, and issues with your jaw joint.
I also recommend Botox treatments for some patients to relax muscles and alleviate symptoms of bruxism. I can administer those treatments right in the comfort of my office, and the effects last for about 4 months.
If you find yourself outside with your teeth chattering, I prescribe some hot cocoa to warm you up! If you suspect you may suffer from bruxism, I recommend that you call our office and schedule an examination to determine the best treatment for your needs.
If you have started to feel that your teeth are beginning to lose a bit of their sparkle, you are not alone. This is actually something that happens to all of us naturally over time. Even the simple act of enjoying your favorite coffee or tea on a rainy day can actually contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Here are some common foods and beverages to be aware of that can impact the brightness of your smile, and how your dentist in Erlanger can help.
Foods and Drinks that Discolor Your Teeth
Here is a list of some of the foods and drinks that can discolor or dull your smile. While you probably won’t be giving these items up completely anytime soon, it’s good to be aware of them so you can consume them in moderation.
Soy sauce or curries
Marinara sauce
Berries such as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries
Citrus fruits
Coffee and tea
Dark cola
Red and white wine
Pairing water with your meals also helps to wash food debris away that might tend to sit on your teeth longer than necessary. Brushing your teeth 30 minutes after a meal can also help reduce discoloration and staining. Waiting for 30 minutes ensures that the pH balance of your mouth is restored and your enamel is not weakened and susceptible to breakdown.
Protecting Your Bright Smile
Teeth whitening in Erlanger and even a thorough professional cleaning can help to brighten your smile. Once your smile is glowing again you can protect it by drinking lots of water. This helps to wash away food debris and particles that might stain your teeth, while also keeping you from drinking a beverage that causes staining.
Eating fruits high in fiber such as apples or pears also helps to keep teeth bright since they increase saliva flow and fiber content helps to scrub teeth. You can also brush with whitening toothpaste at home to help keep your pearly whites brighter.
If you have questions about your smile or your oral health, give your dentist in Erlanger a call today to learn more.
About the Author
Dr. Darlene Henry has been caring for patients in Northern Kentucky for nearly 30 years. Patients enjoy comprehensive and high-quality dentistry delivered with a personal touch when they choose Dr. Henry for their care.
If you would like to contact Dr. Henry, she can reach online through her website or by calling the practice at 859-344-8500.
Do you need that cup of coffee to get you motivated in the morning? Do you enjoy that glass of wine at night to relax? How about that cocktail on a fun evening out with friends? Were you aware that many of these beverages are actually harmful to your teeth? As your dentist in Erlanger, I have some tips on drinks you should be aware of, those you should stay away from, and how to protect your teeth from the cavities that is often caused by beverages that are high in acid.
Why are Certain Beverages Harmful to My Teeth?
Most people understand that drinks that are high in sugar pose a threat to your teeth of developing tooth decay and cavities. However, you may not realize that drinks that are high in acid are also problem. This is because acid breaks down tooth enamel, which also leads to cavities.
So, how about soda or sports drinks that are both high in sugars and acidity? These present a double whammy for your teeth since sugar fuels that bacteria that produce the acids that cause tooth decay. Drinking beverages high in sugar and acid accelerates the process of enamel breakdown leading to tooth decay.
Beverages to be Aware of
Which drinks should you have in moderation, and which should you avoid? Well, we know you’re probably not likely to give up your morning fuel; however, reducing your intake of coffee or tea to one cup a day is helpful. Same with your glass of wine, moderation is best, and try to enjoy some water with it.
Sodas and sports drinks should really be avoided. You may also be surprised to learn that fruit juices such as orange juice and lemonade are also high in sugars and acidity. Many fruit juices are marketed as “heathy drinks” even though they often contain as much sugar as soda.
If you drink soda or juice, wait 30 minutes after consuming them and brush your teeth if possible. This will reduce some of the harmful effects.
Water is Your Best Bet
Drinking water throughout the day is really the best protection for your teeth and the healthiest option for your body. Water keeps your mouth hydrated and helps to wash away excess food debris left from your meals.
If you have questions about how your nutrition affects your oral health, feel free to give my office a call. We’re always happy to help!
About Dr. Darlene Henry
If you’re looking for high-quality dentistry delivered with a personal touch, look no further than Dr. Darlene Henry. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Henry has been focused on providing her patients with exceptional dental care in a warm and welcoming environment.
If you would like to contact Dr. Henry, she can be reached by calling 850-344-8500 or online through her website.
Did you know that most people only brush their teeth for about half the length of time they should? When considering how easy it can be to let our technique slip, brushing and flossing incorrectly can leave teeth vulnerable to serious smile problems. Although most of us have been brushing and flossing our teeth since we were children, it’s time to brush up your skills to keep your teeth healthy and shining bright. In this post, I’d like to offer some helpful tips on brushing and to talk about an innovative new electric toothbrush that makes taking care of your teeth at home the easiest it’s ever been.
What Is The Best Way To Brush My Teeth?
Brushing is a crucial part of your oral hygiene routine. To make sure you’re doing this correctly, watch this short tutorial video, and follow the suggestions below:
Turn your toothbrush to a 45-degree angle when making contact with your teeth and gums.
Use short, side-to-side strokes when you brush.
Brush gently – using too much pressure can cause gum recession and other dental problems.
Brush twice a day, for two minutes each time – set a timer on your phone or play a quick song to make sure you brush long enough.
To make the most out of your oral hygiene routine, brush after breakfast and before bed.
Use a toothpaste with fluoride in it – stannous fluoride is particularly great since it’s naturally antibacterial and helps control oral bacteria.
Brush your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks to keep your entire mouth fresh.
And, since brushing only cleans a little over half of the surface of your teeth, be sure to floss at least once a day, although twice is better – consider switching to a satin style dental tape if flossing is uncomfortable.
How Can The Oral B Genius Toothbrush Help My Smile?
Since electric toothbrushes take the work out of brushing, these are a popular at-home tool for patients. Personally, I like the Oral B Genius toothbrush, because of its many features, including:
Smart Functionality – The Oral B Genius 8000 is a “smart” toothbrush that uses a helpful app to make brushing correctly easy for every patient.
Position Detection – The position detection feature is linked to your smartphone and guides you to brush each region of your teeth for the proper amount of time.
Pressure Sensor – The pressure sensor will give you a visual alert you when you’re brushing too hard, keeping teeth and gums safe.
Timer – The programmed timer makes sure you brush long enough to give your teeth the attention they deserve.
Round Brush – The rounded brush head is designed with the same intelligence as dental tools – its rounded head surrounds more of each tooth for a deeper clean.
Brushing correctly and using a quality toothbrush like the Oral B Genius are vital aspects of your oral healthcare, just like seeing your dentist regularly is. If it’s time for a visit, schedule an appointment with me to get the deep clean and compassionate professional care you deserve!
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