Tag: cavity prevention

Manual vs. Electric: Toothbrushes Go Head-to-Head

Jun, 5, 2017

Did you know? The earliest recorded use of toothbrushes occurred in China in the 7^th Century, A.D. They utilized bamboo for handles, and bristles made from hog’s hair specially sourced from Siberia for its coarser, stiffer texture. Eww…

Toothbrushes have come a long way since then. Some of today’s modern innovations include prototype models that use mild electrical charges to dislodge plaque from teeth. With numerous traditional and electric toothbrush products available, as well as brush stiffness options, consumers face a lot of choices. We’ll help you break them down:

Manual

The most obvious benefit of traditional models is simplicity – pick it up, apply toothpaste and go. Additionally, manual toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive (or even free with checkups at Meyer & Johns Dental!) The main drawback of manuals is human error, with the most common mistakes being inconsistent cleaning of all tooth surfaces, and using too much/too little pressure.

Electric

There are many benefits to electric toothbrushes. Both oscillating (rotating head) and sonic (vibrating head) models offer superior cleaning, removing an average of 21 percent more plaque than traditional brushes, according to Consumer Reports. Electrics were also recommended for arthritis sufferers or others with dexterity issues that prevent effective manual brushing. Additionally, use of an electric model was shown to reduce gingivitis by 11 percent, likely due to the more consistent brush-on-tooth pressure that they allow.

Cost is the primary drawback to electrics. In addition to the base unit, users must purchase more-expensive replacement brush heads, which must be changed roughly as often as traditional brushes. Additionally, they must remain charged, and the corded bases are less compact, which may be cumbersome for frequent travelers.

For Kids

Children’s electrics offer the best of both worlds. Besides delivering enhanced plaque removal, nearly all models include an automatic timer. This supports development of good brushing habits by notifying the child when they’ve finished the recommended two-minute brushing time.

Consumer Reports dental adviser Jay W. Friedman, D.D.S. noted that – regardless of toothbrush model – the important thing is to keep brushing. But he also warned against over-brushing, which can degrade enamel and cause gums to recede.

Whatever your choice, Meyer & Johns Dental wants you to BRUSH! Ask us the next time you schedule your regular check-up, and we’ll help you choose the brushes that are best for your family’s unique needs.

Revenge of the Peeps – Winning the holiday candy battle

Apr, 17, 2017

brushing teeth fights candy residue — *Holidays like Easter are great times to reinforce healthy brushing habits with children.*

According to CNBC, Easter barely edged out Halloween in 2016 as the most candy-ful holiday in the U.S., with $823 million in sales. But if you’re a parent, all the numbers boil down to one thing – your little one probably has jellybeans and marshmallow Peeps stuck in their tiny teeth this week.

Easter is a great opportunity to teach or reinforce good brushing habits with your kids. It’s also good time to establish expectations about consuming candy and sweets. This is important for not just their dental health, but also for overall nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Too Early?

Parents can begin brushing from the appearance of baby’s first teeth. You should continue to brush and/or supervise the child’s daily mouth care routine until they are ready for elementary school. The American Dental Association recommends that by the time your child can tie their own shoes, they should also be able to brush and floss their teeth by themselves.

Some standard guidelines for brushing kids’ teeth;

Children should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and not swallow it
Clean all tooth surfaces – inside, outside, and tops – all the way to the gum line
Brush gently, back and forth
Don’t forget to brush that tongue!

You can begin flossing and letting children help brush their own teeth at around age four. Of course, you should supervise and help form healthy brushing habits from the beginning. Additionally, candy-heavy holidays like Easter, Halloween and Christmas are the perfect opportunity to teach kids where, when and how much candy its appropriate to consume.

If you need additional tips or help teaching your kids how to brush their teeth, let us know in the message section when you schedule your next check-up.

The Changing Face of Fillings

Apr, 6, 2017

Take a look at new alternatives to traditional metal fillings — *New developments in materials and techniques are improving the appearance and performance of dental fillings.*

For the vast majority of Americans, tooth decay is a fact of life. A study published in 2015 by the Centers for Disease Control showed that 42 percent of children have at least one cavity (medically known as a dental caries). And it gets worse with age – By the time we reach 65, all but 4 percent of us has experienced a cavity and (hopefully) a filling of the damaged area.

History

The first recorded filling of teeth occurred in Europe in the early 1800s. 20^th-century advancements took the artistry of filling teeth from its infancy to the host of advanced options available to today’s dental patients. From the soft metals in the early days, to the amalgams developed during 1900s, to modern porcelain and composite resin fillings used today, the techniques for repairing tooth loss are continuing to evolve.

Amalgams are the most widely used filling substance world-wide, despite growing concerns over radiant health risks associated with Mercury that many contain. In the U.S., metals have generally lost their luster as a surface material for damaged areas. This is partially due to those Mercury concerns, but also because amalgams darken over time and become more noticeable. The aesthetically-oriented nature of U.S. dentistry is driving numerous research efforts focused on improving the delivery, performance and appearance of fillings.

New Developments

Modern composites are applied to damaged teeth as a fluid substance, and then ‘cured’ to hardness with ultraviolet light. New UV light activators allow a more complete repair of deeper cavities in teeth, and the addition of reinforced silica fibers to acrylic-based composites is reducing the shrinkage of fillers during the curing phase. Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic composite shows promise for its strength, durability and chemical properties that match the natural coloration of teeth.

Beyond traditional fillings, Meyer & Johns patients have many more choices for repairing damaged teeth, with options that include onlays, crowns and veneers. These options are especially important for filling cavities or damage on highly-visible front teeth. If you think you have a cavity, schedule an appointment today – we’ll find the problem, and offer a solution that will look and feel great!

Eating for Healthy Teeth

Dec, 8, 2016

Dental health isn’t only about keeping your teeth clean and having regular checkups. (Although those two things are really important.) You might be surprised how important your diet is to maintaining good oral health. Of course we all know that too much sugar can cause cavities, but the links between diet and teeth go much deeper than that.

The Good

Balanced nutrition is important to both your overall health and keeping your teeth healthy, but here are some specifics to consider:

Water – Drinking lots of water is good for you in general, and it’s good for your teeth, too. Especially if your city’s water is fluoridated, water straight from the tap can really help your teeth stay healthy.
Dairy – Milk, cheese, and yogurt provide calcium your teeth need to stay strong. They’re also low in sugar (unless your yogurt has added sugar—be sure to read the label!) which makes them a good overall choice.
Protein – Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are rich in phosphorus and proteins that are essential for healthy enamel. (Lean options are best.) Low-carbohydrate nuts are a also great choice, since the bacteria that cause cavities need those carbs to survive.
Fruits & Vegetables – High-fiber, low-sugar plats are great for your teeth. Chewing these foods helps to keep your teeth clean by stimulating saliva production, and your body will thank you for the vitamins and minerals, too.
Grains – Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet, and therefore they’re important for your teeth, too. Choose whole grains like oatmeal, whole wheat, and brown rice.

The Bad

Avoid sugar—particularly added sugar (even in your coffee). But beyond this first rule, here are some other foods to avoid:

Sticky Foods – Anything sticky can cause problems, because sticky food stays in your mouth longer, giving bacteria time to multiply with a ready food source. Be sure to brush after eating anything sticky—even healthier foods like dried fruits.
Soda & Sports Drinks – Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Many sports drinks are surprisingly high in sugar, and soda certainly is. Break the habit and switch to plain water. Your teeth (and your waistline) will thank you for it.
Starches – Crispy snacks like chips are delicious, but those starches tend to get caught in teeth, again giving cavity-causing bacteria time to grow. Don’t indulge too often, and remember to floss thoroughly to be sure you don’t leave anything behind.
Citrus – Although high in vitamin C, citrus fruits are also very acidic, and regular exposure to that acid can erode enamel and make your teeth vulnerable to decay. Drinking lots of water when eating citrus can help mitigate the risks.
Ice – Cold drinks are great, but chewing ice is really hard on your teeth. The combination of cold and stress from biting into such a hard substance can damage enamel, and even crack or break teeth in some cases.