Q & A

Why is Brushing With Toothpaste Important?

Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes cavities, gum disease and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen. Third, special ingredients in toothpaste help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your mouth with a clean feeling.

How Much Should I use?

Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the amount of paste or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have to be a heaping amount. Simply squeeze a pea- sized dab of past on the top half of your brush. If you brush correctly, holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under the age of 6, however, should be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of toothpaste on their brush.

Is brushing with toothpaste enough to fight cavities and gum disease?

NO!! Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and at the gum line is just as important. Studies show that plaque will regrow on teeth that are completely clean within three to four hours of brushing.

ref: Dentalnotes
www.knowyourteeth.com

Whiten Teeth While You Shop?

Recently, teeth whitening kiosks have popped up in shopping malls and warehouse stores. In some cases, you can even whiten your teeth while you tan in a tanning bed. They promise to give you whiter teeth cheaper and faster than you'd get at a dental office. However, they don't use dentists or other dental educated professionals to administer the procedure.

There are concerns taht these teeth whitening companies are performaning dentistry without a license and that the procedures could harm, and have harmed, recipients. In February 2008, state regulators in South Carolina closed a tooth whitening kiosk at a mall in Greenville for illegally operating without a license. Other states are looking at these companies closely, too.

Healthy Mouth Healthy Body!

Periodontal Diseases: What should you know

Periodontal disease is a chronic infection caused by bacteria. It begins when certain bacteria in plaque ( the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth and tissues in the mouth) produce toxins and enzymes that irritate the gums. This causes inflammation if plaque is not removed daily.

Plaque that remains on teeth can irritate the gums, making them red, tender, and likely to bleed. This condition, called gingivitis, can lead to more serious types of periodontal disease. Gingivitis can be reversed and gums kept healthy by removing plaque every day with a good oral hygiene routine and by having your teeth professionally cleaned.

But if gingivitis is allowed to persist, it can progress to periodontitis, a chronic infection in the pockets around the teeth. The resulting inflammation, which may be painless, can damage the attachment of the gums and bone to the teeth. At this stage, treatment by a dentist is needed. Left untreated, teeth may eventually become loose, fall out or require removal by a dentist.

American Dental Association - www.ada.org

Oral Cancer Screenings- Vizilite Plus

We are proud to announce the inclusion of Vizilite Plus to our practice.

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest standard of care available to our patients, this oral-cancer screening program has been incorporated into our oral screening standard of care.

One person dies every hour from oral cancer in the United States- Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause and mortality rate has remained unchanged for more than 40 years.

Clinical studies have determined that using Vizilite Plus after the standard oral cancer examination improves the dental professional's ability to identify and evaluate suspicious areas at their earliest stages.

Sports Drinks

Careful with Sports Drinks

If you have children who use sports drinks ( like those that promise to replenish minerals the body depletes during exercise), tell them to be sure to brush their teeth after using them.

Most people know that sugar and acidity of sodas can promote tooth decay, but some may not realize that sports drinks can also contain sugar and much more acidic than sodas.

DH-Focus Illinois State Dental Society- Third Quarter Report