As we ease into Summer, getting healthy and in shape is on our mind often.  An important part of being healthy and looking nice is your smile.  The most neglected part of our dental health is flossing.  In today's post, we're reviewing the best practice techniques and tips for fighting plaque.

HOW TO FLOSS

Dental flossing is an ADA recommended dental hygiene technique for removing bacteria that can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Dental floss is used to clean between the teeth and gums where other implements cannot reach.

Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums after eating. This bacterial film contains acids that degrade tooth enamel. Over time plaque can harden into calculus or tartar, substances that become much more difficult to remove and can cause gum recession, gum disease or even loss of teeth. Daily removal of plaque by flossing between teeth and at the gum line protects your teeth and gums from decay and disease.

How to Properly Floss

1. Using approximately 18 inches of dental floss, wrap one end around your middle finger and the remaining floss around the other middle finger.
2. Gently insert the dental floss between your teeth, rubbing along the length of the tooth.
3. At the gum line, gently guide the dental floss into the space between your tooth and gum, holding the dental floss against the tooth. Move the dental floss away from the gum line with an up and down motion.
4. Remember to floss the back side of the teeth furthest back in your mouth.

Fighting Plaque

In addition to flossing your teeth, plaque and gum disease can be kept away by other good dental hygiene practices, such as:

• Using fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses
• Brushing twice-daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Eating a balanced diet with limited snacks
• Regular dental visits and cleanings

Other types of inter-dental cleaners, such as small brushes, toothpicks or dental floss holders can be effective for removing plaque. Your dentist can advise you as to the best way to use them properly without damaging gum tissue.

We want to wish all our patients a Happy Mother's Day and hope your weekend is wonderful.

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We are pleased to introduce Laser Assisted Therapy to our hygiene program. Using this therapy, we will be better equipped to reduce the amount of bacteria that can enter the bloodstream (bacteremia) or escape into the air (bacterial aerosols). 

    You may have read in the news that gum health can be related to other overall health problems.

 We aim to provide our patients with dental care that promotes total health of both the mouth and the body, but in a comfortable and affordable manner. As your dental care team, we can improve your health, increase longevity and functionality, and prevent more invasive procedures such as gum surgery or other restorative treatment.

    Request an appointment or call our office to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

You'll be happy that you did. You'll get a cleaner mouth, healthier gums, and less time in the dental office--all for the similar cost of a fluoride treatment . 

Sincerely,

Dr. Patch and staff

Now that tax season is over (hopefully) we are offering a form of tax relief - half off FLOURIDE tray treatments.

We are also currenting accepting new patients this Spring, so call today!

Flouride Information

For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, which thereby helps to prevent decay of tooth structures.

Water fluoridation is endorsed by nearly every major health and safety-related organization in the world. Communities make it a common practice to "fluoridate" their drinking supplies in order for the general population to benefit from this inexpensive and effective preventative treatment. According to the American Dental Association, more than 144 million U.S. residents in more than 10,000 communities drink fluoridated water, most rom public water supplies with sodium fluoride added artificially.

Bottled water, home water treatment systems, and fluoride exposure

Can the consistent use of bottled water result in individuals missing the benefits of optimally fluoridated water? Can home water treatment systems (e.g., water filters) affect optimally fluoridated water supplies? The answer is yes to both. Read how you can avoid some of the pitfalls that may be preventing you from getting the maximum value of fluoride, in this article from the American Dental Association.

ADA statement on FDA toothpaste warning labels

The American Dental Association`s Council on Scientific Affairs believes that one part of the warning now required on fluoride toothpastes by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could unnecessarily frighten parents and children, and that the label greatly overstates any demonstrated or potential danger posed by fluoride toothpastes. The label language, "If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately," is now required on all fluoride toothpastes. But the ADA, in a letter sent to the FDA last year, pointed out that a child could not absorb enough fluoride from toothpaste to cause a serious problem and that the excellent safety record on fluoride toothpaste argues against any unnecessary regulation.

Enamel fluorosis

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child may face a condition called enamel fluorosis if he or she receives too much fluoride during the years of tooth development. Too much fluoride can result in defects in tooth enamel.

CDC web site provides information on community water fluoridation

People seeking information on whether their water system is fluoridated, can now find out by visiting a new Web site at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new feature, "My Water`s Fluoride," allows consumers in participating states to check out basic information about their water system, including the number of people served by the system and the target fluoridation level. Optimal levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC for drinking water range from 0.7 parts per million (ppm) for warmer climates, to 1.2 ppm for cooler climates accounting for the tendency to drink more water in warmer climates. States that are currently participating include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.