Toothpaste Isn't Just For Teeth!! Who Knew?

 Here are five toothpaste "hacks" that may not be commonly known. I may just have to try some of these myself!

• Remove crayon from painted walls.  All you need is some toothpaste and a damp cloth, buff lightly then rinse the area.  Off it goes!
• Scuffs on linoleum or tile floors.  Again, just a little toothpaste and a damp cloth.  Works like a charm.
• Fingernails and Toenails.  This one I wish I had thought of myself!  Wet an old (emphasis on old) toothbrush, add toothpaste and generously apply to fingernails and toenails. Wait a few minutes, then scrub a little bit.  Rinse.  They will look fresh and bright!  It takes away the yellowing effect. Of course it would!  It works on teeth, right? I love this!
• Clean jewelry.  It shines up diamonds and gold just as good as any jewelry cleaner would, and you already have it in your cabinet.  
• Headlight haze.  How many of us pay good money to have the headlights treated after yellowing and scratching occurs?  Buff it out with toothpaste. If nothing else, you may be able to put off the expensive treatment for awhile. 
• Skunk Spray Deodorizer.  Never would have thought of this one! The instructions I read are as follows: If your pet encounters a skunk, try this.  Wet him down, rub toothpaste into his fur, then rinse. Apparently the fluoride helps to eliminate some of the odor.  Not sure about this one.  I'd check with the vet first.  Some toothpaste contains xylitol, which is known to be a health risk for pets.

Enjoy!
Keep Smiling! 

How Periodontal Pocket Reduction Works?

 Do you suffer from Periodontal Disease? If so, check out this article from Winning Smiles Dentistry (Dr. Ghasem Darian).

Periodontal pockets are a serious gum issue that leads to the formation of spaces and openings around your gum line and, eventually, to infections. 

When left untreated, these pockets tend to fill up with infection-causing bacteria and can ultimately lead to tooth loss. 

The process of treating the condition is called periodontal pocket reduction. In this blog, we will take a look at the various options available for treatment.

Treating Periodontal Pockets

The treatment of periodontal pockets depends on their size and depth as well as the health of your gums and jaw bone. 

• Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a two-step deep cleaning procedure. Scaling refers to the removal of plaque and tartar above and below your gum line. 

The next step - root planing, refers to the smoothing out of the tooth roots to enable your gums to reattach to the teeth. 

Both procedures are performed under anesthesia.

• Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaning is the best solution if the periodontal pockets are 4 to 5 mm in depth. The cleaning will be complemented with a dynamic oral hygiene routine at home. 

The dentist will recommend that you brush and floss twice a day and use an antibacterial mouthwash daily, without fail. Doing so helps shrink gum inflammation while removing plaque and tartar from the gumline.

• Flap (Pocket) Reduction Surgery

Flap surgery comes into play when you have deep pockets but the tooth can still be saved. The periodontist will make small incisions on the gum to gain access to the tooth root and then perform root planing and scaling. 

In case there is bone loss, the remaining bone will be smoothened, and any ridges where bacteria can thrive will be eliminated. The gum tissue will then be sutured back in place.

When left untreated, periodontal pockets can lead to severely weakened gums and even tooth loss. Therefore, seeking treatment at the right time is the best way to maintain your smile and your oral health. 

Trivia Facts About the Creatures of the World

 Since we really cant focus on our own teeth right now given that most dentist offices are closed for routine care, I thought it would be fun to re-post this blog about animals. Here are some facts about different animals I collected from various sites on the web. Just a little fun trivia for everyone to read. Enjoy!

• Beavers, Gophers, Rats, Mice and Hamsters teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. They must grind their teeth down to keep them at a reasonable length.
• A dolphin has only one set of teeth to last throughout it's lifetime.
• An Armadillo has 104 teeth.
• A Blue Whale is the largest mammal on earth but it has absolutely no teeth!
• A Cat's jaws cannot move sideways.
• Turtles and Tortoises are toothless.
• Rabbits are born with their permanent teeth.
• African Elephants have only 4 teeth.
• Mosquitoes have 47 teeth. (They drink blood, what's to chew, lol?)
• A snail has thousands of tiny teeth, yet it's mouth is smaller than the head of a pin!

Keep smiling!!!

Improve Your Dental Health By Eating These Superfoods!

These foods are not magic foods that will instantly fight off gum disease or tooth decay but these foods contain the right properties to promote better dental health in the long run.

1. Raw Milk - Teeth need calcium to remain strong and healthy, so try almond milk. Almond milk contains about the same concentration of calcium as regular milk and doesn't contain hundreds of adverse conditions associated with it. Vitamin D can also help rebuild the enamel.
2. Apples - Eating apples helps the production of saliva. When saliva is produced it actually helps the prevention of cavities.
3. Mushrooms - Mushrooms are packed with vitamin D, which helps rebuild the enamel in your teeth.
4. Oranges - Oranges are naturally acidic, which can work by acting as a brush for your teeth. The vitamins and calcium content in this fruit push away harmful microbes and reduce your rate of tooth decay.
5. Nuts - These are packed will all sorts of good stuff to maintain overall health and teeth. 

Mouthwash Alone Does Not Replace The Benefits of Toothpaste

 I am sure we have all been there, myself included. In a hurry, running late, don’t have time to brush, so you swish away some mouthwash and go on your merry little way. Well, we may be able to get away with it every once in a while, but making a habit of it can do more harm than good. Fluoride is good for your teeth, gums and mouth, but too much can have a counter-effect and make things worse.  Which is why using it correctly is important. 

Mouthwash is beneficial for killing germs, giving your teeth and gums that fluoride rinse, freshening your breath and breaking loose some particles between your teeth. However, brushing and flossing are more important.

Brushing removes the plaque and tartar and flossing cleans out between your teeth and gum line; places you can’t get by swishing with mouthwash. There is no definitive answer to whether or not using mouthwash is more effective before or after you brush, so that may be something that you should consult with your dentist about and see what they recommend for you!

Keep Your Family's Teeth Healthy During Summer Break!

It's summer break, which means a lot of fun summer activities!

Here are a few tips on how to keep your family's teeth healthy during all the hustle and bustle:

• Grab water - It's easy to just grab a sugary drink at a restaurant or at a store while traveling but drinking water helps prevent plaque-causing bacteria. 
• Eat dental-friendly snacks - Eat crispy fruits and veggies, this acts as a natural toothbrush and helps keep teeth clean. 
• Chew gum - Sugar-free that is. Chewing gum helps saliva flow which washes away any food particles left behind.
• Maintain your routine - Just because our daily habits might be off-balance for the summer doesn't mean you can skip brushing and flossing your teeth.

Would you Dare to Make Your Own Braces?

 I've read about different and more crude attempts at home orthodontia and lets just say, it's a frightening concept...(what some people will come up with and bravely attempt).

However, in an article published recently, the story of a New Jersey college student and his idea to make his own clear plastic braces is making a stir in the dental industry.  He did, in fact, create a model of his own teeth using a computer and a 3-D printer and then manufactured 12 sets of clear plastic straightening trays for a fraction of the cost of Name Brand braces. When I say fraction....I mean his total cost was about $60. The kicker?  It worked!
I, for one, am NOT that technologically inclined, however, many people are. Now, I suppose in this case the end result could've been disastrous. And this spin off of the modern "Invisalign type" orthodontia will not work for everyone, but just look at the picture in this article and see for yourself!  He did an amazing job.  It made for a great success story and one that may encourage others to try similar tactics, although it should be stated that no one ( unless you are a trained professional) should try this at home!

Click here for the full article.  It's a captivating topic.

Tea Tree Oil For Dental Health?

If you follow your dentist's recommendations on cleaning and flossing your teeth, then you should have healthy gums and strong teeth.

There are many ways to keep your mouth healthy but one natural remedy is using tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is taken from the leaves of a Melaleuca Alternifolia plant that is native to Australia. This plant is known for its natural disinfectant and has been used for many years in the medical and dental professions as an antiseptic.

Tea tree oil has many benefits for your dental health:

• Helps prevent plaque - The oil fights microorganisms that destroy tissues in the mouth which cause plaque, receding gums, and tartar deposits. 
• Helps eliminate bad breath - Using tea tree oil as a mouthwash has anti-deodorant properties.
• Helps prevent gum disease - 
• Rub a small amount of tea tree oil on swollen/sore gums.
• Add 3-5 drops of tea tree oil to a small glass of water and swish. Do this twice a day
• Apply a few drops of tea tree oil directly onto your toothbrush and brush for at least to min. 
• Helps relieve pain from toothaches - Rinse your mouth with a tea tree oil mixture (listed above) and then apply a small amount of Aloe Vera to the infected tooth. 
• Mouth sores - Rinse mouth with a tea tree oil mixture (listed above).

*Remember this is just a remedy to keep your mouth healthy and should not replace your dentist.

For more information click here!