Toothbrushes are something most of us use every day but give little thought. How well do you really know your toothbrush? We are all so busy, the very thing that keeps teeth in our mouths is something most of us don’t investigate very well or consider that important. As a matter of fact, researchers have found more people today own a smartphone than a toothbrush. Many don’t even brush every day. Yuck!
share 5 toothbrush tips you need to know:
Make sure the handle fits your grip – Colgate recommends choosing a toothbrush that is the most comfortable. This includes one that is non-slip or has a flexible neck
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Is the toothbrush the right fit for your mouth? Obviously, you can’t try before you buy, but seeing what works best is essential. The shape of the head is important whether it be tapered or rectangular.
See which bristles works best - whether they are rippled, flat, or dome shaped. Make sure the brush fits your mouth and you can reach all your teeth.
Use a soft-bristled brush – Medium or hard brushes will tear up your gums and cause recession and gum disease
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Always air dry – Never store your brush in a dark place without air. You are encouraging mold and you don’t want that in your mouth. The Cleveland Clinic recommends storing your brush in the open where it can properly dry and not build bacteria or viruses.
How Filthy is Your Toothbrush?
At any given time, there can be up to 300 types of microbes living in your mouth. When you brush them away, they can remain on your toothbrush. Here is how to prevent microbes from taking up residence:
You should rinse your toothbrush very well.
Never share a toothbrush - You will share what that person ate for dinner and even blood-borne pathogens!
Store a toothbrush in a container where it can air dry.
Use a toothpaste that kills germs. These include toothpastes with triclosan/copolymer.
Replace your toothbrush every two to three months.
New Call-to-ActionYou also need to make sure you are brushing properly. 90 percent of people don't brush correctly. We have a free pamphlet you can download to learn the right way to keep your teeth healthy. Also, don't forget to see your dentist twice a year.
Antibiotics: What Dental Patients Should Consider
The over use of antibiotics by physicians and dentists is a growing concern among health professionals . Just last year, a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and CDC Antibiotic Do's and Don'tsPrevention (CDC) told a convention of ADA member dentists that 258 million courses of antibiotics were prescribed by U.S. healthcare providers in a 12-month period. Dr. Lauri Hicks, D.O. said dentists were responsible for 10 percent of that number prescribed in 2010. Hicks raised concern about over-prescribing, especially since about 2 million antibiotic-resistant illnesses are caused by antibiotic over use in the U.S., as cited in a 2013 CDC survey.
Take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed
Alert your dentist if you have any reactions to the medications
Inform your dentist on all medications and over-the-counter supplements you are taking.
Ask the dentist for alternatives to antibiotics
Do not stop taking your antibiotics or skip doses without consulting with your dentist.
Always Ask Your Dentist Questions
Any question you have regarding your dental care is worth asking. That includes concerns over the use of antibiotics. Your dentist needs to know everything about your medical history to make the correct recommendations. This is particularly true if you have a history of heart disease or a condition that requires antibiotics before or after a dental procedure. If you have an allergic reaction to a particular antibiotic, your dentist needs to know that too. These prescriptions are written for patients to prevent or treat infection such as an abscessed tooth.
Why Americans Used to Get Dental Care in the Barn
toothaches were fixed in the barnWhere did Americans go for their dental care in the 1800s? Yep, you guessed it. The barn. Especially in rural areas, dentists were few and far between. The dental profession had not totally begun. When people needed a tooth pulled, they went to the village blacksmith or even the barber. They could get shoes for their horses and their hair cut at the same time.
As early as the 1700s, Paul Revere was a highly respected blacksmith and dentist. He was taught by an English dental surgeon of the time named John Baker. After his training, Revere advertised his dental skills in the Boston New Call-to-Action Gazette boasting that he could fix teeth “in such a manner that they are not only any ornament but of real use for speaking and eating.” Revere gained respect in his field, eventually fashioning a set of dentures for President George Washington.
Research Shows Too Many Americans Don't See the Dentist
30% of Americans are at risk for serious dental diseaseThirty percent of Americans never see the dentist, according to a new survey conducted by FAIR Health. The survey was conducted last year by ORC International's Telephone CARAVAN®. The combined sample consisted of 1,028 U.S.-based adults. Fairfield Dental Associates found this statistic to be very alarming, especially with recent research that shows periodontal disease can lead to other life-threatening conditions. It is especially a concern with children who do not receive proper dental care. Twenty percent of consumers surveyed said they never saw the dentist or only did when their teeth required urgent care. One-third of the households that didn’t see the dentist had annual incomes of less than $35,000. Ten percent of households earning $100,000 or more also didn’t see the dentist.
FAIR Health reported that the biggest disparity existed in African-American and Hispanic households as well as groups that lacked a college degree or high school diploma. Many people in these groups said at least one person in their family had gone to the ER for oral care in the past five years.
"The hospital ER setting is not necessarily the appropriate location to receive most emergency or routine dental care," said Robin Gelburd, president of FAIR Health, a national, independent, nonprofit corporation dedicated to healthcare cost transparency and health literacy. "Generally, a dentist's office or a dental clinic is the better choice for dental services. Unfortunately, lower-income consumers might delay dental care to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. Residents of underserved communities also face cost and transportation hurdles in seeking care. Sometimes the delay in care can lead to more serious health problems."
New Call-to-ActionResearchers said Hispanics are the most likely ethnic group to state that a member of their household received dental care at a community clinic in the past five years.
Periodontal Disease is Serious for Children
Fairfield Dental Associates needs to emphasize the importance of bi-annual dental visits, especially when it comes to children. A lack of dental care at an early age sets up a host of problems that can lead to advanced periodontitis, lost teeth, and bacteria from plaque that can cause health issues in the rest of the body. What most parents don’t know is chronic gingivitis (early gum disease) is very common in children. This is treatable with proper brushing, flossing, and professional dental care. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that aggressive periodontitis can affect healthy young people. Localized advanced periodontitis is often found in teenagers and young adults, impacting molars and incisors. It can lead to bone loss even if these patients have limited dental plaque or calculus. In advanced stages, this bacterial infection spreads, leading to tooth and jaw bone loss.
New Call-to-action Teenagers are especially at risk for periodontal disease with increase hormone changes and levels of progesterone and estrogen. Parents need to be especially diligent in getting their adolescents to practice good at-home dental hygiene and making
sure they see the dentist. It is important to note that periodontal disease in teens can also be a sign of early systemic illness. A dentist can be your first line of defense in discovering other medical conditions in your child that require attention.
Watermelon is Good For Your Brain & Teeth
Watermelon is great for your kids!Aah - the wonderful benefits of summer. Besides the sunshine, recreation, outdoor activities, warm weather and picnics - the whole family can enjoy the bounty of summer - which includes watermelon! Now, some parents may think that watermelons have way too much sugar for their children and are just a messy snack. Not so fast! Watermelon has some astounding health benefits that may surprise you.
Watermelon is really good for youThe Truth About Watermelon
Fairfield Dental Associates wants to come to the defense of watermelon with some amazing facts we found:
According to HowStuffWorks.com, watermelon is loaded with essential nutrients like Vitamin A that helps with good vision.
It also has Vitamin C which keeps our immune systems strong. C helps heal wounds, encourages healthy teeth and gums and prevents cellular damage. It is also great for that summer cold!
Watermelons are also loaded with Vitamin B6. This well-known nutrient helps our brains function better by allowing our bodies to convert protein into energy.
Watermelon is a great source of water. Hydration is key during the summer, especially when we often to forget to drink enough water. It is also low in fat, so it is a no-guilt, healthy treat.
Watermelons are a really fun toothbrush - well sort of. They are fibrous, which means they can actually scrub your teeth as you chomp down. They also stimulate saliva which naturally bathes and cleans your teeth. This is a definite bonus for your kids. After the main picnic meal, give them some watermelon. You won't have to urge them to brush after that summer picnic.
Don't skip the dentist!No Substitute for the Dentist
Choosing the right foods to eat with a healthy lifestyle go a long way to ensuring your family is healthy. Making sure your children have good oral health cannot be achieved without the help of the dentist. The kind of dental care we get as children determines the kind of teeth we have as an adult. Poor dental care at an early age leads to dental problems as an adult.
Many Young Denture Wearers Are Afraid to Kiss
denture wearers are afraid of intimacyThere is a huge misconception about dentures. Most people think they are something older people wear and they are something to hide. The overwhelming truth? Many young people are now wearing dentures because of poor dental care. A recent Biting into Denture Care survey conducted by Survata found over 53 percent of denture wearers are under 45, with a large number of them under 40. As prevention advocates, Fairfield Dental Associates finds these stats especially alarming.
Of the denture wearers surveyed, 56% of these people feel dentures interfere with many things including their love life. Many of them feel so strongly about it that they are afraid to kiss. Why? They fear their dentures will dislodge, give them bad breath or just turn people off.
Researchers say nearly one in five survey respondents said dentures impacted their love life. A full 42 percent said it was negative. Twenty-four percent of denture wearers admitted they were afraid to kiss someone passionately. Men (23%) were more worried about kissing with their dentures than women (19%).
Dentures seem to have such a stigma that some people actually keep their dentures a secret. Researchers say 63 percent of respondents have hidden the fact they wear dentures from someone in their life. Thirty-two percent had hidden dentures from their family, 10 percent from their siblings and 7 percent from their spouses.
Certain Foods Scare Denture Wearers
It is too bad that dentures seem to be such a scarlet letter to so many people. They are so dreaded, that 34 percent of denture wearers surveyed said dentures prevented them from living life to the fullest. A good percentage of them are afraid to eat what they love. That is just wrong.
"It is clear from these survey findings that denture wearers' relationship with dentures is complicated," said Joe Buttermore, Senior Brand Manager for Polident® and Super Poligrip® brands. "While dentures give their wearers confidence and freedom, they can also make them feel careful and cautious. We see a need to make a positive shift to people's belief systems about wearing dentures."
Obviously, the stigma regarding dentures needs to stop. These dental appliances should be viewed as a help, not a hindrance. Much of the anxiety most likely comes from old perceptions that dentures are something your "grandparents" wear. That is false. People also may perceive dentures as unattractive or unnatural. That is also false.
The falsehoods aren't stopping the anxiety. Twenty percent of people surveyed admitted they were afraid to smile while 10 percent were afraid to eat at parties. A vast majority (56%) were afraid they would get food stuck between their teeth. Almost two in five people even said dentures were negatively affecting their careers.
The simple fact is that dentures can look as natural as regular teeth. The key is finding the right dental professional to make a set of dentures that fit and match your mouth properly. Denture wearers must also be trained in the proper cleaning and care of dentures and make sure to get them checked periodically for good fit and adhesion.
Avoid dentures with proper dental careThe Best Solution - Good Dental Care
Obviously as dentists, Fairfield Dental Associates believes the best solution is to avoid dentures altogether by making sure to get good preventive dental care. Dentures are an expensive proposition and a solution people shouldn't have to choose. Dentures are avoidable. Cavities are totally preventable and so is dental disease. Except in the case of a mouth injury or medical correction, dental appliances should not be necessary. Tooth loss and gum disease are typically due to poor dental hygiene and failing to see the dentist at a young age. her patients on the correct way to care for their teeth, including proper brushing and flossing techniques. She New Call-to-Action can also assist in areas where there is tooth loss and gum disease so dentures are not a part of your future.
Dental and Healthcare in 3D
3D teeth coming to a dentist near you3D is all the rage these days. It is gradually making its official debut - completely off the silver screen and - into a doctor's or dentist's office near you. What do you think about 3D bioprinting that can generate a simulated organ, prosthetic or human tissue? A recent analysis by Frost & Sullivan reports that 3D bioprinting will transform the future of healthcare and manufacturing. Their analysis reports advances for artificial organs, smart pills, optical imaging and tissue engineering. Imagine needing a new organ or joint replacement and just printing one. How about a lost tooth? You would go to the dentist and the dentist would print you a new one and replace it. How easy is that!
Venkat Rajan, Frost & Sullivan’s Visionary Healthcare Program Global Director says 3D printing got started in the dental field. It has serious advantages in the dental arena because scientists are dealing with parts of the body that are not prone to the same bio-compatibility issues that they have with other organ or tissue transplants.
"Dental is one of the first areas where 3D printing has gained commercial traction in the medical field,” explains Rajan. "It is already being used for orthodontic molds, drill guides and customized dental implants. The advantages of 3D printing are that you can produce something immediately, and make it highly customizable. Given the range of variance in oral configuration and anatomy, 3D printing is ideally suited to address."
Frost & Sullivan says 3D bioprinting is ramping up very quickly with help from researchers at universities and research facilities across the globe.
only the right dentist can give you that perfect smileNew Teeth in Minutes
A new technology by Carbon3D will give dentists the ability to print a tooth in no time at all says Joseph DeSimone, CEO of Carbon3D.
“Dentists can now print a tooth in 6.5 minutes,” DeSimone told a TED Conference in Vancouver.
Dentists have been able to reproduce teeth for at least 30 years using computer-assisted sculpture like CEREC. Faster 3D printing has an advantage over the other milling method because an object can be customized with fine details like grooves, crannies, and valleys.
Cosmetic Dentists Know Best.
3D printing will certainly revolutionize what dentists can do to transform a mediocre smile into something fabulous. It is an exciting future to be sure. It won't work however without the right medical professional. You still need to choose a cosmetic or general dentist who knows what you need to make you look your best. is a cosmetic dentist who has scores of satisfied patients across you don't need and is an experienced artist when it comes to creating beautiful smiles.
She has scores of satisfied cosmetic dentistry patients who have undergone smile makeovers and teeth whitening. Her artistry has transformed the smiles of many people. See our reviews. Dr. Finkel can recommend in-office or at-home teeth whitening, veneers/porcelains or a complete smile makeover. She will never recommend anything you don't need. We're offering a Get the Gleam special. Check it out and contact us for a free consultation!
What is Your Toothbrush I.Q.?
What is your toothbrush knowledge?Toothbrushes are one of the most important tools you can use every day. What do you know about them? Are you using the wrong one? We have compiled some toothbrush facts you may not know, along with brushing techniques to keep your smile beautiful for a lifetime!
Toothbrushes come in all shapes, designs and sizes. They are manual or electric, hard, medium and soft bristled brushes with raised bristles, angled heads, oscillating tufts and different kinds of handles.The general rule of thumb is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that doesn't damage your gums or erode your enamel. You can over-scrub! Too much of a good thing can be bad! A 2012 study published by the Swedish Dental Journal says 90 percent of all people brush incorrectly and aren't removing plaque.
Find the Right Toothbrush for the Job
The toothbrush you choose should fit your mouth comfortably. According to KnowYourTeeth.com, the toothbrush head should be small to get into all the crevices. It should be an inch by half inch to reach your gums, teeth surfaces and mouth. The toothbrush should feature a long, wide handle for easy gripping power. It should also have nice soft, round nylon bristles to prevent damag
If you are an aggressive brusher, an electric toothbrush may be the best choice for you. This will prevent you from doing damage to your teeth and gums. Electric toothbrushes are also helpful to people with physical disabilities or conditions like arthritis. They help do the workBrushing Dos and Don'ts
Brushing is one of the most important things you will do through the day. The problem is most people are in a hurry. That is how aggressive brushing starts and plaque gets left behind. You should take at least two to three minutes to brush. That is a minimum amount of time. Some electric toothbrushes have timers to keep you on track. There are also smart toothbrushes that we discussed in a previous blog.
Brush all the surfaces of your teeth and gums and don't forget your tongue where nasty, bad-breath bacteria can lurk. WebMD recommends moderation. Over-diligent brushing by bearing down too hard will wear away your enamel. You should also not exceed three times a day in your brushing routine. Remember to:
Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle, with a gentle circular motion and short strokes.
Use a lighter touch to prevent scrubbing.
Pay attention to your gums. They have more bacteria than your teeth.
Brush the back of your teeth.
Learn that it doesn't take a lot of pressure to remove plaque. Being thorough is what counts.
Brush outer, inner tooth surfaces, your molars and your tongue.
Don't over-do with the whitening toothpastes. They can erode your tooth structure. If you must brighten your smile, use a regular toothpaste and whitening toothpaste. Switch between the two of them.
Always rinse your brush and let it dry in between uses. Thorough rinsing gets rid of bacteria you just brushed out of your mouth. If you have a cold, replace the toothbrush once you recover.
Replace your toothbrush every two to three months or when the bristles have lost their flexibility.
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