ToothTech

Grads, Egads!

2011-08-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

As I celebrate the end of Number One Son's high school career and his embark on matriculation at Michigan State, I am reminded of the many transitions from teen to adult.

As a dentist, the transitions from the teen years to the adult years make for some marked changes in treatment for this age group. There are issues related to growth and development to consider for these grads, such as "wisdom teeth," decay, and periodontal disease.

First, let's consider the erroneously named "wisdom teeth," dubbed by Dr. Obvious in a gray matter synaptic fury as the "18 Year Molars." Why? Because as you may have guessed, they arrive at 18 years of age. But to be truthful, "wisdom teeth" may make their presence known as early as 14 years of age and often cause numerous problems throughout life. If the "wisdom teeth" are to be removed (and most are), early extraction is more desirable than waiting out the inevitable. The teeth continue to develop, getting bigger and bigger with time and making their extraction more difficult. The summer after senior year is the prime time to remove these pesky teeth. At this age, teens are still usually covered by their parent's insurance and may still respond to parental guidance for care. Once they leave for college or jobs, many will neglect their dental health and/or may not have the means to pay for necessary treatment. Without parental influence to set up, pay for, and keep appointments, dental care takes a back seat.

Another issue that arises in early adulthood is decay. Many teens that have never had a problem with decay previously develop cavities for the first time once they head off to college. The availability of unlimited free soda in dorms and at jobs, energy drinks for all night study sessions, and a lack of attention to personal care can be to blame. Parents who have never supplied sugary drinks at home might see their children indulging a bit at college (and you hope that's all they indulge in!) and paying less attention to their personal hygiene.

Younger children are pretty much exempt from periodontal (gum) disease except in rare conditions. Once teens reach adulthood that can change a bit and we begin to take measures of periodontal condition. We record the "pocket" numbers around each tooth to establish a baseline for future years. If numbers change for the worse, more extensive patient education and treatment is initiated. Quite often a lack of attention to personal hygiene, stress, and a poor diet is the cause. This age group tends to burn the candle at both ends (really?) and is under a fair amount of stress which results in some health decline which is first visible in the mouth.

Just as most grads slowly transition to college and jobs, the changes in teen dental care are steady, predictable, and for the most part uneventful. With a little attention to hygiene and a minimum amount of professional intervention, these changes can be made with ease. Relax.

New Tools in the Fight Against Oral Cancer

2011-05-31T13:53:00.000-07:00

Recently some new devices have come to dentists' aid in the recognition and diagnosis of oral cancers. Oral cancers do not always look scary and obvious. Check out the following pictures of various oral cancers.

They may not look scary but the facts regarding oral cancers are very scary;
- 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.
- Of these 34,000 newly diagnosed people, 48% will be dead within five years.
- Oral cancer, unlike many other cancers, has not shown a decrease in mortality in the last 30 years.
- 25% of oral cancers occur in people with no known risk factors.
- Oral cancer occurrence is rising in young people, women, and non-smokers - those people traditionally thought of as being protected from oral cancers. This is often caused by HPV, the human papilloma virus, the same virus that causes 95% of cervical cancer.
- Oral cancer is as common as leukemia and it claims more lives than melanoma and cervical cancers.

Several methods are available for detecting and screening for oral cancers. One method used is a "brush biopsy." These have been around for several years. It consists of a little brush that your dentist will use to scrape off some of the mucosal cells. The brush gets sent to an outside laboratory for analysis.

Another method is the Velscope. The Velscope is an early oral cancer detection device that uses a light to visualize abnormal cells. Oral cancers can be seen by the naked eye only when they are quite advanced. This is why the mortality rate of oral cancers is so high. The Velscope is an inexpensive screening tool that can be utilized to see these cellular changes early on.

The Vizlite is another device that uses light to visualize cellular changes. These methods also can detect a change in the cells below the surface of the tissue.

In the event of a positive test, all these methods would be followed up with a biopsy for definitive diagnosis.

The main purpose of these methods is to catch a cancer early on. As with any cancer, early detection is the key. All of these tests are simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive. If you have any concerns or have risk factors in your lifestyle, don't wait! Check it out. Your life could depend on it.

Now I know...

2011-04-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

I always wondered why people had these, now I know.....
http://dentvid.com/?p=87 (watch video)

Implant Retained Dentures

2011-04-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

People who wear complete dentures tend to lose the bone that supports the denture over years of time. The bone, especially that of the lower jaw, constantly deteriorates without natural teeth in place. This loss of bone makes it difficult for those with dentures to achieve a good fit and maintain it.

Denture wearers learn to keep their teeth in place by positioning their lip, tongue, and cheek muscles for optimal retention. Many people master these techniques for holding their teeth in place quite well, while others have issues with facial posturing and facial tension which can be undesirable.

If dentures move excessively when eating, speaking, coughing, etc., implants can be effectively used to improve denture retention.

Dental implants are most commonly used to replace missing teeth. But another excellent use of implants is in the stabilization of dentures. A couple of implants in the bone can create a button or snap to which the denture can lock. With a denture locked in place and the fear of it shifting is removed, a person can have increased confidence, better nutrition and improved facial esthetics.

When people know they have a denture that will not fall out or shift during function, the facial muscles relax, leading to an improved facial appearance. Implant retained dentures may also create fewer sore spots because the denture is additionally supported by bone, not just soft tissue.

Implants can be retrofitted into an existing denture or planned with the initial placement of a denture. If you are one of the many people for whom dentures can literally be a pain, an implant retained denture may be the answer.

Dentists warn cavities are contagious | savannahnow.com

2011-03-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dentists warn cavities are contagious savannahnow.com

2011-02-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

Whoops! Denture Blunder!

2011-02-15T18:21:00.001-08:00

The Bite Runner

2011-02-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

The bite or what dentists call “occlusion” refers to the way your teeth come together when you close your jaw. Ideally we want the bite to be balanced, meaning that all the back teeth touch at the same time when biting and swallowing. When touching the biting edges of your top and bottom teeth together, the back teeth should separate. When the teeth do not meet in this manner and interferences with jaw movement result, dental problems like clenching and grinding, excessive tooth wear, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues can arise.

A bad bite can contribute to clenching (usually during the day, holding upper and lower teeth together forcefully) and grinding (usually while sleeping, sliding clenched teeth side to side). Most people who exhibit this behavior are completely unaware that they are doing it and if they are aware, often do not realize that this is abnormal. The daily “clenchers” with bad bites also tend to grind their teeth at night, blissfully unaware that they are causing compounding the damage to their teeth, gums, and TMJ.

The teeth of those people with bad bites tend to demonstrate some common characteristics. Typical problems visible are heavy wear facets where the teeth contact improperly, cracked or fractured teeth, cracked or fractured restorations, notching of the root surfaces (abfractions), and worn down teeth. Teeth naturally wear down with age and use, but with excessive stress teeth wear at an exaggerated rate. The teeth will exhibit “wear beyond their years.”

Gum (periodontal) problems are also exacerbated by a bad bite. Unusual forces or stresses can strain the socket like bone surrounding the teeth. With constant stress the bone breaks down and is lost. When the bone goes, the gums go with it. Over a period of time there is nothing left to support the teeth and they become loose and painful.

Bite problems can cause many TMJ issues. The main symptoms are clicking, locking open or closed, pain in the TMJ and muscles surrounding, muscle tension, and migraine or tension headaches. All these problems occur when the joint is excessively stressed which makes the muscles work harder. The muscles spasm and constrict nerves and blood supply to the sides of the head resulting in headaches.

So how do we fix a bad bite? The solution is determined by the cause of the bite problem. If the bad bite is a result of improper tooth position, braces can be an effective treatment. If the bad bite is a consequence of missing teeth, bridges, partials, dentures, and implants can be used to restore the bite. If the bite problem causes clenching and/or grinding, a bite guard would be an effective treatment to reduce damage to the teeth and TMJ.

LORD OF THE FLOSS

2011-01-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

Flossing is an annoying little habit that is so easy to do but so hard to do regularly. Most people would not think of going without brushing twice daily but those same people typically do not floss at all. Ever. Your mother was right. You should floss your teeth every day! Picture this - if you think about the shape of a tooth as a box – you can see that brushing only touches three sides of the box, the top and two of the sides. Flossing is the only way to clean the sides of the box that touch other boxes. Flossing is the only way to clean in between your teeth. Period. You can brush perfectly and use mouthwash and special toothpaste, it doesn’t matter. You will still have plaque and bacteria between your teeth. And between the teeth is where all the problems begin.

Without flossing the gums get red and inflamed, the condition dental personnel call gingivitis. This low grade inflammation causes levels of CRP (C-reactive protein) to increase in the bloodstream. CRP is a marker for inflammation in the body. High levels of this protein are associated with increased risks of premature birth, heart disease, strokes, and most recently, Alzheimer’s disease. The higher the CRP levels, the higher the risk. Of course, gingivitis isn’t the only cause of increased CRP levels. Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections all contribute to raising CRP levels. Flossing is just one easy way for anyone to decrease the level of inflammation in the body.

Although the above is scary, most children and teens aren’t concerned with their CRP levels. But this does not mean that flossing isn’t important for them. The bacteria between the teeth can also cause cavities. Although decay is found most commonly on the pits and fissures on the biting surfaces of the back teeth, the second most common place for decay is in between the teeth, where the teeth contact each other. This decay doesn’t hurt and isn’t visible to the eye in the initial stages. It can only be seen on xrays. Without flossing, the contact points between the teeth are never cleaned. Add a little sugar to that bacteria sitting in the tooth and you have the recipe for decay.

When flossing, the floss shouldn’t “snap” between the teeth. Most people just snap the floss between and think the job is done. There is a little more to flossing properly. Wrap floss around your fingers and while moving the floss up, down, back, and forth wipe the side of each tooth in the contact. Angle the floss so it wraps around the tooth in a “C” shape and go below the gumline. Don’t forget to wrap the “C” around the other tooth too to make sure you floss both teeth that are touching. If you have the floss positioned properly, this will not hurt. Wind the floss so a fresh piece of floss can be used for each contact. Floss behind the last tooth too, this is an area that is difficult to reach with brushing. Once you get the hang of it, flossing is easy to do, even without looking in a mirror. Flossing should be a part of your regular hygiene, just like brushing.

The Needle and the Damage Done...

2010-12-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

For many people, the fear of receiving a dental injection is enough to keep them away from seeing a dentist, even when they are fully aware that it is a necessity for good health. If you are one of those patients, know that you are not alone. It is estimated that at least 10% of adults have this fear, called Trypanophobia or commonly, needle phobia. Some phobics are afraid of dental injections in particular and some are afraid of all “shots”, avoiding any dental or medical care that involves injections and/or needles, like vaccinations, blood tests, etc. But do note that there are options for needle phobic people to get the health care they need.

The use of a topical anesthetic prior to injection is very helpful. This numbs the surface of the skin so that the penetration of the needle is not felt. It needs to be on the surface of the tissue for at least a minute or two to have the full effect. For extremely phobic people, there is available a strong topical anesthetic that penetrates deeper into tissue. This type of topical anesthetic, called EMLA, can be used in extremely sensitive areas or on extremely sensitive people. It is not always used in dentistry because it tastes bad, compared to the flavored topical agents that work fine for most people.

Using nitrous oxide (commonly called laughing gas) for relaxation helps many phobics get beyond their fear. This is safe for all ages; the only major contraindication to receiving nitrous oxide is for pregnant women. It induces a calming, relaxing effect that allows the patient to remain fully awake, but with a great reduction in anxiety. Patients who use nitrous oxide report feeling warm and tingly and a general sense of euphoria. They are fully aware of what’s going on around them and are able to get treatment without their fear standing in the way.

Some people find it easier to receive an injection if they keep their eyes closed. Dentists will often talk while giving an injection to keep the patient’s mind distracted. Injections given too fast tend to be more painful, so the slower the injection, the less it will be felt. This runs counter intuitive to most phobic’s fears, because they want it done as quickly as possible. So if you find yourself wondering why it takes so long to give an injection, be aware that it is for increased comfort. Some patients find that wearing head phones with music or an audiobook playing helps keep them distracted. Dentists can usually work around whatever it takes to relax the patient and allow them to receive treatment. The main goal is for the patient to receive the health care they need with a minimal amount of stress and discomfort.

Tooth Decay - 10 Things I Hate About You

2010-11-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

Tooth decay affects almost everyone. If you are one of the lucky ones unaffected by decay, consider yourself blessed. Almost everyone has had decay at one time in their lives.

Here are a few things I hate about tooth decay.

- Tooth decay is stinky. The openings into the tooth trap more bacteria and food debris which can cause bad breath and a foul taste.- Tooth decay is sneaky. You might not be aware that decay exists because there often is no pain or sensitivity. But like cancer, just because you don't feel it doesn't mean it's not there.
- Tooth decay hurts kids. Pain from tooth decay is one of the leading reasons that children miss school. In the last decade children experiencing decay has risen 28%. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children - five times more common than asthma.
- Tooth decay is expensive. Treating decay with fillings is costly but if not treated early on, more expensive procedures like root canals and crowns may be needed to restore the teeth.
- Tooth decay hurts adults. Many people who never had decay as children can get root decay as adults. This is due to a natural decrease in salivary function and increased use of medications which tend to dry out the mouth.
- Tooth decay is ugly. Who wants brown, gray or orange spots on their teeth?
- Tooth decay is on the rise. Soda is a leading culprit because of the acids it contains. The acid dissolves the enamel and then the sugar attacks the weakened enamel.
- Tooth decay is mean. It can affect one's ability to taste, chew, swallow, speak and even smile.
- Tooth decay spreads. One tooth with decay can pollute other teeth. People with active decay have high numbers of the decay causing bacteria which can in turn affect all their teeth.
- Tooth decay grows. A cavity that has penetrated the enamel layer of the tooth will continue to grow steadily and deeper into the tooth. The rate of growth depends on the individual and diet.

2010-10-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

     Many physically and mentally disabled people live in residential centers, cared for on a daily basis by people other than family. Even when residential staff is caring and compassionate, often training is not in place for daily dental care of patients.
     High levels of oral disease are present in these disabled populations due to lack of care. Many residents at these institutions cannot maintain any level of oral hygiene due to physical inability or mental incapacity. Having poor dental health can impact eating ability, diet, weight, speech, appearance and social interactions. Those living in residential care centers are completely reliant on their care givers to provide regular dental hygiene. It becomes necessary for family members to educate and discuss expectations with caregivers so that the disabled person's needs are met.
     For dependent and cognitively impaired adults, the provision of necessary daily hygiene can be challenging and daunting for care givers. It gets further complicated when patients have reduced dexterity, impaired sensory functions, cognitive problems and behavioral issues.

      Medications that are commonly used in these populations, like anti-depressants, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications and anti-psychotics often cause decreased salivary flow which in turn creates more dental problems. When salivary flow decreases, the amount of decay increases dramatically. Lowered salivary flow also creates an oral environment where dentures and partials can become uncomfortable, causing sores to develop.
     People with diabetes have a greater incidence of gum disease, which can in turn be associated with a greater risk of heart disease. In order to successfully manage overall health care in this population, attention to dental care becomes imperative. The following recommendations can be addressed by family members and caregivers.
- Assistance in daily oral hygiene, meaning daily plaque removal via brushing and denture cleaning. Ideally, brushing should be done twice daily. Dentures should be removed while sleeping. Flossing or use of floss aids can be implemented when physical skill allows.
- Regular dental examinations whether at the facility or at an outside dentist.
- Use of antimicrobial mouth rinses/sprays to decrease food debris, plaque and bacteria.
- Reducing intake of sugary foods.
     Poor oral health and dental pain can impact the disabled person's general well-being and quality of life. Regular oral health practices fall upon caregivers when disabled people cannot take care of themselves.
Family members can ask care givers what dental services are provided for residents and what kind of training they have had to provide those services. A consultation with a dentist can provide family members with the tools they need to make recommendations for their loved one's care.

Bad Celebrity Smiles - Before and After

2010-09-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

I always find these photos interesting. Most would probably agree that the majority of these celebrity "after" pics are an improvement on what the good Lord gave them. But, with all the money and resources at their disposal, how is it that some celebs end up looking so BAD? One would argue that there is no accounting for taste, as in the grill and flashing gold examples. But even on Gary Busey's teeth, you don't have to be a dentist to see that the teeth are too big and are not straight in his face. Hopefully, those were just the temporaries until he got the real porcelain work in place! And Elliot Yamin; when he was on American Idol, I always wanted to get my hands on his teeth. His looks improved dramatically when he corrected his obvious bad luck in the dental DNA game. Crowns, veneers, braces, and a little bleach do work smile magic.

Hit the SNUS Button!

2010-08-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

For those unaware of what snus is; snus is a smokeless tobacco product that originated in Sweden and has been used in Europe for many years. The American tobacco companies have now jumped on board and snus is now manufactured in the US. The European Union banned the product in 1992 (exempting Sweden for reason unknown) after a World Health Organization report linked it with cancer. Snus is targeted to people who would like to quit smoking but are still addicted to nicotine. Snus is marketed to smokers as a “healthy” alternative to smoking.

In a society where cigarette smoking is considered by many to be socially unacceptable, it is a viable option for smokers who cannot kick the nicotine addiction. The cancer risk of smoking is much higher than with using snus. Snus is packaged in a tiny teabag-like pouch that users place between their upper lip and gum. Snus is pasteurized and sold in tins that the retailer refrigerates for freshness. Unlike snuff or “chewing tobacco” it does not require the chewing and spitting that people usually associate with smokeless tobacco. Because it can be used so discreetly, snus can be used anywhere at any time without others being aware that a nicotine product is being used.

A growing concern is the number of teens using snus. Because its use can be hidden, it can be found everywhere you find teenagers. Some teens claim to use it everyday. Snus is being used at school, while playing sports, at home, while driving, etc. – all without anyone else (parent, teacher, coach) being aware of the fact. First time snus users report symptoms similar to any first time tobacco user. They feel nauseous, dizzy, some have vomiting. All users get the head rush and alertness associated with tobacco products. Some snus brands add flavorings and design tins so as to increase the appeal to young users. This appeal to young people is what so alarms health care personnel. Most smokers became addicted to nicotine in their early teens. Targeting teen users virtually assures that a new generation will become addicted to nicotine. It has been shown that the earlier a person starts with nicotine, the harder it is to quit. And one thing that we do know for certain is that there is NO safe form of tobacco use. Snus might be the lesser of the evils, but it is by no means safe.

Wisdom Teeth: What are they good for?

2010-07-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

Simple answer to "what are wisdom teeth good for?" is pretty much, "absolutely nothing."

     Humans get a set of molars at around age six, named by Dr. Obvious to be the six year (or first) molars. Another set of molars come in at age 12 named, you guessed it, the 12 year (or second) molars. The wisdom teeth are the common name for the 18 year (or third) molars. This corresponds to the time in life when you really know everything there is to know, hence the "wisdom" part of the name.
    For most people, the wisdom teeth need to be removed. Generally, people do not have sufficient space to accommodate the wisdom teeth. When cramped for space, wisdom teeth tend to come in at a 45 (or worse) degree angle and lean on the 12 year molar. This can cause all kinds of problems for the 12 year molar, ranging from decay to actual resorption, where the tooth will just start eroding away due to the pressure. This fight for space between the molars also can cause headaches, shifting in tooth position, jaw pain and TMJ discomfort.
    Removing the wisdom teeth is especially important for those who have had orthodontic treatment. Braces are recommended when the teeth are crowded, spaced improperly, rotated or the bite is incorrect. After the teeth are straightened and the bite is corrected, the wisdom teeth can erupt and destroy what has been corrected. There are studies that show that wisdom teeth do not have the force to disrupt the other teeth, but if you ask any dentist working on post-orthodontic patients, they will tell you otherwise.
     Most people do not chew as far back as the wisdom teeth extend. The six year (or first) molar position takes on about 80% of the force of chewing. The 12 year (or second) molar and the premolars take up the rest of the force. So if the potential for causing problems is great and the tooth serves no real purpose, why keep it? Dentists are in the business of saving teeth, but if the risks outweigh the benefits, the choice becomes real clear.
      Wisdom teeth are dirt collectors, too. People have a hard time brushing them, and people who actually floss their wisdom teeth are about as rare as snowplows in Florida. With neglect, wisdom teeth get decay. Decay can be extensive, sometimes requiring a root canal and crown in order to restore the tooth. In this writer's opinion, little is gained by sinking thousands of dollars into a non-functioning tooth. Having said that, occasionally (such as when the wisdom tooth is functional) the recommendation to restore wisdom teeth is the valid and prudent option.
     Removing the wisdom teeth is best done in the later teen years. As time goes on, the extraction of wisdom teeth becomes more difficult and healing can be slower. Most people should schedule these extractions right after senior year of high school (sooner though, if there are problems). High school activities and sports are out of the way and college has not started yet, so the summer after senior year tends to be the best time.
     The dentist will probably recommend a panoramic x-ray to determine how many wisdom teeth are present, their position, and whether a referral to an oral surgeon is needed. Teens undergoing wisdom tooth extractions should expect to be laying low for a couple of days, probably eating ice cream and pain meds, but will bounce back to their regular activities fast. And do not worry - they will still have all the "wisdom" they had before!

10 Things your dentist wishes you knew...

2010-06-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

1. Soda is one of the worst products for teeth because of the way it erodes enamel. Diet soda is still bad for your teeth because it contains acids. Regular soda damages teeth even further by dumping all that sugar on top of eroded enamel.

2. Just because you feel no pain, it does not mean that you do not have any dental problems. People with diabetes and high cholesterol have no pain, but we all know those conditions can cause major health problems. It’s the same with your teeth; dental problems might not cause any pain until it is too late.

3. There really is no such thing as “soft teeth”. Teeth are all about the same degree of hardness. Some people do get more decay than others, but it has to do with the type of bacteria in their mouths and their food and drink choices more than anything else.

4. Studies show that the eyes are the first thing people notice about a person, teeth are second, and hair is third.

5. The radiation in a set of dental x-rays is very small. Using the oldest xray equipment around the dose is about 4 mrem. Many offices today use faster films or digital x-rays which reduce radiation by a factor of 30-75%, the average dose across the board being about 2 mrem per intraoral film. The average person gets about 360 mrem per year just from sources of radiation like food, flying, outer space, other people, cooking with natural gas, brick buildings, etc.

6. The bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities can be spread from mother/father to baby through saliva. If you have these conditions, it is best to not share eating utensils with children. If you taste your baby's food and feed him from the same spoon, you are putting him at risk.

7. If you want to reduce decay causing bacteria in your mouth, chewing xylitol gum helps. Check out labels though - the chewing gum with xylitol high on the ingredients list will be better for you.

8. Many parents think that baby teeth are not important because they fall out anyway. Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth and premature loss of baby teeth can lead to major orthodontic problems.

9. Mouthwash with alcohol is bad for oral tissues. Using it daily can put you in the same risk category for oral cancer as an alcoholic. Look for mouthwashes that do not have alcohol or use them less often.

10. Toothpaste alone can’t really whiten your teeth. It can remove minor surface stain with good brushing but if you want whiter teeth, you have to use a bleaching system.

Things that make you go EEWWWWWW!

2010-06-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

• Newborn babies aren’t born with bacteria in their mouths. Parents and caregivers “infect” the baby with decay causing bacteria by kissing them, tasting their food, checking bottle temperatures with their mouths, etc.

• People who drink 3 glasses of soda pop daily have a 62% higher rate of decay. This also applies to drinks like fruit drinks, juice boxes, and sports drinks. They ALL have sugar. Pop just has the double whammy of sugar and acid.

• Make sure to replace your toothbrush after being sick. You can re-infect yourself with the microbes that survive on your toothbrush. Don’t let your toothbrush touch other toothbrushes in the stand or in the drawer, that’s another way bacteria is spread.

• 33% of Americans have untreated tooth decay. That decay causing bacteria is transmittable via kissing and sharing of utensils.

• 32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers. Give your co-workers a break; brush and floss at least a couple of times daily. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too. The tongue harbors lots of bacteria and is the major source of bad breath. Make an appointment to see your dentist to rule out decay and gum disease as the source of bad breath (halitosis).

• You know how gross your teeth feel when you don’t brush? That’s how gross they are in between if you never floss. If you need any encouragement to floss, notice the smell when you floss. Do you really want to leave all that bacteria in your mouth?

• 75% of Americans have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. It can range from very mild (gingivitis) to severe – all forms are caused by noxious bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Your dentist and dental hygienist are the sources to help you win the battle with gum disease. Most people are unaware of how bad the odor from gum disease is and how it affects their relationships.

• You shouldn’t brush your teeth or store your toothbrush within 6 feet of a toilet. Airborne particles from the flush can travel up to 6 feet.

• The original toothbrushes were made from hog’s bristles. Can you imagine brushing with THAT?

• 2% of people polled do not brush their teeth AT ALL. EVER.

Now that you are totally grossed out, go brush and floss. And make a dental appointment if it has been a while since you have seen a dentist. Those around you will appreciate it!