Tips from a dental hygienist

Everyone talks about going to the dentist, but I sometimes wish people would talk about going to the dental hygienist! After all, we’re the ones who get in there, scope out the situations and get your teeth all sparkling and clean for the dental exam.

I have tons of suggestions for keeping your smile bright and your mouth healthy. Here are the first few to get you going – stay tuned for more of my Teeth Tips in upcoming blog posts!

1. Toss out your toothbrush and get a new one every 3-4 months. Studies have shown that older toothbrushes grow thousands of bacteria. Most are harmless, but still – not something you want anywhere near your mouth.

2. Hate flossing? Don’t give up. Ask your hygienist for another option, like a dental floss holders or an alternative cleaning device.

3. Can’t get to a toothbrush? Chew a piece of sugar-free gum; it stimulates saliva flow, which helps “naturally” rinse your teeth.

4. Ask your hygienist if you’re one of those people that accumulate tartar more quickly. If the answer is yes, then use anti-tartar toothpaste or mouthwash to combat it.

How Long Should You Keep Your Toothbrush?

Did you know you should replace your toothbrushes at least every 3–4 months?

And if you’ve only had your toothbrush for 1 month, and you have a cold or sinus infection, throw it away. There is no reason to re-infect yourself from using this toothbrush. Throwing your toothbrush out after 3 months seems like a short time, but think of the germs, viruses and bacteria it is exposed to daily.

The bristles become frayed and worn with use and cleaning effectiveness will decrease. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. Check brushes often for this type of wear and replace them more frequently if needed. Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adult brushes. You can also kill germs by soaking your toothbrush in an antiseptic mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide for about an hour, then rinse it and dry it.

Original Source: http://www.brightnow.com/our-blog/how-long-should-you-keep-your-toothbrus

Fighting dry mouth

If your dental professional tells you that you have “xerostomia,” it doesn’t mean you have a bizarre, serious ailment. It means you have a condition colloquially known as “dry mouth,” where your mouth feels persistently dry due to lack of saliva.

Dry mouth is caused by a variety of factors, such as anxiety, alcohol or drug use, smoking or dehydration. It’s also a common side effect of many diseases, treatments, and medications, including chemotherapy, antidepressants and antihistamines.

Dry mouth can be more than just a minor annoyance – it can actually affect the health of your teeth. Saliva controls bacteria and fungi in your mouth, which helps prevent tooth decay. If your saliva isn’t naturally washing away food particles, that can lead to bacterial growth.

While usually you can resolve the problem with an adjustment of your type or dosage of medication, it’s important to ask your dentist and hygienist for their input. They may also prescribe a special mouthwash, or advise you to use a saliva substitute. And they’ll definitely remind you to drink plenty of water!

Original Source: http://www.brightnow.com/our-blog/how-ocmbat-dry-mouth

Do you have it – Dry Mouth?

Symptoms of dry mouth may include trouble swallowing, cracked lips, sores inside the mouth, bad breath and thirst. Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia in the medical world, can be the result of any number of factors:

• dehydration
• medication side effects
• symptom of a medical condition
• nerve damage
• smoking

Resolving the uncomfortable feeling of dry mouth may depend on the severity and source of the issue. However, there are a handful of home remedies that can help alleviate the problem. Stimulating saliva production is one technique and can be achieved by drinking lots of water, chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free hard candies or even using a saliva substitute (can be purchased over the counter). Caffeine contributes to mouth dryness, so try to limit your intake. Avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol, as that ingredient can make your mouth drier.

Other tricks to help you deal with dry mouth include: breathing through your nose, using a humidifier at home, eliminating any use of tobacco and avoiding salty foods and soda pop. The final piece of advice is, of course, to make regular visits to the dentist to monitor the issue should it progress and worsen.

Changing Your Smile – One Veneer At A Time

Are you unhappy with your uneven and/or discolored smile? Have you noticed small chips or cracks in any of your teeth? Well, don’t worry— Dental veneers are an affordable and reliable solution to imperfect smiles, we’re highly experienced in cosmetic veneer treatments.

Dental veneers are a form of cosmetic dentistry in which the surface of the tooth is covered with a layer of tooth-colored porcelain composite to protect the tooth from additional damage, and give you the beautiful smile you desire. In fact, veneers can solve most, if not all, of your cosmetic dental issues, including:

Uneven Tooth Alignment: Through the years your teeth can become uneven as a result of grinding, or wear and tear.

Wide Spacing: Veneers can (if needed) add an extra layer to widely spaced teeth, filling in those gaps, and giving you a more symmetrical smile.

Worn Enamel: Over time, the thin protective layer of enamel that covers your teeth may become dulled, discolored, and worn. Though this can sometimes be caused by genetics, it’s usually the result of smoking or drinking soft drinks, coffee, and/or tea.

Wear And Tear: As we age, our teeth naturally wear down and become less resilient. Aged teeth are also more susceptible to minor cracks and chips.

Veneers can help you change the color, shape, alignment, spacing, and length of your teeth using cosmetic dentistry! Cosmetic veneers are considered a form of cosmetic dentistry because they create vibrant and beautifully aligned smiles—but, they also protect the surface of your teeth and can help eliminate future damage and additional treatment!

Basics of Gum Disease

Have you ever been advised to watch for signs of gum disease?

Chances are, if you’ve ever visited a dentist, you’ve been checked—to some extent—for symptoms of this problem.

Gum disease can be divided into three stages… which can range from a simple amount of gum inflammation to major tissue damage and tooth loss. It’s been said before, but as a reminder, the sooner periodontal disease is caught the more we can do to successfully reverse the effects.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Gums bleed easily while flossing or brushing
• Swollen, red or tender gums
• Receding or separated gums that are exposing teeth
• Changes in how your teeth fit together
• Constant bad breath or unpleasant taste in your mouth

Of course, never having gum disease is the best scenario.

Because gum disease starts with bacteria in the plaque on your teeth, paying close attention to your oral hygiene is your greatest defense. This includes your daily care—thorough brushing and regular flossing, as well as your regular checkups. If plaque hardens to your teeth, only a dental cleaning can completely remove it and stop gum disease from starting.

Original Source: http://martinandshengdentalblog.com/2011/05/gum-disease-basics/

All About Root Canal Therapy

MYTH #1: Root Canal Treatments Are Painful

Typically, it isn’t that the actual root canal treatment is painful—rather, the irreversible condition that is requiring the treatment is far from comfortable in the first place! Most people who have root canal therapy admit that the pain they experienced was prior to the procedure, not during it…  And, they felt so much better after.

MYTH #2: Root Canals Always Require Several Appointments

Some cases require a tooth to be restored after the root canal is completed, but these appointments are not part of the actual root canal process.

If you are already scheduled for root canal therapy with one of our doctors, and if you’re experiencing discomfort, here are a few ideas from our friends at eHow:

MYTH #3: Root Canal Therapy Leads to Illnesses

This myth stems from some research that is 100 years old—and, has NEVER been duplicated or confirmed through modern research. That is, the bacteria that may be present from doing the root canal procedure can somehow make you sick after your root canal therapy. The fact is that all kinds of bacteria can be found in your mouth at any time, even if you don’t have decaying teeth, gum disease, or an upcoming root canal treatment. This myth truly is just that—a myth you don’t need to worry about.

MYTH #4: Root Canal Therapy Isn’t Necessary Until Your Tooth Hurts

Teeth in need of root canal therapy don’t always hurt. In fact, some dead teeth may just require a root canal to prevent infection. You may have a tooth in need of a root canal and not even know it.MYTH #5: The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy Don’t Last Long

This fifth myth probably starts with people who have had a tooth crack at some point after having had a root canal treatment. While it’s true that when a nerve is removed from a tooth, the blood supply is eliminated and the tooth can become brittle—making it more fragile and susceptible to cracking. Technically, this means that although the complete restoration solution may need to be examined, it doesn’t mean that root canal therapy doesn’t “last”.

Original Source: http://martinandshengdentalblog.com/2011/05/general-information-root-canal-therapy/

Your Heart & Oral Health Care

What do Cupid and gum disease have in common? Both get hearts pounding – but in very different ways! The mythical winged matchmaker is known to link lovers, while recent research shows a link between gum disease and heart disease.  In fact, having gum disease roughly doubles the risk that a person will also suffer coronary artery disease. Gum disease can also make existing heart conditions worse.

Because of this, people at risk for heart problems should be especially careful to practice proper oral hygiene and seek treatment for gum disease. Likewise, people with heart conditions should pay extra attention to their oral health, because many heart medications can cause dry mouth, increased plaque or enlarged gum tissue – all of which may lead to gum infection.

Researchers are sure of cause and effect, but one theory is that bacteria in the mouth may migrate into the blood stream, where it can attach to fatty plaques and form clots. Another theory is that the inflammation caused by gum disease promotes the formation of plaque in the blood. What is known is that oral health and overall health go hand in hand. Talk to your dentist or periodontist about the best way to keep your gums – and your whole body – healthy for years to come.

 

4 Problem-Causing Bad Habits

Did you know you could be damaging your teeth without even knowing it? Everyday habits that seem innocent may actually be wrecking havoc on your mouth. Here are the worst offenders and how to avoid them.

1. Using teeth as a tool. We’re all guilty of prying packaging or ripping tags off with our teeth, but that needs to stop! Instead, use an actual tool, like scissors, or invest in a small multi-tool keychain so you’re always prepared.
2. Nail biting. Biting your nails is unhygienic and puts you at risk of catching illnesses, and can also permanently damage the nail. Furthermore, just like using your teeth as a tool, it can do damage to your teeth. Try kicking the habit by getting a manicure.
3. Chewing ice. While it may feel refreshing, chewing ice puts a great deal of unnecessary pressure on your teeth. If you really must chew something, try sugar-free gum. And if you have persistent urges, talk to your doctor. Studies show iron deficiency anemia may make people more likely to chew ice. Read more

Original Source: http://www.brightnow.com/our-blog/bad-habits

Posted by: Sandy Johnson