Don’t wet your toothbrush before you brush! A dry brush removes plaque more effectively.
A Healthy Smile is the Fountain of Youth!
August 3, 2012
Ever heard the old adage “He’s looking long in the tooth”? This phrase is sometimes used to describe older persons, whose gum disease causes gums to recede and teeth to appear longer. Years of smoking, or drinking coffee or red wine can cause teeth to look yellow and stained which can also make you look older than you are. We may not be able to turn back the clock, but we can change our smile to look younger and healthier.
I know we talk to you a lot about flossing, but statistics show that only 13% of the population actually flosses on a regular basis. And it is critically important to stopping periodontal disease from developing. Healthy gums make a healthier you. And a younger looking you.
Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest ways to take years off your smile. It used to be a celebrity bright smile was only seen on, well, celebrities, but now it is the hallmark of a youth, health and vitality. Whitening your teeth is easy , and the results can be dramatic.
If you are looking for the fountain of youth, no need to go off on a journey of far away lands! Give us a call and let us start with making your smile healthy and bright and watch the years fall away!
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Tip of the Week, July 23, 2012
July 23, 2012
Out to eat and can’t brush? Eat the parsley that is garnishing your plate. Parsley contains chlorophyll a known breath deodorizer. Just pick up that sprig and chew it thoroughly and Voila! Fresher Breath!
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Dangers of Energy Drinks
July 10, 2012
Energy Drinks have become very popular. According to a report by the Academy of Pediatrics, energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. My son who is 21 years old would tell you it is much, much higher. Energy drinks are as ubiquitous to teens and young adults today as Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi was to my generation.
The potential hazards of consuming sports or energy drinks on a regular basis include problems with the heart, seizures, diabetes..but did you know that they drinks can also damage your teeth?
A study published by the Academy of General Dentistry found that both energy drinks and sports drinks eroded the enamel of teeth. But energy drinks have a higher level of citric acid and will actually erode your teeth more than sports drinks. But it’s not just the acid. The “buffering capacity” of a liquid is the ability a liquid has to neutralize acid plays a very significant role in the cause of dental erosion. High Energy and Sports drinks have the highest mean buffering capacity, which means they have the strongest potential for erosion of enamel. Once your enamel is gone, your teeth are much more susceptible to decay.
Both sports drinks and energy drinks can be filled with sugar which also contributes to tooth decay. It’s the dreaded double whamy..high acid and high sugar. Not good. But don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you are drinking a sugar free sports or energy drink that you are in the clear. The acid and buffering capacity of those drinks also can definitely harm your teeth.
Bottom line..be careful of your consumption of both sports drinks and energy drinks. If you have children in school, find out if your school has replaced soda pop in vending machines with sport or energy drinks. Be aware of the risks to your overall health and especially to your teeth. Choose your drinks wisely. Your teeth will thank you.
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Bad Breath…What to do?
June 21, 2012
Here’s a great article by Dr. Harold Katz outlining over ten causes of Bad Breath. But remember, there is no need to suffer silently. Come in and see us and let us help you get to the root of the problem. Halitosis is treatable!
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Tell Your Toddler To Sit Before Sipping
May 29, 2012
Is there anything cuter than a toddler learning to walk? We take such care to protect our children, we would never dream that something as simple as a sippy cup or a pacifier could cause them injury. But they can. A recent nationwide study found that in a twenty year period from 1991 through 2010, more than 45,000 children under the age of three were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups. Injuries tended to occur at home and result in cuts to the mouth and face, usually when children were running or walking. Now keep in mind, these were the children injured so badly that their parents took them to an emergency room. Imagine how many more less severe injuries were handled by parents at home or by pediatricians or dentists.
In this study, the majority of injuries involved 1 year olds. Why one year olds? By that age, most children have started to walk. Toddlers are of course, very unsteady on their feet and more likely to fall. Put a hard plastic object like a bottle or sippy cup in their mouth and well…ouch. “Two-thirds of injuries examined in our study were to one year old children who are just leaning to walk and are more prone to falls,” said the study’s co-author Sarah Keim PhD, MA, MS, principal investigator int eh Center for Biobehaivoral Health at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “having children sit down while drinking from baby bottles or sippy cups cna help reduce the occurrences of these injuries.”
Pediatric experts encourage parents to wean their children from a pacifier or a bottle by the age of 12 months. Dr. Keim estimates that if the guidelines for stopping bottle and pacifier use had been followed “about 80 percent of the the children in the study would not have been using the product at the time they were injured”. So please…work on having your toddlers weaned from their pacifier or bottles by their first birthday. Don’t let them walk around drinking from a sippy cup, bottle or with a pacifier in their mouth.
Remember… teach your children to sit before they sip!
For further information on your child’s dental health contact us at www.MedinaFamilyDentistry.com or call our office (330)725-2242
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Post Menopausal Women More Susceptible to Periodontal Disease.
May 8, 2012
There is no doubt about it..as you age, you may develop new health concerns. A study done at our own Cleveland Clinic examined teeth of 56 postmenopausal women. Despite brushing and flossing daily, these women all had plaque buildup on their teeth and below their gums. Researcher Leena Palomo, D.D.S. noted that postmenopausal women may be more susceptible to Periodontal Disease because their bones , which includes the bones in their jaw, are weakening.
Their advice? The researchers stress the importance of women who have been through menopause seeking regular dental evaluation for the early management of oral disorders. They reiterate the guidelines posted by the American Dental Association:
- Regular dental examinations and professional cleanings to remove bacterial plaque biofilm under the gum-line where a toothbrush will not reach.
- Daily oral hygiene practices to remove bioflim at and aboe the gum-line including brushing twice daily with and ADA accepted toothpaste
- Replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months (or sooner if bristles start to look frayed)
- Cleaning interproximally (between teeth) with floss or interdental cleaner
- maintaining a balanced diet
- No smoking.
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Just because a media “expert” says it, doesn’t make it so!
May 2, 2012
The internet is a wonderful thing. It can connect people from far corners of the earth, and create vast amounts of information right at your fingertips. But just because the information is on the web, or spoken by an “expert” in the media doesn’t make it so. One popular doctor who has a tv show suggested eating raisins as a way to remove plaque from your teeth. Raisins? The rationale is that raisins will create saliva in your mouth which will “rinse away” plaque. Well, so will sucking on a piece of hard candy. I do not recommend using raisins to remove plaque. The only way to remove plaque from your teeth is with your handy toothbrush and floss. Period.
Another suggestion from this esteemed Doctor is to whiten your teeth with a mix of Baking Soda and Lemon. Please, please, please, don’t do this. 
Lemon is a very acidic fruit which when combined with even something as mild as baking soda can erode the natural enamel on your teeth. Once that protective enamel is gone, your teeth are much more susceptible to decay. If you want your teeth to be whiter and brighter (and who doesn’t?), ask us. We are happy to educate you on different SAFE methods of tooth whitening to find the one that best fits your pocketbook and gives you the desired results.
Here’s the bottom line…there is some great information in the media and on the web regarding your health and a lot of faulty and misleading information . Just because someone says they are an expert doesn’t make them one. Read and listen to it with a strong dose of skepticism and question. Ask us about anything you read or hear. We spend a great deal of time as individuals and as an office staff learning the latest in scientific advancements and treatments for your smile. We love discussing all aspects of your dental health with you and are always ready to give you as much help as possible in making good decisions regarding your treatment. Just ask!
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Happy 2012 – The Year of the Dragon
January 9, 2012
I don’t pay much attention to the Chinese Zodiac..maybe that has to do with being born in the Year of the Monkey. But this year, 2012, is the Chinese Year of the Dragon. The Chinese symbol of the Dragon is considered to be the mightiest
of zodiac signs..symbolizing strength and determination. People born in this year are natural leaders, fearless and determined. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Maybe, we should all adopt the Dragon symbol as our symbol this year and believe ourselves to be fearless and determined..only imagine what we could accomplish!
I sometimes have patients say they don’t feel they can change their dental health. They feel defeated before they even start. But you can harness that Dragon Determination to turn your dental health around with small, easy to do habit changing steps.
Step 1. Brush and Floss. Floss and Brush. Every single day. I know you hear us say this all the time, but brushing and flossing are the foundation of good dental health. And everyone can do it. It doesn’t take expensive equipment, or a membership in a health club. Use fluoridated toothpaste and brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Brush all the surfaces of your teeth, gently and thoroughly. Then floss. If you have trouble with arthritis, use one of the special flossing tools available at most drug stores. Flossing will protect keep your gums healthy, which scientific evidence tells us not only can keep your smile healthy but your heart too!
Step 2. Stop the Pop. Acidic, Sugar laden soft drinks can cause a tremendous amount of damage to the enamel of your teeth. You may be surprised at the amount of sugar and acid in popular soft drinks. Look at this informative chart to learn how much sugar and acid are in your favorite soft drink. Then start replacing pop with healthy water. And better yet…water costs a whole lot less! It’s a win win!
Step 3. Visit us at least twice a year. Get your teeth professionally cleaned, and let us check to be sure your teeth and gums remain healthy. Life changes so quickly and so can your health. We know that for many diseases, your mouth is a window into what is happening inside your body..a dental check up can help identify problems while they are small and treatable.
Step 4. Oral Cancer Screening – It can save your life. Did you know I do an oral cancer screening every time I examine your teeth and gums? About 30,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and unfortunately, about 8,000 will die from this disease. Although many cases of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use or the use of both, recent studies have shown an alarming rise in oral cancers caused by the HPV virus , especially in younger patients. Risk free behaviors and regular oral cancer screenings by your dentist are your best safeguards against this increasingly prevalent disease.
Harness that Dragon Determination that is in each one of us, and let’s make 2012 not only the year of the Dragon, but the year of good dental health. Happy New Year!
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Back to Schoolitis
August 8, 2011
Our house has it, does yours? It’s “Back to Schoolitis”, you know, the change that is in the air once August hits and the return to school looms only a few weeks away. The college kids are counting the minutes until they are back on campus, the high school kids are bemoaning the start of early mornings, and the little ones are excited about new backpacks, notebooks and shoes! School marks yet another change to the routine of your family…here are some quick tips to keep your student’s smile healthy as they head back to school.
Brush at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste. Yes, I know those of you who hibernate when you sleep like to roll out of bed five minutes before you leave for school or class…but take a few minutes to brush your teeth AFTER you eat breakfast and BEFORE you leave for school. You need to get rid of the plaque that has built up on your teeth overnight, and no one wants to sit in class next to someone with morning breath. And remember to floss. All the cool kids are doing it!
Pack a healthy balanced lunch and snack. Too many carbohydrates can be as harmful to your teeth as candy..be sure to load up on lean proteins and healthy fruits and vegetables. Plan your lunches and snacks carefully…remember, many kids stay after school for sports and activities. They are ravenous when that final bell rings. If you haven’t provided a healthy snack for them, they will head to the vending machines. And we all know that not much good comes from a vending machine.
Stop the Pop! Soda pop and sugar laden sports drinks can contain an astounding amount of sticky sugar and acid. If your student is drinking a lot of pop or sports drinks, it will show in their teeth, often in the form of decay. Be a good role model, get the pop out of your house and out of your kids lunches. Provide them with sugar free, acid free drink alternatives.
Make your college student’s 6 month check up appointments NOW! We keep special days open in December and January for our college students, but they fill up fast! Set up your six month cleaning appointments for your busy college and high school students when they are on Christmas break…it is important to have regular professional cleanings to keep your teeth free from decay forming plaque and to take care of any dental concerns before they become big problems.
If you are in college, don’t forget to call your mom. Trust me on this one.
Back to Schoolitis is here! And whether you’re getting your PHD or starting preschool, here’s hoping you have a great school year, full of learning and fun and adventures. And smiles. Lots and lots of smiles.
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