Electric Toothbrushes vs. Manual Brushing

My dentist advised me to get an Electric Toothbrush. That get me wondering what the advantages of them are. I did research on this topic and it appears that electric toothbrushes are the better choice, for these reasons:

• They are more effective at removing plaque and tartar.
• They prevent you from brushing too hard which can cause abrasion.
• They make it easier for people with arthritis and other motor dysfunction to brush effectively.
• Kids will brush more often because they think it's fun ( a definite plus!).
• The ADA (American Dental Association) currently recommends electric brushes over manual brushing.

It seems that the chief drawback to the electric toothbrush is that they tend to be a little bit pricey. However, there are some affordable models out there if you're willing to shop around.

original post by Walnutflower 3/12/2008

Smoking Causes More Than Bad Breath

Quitting smoking isn't easy, but there is another reason why you should make the effort to quite. Smoking causes more than just bad breath, it can lead to oral cancer - which includes the mouth, throat, salivary glands, tongue and lips.

Early signs of oral cancer include lumps, red or White patches inside the mouth, difficulty chewing, swallowing numbness in the mouth, thickening of the cheeks and voice changes.

Oral cancers top risk factor is tobacco whether its from smoking or chewing.

To help prevent oral cancer you should visit your dentist regularly for check ups, and keep up on your oral routine at home by brushing and flossing daily.

We are looking for outside agents and brokers!

Go to: http://www.savondentalplan.com/agentinfo/ or call 800-809-3494 for more information.

Oral Care Is Important For All

'Tis the Season for enjoying cookies and candy! Let's remember to brush and floss!  Enjoy the Holidays & Keep Smiling, Everyone! 

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Flossing Teeth: No More Excuses!

Flossing is time consuming and isn't easy. If you follow these simple instructions by the American Dental Association you will be just fine!

• Start with 18 inches of floss (waxed or un-waxed) wrap it around your middle fingers.
• Grasp the floss tightly with your thumbs and forefingers and gently guide it between your teeth.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, form a C shape to follow the contours of the tooth.
• Hold the floss firmly against the tooth, and move the floss up and down.
• Repeat the entire process on all your teeth *even those molars!

Make sure you use fresh floss as you move along!

Dental Hygiene for Men

Here are some of the risk factors for developing gum disease:

Being male: Men are more likely to suffer from gum disease than women.

Being African-American: Black men are more likely than white men to develop gum disease.

Lack of funds and insurance: People at the lowest socio-economic levels tend to have the most severe gum disease. This is largely because they don't have access to (or can't afford) regular dental care.

Age: As we get older, our gums gradually recede, exposing the roots of the teeth to plaque. We also produce less saliva, which plays an important role in rinsing plaque out of the mouth.

Genetics: If your parents lost teeth to gum disease, you are at greater risk.

Neglect: Not brushing and flossing regularly.

Poor diet: Sugary snacks and drinks encourage the growth of plaque, and crunchy snack foods can damage enamel and teeth.

Clenching, grinding teeth: Chronic teeth grinding can sometimes result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may also damage tooth enamel and wear teeth down. This kind of damage can lead to the need for a host of expensive dental work, including bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures.

Smoking: Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of gum disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.

 

Original Post by btflbutterfly77 on 11/5/09

The Holiday Trifecta.. Don't let it effect your smile!

Thanksgiving is over and I am not sure about you, but I am still stuffed. After enjoying a great turkey dinner (courtesy of my wonderful mom and dad), I have lived the past 3 days off of turkey sandwiches, left over stuffing, wild rice and pie. Not the best eating in the world, but hey, it's the holidays! As the first leg (pun intended) of the holiday trifecta is complete, now comes the next 2, Christmas and New Years. 2 holidays back to back. Which means more food! Ham, cookies, candy, cookies, snacks, cookies, pie, and more cookies!

Well if you are anything like me, the you know how good that turkey sandwich at midnight taste especially when it is washed down with milk, pie and cookies. However, if there is one thing I had noticed about myself over this weekend, is that I would brush and floss about 10:30 - 11:00pm before I would normally go to bed. Then around mid-night as I am up enjoying my little vacation from work, I would eat that midnight turkey sandwich. I would fall asleep on the couch and not brush again! When I woke up, I would have a film on my teeth, food stuck in my teeth and buildup around my gum line.

This lead to me post this blog! As you endure the multi-eating habits and opportunities of the holiday trifecta, make sure that you keep up with your dental care. Brushing 3 times a day is key, especially during this time of the year! Flossing is a must. (as it always is) During the holiday season, you tend to eat more turkey and ham. If some of it gets stuck in your teeth and is not removed you can wake up to a swollen gums. So remember to take that 2-3 minutes of to brush and floss as you are enjoying your holiday feasts.

Happy Holiday Season!