If you are disgusted by the thought of germs or bacteria filled mouths, going to the dentist might be a trip to dread. It’s a fair concern, so let’s address those lingering fears. Rest assured, instruments and equipment must undergo rigorous sterilization procedures. In fact, some dental tools are for single use only and get tossed after one procedure. For the non-disposable items like mouth mirrors, drills, forceps and scalers, special machines called auto claves(steam under pressure) or dry ovens are required for use by the CDC to ensure the utmost standards be met for cleanliness. Thorough sterilization is [...]

Most of us have never been more grateful for dental floss than after a family BBQ that involves corn on the cob. Who was the genius that thought it was a good idea to stick a piece of wax between teeth to dislodge trapped food? Believably, humans have been using tools and strings and fingernails, surely, to get rid of unwanted food in their teeth for hundreds of years. But thank goodness for Levi Parmly, who determined, around 1819, that people needed a more effective way to eliminate left over food from their mouths. Floss first began as a [...]

Many adolescents rely on the energy and caffeine boost they receive when drinking sports drinks. Kids walk into schools each morning chugging Celsius, Monster, Red Bull, Bang and Rockstar in an effort to stay attentive in class; interns sip on 5 Hour Energy cans to meet deadlines, and athletes guzzle energy fuel to help enhance their performance. But are they really a “healthier” option, as they are advertised? Not exactly. The two major ingredients found in energy and sports drinks are caffeine and sugar. These pop replacement drinks often contain 4-8 teaspoons of sugar or sugar-like substances. What’s left [...]

Mouth guards aren’t simply for teeth grinders. They are helpful for preventing sport injuries and they can even reduce snoring and help sufferers of sleep apnea. Stock mouth guards are most used for sports. They cover the top teeth and can be purchased at local drug stores or a sporting goods store. If you’re involved in an activity that includes a risk of falling or contact with any part of the face and mouth, the mouth guard is a must. Boil & Bite Mouth Guards Boil and bite mouth guards are also inexpensive and easy to purchase at a [...]

Being the tooth fairy is no small feat. You must be sneaky, snatching teeth from under pillows and replacing the object with treats. Depending on how often kids lose teeth, this could amount to 20 visits from the magical creature. And thanks to inflation, in all areas, according to a recent Delta Dental poll, the average hand out these days is $3.91 per tooth. Recently, Reader’s Digest shared some funny tooth fairy moments with its readers. Here are a couple you may relate to: “I was playing tooth fairy when my daughter suddenly woke up. Spotting the money in [...]

Who’s the glue that holds it altogether in your office? Or your household? The one that works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things going? In a dental office, this person is the dental assistant or hygienist. Their job can involve all sorts of tasks. Their primary responsibility is to make you feel comfortable and to communicate, effectively, with the dentist. But their work goes beyond what you see. They are tasked with the responsibility to disinfect chairs and rooms and implement sterilization procedures to ensure your safety. When you see the neatly organized trays of tools, it is [...]

The future of dentistry looks bright!  It’s hard to know, exactly, what 20-30 years in the future will mean for the dental world, but as technology and innovation increase, it’s clear dentistry will continue to advance and develop more intricately. Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence could revolutionize the way dentistry operates.  The use of Artificial Intelligence, alone, will allow for more specific diagnostics, data, and individual, personalized care.   The Smart toothbrush is growing in its popularity on the market, as it can detect good or bad brushing habits, connected with an app for ease of tracking patterns.  The world [...]

Teeth have been around as long as humans have been around. They are vital to life, because teeth are essential to eating and speaking and they are a window into the body’s overall health. The Ancient Greeks once believed that tooth decay occurred due to tooth worms, which was really their best guess at bacteria and cavities. Egyptian mummies have shown evidence of tooth drilling practices to drain abscesses. In Phoenicia, an early, common practice was to replace missing human teeth with teeth from animals, bound to a person’s gums. The first people recognized as dentists were originally barbers, who dealt with sharp tools, [...]

Perhaps you have filled out a March Madness bracket, and the excitement is brewing in your competitive household or work environment as strong opinions about definite winners are exchanged. Perhaps these participants also have strong opinions about their dental habits.  Why not challenge them to a dental madness bracket, just for fun? 1st up—Team Floss versus Team Mouthwash: And the winner is... FLOSSING.  Mouthwash should never replace brushing and flossing. Instead, use it after you’ve done the other two activities, to rinse out any residual bacteria. Next up—Team Manual Toothbrush versus Team Electric Toothbrush: And the winner is...ELECTRIC.  Electric [...]

We tend to be careful about what we put in our bodies for meals.  We tend to be disciplined about getting to the gym.  But do we treat our dental care with the same intentionality?  Isn’t there good reason the mouth is often called the “window” to the body?  To understand this concept better, let’s debunk some common myths surrounding the topic of dental hygiene: Brushing your teeth hard helps get rid of buildup. NOPE. Brushing too hard take off the enamel and can even cause greater gum recession, in the long run. Gentle brushing is best. Bleeding gums are [...]