Shopping for dental and oral healthcare products at the grocery store can be overwhelming.  Just because a product spends a fortune on advertising does not mean that it is necessarily recommended by your dentist.  Patients always ask me what I would recommend and though I do have my personal recommendations,  you should know that the stamp of approval from the American Dental Association (ADA) is a good place to start your list.   Some of the products you already use may be on the list!  Here it is! 

http://ada.org/ada/seal/adaseal_consumer_shopping.pdf

Every person's set of teeth is completely different--like a fingerprint.    If you are right-handed, you probably  will chew your food on the right side of your mouth, the opposite for being left-handed.    The second most common disease in the US in tooth decay.     The most common cause of tooth loss in people under 35 are sports, accidents and fights.    A snail has about 25,000 teeth on its tongue. A shark's teeth are actually as hard as steel.

Half of all people consider the smile the first facial feature they notice.  Most people are not happy with their smile. 

Most Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss. (AWE).

Flossing is one of the easiest ways you can ensure lasting dental health...it is a habit, and it is a good one.

The immune system must learn to differentiate between self and non-self very early in development.  This recognition is critical for the well-being of our body.  In autoimmune diseases, certain body cells are targeted as antigens (foriegn proteins) and are attacked.  Single cells or entire body systems may be involved.

Viruses are thought to play a part in the triggering of autoimmune diseases.  Diseases as diverse as Type I Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Systemic Lupus Erythematous,  Scleroderma, and Alzheimer's Disease are associated with defects in the body's immune system.  Basically this is a situation where a person's own immune system destroys its own tissues.

Autoimmune Diseases can be triggered by metals, nutrients, organic compounds, pesticides, ultraviolet radiation, and stress.  Stress is one of the strongest triggers.  It affects the hypothalamus which releases glucose into the blood.  This increase in glucose can profoundly affect the immune system.

Some autoimmune diseases present orally.  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can present with lichen planus-like lesions in the mouth;  petichiae;  gingival bleeding;  Sjogren's Syndrome; and/or painful ulcers.

Systemic Sclerosis can reduce the ability to open your mouth which causes difficulty in eating, speaking, and swallowing.  Dry mouth can also be a result. 

It continues to amaze us when we step back and view the marvelous human body as a whole.  When we recognize that the mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract and is fully connected to that system.  It definitely ramps up the intensity with which we approach good oral health.

Researchers are constantly striving to make our lives better by improving materials and techniques available.  In the recent past, a company from our own state of Texas, introduced a technology used in the field of orthodontics. 

This product is used to coat the brackets (which attach to the teeth that are going to be moved during orthodontic treatment), the wire that runs through those brackets, and the closing chain placed to hold the wire in place.  Its purpose is to reduce plaque build-up and thus improve oral hygiene.  Yes, you still have to brush, floss, and rinse to clean your teeth, but the soft bacterial build-up doesn't cling well at all to the armamentarium that the orthodontist has placed on your teeth in order to facilitate their movement.

The very same formulation is mixed with adhesives, cements, and sealants.  In these settings it prevents tooth decalcification/demineralization.  It is designed to reduce microbial development and eliminate the appearance of white spots, which can form during orthodontic treatment.  Technology once again working with us to improve life!

Wow, we women go through many hormonal changes during our lifetime! 

The AAP discusses what to look for, expect and how to Protect Oral Health during: Puberty, Menstruation, Pregnancy, and Menopause. 

http://www.perio.org/consumer/women.htm

The American Academy of Periodontology discusses:  Gum diseases in children, Signs of gum disease, Adolescent oral care, and Advice for parents...

The pictures on this site are a good representation of the three out of the four signs of periodontal disease in children:  Bleeding, Puffiness and Recession.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/children.htm

The website of the American Academy of Periodontology discusses: Resources on Inflammation, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease and Stroke, Pregnancy Problems, Diabetes, and Respiratory Diseases.  

  http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.top2.htm

Questions regarding periodontal treatments can be answered here on the American Academy of Periodontology...

http://www.perio.org/consumer/procedures.htm

Check this out from the American Academy of Periodontology.  You may be surprised!

http://www.perio.org/consumer/f1.html

Remember that gingivitis and periodontitis are both diseases, both affecting the gum tissue.  Only, periodontitis goes beyond affecting the gum tissue and begins affecting the surrounding support structure of the involved teeth, the bone.  Most people are unaware that they are in a disease state until gingivitis progresses into periodontitis....

Check this site out from the American Academy of Periodontitis.....it is very informative!

http://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-symptoms.htm

Gingivitis is a disease but it is reversible because it strictly affects the tissues.  Periodontiits is also a disease but it is irreversible because it goes beyond affecting the tissues and affects the bone, the support structure surrounding the teeth involved. 

Check out the American Academy of Periodontology website.... this site discusses the varying types of gum diseases.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html

Check this site out.  It is from the American Academy of Periodontology....Very interesting! 

The site discusses correlations/causes between gum disease and.....Smoking; Genetics; Puberty, Pregnancy, Menopause in Women; Stress; Medications; Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth; Diabetes and Other Systemic Diseases, as well as, Poor Nutrition.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-causes.htm 

                                                                      www.agd.org   General Dentistry  September/October 2009     521

Last weeks continuing education topic was...oral pathology.   Fun stuff.   I wanted to keep on going.  The class was over way too soon.  Guess that means, I love what I do.

We all know that sugar is bad for our dental health.  A regular Cola has ten teaspoons of sugar per 12-oz can.  A 20-oz bottle contains at least sixteen teaspoons of sugar.  Now that's a lot of sugar!  Seems like an easy answer to that would be to switch to diet drinks.  No sugar there.  Those pearly whites are okay there, right?  Well, your dentist will tell you that indeed the diet drink does not contain sugar.  Yes, it is better to switch to diet colas....BUT, are your teeth safe?  NO, is the answer.  But why?  The answer is that the acid in diet sodas causes decay, and the sweeteners used in diet soft drinks is believed to actually promote decay.  So, if you do indulge in a diet soda, at least swish well with water when you're finished, and keep up those regular check-ups and cleanings at the dental office.

That may seem like a really funny question to ask your dentist....most of us do love sweets, and we are going to eat them occasionally.  So, what would the dentist say if I ask, "What kind of candy is okay for me to eat?"  The first thing the dentist would tell you is that it is best to limit your sweets, period.  However, being realistic, we all know that we do crave sweets sometimes.  So the answer would be to eat CHOCOLATE.  Coupled with that, the heart doctor would tell you to eat DARK CHOCOLATE. Why is chocolate okay?  If you suck on hard candies, you are keeping a constant source of sugar in your mouth, feeding those little decay-causing bacteria.  If you eat sticky candy, like caramel, it sticks to your teeth, and stays there until it is dissolved or brushed off, meanwhile feeding those little decay bugs.  Chocolate does not stick to your teeth as much and can be easily removed by swishing with plain water when you finish.  So, the answer is that you don't have to give up candy totally....just eat CHOCOLATE!

I had braces when I was 18 years old and I have to admit I was not a flosser.  My parents always flossed and took great care of their teeth so I don't know how I learned to avoid flossing.   After wearing my braces for a few months I noticed that my gums were puffy and red and sometimes hurt.  My orthodontist gave me floss threaders and told me to spend some time flossing every night before bed.  He gave up on me and told me to get four dental cleanings per year because of my poor oral hygiene.

After my braces were removed at the age of 21, my poor oral hygiene began to catch up with me.  I forced myself to floss before bed every night.  At first my gums bled, probably for about a week, but once I flossed regularly my gums no longer bled.  Now I am so used to flossing that if I don't floss before bed I have a hard time sleeping.  It is suggested to floss after every meal but if once before bed is all one can do, that is better than nothing.   As the quote above states, any floss is good floss as long as you floss.  For all the answers to your questions about flossing, visit this very informative article by Rich Maloof:

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/oral-care/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100140935

Its very important to visit the dentist to have your teeth checked while pregnant . It might be a good idea to have a thorough exam before  getting pregnant. That way if you have any teeth that need attention they will be taken care of. Like an old filling that might break or a tooth that might need a root canal.You could even have a cleaning more than the usual twice a year.

Dr.Ueckert usually recommends a happy visit for preadolescent children while accompanied by their parents .Children can even ride in the chair while mom or dad are being leaned back and getting teeth checked.They will see the hygienist use a mask on the face, gloves and the suction being used.The whole experience will familiarize them for their real appointment.

When you dutifully make an appointment to have your teeth cleaned by your friendly dental hygienist, you, more than likely equate the polishing (the spinning rubber cup that is filled with slightly gritty polishing paste.....placed upon each and every tooth...tongue-side, cheek-side, and biting surface....which effectively removes plaque and stain) with having clean teeth.  Believe it or not that standard operational procedure changed years ago and was replaced with selective polishing.

The recommendation comes from the American Dental Hygienists' Association.  Selective polishing  literally means only putting that rubber cup filled with polishing paste on the portions of the tooth that show stain or plaque.  In an effort to preserve as much enamel as possible, selective polishing was thought to be the best mode of treatment.

That was until a few short years ago when the polishing pastes were improved and upgraded to include ingredients that remineralize tooth structure, making teeth much more resistant to decay.  Now we are back to recommending that you allow us to slather each and every precious tooth structure with the paste.  We do apologize for the grit, but we understand better than ever the benefit of complete, as opposed to selective, polishing.

Since those years of my early adulthood I have been thoroughly pleased with the substantial improvement in my dental health.  Not only am I forced to brush for the suggested two minutes but the Sonicare spaces out the time into 30 second segments, one for each quadrant of the mouth.  The newest model of Sonicare is the FlexCare and it is absolutely wonderful.  The RS930 FlexCare comes with a brush head sanitizer (see below). 

Philips Sonicare ©

The battery holds a charge for about two weeks so if you are taking a short trip you can rest assured that your Sonicare will work.  I took mine with me to the rainforest of Central America and when I was able to charge it, I plugged it in over night and it was set for another two weeks.  Some other benefits include the removal of stains caused by coffee and  tea as well as the reduction of plaque that forms along the gumline.  To learn more about the Sonicare and it's patented Sonic Technology, visit Philips website at www.sonicare.com. 

You might have recently read about a new approach to treating periodontal (gum) disease.   Your dentist makes custom fitted upper and lower mouthpieces.  It is called Perio Protect "R"and area offices have been using it since 2005 with wonderful success.

It does involve first having your teeth thoroughly cleaned.  Then impressions are made of your teeth from which the mouthpieces are made.  The mouthpiece delivers an antimicrobial oxidizing agent that is designed to kill 99.98% of periodontal pathogens in a 6 millimeter pocket in 17 days.

In some instances, it allows a patient who otherwise would be scheduled for periodontal surgery to be well treated without surgical intervention.  Patients describe treatment as comfortable and report fresher breath and whiter teeth. 

The wonders of modern health care!

Cavities are areas on an otherwise healthy and fully functioning tooth that are depleted of the full compliment of minerals that allow a tooth to remain strong.  The de-mineralized area may or may not be uncomfortable to you as you eat, drink, and speak.  De-mineralization can be detected by a dental professional in a number of ways:  visually, using tactile perception, with a light system called KaVo, or on radiographs.

Each tooth has four layers:  the enamel, the dentin, the cementum, and the pulp chamber.  The enamel is the outer layer that covers the portion of the tooth that shows in the mouth.  It is the hardest substance in the body and has no nerve endings in it-thus it does not perceive stimulation from hot, cold, or biting pressure.  It is an insulator.

The under-layer, the dentin, is filled with nerve endings in it and most definitely perceives changes in the environment.  Hot, cold, sweets, and the pressure of biting are perceived by the tooth as discomfort.  Something that would cause you to ring up a dentist for help.

Historically when a cavity remains within the enamel, the tooth can be fairly easily fully restored.  But once the decay involves the under-layer, the dentin, it becomes a larger repair scenario.  The enamel can be re-mineralized to some degree with the use of fluoride.  Recent laboratory research suggests that decay extending into the dentin can also be re-mineralized.

This is a break-through, a paradigm shift, a most hopeful addition to our knowledge base as dental professionals.  We have known for years that fluoride helps to keep teeth strong, thus preventing decay.  But this information takes that commitment to a deeper level.  Better living through chemistry!

 Prophylaxis is defined in Dictionary.com as:

1. Medicine/Medical.

     a.  the preventing of disease.

     b.  the prevention of a specific disease, as by studying the biological behavior, transmission, etc., as  

          its causative agent and applying a series of measures against it.

     c.  prophylactic treatment, as the cleaning of teeth by of dentist or dental hygienist.

As a hygienist, I take pride in providing quality prophylactic dental care to each and every patient.  I am encouraged as time goes on that more and more patients are becoming better educated and aware of their overall health and understanding that their head IS actually attached to the rest of their body.  The body is an amazing functional unit and it is imperative to understand its intricacies and interworkings.  Together,  we can work prophylactically to provide you with the optimum care regarding your health.

Listed below are links to the American Dental Association (ADA) AND the American Heart Association (AHA).  Both of these links discuss the guidelines and recommendations for patients regarding the requirement for antibiotics prior to dental treatment.

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/infective_endocarditis.asp   AND    http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4548

Esthetic dental procedures and protection of the teeth during atheletic competition are of great interest to the teen during a period when appearance and popularity are extremely important to a successful lifestyle.

The dental health educator should be very solicitous when observing and treating a traumatized permanent incisor because only a slight injury can result in nerve degeneration, loss of vitality, and discoloration of the affected tooth.  The extreme can require a root canal therapy and bleaching.  Minor fractures, on the other hand, are repaired easily and esthetically by the use of bonding or veneers. 

At the scene of any accident the oral activity should be examined for evidence of soft tissue lacerations or contusions and teeth that have been knocked out.  If a tooth is missing, it should be located and the following steps should be taken: 

1.  The tooth should be immediately reimplanted, or

2.  If the tooth is dirty, it should be rinsed in water or saline, but not scrubbed and then reimplanted, or

3.  If reimplantation is not feasible because of other injuries, or the individual is not able to cooperate, the patient should be transported having him either hold the tooth in the buccal vestibule (in the mouth/cheek) or in a wet washcloth or cup of cold water or saline.

Positive findings warrant an immediate dental evaluation.

Xerostomia (dry mouth) is associated  with difficulty in eating, speaking, swallowing and wearing of dentures. Dry foods may be difficult to chew and swallow. Keeping dentures on and getting sores may an issue with denture wearers. Taste disorders (dysgeusia), a painful tongue (glossodynia) and feeling thirsty more often, especially at night.  Xerostomia can lead to increased dental caries (cavities), parotid gland (salivary gland) enlargement, inflammation and fissuring (cracking) of the lips (cheilitis), inflammation or ulcers of the tongue and buccal mucosa (cheeks), oral candidiasis (fungal infection), salivary gland infection (sialadenitis) and bad breath (halitosis).

I would venture to say that we would not consider dental plaque to be an ornament on our teeth!  Plaque is the white gooey stuff that accumulates on our teeth.  It is also known as, biofilm.  We all have biofilm.  We all love that smooth feeling after having our teeth professionally cleaned.  Our teeth feel so smooth when the tartar, plaque and biofilm have been temporarily removed from them.  I say temporarily because as soon as the plaque and tartar have been removed it begins to accumulate immediately.  It begins with our saliva and what is called the pellicle.  Pellicle is a slime layer that  is produced from our saliva.  Pellicle coats the enamel about 1 hour after it has been removed.

Photograph © E.Byrne BDS DGDP (UK)

Bacteria that naturally resides in the mouth,  begins attaching to  the pellicle after approximately 24-48 hours, .  Sugars from foods and beverages increase the rate at which the bacteria grows and reproduces.  If these bacteria are not physically disrupted by effective brushing and flossing , the bacteria begin to mature, reeking havoc on our teeth (producing cavities) and gums (irritating and initializing inflammation).  If proper and effective home care is being achieved then the bacteria is not allowed to mature.  It  is the mature bacteria that truly does reek havoc on the teeth and gums.  Between days 4 and 7 the maturing bacteria is becoming more complex. 

Between days 7 to 14  the bacteria is evolving to a state that  tolerates conditions that do not have as much oxygen which allows the bacteria to begin thriving below the gumline.  Between days 14 and 21  the non disrupted bacteria is now causing noticeable inflammation of the gums.  Plaque consists of live bacteria.  If you were to look at plaque under a microscope, it moves. Dead plaque is tartar and tartar is rough and hard.  When tartar begins to accumulate it provides a rough surface for more plaque to adhere to thus promoting further plaque accumulation.  It is very important to physically disrupt plaque with proper homecare techniques including brushing and flossing and by maintaining regularly scheduled dental hygiene appointments.  

Plaques may be displayed ornamentally on the walls of our home or office but dental plaque is not considered ornamental on the walls of our teeth. 

If you would like to study more about this topic, search online, "dental plaque formation".

Low finances is one of the reasons people do not seek routine dental treatment.  In addition, however, approximately 8-15% of the adult population admit avoiding dental care because of feelings of extreme anxiety.  Surveys also indicate that nearly half of the American people report fear of dentistry at varying levels.  There are three main fears: fear of pain, fear of loss of control, and fear of dismemberment or destruction.  Patients who experience dental fear and avoidance are commonly those who have had negative or unpleasant dental experiences in the past.  Fear can also be engendered by accounts of the unfortunate dental experience of others and by media parodies of dental care.  Seven types of psychosomatic tendencies can be manifested by the fearful patient: anxiety, chronic complaining, uncontrolled behavior or hysteria, obsessiveness, paranoia, compulsive behavior and self-pity.

A variety of methods have been developed to help fearful patients overcome their anxiety.  The objective is to modify (1) how threatening the patient percieves the dental appointment or (2) how incapable the patient feels he is to manage an anxiety producing situation.  Techniques such as:  Iatrosedation, relaxation techniques, desensitization, imagery, cognative restructuring, biofeedback, hypnosis, electroanesthesia, accupuncture or accupressure and finally pharmacologic methods are helpful in treatment of dental fear and anxiety.

Adolescents engaging in contact sports should wear mouthguards or protectors to prevent oral trauma.  Wearing this appliance also provides the individual with a feeling of security, because the chances of tooth fracture or avulsion are greatly reduced.. A custom mouth protector, that can only be provided by your dentist office, should fit snugly to prevent dislocation but should not impinge on the soft tissue, stimulate the gag reflex, or interfere with breathing or speaking.  Local dental offices, the dental school or the public health department could sponsor a preseason screening, mouthguard fabrications, and emergency treatment, if necessary, for those adolescents and young adults who are participating in organized sports. 

The irregular alignment of teeth can cause emotional problems as a result of the effect it can have on a child's appearance.  Malocclusion can be inherited or caused by harmful habits such as digital sucking, mouthbreathing, pushing the tongue against the teeth, or biting the lips.  Aberrations in the dental and jaw development can increase a child's susceptability to dental injury, dental disease, and poor nutrition.  Teeth that protrude are traumatized more easily, resulting in fracture, dislocation, or avulsion.  Plaque removal tends to be more difficult when these teeth tend to be malaligned, predisposing these teeth to dental caries (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease.  Mastication is also more arduous if the teeth are out of alignment.  The foods that are easiest to chew are usually soft, non-nutritious, fermentable carbohydrates, which compound the child's risk of dental decay and periodontal problems due to in sufficient stimulation of the periodontium.  Getting your child an orthodontic evaluation is one of the best gifts you can give your child!!

Often blocks or barriers in the environment or within a person's inner structure, e.g., his attitudes, beliefs or values, interfere with the translation of knowledge into action.  Health attitudes and values are the intermediate pieces of the puzzle; they are the reactions of the individual to the learning he has aquired.  When an individual absorbs a great deal of correct information or knowledge on a health issue, he has a greater chance of developing supporting values and beliefs.  But suppose and individual has been given conflicting information.  At school he is told to visit the dentist regularly, practice good oral hygiene, and avoid sweets.  At home finances are low, the family's diet is high in fermentable carbohydrates, and dental care only becomes salient when pain occurs.  Because the individual's value system does not allow him to perceive dental disease as a serious health condition, prevention of dental disease is of minimal importance to him.  Can these values ever be changed??  YES, but the dental professional must be patient and never impose his values on the individual.  Resistance from the individual is normal, and permanent changes in behavior are not always easy to achieve.  The eduacator must "jump into the individual's skin" so to speak, and reconstruct the chain of events that led him to his existing knowledge, attitudes and values on dental health. 

Although x-rays have a risk, the chance of being harmed from medical or dental x-rays is extremely small.  In fact, natural radiation may pose a greater risk.

A person can safely get up to 300 simple x-rays per year.  Yes, it is always good to be on the cautious side and not receive excessive x-rays unless it is medically necessary.  CAT scans of body areas drastically reduce the safety factor, but they are still within an acceptable range.  Pregnant women should be especially cautious about being x-rayed.

An x-ray is high energy electromagnetic radiation that passes through the body.  Metal, bone and dense material block some radiation and that shows up as shadows on the x-ray film or digital sensor.  Once it passes through you, it is gone.  None stays in your body.  The high energy of the radiation can damage a very small amount of your body's cells.  In most cases, the cells simply die prematurely.  The amount of cell damage from an x-ray is many times less than you get from cosmic radiation you are exposed to when you fly an airliner.

The risk of getting cancer from x-rays is very small.  Government studies state that receiving 5000 millirem (50 mSv) of radiation in a year will increase the rate of cancer deaths by 0.3%.  That means that if you got 300 medical x-rays in a year, it would increase your chances of getting cancer by 1%. 

Exposure to background radiation, from sources such as radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space (i.e. walking around/being outside), rocks and soil, results in the body absorbing about 5 millirems each week.  Thus, in 10 weeks you get about the same dosage from natural radiation as you would from ONE medical x-ray or three dental x-rays. 

In dentistry, we can only visibly see about 45% of a particular tooth with our eyes/clincally.  The chance of seeing cavities/decay in between the teeth, abcessed teeth or any other abnormalities is greatly increased by taking dental x-rays.  Compared to a horrible inconvenient tooth ache or the possibility of saving thousands of dollars in early diagnosis....i think it is worth it to trust your dental professionals and let them to the best care of you as they can.  We strictly follow the ADA guidelines for dental x-ray exposure and with out digital x-ray system and radiation is even less now than previous years.  I see the proof everyday in helping patients avoid longer more extensive and expensive dental procedures. 

Plaque induced gingivitis is typically caused by poor home care.  The white gooey stuff (plaque) is live bacteria.  If  you were to scrape it off your teeth and look at it under a microscope....IT MOVES.  It is alive!  Our bodies are intelligent and naturally fight off infection anytime bacteria is introduced to a site.  When it sits near the gum tissue (gingiva) it  causes irritation, inflammation and bleeding.  Homecare is our primary concern.  Brushing at least three times a day for a minimum of two minutes and flossing at least once a day can alleviate the symptoms of plaque induced gingivitis. 

Hormones also are a factor in gingivitis.  Gingivitis is typically seen for the first time during puberty when the hormones are raging.  There is pregnancy induced gingivitis which has been associated with Pre-term low birth weight babies (PTLBWB).  It is important for women who are pregnant to pay attention to  the health of their gum tissues, making sure that they are brushing at least  three times a day for a minimum of two minutes and flossing at least once a day.  Also, a proactive approach in avoiding pregnancy induced gingivitis is taking a trip to the dentist to see a hygienist for a cleaning once every trimester.   

Other known causes:  tobacco use; diabetes; older age; decreased immunity (ie., HIV/AIDS, Cancer); certain medications; dry mouth; poor nutrition; substance abuse;  ill-fitting dental restorations.

A good reference for anyone is if they see any bleeding during brushing or flossing. 

Our staff had just completed our yearly OSHA training and were gathering our belonging to go home when a huge crash was heard through out the building.  I looked out the reception window to see a car impaled on the side of our 40 year old oak tree.  We have a decorative fence around an atrium which he had broken down, sending wood, and bricks flying. 

The debris from the crash broke the plate glass window in the corner hygiene room where two of our hygienist were discussing tomorrows schedule.  One of our hygienist, in a desperate attempt to get out of the way of the incoming car, fractured her elbow.    The driver was an elderly man who we assume got confused between the gas and the brake peddle.  He was not hurt and refused to be taken to the hospital for an exam.  Needless to say we were happy that a patient was not in the dental chair! 

Ever heard of the Platypus?  Not the animal, but a floss aid for people who are in orthodontics.....braces.  The traditional kind of braces with brackets, bands, and wires.....not Invisalign.

It is actually possible to thread floss at each interproximal space and efficiently clean in between each and every tooth without this aid.  But easier yet is a gadget  called the Platypus.  It's plastic and pre-threaded with floss.  Designed to slip under the wire quickly each and every time for good access all across your smile.

And, get this, it was designed by a dental hygienist (not me though) who lives, breathes, and works in Austin, Texas!

You won't find it on retail shelves.  We would need to order some for you from a specific dental supplier who sells only to dental offices.  They come 25 per bag.

That's us...always working to take away excuses for not taking care of your pearly whites!

You know me, a dental hygienist just doing my job.  I am overly obligated to mention any areas in your mouth that show signs and/or indications of inflammation or infection.  That, of course, includes not just your teeth, but also the support tissues.  So now we are talking about the gum tissue and the bone as well.

The eternal nemesis is bacteria.  And, guess what?  Bacteria are a natural component of our mouths....there to begin the digestive process.  When those bacteria are at a healthy population, digestion rolls along  as it should and there are no issues with inflammation.  But if those anaerobic bacteria find a wet, warm, dark spot to proliferate, they do so instinctively and quickly. 

There are five surfaces on each tooth.  The toothbrush can reach and clean the top, biting surface;  the tongue side; and the cheek side of each tooth.  But the other two surfaces, the front of each tooth where it touches the tooth in front of it and the back of the tooth where it touches the tooth behind it, can only be reached by an interproximal cleaning tool......floss. 

And yes, I am aware that some of us are flossers and some of us are not.  Well, consider purchasing some GUM Soft-Picks at your local retailer.  They look like a fancy, gently barbed toothpick and are easy to manipulate.  The only surface that Soft-Picks don't clean as well as floss is the actual contact point...the spot where each tooth touches the next tooth.  But if the choice is to Soft-Pick or do nothing,  you are at a distinct advantage with the Soft-Pick.

 Faster - Achieve superior results in four 15-minute session reduces chair-time with no compromise in results. More Effective - The proprietary light activated Zoom2 gel incorporates patented Amorphous Calcium Phosphatel (ACP) technology to provide superior whitening results. Easier - The  new Precision Light Guide System ensures guick and consistent patient set-up for opimal whitening results. Lower Sensitivits - Reduced contact time ,ACP chemistry, combined with the new  Balancing  Agent and Satin Finish to ensure the lowest possible discomfort for patients. In fact , Zoom2 patients experience 67% less significant sensitivity than those treated with the original Zoom System.  

Before the summer started my little girl had a bike accident, and chipped her two front teeth  She ended up in the EMS.   Well,  she looked pretty bad when I got to her.  Obviously,  her to front teeth were not a priority at that time.  I work for one of the best dentist in Austin, so on his advise we are going to have the root canals done on her two broken teeth by one of  Dr. Ueckert's good friends.

Well first if you know you are anxious about going to the dentist you should minimize the need for anything but routine dental visits by practicing good oral hygiene like minimizing sugar intake, like sport drinks and mints. Also brushing and flossing as recommended and keeping up with your dental hygiene visits!

When you go for your regular dental check up your dentist and hygienist are also screening you for any signs of oral cancer. Every hour of every day, someone dies of oral cancer in the United States. This serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages. Visiting your dentist for regular check ups and avoiding tobacco are the key factors in preventing oral cancer.  When you go for your regular dental check up, your dentist and hygienist are also screening you for any signs of oral cancer.