Jul 30, 2013
You’re at the grocery store and you come to the personal hygiene aisle. You are looking for a mouthwash, but you are instantly overwhelmed with the dozens of options to choose from all promising to reduce plaque, fight gingivitis, whiten teeth and so much more – but not all the claims are true. We have all been there. But don’t worry, we are here to offer you some helpful tips that will allow you to refine your search and pick out the perfect mouthwash to fit your needs!
We always talk about the importance of regular brushing and flossing, but using mouthwash regularly in your oral hygiene regimen is often overlooked. Studies have shown that regular use of mouthwash has undeniable benefits for your mouth. It cleans those hard to reach places that brushing can’t get to, rinses your whole mouth, and is proven to reduce gingivitis in those who use it regularly.
There are 3 major categories of mouthwash products from a consumer perspective. Here is what you need to know about each of them that will help you choose the perfect rinse for your mouth:
1.) Fluoride containing mouth rinses:
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay in your mouth and strengthens enamel. But most people don’t need fluoride in their mouthwash because they already get it from the fluoridated toothpaste they use. But there are some exceptions. People with xerostomia (abnormally dry mouth) might use this because severe dry mouth might cause bacterial imbalance in the mouth, and too much bad bacteria can lead to tooth decay. Also, people with cavities can benefit from this kind of mouthwash. Here is a list of ADA approved fluoride mouth rinses
2.) Mouthwashes to freshen breath:
Many of these mouthwashes will in fact freshen your breath, but they do not necessarily offer many (if any) long-term oral health benefits. The bacteria that cause bad breath are killed for the short term, but they will grow back.
3.) Anti-plaque or anti-gingivitis mouthwashes:
Adults are recommended to use this kind of mouthwash to supplement their brushing and flossing (although these are key components to oral health, we don’t always do a great job with these tasks, and this type of mouthwash can kills potentially damaging bacteria missed in brushing and flossing). If the mouthwash is ADA approved, that is the best, and they kill a much broader range of oral bacteria than the breath freshening rinses, which is better for your overall oral health. For people with more severe dental issues, contact us, we may prescribe you with a more powerful mouthwash that could help you! List of ADA approved anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis mouthwashes
Hope these tips help! Remember, mouth wash is no substitute for good brushing and flossing. All three together make for a powerful, effective, and healthy cleaning regimen!
Sources:
Jun 20, 2013
Do your sensitive teeth dread the frozen treats of summer? You are not alone. A recent survey of US dental offices found that one in eight people has over-sensitive teeth.
You may feel pain when you brush and floss or when you eat and drink cold items.
Sensitivity usually comes from receding gums or when the enamel of your teeth is worn away. Brushing too hard, teeth grinding, acidic foods and age could also cause this sensitivity.
The good news is that you can take steps to prevent or lessen the pain:
- Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth that contains potassium and brush with a soft bristled toothbrush
- Stay away from highly acidic foods
- Your dentist might offer a special fluoride to help strengthen enamel
- A gum graft can help reduce a sensitive area by adding tissue where there is recession
- Bondings or crowns may be needed to cover exposed roots
- For more serious cases, a root canal may be in order to repair damage
Of course, general good dental hygiene on a daily basis and regular cleanings can also go a long way!
If you have any questions or concerns about sensitive teeth, we are happy to talk to you about the prevention and treatment options that would work best for you.
Now that you know how to lessen the pain of sensitive teeth, here’s a quick recipe for a yummy frozen smoothie…
Mixed Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Directions
In a blender combine yogurt, pomegranate juice, berries, banana, honey and lime juice. Cover and blend until nearly smooth.
Nutrition facts
Servings Per Recipe 2, cal. (kcal) 203, Fat, total (g) 2, chol. (mg) 7, sat. fat (g) 1, carb. (g) 39, fiber (g) 3, sugar (g) 24, pro. (g) 10, vit. A (RE) 5, vit. C (mg) 13, sodium (mg) 44, calcium (mg) 11, iron (mg) 6, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Recipe source: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/mixed-berry-smoothie/
Other sources:
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sensitive-teeth.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-sensitivity
http://news.health.com/2013/03/01/1-in-8-adults-may-have-sensitive-teeth/
Jun 4, 2013
Are you one of the countless people suffering from seasonal allergies this time of year? Specifically pollen? Have you experienced itchiness, soreness or hives in your mouth as well? Then you may be surprised to discover that you may have Oral Allergy Syndrome.
For many people with pollen allergies, eating certain fruits and veggies may cause your mouth to show some of the symptoms mentioned above. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, up to one-third of people with pollen allergies may also have Oral Allergy Syndrome.
Don’t worry, though! Most cases are mild. However, on rare occasions, there are serious cases of anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction), so be conscientious of early warning signs if they appear.
It works like this. In hay fever, the immune system treats pollen like a foreign invader. The unpleasant allergy symptoms – itchy eyes, sore and scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose etc. – are the bodies reaction to rid the system of the intruder. Now, many fruits and veggies have proteins in them that are very similar to those found in pollen. In fact, they are so similar in some cases, that the body can mistake the proteins in your fruits and veggies, for that found in pollen! This is Oral Allergy Syndrome.
Here are some foods to watch out for if you are allergic to any of the following types of pollen:
- Ragweed Allergy: “Ragweed, in theory, cross-reacts with bananas and melons, so people with ragweed allergies may react to honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelons, or tomatoes,” says Warren V. Filley, MD, from the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic in Oklahoma City. Zucchini, sunflower seeds, dandelions, chamomile tea, and echinacea also go on that list.
- Birch Pollen Allergy: People with birch pollen allergies may react to kiwi, apples, pears, peaches, plums, coriander, fennel, parsley, celery, cherries, carrots, hazelnuts, and almonds.
- Grass Allergy: People with grass allergy may react to peaches, celery, tomatoes, melons, and oranges, according to the AAAAI.
- Latex Rubber Allergy: Like pollen allergies, people allergic to latex rubber may react to bananas, avocados, kiwi, chestnut, and papaya.
Most people reported to have Oral Allergy Syndrome are in their 20’s and 30’s. If you think you could be one of those people who has Oral Allergy Syndrome, then see a board-certified allergist. Most cases are mild, but some are serious, so get checked out! Also, if you know you are allergic to pollen, be proactive and avoid trigger foods. If the foods are a favorite of yours, here are some other tips.
- Cook it. Cooking often breaks down or alters the trigger proteins so that the immune system doesn’t target them.
- Peel it. Peeling fruits such as apples may help, because most trigger proteins are in the peel.
- Can it. Canning also breaks down those proteins.
Feb 14, 2013
You probably know that Valentine’s Day is today, February 14th – but here are some interesting Valentine’s Day trivia facts you may not be aware of!!
- Every year over 1 billion Valentine’s cards are sent – second only to Christmas.
- The people who receive the most Valentine’s cards are teachers. They deserve it!
- Most flowers sold in the U.S. on Valentine’s Day are imported from South America.
- Richard Cadbury sold the first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates in 1868.
- This year over $1 billion will be spent on Valentine’s chocolates.
- It is believed that St. Valentine was put to death on February 14th. His last letter to his love (the jailer’s daughter) was signed, “From Your Valentine.”
- NECCO has been making heart-shaped candies with sweet sayings since 1902!
- Alexander Graham Bell applied for his telephone patent on Valentine’s Day in 1876. Many years later on February 14th penicillin was introduced!
- Men spend approximately twice as much as women for Valentine’s Day!
Okay – now that you are an expert on Valentine’s Day – is your mouth ready? Here are some things you can do to make sure!!
- Avoid foods that can cause bad breath such as garlic, onions and curry. While these foods are believed to be healthy, they can cause a kissing disaster unless your mate participates too!
- Use lip balm frequently. The cold winter months can make your lips feel like alligator skin!
- Drink water often throughout the day. This washes food particles out of your mouth and prevents dehydration, a leading cause of foul breath.
- If you are a fan of gum or mints, try those which contain Xylitol. Unlike sugar, it’s not harmful to your teeth, and actually fights off bad bacteria.
- Mouthwash can be good, but if your mouthwash contains alcohol (as many do) be careful! It can dry out the tissues of your mouth causing damage and a characteristic bad smell.
If you are due for a dental cleaning, want to find out about tooth whitening, or have any dental questions, give us a call at 1-207-781-5900 and we’ll get you in the schedule! After all, you want your Cupid kisses to be as pleasant as possible, and at Falmouth Dental Arts, we do too!!
Jan 23, 2013
Whether you have whitened your teeth at home or in the dentist’s office, you need to consider the foods you eat after a teeth-whitening procedure. After all, you want to keep that beautiful white smile for as long as possible.
There are actually some foods that many dentists recommend in order to avoid teeth staining. For example, certain fruits and vegetables, like apples, celery and carrot sticks, can actually cleanse your teeth as you eat. These food help produce more saliva that, in turn, helps counteract acids in the mouth. Dairy products, particularly hard cheeses, help fight cavities because of their lactic acid.
To avoid staining your newly whitened teeth, try to stay away from blackberries, soy sauce and red wine. These foods can stain teeth fairly quickly.
Paying attention to what you eat can truly help you maintain a brighter smile.
Dec 13, 2012
‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings and close encounters with friends and family. Before you stand under the mistletoe this Christmas, we want you to think about how kissing affects your oral health. There’s a great article from WorlDental.org that explores this subject.
The article notes that while kissing has some benefits, including the act of cleaning out your saliva, it also helps transmit a small number of disease-causing bacteria. For example, colds and mononucleosis can be spread by kissing. So can cold sores and chickenpox. And did you know that periodontal disease can be transmitted through saliva?
Of course, practicing good oral hygiene will lessen these risks. And you don’t have to let these potential dangers ruin your kissing opportunities. The article suggests you try to:
- Avoid kissing when you or the other person is sick.
- Avoid kissing anyone on the lips when you, or they, have an active cold sore, warts or ulcers around the lips or in the mouth.
- Cough and sneeze into a hanky if you have a cold.
- See your doctor about immunizations. Vaccines are available to prevent some infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, hepatitis B and group C meningococcal infection.
Read the full article
