#3: Limit your alcohol intake
’Tis
the season for egg nog, Brandy Alexanders and glog! If you choose to
imbibe, try to drink water alongside your drinks. And remember: Too much
alcohol can dry out your mouth.
#4: Take it easy on the hard candies
Some
candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your
teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also
been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or
chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!)
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
#1: Timing matters
Timing
matters. While everything is fine in moderation, it helps to eat sweets
and other sugary foods with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva
production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by
bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.
#2: Be picky if it's sticky
When
it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the
top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky and sticky foods tend
to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find
yourself eating a lot of dried fruits such as cranberries, make sure to
rinse with water and brush carefully.
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
An effective oral hygiene routine starts with a few simple steps:
A Proper Brushing Technique for your Teeth
A
proper brushing technique is the first step to maintaining healthy
teeth and gums. Plus, it helps minimize the risk of tooth decay and gum
disease, the major causes of tooth loss.
Before You Begin
While
there are several tooth brushing techniques with a manual toothbrush,
always ask your dental professional for their recommendation and be sure
to follow their instructions. To start, use fluoride toothpaste with a
soft-bristle toothbrush, and don't forget to replace it every three
months.
Two Minutes, Twice a Day
To
brush your teeth correctly, spend at least two minutes using a
recommended brushing technique, which includes 30 seconds brushing each
section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower
left), both morning and night. Since most manual toothbrushes don't have
built-in two-minute timers, you may want to have a clock handy so you
can be sure you're brushing long enough.
Positioning the Toothbrush
How you hold the toothbrush depends on which part of the tooth you're brushing.
Please read the entire article, found at DentalCare.com, to see more detailed information on manual brushing and flossing.
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
You
can achieve better plaque removal and gingivitis reduction with an
electric toothbrush that utilizes oscillating-rotating technology than
with a regular manual toothbrush.
This
brushing action is very different from ordinary manual toothbrushes, as
it does the job of brushing for you. Be sure to guide the brush head to
all parts of your mouth.
Rotating Electric Toothbrush Instructions
Hold the brush parallel to the floor, against the side of your teeth.
Guide the brush head slowly from tooth to tooth, following the curve of the teeth and gums.
It isn't necessary to press hard or scrub. Simply let the electric toothbrush do all the work.
Hold the brush head in place for a few seconds before moving on to the next tooth.
Please read the entire article, found at DentalCare.com, to see more detailed information on how to use an electric toothbrush.
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Your
child’s well-being is your biggest concern and their oral hygiene is an
important part of their overall health. The care of your child’s teeth
and gums begins with you - - you can set them on the right path for a
lifetime of excellent oral hygiene.
Oral Hygiene for Infants
Babies
are born with all their teeth - you can't see them because they are
hidden in the gums. Baby teeth start to break through the gums around 6
months but it is important to start good oral care for infants even
before the first tooth comes in. From healthy gums come healthy teeth.
- Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft washcloth after feeding. This helps remove the bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
- Once
they begin to erupt, brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
in an amount no more than a smear the size of a grain of rice - use a
soft-bristle toothbrush.
Please read the entire article, found at DentalCare.com, to see more detailed information on dental hygiene for children.
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Having
your kids brush their teeth before they go to bed each night helps them
learn good oral hygiene practices. And while twice-daily toothbrushing
is good for developing teeth, it always enough to stop bad breath from
occurring. Bad breath isn't always solely an oral health issue, there
can be other causes that need a different solution. Here are five
surprising causes of bad breath in children and how to stop them.
Sinus Infection
Have
any of your kids complained about a sore throat or stuffy nose lately?
It might be a sinus infection. Sinus issues cause fluid to collect in
the nasal passages and throat, making your child's throat the perfect
place for bacteria to gather. The result? Stinky breath that can't be
cured with toothbrushing and mouthwash alone. If you suspect a sinus
infection (potential sore throat, burning nasal passages and post nasal
drip), call your doctor for a visit and see if antibiotics will be
prescribed.
Foreign Objects
It
may not be your first thought, but your child's bad breath could be the
result of something stuck in her nasal passages. Kids are curious, and
their nostrils are just the right size for inserting small items such as
beads, beans, toy accessories and food. Pediatrician Dr. William Sears
explains that when an object gets lodged in a child's nasal passages it
can create a nasty smell. If you suspect this is what is causing your
child's bad breath, you'll need a doctor to help check your child's
nasal passages and remove the object.
To read the entire article written by Jae Curtis , please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Dental
caries (cavities) are the most common form of oral disease known to
man, and the process of getting caries is called tooth decay.
Tooth
decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel -- the hard, outer layer
of your teeth. This issue can affect children, teens and adults. Plaque,
a sticky film of bacteria, is constantly forming on your teeth. When
you eat or drink foods or beverages containing sugars, the bacteria in
plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the
plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth, and over time the
enamel can break down, according to the American Dental Association
(ADA).
The types of caries formed can be broken down into two major groups:
Pit and fissure caries. These
are found most often on the chewing surfaces of the back (molar and
premolar) teeth, and the back of the front (anterior) teeth. Your teeth
are composed of several sections of enamel, and where these sections
meet, pits and grooves can trap plaque, causing decay. The proper
application of pit and fissure sealants, a hard plastic material applied
to seal the grooves and pits when the teeth have erupted, can prevent
this type of dental caries. The sealants also make it less likely that
you will need restorations (fillings) on those surfaces of the teeth.
Smooth surface caries. These
are found most often along the gumline or where two teeth touch
(interproximal or the space between teeth), if plaque forms in those
areas. With the proper use of dental floss, you can prevent most smooth
surface caries in the interproximal area, and using a manual or power
toothbrush along the gumline can prevent caries in that area as well.
To read the entire article written by Richard A Huot, DDS, please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Some
candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your
teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also
been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or
chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!) 
