As June rolls around, it’s time to celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who have played such an important role in our lives. Father’s Day is a time to honor their strength, wisdom, and unwavering support. This year, why not show your appreciation by helping your dad achieve the confident, healthy smile he deserves?

We understand the importance of oral health for overall well-being, and we’re dedicated to providing top-notch dental care tailored to meet your dad’s unique needs. Whether he’s interested in cosmetic enhancements to improve the appearance of his smile or simply in need of routine dental care to maintain optimal oral health, our experienced team is here to help.

Cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers can help address common aesthetic concerns and give your dad the smile he’s always wanted. These treatments are designed to enhance the appearance of teeth, correct imperfections, and boost confidence – helping your dad feel his best both inside and out.

Of course, preventive care is also essential for maintaining a healthy smile. Regular cleanings, exams, and screenings can help prevent common dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. By prioritizing preventive care, your dad can enjoy a lifetime of optimal oral health and overall well-being.

This Father’s Day, give your dad the gift of a healthier, happier smile. Our special promotions and flexible scheduling options make it easy to schedule his dental appointment and take the first step towards achieving his smile goals. Let’s make this June a month to remember by celebrating the incredible men who have shaped our lives – starting with a smile that shines as bright as they do.

Dr. Michael Gillespie has practiced dentistry in Waynesville, NC for 30 years. His award-winning team has the skills and expertise to treat all your dental needs.

Bad breath happens. If you’ve ever gotten that not-so-fresh feeling on a date, at a job interview or just talking with friends, you’re not alone. Studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives.

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are a number of reasons you might have dragon breath. While many causes are harmless, bad breath can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.
Bacteria
Bad breath can happen anytime thanks to the hundreds of types of bad breath-causing bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Your mouth also acts like a natural hothouse that allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leaves a foul-smelling waste product behind.
Dry Mouth
Feeling parched? Your mouth might not be making enough saliva. Saliva is important because it works around the clock to wash out your mouth. If you don’t have enough, your mouth isn’t being cleaned as much as it should be. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or by simply breathing through your mouth.
Gum Disease
Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.
Food
Garlic, onions, coffee… The list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.
Smoking and Tobacco
Smoking stains your teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk for a host of health problems. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Since smoking also affects your sense of smell, smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells.
Medical Conditions
Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.

How Can I Keep Bad Breath Away?

Brush and Floss
Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss to get rid of all that bacteria that’s causing your bad breath.

Mouthwash
Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath. It’s only a temporary solution, however. The longer you wait to brush and floss away food in your mouth, the more likely your breath will offend.

Clean Your Dentures
If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning.

Keep That Saliva Flowing
To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, like carrots or apples. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies. Your dentist may also recommend artificial saliva.

Quit Smoking
Giving up this dangerous habit is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. If your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care doctor.

(Reprinted from American Dental Association)

Dr. Michael Gillespie has practiced dentistry in Waynesville, NC for 28 years. His award-winning team has the skills and experience to provide for all your dental needs. The office has been named “Best Dentist” numerous times!

Children mirror their parent’s behaviors. Let that sink in for a minute! When you look at it through this lens, what we say and do becomes a great responsibility. What your children or grandchildren see you do will set the stage for their behaviors for the rest of their lives.

The NUMBER 1 thing you can do to set your child up for a lifetime of good dental health is to ingrain a morning and nightly routine of dental care.

KEEP SUPPLIES STOCKED

Many children have told us that they don’t floss because they ran out of it. The small floss packs you receive in your dental goody bags only have 50 yards of floss. It’s not meant to last 6 months! Make sure you have plenty of floss or floss picks, toothpaste, and extra toothbrushes in your home supply closet.

GET A TIMER

Kids and adults alike should brush their teeth for 2-3 minutes. There are many ways to time yourself while brushing, but you can’t beat an old-fashioned hourglass timer. Other ideas include listening to, or humming a song while you brush or using an egg timer. How ever you do it, make sure you brush for an adequate length of time.

DO IT WITH THEM

Make a nightly routine of flossing, then brushing your teeth together as you prepare for bed. This will create a correlation between the time spent with you and good dental habits. It will be something they will remember the rest of their lives!

GET DENTAL CHECKUPS

Visiting the dentist regularly will help us find and address dental problems early on and prevent more extensive problems later. Ensuring your child has healthy teeth will truly be the gift of a lifetime.

Dr. Michael Gillespie and his award-winning staff have the experience and skills provide for all your dental needs. Dr. Gillespie has practiced dentistry in Waynesville, NC for 28 years and has been named “Best Dentist” multiple times.

In case you’ve already given up on losing weight and hitting the gym every day, here is a quick list of (re)SOLUTIONS to get your 2022 started off right!

Replace Your Tooth Brush

Worn and frayed bristles are less effective at brushing your teeth. A worn brush means you have to scrub harder which risks damaging the gums. Toothbrushes are also a breeding ground for bacteria since they remain damp most of the day. Change your brush every 3-4 months andalso after any illness such as cold, flu, or COVID.

Develop a Nightly Brushing/Flossing Habit

Along with your new toothbrush, stock up on dental floss and start flossing and brushing before bedtime. Your gums will thank you, as will the rest of your body because you will be reducing inflammation which will boost your immune system. Use floss picks if dexterity is a problem.

Meditate and Log Out to De-Stress

During the pandemic we have seen an increase in cracked teeth and jaw pain, likely due to stress and worry. Learn how to meditate by downloading an app such as Calm or HeadSpace, or check out some YouTube videos for guidance. Then log out of the constant news cycle. Stress has some very real repercussions, dental and otherwise. Make self-care a top priority. If you feel you are grinding your teeth, we can make a protective mouth guard to prevent tooth and jaw pain.

Remember, the mouth is the gateway to good health. You need healthy teeth in order to eat a healthy diet and chew your food completely for digestion. The rest of your body will thank you!

Dr. Michael Gillespie has practiced dentistry in Waynesville, NC for 28 years. His award-winning staff has the experience and skill to provide for your family’s dental needs.

It’s not easy to stay healthy during the holidays. Sweets seem to appear everywhere you go, and with all of the present-wrapping and card-writing, there’s not much time to devote to you and your family’s health and well-being. Luckily, Hermey the Elf, best known for his adventures with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, joined forces with the American Dental Association (ADA) to come up with tips for keeping your mouth and teeth healthy during the holidays.

In the classic holiday movie, Hermey dreamed of becoming a dentist and helping people keep their teeth healthy. In 2014, the ADA awarded Hermey with a Dental Do Gooder (DDG) for his passion for dentistry. This year, Hermey and the ADA came up with a set of tips to help families keep their smiles in tip-top shape. 

✓ Have a routine. Hermey always brushes his teeth two times a day, for two minutes, and you should too! It’s what keeps your mouth healthy in December and all year long. Make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

✓ Choose the carrots. (That means you, Santa!) Cookies and sweets are nice holiday treats, but instead of reaching for another candy cane, take a cue from Rudolph and eat the carrots.

✓ Don’t forget the dentist! The holidays can be a busy time, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about your teeth. If you are due for a teeth cleaning or need work done, don’t forget to visit your dentist in December.

✓ Drink water. You need a lot of energy for holiday activities, but avoid drinking sodas, sports drinks and juices with lots of sugar. Instead, drink water with fluoride in it to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

✓ Protect your teeth. Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports – or reindeer games – this winter.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all related elements under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.

(Reprinted from American Dental Association)

Toothpaste is a key part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Along with your toothbrush and floss it helps to remove food debris and plaque from your teeth and gums.

Toothpastes can come in a gel, paste or powder form. While the ingredients differ slightly, all toothpastes contain the same general components:

• Mild abrasive. With some help from your toothbrush, these help to remove debris and surface stains.
• Humectants. This ingredient helps to prevent water loss, and keeps your toothpaste from drying out or getting gummy.
• Flavoring agents. This is what gives your toothpaste a little bit of sweetness, and that minty fresh scent. Since these do not contain sugar, they also do not promote tooth decay.
• Thickening agents. Also known as binders, these help to stabilize the toothpaste formula. 
• Detergent. That foaming action comes from detergent. It also helps to spread the toothpaste through your whole mouth, and helps clean teeth. 

They may have all the same basic ingredients, but all toothpastes are not the same. Depending on the toothpaste, other ingredients can also be added for other benefits. Here are some important things to keep in mind when choosing your toothpaste:

• Decay prevention. Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter that helps to strengthen tooth enamel and fight tooth decay. Not all toothpastes contain fluoride. Be sure to always use toothpaste containing this cavity-fighting mineral.
• Plaque and gingivitis. Several toothpaste contain active ingredients that can fight plaque and gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
• Whitening. If you’re looking for a little extra sparkle in your smile, “whitening” toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents that help remove more surface stains than regular toothpastes. 
• Desensitizing. If you have sensitive teeth, you may want to consider using a desensitizing toothpaste. These contain compounds which help to reduce tooth sensitivity.

Finally, always look for the ADA Seal when selecting toothpaste. The Seal helps you make sure you are choosing the best toothpaste for your dental needs. It’s also your assurance that the toothpaste has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness, and that it does what it says. Visit the ADA website for more information about the ADA Seal of Acceptance and toothpaste. 

(Reprinted from American Dental Association)

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, may be may be caused by factors such as medications, medical treatments, or certain habits like tobacco use. Dry mouth can also occur along with certain medical conditions. For example, it is a key indication of Sjögren’s syndrome, a disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, including the salivary glands. This symdrome results in a dry mouth due to a lack of saliva. Other factors may include:

• Certain emotional states, such as depression or anxiety which can leave you feeling like your mouth is dry.
• A number of medications can cause dry mouth such as those used to control allergies, cold symptoms, or blood pressure, as well as some pain relievers or antidepressants.
• Some medical treatments like head and neck radiation can affect the salivary glands and reduce the flow of saliva.
• Habits like mouth breathing, drinking alcohol, or using tobacco products, can dry your mouth as well.

THE ROLE OF SALIVA

Saliva cleanses the mouth, it helps you chew and swallow food, and it even helps you speak. In addition to making it difficult to chew, swallow, or speak, a low saliva flow can cause the following:

• Dry, cracked lips
• A rough tongue
• Bad breath
• Infections on the surface of the tongue, cheeks, or gums.

Saliva also can help protect your teeth from decay. Your teeth are coated with a film of bacteria called plaque. When you eat or drink foods that contain sugar, these bacteria produce acid that can cause tooth decay. Saliva affects this acid in a way that makes it less harmful to your teeth. When you don’t have enough saliva, you might develop cavities.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you notice that you are experiencing any of the oral health changes listed above, speak with us about it. Once we’ve narrowed down what could be causing the problem, it will be easier to develop a plan to help minimize the effects. We may suggest that you use a special gel or rinse designed to keep your mouth moist. If you are developing cavities, your dentist might prescribe a toothpaste or mouth rinse that has fluoride in it to help protect your teeth. We may also apply a fluoride gel or give you a fluoride-containing rinse during your office visit. Other ways you might find relief include the following:

• Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies to stimulate salivary flow.
• Sucking on ice chips.
• Sipping water with meals to aid in chewing and swallowing food.
• Using alcohol-free mouth rinse.
• Avoiding carbonated drinks (like soda), caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.
• Using lip balm to soothe cracked or dry lips.

Most importantly, take care of your teeth. Good oral hygiene is especially important for people who have decreased salivary flow and therefore at increased risk of tooth decay. Brush twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride and clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Visit us regularly for professional cleanings and oral examinations.

Referenced from the American Dental Association (ADA) Division of Science. Copyright  2015 American Dental Association.

During the pandemic, many people attempted “do-it-yourself” (DIY) projects around the house. Since we couldn’t get out, you may have tried some DIY health projects as well! Listed below is our professional opinion on many of the purported ways to lighten your teeth and brighten your smile.

Baking Soda

Brushing your teeth with baking soda may remove surface stains on the teeth due to its abrasive action. It will not, however, enter deep into the teeth where pigmented molecules reside like professional bleaching gels. If you brush with straight baking soda, or with a toothpaste containing baking soda, limit it to once per week to prevent damage to tooth enamel.

White Strips

Store bought white strips may work as well, since they contain a weakened form of professional bleaching gel. The gel carriers are not customized to your teeth and may not cover all your teeth. As you wear them at night, they may slip off the teeth since they are “one size fits most.”

Whitening Pens

In my opinion, these do not work since the active ingredients are not in contact with the teeth for any length of time. After brushing on the teeth, the gel is almost immediately diluted by saliva, rendering it ineffective.

Whitening Toothpastes

These either contain baking soda, whitening agents, or both. Baking soda is addressed above, but those that rely on whitening agents such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are of limited use, in my opinion. To get deep into the tooth and react with pigmented element in the enamel, the active ingredients must be in contact with the teeth for several hours. Toothpaste is diluted by saliva and usually rinsed away at the time of use.

Light Activated Kits

There are no definitive studies that show that light activation helps in the tooth whitening procedure. This is strictly a marketing ploy. Sorry Gronk!

Oil Pulling

Pulling, or sucking oil through your teeth has its origins in other cultures. There is no evidence that this practice works to lighten teeth.

Activated Charcoal

Brushing your teeth with black dust to make them whiter. Sounds like it should work, right? I would imagine that after you rinse the black slurry off your teeth, they will look a LOT whiter. Save your money on this one.

While it is tempting to try treatments that are advertised as less expensive or enable you to avoid a dental visit, this is one area where it pays to seek professional treatment. We are happy to discuss our options to give you the smile your deserve. Give us a call and we’ll chat!

Dr. Michael Gillespie has practiced dentistry in Waynesville, NC for 27 years. The award-winning dental team has been named “Best Dentist” for many years. We’d love to show you why! Call us at 456-9007 to make an appointment.

If you have ever been self-conscious of your breath while on a date, during a job interview, or in a social situation, you can understand why many people seek treatment for bad breath. When trying to put your best foot forward, you don’t want to get tripped up by your mouth! The following are tips anyone can use to keep their breath fresh and healthy.

Practice Proper Dental Hygiene

Our mouths are full of bacteria, both good and bad. The plaque that forms on teeth when they are not clean is teeming with bacteria that emits a bad odor. If you viewed it under a microscope, you would see thousands of squirming organisms whose universe is inside your mouth. Brush and floss your teeth twice daily and don’t forget to brush your tongue!

Stay Hydrated

A dry mouth can be a source of bad breath. Proper hydration has many health benefits, so seek to consume water throughout the day. Sodas, teas, and coffee do not count. With proper hydration you will keep all your parts, including your mouth, functioning properly. Remember, we are 60% water!

Watch Your Diet

Many delicious foods also leave an offensive odor. Think garlic, onions, and some spices. Our local spring delicacy, ramps, has its own bad breath lore associated with it. Make sure you don’t consume these before a first date!

Stop Smoking

The habit of smoking has many untoward consequences and “smoker’s breath” may be the mildest. Smoking dries out the mouth, stains the teeth and oral tissues, and leaves a bad odor. It also causes cancer!

Use a Medicated Mouthrinse

Over-the-counter rinses can mask odors, but many do not address the bacteria that cause bad breath. We recommend a rinse with hydrogen peroxide as a main ingredient, or OraCare Medicated Rinse, which can be purchased at our office. OraCare contains Activated Chlorine Dioxide, which forms a gas that kills bad bacteria in the mouth. Many of our patients use it and swear by it for its ability to alleviate symptoms of dry mouth, improve their periodontal health, and leave their breath free of odors.

Dr. Gillespie has practiced dentistry in Waynesville, NC for over 27 years. His award-winning team has the experience you need to treat all your dental needs.

Many a vacation has been temporarily derailed by a dental emergency. As a dental practice in a heavily-touristed area, we often see visitors who are experiencing urgent situations involving their teeth. While prevention is key, a lecture from your dentist won’t do you any good while you are trying to escape your normal life for a week or two. Read on for some tips on how to handle minor dental urgencies during your holiday. If you experience severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, you need to locate a dentist in your area of travel for an emergency visit.

Gum Discomfort

Many times, the culprit here is trapped food or debris. Floss thoroughly and use diluted hydrogen peroxide to rinse and disinfect the area. Bleeding  is a sign of inflammation, so it may appear worse than it really is.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

If you break a tooth and no pain is involved, you may be able to use a temporary dental restorative material for a do-it-yourself patch until you can be seen. This material can be found in pharmacies  as well as many grocery stores. It is generally a powder and liquid that is mixed together, applied to the affected area, and allowed to harden.

Minor Tooth Discomfort

If your pain level is generally annoying as opposed to significant, you may try an Old Wive’s treatment by applying oil of clove to the affected area. Clove oil has a mild anesthetic effect and can temporarily relieve pain and sensitivity. This oil may be found at a pharmacy or health food store.

Take a Pic

Thanks to modern technology, we can often help determine if you should be seen professionally or if you can wait until you return from vacation. Using your cell phone, you can take a picture of the affected area and we may be able to diagnose via email. Sounds crazy but we do it all the time! Call our front desk team and they will get your information in the right hands.

We sincerely hope you don’t experience a dental emergency while traveling, but if you do, we stand ready to help get you back on track. With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Michael Gillespie and his award-winning team have the experience to treat your dental needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we may be of service!