When enjoying your favorite salty snack, the last thing you expect is to have it stuck in your gums. What will you do if this happens to you? Here are a few tips,

Use Water to Soften the Debris
When getting food stuck in your gums, it can become very painful. Help soften rough edges by drinking water in hopes the debris will soak and soften. 

Use Floss
If the food is stuck between your teeth, use some floss! Floss is a wonderful tool to clean between your teeth and help dislodge stubborn foods!

See your Dentist
Sometimes when something is stuck in your gum, you need a professional’s assistance and opinion. Feel free to call and make an appointment to see your dentist. 

If you have dental problems like something being lodged in your gums, Progressive Family Dentistry is always here to help!

We have all had bad breath at some point in our lives. Whether it was caused by the garlic bread you had for lunch or when you forgot to brush your teeth before you left the house for work. There are, however, many other causes for bad breath that are more serious and need medical attention.
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The medical term for bad breath is Halitosis. Specifically for the chronic sufferers, halitosis can be frustrating to live with. So what causes it?

Smoking
Tobacco products are known to cause serious health problems such as cancer and disease, but it also causes halitosis due to drying your mouth or leaving its byproducts behind after using.

Dry mouth
Coincidently a side effect of smoking, dry mouth on its own also causes halitosis. The saliva in your mouth is your body’s natural tool for cleaning and removing excess food from your teeth. It is also made up of substances that help prevent cavities. Without it, your mouth feels dry and this can cause halitosis.

Infections
Infections can cause halitosis, ranging from your nose, your throat, and your mouth. The mucus your body produces due to infection is filled with bacteria which causes you do have bad breath.

Dental Issues
Last but not least, problems with your teeth can also cause problems with bad breath. From cavities to gum disease, these can cause you to experience halitosis.

How can you prevent bad breath? 
While in some cases halitosis is chronic, others have the ability to do something about their bad breath. A simple way to prevent bad breath is to keep up with your oral hygiene routine! Make sure you are brushing and flossing all of your teeth, even your tongue! Another great way to stay on top of your oral health is to make routine trips to the dentist! We would love to see you at Progressive Family Dentistry, so make an appointment today!

Plaque is a very nasty substance made from bacteria and germs that covers your teeth. Plaque sticks to your teeth and begins processes like tooth decay and gum disease. 

What are the signs?
If your gums are red and puffy, you could be seeing the beginning stages of gum disease, which causes a breakdown of the tissue in your gums. Without this tissue there is nothing holding your teeth, causing the potential for them to fall out.

How to Remove Plaque
The great fact about plaque is that it can be removed from your teeth in multiple ways! The first, flossing. You know those tiny crevasses between your teeth? Even they have plaque! Combat the growth of plaque in those areas by flossing each day. Don’t forget to rinse after!

Brush your teeth in small circular motions after you have flossed. The circular motions are a soft way to gently remove plaque from the surface of your teeth. After brushing your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue! Even your tongue has germs and food particles that can grow bacteria. Always rinse after brushing.

Plaque is dangerous to your oral health, but it is also very preventable! Even though we did not mention it above, it’s also a great idea to go see a dentist regularly to ensure your teeth are healthy in more ways than just rid of plaque.
​Make your appointment to see a member of our Progressive Family Dentistry team!

As any Dentist would say, it is important to keep up with proper oral hygiene. Have you or your children ever wondered what that really meant? Brushing your teeth and flossing, right? Well, there is actually more to it!

What are you Using?
Make sure the toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss you are using are of good quality and ingredients. You want to use toothpaste that has an appropriate amount of fluoride within it’s formula. As far as a toothbrush goes, buy one that fits comfortably in your mouth and is not too big or too small. If possible, purchase a toothbrush that is electric to give a little extra to your routine than just manual power.

Brush your Teeth Correctly
Hold that toothbrush at an angle, making sure to align the bristles facing the gum-line. Brush your teeth with short strokes, making sure to brush the outside, inside, and tops of your teeth… and don’t forget your tongue!

Clean your Equipment
Having clean equipment is the beginning of having proper oral hygiene. Rinse your toothbrush after every use, and store it in an upright position. You don’t want the water settling in your brushes and not drying. Shared toothbrush holders have the individual hole for a reason, so make sure if you share a bathroom and store your toothbrushes together, you are using a container that ensures they wont touch. Do not continuously cover your toothbrush within a container, a few times for travel is fine, but more than that can cause an increased risk of bacteria.

Replace your Toothbrush
This is one that most people do not do. Replace your toothbrush, or head of your electric toothbrush every three to four months!

And, of course, also make your dentist appointments with Progressive Family Dentistry at your availability. We would love to help you take care of your smile!

As Halloween approaches later this month, we want to make sure your teeth are ready for the treats and even the tricks! Here are just a few ways to keep your teeth healthy while still enjoying the candy cultivated holiday.

Eat Sweets with Meals
When your mother says to not eat sweets before a meal, she knows what she’s talking about! It is better to eat sweets either with a meal or shortly after, but why? The reason is saliva production. Meals help stimulate saliva production in the mouth which assists in the washing away of harmful sugar and acid that may be in those sweet treats you got from the neighbors.

Drink Water
Similar to the way saliva washes away harmful sugars, water can refresh your mouth after indulging in any form of sugary sweet. As you can tell, the point is to not have the sugary substance stay on your teeth or around your gums for any extended amount of time.

Clean your Teeth after the Treat
After you have had your meal, after you have had your sweet treat, and after you drink your water, follow it up by brushing and flossing your teeth very well. This is imperative to making sure no residue from the candy or sweets have stayed on your teeth. If these particles are not removed they have the tendency to cause cavities and further damage to your teeth and gums

We love our sweets here at Progressive Family Dentistry just as much as you do! That is why we want to make sure you know how to prevent tricks while enjoying your treats this Halloween season! If you are in need of any kind of dental assistance, please call and make an appointment today!

Did you know that your mouth is a part of your digestive system? And did you know that each system in your body relies on one another? That is why it is so important to be mindful of what you are ingesting.

Coffee
Did you know that is not coffee that causes harm to your teeth, it is actually the amount of sugar you are putting in it! The only problem with some types of coffee is that it can dry your mouth which causes harm to your teeth inadvertently, and the possibility of stain.

Alcohol
If you need another reason not to drink excessively, we’ve got one for you. Alcohol consumption causes your body to become dehydrated, which directly relates to dry mouth. If your mouth is dry and on able to produce saliva appropriately, you are more susceptible to tooth decay and oral infections.

Candy
Everyone knows that candy is bad for your teeth.  Specifically, the issue is the quantity of the candy intake. If you’re eating candy here in there and making sure to brush her teeth afterwards, more than likely you’re going to be okay. However, if you are ingesting multitudes of candy as well as hard candy you can be at risk of shipping it to or increasing the rate of decay.

Citrus
Did you know that fruits height and citrus can’t Road the enamel on your teeth? Enamel is the part of your tooth that protects it from decay, without it your tooth is more susceptible to harm.

Keep in mind the things you are ingesting, and how they will affect your mouth and overall health. At Progressive Family Dentistry, we want to make sure your mouth is healthy in all aspects! Make an appointment today with our lovely team!

Have you ever gone to the dentist for a cleaning and when the dental assistant began to floss your teeth, your gums bled? I think it’s safe to say we have all been in this situation. But how do we prevent our gums from bleeding? Here are a few tips on how to keep your gums healthy.

Floss
We know we know, you’ve all heard it before. But were serious! Brushing your teeth is wonderful but it doesn’t allow you to get between them. Flossing at least once a day can help you remove the plaque from that sandwich you ate for lunch. 

Brush Twice a Day
We are exaggerating when we say to brush your teeth after every meal. The faster you get the residue from food off of your teeth the better! Allowing residue to stay on your teeth increases the likelihood of damage.

Be Mindful of What You Consume
Taking a moment to think about what you’re putting in your mouth and putting in your body is a great way to make sure you are taking your health seriously. Smoking, for example, has been traced to the onset of gum disease. Your body is so important and you want to make sure it stays healthy.

Fluoride
Now easily into the pace that you can buy over-the-counter, using fluoride is a great way to protect your teeth!

The important part of dental care is ensuring that you prevent gum disease, but likely now you have a good idea of what you need to do in order to prevent it! If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to call her office or walk in! At Progressive Family Dentistry, we treat you like family!

A root canal is defined as a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. If a tooth becomes infected, it can cause a patient great pain and discomfort. The reason why it is so painful is because the pulp within the tooth can become inflamed and push on the nerve. 

With any kind of procedure or surgery a patient can be very anxious. Especially if they have never experienced it before. Here at progressive family dentistry, we want to make sure you understand exactly what your treatment is going to consist of. We want you better, not anxious! Here is what you can expect if you ever need a root canal.

During the root canal, the dentist will remove the nerve impulse from inside the tooth. After doing so they will then clean the insides of the tooth to make sure there is no debris left. After cleaning and making sure nothing has been left within the tooth, the dentist with and seal the tooth to make sure nothing else can penetrate the surface.

Stereotypically, a root canal has been said to be one of the most painful dental procedures a person can undergo. Well we are here to tell you that is not true! In reality, most patients report that  the procedure is similar to having a filling placed!

If you have your procedure done and Progressive Family Dentistry, we will try our absolute best to ensure you are taken care of and understand the procedures you become faced with. Let us develop your care plan and treat you like family!

Sometimes, children tend to be afraid of dentist appointments. If your child has anxiety about their appointment with the staff of Progressive Family Dentistry, take time to read them these reasons why the Dentist isn’t as scary as they think!

Dentists are people, just like you!
Has your parents ever told you not do be afraid of a doctor or a teacher because they are human, just like you? Well, so is Dr. Corella! We all have our fears, but the dentist shouldn’t be yours! Dr. Corella will make sure that your experience at Progressive Family Dentistry will be fun!

They are trying to help you take care of yourself!
Your teeth are so important! The Progressive Family team just wants to make sure your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible! Your appointment will go smoothly if you have been brushing and flossing just like your parents tell you to!

Dr. Corella loves kids and wants to make sure your smile is the best!
As one of the best Dentists in the Summerville area, Dr. Corella is on a mission to make sure your smile is the best! You could even say he is a tooth superhero! He is saving the world from plaque and unhealthy gums! You can be a superhero too, by being brave and visiting the office for your appointments!

They wouldn’t do anything to hurt you
You may be a little scared of what will happen. You can always ask the dental hygienist what they plan on doing during your appointment, as well as if your Mom or Dad can go back with you to hold your hand. The dental hygienists have your safety in mind and want to make you as comfortable as possible. You can even bring your favorite stuffed animal if you are still scared.

The average appointment lasts about an hour
It won’t last forever. The time will pass and your appointment will be over before you even realize it! When it’s over you’ll wonder what you were even afraid of!

Don’t be afraid of the tools
If you are scared of the cleaning tools the dental hygienists are using, ask them questions! They will tell you what each does so you feel comfortable. None of the tools are meant to hurt you, just provide you with great dental care!

Ask the dental hygienist if you can watch them clean your parent’s teeth!
If your parent has an appointment before yours, ask the staff if you can go back with your parent and watch because you are nervous about your own appointment. If you can’t watch, ask them to show you what the tools are used for on a set of false teeth! 

If you need a tooth pulled, they’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt!
Your comfort is a priority! Don’t worry if that snaggle tooth won’t budge. Sometimes, a tooth can be stubborn and need a little help to be removed. The dentist will be extra careful in removing your tooth for the new one to have room to grow! 

The braver you are, the sooner you’ll be done!
Going to an appointment with a brave face and positive attitude will help the time go by! 

You might even get ice cream after!
Depending on how brave and well you are in your appointment, you Mom or Dad may get you an ice-cream, or another treat for being so well-behaved! We hope you get your treat, but make sure to brush your teeth afterwards!

If your child needs encouraging, we want to help you give it to them. While this list may not fully apply to your child, it may help another, so please share these reasons why the Dentist isn’t as scary as your child thinks! At Progressive Family Dentistry, we strive to have a safe environment for all ages. We understand that children can sometimes be afraid, and want them to realize they don’t have to be!

​The Progressive Family Dentistry team wants to say Happy Independence Day! It is that time of year again. The grill is hot and the fireworks are being prepped.
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​While you are having fun and celebrating, we want to make sure you are being mindful of your dental health! Here are some tips to keep in mind while having fun this Fourth of July!

Pool Safety!
As a kid, there is nothing more exciting than having fun at the pool. But be careful and make sure no little feet are running! One can easily slip, fall, and chip a tooth!

Teeth are not Tools!
Do not use your beautiful teeth as tools to open packages or bags this Fourth of July! Use scissors to open those hot dogs and bags of candy!

Braces Beware! 
Corn on the Cobb is one of the most popular Fourth of July foods that is harmful to those with braces. If you or your child has braces, do not try to eat it off the cobb! Those kernels have their way of lodging themselves in the wires and bringing trouble! They can cause an infection if not removed soon enough! We advise to just cut the corn off the cobb before eating.

Rinse after Soda!
An interesting thing to do when trying to take care of your teeth is to drink water about 20 minutes after you have had soda. As you well know, soda and other carbonated beverages are harmful to the enamel of your teeth. If you must indulge this Fourth of July, follow it with a glass of water to help rid your teeth from harmful properties!

Watermelon for Desert!
You know how Watermelon tends to be coarse and grainy? Use that to your advantage! Not to be mistaken for a replacement for brushing your teeth, eating watermelon after a meal can help scrub your teeth from impurities! 
Most importantly, have fun this Fourth of July!