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Convertible or sedan? Downtown or suburbs? Electric or manual toothbrush? As life decisions go, it’s certainly not choosing your next car, or deciding where you want to live. But, even when you are selecting a toothbrush, it helps to make a list of the pros and cons of the contenders before you make that final selection.

• Efficiency

The most important factor in choosing a toothbrush is finding out which model works best to eliminate bacteria and plaque. And studies have shown that, used properly, both electric and manual toothbrushes do a great job of removing plaque. Some electric models can reach the backs of teeth and the gumline more easily, some manual head designs work better for your individual mouth and teeth, so your particular needs should dictate which style of toothbrush you use. Talk to us about the best methods to brush with your preferred toothbrush, and we’ll let you know if one type of toothbrush or the other might work better for you.

• Health Considerations

Brushing too energetically can actually harm teeth and gums, causing sensitivity and damage to the enamel and gum tissue. An electric toothbrush should provide a continuous brushing motion without needing any pressure from the brusher. This might be the model for you if you have a too-vigorous approach to brushing, or sensitive teeth and gums.

An electric toothbrush can also be more efficient for older and younger brushers, those with limited mobility, and those with health conditions or injuries that make brushing with a regular toothbrush more difficult.

• Cost

An electric toothbrush is not a one-time investment. You should change the removable head as often as you change your manual toothbrush (every three to four months, please). But this cost is offset if an electric toothbrush is more efficient in removing your plaque, easier to use, or even if you just prefer it to manual brushing. If you find that you brush better and more often with an electric toothbrush, the added expense is well worth it.

Whichever brush you decide on, the most important part of the brush is the person holding it! A regular appointment with your toothbrush for two minutes of thorough brushing in the morning and two in the evening, daily flossing, and regular visits to our office for checkups and cleanings will keep your teeth healthy and strong no matter which toothbrush you choose.

Questions about your toothbrush choices? Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Kozica at our Worcester office.

Like many other parts of the human body, teeth age. You may look at old photos and realize your smile was significantly brighter in the past than it is now. Many adults experience tooth discoloration and find it embarrassing.

The good news is there are treatment options! The first step to recovering your bright smile and finding appropriate treatment is to determine what’s causing the discoloration.

There are multiple reasons for tooth discoloration. Some are under your control, but unfortunately, others may not be. Glance at the list below and see if you can pinpoint the cause of your tooth discoloration.

• Poor Dental Hygiene: This one is obvious. There’s a reason your parents (and dentist) always told you to brush and floss three times a day.
• Genetics: A big part of your dental health is determined by genetics; in other words, what runs in your family. Sometimes people inherit naturally discolored teeth.
• Diet: Do you eat sugary foods often? Drink lots of soda? Gulp more than two cups of coffee a day? Are you an energy drink fan? We’re not pointing any fingers ... but you should do the math.
• Tobacco: Because cigarettes contain nicotine, they can readily stain your teeth. So hardcore smokers often develop prominent brown stains.
• Medications: Medicines such as doxycycline, tetracycline, antihistamines, blood-pressure medications, and antipsychotic drugs can all create tooth discoloration as a side effect. (If you suspect this could be the case for you, don’t ever discontinue your medication without consulting your doctor first!)

Did you find the culprit? Perhaps the easiest way to avoid tooth discoloration in your case might be to make some simple adjustments to your diet and other habits.

Also, when you consume drinks or foods that are high in acid or sugar content, take a moment to rinse your mouth with water afterward. If you’re an avid tobacco user, you may want to reconsider that; especially because it can have deadly effects that go way beyond your smile.

Dr. Kozica can also suggest other treatment options. While over-the-counter agents do help, in-office whitening treatments tend to be more effective. If whitening agents don’t alleviate the problem, you may want to consider bondings or veneers.

If you’re worried about discoloration of your teeth, or have any questions about how to treat it, please feel free to reach out to our Worcester office! We can help you identify what may be causing the problem and work with you to give you a smile you’ll be proud of.

Some conditions of pregnancy such as hormonal changes and morning sickness can have an effect on the woman's oral health and, subsequently, her dental care routine. While it's generally not necessary for women to drastically change their dental routine during pregnancy, there are a few precautions expectant mothers can take to help maintain optimal oral health for the full gestation period and beyond.

Have a Checkup Before Becoming Pregnant

It's a good idea for women who are planning to become pregnant to schedule a routine dental checkup beforehand. This allows the dentist to look for, diagnose, and treat any potential tooth or gum problems before the pregnancy. Having professionally cleaned teeth going into the pregnancy will also make it easier to maintain good oral health until the baby is born.

Keep the Dentist Informed

Routine dental care and even emergency procedures are generally perfectly safe during pregnancy, but it's important to notify the dentist of the pregnancy as early as possible. He or she will want to keep track of any medications or vitamins being taken and consider if the patient needs alterations to her dental care routine. The dentist will also take extra precautions to protect pregnant patients if X-rays need to be taken.

Watch for Changes in Periodontal Health

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can put women at an increased risk for periodontal disease, which are diseases that affect the gums and soft tissues of the mouth. A condition called pregnancy gingivitis, which causes gum tenderness and easy bleeding, is also possible. Pregnant women should monitor their gums and alert their dentist of any bleeding, tenderness, swelling, and other unusual symptoms. We recommend scheduling an extra dental cleaning during pregnancy to promote optimal health.

Dental Health and Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is a common experience during pregnancy, and the vomiting it may cause can wear away at the enamel in addition to making it difficult for pregnant women to brush their teeth comfortably. Pregnant women suffering from nausea may want to try a bland or unflavored toothpaste; the dentist or oral hygienist may be able to recommend brands. It may also be helpful to rinse regularly with water or a light, fluoride-free mouthwash.

Eat Right for Oral and Baby Health

Cravings for sugary foods are common during pregnancy, but indulging too much increases the risk of tooth decay. Expecting mothers should try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, both for their own oral health and for that of the baby. Foods rich in calcium are especially important to support a growing baby's teeth and bones.

The team at Kozica Dental offers a full range of dental services to help ensure optimal oral health throughout pregnancy and beyond. Request an appointment online or call us at (508) 755-0751 today.

Emergency rooms are for emergencies, so before you head to the hospital because of a dental problem, you need to ask yourself this question: Is what you're experiencing really a medical emergency? While emergency room visits for dental related issues are on the rise across the United States , they’re not necessarily the best solution for every problem. Many people don't know about emergency dental care services, many of which are available 24/7, and so they go to the ER.

These types of statistics are common across the country. However, despite the numbers, not all dental problems are created equal. If you've experienced some type of injury to your mouth, jaw, or face, then an ER visit is a good idea, but if you're suffering from a toothache, cavity, or broken crown or veneer, then the ER is not the best place to handle the situation. If you're having a dental emergency, then seeking emergency dental care should be your course of action.

Seeking Long-Term Solutions

The ER doesn't provide a long-term solution to your dental issue; it only gives you temporary relief. There’s a chance they will simply hand you a prescription for pain medication and tell you to call your dentist in the morning. In the end, you’re going to be saddled with two medical bills, and nobody wants that. Even if the ER outfits you with a temporary crown or filling, you're still going to have to make a follow-up appointment our office.

There are numerous homemade remedies that can sooth tooth and gum pain. However, if you're experiencing a dental emergency, the ER is not the place to go. The specialized emergency team at Kozica Dental is available to take care of every dental problem you may have. In the case of a dental emergency, don't wait any longer than necessary. Feel free to contact our Worcester office at any time, day or night.