Do you brush correctly?

These are the most common mistakes, make sure you don't make them:

• rinsing the mouth after brushing (so losing the protective fluoride we get from toothpaste)
• brushing only once per day
• not using a circular action with the brush
• missing some teeth
• not brushing for long enough
• not brushing the area where the teeth meet the gums effectively

Brushing After Meals?

Even though we have all been taught this is the proper thing to do, if you brush too close after your meal you can be doing more damage than good.

Brushing within half an hour of eating a meal or drinking a cup of coffee could ensure your teeth suffer worse damage. 

After drinking soda or acidic drinks, the acid burns into the enamel of your teeth - and the layer below the enamel, called 'dentin'.

Brushing at the 'wrong' time - particularly within 20 minutes of finishing a meal - can drive the acid deeper into your teeth, corroding them far faster than they would have rotted by themselves.

I would know if I had gum disease

Millions of people don't know they have gum disease!

Don't just assume that your dentist will tell you.  Having an active role in your dental health will save you in the long run. 

If you think you may have gum disease call us to schedule, 970-668-1029, and find our for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sharks don't need toothpaste

Did you know the outside of shark teeth is made up of fluoride, the active component of most toothpaste?

Although human teeth are covered in a different mineral, both shark and human teeth are equally hard.  Researchers already knew sharks never get cavities, and are able to replace their teeth multiple times throughout their lives.

Helping your Acid Reflux will help your teeth

Acid Reflux can be affecting more than just your stomach.  Studies show that Acid Reflux can be damaging your teeth. 

If you are seeing more sensitivity call us to have it checked out

970-668-1029

Tea Tree Oil & it's many uses

 

Tea tree oil can actually be used to help stop bad breath. Many toothpastes and oral products use tea tree oil in their formulas. Sometimes it is even used in mouthwash and other solutions for stopping bad breath. 

Why is tea tree oil used in halting halitosis? Well, it has antifungal and antiseptic qualities meaning that it can kill fungi and bacteria that feed on food particles left in the mouth. The antiseptic property is mainly what makes it effective for preventing bad breath. 

Studies have shown that tea tree oil being used for bad breath is safe, since it is a 100% natural product. It is environmentally friendly since it is obtained from a renewable natural resource, and the tea trees are not disturbed and are allowed to survive.

However, there are unfavorable effects of tea tree oil for halitosis, and researchers recommend that you should go to the dentist and have a professional decide if tea tree oil would be appropriate for you to use to combat bad breath. Tea tree oil may not totally get rid of plague, and it can also cause allergies, even if the chance of this occurring is low. It may possibly alter hormone levels or cause allergic reactions.   Reactions are common with pure tea tree oil, so it is usually diluted when used;  however, it can also cause irritation when diluted.    It also should not be used if one is pregnant or breastfeeding.
As with anything, caution should be taken when using tea tree oil. 

Link to Article

Remember our Vetrans Today

Smoking and your Gums

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End of Daylight Savings

Crowns for Baby Teeth

I was surprised to hear that crowning baby teeth is a very common practice. 

The dentist might recommend a crown on a baby tooth because they will need it to properly chew their food, allow them to speak normally and help maintain space in their gums for his permanent teeth to erupt.

A crown can help stop the spread of dental decay as well. There are three types of crowns your toddler's dentist might use. Strip crowns are made from plastic and cover the entire tooth. Open-faced steel crowns are made with stainless steel and also cover the entire tooth. Veneered steel crowns are tooth-colored and cover the front of a tooth. The type of crown your toddler will need depends on the severity of his oral problems.

Lesson here...watch those baby teeth and take care of any decay as soon as you are aware of it.