Apples – Nature’s Toothbrush?

We’ve all heard it before, that an apple a day will keep the doctor away, but that doesn’t necessarily include the dentist. Apples, often-called nature’s toothbrush, were once revered as one of the best foods for your teeth because of the crunch factor.

Obviously, choosing fruits instead of sugary starchy food is better for your basic health.  Because of their slightly astringent quality, they are an ideal food for cleansing and brightening teeth.

However, aside from their obvious benefits, apples are a mildly acidic fruit. At Downtown Dental Care, we urge patients to brush their teeth right after eating apples because what was once called nature’s toothbrush is now starting to cause problems to some peoples teeth. Apples are high in sugar, and the more stuff you eat with sugar between meals (fruit juices and soft drinks included), the more holes and decay will develop on your teeth. Continue to make healthy snack choices but rinse your mouth with water after each meal, or better yet, brush your teeth!

Drinking Water

Drinking water is one of the easiest and best things to do for your beautiful smile. Fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content. But no matter what, drinking water helps prevent future oral problems by swishing away the bacteria and food particles that often settle on your teeth.

Crunchy Foods

Fiber rich, crunchy foods, including celery and carrots, are like mini toothbrushes when they are chewed. The crunchy bits actually help scrub away hard to remove stains. Note that the cleansing effect may be noticeable – even if it’s very slight, these foods will make a difference when it comes to your smile and overall health.

Green Tea

Drinking green tea can help improve your oral health in dramatic ways. This type of food contains polyphenols that interact with plaque bacteria. These substances either kill or suppress bacteria, preventing them from growing or producing tooth-attacking acid.

Depending on the type of water you use to brew your tea, a cup of tea can also be a source of fluoride. Enjoy the benefits of eating fresh and natural. You’ll be smiling from the inside out.

Many first time parents are confused about oral care and what is the best method for their babies. Here are tips and tricks to make oral care easy for your newborn.

Baby’s First Dentist Visit

The truth is the best time to visit a pediatric dentist is when your child’s first tooth comes in, which is most often between 6-12 months of age. This best practice is one that many parents skip over, waiting until the majority of the child’s teeth have grown in.

However, this can sometimes be too late. When your child’s first tooth appears, it is best to bring him or her in for a first visit. This early examination can help prevent future problems and protect your child’s smile from an early age.

Is Thumb Sucking Good or Bad?

There is a debate in the health world about thumb sucking and whether it is good or bad for children. The reality is that infants will suck their thumbs and it is perfectly normal to allow this.

Most kids stop sucking their thumbs by age 2, but prolonged sucking of the thumb can cause crooked teeth. We have seen children who suck their thumb longer than  recommended, it establishing bite problems. If your child continues to suck their thumb after age 3, it is recommended to seek a professional evaluation. Your pediatric dentist can provide suggestions on addressing the problem.

Cleaning my Baby’s Teeth

Many patients ask us when they should start cleaning their baby’s teeth. We always say the sooner the better, essentially starting at birth. Even though your child doesn’t have teeth showing, the gums should be washed and protected. You can use a toothbrush or cloth with water and gentle rub your child’s gum line as baby teeth appear.

As soon as the teeth appear, start washing and brushing their teeth twice a day, use fluoride and a soft toothbrush that is age-appropriate Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively, so it is up to the parent to establish and provide good oral care.

For the best in early dental care, make an appointment to visit one of our Downtown Dental Care locations today!

Invisible braces will become more popular.
Having properly aligned teeth is important for your overall health. But you may be surprised to learn that straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health according to the American Dental Association. Products such as Invisalign, can help build confidence and help reduce the risk for tooth decay and gum disease. This is why we are seeing more people turn to invisible braces.

People who want to straighten their teeth are turning to invisible braces, like Invisalign, over traditional braces. Mainly because of the initial challenges that come with having braces such as food getting trapped between the wires. This can lead to plaque build up and even tooth decay. The invisible braces are removable which makes brushing and flossing easier.

Dental implants will continue to outpace the older crown bridge approach.
Are you ashamed of your smile, dental implants are a popular procedure and we continue to see a rise in implementation over traditional older crown bridges, which is the older approach to correcting the problem.

Improvement in Overall Health.
We like to think of your smile as a window to the health and a window to your entire body. How your teeth and gums look to others when you smile—says a lot about your overall health. If you’re taking good care of both, you’re probably taking good care of the rest of you.

Dentist Are Going Social.
Dentists are using social media as a primary means of communication with potential and loyal patients. Dentist are utilizing Facebook, Twitter and even YouTube and the fans are connecting on deeper levels than ever before. The benefits of Dentists going social are abundant, they are using the Internet social communities to increase awareness and increase traffic to their practice. Dentists are having in-depth conversations and sharing trends with loyal patients.

2012 is shaping up to be a promising year. Focus on your health and continue to take care of yourself. If you have any questions about dentist trends or how you can improve your smile come in and visit us.

There are many ways to get whiter teeth but we found that the easiest and most affordable way is prevention.  Preventing discoloration is the smartest way to whiten teeth.

Here are our favorite natural ways to whiten your teeth.

Munch on Fruits and Veggies

An apple a day can also keep the dentist away.  Fresh foods like apples, cauliflower, and celery can ward of plaque. Crunching on these delicious foods can stimulate the mouths saliva production, otherwise known as nature’s mouthwash.

Drink Dark Liquids From a Straw

Ever wonder why people drink their coffee from a straw? They most likely are trying to keep their pearl whites glowing. Drinking dark liquids through a straw prevents the staining beverages from coming in close contact to your teeth. The dark color drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soda can tint your teeth over time.

Drink More Water

Drink water between bites and meals and you will wash away food particles that can tint and stain teeth over time. Dark colored foods, sauces and drinks can leave food residue long after you consume them. Swooshing in H20 will help rinse away residue and prevent stains from setting into the enamel.

Quit Smoking

Just like the doctor recommends, smoking is not just bad for your health but your teeth. Tobacco- whether smoked or chewed is one of the worst offenders for stained teeth. By quitting the habit you will instantly have fresh breath and cleaner teeth.

Avoid Home Treatments

Finding quick fixes over the Internet such as brushing with baking soda can scratch composite and porcelain veneers. Scratches pick up stains more easily.  Other home treatments can spoil smiles such as chlorine beech.

Brush and Floss Daily

You knew this one was coming but taking care of your teeth with a daily regimen will always be the best way to keep your teeth clean and white. It is the best way to prevent most dental problems, including staining.

Limit Use of Whitening Products

It is easy to overdo it with “whitening” toothpastes and stain removal at home kits. Some of these over the counter products can be abrasive and wear the enamel down.  Always consult your dentist hygienist before using these toothpastes as some brands are recommended over others.

Eating all the extra sugar can cause harm to your teeth, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get cavities. Although sugary foods can damage your teeth, here are some tips to keep you smiling bright through the holidays while preventing cavities.

Simple tips for good Holiday oral care

You can avoid getting cavities and still enjoy holiday indulgences by making sure you practice great oral care.

• Avoid foods that take a long time to chew
Sticky food such as gummy candy, dried fruit and even caramel can damage your teeth. The hard to chew foods, hold an acid against the teeth longer than most other foods. Which prevents plaque build up. One of the easiest ways to prevent cavities is to reduce and limit the amount of these foods consumed.

• Rinse before brushing
You can still enjoy your favorite holiday wine and fruit juices but an easy trick we tell patients is to rinse your teeth with water before you start to brush them. This will wash away acid and any stains that have built up from the consumption of these acidic beverages and foods.

• Brush your teeth on the go
Taking time to brush your teeth in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed is important. But we encourage patients to carry a travel size toothbrush with them and brush more often throughout the day, especially during the holidays. Brushing your teeth after eating big meals and holiday treats will help remove unwanted food that sticks around in the mouth. Plus, when you brush your teeth right after holiday parties you are less likely to eat more food. The natural sweetness of the toothpaste helps the body when it is craving something sweet. You are less likely to eat after you brush your teeth. So you could consume less overall at the holiday gathering.

• Chew sugar-free gum
Gum is a great product to keep in your purse or glove department, especially during the winter months when sweet treats lurk around every corner. Chewing gum helps wash out food particles and produces natural saliva to help balance acid in your mouth. An added bonus is chewing sugar-free gum will help your breath smell nice after a holiday meal so rest assured you will be ready when you are found standing under the mistletoe.

• Stress Less
The holidays can cause an increase amount of stress and anxiety. We see patients come in with incidents of grinding or clenching their teeth. This causes immense jaw pain and can lead to more severe issues like chipping and even headaches. We can recommend a custom night guard but it is important to prevent the pain by finding ways to alleviate your stress.

• Floss More
Everyone loves to hear his or her dentist say you need to floss more, but during the holidays we really recommend it. Flossing helps to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. Your teeth and wallet will thank you come the new year if you floss more through the season. One of the main complaints we here about flossing is that it is inconvenient. Floss Picks are easy to use and they are portable. The wonderful invention is a toothpick with floss on the other end. You can floss anytime anywhere, driving your car, shopping, watching television, these little handy guys make flossing fun, easy and clean. You can buy them at any supermarket in the pharmacy section. Plus they make great stocking stuffers. Even Santa wants you to have a healthy mouth.

We want to ensure that you enjoy your holiday season. Making smart choices and putting your teeth first will not only give you a merry December, but it will help you have a happy new year.

• Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.
• Toothbrushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
• Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

• Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
• Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
• Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
• Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities.

Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health. These include:

• Medical history review: Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your overall health and also your dental health.
• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
• Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
• Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
• Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
• Teeth polishing: Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during toothbrushing and scaling.
• Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
• Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.

As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.