5 Reasons to Smile This Spring!

Now that you’ve finished your spring cleaning, it’s time to get out and show off your pearly whites! Spring is a special time of year when the flowers bloom, the sun shines, and everyone heads outside. As most of you know, Pittsburgh is on the rise and that means that there is always something to do in the city. To make things a little easier for you, we have gathered the top five events going on around The ‘Burgh for you to smile about this spring.

1. Phipps Conservatory annual Spring Flower Show--

Celebrate the season by heading over to the conservatory! Not only will you get to see the gorgeous plants that are there year round, but you will also get to see the “Masterpieces in Bloom” show. This year, works by Van Gogh, Monet, and other famous artists will be featured among nature to represent renewal and regrowth.

2. Pirates Season--

Head over to PNC Park to enjoy a day of sports, fun, food, and friends! This season is sure to be a good one. Andrew McCutchen has got his power back and he’s ready to use it! We can’t wait to see where we go this season. Opening day is April 3rd!

3. The Pittsburgh Wine Festival--

For the 14th year in a row, the Pittsburgh Wine Festival is giving all Pittsburghers the chance to travel the world in just one night. There will be wine from California, Italy, South Africa, and more! Our protip is to plan which wines you want to hit first and make a list so you maximize your experience. Also, check out our tips on how to make sure your teeth don’t stain after all of the delicious reds you’ll be tasting!

4. Patio Dining--

Being a city filled with foodies, Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene is amongst the best in the country. The only thing that could make eating out in the city more enjoyable is to eat outside! Here are some of the best rated spots with outdoor patios for you to check out this spring. Some of our favorites are Murray Ave Grille and Pusadee’s Garden.

5. The Pittsburgh Marathon--

Whether you participate in one of the various race options, you volunteer to keep participants on track, or you simply cheer on the runners, The Pittsburgh Marathon is a must-go spring event in the city. The marathon’s course crosses over all three rivers and five of our bridges. It goes through 13 of Pittsburgh’s amazing neighborhoods and has incredible views throughout the whole city.

So what are you waiting for? Go out, explore, and keep smiling!

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Smile

Winter is on its way out and spring is upon us, which means a healthy dose of spring cleaning to kickstart the much-anticipated season. Whether or not you have a plan in place to execute your spring cleaning, it’s not too late to make dental care part of that plan. With the holidays behind us and our bellies full of sweets and treats, it’s the perfect time to refresh your oral hygiene routine.

Here are 5 tips to spring clean those pearly whites of yours:

1. Ditch your old toothbrush

Out with the old and in with the new, right? If your toothbrush is looking a little too loved (aka frayed bristles) then it’s time to get a new one. The general rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or anytime after you’ve been sick. Brushing with a used and abused toothbrush doesn’t effectively reach all of your teeth’s nooks and crannies for a proper cleaning. Have a little fun upgrading your toothbrush and keep the old one for cleaning tough spots around the house!

2. Take advantage of seasonal produce

With all of the desserts that are a special part of Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine’s Day, it’s time to take advantage of the fresh produce spring brings. The season’s favorites include strawberries, asparagus, and spinach, all of which are both nutritionally beneficial and tooth-healthy. For instance, strawberries contain malic acid, an ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpastes that stimulate saliva production and reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth. So whenever you are at the grocery store next, make sure to pick up an extra batch of strawberries, because the tasty fruit plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy!

3. Brush twice, floss once

We hear this rule all too often, but it really is a vital dental care regimen to maintain. If you need to be reminded of the risks of forgetting to brush before bedtime, check out our recent blog on the topic. This is also a good time to replenish your floss supply, because if you’re flossing daily and using 18 inches of floss every time as recommended, that’s roughly 45 feet of floss a month.

4. Check the expiration date on your mouthwash

Most mouthwash has a shelf life indicated on the bottle. Although using it past the expiration date won’t cause any real harm, it will be doing less of what it is supposed to do. It is highly recommended to follow the date on your bottle to get the best benefits.

5. Schedule a professional cleaning

No matter if you’re the world’s best brusher and flosser, the fact of the matter is there are certain areas we just can’t reach on our own that require a professional. Patients should get their teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months to help clean those neglected, hard-to-reach places and to prevent bigger issues that could require an expensive fix down the line.

Are you ready to get your dental spring cleaning on? Contact us today if you’re looking for ways to improve your smile during the happy, flowery season.

(Image Credit: Gabriel Rocha, Flickr)