Ever have a bit of tooth sensitivity when you drink something cold?

No need to start worrying just yet: your teeth may be temperature-sensitive without there being any problems…but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to make choices that can lessen that tooth sensitivity! After all, sensitivity is a signal that the tissue below your tooth’s enamel has been exposed.

One of the biggest issues relating to tooth sensitivity is caused by teeth whitening products. Although they have become less harsh over the years, they do cause periods of sensitivity for many of us.

Generally speaking, 10 percent for peroxide levels is a low peroxide level. Once you pass that percentage in your teeth whitening products, you are looking at greatly increasing the chances of having teeth sensitivity!

Are you experiencing frequent teeth sensitivity?

A quick and easy way to see if you need to come in and tell us about your tooth sensitivity is to try and cut back on your whitening toothpaste, which many of us use today. By using these kinds of toothpastes only every other day, you will give your teeth a bit of a break. (And if that doesn’t do the trick, yes, come in and see us.)

Here’s a quick checklist of don’ts when it comes to any tooth sensitivity:

• Don’t ignore the advice of your dentist when it comes to using whitening products in general;
• Don’t continue use of teeth whitening products when you are in pain!
• Don’t brush too hard, which can actually wear away at your enamel over time;
• Don’t use a hard-bristle brush if your teeth are already sensitive!
• Don’t over-do it with the cold and hot drinks, or even pop, especially if you already have any degree of sensitivity!

And, speaking of beverages, if you find that you often drink pop, fruit juice such as orange juice, or red wine, recognize that this could be contributing to any sensitivity you have.

Be sure to brush your teeth about 20 minutes after drinking anything on this acidic beverage list, but also know that if you brush your teeth any earlier you can actually do more damage to your enamel.

If following some of these guidelines doesn’t make your sensitivity go away, definitely let us know! Sensodyne toothpaste, an over-the-counter brand, is great for sensitivity. We also offer prescription toothpaste that has a stronger fluoride in it that alleviates pain in more extreme cases of sensitivity.

But remember: we aren’t giving out specific recommendations here on the blog—come in and see us to find out your best next steps! You might have major gum recession, you could be grinding your teeth, or cavities could be a factor in your discomfort. Since dentin can become exposed due to a variety of reasons, we want to get to the root of the cause. (Pun intended!)

You brush your teeth regularly. You do your best to floss. And, you regularly visit the dentist to combat plaque buildup so that you can feel good about your smile.

What other ways can you tweak your habits to make sure you keep your smile healthy for years to come? By looking at your nutrition!

Here are 3 ways to consider improving the health of your teeth and gums – after all, we have to have this set of teeth for the rest of our lifetime.

1. Look at the clock.

How often do you snack throughout the day? If you know you regularly snack, aim to start brushing your teeth after you do.

Why does it matter? Saliva acts as our natural defense against plaque buildup.

Because less saliva is released when you eat snacks compared to when you eat a meal, you can end up doing harm to your teeth if you do snack throughout the day.

2. Look on the labels for sugar. 

We won’t suggest to cut out all sugar from your diet. Instead, a more realistic and long-term approach is to begin by educating yourself on how much sugar you are already consuming.

Start to record where your sugar is coming from: is it liquids or from your food? The main goal here is to simply take note of what’s on our labels. Those breath mints you’re using throughout the day may be mostly sugar that’s just sitting on your teeth, for example.

Next time you have more than one pop, remember that the sugar is going to act as an acid as it sits on your pearly whites! And even if the drink is diet or sugar-free, that highly acidic liquid will erode your teeth over time.

If you’re motivated to, set a realistic goal to live a lifestyle that allows you to cut back on some of that sugar in your diet to help your teeth (and waistline and energy levels) in the long-run. 

(more…)

You probably have most things covered for your dog’s health: regular exercise and good nutrition, for example.

But what about man’s best friends’ teeth and gums?

We decided to have a little fun and bring you the top 10 ways you can make sure your dog has as healthy mouth in 2013:

1. Know the signs of when there could be a problem. Part of making sure your dog has a healthy mouth is being educated about the symptoms of oral disease: bad breath, more drooling than normal, and inflamed gums. Another indicator could be only chewing on one side of their mouth.

2. Think about a massage… Never brushed your dog’s teeth before? Get her comfortable with the idea of brushing by first massaging her lips with your finger. After doing that for up to a minute, once a day, it will be easier to use a real (dog) toothbrush after about a month.

3. Broken tooth? It’s good you are checking! This is a case where you should most likely visit your vet. It’s usually hard for those of us who aren’t doctors to know how to proceed. The options include doing nothing if there is no harm to the dog, the tooth may be extracted, or in some situations, they may need a root canal.

4. Brush up! When dogs get their teeth cleaned professionally, it will often times require anesthesia. But at home you can brush her teeth around twice a month. Step one is getting a toothpaste made for dogs–not the human kind, which can’t be ingested! Never brushed a dog’s teeth before? For your next steps, visit this informative link.

5. Regularly check your dog’s gums. This could require two people in some cases. The key is to lift her lips and examine all her gums. You are looking for healthy gums: pink, versus white or red.

6. Regularly check your dog’s breath. You’ve probably gotten a smell before, and that’s a good baseline. If it’s much worse than normal–which isn’t ever too great, anyway– you know there could be a problem.

7. The not-so-great news… Maybe you see that your dog has bleeding, red or swollen gums. This is one of the top reasons you need to head to your dog’s dentist.

8. …But there is some good news. Even if your canine has red and swollen gums, the beginning signs of periodontal disease, just like with us humans, you can reverse the damage at this stage. With that said, knowing how big of a difference you can make in your dog’s health NOW should motivate you to make the small changes to their oral health and lifestyle so they stay disease-free.

9. Chew toys. Chew toys are not only great to deal with their need to chew, but chew toys can also help make teeth strong. Did you know you can also buy toys that can help combat tarter? Look for toxin-free toys that are nylon or rubber — but ask your vet first.

10. Double check the food! You might already have nutritious meal plans for your dog, but did you know you can also get dry food for your dog that helps slow down plaque and tartar buildup? This might be especially helpful if your dog already has a bit of mouth-related issues. It’s not just her weight that’s affected by those extra treats—it can also be the health of her mouth.

Want to make changes to YOUR oral health? Visit our site at hagendds.com.

It’s the HOLIDAYs, and we’re excited about our latest contest: Cheesiest Holiday Picture Contest. In honor of all those family pictures you’ve taken over the years, it’s time to send in your cheesiest holiday picture to us! (Or two, if you want!)

Just upload your picture (remember, multiple submissions are allowed!) to one of your Facebook albums, and then be sure to post it on the Hagen Dental wall so we can see! Make sure to comment on your submission so your friends can know what you are up to.

Want a better chance of winning? Then make sure you get your friends to “like” and share your picture, too! (Hey, that shouldn’t be that hard, right?)

Then, in the New Year, we’ll name the patient we judge to have the cheesiest holiday smile. The best part: the winner will get to ring in the new year with a $50 gift card for Hagen Dental services — which is surely something to smile about!

Ever wonder what it is that people notice when they look at you?

Photo courtesy of Diva Village

Well, believe it or not, here is breakdown we recently heard on the radio:

5. Nose

4. Hair

3. Weight

2. Eyes

1. Your smile!

With your smile being the number one thing people notice, just image the impact having a healthy smile, and how that can positively affect the way people perceive you!

Not only this, we’ve even recently read how the Academy of General Dentistry has reported that 40 percent of people notice a smile first when it comes to their co-workers! Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when it comes to the health of your smile: Are you happy with the color of your teeth? Are you happy with how your teeth are shaped? Do you normally feel you have fresh breath?

If you don’t feel positive about your answers to these questions, it could be affecting not only how others see you, but how much confidence you have in yourself…Here are a few more questions to ask yourself about your current habits:

• Do you brush your teeth twice a day, being mindful about not brushing too hard in the process?
• Do you see your dentist regularly and setup your next appointment while you are there so you are more likely to come in?

No matter how you feel about your teeth and your habits currently, come visit Hagen Dental! It will be your first step towards having that enviable, radiant smile–and a healthy mouth–that you deserve to have.

Have you ever heard of “morning breath?” Ever wonder why it has that name—or why you yourself have experienced it?!

Well, first off, maybe because the medical term for bad breath is “halitosis!”

Bad breath—or halitosis if you prefer—happens for a number of reasons. First, as you probably know, we can get bad breath simply from an unclean mouth that simply needs a good brushing and flossing…

Other reasons for bad breath include:

• Lifestyle. For example, smoking or chewing tobacco take away from your ability to have fresh breath!
• Diet: think strong foods, like peppers, onionor garlic—all of which make it important to floss and brush after eating! Also drinks that leave a smelly odor or even coffee can lead to halitosis.
• Medical conditions, including problems with postnasal drip or conditions that lead to an increased amount of bacteria in the mouth, have been shown to be the third cause of bad breath. Also medications that lead to dry mouth can also increase the problem.

Do any of these sound familiar to you? Talking to your dentist can help you identify where your problem might be!

Part of the reason consistency is so important when it comes to your oral health is a regular brushing and flossing will help prevent the plaque on your teeth that lead to bad breath…another way of looking at this is that just one good brush and flossing won’t always do the trick for your bad breath. Instead, it’s about consistently taking care of teeth and gums so that plaque doesn’t build up!

This is also why many people will use tongue scrapers, which help remove bacteria and other food that your toothbrush isn’t as effective at removing! Or perhaps you’ve even used mouthwash…

Now that we know some of the underlying causes of bad breath—why is it called morning breath, anyway?

There are millions of bacteria that live in your mouth—and when the mouth is dry, they thrive. And, as you sleep, your saliva is less able to wash away these bacteria. So, as your mouth is in one of its driest states, the bacteria create sulfer compounds in your mouth…leaving you in the morning with—well, bad breath!

Altogether, the combination of a dryer-than-normal mouth, and bacteria, can lead to stinky breath when you wake up. Since that breeding ground isn’t something we can easily change, it’s no wonder so many of us have had it at one time or another.

If you feel you’ve been doing your diligence with brushing and flossing, and you still suffer from persistent bad breath, talk to your dentist! It can be an embarrassing issue—but luckily, you can fix it.

Interested in some of the natural ways to treat bad breath? Or just not sure what’s the cause of your long-term bad breath? Come in to Hagen Dental so you can feel great about your smile.  Visit our website here: hagendds.com If you’re already a patient, be sure to “like” us on Facebook.

When Kathleen Zien moved to Oxford in 1984 from Chicago, the first local dentist she chose convinced her with his ad that read, “We cater to cowards.” Carol Humfleet worked for that DDS as a dental hygienist, and Kathleen found her to be a gentle, thorough, and excellent “tooth cleaner.”

When Carol moved to Dr. Hagen’s practice, Kathleen moved with her. Kathleen notes that Dr. Hagen is frank and up-front with dental conditions, weighing the pros and cons of treatments, always hoping healthy teeth stay in your head as long as possible. He’s also a craftsman and conscientious about wanting to do a good, long-lasting job. He networks with other professionals who hold monthly workshops and seminars to share updated procedures.

What makes the practice most special to Kathleen though, is the relationship she has developed with supporting members of the Hagen team. “I have had dental emergencies, but felt comfortable knowing Dr. H could see me the next day to avoid complications. I tell Dr. Hagen – as long as Carol remains part of his dental practicehe also has job security!”

Kathleen came to Ohio after leaving her teaching career for Art (K-8) in a Chicago suburb. She received the Illinois Governor’s Award for her elementary art program and was awarded Educator of the Year from 17 public & private schools in Park Ridge, Illinois. She taught 440 students each week, ages 5-13, and managed all her classes on a $400/year supply budget.

While getting her education degree from the University of Dayton in 1971, Kathleen began weaving. She weaves using two types of looms, one of which is ‘vintage,’ which is always purchased from retiring weavers; her first purchase of a rug loom is from the 1950’s Sears catalogue!

Handwoven garments are her specialty [one size fits most] – All garments are One-of-a-Kind – hats, stoles, jackets, drop-tops and custom throws to match interiors. She exhibits these garments at only ten Midwest shows each year and, to her credit, she has received a wall of award ribbons. Her fabrics were recently featured in a book titled, “The New Creative Artist” and shown at the Dallas Apparel Mart and Isadora Gallery of Weaving in Sedona, AZ. She also creates lined, reversible ‘Vintage-to-Vogue’ vests (XSm-XL) from antique embroidered linens, barkcloth, tablecloths, embellished with beads, buttons and pearls.

Her only local show in the Cincinnati area is the downtown Hyde Park Square Art Show, which is a one day only, rain or shine, art show on the corner of Erie & Edwards Avenue in Hyde Park, Ohio. The show is on Sunday, October 7^th, 2012 from 10 AM – 5 PM. Kathleen will be at booth, #71 (in front of Teller’s Restaurant). Mention reading this story, or bring her the article, show a Hagen “Clean Teeth Smile” and she will offer 10% off your purchase.

If you’d like to setup an appointment with Hagen Dental, visit the About Us page on our website or stop in our office. Or, “follow” us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook.

What am I?

• Only those of you who are very lucky have never had one of me;
• I’m formed when tooth enamel is broken down by plaque;
• I look a lot like …tooth decay!

If you guessed a cavity, you are right. Cavities are one of the most common reasons patients come in to see Dr. Hagen, especially those with naturally soft enamel…

Not only can they cause pain and discomfort as the nerve endings are exposed through the cavity hole, but they also cause bad breath!

Here are some at-home tips for fighting cavities:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
2. Floss daily, or if you can, floss between meals!
3. If you want to reach for gum, chew sugarless! There are a couple reasons for this: after you eat, gum will stick to food particles cause between your teeth and pull them out! It also increases the flow of saliva. Saliva is 99 percent water, but the other percent is made of minerals such as calcium, and when you chew sugarless gum, the amount of minerals increases with saliva flow! Certain gums, such as sugarfree Orbit, also can help neutralize plaque.
4. Eat Healthy! Another reason to change your diet is that by limiting your intake of sugary or starchy snacks will help prevent plaque build up.
5. Use a mouth rinse after brushing and eating. It helps reduce plaque.

We are committed to our patients’ health and we hope these tips help you prevent a cavity (or two)!

If you have a cavity and would like to schedule a filling, give us a call at 513-251-5500, visit the About Us page on our website or stop in our office. Or, “follow” us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook!

Here are ten indicators it's time to make your next dentist appointment!

10. Pain when eating food that is hot or cold.

9. Discharge around any of your teeth.

8. Gums are noticeably red and bleed easily (for example, during brushing).

7. Teeth look longer than they were before, due to gum recession.

6. Persistent bad breath without explanation.

5. Your teeth no longer align the same way when you “bite.”

4. “Pockets” have developed between any of your teeth.

3. Mouth sores that won’t go away.

2. For young children, indication of increased discomfort in their mouth.

1. Six months have passed since your last visit!

Of course, catching problems before any of these signs develop by going to the dentist on a regular basis can help mitigate any necessary treatments you may need!

If you’d like to setup an appointment with Hagen Dental, give us a call at 513.251.5500. And if you’d like to learn more about us, simply visit the About Us page on our website or stop in our office.