Flossing: More Than Just a Guilt Trip

https://dentistrydonedifferently.com/2015/03/22/what-is-a-periodontal-maintenance/

Sources:

http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-category-information/floss-and-other-interdental-cleaners

https://dentistrydonedifferently.com/2013/10/14/tooth-brushes/

youtube.com/watch

https://dentistrydonedifferently.com/2014/05/19/flossing-do-i-have-to/

Posted in Gums, Health
Tagged brush, calculus, dental, dental hygienist, floss, floss aids, floss options, flossing, gum disease, gums, health, interdental cleaners, periodontal maintenance, plaque, preventive, tooth loss
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May 8, 2016

What are those white spots on my teeth?

Ann Clark, RDH

What are those white spots on my teeth?

Dental fluorosis is not a disease but a permanent cosmetic condition affecting the way the teeth look. It occurs when baby and permanent teeth are forming under the gums. Once erupted, teeth cannot develop enamel fluorosis. This condition is caused by overexposure to fluoride during the development stage of the tooth. After their eruption into the mouth, teeth may appear discolored; such as: lacy white markings, yellow to brown stains, surface irregularities, or pitting into the enamel.

Causes
A major cause is inappropriate use of fluoride products such as toothpaste and rinses. Children are offered products with some fun flavors. They are known to eat and swallow them so remind them to spit out. Taking a higher than recommended supplement can also cause fluorosis. The perfect amount is already regulated into the water where it occurs naturally. Symptoms of fluorosis range from small white specks or streaks to dark brown stains and rough, pitted enamel. A normal healthy tooth is smooth and glossy and a pale creamy white.

Treatment
Most cases are mild not requiring treatment. White spots are considered moderate if more than 50% of the surface is affected and severe if pitting occurs. The appearance can be improved by various technique options aimed to mask stains. Such techniques may include:
–Teeth Whitening and other procedures to remove the surface staining. Initially whitening can temporarily worsen the appearance.
– Bonding: a coating over the enamel bonded with a hard resin.
–Crowns
–Veneers: custom-made facings that cover the front of teeth.
– MI Paste: a calcium phosphate product sometimes combined with a micro abrasion procedure to minimize discolorations.

Prevention
Parental care is the key to preventing fluorosis. If you drink well water, which is not regulated, or bottled water,your public health department or local laboratory can analyze the fluoride content.
Fluoride is also in some fruit juices and sodas, so knowing the water content will help you decide whether or not a supplement is needed. Also, keeping fluoride containing products, like toothpaste, rinses and supplements out of children’s reach is recommended. Ingesting a large amount of fluoride in a short period of time may result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Only a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste is needed for each time you brush.
Encourage your child to spit out and not swallow.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-dry-mouth1.htm

Sources:

webmd.com Fluorosis:Symptoms, causes, and treatments

American Academy of pediatric Dentistry:”Enamel Fluorosis”
Kidshealth.org: “Fluoride in Water”
Reuters Health:”U.S. Lowers Limits for Fluoride in Water”
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research:”The Story of Fuloridation”
SimpleStepsToBetterDentalHealth.com:”Fluorosis”
CDC:”Prevalence and Severity of Dental Fluorosis in the United States, 1999-2004″

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection, Tooth Talk
Tagged baby teeth, dental, dental fluorosis, fluoride, fluorosis, pitted enamel, teeth, white spots
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May 1, 2016

Dry Mouth…What Should I Do?

Wendy Parker, RDH

Dry Mouth…What Should I Do?

I know we live in a desert, but our mouths don’t have to BE a desert of dryness! The first step is to figure out where is the dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is coming from. There are several factors that can contribute to dry mouth including damage to the salivary glands, medications or medical conditions, and life style habits such as smoking, drinking, or alcohol or caffeine use. There are so many variables and sometimes it’s a combination of a couple of factors.

Often times, there is nothing you can do to reverse dry mouth, however, here are some of the things you can do to relieve the symptoms of dry mouth (1):

Be sure to REGULARLY take sips of water throughout the day. Keep a water bottle with you at all times.
Practice good Oral Hygiene – brushing 2x daily and flossing 1x daily. You can also use mouth rinses WITHOUT alcohol in them. The alcohol will dry out the mouth and makes symptoms worse.
Avoid smoking
Chew Sugar-Free gum or suck on Sugar-free lozenges
Limit alcohol, caffeine, and sugar intake

There are several companies that provide products that aid in dry mouth relief. Some products and brands work well for some while others work better for others. It truly is a trial and error process to see what works best for you.

Biotene is one of the biggest companies that focus on relieving dry mouth. They have an array of products ranging from mouth rinses to chewing gum to saliva substitute. It is sold in several stores, including Target and Walgreens. Xylitol also has a variety of products that you can order including nose sprays, toothpastes, mints, and artificial sweeteners. (2) And of course, there are natural remedies that can help relieve symptoms as well. Here is a good website that has a variety of things you can try to see if they alleviate any discomfort. (3)

Dry mouth is NEVER easy to deal with, but hopefully with time and a little patience you’ll find something that will work for you. If you need more suggestions, please don’t hesitate to ask your hygienist or dentist for other solutions.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Sources:

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged biotene, caffeine, drinking alcohol, dry mouth, smoking, sugar free, water, xerostomia, xylitol
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April 24, 2016

How Does Oral Cancer Happen?

Andra Mahoney BS RDH

Two weeks ago, Becky gave us some great info raising our Awareness to Oral Cancer. She touched on the importance of screenings and mentioned the risk factors.

But How Does Oral Cancer Happen?

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, about 48,000 people are diagnosed each year. Of those, about 9,500 people will loose their battle with oral cancer. Of the 48,000 people diagnosed, only 57% of them will be alive 5 years after diagnosis. Sadly, the number of diagnosis and deaths have not decreased over the last decade.

Let’s review the risk factors in detail…

Age

Probability dictates that the older you get, the more likely you have a chance of getting cancer. Therefore, age will be a risk factor. Oral Cancer is more often detected in those over the age of 40. However, this statistic is changing with the prevalence of HPV. We will talk more about this in a following section.

Although age does play a part, around 91% of all diagnoses of Oral Cancer are linked to “lifestyle” choices.
These following risk factors will show us why.

Sun Exposure

Excessive and unprotected exposure to the sun is linked with cancer in the lip area. To reduce your risk of lip cancer, decrease your unprotected exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolent (UV) radiation. (1)

Sun exposure and other sources of UV radiation can damage lip cells. This damage can cause them to multiple when naturally they should die. Fast reproduction of abnormal cells is how we classify cancer.

Tobacco Use (use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others)

The report from the Institute of Medicine (2007) says that tobacco kills more Americans annually than AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, homicides, suicides, car accidents, and fires combined.

Nationally, tobacco contributes to about one-third of U.S. cancer, one-quarter of heart disease and about 490,000 premature deaths each year. Tobacco is a known cause of lung, bladder, mouth, pharyngeal, pancreatic, kidney, stomach, laryngeal, and esophageal cancer. About ten million people in the U.S. have died from causes attributed to smoking and tobacco use (including heart disease, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases) since 1964. Tobacco is the most global cause of cancer, and it is preventable. (2)

There are thousands of chemicals contained in a single cigarette, and their point of entry is the mouth. Smoking helps to transforms saliva into a deadly cocktail that damages cells in the mouth and can turn them cancerous. (3)

If you would like help on quitting, please check out the resources on this page: http://smokefree.gov

Alcohol Use

People who consume approximately 3.5 or more alcoholic drinks per day, or 21 drinks in a week, have at least a two to three times greater risk of developing cancer than nondrinkers. (4)

Those who both smoke and drink, have a 15 times greater risk of developing oral cancer than others.

Alcohol’s effect on the mouth may be the key to understanding how it works with tobacco to increase the risk of developing cancer. The dehydrating effect of alcohol on cell walls enhances the ability of tobacco carcinogens to permeate mouth tissues; additionally, nutritional deficiencies associated with heavy drinking can lower the body’s natural ability to use antioxidants to prevent the formation of cancers. (5)

HPV Infection

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common, sexually transmitted virus, which infects about 40 million Americans today. There are about 200 strains of HPV, the majority of which are thought to be harmless. Most Americans will have some version of HPV in their lifetimes, and most immune systems will be able to fight off the virus. Those who get specific strains, and lack the ability to fight those strains off, are the ones who develop cancer.

The two strains that are mainly associated with oral cancer are HPV16 and HPV18. HPV is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects the epithelial cells of skin and mucosa.

It is likely that the changes in sexual behaviors of young adults over the last few decades, and which are continuing today, are increasing the spread of HPV, and the oncogenic versions of it. You can get HPV by vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Condoms can limit, but do not prevent HPV. HPV significantly increases with multiple (especially more than four) sexual partners. (6)

How to Spot it

One of the real dangers of this cancer, is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. It can be painless, and little in the way of physical changes may be obvious. The good news is however, that your Physician or Dentist can, in many cases, see or feel the precursor tissue changes, or the actual cancer while it is still very small, or in its earliest stages.

It may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small ulcer which looks like a common canker sore. Because there are so many normal tissue changes that happen normally in your mouth, and some things as simple as a bite on the inside of your cheek may mimic the look of a dangerous tissue change. It is important to have any sore or discolored area of your mouth, which does not heal within 14 days, looked at by a professional. Other symptoms include; a lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing, any wart like masses, hoarseness which lasts for a long time, or any numbness in the oral/facial region. (7)

But like any cancer, even if you do not do these risk factors, there is still a possibility of getting it.

The best way to detect oral cancer is to do self exams and to see your Dentist regularly. The Dental Team is the forefront in prevention and detection as their main focus is your mouth! Your Dentist and/or Hygienist will perform a visual and tactile screening at each appointment. If they do not, please ask for one. There are also additional screenings available, and they can tell you more about them during your appointment.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mouth-cancer/symptoms-causes/dxc-20157232

Sources:

(1) http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/oral-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention

(2) http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/tobacco/

(3) http://www.mouthcancer.org/risk-factors/

(4) http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet

(5) http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/alcohol-connection.php

(6) http://www.pureeducation.org/index.asp?N=Pure-Education-Lake-Stevens-WA-HPV-Coaching&C=577&P=7764

(7) http://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection
Tagged age, alcohol, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, HPV, Oral Cancer, Oral Cancer Screenings, sun exposure, tobacco
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April 10, 2016

Oral Cancer Awareness

Becky Larson, RDH

Oral Cancer Awareness

It’s April again! Which means Oral Cancer Awareness month. I can’t even begin to tell you how critical it is to receive regular oral cancer screenings. Your dentist and/or dental hygienist should perform a basic screening at your six month check-ups. We also recommend having a more in depth oral cancer screening (such as the Velscope, Oral ID, or Identafi) annually. These more in depth screenings use florescent or ultra violet lights that can detect signs of oral cancer much earlier. The earlier cancer is caught, the sooner treatment can begin and the better the prognosis.

Oral cancer is any abnormal growth of cells in the oral cavity (mouth). Abnormal cell growth can be benign (no cause for concern) or malignant (can be life-threatening). The oral cavity consists of the lips, cheek lining, salivary glands, hard and soft palates, uvula, tongue, floor of the mouth (underneath the tongue), gums, and tonsils. The tongue and the floor of the mouth are the most common areas for oral cancer to occur. However, the cancer can spread to other areas of the oral cavity and/or other areas of the body.

Oral cancer can manifest itself in many ways including swellings, lumps or bumps, numbness, abnormal bleeding, white patches, red patches, speckled patch, sores that do not heal, sore throat, pain when chewing/speaking/etc., changes in voice, ear pain, and dramatic weight loss. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please visit your dentist or primary care physician.

Risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, alcohol use, sun exposure, having HPV (Human papillomavirus), and a history of having oral cancer previously. Tobacco use is the reason for most oral cancers, especially in those individuals who have used tobacco for lengthy amounts of time. The risk increases when tobacco users become heavy alcohol drinkers. Three out of every four oral cancers occur in people who use alcohol, tobacco, or both. The Human papillomavirus is mainly linked to oropharyngeal cancers. Limiting sun exposure and the use of sun screen and lip balm can help reduce the risk. Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer than women. It is also important to note that more than 25% of oral cancers are found in individuals with no risk factors.

Everyone is at risk! Make sure to visit your dentist and dental hygienist for regular oral cancer screenings.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/oral-cancer

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPVandOropharyngealCancer.htm

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged alcohol, benign, cancer, dental hygienist, dentist, HPV, identafi, malignant, mouth, Oral Cancer, Oral Cancer Screenings, oral ID, tobacco, Velscope
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April 4, 2016

Orthodontic Retainers

Lindsay Olsen, RDH

Orthodontic Retainers

You’ve been waiting for this day for over eighteen months; your braces are coming off today! Interestingly enough, one of the most important stages of your orthodontic treatment begins, the retainer phase. Retainers are the only insurance policy orthodontia patients have to keep their smile straight, and bite perfect.

There are two types of orthodontic retainers:

Permanent (Fixed Bonded)
Removable

Permanent retainers cannot be removed. A thin wire is bonded on the tongue side of your lower front teeth (sometimes the upper teeth). This style retainer is great for individuals who will not remember to wear their removable retainers each night. Permanent retainers are not recommended for patients who have poor brushing and flossing habits at home. Permanent retainers require meticulous flossing (With a floss threader), and twice daily brushing in order to prevent plaque/tartar buildup from accumulating around the retainer.

Call your dentist, or orthodontist ASAP if you feel or notice your permanent retainer is broken, or distorted in any way.

There are two types of removable retainers: a Hawley style retainer, or an Essix style (Invisible) retainer. Removable retainers are popular among orthodontic patients because they can be removed, and cleaned by hand. These style retainers also do not get in the way during flossing, and brushing.

How to Care for Your Removable Retainer?

If you have an removable style retainer DO NOT soak it in boiling, or even extremely hot water, as it can easily melt, or become distorted. Also living in Arizona, store your retainer indoors. If it is left in your car during the summer months, it can melt, or become distorted.
If you are not wearing your retainer, keep it in its case, on a high shelf, away from pets. Dogs are attracted to smell/taste of human saliva. Your dog will chew, and destroy your retainer if they can get their paws on it.
DO NOT soak your retainer in mouthwash, as it will stain your retainer. Simply rinse with water, after each use, and gently brush with your soft toothbrush (NO TOOTHPASTE). Once a week, I disinfect my removable retainers. Simply place your retainers in warm water, with a denture or orthodontic cleaning tablet for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse under water. I personally use Retainer Brite tablets (Purchased from Amazon.com).

How Often, or How Long Do I Need to Wear My Removable Retainers?

It is recommended to wear your removable retainers, every night, for the rest of your life to retain your straight teeth.

You are welcome to bring in your removable style retainers with you to each preventative cleaning appointment. They can be cleaned in the ultrasonic, and then the Dr. can examine the fit. If you have any additional questions about your retainers, please contact your dental office!

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Uncategorized
Tagged Essix retainer, fixed retainers, Hawley retainer, ortho, orthodontia, orthodontic retainers, orthodontics, removable retainers, retainers
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March 27, 2016

Your Tongue Says a lot About Your Health

Lora Cook, RDH

Your Tongue Says a lot About Your Health

Look into the mirror, stick out your tongue. What does it look like? What is the color, the texture, what do you think it is saying about you? Here are some examples of what you might see and what it means.

WHITE PATCHES:

This may be a sign of a overgrowth of candida or yeast in your mouth. You may have also heard this condition called thrush. This condition is very treatable with prescription from your dentist for a anti fungal mouth wash from the pharmacy.

BLACK AND HAIRY:

This can have several different causes; poor oral hygiene, bacteria overgrowth, or yeast growth. This may look alarming it does not cause any health problems and is usually painless. This condition will usually resolved without treatment.

RED AND WHITE SPOTS:

These are usually areas where your taste buds have worn down. This is very common and no need to treat.

WEBBED OR STRIPED LOOK:

This is a chronic auto immune disease that effects the mucus membrane in your mouth.

RED TONGUE:

This may simply indicate a fever or strep throat. However chronic redness in tongue may indicate a deficiency in certain vital nutrients such as; folic acid, B12, or iron. This is a photo of a individual with B12 deficiency; smooth, beefy, red tongue.

RIDGES:

This is a result of the tongue pressing into teeth, usually while you are sleeping. This may be a tell tale sign that you tend to clinch and grind your teeth in your sleep, usually stress induced.

This ridges will go away, the treatment for clinch and grinding is a custom night guard.

Another potential cause of these ridges is if your tongue becomes slightly enlarged or swollen. This may be a indication of thyroid problems.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.skinsight.com/adult/oralCandidiasisThrush.htm

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/black-hairy-tongue/multimedia/black-hairy-tongue/img-20006420

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/do-your-taste-buds-change-as-you-get-older.html

http://www.aaom.com/oral-lichen-planus

http://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/tongue.html

http://www.healcure.org/tongue/tongue-problems/scalloped-tongue-causes-pictures-hyperthyroid-diagnosis-treatment/

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged black and hairy, health, Oral Health, red and white spots, red tongue, ridges, tongue, webbed or striped look, white patches
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March 20, 2016

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Amanda Orvis, RDH

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Being pregnant comes with various responsibilities and it is important that you continue to maintain your normal brushing and flossing routine throughout your pregnancy.

For most women your routine dental visits are safe throughout your pregnancy. Make sure when calling to make your dental appointments you let your dental office know what stage of your pregnancy you are in. Let the office know if you have had any changes in your medications or if you have received any special instructions from your physician. Depending on your specific situation and your treatment needs, some of your dental appointments and procedures may need to be postponed until after your pregnancy.

Dental x-rays are sometimes necessary if you suffer a dental emergency during your pregnancy, or if they are needed for diagnostic purposes. It may be wise to contact your physician prior to your dental appointment to get their approval to have x-rays done if they are necessary.

During pregnancy some women may develop a temporary condition known as pregnancy gingivitis which is typically caused by hormonal changes you experience during pregnancy. This is a mild form of periodontal disease that can cause the gums to be red, tender and/or sore. It may be recommended that you be seen for more frequent cleanings to help control the gingivitis. If you notice any changes in your mouth during pregnancy, please contact your dentist.

During your pregnancy you may have the desire to eat more frequently. When you feel the need to snack try to choose foods that are low in sugar and that are nutritious for you and your baby. Frequent snacking can cause tooth decay. It is also a great idea to incorporate fluoridated mouth rinse into your daily routine. There are several different brands to choose from. Make sure to look for the ADA seal of approval which guarantees safety and effectiveness

If you experience morning sickness anytime throughout your pregnancy you can try rinsing with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water. This mixture lowers the acidity present in your mouth. This acidity can cause erosion of the enamel. Your gag reflex may also become overly sensitive during your pregnancy, so switching to a smaller toothbrush head may be beneficial.

Please remember that the body goes through many changes during pregnancy and maintaining your normal brushing and flossing routine plays an important role in your overall health.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.ada.org/sealprogramproducts.aspx

Sources:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idph.state.ia.us%2FIDPHChannelsService%2Ffile.ashx%3Ffile%3DA6FAA346-C53D-49A5-AB8D-6198A087A02A&ei=gJO3UsDwH8bbyQG8sYHYAw&usg=AFQjCNFlpM4U5Hwp3J00K0jdNoM5DHzOXw&bvm=bv.58187178,d.aWc

http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS478US479&biw=1600&bih=714&tbm=isch&tbnid=nldgrSnzOgvsAM:&imgrefurl=http://www.myhealthyspeak.co.in/index.php/management-of-pregnancy-gingivitis-3&docid=73o889OPRA5FCM&imgurl=http://

www.myhealthyspeak.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/23.jpg&w=176&h=117&ei=9JO3UvFL6GSyQHXi4DAAg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:88,s:0,i:375&iact=rc&page=4&tbnh=93&tbnw=137&start=75&ndsp=28&tx=80&ty=49

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection
Tagged cavities, Decay, dental, dental xrays, dentist, gag reflex, morning, Pregnancy, Pregnancy and oral health, pregnancy gingivitis, pregnant, routine dental visits, tooth decay, xrays
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January 17, 2016

Are You a Mouth Breather?

Katie Moynihan, BS RDH

Are You a Mouth Breather?

Breathing out of your mouth may not seem like a huge problem, but in terms of oral health and facial development, mouth breathing can create numerous oral health concerns. Chronic mouth breathing occurs when your body cannot get enough oxygen through your nose, therefore, must resort to your mouth for the necessary oxygen supply. It can be caused by several different factors – obstructive, habitual, and anatomic conditions. In most cases, mouth breathing is caused by chronic nasal obstruction. Examples of this include enlarged tonsils, allergies, nasal congestion, asthma, and nasal polyps. It may also be caused just by habit. A person might not even know any better because it is the norm for them to breathe through their mouth. Some anatomic conditions that can cause mouth breathing include Down syndrome, malocclusion, tongue thrusting, cerebral palsy, and sleep apnea. Each of these conditions contribute to the deprivation of oxygen which can lead to a host of unpleasant symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of mouth breathing in dentistry include:

dry lips and mouth
decreased saliva
inflamed and bleeding gums
increased plaque
frequent cavities
chronic bad breath
swollen tonsils/adenoids

Mouth breathing has been known to cause developmental problems in children. Often times children breathe through their mouth habitually and many parents never think twice about it. However, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it may lead to permanent skeletal deformities. The face can begin to grow long and narrow, the nose can become flat with small nostrils, and the lips can be thin on top and quite pouty on the bottom. This, in addition to the other negative effects to oral health, shows that mouth breathing is a whole body problem and should be treated as early as possible.

Yes, you read that right, mouth breathing can be treated! You would think that it would be an easy habit to change – just close your mouth, right? Unfortunately, for people who struggle with mouth breathing, it’s not that easy. The body simply doesn’t know how to breathe normally, and the muscles of the face and mouth have compensated and learned to work incorrectly. In order to stop mouth breathing, the muscles must be re-trained to function in new ways. Treatment includes respiratory exercises, lifestyle changes, and in some cases medical surgeries and devices. If you feel as though your mouth breathing is occurring more than normal, please consult with your dental or health care professional to determine the cause and treatment needed to correct your chronic mouth breathing.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.myfaceology.com/mouth-breathing/

Sources:

http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=m&iid=296&aid=7327

http://besthealthus.com/conditions/oral-health/mouth-breather/

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged allergies, asthma, cerebral palsy, chronic nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils, facial development, malocclusion, mouth breather, mouth breathing, nasal congestion, nasal polyps, Oral Health, sleep apnea, tongue thrust
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January 10, 2016

Tips for Flossing and Maintaining Your Oral Health While in Braces

Amanda Orvis, RDH

Tips for Flossing and Maintaining Your Oral Health While in Braces

Flossing may seem like it is almost impossible when you are in braces. It can even seem intimidating. It is a fact that it takes longer to floss your teeth if you have traditional wired braces. Thankfully there are tools that can help take some of the hassle out of flossing around braces. Please read below for some suggestions.

Floss Threaders

These threaders are a great tool to help achieve getting your floss behind your wire and between your teeth. Simply grab a normal piece of floss and one threader. Thread the floss through the loop hole in the threader, the same way you would thread a needle. After you have threaded the floss threader, simply guide the threader behind your orthodontic wire and floss between your teeth. See picture below.

Super Floss

Super floss is a pre-threaded flosser. It consists of three parts. Part one is the stiffened needle-like end. Part two is the spongy floss. Part three is the regular floss. This one piece threaded floss is great for maneuvering around those orthodontic wires. The great thing about super floss is that you do not have to thread the floss at all; it is already done for you! The spongy part of the floss is great for those wider spaces between your teeth that you get while your teeth are moving and shifting while you are in braces. The traditional end of the floss is great for those tighter spaces. See picture below.

Proxabrushes

These small brushes are great for cleaning between the teeth and behind your orthodontic wires. Proxabrushes help to remove the plaque in those hard to reach areas which are commonly missed. To use these brushes, you simply guide the brush behind the wire and move the brush up and down cleaning any remaining plaque on the teeth after brushing.

Waterpik

Waterpiks, also known as water flossers, are great to use around orthodontic brackets and wires. They are easy and effective. You simply point the water flosser between your teeth along the gumline and let the water spray between the teeth. Water flossers help to remove plaque and food debris in those hard to reach areas.

*If you would like a demonstration on any of these products please ask your dentist or dental hygienist at your next dental visit.

Want to learn more? Visit us at