Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Water fluoridation can cause splotchy spots on teeth


Fluoride strengthens the natural tooth structure against microorganisms and acids prone to cause cavities and tooth erosion. Water fluoridation is considered one of the best methods for provision of optimum fluoride quantity to the community. Water fluoridation is an effective method to prevent development of dental decay and cavities in children as well as adults. However, easy access to fluorides through the use of fluoridated tooth pastes, mouth washes, mouth rinses, fluoride varnishes and tablets have resulted in manifestations of fluoride excess especially in children of growing age.


Fluoride excess results in the formation of whitish or brownish splotchy spots on the surface of teeth. This process is known as dental fluorosis or mottling of tooth enamel. It affects the smile of an individual. Furthermore, excess fluoride weakens the tooth structure. It is now recommended to check the fluoride level of water supply of the area where an individual lives prior to prescribing a fluoride varnish or mouth rinse. Dental health care professionals should remain cautious while prescribing fluoride containing dentifrices to infants and small children. The following article gives an insight into the effects of water fluoridation in USA.


Opponents argue its health effects aren’t completely understood and that adding … said Kathleen O’Loughlin, the American Dental Association’s executive director, who joined Lushniak in Monday’s announcement. Lushniak added: “It is the best method forUS lowers fluoride in water; too much is causing splotchy teeth


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Water fluoridation can cause splotchy spots on teeth

Natural Means to whiten your teeth at home


Modern era constitutes an environment of stress and competition. People work hard and work late on a working day. Presentations and work performances need perfection and alertness which no doubt comes at a cost. Consumption of tea, wine, beverages and smoking are increasing in proportion to the amount of stress one puts to work. These habits can affect your teeth in the form of staining and discoloration and people notice each and everything during your presentations. A beautiful, lively and brighter smile matters a lot whether you are at work or looking for a life partner. No one gets time or affords the cost of professional tooth whitening measures and over the counter chemicals can have adverse affects. It is best if you can arrange time out of your busy schedule for professional dental help in this regard but we would like to help you while you are at home or work.


 Natural ways of whitening your teeth most often help when stains are external due to coffee, tea, smoking and beverage consumption. Inner surface of banana peel when applied on your teeth followed by brushing can produce whiter teeth. A combination of baking soda and lemon juice can remove extrinsic tooth stains. However, their use must not be frequent as they can erode your teeth. A novel use of coconut oil known as the oil pulling technique can help your teeth and gums. Swishing your mouth with coconut oil for 20 minutes not only cleans your teeth and gums but it also helps in detoxification of body and relieving headaches. Strawberries contain citric acid and it helps in the removal of extrinsic stains. Half a tea spoon of apple cider and cheese snacks can also produce brighter teeth. Cheese can also be used following an acidic drink to prevent tooth erosion.


Like clear skin and shiny hair, our teeth can be a signal of health and youth, while playing a huge role overall attractiveness—71% of single women and 58% of single men cited straight, white teeth as the most important trait in a potential partnerHow to Whiten Your Teeth Using Stuff You Already Have


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Natural Means to whiten your teeth at home

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Goldfish and FBI

Importance of brushing and flossing


All new dental graduates know that, as a result of our recently acquired dental education, we are going to cure the entire world of all the dental disease that exists. We learned that the most common disease known to mankind is gum disease yet, even though it has existed since the dawn of time, we are going to wave our magic wand and in one fell swoop put ourselves out of business because we have cured completely what we attack on a daily basis.


Years ago I wrote a blog before blogs existed (or even before Al Gore invented the internet) on, what else, dental subjects. Most dentists are teachers to some extent and I am no different, in fact, many of you know I don’t know how to stop talking and putting in my two cents worth on whatever subject that is being discussed. The title of my quarterly blog (or at that time it was called a “Newsletter”) was “… and Nothing But the Tooth.” Today Jennifer and I were discussing some of the things I try to instill in my patients to help them improve their dental hygiene because, believe it or not, I sometimes even dream that I have found the cure for all sorts of oral decay and I want to share what I have learned with others.


So here we go with my blogletter. If I begin to ramble let me know. Hopefully the subjects will be of some interest to you and will perhaps be a help in your daily routine. To most people any dental topic can be quite boring and could even bring a gold fish to tears. The gold fish has an attention span of less than 6 seconds, which is why it doesn’t die of boredom swimming around and around and around in a small fish bowl. What I write will be longer than 6 seconds but then again hopefully we have evolved beyond the gold fish.


FBI No I am NOT referring to them. It stands for Floss, Brush and Irrigate.


Flossing is not done to clean off the plaque that may still be on the teeth after you brush. It is done after brushing to clean off the areas in between the teeth and to loosen the plaque that is there before brushing. Then the fluoride in the toothpaste used while brushing will be absorbed into the tooth structure that has been flossed, protecting it even more from tooth decay and perhaps even reversing the decay process in some instances. Finally irrigating with a Waterpik at the end will clean the areas of the teeth which may not be cleanable with floss due to the shape of some teeth. Additionally I recommend putting 4-5 squirts of fluoride gel, such as Gingimed into the water tank when irrigating. That fluoride blown into the spaces between the teeth and below the margin of the gums is toxic to the bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease and helps significantly in your overall oral health.


So FBI in that order.


If you have any things you would like to see addressed here call my office or let us know next time you’re in.


Dr. B



Goldfish and FBI

Test Post from Dentist Gilbert | Cosmetic & Dental Implants

Test Post from Dentist Gilbert | Cosmetic & Dental Implants http://www.drbraegger.com