Preventive dental care can significantly minimize your risk for dental issues in the long run. It can likewise keep your oral health in top shape for many years to come.

Your dentist in Findlay, OH, Dr. Joseph Touhalisky is your dental partner in maintaining good oral health. This means that you should do your part when you’re at home to help keep various oral health problems at bay.

The Basics of Preventive Dental Care at Home

Caring for your teeth properly will help you better maintain your oral health and avoid the development of decay or gum disease. Your oral hygiene routine must involve daily toothbrushing and flossing. Brush gently and thoroughly twice a day at least, once upon waking up and then again before sleeping.

Make sure to floss your teeth once a day. Likewise, cap your oral care routine by gargling antibacterial mouthwash. Eat healthy, crunchy veggies and fruits and avoid starchy and sugary foods. The aim of regular oral care is to prevent plaque accumulation around and in your gums and teeth, and combat gum disease, decay, bad breath, or more serious and costly oral health problems.

Consequences of Poor Preventive Dental Care Habits

Poor oral care habits promote plaque to build up around the gum line and teeth, eventually causing the gums to be inflamed and tender. Plaque is a nearly invisible film of bacteria that when allowed to build up, will result in gum disease and decay. Neglecting oral care and failing to visit your dentist in Findlay, OH, for routine checkups and professional teeth cleanings could lead to severe infections, even tooth loss, when not addressed properly and promptly.

On the other hand, being diligent about caring for your gums and teeth and undergoing routine preventive dentistry treatments could keep plaque from accumulating and reverse most minor dental diseases. Ultimately, a healthy mouth is one that is free from plaque.

To Learn More About Our Preventive Dentistry Services, Contact Us

Dial (419) 427-1500 to get in touch with your Findlay, OH, dentist, Dr. Joseph Touhalisky today.

Our adult teeth can last us a lifetime if properly maintained. Family dentists can now correct oral concerns with the proper instruments and skills. Crowns are just one of many such tools. Dr. Joseph Touhalisky practices family dentistry for adults and children, serving the Findlay, OH, area. With his years of expertise, he will be your guide in restoring your smile.

Patients that have been working to maintain their dentition may find that their teeth may need crowns. Their teeth may be very decayed or otherwise damaged. Crowns are material that is placed on top of the tooth to help protect it. Check out the benefits of getting crowns below:

• Protecting a tooth after a root canal

A root canal is needed when the soft tissue inside the root of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can spread into the gum tissue.

• Hold a damaged tooth together

A tooth that is split or cracked may need assistance in maintaining its integrity.

• Increase the durability of a tooth

There are certain cases when the tooth is weak or worn down. A crown can lend some sturdiness, avoiding a broken tooth.

• Improve the appearance of your smile

Patients experiencing extensive decay in a tooth may require a crown to improve its aesthetics.

• Long-lasting

Crowns can last for many years if cared for properly. Your perfect grin can be had by avoiding hard foods and brushing daily.

Dental crowns may be the solution

Confidence in your smile will increase, knowing that your crowns can strengthen your teeth and reestablish that attractive smile. Are you interested in improving your smile? Getting a thorough dental exam from our dentist is simple and the first step. Contact Dr. Joseph Touhalisky's dental practice in Findlay, OH, at (419) 427-1500 to schedule a consultation.

Invisalign aligners are a great way to straighten your teeth if you want a less visible option than traditional braces. Dr. Joseph E. Touhalisky is a dentist in Findlay, OH. he can provide you with Invisalign aligners to straighten your smile discreetly. Here are some frequently asked questions about this popular treatment:

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is a treatment for misaligned teeth that uses a series of discreet, removable aligners to straighten your teeth gradually and without discomfort. Unlike traditional braces, they do not require wires and brackets.

When you visit your Findlay dentist, Dr. Touhalisky will draw up a treatment plan specifically for your needs. By mapping out the spacing of your teeth and the movements necessary to align them, Dr. Touhalisky can create a series of aligners that will realign your teeth gently over time.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Treatment?

• Discreet alignment: Because Invisalign aligners are made from clear, patented SmartTrack material, they are practically invisible. This means that people will not notice you’re wearing them.

• Completely removable: You can remove them whenever you are eating or drinking so you won’t get trapped food particles. You can also take them out when you brush and floss your teeth, which makes your oral hygiene routine easier.

• Real comfort: Invisalign aligners are flexible and fit your teeth snugly, so they are much more comfortable than traditional braces.

• Eat what you want: Because you take Invisalign aligners out when you eat, you don’t have the dietary restrictions that are necessary with traditional aligners.

Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

People of all ages are candidates for Invisalign. This type of alignment treatment is popular among adults who prefer a more discreet solution for teeth misalignment.

How Long Will I Need to Wear my Aligners?

This will depend on the alignment of your teeth at the outset. Invisalign treatment can take between 8 and 18 months.

If you live in Findlay and you want to talk to a dentist about Invisalign, call Dr. Touhalisky on 419-427-1500.

Dr. Joseph Touhalisky is your family dentist in Findlay, OH. He and his team delight in caring for children and their oral health needs. He'll partner with you, the parent, in teaching youngsters proper dental care so little smiles thrive.

Good care starts early

As a parent, you have innumerable responsibilities, but they don't have to be difficult. Your Findlay family dentist asks that you watch for your little one's first teeth around the age of four to seven months, and then, bring that growing baby into the office by the age of one year.

This is when oral exams and cleanings begin. Dr. Touhalisky will count your child's teeth, note their position and look at jaw development. Your hygienist will do a simple cleaning and help your youngster get used to how a dentist's office looks and sounds.

She'll also give you tips on home dental care. Brushing, flossing, and proper diet are the mainstays of healthy family smiles.

Tips for parents

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says parents can make dental hygiene fun for kids. Here are easy ways to make that happen:

• Let your child choose his or her toothbrush and toothpaste. Reserve fluoride toothpaste for children who are old enough to rinse and spit (typically age three and up).
• Until your child is old enough to brush and floss independently, do it for him or her, and supervise kids until age eight.
• To facilitate brushing for a full two minutes, sing songs and play games to fill that time. Give stickers or other non-food rewards for a week's worth of good habits.
• See Dr. Touhalisky twice a year for family dental visits. (The office team can schedule your visit at the same time if you wish.)
• When your child is old enough, your dentist may advise fluoride treatments and dental sealants, thin plastic coatings which protect young molars from decay-causing bacteria and acid.

Diet and athletics

We all know that a low-sugar diet benefits everyone's oral health. Offer your child plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and water. Parents, when you model healthy eating, your child will follow your example.

Finally, see that your young athlete wears a protective mouth guard when playing school or club sports. Ask about this customizable appliance at your next dental visit.

Also, have Dr. Touhalisky's office number handy in case of a pressing oral health need such as a knocked out tooth, lost filling, or oral laceration. Your family dental team will respond to your emergency with kindness, accurate information, and an appointment as needed.

Find out more

For more information on proper oral health care for your children, call Dr. Joseph Touhalisky and his family dental team in Findlay. Educating families is an important part of what we do. Phone (419) 427-1500.

How dental implants from your dentist in Findlay, OH, can rebuild your smile

If you have been living with missing teeth, your smile is missing too. In fact, there is a lot that can be missing when you lose teeth. When your smile is gone, your self-esteem and self-confidence can go with it. You may be having trouble chewing your food, which can impact your digestion and your overall health. Fortunately, here in Findlay, OH, Dr. Joseph E. Touhalisky offers dental implants to rebuild your smile in a permanent fashion, complete with restored functionality.

What dental implants can do for you

In the past, your only choices to replace missing teeth were dental appliances like dentures, partials, and dental bridgework. Now you have another choice, dental implants! These are just a few of the unique benefits of dental implant treatment:

• Dental implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth because the dental implant crown is made of materials that are light-reflective and look just like natural tooth enamel.
• Dental implants are completely stable because they are surrounded and embedded in bone, so they will never move around, even with the most vigorous chewing.
• Dental implants are easy to take care of because you simply brush and floss them just like natural teeth.
• Dental implants help you conserve bone, which means you will have a firmer jawline and more youthful facial contours.

Dental implants are also the most successful surgical implant. They boast a success rate of over 95 percent, according to the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. They are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that your bone fuses with. Your body won’t reject dental implants.

Thanks to dental implants, you can replace a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or even an entire arch of missing teeth. They provide a stable framework for a denture, which is snapped in place over the dental implants. This type of denture is known as an implant-supported denture, or overdenture.

Interested? Give us a call

Don’t settle for a life without your smile. Discover the unique benefits of dental implant treatment! To learn more, call Dr. Joseph E. Touhalisky in Findlay, OH, today by dialing (419) 427-1500.