Recommendations for the proper tooth brush often surprise people. There are a few things to keep in mind, courtesy of The Dental Health site:

• A soft bristled tooth brush should be chosen as hard bristles tend to cause gingival recession. Soft bristles are more flexible, clean beneath the gingival margin and do not damage your gums.

• The head should be small allowing it to effectively clean hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.

• The handle should allow comfortable gripping by the user.

• The shape of the neck or handle does not play any significant role (as claimed by manufacturers) in improving the effectiveness of a tooth brush and should be chosen on your preference.

• Powered tooth brushes (electric toothbrushes) hold no significant advantage over the manual ones as believed by many. Powered toothbrushes should be used for handicapped or bedridden patients, children, Patients with Orthodontic appliances, patients lacking fine motor skills although they can chosen just on personal preference.

http://www.dentalhealthsite.com/choose-toothbrush/

Brushing for oral health

To get clean healthy teeth, consider these quick and easy brushing basics from the American Dental Association:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don’t rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.
• Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
• Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.
• Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Visit the Mayo Clinic website for more daily oral health tips. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00003

A bright sparkling smile makes anyone feel confident and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.

If you’d like to go beyond the usual daily brushing, cleanings and regular dentist visits for a brighter smile, consider all the available options to determine the best fit for you.  There are several options to consider:

• In-office bleaching;
• At-home bleaching;
• Whitening toothpastes

We’re happy to explain the differences and answer any questions you may have on which would be the most appropriate option for you.

What happens if you don’t floss?

If you do not floss and allow plaque to remain in between teeth it eventually hardens into a substance known as tartar. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed by brushing, tartar can only be removed by your dentist.

Over time, levels of more dangerous types of bacteria build up within tartar. Mean and vengeful, these bacteria produce toxins which irritate and inflame the gums. This condition is known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated it can progress to periodontal disease – a condition where bacteria and their toxins invade not only the gums but also the bones and the structures supporting the teeth. This can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and teeth which fall out.

We recommend Glide or any other coated dental floss because they slide easily between teeth. However, any floss that you can get between your teeth and which does not fray or break easily is good.

Alternatively, if you don’t like using dental floss, consider an interdental cleaner (electric flosser) which makes flossing easy and convenient.

If you haven’t flossed in a while, you may see a little red tinge of blood on the floss after you use it. This indicates that your gums are slightly inflamed and vastly in need of flossing to remove bacteria. With a regular regimen of flossing this red tinge should go away.

By brushing and flossing we help to eliminate the bacteria which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease thus creating smiles which last a lifetime.

(excerpt from The Importance of Flossing To You at

http://www.saveyoursmile.com/healtharticles/flossing.html)

The ADA divides dental restorations into two categories:  direct  and indirect.

“Direct restorations are fillings placed immediately into a prepared cavity in a single visit. They include dental amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers and some resin composite fillings. The dentist prepares the tooth, places the filling and adjusts it during one appointment.

Indirect restorations generally require two or more visits. They include inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns and bridges fabricated with gold, base metal alloys, ceramics or composites. During the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth and makes an impression of the area to be restored. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory, which creates the dental restoration. At the next appointment, the dentist cements the restoration into the prepared cavity and adjusts it as needed.”

(ADA – http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp)

Have you noticed an increase in bad breath while on your new low carb diet?

Bad Breath and Low Carbs
MSN Health/WebMD

Masking the Problem While Dropping the Pounds

“If I was dropping weight, I would buy more sugarless mints, not quit the diet,” says Charles H. Perle, DMD, a general dentist in Jersey City, N.J., and a spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry.

Perle says that even though this is not an oral hygiene problem, certain things can help banish the bad breath or at least mask the odor.

Drink more water. Chew sugarless gum.

Suck on sugarless mints. In particular, those that contain Xylitol also kill bacteria and can prevent cavities.

Or, he says, “drink water and swish it around in your mouth after you eat. It moistens the mouth and gets the food particles that may contribute to odor out.

“Basically when you are on a low-carbohydrate diet, the key to success is breaking fat into ketones to create ketosis, and as ketones get into urine and saliva, it can cause horrible breath,” Perle tells WebMD.

In fact, this problem is openly acknowledged by the Atkins diet proponents. The Atkins web site states that often this bad breath, while “annoying,” is actually chemical proof that you’re burning stored body fat.

According to the web site, drinking plenty of water helps dilute the concentration of ketones. In addition, chewing fresh parsley can help.

If your bad breath persists, see your doctor, as it can be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as diabetes. http://www.dentistdirectory.com/topic_badbreath.asp

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