In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, all of us at the Glen Allen dental office of Dr. Glenn Fortner want to talk a little bit about whether kissing is good or bad for your smile and how it can affect your oral health.  Even though taking a lesson in kissing from your dentist in Glen Allen may seem odd, we are the experts at keeping your mouth healthy.

We all know that we can catch colds from a kiss. But did you know that the act of kissing can also potentially lead to dangerous dental concerns? The same way that a cold virus can transfer from one person the other, other types of bacteria, and even some dental diseases, can be caught through kissing. Many of the most common oral problems that can be caught through kissing include cold sores, Mononucleosis (or Mono, the kissing disease), and gum disease.

Now that we’ve made kissing a bit scary, let’s talk about some of the benefits to kissing. Believe it or not, kissing serves as more than just a way to show someone that you love them. In fact, kissing increases saliva flow, which is a good thing for your teeth and mouth. Increased saliva helps to remove plaque and wash it away. Kissing can also improve your mood and strengthen your relationship, which is always good for your overall health.

So before you launch into some serious smooching with your loved one this Valentine’s Day season, make sure both of your mouths are healthy. The best way to ensure a kissable mouth? Maintain routine professional cleanings and checkups with your dentist in Glen Allen. These important visits help keep bacteria at bay and are great at aiding against gum disease. Need to schedule a cleaning or checkup? Call Dr. Glenn Fortner today!

Every year on February 9th, we celebrate National Toothache Day. A holiday devoted to toothaches? We think it’s a bit odd too. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to commemorate it! At Dr. Glenn Fortner’s Glen Allen dental office, we want this year’s National Toothache Day to bring out the best in your smile and help you avoid toothaches in the first place.

Toothaches are painful and unpleasant. Simply put, they’re really just no fun. However, they can be avoided with good oral hygiene and a proactive dental health approach. At Dr. Glenn Fortner, we always encourage our patients to brush properly twice a day, floss at least once a day, and of course, to come visit us regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.

Maintaining a good at home care routine and a regular oral hygiene schedule with your dentist in Glen Allen not only can help prevent toothaches, it can help protect your teeth for life. Often times, toothaches are your mouth’s way of telling you, “Hey! Something’s not right in here!” and that makes it really important for you to call Dr. Glenn Fortner immediately.

If you happen to be suffering from a toothache in Glen Allen, we encourage you to take action and call us as soon as possible. We’ll perform an in depth examination to determine the cause of your pain and work with you to get you toothache-free and feeling better.

When we’re stressed, we may experience a headache, a stomachache, or the sense of irritability. But too much stress can cause a multitude of problems in our bodies and in our mouths. At Dr. Glenn Fortner’s dental office in Glen Allen, we want to help our patients understand how daily stressors might be affecting their oral health.

While we’re all pretty familiar with the health dangers stress can cause put on the body, the effects of stress on the mouth are often not discussed. However, stress and anxiety can cause several serious problems in your mouth including:

• Canker sores
• Teeth grinding
• Periodontal disease

Canker Sores

Stress can increase the risk of getting canker sores, and while they aren’t really dangerous, they can be painful. Canker sores often look like small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border, and can be found inside the mouth and even in multiples.

Tooth Grinding

Additionally, stress can cause us to clench and grind our teeth, also known as bruxism. The act of grinding your teeth, often subconsciously, can lead to tooth damage and can even result in TMJ (jaw joint) problems.

Periodontal Disease

Research has shown that stress directly affects your immune system. This is especially concerning for your Glen Allen dentist. When your immune system is compromised, your chance of periodontal disease increases. Additionally, some medication used to battle stress and anxiety can lead to dry mouth. Dry mouth can cause tooth decay and can also increase your risk of gum disease.

Stress and anxiety happens to all of us. What’s important is that you realize how to cope and relieve stress and that you understand how stress can affect your body. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve discussed, we encourage you to give Dr. Glenn Fortner a call today. Together, we’ll talk about your concerns and discuss the best way to get you healthy.

As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, many of us will use this opportunity to make resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking, spend more time with family. Some people even resolve to take care of the smile they’ve been hiding. At the Glen Allen dental office of Dr. Glenn Fortner, we can help you fulfill your resolution to get the smile of your dreams so you can stop hiding and start smiling.

Time and life itself can take a toll on our smiles. And that’s nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, sometimes genetics, accidents, or simply aging can result in a less than ideal smile. Don’t worry. A lot of the teeth trouble we see can be easily fixed with our Glen Allen cosmetic dentistry options.

At Glenn Fortner, DDS, we offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry options to take your smile from hidden to vivid. Whether you need a professional whitening treatment to brighten your smile, veneers to enhance the aesthetics of your teeth, or a complete smile makeover, we’re here to help.

With the New Year upon us, there’s never been a better time to start fresh with a new smile. If you’re ready to reveal your smile in 2014, give Dr. Glenn Fortner a call today. We’ll discuss your smile goals and work together to determine the best cosmetic dentistry options for you. Don’t wait. A new smile – and a new you – are closer than you think.

Do you hide your smile because your teeth aren’t as bright or white as you’d like? You’re not alone. Many people don’t like the color of their smiles and are turning towards teeth whitening as a fix.With so many whitening options available, choosing the right one for you can be confusing. From professional whitenings to over-the-counter, drugstore kits, how do you know if one is better than other? Where do you start?

You start with Dr. Glenn Fortner!

All of us at our dental office in Glen Allen want to encourage our patients to come see us before deciding on a whitening treatment. Although whitening your smile may seem simple and harmless, there are a few things to consider before taking the leap.

Over-the-counter whitening kits may seem like the ideal solution with their slim price tags and convenience, but it’s important to be aware of their potential dangers. Since many of these kits provide a whitening tray that isn’t custom fitted to your smile, the bleaching solution can easily sit on the gums for a prolonged period of time and cause irritation. Additionally, some products that you find at your local drugstore can lead to tooth pain or can be too mild to yield desired results.

An alternative to these kits is a professional whitening with your Glen Allen dentist. This option is safer as custom trays are used and protective measures are taken to avoid any gum irritation. You’re also often able to keep your smile whiter for longer.

Whichever choice you make, make sure to visit Dr. Glenn Fortner for an initial smile whitening consultation. We’ll help you choose the best option for you and your teeth and make sure you’re a candidate for a smile whitening procedure. If smile whitening isn’t your best option, we can discuss alternatives like veneers or bonding. Don’t remain tight-lipped! Show your smile to the world. Start by calling us today!

In order to maintain a healthy mouth, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your dentist at least twice a year, and we agree. All of us at the dental office of Dr. Glenn Fortner in Glen Allen want to express the importance of visiting us at least every six months for optimum oral and overall health.

When you maintain regular visits with your Glen Allen dentist, you can avoid certain dental issues like tooth decay and swollen gums. While these may not seem problematic at first, they can lead to other major dental problems such as gum disease, abscesses, and sometimes even tooth loss if left untreated. During biannual visits, we not only conduct a thorough cleaning, we can also help diagnose any lurking problems and treat them before they become dangerous to your smile, and your health.

Many dental issues can lead to other serious health conditions like strokes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. Regular dental visits help prevent these scary health problems with early diagnosis and treatment. At your six month checkups, we’ll look for gum disease, oral cancer, evaluate your bite, and perform other preventive screenings. If you’re at higher risk for gum disease or decay, we’ll often recommend that you make appointments more frequently than every six months.

Don’t wait for dental problems to creep up on your or cause serious health problems. Be proactive with your health and call Dr. Glenn Fortner in Glen Allen to schedule an appointment today. We’d love to meet you and help keep your smile, and your body, healthy.

At Glenn Fortner, DDS in Glen Allen, we hear this question often, “Is flossing really that important?” The short answer is, “Yes, flossing is that important.” And here’s why.

Flossing is a crucial part of having a healthy mouth and healthy gums. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends daily flossing in order to achieve optimal oral health. By properly flossing, you’re able to remove food particles, plaque and bacteria that forms between teeth, something that brushing alone can’t do.

While brushing is a very important to the well being of your mouth, to get the healthiest mouth possible, it should be paired with flossing. A proper brushing-flossing combination reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease, and makes your Glen Allen dentist very happy!

Flossing Tips for Healthy Gums

• Floss before brushing your teeth

• Glide the floss in between each tooth using a sawing motion

• Angle the floss in a “c” shape around the tooth and slightly below the gumline

• Repeat on the opposite tooth

• Unravel the floss from your fingers, supplying fresh floss for each set of teeth

• Finish up with a proper brushing

Even if you brush twice a day and floss daily, it’s still important to maintain regular visits to your dental office in Glen Allen. Due for a checkup or professional cleaning? Don’t worry. Call Dr. Glenn Fortner today to schedule your appointment today.

Brushing your teeth seems like a pretty straightforward task: Brush in the morning, brush at night and that’s all there is to it. However, all of us at Glenn Fortner, DDS in Glen Allen want you to know that it’s not really that simple. While brushing at least twice a day is great for your smile, it’s even more important to make sure you’re doing it correctly.

By properly brushing your teeth, you’re helping to ensure an overall healthy mouth. Using the correct technique can be very effective at preventing cavities, gum disease, bad breath, tooth loss and other serious dental problems.

Tips for Proper Tooth Brushing

• Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time

• Angle the bristles at 45 degrees to reach under the gum line

• Use circular motions instead of horizontal strokes to prevent surface abrasions

• Make sure to clean all surfaces of the teeth including front, back and chewing area

• Gently brush your tongue each time as wel

Following these tips can help lead to an overall healthier mouth. However, keeping up with regular visits and professional cleanings with your dentist in Glen Allen is still important. If you’re due for an exam or professional cleaning, call Dr. Glenn Fortner to schedule an appointment today.

In our last blog, we talked about using the right toothbrush for optimal oral health. All of us at Glenn Fortner, DDS in Glen Allen also think it’s important that our patients know how to choose the best toothpaste to keep their smiles healthy.

With so many options to choose from, selecting the right toothpaste can be a pretty overwhelming task. From pastes to gels, flavors to fluoride and whiteners, how can you be sure you’re using the right toothpaste?

Let’s start with the basics.

Although toothpaste comes in a variety of forms, there are some common ingredients in most toothpastes:

• Abrasive agents like calcium carbonate to help remove food, bacteria, and some stains.

• Flavoring which is often added to make toothpaste taste better.

• Substances like glycerol that helps prevent the paste from drying out.

While most toothpastes have these basic ingredients, there is one all-important ingredient to look for when choosing a toothpaste – fluoride.

Fluoride is key in the fight against tooth decay and cavities, and helps protect your teeth by making tooth enamel stronger. Fluoride is a necessary ingredient in toothpaste to help maintain oral health.

In addition to fluoride-infused toothpastes, there are toothpastes that help with tartar control, sensitive teeth, and even ones that help whiten. No matter what type of toothpaste you choose to use, it’s important to follow these three rules:

    1) Buy a toothpaste that has fluoride.

    2) Look for the American Dental Association seal of approval.

3) Make sure you like your toothpaste flavor and texture to ensure that you brush twice a day.

And don’t forget to keep up with your professional cleanings at the Glen Allen dental office of Dr. Glenn Fortner. If you’re due for a check up or cleaning, give us a call and schedule your appointment today!

Walking down the toothbrush aisle at the local supermarket can be an overwhelming experience –  especially if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. When choosing the right toothbrush for your smile, there are a few important characteristics to take into consideration other than simply your favorite color or the one that’s on sale. Glen Allen dentist Dr. Glenn Fortner wants to go back to the basics and discuss a few of the things you should look for when buying your next toothbrush.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your toothbrush is a good starting point when choosing the ideal toothbrush for you. The head of the toothbrush should easily fit into your mouth without any strain or discomfort. The toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your hand and should feel as natural as holding a fork.

Bristles

The bristles of your toothbrush are also important and should be taken into consideration. While many people tend to think that harder bristles will be better for cleaning teeth, it is, in fact, the opposite. Hard bristles can irritate the gums and even damage teeth. Our dental office in Glen Allen prefers and recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes.

Manual or Powered?

According to the American Dental Association, both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective and thorough at cleaning your teeth. However, some individuals have difficulty using a manual toothbrush to successfully reach all areas of the mouth and find that powered toothbrushes are easier and more comfortable.
Whether you decide on manual or powered, it’s ultimately more important to make sure that your toothbrush is easy to use and that you’re comfortable with it. Dr. Glenn Fortner also recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day and to visit our Glen Allen dental office regularly for professional cleanings and exams.