Category: Brushing and Flossing

Everyone has different morning routines and brushing preferences. While most people seem to prefer brushing after breakfast, there are a lot of factors that go into this decision such as whether or not you eat breakfast and how much time you have to get out the door in the morning. The American Dental Association recommends brushing before breakfast. Let’s take a deeper look into this recommendation. Why brush at all? Brushing ensures that food particles and other debris that stick to your teeth are cleaned away so they cannot collect bacteria that causes cavities. Why brush before breakfast? Bacteria builds Read More →

As dental professionals, we are asked daily what we trust and use as our dental products. The store shelves are stocked with an abundant number of pastes, floss and brushes, but which ones are the best? Dr. Peters prefers to use Arm & Hammer Peroxicare because of its natural whitening properties. This paste also tastes good (per Dr. Peters!) and has a low abrasiveness rating, so it is gentle on your teeth. He uses the reach access flosser- easy to use for hard-to-reach molars and an electric Sonicare toothbrush. Dr. Mettler prefers to use any toothpaste that has fluoride and Read More →

Visiting your dentist for routine cleanings and checkups is more than “just a cleaning.” During your visit, we assess your gum tissues for disease, check the hard structures for decay and educate as well as coach patients on how to achieve optimal dental health. In order to diagnose any type of disease in the mouth, a few things are needed. Dental x-rays based on ADA recommendations and patient risk factors, as well as history are updated. X-rays help the dentist and hygienist determine if there are cavities, any areas of bone loss and screen for dental tumors, cysts, etc. After Read More →

The number one concern of patients in my hygiene chair is sensitivity. It comes in all forms, caused by cold, hot or sweets. Simply brushing can also cause a feeling I describe as a “zing.” It can be frustrating, and even life altering, when tooth sensitivity prevents enjoying the things we once could – like ice cream! It is important to bring up any tooth sensitivity at your dental appointments. The majority of sensitivity comes from exposed root surfaces (recession). Sensitivity can also come from tooth issues such as cracks or nerve issues. Describing your symptoms and the location gives Read More →

Electric toothbrushes have been around for quite some time. They come in a variety of sizes, brush heads and prices. As a consumer, it can be tricky shopping for a new brush. Here is the advice I give patients when asked about electric toothbrushes. Brand Matters Stick with a brand that is trusted. I caution patients on purchasing battery operated five dollar brushes, because the bristles used in these brushes are not always soft or extra soft. Replacing the batteries often becomes pricey. Further, not all of the motions they use are effective at cleaning the gumline areas. Braun Oral Read More →

Here is an explanation of dental probing that will hopefully help you understand… Most of us have heard the terms gingivitis or gum disease. Once a year, these numbers we record are taken to evaluate the health of our gum tissue. A periodontal probe (tiny gum ruler) is utilized to measure the pocket depths in millimeters along the gumline, on the front and back of each tooth, totaling 6 measurements per tooth. When listening to these numbers, 1, 2 and 3 millimeters are all normal, healthy gum attachments to the teeth. If you hear 4 millimeters, this is an area Read More →

There has been a lot of buzz going around about the additives in toothpaste and what they do to our teeth. Many people look for whitening or tartar control toothpastes to brighten their smile, while others are on the hunt for a paste that allows them to eat ice cream without cringing. How do we decide what toothpastes are good for our teeth and which ones to avoid? Our office now hands out a list of toothpastes widely used on the market and where they land in abrasiveness. It is a good way to choose a toothpaste option that is Read More →

What is dental floss and why should I use it? Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments that removes food and plaque that stick between teeth where a toothbrush is unable to reach, polishes hard to reach tooth surfaces, and can help control bad breath. What kind of floss should I use? It really is a matter of personal preference. Waxed floss has a coating that helps it slide through tight spaces. Unwaxed floss does not have this coating, so it is thinner. You can also use Dental tape which is helpful if you have a bridge or wider Read More →

We all know it’s best to brush, floss, use mouth-rinse etc. every day. But c’mon – it’s the real world, the kids are tired, it’s past their bed time and you’ve got about ten seconds left before you lose your cool….so what do you do? I got to thinking about this the other day – where is the biggest “bang for your buck” time-wise in cleaning your kid’s teeth? To tackle this question, I asked myself one question… “Where do I spend my day fixing kid’s cavities?” No question it’s between the two baby molars. We call these class II’s Read More →

All toothpaste has some type of abrasiveness to it especially when coupled with a toothbrush; just how abrasive that can be is measured by RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasion). The ADA created a range of abrasivity that rates different toothpastes and their effect on the teeth. Their list ranges from 0-250 and is broken into 4 sections (Low Abrasive to Regarded as a Harmful Limit). Enamel is not as susceptible to abrasion (the wear on the teeth from a mechanical source, like a toothbrush with toothpaste) because of the hardness of the structure. The underlying structures of enamel like dentin and Read More →