Meyer & Johns Dental Blog

Advice and Education on Your Dental Health

October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

Oct, 4, 2018

*For most, a consistent oral care routine & regular check-ups are all that’s needed for a healthy, beautiful smile.*

National Dental Hygiene Month is an annual observance designed to celebrate the work of dental hygienists, as well as raising awareness on the importance of good oral health.

The month-long education effort focuses on the Daily 4, a basic routine that will help you maintain a healthy smile: Brush, Floss, Rinse and Chew. The American Dental Association’s consumer website, MouthHealthy.org, recommends brushing with a soft-bristled brush. Your brush size and shape should fit your mouth to allow you easy access to all areas of your teeth and gums.

The Daily 4

1. BRUSH

MouthHealthy.org promotes a five-point technique to ensure proper brushing and adequate cleaning;

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
To clean the inside front surfaces, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

2. FLOSS

Cleaning between your teeth is also an essential component of healthy teeth and gums. The ADA recommends cleaning between teeth at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque that brushing may not catch.

3. RINSE

Because your actual teeth comprise less than half of your mouth, rinsing helps eliminate bacteria and bio-film. Along with brushing and flossing, frequent rinsing can reduce the chance of dental decay or infection. However, you should avoid alcohol-based rinses due to unwanted side-effects in your mouth.

4. CHEW

Clinical studies show that 20 minutes of chewing sugarless gum after a meal helps prevent tooth decay. Gum-chewing increases the flow of saliva, which helps wash away any remaining food or other debris, as well as neutralizing bacteria-born acids in the mouth and promoting disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth.

If your next appointment is during October, remember to high-five our outstanding team of dental hygienists and wish them a Happy Dental Hygiene Month!

Halitosis – More Than Just a Smell?

Sep, 24, 2018

bad breath — *Will people remember what you say with their ears… or their nose?*

Garlic, onions, and fish… Oh, my. Contrary to popular belief, even though certain foods can linger on your breath until they are fully processed by your body, they don’t really cause bad breath. Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, is a pervasive and ongoing problem that can affect personal and professional relationships, as well as impacting self-confidence in social situations.

Experts say that as many as 80 million Americans suffer from chronic halitosis, and spend more than $10 billion attempting to keep it under their breath, so to speak. But what actually causes halitosis?

Smoking

This one is a no-brainer. Cigarettes make everything stink, especially the breath of the smoker. But more importantly, we’ve told you how nicotine can slow production of saliva, which is critical to maintaining a healthy mouth. More on that below…

Xerostomia

As we discussed last month, dry mouth can wreak havoc on your teeth. But the absence of saliva leaves many food particles in your mouth to decomposed between brushings. Additionally, the bacterial imbalance favors the growth of Volatile Sulfuric Compounds (VSCs), which release waste that causes most bad breath.

Unhealthy Dieting

Many current fad diets advocate for an unhealthy nutritional balance to achieve weight-loss results. Frequent or prolonged dieting can increase ketones, which naturally occur when digesting fatty acids. As our body processes these organic compounds, the waste byproduct is expelled through the lungs, which has been linked to halitosis.

Physical Conditions

In addition to dieting, various health conditions can cause chronic bad breath due to the release of unique chemical compounds that are exhaled through the lungs. Some of the most common include gum disease, allergies, diabetes, acid reflux, liver disease, kidney failure, and even cancer.

If you or a family member is battling chronic bad breath, ask us at your next appointment. We may be able to recommend a treatment option that can help.

Strategies for Sensitive Teeth

Sep, 10, 2018

temperature-sensitive teeth — *Temperature-sensitive teeth can take the fun out of favorite foods.*

Do hot or cold beverages and food make you cringe when they contact your teeth? While sharp mouth pain from chewing is usually a problem with a specific tooth, the Journal of American Dentistry estimates at least 12 percent of the population has temperature-sensitive teeth.

What’s Behind the “Ouch”?

While some people are naturally more reactive to hot or cold sensations in the mouth, recent dental work or orthodontia are often to blame for sudden discomfort. But if sensitivity is a new development that sticks around, it’s likely due to one of several reasons;

Brushing too hard – using hard-bristled toothbrushes or applying too much force
Acidic foods – As we’ve discussed here & here, acid is the enemy of healthy teeth
Old fillings – Over time, weakened fillings can fracture or leak at the edges, leading to new decay
Grinding – As we’ve said, Bruxism can cause many problems, including micro-cracks in teeth that can enhance sensitivity.
Mouthwash junkie – over-use of alcohol-based products can increase sensitivity
Whitening products – All you bleachorexics, beware… over-use is a big contributor to sensitive teeth

Solutions You Can Use

Brush Gently

Instead of a power-washing, think of brushing as massage. Stiff bristles and/or scrubbing too vigorously can cause gums to recede, exposing nerve endings. Therefore, you should choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, used twice daily for two minutes. Also, always be sure to brush with an up-and-down motion, rather than side-to-side.

Change Your Toothpaste

There are numerous desensitizing toothpastes that block the transmission of sensation between teeth and nerves. When used twice daily, these over-the-counter products can bring significant temperature relief in as little as two weeks.

Double Down on Fluoride

Switch your alcohol-based mouthwash to one with fluoride to strengthen the all-important enamel layer,which naturally insulates teeth against temperature sensitivity. If you have severely sensitive teeth, there are higher-gel fluoride treatments available that can only be applied in-office. Ask us about additional fluoride options at your next visit.

Pizza for Breakfast?!

Aug, 21, 2018

brushing and meals — *Breakfast on the go is sometimes necessary, but how can you protect your teeth?*

You’ve been there — a late wake-up, rushing out the door, needing to put anything in your stomach to start the day. And the only thing available to eat that doesn’t require a plate or utensils is… Pizza. And so pizza is what you eat for breakfast.

Contrary to many opinions, that cold leftover slice isn’t really awful for you. As for your teeth, a good brushing is all that’s required to erase the evidence in your mouth… though it won’t help with your dietary guilt. And that’s true for most foods: as long as you remove excess food residue, what you eat for breakfast won’t harm your teeth.

Brushing Away OJ? Don’t.

A new school of thought has emerged that brushing before breakfast is as effective as brushing after. And provided that breakfast isn’t anything with excessive sugar (sweetened cereals, syrup, jelly/jam), this is true.

But according to the Mayo Clinic (via lifehacker.com), when you brush is even more important than what you eat for breakfast. However, the Mayo experts note that the exception to this rule is when consuming food or drink that contains high levels of acid, including fresh fruits and orange juice – both of which are breakfast staples. That’s because the naturally-occurring sugars and acid in these foods temporarily weaken the tooth enamel, and normal brushing can actually cause damage. For this reason, it is recommended that you either brush before breakfast, or wait at least 30 minutes after eating.

A Healthy Diet DOES Matter

However, there are many nutrition choices that really do matter to your mouth. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, several specific foods contribute to good dental and overall health. They recommend eating these:

Calcium-rich foods —including milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy products, canned salmon, almonds and dark leafy greens— help promote tooth and bone health.
Eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy, nuts, and beans contain phosphorus, which is good for strong bones and tooth enamel.
For good gum health and immune functions, eat plenty of foods rich in Vitamin C, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach.

Always remember that the best plan is to brush after eating if you can – Even if it means you have to rinse away acidic food residue with water before brushing. If you have more questions about making healthy food choices for your body AND mouth, ask Drs. Meyer or Johns at your next appointment.