What is Xylitol?

Sources:

http://www.Xylitol.org

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene, Tooth Talk, What is...
Tagged acid, bacteria, benefits of xylitol, cavities, neutral pH, plaque, saliva, sugar, sweeteners, what is xylitol, xylitol
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July 13, 2015

How to Care For Your Infant’s Teeth

Lora Cook RDH

How to Care For Your Infant’s Teeth

When to start cleaning your baby’s teeth

You can start before your baby even has teeth, it is best to incorporate mouth cleaning at bath time. This routine will help your baby get used to you cleaning their mouth, which can allow a smoother transition when you do begin to brushing their teeth. This will also help you to know when your babies teeth first start to push through their gum tissue.

The bacteria that lives in the mouth is not harmful to the gum tissue, but can be harmful to the teeth. The enamel on baby teeth are 50% thinner than adult teeth. Therefore baby teeth are more susceptible to the bacteria that causes cavities.

How to clean your infants teeth

To clean your babies mouth before tooth eruption use a clean wet wash cloth. Wrap wash cloth around your finger then rub it gently around your babies gums.

When to transition to a tooth brush.

When the teeth have started to erupt, this will be time to transition from a wash cloth to a baby tooth brush. Look for a tooth brush specifically made for infants. This will usually start around six months old. This will also be the time to change from bath time mouth cleaning to brushing two times daily.

It is fine to just dry brush with just tap water, or a fluoridated tooth paste can be used. When using toothpaste, use the tiniest smear. It is never too early to help create a good brushing routine for your child.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.myhealthunit.ca/en/livehealthyandprotectyourhealth/Caring-for-Your-Child-s-Teeth.asp

Sources:

http://m.oralb.com/products/oral-b-stage-1-disney-baby-pooh-toothbrush

www.babycenter.com

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene, Tooth Talk
Tagged babies, brushing, eruption, infants, toothbrush, wash cloth
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July 5, 2015

Random Fun Dental Facts

Amanda Orvis, RDH

Random Fun Dental Fact

Did you know that George Washington’s famous dentures weren’t made from wood? That is a popular dental myth. George Washington had several sets of teeth fabricated for him, but none of which were made from wood. His dentures included teeth that were crafted from different combinations of gold, ivory, lead and a mixture donkey and hippopotamus teeth.

The first toothbrush was created in the late 18th century by a prisoner. The toothbrush had a carved bone handle with boar bristles inserted into drilled holes, the bristles were held in place by wire.

The first nylon bristle toothbrush was created in 1938. It was called Doctor West’s Miracle Toothbrush.

Have you ever heard of Supernumerary teeth? Hyperdontia is the true term for Supernumerary teeth. These are teeth that appear in addition to the normal number of teeth.

The first known floss was made of silk and was invented in 1815 in New Orleans.

In the year 1210 Barber-Surgeons evolved. Their job duties included hygiene services such as shaving and tooth extractions. Can you imagine going to get a haircut/shave and then having your tooth pulled? Ouch!

In 1776 Paul Revere used the first known post-mortem dental forensics by identifying his deceased friend according to the dental bridge that he had previously fabricated for him.

1906- Irene Newman was the first trained Dental Hygienist. By the year 1936, thirty states had licensed dental hygienists.

In 1931 Arm & Hammer dentifrice (toothpaste) was given the first ever ADA Seal (American Dental Association Seal).

Braces have come a long way. Originally in order to straighten your teeth, it was required to band every single tooth. Today bands are occasionally used on molars to anchor the orthodontic wires to help achieve desired movement.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/did-george-washington-have-wooden-teeth

Sources

https://www.google.com/search?q=18th+century+toothbrush&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Yx-YVZDEBcXSoATVo7jIBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=714#tbm=isch&q=george+washingtons+teeth&imgrc=EAwFSfl5LOzB0M%3A

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/who-invented-the-toothbrush

https://www.google.com/search?q=18th+century+toothbrush&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Yx-YVZDEBcXSoATVo7jIBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=714#imgrc=Ofulh03HnKdMHM%3A

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/tooth.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=who+created+the+first+nylon+bristle+toothbrush&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&biw=1600&bih=714&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7CGYVYfdH8PToAS7hpjIDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#imgrc=jjIA1ifoHV61UM%3A

http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/ada-history-and-presidents-of-the-ada/ada-history-of-dentistry-timeline

http://www.adha.org/timeline

https://www.google.com/search?q=paul+revere&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=qieYVYySDM_joAT07aL4Aw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=714#tbm=isch&q=irene+newman+dental+hygienist&imgrc=yOpwQE1mvSFJ7M%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=first+orthodontics&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nC-YVfrAPNLeoATHm52YAw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1600&bih=714#imgrc=YCP08L500cD6ZM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=supernumerary+teeth&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_jOYVeDKMImsogTw9I34Bw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=714#imgrc=oblCbC97QOONTM%3A

June 21, 2015

Diabetes and Dental Care

Sharma Mulqueen RDH

Diabetes and Dental Care

What do brushing and flossing have to do with diabetes? Plenty. If you have diabetes, here’s why dental care matters — and how to take care of your teeth and gums.

When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body — including your teeth and gums. The good news? Prevention is in your hands. Learn what you’re up against, and then take charge of your dental health.

Cavities and gum disease

Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is key. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of:

Tooth decay (cavities). Your mouth naturally contains many types of bacteria. When starches and sugars in food and beverages interact with these bacteria, a sticky film known as plaque forms on your teeth. The acids in plaque attack the hard, outer surface of your teeth (enamel). This can lead to cavities. The higher your blood sugar level, the greater the supply of sugars and starches — and the more acid wearing away at your teeth.
Early gum disease (gingivitis). Diabetes reduces your ability to fight bacteria. If you don’t remove plaque with regular brushing and flossing, it’ll harden under your gumline into a substance called tartar (calculus). The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more they irritate the gingiva — the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. In time, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. This is gingivitis

Advanced gum disease (periodontitis). Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious infection called periodontitis, which destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Eventually, periodontitis causes your gums to pull away from your teeth and your teeth to loosen and even fall out. Periodontitis tends to be more severe among people who have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and slows healing. An infection such as periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which makes your diabetes more difficult to control. Preventing and treating periodontitis can help improve blood sugar control.

Proper dental care

To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums, take diabetes and dental care seriously:

Make a commitment to managing your diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar level, and follow your doctor’s instructions for keeping your blood sugar level within your target range. The better you control your blood sugar level, the less likely you are to develop gingivitis and other dental problems.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brush in the morning, at night and, ideally, after meals and snacks. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums. Consider using an electric toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush well.

Floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing helps remove plaque between your teeth and under your gumline. If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, use the waxed variety. If it’s hard to manipulate the floss, use a floss holder.

Schedule regular dental cleanings. Visit your dentist at least three times a year for professional cleanings.
Make sure your dentist knows you have diabetes. Every time you visit your dentist, remind him or her that you have diabetes. Make sure your dentist has contact information for your doctor who helps you manage your diabetes.
Look for early signs of gum disease. Report any signs of gum disease — including redness, swelling and bleeding gums — to your dentist. Also mention any other signs and symptoms, such as dry mouth, loose teeth or mouth pain.
Don’t smoke. Smoking increases the risk of serious diabetes complications, including gum disease. If you smoke, ask your doctor about options to help you quit.

Managing diabetes is a lifelong commitment, and that includes proper dental care. Your efforts will be rewarded with a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes/art-20043848?pg=2

Sources

https://www.perio.org/consumer/diabetes.htm

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged brush, cavities, Decay, dental care, dental cleanings, diabetes, floss, gingivitis, gums, high blood sugar, periodontitis
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June 15, 2015

Black Line Stain

Arianna Ritchey, RDH

BLACK LINE STAIN

During the regular prophylaxis cleaning for a recent patient, she inquired as to the black stain on her teeth. She had excellent brushing and flossing habits, saw us every six months for her professional cleanings, and has only one filling on her permanent teeth. This patient does not participate in any behaviours that normally result in staining; she does not drink coffee, tea, wine, and she does not use any tobacco products. She was also concerned, because this same type of stain is also present on her infant’s teeth, who is strictly breastfed. So, where was this stain coming from?!

It was explained to this patient that the stain she was experiencing was most likely a type of stain called “Black Line Stain,” or sometimes simply “Black Stain”. Black Line Stain is more common in women than men, and can occur in patients with excellent oral hygiene. It appears as a thin black line, which is firmly attached to the tooth surface, and most commonly near the gumline of the facial and lingual surfaces of a tooth. This type of stain is associated with a low incidence of cavities in children and adults, and is caused by a type of Gram-positive bacteria that produces a certain colour, or chroma, which makes it identifiable. It is possible that this patient’s child has the same type of Gram-positive chromogenic bacteria on his teeth, creating the same type of Black Line Stain. This is especially likely if the child has good oral hygiene and a low incidence of cavities.

This non-metallic type of stain is absorbed onto the tooth surface deposits, such as tartar, plaque, or even the acquired pellicle. The acquired pellicle is a thin film made up of proteins in our saliva, that forms almost instantly after a tooth is cleaned. Because this type of bacteria is able to attach to the acquired pellicle, this condition is not related to oral cleanliness or the presence of periodontal disease.

To prevent this stain from building up as quickly, patients can use a toothbrush to effectively clean the teeth twice a day, while using a toothpaste that helps to prevent staining. Powered toothbrushes can often clean the teeth most effectively without causing trauma to the gums. Once the stain has settled onto the teeth, the most effective way to remove this Black Line Stain is by a professional cleaning with a dental hygienist. The hygienist may professionally remove the stain with an ultrasonic scaler, coronal polishing using an abrasive prophy paste, or by using an air-jet polisher with an abrasive powder.

The only real downside to removing the Black Line Stain from the teeth, is that repeated stain removal using an abrasive paste or powder removes micro-millimeters of enamel from the tooth surface. The top layer of the teeth which is partially removed during polishing, is the most fluoride-rich part of the tooth, so if frequent polishing is utilized to remove Black Line Stain, it is advisable to have a professional fluoride treatment administered after the polishing to replenish the depleted fluoride from the teeth. Fluoride is available in a few different forms, the most effective of which are a fluoride varnish or a fluoride foam.

There are some other types of dark stain that are caused by other sources, including dietary components, beverages, tobacco, mouthrinses and other medicaments. These types of stain have a different source than Black Line Stain, but are removed in a very similar fashion. If you have any questions or further concerns about staining on your teeth, feel free to ask your dental hygienist!

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://jairjp.com/JANUARY%202013/02%20SRUTHY%20PRATHAP.pdf

Sources:

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?154192-Black-stain-in-teeth-by-chromogenic-bacteria

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/black+line+dental+stain

http://www.carolinasdentist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/toothpaste.jpg

http://www.youngdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dlishezpak4.jpg

http://www.sanclementeperiodontist.com/portals/165/images/fluoride.jpeg

Posted in Tooth Talk
Tagged black stain, brushing, dental hygienist, fluoride, polishing, prophy paste, proteins, saliva
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June 7, 2015

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Peggy Stoor, RDH

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Recently much has come to light regarding oral health and its impact on systemic health and disease. While I’ve always been borderline fanatic about oral health and have been aware of some of these relationships, the recent research connecting oral health to systemic health has helped to make my daily work much more relevant and interesting.

Presently there are 18 million diabetic patients in the U.S. and 171 million diabetic patients worldwide. Diabetes is characterized by increased susceptibility to infection, poor wound healing, and a number of complications that can affect quality of life and length of life. Diabetes is also a risk factor for severe periodontal disease (the destruction of tissues and bone that support the teeth). It’s critically important to realize that diabetics who have periodontal or gum disease have two chronic conditions, each of which affect the other.

While we have long known that diabetes can predispose one to periodontal disease, research now suggests that treatment of periodontal disease can have a positive impact on the diabetic condition. Patients with periodontal disease have more difficulty controlling their blood sugar. Patients who have treatment and gain control of their gum disease have been shown to require less insulin and have a decreased hemoglobin A1c level. (A1c denotes a patients average blood sugar level over the past 3 months). In other words, periodontal disease and diabetes is a two-way street with each disease having a potential impact on the other, either positively or negatively.

Management of gum disease in patients with diabetes involves removal of plaque and calculus both at home and professionally, and maintenance of glycemic control. Nearly all diabetics respond to treatment and maintenance, therefore treatment of periodontal disease should be done as soon as possible. Both conditions require frequent professional evaluations, patient-self monitoring, daily brushing and flossing, approved antibacterial mouth rinses, and good blood glucose control.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Sources:

Southerland, J.H. (2005.) Diabetes and periodontal infection: Making the connection. Retrieved from http://clincial.diabetesjournals.org/content/23/4/171

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease: Retrieved from http://www.perio.org, American Academy of Periodontology, Diabetes and periodontal Disease

Diabetes and Oral Health: Retrieved from http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Diabetes.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research by National Institutes of Health-(2007)

Mealey, B.L. ,(2006).Periodontal disease and diabetes: A two-way street. Journal of American Dental Association. Oct.137 suppl:26S-31S. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Mirza,B.A., Syed A., Izhar F., Ali Khan. (2001). Bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease: Review of evidence. J Pak Med Assoc. Retrieved from http: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21381588

Dental Care and Diabetes. http://www.webmed.com/diabetes/dental-health-dental-care-diabetes

Image Credit: http://www.intelligentdental.com/2012/03/31/effect-of-systemic-factors-on-the-periodontium-part1

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection
Tagged blood sugar, diabetes, diabetic, gum disease, oral systemic link, periodontal disease, periodontal maintenance
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June 3, 2015

The Dangers of Oral Piercings

Ann Clark, RDH

Oral Piercings

Although attractive to some, tongue, lip, and cheek piercings have a number of health related risks associated with them. One of the biggest dangers of mouth piercings is the damage to the teeth that can come from bumping or rubbing against the piercing. There is also a fairly high risk of infection to this area from bacteria that can get trapped.

*Infection – Risk of this is increased due to the new wound created. The array of bacteria that live in the mouth plus the addition of bacteria from handling the jewelry.

*Transmission of Disease – Oral piercing poses increased risk of the herpes simplex virus and hepatitis B or C.

*Endocarditis – The piercing site poses risk for mouth bacteria to enter the bloodstream and lead to developing endocarditis–an inflammation of the heart or its valves–in certain people with underlying (many times asymptomatic or undiagnosed) heart issues.

*Nerve Damage/ prolonged bleeding – Numbness or loss of sensation at the piercing site or movement problems can occur if the nerves are damaged. If blood vessels are punctured, prolonged bleeding can occur. Tongue swelling following piercing can be severe enough to block the airway and make breathing difficult.

*Gum Disease – Piercings, especially involving longer jewelry, like barbells, have a greater chance toward this disease. The jewelry can come into contact with gum tissue causing tissue recession, an injury leading to loss of teeth.

*Damage to Teeth – Teeth contacting the jewelry can chip, crack, or wear away. One study from a dental journal reported 47% of barbell wearers for 4+ years had at least one chipped tooth.

*Difficulty in daily functions – tongue piercings can result in problems with swallowing, chewing food, and clear speech. This occurs from the jewelry stimulating an excessive production of saliva. Taste can also be altered.

*Allergic Reaction – We call metal hypersensitivity Allergic Contact Dermatitis, which can occurring in susceptible people.

*Jewelry Aspiration – If jewelry becomes loose in the mouth it poses a possible choking hazard if swallowed causing issue to the digestive tract or lungs.

If oral piercings are still for you, please consider:

-find a recommended studio

-Visit the studio first and ask about hospital-grade autoclaves to sterilize, or use of disposable instruments. Are disposable gloves used?

-Ask to see a health certificate.

-Are instruments kept in sterilized packages?

-Are employees vaccinated against Hep-B?

-Ask many questions, the staff should be willing to respond

WARNING SIGNS!! (Consult your dentist if any of these occur)

-yellow/green discharge (normal is clear or white)

-scarring or thickened tissue build up darkening the piercing site

– an abscess (pimple) at the piercing site

-bleeding or tearing after the piercing

-a resting low-grade fever

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Sources

American Dental Association: “Oral Piercing and Health”

Academy of General Dentistry: “What is oral piercing”

Posted in Community Service News, Gums, Mouth Body Connection, Tooth Talk
Tagged bacteria, cheek piercings, chipped teeth, dentist, infection, lip rings, nerve damage, oral piercings, recession, tongue rings
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May 24, 2015

Guidelines for Antibiotic Pre-medication

Wendy Parker RDH

Guidelines to Follow

How do I prevent heart disease?

With an increase in antibiotic resistance, the American Dental Association has revised their guidelines for Antibiotic Pre-medication prior to dental appointments. Their goals are aimed at those who are at the greatest risk and to prevent any risks of infective endocarditis (an infection around the heart)

In years past, the following medical conditions have needed to routinely pre-medicate with antibiotics for dental procedures:

mitral valve prolapse
rheumatic heart disease
bicuspid valve disease
calcified aortic stenosis
congenital heart conditions such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

However, after careful consideration and studies, here are the latest guidelines for pre-medication prior to dental procedures, according to the ADA:

The current guidelines state that use of preventive antibiotics before certain dental procedures is reasonable for patients with:

prosthetic cardiac valve or prosthetic material used for cardiac valve repair
a history of infective endocarditis
a cardiac transplant that develops cardiac valvulopathy
the following congenital (present from birth) heart disease:^a
- unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits
- a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure^b
- any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device (that inhibit endothelialization)

If you do not fit into these categories, you do not need to premedicate unless otherwise indicated by your physician.

If you do fit into the above categories, and are currently taking an antibiotic when you are going in for dental procedures, it is recommended that your dentist select an antibiotic from a different class than the one you are currently taking. For example, if you are taking amoxicillin and you need to pre-medicate for a dental prophylaxis, you should be prescribed clindamycin, azithromycin, or clarithromycin.

The other catch to taking antibiotics, is REMEMBERING to take them. If you’re like me, I will forget things if they are not written down! So, if, by chance you do forget before coming in, no worries! The ADA states that if antibiotics are not administered before the procedure, they can be administered up to two hours after the procedure and still have the adequate amounts in the blood to still prevent infective endocarditis.

If you have any questions or concerns about where you fit in these categories, don’t hesitate to mention it to your medical doctor, dentist, or hygienist. We are here to help and keep you healthy, from head to toe!

Heart Disease and Stroke Diabetes Osteoporosis Pregnancy Complications ...

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/antibiotic-prophylaxis

Sources:

http://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-28/issue-1/columns/staff-rx/new-premedication-guidelines.html

Posted in Mouth Body Connection
Tagged ADA, antibiotic, cardiac transplant, congenital heart disease, dental procedure, dentist, dentistry, heart healthy dentistry, infective endocarditis, pre-med, pre-medication, prosthetic cardiac valve
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May 17, 2015

What type of Floss is right for you?

Andra Mahoney BS RDH

What type of floss is right for you?

Several months ago, Wendy wrote a great article on the necessity of flossing ( https://dentistrydonedifferently.com/2014/05/19/flossing-do-i-have-to/). Now that you have accepted that flossing is an integral part of your oral health, let’s pick out the right floss for you! There are a plethora of different types of floss, so you are bound to find the one that fits your wants and needs.

Let’s first examine your basic floss:

There are two main types of floss: String and Tape.

String is the most common type of floss, and what everyone thinks of when they think floss.

String floss comes in nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Nylon floss is the most common string floss. It comes in all different types of flavors and thicknesses. It even comes waxed and un-waxed. The wax is added to the floss to help fit through teeth with tight contacts.

PTFE floss is a lot like a plastic string. It is a monofilament, which means it’s not made from multiple fibers so it will not rip, shread, or tear. PTFE floss is newer and people seem to like it because it is strong! It also comes in many thicknesses and flavors, though it is not waxed because it is made to glide between teeth. Because of its strength, I recommend not snapping the floss between your teeth. It can very easily hurt the gum tissue if it is pulled too hard.

Dental Tape is becoming more and more common nowadays. It is very similar to, but wider than, string floss. Many people with sensitive gums like tape floss because they find it more comfortable when flossing below the gum line. It is also a great “starter” floss because it is thinner than regular nylon floss.

Advanced Types of Floss:

Spongy or Super Floss is ideal for cleaning braces, bridges, and wide gaps between teeth. Super Floss has three unique components—a stiffened-end dental floss threader, spongy floss, and regular floss—all work together for maximum benefits. It allows you to floss under appliances, cleans around appliances, between wide spaces, and removes plaque under the gumline.

Floss Threaders come in two different types. One looks like a large, thin, sewing needle. The plus side of this type of threader is that you can thread any type of floss and pull it through. It makes it easy to use whatever floss you have lying around the house. The down side is you have to thread the floss each time you use it.

A little bit easier is the floss threader that is kind of like a shoe string. It has a built in threader tip attached to the floss, so there is one less step than the other floss threader. Both threaders are great for any appliance: bridges, braces, lingual bars, etc.

Other Options:

Floss Picks are great for flossing hard to reach spaces or when you’re on the go. You don’t have to be in a bathroom to floss! A few tips to remember, never reuse a floss pick. The plaque bacteria that is removed by the flosser isn’t always seen. You do not want that bacteria to be reintroduced into your mouth. Which brings us to tip two, use four flossers in one flossing session. One for the upper right, upper left, lower left, and lower right (each side is measured from the last molar to the midline between your front teeth). When using standard floss, you use about 18 inches. A flosser has about one inch of floss. You do not want to transfer the bacteria from one side of the mouth to the other. So after you have used one, toss it, and grab another. Flossers are very inexpensive and come in multipacks.

Powered Flossers are very useful for older people who find it hard to manipulate string floss into their mouth. A disposable tip is placed on the end of the powered flosser and when the button is depressed, the floss gently vibrates back and forth. Just place it between your teeth and floss away! As with the floss picks, please do not reuse the disposable ends of the flosser.

Interproximal brushes are helpful to those who have wider spaces between their teeth. Two options are soft picks, which are like rubber toothpicks.

And the other interdental brushes are like small pipe cleaners.

The difference between the two comes down to preference and how wide the space is between your teeth. Both options come in various sizes. These are also one time use items that come in a pack.

Extra Helpers:

Rubber Tip Simulators are not a type of floss, but they are handy in plaque removal. They are mainly used for cleaning under operculums. An operculum is a small flap of gum tissue. It is usually found in the back of the mouth by the last tooth. It can occur naturally or come about from a tooth that has not fully erupted into the mouth.

As seen in the picture, the right side is a normal tooth, and the left has an operculum. Plaque can get under this flap of tissue so it will need to be cleaned. Just take the rubber tip stimulated and swipe gently under the tissue.

WaterPiks work wonderfully in addition to your floss! Please remember, do not substitute waterpicks for brushing and flossing. Unlike flossing, waterpicks do not remove plaque. They are effective for people who have orthodontic braces, which may retain food in areas a toothbrush cannot reach, people who catch food between their teeth, or people who are looking for extra help with their gums.

Brief Overview:

Large gaps between your teeth? Try dental tape or Super Floss.

Not much space between your teeth? You may find that a waxed floss is easier to slide into those tight spaces.

Want less mess? Look for disposable flossers or floss in pre-measured strands.

Braces or bridges? A spongy floss is a good option, but any floss can be used if you have a floss threader.

As you can see there are a lot of options out there! But do not fear! A study from the University of Buffalo stated, “Believe it or not, researchers have compared different types of dental floss to determine whether some are more effective than others to clean teeth. The bottom line is that they are not. Any type of floss will help promote clean teeth by removing food particles and bacteria.”

Just remember that when it comes to dental floss, flossing every day is the most important choice you and your family can make.

(microscopic image of used dental floss)

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.oralb.com/topics/choosing-the-best-dental-floss-for-you.aspx

Sources:
http://www.oralb.com/topics/all-floss-types-work-well-when-used-daily.aspx

http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/flossing3.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-p-connelly-dds/dental-floss_b_1643933.html

Posted in Gums, Health, Oral Hygiene
Tagged Cavity, dental hygiene, dentist, floss, floss picks, floss threader, hygiene, hygienist, interproximal brushes, oral hygiene, PTFE floss, smile, super floss, teeth, tooth, waterpik
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May 11, 2015

Which Occlusal Guard is Right for You?

Katie Moynihan BS RDH

Which Occlusal Guard is Right for You ?

Do you grind your teeth when you sleep? Ever noticed pain in your jaw? Bruxism is the term used when a person is grinding or clenching their teeth. Often times, bruxism occurs unconsciously during the day or most often at night. Whether you know you do it or not, there are certain dental signs we look for as oral health professionals in order to properly diagnose the right mouthguard for you.

Occlusal wear on the teeth can lead to gum recession, fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. An occlusal guard is custom made to be worn over the biting surfaces of either the upper or lower arch of teeth, and is easily inserted and removed by the patient. It is made out of an acrylic strong enough to minimize the abrasive action of excessive tooth forces. They should be worn on a long-term basis to help to stabilize the occlusion as well as prevent damage to teeth and to the temporomandibular joint.

Another bruxism appliance is called an NTI-tts device. Unlike the occlusal guard, the NTI device only covers part of your mouth, clipping over either the top or bottom front teeth. This small, custom fitted plastic device forms a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, preventing you from biting down completely. You might consider an NTI device if a conventional occlusal guard has not worked for you, you suffer from migraines and headaches, or experience pain associated with your TMJ. The goal of the NTI is to prevent the grinding and touching of the rear molars by limiting the contraction of the temporalis muscle.

Although there is no single cure for bruxism, these devices are available to help reduce symptoms associated with teeth grinding and clenching. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, we would be happy to talk to you about it and help you determine which bruxism device is right for you.

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