Miami Dental Sedation Spa Blog

Dental health has been in the news a lot lately, especially in terms of its importance to overall wellness.  The word is out that by brushing your teeth regularly, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist semi-annually, you can maintain or achieve great personal health.  It seems easy enough, but the truth is, most people don’t complete these tasks as well as they think.  In fact, the average person only brushes their teeth for approximately 46 seconds.  Most people know that dentists recommend brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, to ensure a thorough cleaning.  If you are one of the many who has a hard time knowing when you’ve reached that time quota, don’t fret; there’s an app for that.

Thanks to Beam Technologies and their new toothbrush, the Beam Brush, users will be able to monitor their dental hygiene using  an app on their smart device, according to a Los Angeles Times article, “Beam is a smartphone compatible….toothbrush?”  Bluetooth features and sensors in the brush are activated when they make contact with a mouth, which then triggers a timer to alert you when your two minutes are up.  The app tracks when and how long you brush your teeth over a period of time, which can allow you to check out your oral hygiene habits.  And because the app can track up to four toothbrushes on one device, you can watch how your spouse or kid’s habits stack up too.  It’ll even put the information in graphical form for easy analysis.

Developers of the technology are hoping that later versions of the app will also determine which spots of the mouth are receiving the most attention and which could use a little more love.  They’re also planning on adding other features, such as a musical timer and social elements or gaming type achievements to add rewards for good brushing.  The Beam Brush is supposed to be available to the public in early March and is expected to cost around $50, with the price of replacement heads at $3 apiece.  Good dental habits have never been easier to attain.

Written by Mark Paulsort

Follow me on Twitter:   https://twitter.com/#!/MPaulsort78

Many recent stories in dental news have dealt with the close relationship between oral health and overall wellness.  The same holds true for children, although a recent study completed by MetLife, shows that many parents don’t know what the pediatric guidelines are for oral health, and certainly aren’t following them.  According to the article, “MetLife Study Finds Parents Have Limited Awareness of Recommended Pediatric Dental Care,” found on marketwatch.com, a whopping 97% of parents surveyed claimed their children (under the age of 5 and having dental insurance) had excellent to good oral health.  However, nearly a quarter of those parents were told by a dentist that their child was at risk for tooth decay.

The Surgeon General’s office reports that tooth decay is actually the number one disease among children; more common than asthma and even hay fever.  Almost half of the parents’ surveyed admitted to only brushing their child’s teeth once a day or less, and another 45% said they’ve never flossed their kids’ teeth.  Dr. David Guerrera, DDS and vice president of MetLife Dental Products, states that parents should begin brushing their children’s teeth as soon as they appear.  And the American Dental Association recommends that flossing begin as soon as two teeth are touching, to remove plaque that a toothbrush can miss.  These two simple practices can help teach children valuable oral hygiene skills at a very young age. Additionally, 60% of parents polled said their children eat at least one sugary snack a day.  While kids obviously enjoy them, sweets are very harmful to teeth, as the acid that remains in the child’s mouth can break down the protective enamel.  Parents should consider limiting such snacks, and if they aren’t able too, at least brush or rinse the mouth immediately following consumption.

Regular visits to the dentist are also vital to maintaining excellent oral health.  Ironically, about ¾ of parent’s with dental insurance added their child to their plan before their first birthday, but only 16% actually took their little one to the dentist before the age of 3.  According to Dr. Guarrera, it is recommended that a child see a dentist no more than six months after receiving their first tooth.  As I mentioned earlier, dental care and oral health are closely connected to overall wellness, which is why it is so crucial to establish these good habits in your children at an early age.  By brushing at least twice a day, flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist, you not only protect your child’s teeth, but create an awareness of the importance of taking care of your teeth for the rest of their life.

Written by Mark Paulsort

Follow me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/MPaulsort78

Do you know what to do in the event of a dental emergency? Recently, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) released an article giving advice on how to treat such an occasion on Marketwatch.com.  Having a plan and knowing what to do could be the difference in losing a permanent tooth, or saving it.  The first step will always be to contact your dentist immediately.  Time may be crucial in certain situations.  From there, the steps you should take vary based on the injury.  Here is a brief summary of the PDA recommendations.

Broken Tooth:  In order to keep the area free of any impurities, be sure to rinse your mouth with warm water as soon as possible.  If possible, find any missing tooth pieces and save them.  You can also apply ice to the area to reduce swelling.

Cracked Tooth:  Small cracks are actually quite common and often don’t require treatment.  However, if you are experiencing severe pain when eating or drinking, you may have a more significant situation.  Avoid any unnecessary pressure in the affected area of your mouth and consult with your dentist to determine treatment.

Knocked-Out Tooth: When possible, immediately rinse the missing tooth in water, being sure to hold it by the crown and not the root.  Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissues.  If able, you should hold the tooth in the missing socket; otherwise keep the tooth in a container of milk.

Toothache:  Rinsing your mouth with warm water to cleanse the area of discomfort is the first step.  Carefully use floss to clean the area around the tooth.  If pain persists, contact your dentist.

Jaw, Tongue, Lip, or Cheek Injury: Clean the area and immediately apply ice to reduce swelling.  If you experience bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a clean towel.  If bleeding is persistent or excessive, a visit to the emergency room might be required.

When dental emergencies are ignored, treatment is often required later on, and is typically more extensive and expensive.  By contacting your dentist and following the appropriate steps, you may be able to escape with minimal repairs.  The PDA recommends that you keep your dentist’s contact information close at hand and pack a dental-care kit (including saline solution, gauze, and a small sealable container) for emergencies.

Written by Mark Paulsort

Follow me on Twitter:   https://twitter.com/#!/MPaulsort78

When trying to take care of your pearly whites, many have been told to avoid coffee and tea, as they are responsible for some of the staining that may make your smile dull.  However, a recent report in The Doctors Health Press, a popular online e-bulletin, is claiming that consuming green tea may be an excellent way to improve your overall oral health.  The prweb.com article, “Doctors Health Press Supports Study Showing That Green Tea Could Help Prevent Cavities,” describes the report.  An Israeli research team investigated the polyphenol antioxidants found in the tea, and discovered that they have several dental benefits, including the ability to protect teeth from dental cavities caused by bacteria.

It has been commonly understood in the past that the antioxidants found in green tea can help protect against viruses, such as influenza, but it was only recently that the connection to oral health was discovered. In addition to fighting off cavities, the report indicated that green tea can also be used as a natural remedy for halitosis, or bad breath.  There are sulfur compounds found in green tea which are thought to help keep your breath fresh.  Apparently smokers can benefit from the wonder tea too.  When smoke is initially inhaled, the many harmful compounds found in cigarettes, such as nicotine, are at their highest levels of concentration.  It’s these compounds that are responsible for infections and serious conditions, like oral cancer.  According to the report, green tea polyphenols have the ability to help healthy cells from transforming into malignant cells.   With the ability to ward off cavities and decay, keep your breath fresh, and fight oral cancer, it’s no surprise that the researchers claim that green tea could be used to prevent and treat many oral health complaints.

Written by Mark Paulsort

Follow me on Twitter:   https://twitter.com/#!/MPaulsort78

There is a new enemy-of-the-tooth emerging in a generation of children who won’t drink water.  With the popularity of flavored waters, fruit juices, and smoothies soaring, more and more kids are experiencing an abnormally high incidence of tooth decay, according to the Telegraph article, “Healthy smoothies not so innocent for teeth, says dentist,” by Stephen Adams.  A national survey, completed in the UK, showed that nearly half of the five-year-old population is exhibiting signs of “tooth wear,” as a result of consuming acidic drinks which soften and dissolve protective enamel.

Previously, this condition was thought to be one belonging primarily to lower socio-economic groups, which is simply not true.  Leading dentist, Kathryn Harley, who runs a specialist clinic in Great Britain, says that they are seeing a large number of affluent families with the same issues, due to belief that acidic and sugary fruit smoothies can be substituted for consuming the recommended five-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables.  A spokesperson for the British Soft Drinks Association claims that by drinking fruit juice through a straw, the acidic liquid is directed past the teeth, thus sparing them of the adverse effects, although this is disputed by some experts.  It is also believed that by consuming fruit juice and smoothies at mealtime, the impact on dental health can also be lessened.  Harley thinks that most people understand that sweets cause tooth decay, but aren’t acknowledging that acidic drinks can have the same effect, which she believes can be “catastrophic.” The debate will continue, no doubt, as these specialty drinks don’t seem to be losing popularity.  I see this as just one more reason to be sure to visit your dentist often, and to continue to brush and floss regularly.

Written by Mark Paulsort

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MPaulsort78