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Especially during our growth and development stage, muscle movement and structural growth are inextricably tied to one another. Using the right muscle functions of the tongue, face, mouth, and jaw from a young age allows for proper development of the jaws, airway passages, and dentition (teeth arrangement). However, not all of us make it to adulthood without experiencing abnormalities that affect the function and cause orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). Thankfully, myofunctional therapy, a form of physical therapy which uses a combination of exercises, can help to correct “abnormal” facial posture and gradually rehabilitate the muscles to the optimal position. In this blog post, we look at the common orofacial myofunctional disorders, their signs, and causes and learn how myofunctional therapy training can help to alleviate symptoms. What is an OMD? Orofacial myofunctional disorders are abnormalities in the development and function of the oral and facial muscles. When at rest, your tongue, teeth, jaw, and orofacial muscles should relax in a specific spot. As it moves around, the tongue’s position in the mouth is a significant indicator of OMDs. You may not think much of the tongue other than an organ that helps us taste and facilitates digestion, but it is actually a central component of our overall health. Since the early stages of development, your tongue’s position is crucial in shaping the roof of the mouth, which is also the floor of the sinus. Studies have shown that the tongue's best resting position is on the mouth's roof. This position supports the upper jaw while facilitating breathing and swallowing patterns. When eating or drinking, the tongue also follows a specific pattern. However, in patients with OMDs, it adopts a different pattern referred to as a tongue thrust. Signs of OMDs Left uncorrected over time, OMDs can lead to complications such as a lazy tongue, mouth breathing, crooked or misaligned teeth, narrow dental arches and facial features. It can also induce speech problems, sinus issues, teeth grinding, sleep-disordered breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and the list goes on… All these issues can affect function and cause a domino effect for many other potentially life-long health concerns, but they can be fixed by myofunctional therapy. Tongue thrust Image credit: https://iosmmw.com/tongue-thrust/ A tongue thrust occurs when the tongue presses against or between the front teeth while swallowing. Eventually, as the tongue constantly pushes against the teeth, it could force them out of alignment, leading to crooked teeth. This process can also cause malocclusion or an abnormal bite, which is when the upper and lower teeth aren't properly aligned. Because of this, people with OMDs have difficulties biting, chewing, swallowing, and digesting. Mouth Breathing Maintaining correct orofacial muscle position is vital for breathing. Nasal breathing is regarded as the “correct” way of breathing as it humidifies, warms, and filters the air before it goes into our lungs. But that’s not all; nasal breathing also aids in the proper development of the sinus and airway passages. (Learn more from my blog post Mouth breathing: What it does to you and simple ways to prevent it) Chronic mouth breathing can have severe consequences for facial features in children as they grow (e.g. long face syndrome), cause sleep-disordered breathing, and frequent oral health complications such as periodontal disease, gum disease, and constant dry mouth. Speech difficulties A person with improper lip and tongue muscle posture may experience difficulty in articulation and forming the sounds of normal speech, such as a lisp. A lisp is an inability to articulate specific letter sounds clearly. Difficulty pronouncing the letter “S” or “Z” and instead sounding a “th” sound is the most common form of speech impairment known as a frontal lisp that can be a result of having an OMD. Cosmetic problems related to OMDs Facial muscles are a big giveaway of poor oral posture, often causing a dull, sluggish appearance. Constantly parted lips is another sign that could signify mouth breathing. Facial grimacing (pursing or tightening the cheek, chin, and lip muscles) when swallowing incorrectly indicates incorrect muscle usage and can give the chin a knobby appearance. Causes of OMDs OMDs can be a result of a combination of factors. However, they all have one thing in common — they force the tongue into an “unusual” resting position. In a nutshell, OMDs are caused by a progression of abnormalities in tongue position, swallowing patterns, and movements. Here are some of the most common causes: Genetic imperfections such as being born with craniofacial abnormalities or a cleft palate Acquired habits such as thumb sucking and prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle during childhood Airway obstructions or constrictions caused by sinus problems, allergies, polyps, enlarged tonsils, or anything that’s blocking the airway The key to preventing the onset of OMD symptoms is to address any muscle dysfunction as early as possible. So if you notice that your child is picking up habits like thumb sucking or experiencing signs of speech, eating, or breathing difficulties, ask your doctor or dentist to recommend a myofunctional therapist and begin therapy as quickly as possible. What is myofunctional therapy? You may ask, "what is myofunctional therapy used for" but think of it as physical therapy for your face. We’re all familiar with the power of physical therapy and how it can help to restore one’s bodily functions. Oral myofunctional therapy, orofacial myofunctional therapy, tongue therapy, or mouth therapy are no different. These are a combination of myofunctional therapy exercises targeting the face, mouth, and tongue muscles designed to improve OMD symptoms. By practicing proper tongue position (pushing tongue against the roof of mouth rather than the teeth, a.k.a tongue thrust), lip seal, and nasal breathing, disordered breathing, issues talking, and eating may be gradually corrected. There is also evidence that myofunctional therapy can help snoring. So if you have a noisy bed partner, get them to see a myofunctional therapist so you can both sleep soundly! Our mouth, face, and throat muscles must be positioned properly and coordinate as they move together for smooth breathing, speech, and eating. Myofunctional therapy success does not only rely merely on early training; it requires motivation and persistence to perform the daily exercises to restore and maintain proper muscle functions. If your child or anyone you know shows signs of OMDs, seek help quickly to prevent any further permanent changes.

Thanks to so many advertisements with models showing off their sparkly white teeth and all the different types of teeth whitening products available on the market, it’s no wonder that most of us associate white teeth with good oral health. But the truth be told, a change in teeth color does not necessarily mean you have bad or unhealthy teeth. Healthy teeth color can be white… or varying shades of yellow! To assess one’s oral health, we must look beyond color to determine the actual health of the teeth. Are teeth naturally white, or is yellow teeth normal too? But what is the natural color of teeth, you ask? Our natural teeth color is, in fact, slightly yellow. Ironically, this means that it is actually unnatural to have super-white teeth! Tooth color results from the thickness of the tooth’s outer coating, known as the enamel, coupled with the darkness of the underlying dentin. Our enamel is slightly translucent, but the dentin can be yellow, or even shades of amber and red, which is why, depending on enamel thickness, the dentin color from below the surface can sometimes show through. So if you often wonder, “why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?” I wouldn’t sweat it too much! Some folks just have naturally thinner enamel than others, which can give off a more yellow or even a slightly brown smile. Causes of tooth discoloration Other than yellow teeth, types of discoloration of teeth can occur for various reasons. One that is really common and affects us all is aging. It is completely normal for the enamel to gradually weaken over time due to many factors, slowly exposing the dentin and making your teeth appear yellower. Yellow teeth are also a result of consuming staining foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as tobacco use. Other things like medication or certain diseases are also known to weaken the enamel and cause tooth discoloration too. When should you be worried about discoloration? Natural tooth discoloration occurs gradually over time. However, if you notice a tooth suddenly turning gray, you may have some kind of infection or dental trauma that warrants a visit to your dentist, stat! Grayish, or in worst cases, black teeth alongside any pain and discomfort is a sign of tooth decay. Unfortunately, when it reaches this stage, nothing much can be done to reverse the color of the damaged or dying tooth. Recommended whitening dental care products I’m not saying that you shouldn’t whiten your teeth or that you should stay away from teeth whitening products. Having pearly whites can undoubtedly give a boost of confidence! What I’m trying to explain is that pretty white teeth can sometimes hide ugly problems, and teeth color alone isn’t reliable in determining one’s oral health. If you know your teeth are healthy but stains are cramping your smile, here are some home whitening products I can recommend that have worked for my patients and me. For extreme tooth discoloration, consider cosmetic dentistry. Dental or porcelain veneers are custom-made shells made to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance, whether its shape, color, size, or length. Nevertheless, this procedure requires at least three trips to a cosmetic dentist, so whitening strips and pens are much easier and fuss-free options. The Colgate® Optic White® Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is super simple to use and great for last-minute fixes. It’s suitable for sensitive teeth, safe on the enamel, and vegan and sugar-free too! Crest’s 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects Teeth Whitening Strips are convenient and effective, particularly if you want something that will give you instant whitening. All you have to do is apply the strips to cover the top and bottom layers of the teeth for an instantly brighter smile! Another whitening product you can consider are Crest Whitening Emulsions. The emulsion comes with a wand applicator and uses enamel-safe technology. To achieve good results, apply the product on dry teeth daily, up to four times a day. Allow 30 minutes before eating or drinking so the highly active peroxide droplets can get to work to whiten the teeth without causing any sensitivities. But remember, if you plan to have dental crowns or veneers, you should whiten your teeth before getting them to match the rest of your teeth. If you get veneers or crowns and then whiten the rest of your teeth, whitening products won't brighten them to match your new sparkly smile! Although more than half of Americans say, they feel insecure about their teeth, not many practice good dental health. Only around 69% of Americans reported adhering to the recommended twice-a-day brushing schedule, which leaves 30% of the population who aren’t brushing enough. So if you’re concerned about your teeth color, you should visit your dentist or dental hygienist. Depending solely on whitening products will only give you the illusion of healthy teeth, but it won’t fix the underlying problem or the yellow teeth cause. Remember that whitening does not and should not replace a good oral hygiene regimen or high-quality dental care. Especially if you want your teeth whitening products to be effective, brushing at least twice a day is a must!

When acidic foods, sugars, and bacteria party together in your mouth, you end up with plaque. If you don't deal with that plaque, it starts to dissolve away the enamel on your teeth and can create a cavity. Leave one untreated for too long, and the problem can spread to the middle of your teeth and cause an abscess. The best solution to prevent cavities is, of course, trying your best to stop the formation of that plaque in the first place. We know to do this by brushing, flossing, and taking good care of our oral health, but what if the cavity is caused by something else, like how we breathe? Yes, oral health issues can happen when we breathe predominantly through our mouths, and you can end up with a cavity on front tooth rather than on the more usual suspects in the back. How does mouth breathing cause a cavity on front tooth? While cavities generally occur on the rear teeth, they can happen on the front teeth too. Mouth breathing is what causes cavities on front teeth often and increases your risk of gum disease too. The danger arises mainly due to saliva. When you breathe with your mouth open, saliva dries up and is not present near the front teeth to neutralize the acids and bacteria that cause plaque. This kind of breathing creates an acidic pH in your mouth, allowing bacteria to thrive. What causes mouth breathing? Most patients who breathe primarily through their mouth tell me it is simply because they cannot breathe properly through their nose. While some conditions cause nose breathing to be difficult, most are actually treatable, such as nasal congestion. Other causes could be a deviated septum or enlarged adenoids, which may require a surgical fix. The symptoms that most mouth breathers experience are; Dry mouth Bad breath Drool on your pillow after you sleep Malocclusion (where the upper and lower teeth do not line up. “Mouth breathing face” - in children only, as it affects the child's jaw development, creating a narrow face with a receding chin or jawline. How is mouth breathing treated? Treatment of mouth breathing depends on the cause. You can take precautions such as developing a good oral hygiene routine, staying hydrated and adjusting your sleeping position. Mouth tape can even help you shift your breathing to the nose. It is possible to treat nasal congestion through medications such as antihistamines, nasal decongestants and sprays. There are also adhesive strips called nasal dilators that can open the nasal passages to make nose breathing much more effortless. If your issue is due to a condition such as sleep apnea, then your doctor might suggest a CPAP machine. Surgical intervention may be required if your mouth breathing is due to adenoids or your tonsils. If the cause is structural, appliances to widen the palate can be used, or even orthodontic treatments such as braces. Myofunctional therapy can also be used, with literature demonstrating that it can decrease sleep apnea-hypoxia index by around 50%. Whatever treatment option is best for you, it is essential to start it ASAP, not only for the health of your teeth but for your overall quality of sleep and general health. What is the outlook for mouth breathing? The outcome depends on how early you tackle the issue. Catching any developmental problems in childhood and having them corrected can prevent future front teeth cavities and improve energy levels and behavior in children. If chronic mouth breathing is caused by the shape of your face or nose, it may not be entirely preventable, but if you are an adult mouth breather, then you can try the following; Use saline nasal sprays. Sleep on your back with your head elevated. Keep a clean house to avoid allergens. Make sure you have air filters in your air conditioner and clean them regularly. Consciously practice nose breathing to get yourself into the habit. Yoga and meditative breathing exercises are great things to try. Chew sugarless gum to promote a healthy oral pH. Help! I already have a cavity on front tooth. What are my treatment options? Can cavities on front teeth be fixed? Yes. Depending on the severity of the front tooth cavity, there are various treatment options available on how to fix a cavity on the front tooth. Front tooth fillings are the most common, and luckily these days are not silver-gray. A crown or veneer may be suggested if the tooth is severely suffering from front tooth decay. If the cavity has gone too deep into the tooth, killing the nerves, a root canal might be necessary. If your dentist is lucky enough to catch the cavity in the very early stages, you may only need a fluoride treatment to stop the decay and restore the enamel. Are fillings on the front tooth noticeable, and is there anything I should know before visiting the dentist? Front tooth fillings are usually not noticeable. The composite filling material is white, meaning it can blend in with your teeth for the most part. However, there may be slight discrepancies in the shade of white. If this concerns you, talk to your dental care provider about cosmetic dentistry options such as dental crowns or veneers. Before the procedure, try not to eat anything for a few hours, so there are no bits of food in your mouth that could be irritating. After the procedure, avoid hard foods for a few hours and don’t eat anything too hot or cold for a few days.

Every month seems to bring a new tooth-whitening product to the market. From baking soda and charcoal toothpaste to whitening strips and the at-home Zoom whitening pen, people are buying into the 6.9 billion dollar dental bleaching market, hoping to get that dazzling smile. Often though, the at-home products just aren't giving people the results they’re looking for, and more and more people are visiting their dental care provider for clinical whitening treatments. The burning question I get from nearly everyone looking into these treatments is, “Which one is better, Zoom whitening Or laser teeth whitening? Let's break down the pros and cons to see which option is best for you. Aren’t they the same thing with just a different name? While the processes have similarities, Zoom whitening and laser teeth whitening are different. Both procedures involve applying hydrogen peroxide to the teeth, but Zoom whitening uses a light rather than a laser to activate the bleaching gel. In both processes, the chemical reaction is called oxidation, which gets into the tooth enamel and removes the stains. Both procedures take around an hour, but you complete the Zoom whitening process in three 15-minute blocks with three separate applications of the gel. Both will result in noticeably whiter teeth after just one visit to the practitioner. The glistening result is due to the strength of the hydrogen peroxide that dentists are allowed to use, usually 25%-35%, as opposed to at-home whitening kits, which are about 7-10% hydrogen peroxide. Both procedures happen in a clinic, with the dentist applying the gel carefully to avoid irritating your gums. So how are they different? The main difference between the two procedures is the tool used to emit the light that triggers the chemical reaction. But what does laser teeth whitening do that is different? Laser teeth whitening uses a very narrow beam, meaning the practitioner has to target one tooth at a time whitening each tooth individually. The treatment time will sometimes vary depending on how many teeth the patient has that require work. Should you opt for Zoom whitening, the dentist will apply the gel to your teeth and then activate the zoom chairside lamp that targets all of your teeth at the same time. The procedure will happen in 3 lots of 15 minutes. Pros and cons So what are the pros and cons of Zoom vs laser teeth whitening? Zoom whitening reaches all your teeth simultaneously, so there is a more even reaction rate which can lead to better consistency of results. Zoom also filters out infrared energy, which means less heat exposure to your teeth during the procedure. I’m often asked, “Is laser teeth whitening more effective?” but Zoom whitening has actually been shown to produce faster results than laser teeth whitening, and the Zoom whitening cost is often cheaper as it does not take as much time, and precision by the dentist as using a laser treatment does. One of the pros of laser teeth whitening is that it can be easier to tolerate for people with tooth sensitivity, as some find the three 15-minute sessions with the Zoom whitening lamp painful, one of the teeth whitening side effects. Laser is more effective at targeting specific teeth. So, for example, if you have heavier staining on certain teeth, these can be lightened individually to create a uniformly white smile instead of bringing all of the teeth down a shade or two lighter and still having certain teeth a darker shade than others. So which one is best for me? First, it is best to visit your dental care practitioner to discuss the best options for you. They will assess your teeth and their suitability for whitening. Both Zoom whitening and laser teeth whitening work best for yellow or brown-stained teeth but may not have any effect on graying teeth affected by trauma, age or from drugs like tetracycline. In this case, you might find other options, such as dental veneers, the best way to create your perfect smile. Laser and Zoom might not be the best recommendation for other reasons, such as: Patients with tooth decay Pregnant patients People with highly sensitive teeth Exposed dentin and cracks in tooth enamel Patients with extensive restorations in the visible part of the smile Patients with gum recession and yellow roots If your dentist deems you a good candidate for in-clinic whitening, what it will come down to is the teeth whitening cost, comfort, and whether or not you need specific teeth targeted more than others. For comfort and specific targeting, laser teeth whitening is the best choice. If cost is the primary concern, Zoom bleaching is a better option, as the laser teeth whitening cost is often higher. Another consideration will be if your clinic offers both services. If you have a trusted dentist with considerably more experience with lasers than Zoom whitening or vice versa, then that is what I would personally go with to get the best possible result. Whichever treatment you choose, the best way to ensure long-lasting results is with proper aftercare. The dentist may give you some at-home products to use, and along with using those, be sure to avoid foods that are acidic or contain dyes and strong colors (especially in the first week). Don’t smoke, and be sure to rinse your mouth several times a day with a fluoride rinse. Is teeth whitening permanent? No, this will not give you permanent teeth whitening, but if you closely follow instructions, the results from Zoom whitening and laser teeth whitening can last up to 2 years. Good luck, and I hope you get the gleaming smile you always wanted!

Ahhh, the holidays. The most wonderful time of the year…unless you are a set of teeth! With all the excess candy, alcohol, general dietary changes, and socializing, the holidays can prove a challenging time to maintain good oral hygiene habits and stick to foods good for teeth. Like any other body part, your teeth need plenty of nutrients to stay healthy. So when preparing the holiday menus and shopping lists, here is a handy guide to ensure you can still enjoy yourself while giving your chompers the best chance of getting through the season without a cavity. Top winter healthy foods for teeth Vitamin D Vitamin D plays a major role in bone and tooth mineralization, which makes your teeth strong. Having appropriate levels in the blood can help to prevent teeth from cracks and fractures. It is also essential for good gut health, which starts in the mouth thanks to the bacteria and microflora present. We get Vitamin D primarily from the sun, which is often difficult to do in the winter. You can try incorporating the foods below into your diet to balance this out and boost your dietary levels. But remember that Vitamin D in food is usually not enough or in the wrong form, so if you are deficient, you will need to take supplements. Salmon Swordfish Tuna fish Dairy and plant milk fortified with Vitamin D Sardines Egg yolk Fortified cereals Proteins Proteins are essential for good health and a lack can lead to abnormal mouth development, bleeding gums, and periodontal disease. This happens because protein helps repair tissue and build bone mineral density (BMD). Thankfully, it is rare for Americans to suffer such a deficiency and the holiday table is usually brimming with protein-rich foods, such as turkey! Vegetarians and vegans need to ensure that their diet includes things like legumes. Lean Proteins such as beef, lamb, veal, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, and goose Fish and seafood Eggs Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds Beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas, tofu. Calcium Hopefully, by now, your dental care provider has drilled into you (haha) the importance of calcium-rich meals as foods good for your teeth, but just in case you haven't been listening, I'm going to do it again. Calcium rounds up the trio of essentials for proper bone density, tissue growth, and development. An imbalance of any one of these elements can mean pretty severe consequences for your teeth and gums. To boost your calcium, try to incorporate the following: Low-fat cheese, especially cottage cheese Yogurt (Greek is the best) Small fish with bones (think anchovies and sardines) Plenty of green leafy vegetables Almonds and fortified almond milk Swapping bad for good What is a holiday meal without a little something sweet at the end? If you have the willpower, why not swap your apple pie for apple slices? Foods high in fiber and water help stimulate saliva production and neutralize acids, which can help prevent decay. Or boost your calcium with a cheese board for dessert. You could even go one better and switch your glass of wine or soda for plain old fluoridated water. This will help clean your mouth of food particles and strengthen your enamel while quenching your thirst. Foods bad for teeth A good rule of thumb is to avoid rich food and drinks high in sugar or refined carbohydrates. These products can cause food to stick to your teeth or even get into those hard-to-reach places, increasing your likelihood of developing tooth decay and cavities. Choose fresh foods over packaged or processed foods as often as possible, and remember, if it is healthy for your body, it will be good for your teeth. Create good holiday habits Diet is one thing, but there are also some holiday habits you should get into to set yourself up for the best chance of success in keeping your teeth and gums clean. A few easy-to-implement suggestions are: Replace sticky holiday candy with basic bite treats and ice chips candy Give the kids cool new toothbrushes and accessories as part of their Christmas gifts - products like TruthBrush make great stocking fillers Bring interdental products like TePe EasyPicks with you to your Christmas party for a quick clean after your meal Try not to overeat to help avoid reflux. The acid can get into the mouth and cause damage to your tooth enamel. Don't worry if you fall off the wagon! While you should try to do whatever you can over the holidays to ensure good oral care and prevent tooth decay, don't be disheartened if you fall off the wagon once or twice. Follow the American Dental Association ADA's recommendations for nutritional guidance, or check out our foods good for teeth infographic to help you stay on track as much as you can. This way, you should be able to chew your holiday favorites with your very own set of strong teeth for many years to come!

When cleaning your teeth, do you focus on carefully brushing along the gumline? Then floss afterward to ensure there are no little bits of food left? Follow up by using a mouthwash, but then completely neglect keeping your tongue clean? Don't worry; you're not alone. Many of my patients are aware of the importance of cleaning their teeth but are completely oblivious that cleaning your tongue is part of a good oral hygiene routine too! If you think about it, the tongue does take up a lot of space in our mouths, and it's textured enough that lots of little bits of food debris and grime can get caught on it and linger, causing bacterial growth, bad breath and altered taste, among other things. What does tongue cleaning involve? So is it a good idea to brush your tongue to keep it clean? While brushing it with a tongue brush is okay, the best way to keep it clean is by scraping it. This is usually done with a plastic or metal tool called a tongue scraper rather than a toothbrush with a tongue cleaner on the back of the brush head. Tongue scraping is the fastest way to remove all the food debris from the surface of your tongue. What are scrapers? Well, basically, they are thin, semi-circular tools made out of plastic, silicone, or metal. Benefits of tongue cleaning Cleaning buildup and keeping your tongue clean can have numerous benefits. Not only can it remove the bacteria that cause bad breath and improve the tongue's appearance, but research shows it can improve your sense of taste, helping you to differentiate between flavors more easily. One study even found tongue scraping to be more effective at removing odor-causing bacteria than brushing your tongue, removing 75% of bacteria compared to 45% with a toothbrush! Tongue cleaning can also help prevent cavities, gum disease and tooth decay by clearing harmful bacteria and plaque from the mouth. Bonus: a lovely clean tongue can create a pleasant, fresh-feeling mouth. Best way to clean your tongue After brushing and flossing, stick your tongue out as far as possible. Extending it this way exposes as much as possible and can help you clean your tongue without gagging. Then run the scraper over the whole surface of the tongue. Be sure to scrape your tongue from back to front, rinsing the scraper of buildup in between. Repeat the process, as the scraper will not be big enough to cover the entire surface of the tongue in one swipe, and you will want to make sure you get as much debris and bacteria removed as possible. Finish by rinsing your mouth out with water. Do this at least twice daily, with your regular morning and evening brushing routine. Does tongue cleaning hurt? Cleaning your tongue should not hurt. You should only use light pressure for this, which won't hurt you or do any damage. Should you feel pain, you are likely pressing too hard with the scraper. Putting too much pressure on the scraper is the only way you will likely have tongue scraping side effects. Best tools for tongue cleaning There are many different kinds of tongue cleaning tools, but tongue scrapers are the most common and tend to be the easiest to use. They come in various materials, such as metal, plastic and silicone, and different people prefer one kind over the other, so I suggest trying a few. My personal favorite is the TEPE GOOD™ TONGUE CLEANER, as it is made from sugarcane fibers and has three rows, reducing how many times you need to pass it over your tongue. The downside of a plastic scraper is that they are not as durable and need to be frequently replaced, which is also not so good for the environment. Some clients prefer silicone as it is generally more comfortable and softer in the mouth. It is best to replace your tongue scraper every 3-4 months, but copper tongue scrapers and some metal tongue scrapers can be used much longer, providing they are correctly cleaned and stored. You need to rinse the scraper in warm water after each pass over the tongue, and it needs thorough cleaning after use. There are various methods for cleaning the scraper, depending on the material. Metal and copper can be sanitized in hot water or boiled with vinegar and salt. Others suggest using a lemon cut in half and rubbing it with salt, then rinsing and leaving it to air dry. I recommend simply rinsing the scraper, drying it with a clean cloth, and leaving it to air dry until the next use. So should you clean your tongue next time you brush your teeth? And do tongue cleaners really work? The answer is a resounding yes! So, now you know how to properly clean your tongue, keeping your tongue clean is an effective way to improve your overall oral health and hygiene, and all it takes is just a couple of extra minutes into your brushing routine. This is preventative dentistry at its finest!

Anyone who has spent some time wearing braces knows that it can be a bit of an adjustment at first. Learning how to maneuver your mouth when you eat and drink, getting used to how they feel, and also trying to figure out a new way of keeping your teeth clean can take time! After years of brushing our teeth in mainly the same way out of habit, figuring out how to navigate a path around, under, and between braces adds a whole new dynamic to your daily oral hygiene routine. Thankfully, there are plenty of great products out there now that can make the transition so much easier to navigate, with the best toothbrush for your braces ensuring a quality clean every time. Why brushing properly with braces is EXTRA important Let’s start by going back to basics. We all know brushing is vital not just for aesthetics but for preventing gum inflammation, gum disease, and other issues. But it is all the more important to have a good routine down-pat when you have braces, making it vital that you find the best toothbrush for braces. Braces create a lot more cracks and crevices where food and debris can become lodged, and therefore there is more opportunity for plaque to build up in these areas, causing acids to be released that result in damage to the teeth you are trying so hard to straighten. Why go through all of that time and money just to cause damage by not using the best toothbrush for your braces? How to brush your braces correctly First things first, frequency is important. You will need to brush your teeth and braces after every meal, snack, and before bed to remove plaque so that it doesn’t sit on your teeth all night and turn into hard-to-remove tartar. Check your teeth carefully after each brush to ensure there are no food particles stuck in there, and be sure to also floss with an interdental brush or a water flosser to get into all the hard-to-reach places. I love the TePe angle interdental brushes and the TePe EasyPick for a great in between the teeth clean. TePe angle interdental brushes TePe EasyPick There are also foods you should avoid, including sticky or very chewy things such as candy, carbonated beverages, and popcorn which could get stuck and cause plaque buildup. So can you use an electric toothbrush for braces? Yes. You can use a manual toothbrush or a sonic electric toothbrush (we will talk about the best ones later) but be sure to replace them more frequently, as they may wear out faster due to rubbing on the extra things in your mouth. Initially, while you are getting the hang of brushing while wearing braces, it may take you longer to clean properly. I recommend that you spend two to three minutes to cover the whole mouth adequately. What kind of toothbrushes should you use? While you could use your regular toothbrush with your braces, some products on the market will make the whole process so much easier and more effective. A good electric toothbrush for braces like the Burst brush might be an option, particularly if you struggle to remember to replace the brush heads frequently. Brushes such as the Oral B iO Electric Toothbrush can even be paired with an app to help you improve your brushing game and make it more of a fun and interactive process. When selecting which brush is right for you, you first must decide if you prefer a manual or an electric toothbrush. A manual toothbrush usually has smaller handles that are easier to grip, making maneuverability easier if that is something you struggle with. Oral B iO Electric Toothbrush On the other hand, the oral B electric toothbrushes have smaller, round brush heads, making it easier to get into all the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. Some even come with automatic timers that can keep you on track for how long you need to brush to be effective. Electric or sonic electric toothbrushes mean that the amount of brush strokes per minute is considerably higher than what you can achieve with the human hand. When choosing your brush, be sure to avoid ones that are very hard and could cause damage to the braces or aggravate the gums. Soft bristles are best. People often wonder, "is a charcoal toothbrush good for braces?" It isn’t really important, and I would be more focused on the other features of the brush rather than this. Drumroll, please... These are my votes for the best toothbrush for braces in the subcategories of best manual and best electric toothbrushes. Best manual toothbrush for braces The Implant Orthodontic brush from TePe gets my vote. The brush head type is designed specifically for fixed braces or implants, with its extra narrow brush head fitting perfectly under orthodontic brackets, meaning it is really effective at getting into areas that are difficult to reach and removing plaque before it has a chance to build up. The soft bristles are gentle enough that they won’t damage your braces or your tooth enamel. Implant Orthodontic brush Best electric toothbrush for braces The winner is the VarioSonic Orthodontic Electric Toothbrush! With its personalized brushing modes and an automatic timer, you can ensure you are spending enough time brushing your teeth with the correct pressure and setting. It has a long battery life and is reasonably priced for all its features. Even more reasonable if you use the code ROAMING at checkout for 10% off! Whichever one of my selections of best toothbrush for braces you decide to work with, make sure to study the best brushing techniques, or even bring it along to your next dental visit and ask them to help you out.

Dental hygienists (RDH) are more than glorified "teeth cleaners”. This article aims to examine how dental hygienists are an invaluable member of the healthcare team. One of the most popular questions to ask when you meet someone new is, “What do you do?” It is asked on first dates, in initial meetings, and as a conversation starter because it is supposedly a good way to get to know someone. As a species, humans often subscribe to the attachment theory regarding the meanings they associate with an individual profession. This theory explains that certain values and meanings are linked to different professions within society and intends to clarify the reasons people attach their perceptions of certain fields of work. Tell someone you are a doctor, and you get one response; tell someone you are a mechanic, and you get another. Yet, these responses, and the judgments they often accompany, are based on arbitrary and often untrue assumptions about the different professions. One often-misunderstood profession is that of the dental hygienist. Some people perceive a dental hygienist simply as a glorified “teeth cleaner” who gets paid a decent salary for doing some “hands-on” work. The error in this misconception is that it over-simplifies the profound importance of the multiple roles of the dental hygienist. It assumes that the job is easy, lacks the requirement of skills, and does not require a comprehensive formal education. That is grossly untrue and an insult to the people who have studied and worked for years to become dental hygienists. Beyond this oversimplification, lies the idea that dental hygienists are not a true part of the medical field. Again, this is simply false. The education, work lives, and daily stressors tied to the profession of dental hygiene have exceeded what is considered base level for a seated place in the healthcare profession. The Education One of the roots of the misunderstanding of the profession of dental hygiene is the level of education and training required to be a dental hygienist. Although most dental hygienists graduate with an associate’s degree, education does not mirror the curriculum of most associate degree programs 1B. Dental hygienists are required to take several college prerequisite classes, often prior to program entry, to a two or three-year dental hygiene program. Classes include topics such as pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, medical terminology, along with english/writing, math, and public speaking, humanities, philosophy and psychology. As a result, many dental hygienists’ programs are equivalent to completing four or even five years of college. After finishing these school requirements, a dental hygienist must then take an eight-hour written board exam, a five to six hour clinical board (varying upon geographic location), a clinical anaesthesia board, a written anaesthesia board, and a state exam for jurisprudence and ethics. Following the initial years of education and assessment, their education continues, as all healthcare jobs require constant, on-the-job learning and continuing education credits between licensure periods. The Work Experienced dental hygienist, Anastasia Turchetta, said that she does “a lot more than cleaning”. With over 28 years in the profession, she stated that “cleaning” does nothing to describe all that she does daily. For her, the job is less about cleaning and more about wellness, about health. Within a single appointment, dental hygienists are responsible for reviewing health histories, taking blood pressure and blood sugar readings, taking periodontal measurements, exposing x-rays, performing cancer screenings, managing harmful biofilm, developing a thorough dental hygiene diagnosis, assisting with the dental exam, answering patient questions, writing chart notes, and disinfecting rooms between patients, all on a tight time schedule. One of the most important tasks a dental hygienist takes on is educating a patient to understand oral disease, their level of accountability, and how their habits affect this. Changing patient behaviors is both fun and exhausting, often leaving us to feel like the bad guys when we are teaching patients about their at-home care and lifestyle choices Taking care of a patient's mouth is vital, as oral health is an important indicator of overall health. Having a healthy mouth is the first step to having a healthy body. This is because many bodily diseases are connected to mouth bacteria, and inflammation.2 Dental hygienists play a crucial role in general health, and are just as important as any other healthcare professional. Yet, why are they not treated as such? The Stress Similar to other health professions, dental hygiene practice is accompanied by a fair amount of stress. Many clinicians have a natural desire to comfort, nurture, and counsel their patients, but there is also pressure to stay within stringent time limits. This tension often results in mental stress because clinicians find it difficult to complete everything that is treatment planned during a preventive care visit. This, coupled with poor scheduling management and contentious relationships in the dental office setting, layer on additional stress. These factors are often attributed to a lack of or decreased quality of human relations personnel and business leadership within the various sizes of dental practice settings. In addition to the mental stress of being a caretaker and employee, there are many physical demands placed on dental hygienists. Dental work requires very precise, yet static movements, and, in combination with the position at which they sit or stand to see into a patient's mouth, dental providers often suffer from back problems, shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome deficiencies. 2 Dental hygienists are medical professionals, we are deserving of respect and appreciation, and the reality is that without these health care providers, the problems would be far greater than lacking someone to “clean the teeth”. The roles of the dental hygienist encompass all aspects of oral health, are integral to a patient’s total health, and the dental hygienist is also the individual who is in charge of a dental clinic’s risk management and asepsis standards. Perhaps, if more people understand what dental hygiene, as a profession, is really about, then more people would make a knowledgeable decision to enter the profession. Articles that discuss the “ease” of obtaining a dental hygiene degree, describe that dental hygienists can leave the stress at work rather than being on call, and describe “the limited amount of education” to become a dental hygienist, have got to stop Educators and clinical practitioners report that students are entering this profession, then becoming frustrated or burned out because they had no idea what it actually took to obtain a dental hygiene license. Other professions see the dental hygienists lumped in with other career technical categories that are not in the realm of health care providers, and our jobs are mitigated. It is time dental hygienists stand up for our profession and start to shine a light on who we are and what we do for oral health all over the world! Recently, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for dental hygienists changed. The 2010 definition stated dental hygienists “Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants” . The updated 2018 definition for dental hygiene occupational classification reads, “Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain medical records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia” . The importance of this document, and subsequent change in language, lies in the fact that the national government is now acknowledging dental hygienists as providers of preventive dental treatment. The future is bright and now is the time to inform the public and spread the word regarding the benefits we can give to those who desire to receive them. 8 "Adha Annual Conference Research Posters - Journal of ...." http://jdh.adha.org/content/jdenthyg/91/2/62.full.pdf. Accessed 12 Feb. 2020. 9 "Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) - Bureau of Labor ...." https://www.bls.gov/soc/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2020. 10 "2018 Standard Occupational Classification System - Bureau of ...." https://www.bls.gov/soc/2018/major_groups.htm. Accessed 12 Feb. 2020.

As a dental hygienist who has worked over the years in many different dental practices, there is no doubt that most often dental practices are trying to perform all the correct procedures for infection prevention and patient safety. Most offices understand that instrument reprocessing is an area that can have frequent infection control breaches. In an effort to do the correct thing, dental offices are more often using chemical indicators, thinking that one is needed for the outside of the package and one for the inside of the package. What they don’t realize is that there are very different types of chemical indicators. Instead of using the appropriate chemical indicator for the outside of the package and the correct one for the inside of the instrument package, dental practices are often using the external chemical indicator for both. This is a mistake often being made despite good intentions. In this article, we will review the proper way to use chemical indicators when sterilizing reusable dental instruments. Instrument processing is an essential part of daily operations in every dental office. Reusable instruments undergo various sterilization processes to remove infectious material from the previous patient to prevent cross-infection to the next patient or any dental team member. To verify that the items are clean, sterile, and, more importantly, safe to use on the next patient, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a combination of biological (BI), chemical (CI), and physical/mechanical indicators (MI) to monitor the effectiveness of the sterilization process. The use of Indicators in monitoring sterilization The current gold standard for monitoring is biological indicators or spore tests, which monitor the functioning of autoclaves by directly evaluating whether any highly resistant microorganisms are left behind during the process. A negative or Inactivated BI indicates that all pathogens in the load have been eliminated, therefore confirming sterilization. However, the performance of biological monitoring is only required on a weekly basis as it takes time to produce results. Image credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/use-chemical-indicators-sterilization-monitoring Chemical indicators allow us to verify the proper sterilization procedures of instruments in between biological monitoring. Mechanical monitoring can detect equipment malfunctions by ensuring that any machinery involved, such as the autoclave machine, is operating optimally, at the right temperature, time, and for the correct duration. While they do not confirm sterilization, chemical and mechanical indicators expose procedural errors and equipment malfunctions during reprocessing. Therefore, they must be carried out for every sterilizer load to detect discrepancies, alongside using a biological indicator once every week to ensure successful disinfection. Image credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/use-chemical-indicators-sterilization-monitoring Understanding different types of chemical indicators Chemical indicators are an affordable, convenient, and effective way to determine if an item has been through a sterilization cycle. There are six classes of CIs, and the CDC recommends using at least two: an external (Type 1) and an internal (Type 3, 4, 5, and 6) marker, to be placed on the inside and outside of every instrument package. It is important to note that this classification has no hierarchical significance. Type 6, for instance, is not better than Type 1; they simply measure different metrics. Therefore, deciding which indicator to use for the task at hand merely depends on the required measurement parameters. Image credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/use-chemical-indicators-sterilization-monitoring Indicators on the outside (Type 1) show whether an article was heat exposed, which means it has undergone the disinfection process and makes it easier to distinguish processed from unprocessed items. Internal indicators demonstrate the achievement of sterilization parameters like time, temperature, and pressure. By assessing these variables, chemical indicators show the completion of the sterilization process or any failings in the process. Type 2 CIs are specific; they assess the efficacy of air removal in a prevacuum sterilizer. Type 3 indicators identify exposure in specific places by measuring only one variable, either temperature or time. Type 4 is a multivariable marker since it can respond to more than one indicated parameter. Types 5, such as the Tuttnauer Chemical Indicator, and 6 can react to all critical parameters and are usually the go-to choice for ensuring sterilization success. Type 5 internal indicators mimic the response of biological indicators, and some experts consider them to exceed their performance requirements. They clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the sterilization process by changing color when the sterilizing agent (e.g., steam) successfully penetrates the material and has satisfied all critical parameters. Image credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/use-chemical-indicators-sterilization-monitoring Best practices for sterilization monitoring Decisions on when to use which type of chemical indicator depend on the sterilization packaging. When using pouches, the placement of a type 4 internal CI, which is clearly labeled for traceability, is essential inside the package. When utilizing cassettes, each cassette should have a wrapped and labeled type 5 indicator and the case secured with a type 1 tape. Note, although type 5 indicators mimic the response of a biological indicator, they test only the specific package they were placed into, as appose to a BI which test the entire autoclave chamber. As a rule of thumb, chemical indicators should be used inside and outside each package to show that it has been through a sterilization cycle. Furthermore, color change or CI alone is insufficient to demonstrate sterilization. Examining all physical, biological, and chemical parameters is required to ensure the sterility of the items. Chemical indicators are essential to ensure the complete and successful sterilization of dental instruments. In combination with physical monitoring and regular spore testing, indicators assist practices in maintaining high standards for reprocessing, thereby reducing the risk of infection. However, monitoring should not stop at the autoclave. We should also use indicators in other equipment, such as Tiva Washers. It is essential to ensure that they are checked for efficiency too. Products such as Tuttnauer cleaning and disinfection indicators can make this process much more straightforward and effective. The correct processing of instruments is an essential pillar of infection control. By implementing and following strict standard operating procedures, favorable results are achievable with a low risk of cross-contamination. When employed as part of a comprehensive quality and infection control program, indicators detect problems or errors that could result in non-sterile equipment. Relevant staff members should be well trained on the procedures and understand the rationale for carrying out these tasks that significantly impact patient safety. Although there have been significant changes in the dental industry, particularly due to COVID-19, sterilization monitoring remains a constant and vital quality assurance process. It provides peace of mind that staff and patient safety are safeguarded and upholds a high standard of care for the practice. Image credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/use-chemical-indicators-sterilization-monitoring Article credit > https://tuttnauer.com/blog/use-chemical-indicators-sterilization-monitoring

Having many patients visit your office means business is doing well. While this is great for cash flow, you are likely experiencing work overload with insufficient time to properly wash, disinfect and sterilize all your instruments. Without adequate equipment and instruments in place, heavy traffic can result in an increased risk of infection and safety issues such as overloading the autoclave, in addition to office frustration and backlog of patients. Typically, dental clinics do not have enough instruments to get through an entire day of seeing patients. Which means on busy days, the clinical team must efficiently perform sterilization protocols to keep instruments moving and ready to use for the next patient. This can lead to frustration and unnecessary stress on the clinical team. Should the availability of sterile instruments fail to keep up with the surge of patients, clinics may run late or potentially not follow through with sterilization procedures in an effort to get the instruments faster, resulting in delayed patient intake or even appointment cancellations. Dental offices often tend to overload the autoclave to deal with bottlenecks in the instrument processing area and ensure quick turnover of reusable instruments so they can continue seeing patients. This is very common, as we tend to think these loads would be sterilized, as long as they completed a sterilization cycle in an autoclave. Unfortunately, this is not the case. “Do not overload the autoclave” is usually found in autoclave procedures and manuals. So why do we still do it? Image Credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/why-you-should-consider-having-backup-manual-autoclave Why you should not overload your autoclave? Overloading the office autoclave is a frequent conversation I have with clinical team members as it can cause insufficient sterilization of the entire load of instruments. Overloading the autoclave can result in even more severe delays, leaving staff members frantic and flustered. Moreover, it can result in unsterilized instruments risking patients’ safety and potentially expose clinics to liability issues. Doing so can also damage your machine in the long run and/or reduce its lifetime. This entails more costs for repairs and frequent downtime, which will ultimately be bad for your business and reputation. Image Credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/why-you-should-consider-having-backup-manual-autoclave Why you need a backup manual autoclave? If your office is experiencing more traffic than usual, having an additional autoclave as a backup will help your clinical team to avoid overloading the primary autoclave, and to cause avoidable issues and frustrations. Of course, this means an additional expense for the clinic, but your practice and your employees will maintain standards and workflow, even on hectic days. In addition, you can ensure that all your tools and instruments undergo sufficient sterilization to avoid potential infection control breaches. Consider a manual autoclave if budget is a concern. Cost-wise they are more affordable and will help you achieve the same results in sterilization. For instance, the Tuttnauer 2540M can handle high-volume labs and clinics where quick instrument turnaround is paramount. Its compact design is space-saving while packed with helpful features that make it fast, intuitive, and safe. So, if your practice does occasionally experience some busy days, the 2540M is an ideal solution. The Tuttnauer 3870M can accommodate many instruments simultaneously while delivering optimal performance for more demanding offices. Its large capacity makes it suitable for practices or centers with multiple dental professionals. Image Credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/why-you-should-consider-having-backup-manual-autoclave With manual autoclaves, once the sterilizing cycle is complete, the operator must manually open the door to release the hot steam. Tuttnauer’s T-Quick Autoclave is a manual machine, it is designed with closed-door drying, allowing you to set it and forget it, quite literally. The machine sterilizes and dries without the need for supervision, perfect for busy staff who are handling several tasks at once. To better understand the easy use of the T-quick, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk2BS70ZAek Tips for maintaining your autoclave? Remember to always label your instruments accordingly before sterilization so that everyone knows in which autoclave they were processed. This information is crucial, especially when there is an infection control breach. Additionally, both sterilizers will need adequate maintenance with proper record keeping. Even if the manual autoclave is only occasionally in operation, it must still undergo the same maintenance and monitoring procedures. For instance, a biological indicator or spore test must be performed at least once a week for every sterilizer to ensure optimal and effective sterilization. If your dental office is experiencing more traffic than usual, purchasing a backup sterilizer can help operations to run smoothly, even on extremely busy days or if your primary one is on the blink. Think of it as an extra set of much needed helping hands that will thrive in high-pressure situations. Your staff, your patients, and your business will surely benefit! Image Credit: https://tuttnauer.com/blog/why-you-should-consider-having-backup-manual-autoclave Article Credit > https://tuttnauer.com/blog/why-you-should-consider-having-backup-manual-autoclave

A cavity filling is sometimes necessary, but it can also be a scary and costly experience. Learn how to prevent cavities with these good habits! Most of us are familiar with a cavity filling, as many of us need our caries treated this way. We brush our teeth every day to keep our mouth and teeth clean, yet we sometimes still need a tooth filling when visiting the dentist. But do we know the real reason why we get them and, even more importantly, how to prevent cavities? I took to the streets of New Orleans to see what people there knew about cavities. Watch this video to see how much they learned. Perhaps you need a reminder on how to stop tooth decay too! Did you know that there are habits that you can develop to halt cavities before reaching the stage of needing a dental filling? Keep reading to find out more about how to stop tooth decay and how to prevent cavities! Why cavity filling is necessary First, let's chat a little bit about cavity filling. Those who've been under the drill probably already know that getting a dental filling can be pretty uncomfortable. But It is an essential treatment as it protects cavity ridden teeth, preventing further damage and restores the teeth's normal functions. Nevertheless, it also involves drilling away the decayed tooth, which is often a costly, invasive, and down-right unnerving experience that patients hate to endure. Formation of tooth decay But we're here to talk about prevention above everything else, so you don't have to go through this nerve-wracking procedure often. To find out how to prevent cavities, let's understand what causes them to form in the first place. Sugar is often seen as the main supervillain of the cavity world. Although it is a significant contributing factor, cavities are more directly linked to an acid-base or pH imbalance in the mouth. Everything from our diet, what and when we eat and drink, open mouth breathing, saliva, and dry mouth, can all cause our pH levels (which are usually in a neutral state of pH 7.5) to become acidic. If our mouth is kept at a pH of 7.5 and above, the teeth can actually strengthen and remineralize. Good news, eh?! Tooth decay starts with the formation of bacterial plaque. This sticky substance builds upon the teeth and generates acids from the sugars we eat. These acids corrode the tooth's outer enamel, causing gradual mineral loss. If decay is not treated, it will eventually reach the dentin, the tooth's inner structure, causing sensitivity. And this is when a dental filling is needed to prevent infection from spreading to the pulp. Once it gets to the pulp, it can cause some serious damage, excruciating tooth pain, and even result in irreversible tooth loss. As soon as a cavity forms, tooth filling is essential to repair the damage and prevent further ones. Is a dental filling always required to treat cavities? As a dental hygienist, I always try to take a prevention-first approach to oral diseases for my patients. Unfortunately, by the time you experience any pain from tooth decay, it's usually already too late to reverse it or take preventive measures. Although removing a cavity without drilling away decay and filling in the tooth is impossible, you can stop or even reverse decay during the early stages. Regular and frequent brushing, minor lifestyle changes, and regular visits to the dentist can help stop plaque buildup in its tracks and remove the need for cavity filling. So, that brings us to the big question: how to stop tooth decay? Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste Keeping a healthy mouth prevents dental caries. The most adequate and basic form of oral hygiene is to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Using a fluoride toothpaste is vital in the fight against tooth demineralization. It has many benefits for the teeth. The main one is strengthening the enamel, which helps your teeth defend themselves against acid erosion. Fluoride can also work to "remineralize" the enamel, reversing early signs of decay. Simple really! Silver Diamine Fluoride Silver Diamine Fluoride is another non-invasive, rapid, inexpensive, and almost painless method of treating cavities. It is an antimicrobial liquid made of silver that acts as an antimicrobial agent to kill pathogenic bacteria, while the fluoride works to halt tooth decay and prevent further deterioration. It can also strengthen the teeth's dentin. Overall, the liquid helps reinforce the tooth structure and stabilize affected teeth until further action is required. Cutting down on sugar Your teeth are more susceptible to cavities and decay if sugar is left to sit on them for a long time. If you decide to eat a sweet treat for breakfast, the sugar will stay on your teeth for the rest of the day, giving it a high chance of developing into decay if it isn't removed by brushing. But cutting sugar out of your life is easier said than done! Even I lack the will to resist a caramel frappuccino every now and then! Sugar-free chewing gum You can try to kick sugar out of your diet slowly by using sugar-free chewing gums throughout the day. The gum can help distract you from reaching for other sugary snacks as chewing tricks the body into thinking that you are full. It also stimulates saliva production, a vital component of maintaining a clean mouth. Regular visits to the dentist Visiting your dentist at least every six months allows them to spot any early signs of decay and nip it in the bud. This is an essential step towards prevention that can save you money, pain, time, and discomfort from tooth filling. You'll also be receiving a full-on dental cleaning to remove plaque and stains in every nook and cranny, leaving you with squeaky clean, cavity-free teeth. You can also ask your dentist about sealants to control tooth decay, or fluoride treatments to strengthen the teeth against plaque bacteria and acids. Drinking plenty of water Our saliva can remove debris and neutralize acids, helping restore minerals to the teeth. If dry mouth frequently occurs due to open-mouth breathing or taking certain medications etc., insufficient saliva production can contribute to enamel erosion, tooth decay, and dental staining. Luckily, you can counteract this by drinking plenty of water and/or chewing on sugar-free gum! Don't wait any longer — your cavity prevention starts here! Follow my tips above to reduce your chances of developing cavities and tooth decay. Then, you won't need to visit the dentist for a nail-biting cavity filling. More importantly, you can have peace of mind that you're doing everything you can to maintain a healthy mouth, so you'll be less likely to have emergency visits to the dentist in the future.

If you’ve just had oral surgery or your mouth is riddled with sores, you better think twice about rinsing with your usual mouthwash. Firstly, it’ll hurt like hell. Secondly and more importantly, most formulas contain alcohol which can cause or exacerbate soreness. But that doesn’t mean you should skip mouthwash entirely — a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse is what you need! “Hydrogen peroxide” sure sounds chemical-ly and scary, so I’m sure you’re wondering “Is it safe to gargle with hydrogen peroxide? “ and “Can you use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash?”. Keep reading to find out exactly what a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse is and why I advise my patients to keep one on hand in case of a sore throat or if they accidentally bite their lip! What is hydrogen peroxide? Hydrogen peroxide is a staple in many medicine cabinets and first aid kits due to its ability to kill living cells such as bacteria. Its antiseptic properties make it ideal for cleaning minor cuts and preventing infection, and you can easily buy it at most drug stores. Because of this, the solution also works wonders as a mouthwash! Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash benefits/side effects However, not every hydrogen peroxide solution is safe to use on your skin, let alone your mouth, as they are available in various strengths and concentrations. If you have a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution lying around, the recommended at-home dilution is half water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide. But you really don’t need to do that as you can easily find hydrogen peroxide oral rinse over-the-counter that are typically between 1.5% to 3%, and you can use them immediately without dilution. These will also leave you with minty fresh breath! One of the serious side effects to note is that when used in too high concentrations too frequently, you may experience white spots in the mouth after rinsing with hydrogen peroxide. So I must stress: Only use hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 3% or lower and only rinse occasionally with a peroxide mouthwash/mouth rinse when you have sores or bruises in your mouth! Now that’s out of the way, let’s look at the benefits of rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash: The painless way to keep the mouth bacteria-free, especially if you have open wounds or gum disease The FDA authorizes hydrogen peroxide as a temporary solution for those recovering from oral surgery. It can break through biofilm to destroy bacterial cell walls while producing oxygen, creating an unfavorable environment for anaerobic bacteria to survive. Open bruises are a favorite hangout spot for bacteria. So especially post-surgery, or if you’re dealing with oral health problems like canker sores or gum disease, using a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse can help to keep infection at bay and encourage healing. These antiseptic qualities also make hydrogen peroxide a potential treatment for gum disease! Image Credit: https://urgentcaresouthaven.com/persistent-sore-throat-how-to-tell-if-its-strep/ It helps with sore throats As bacteria cause a sore throat, I often recommend gargling/rinsing with (hydrogen) peroxide to my patients if/when they have a sore throat as it helps to reduce the bacterial load causing the infection. By lessening the amount of bacteria, the infection may clear up after some time. It can also help to reduce mucus build-up in the throat as the foam it creates is capable of breaking down mucus, making it easier to drain. Teeth whitening Does hydrogen peroxide mouthwash whiten teeth? The answer is yes! Products containing peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, are commonly used as bleaching agents. You can find these two ingredients in many types of toothpaste and mouthwash. Swishing with a peroxide mouth rinse once or twice a day can make your teeth look whiter as it penetrates layers of the teeth to remove discoloration. However, please note that consistent use with high concentrations can cause adverse oral effects such as increased sensitivity and gum inflammation. This is particularly the case if you’re already experiencing sensitivities, so ask your dental professional to provide dental advice before trying out peroxide oral products. Soothes mouth sores and other irritation Since it is an antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide is also useful in treating minor mouth irritations. So if you are someone who is prone to sores or other mouth injuries, keeping a peroxide mouth rinse on hand is handy to help it clear up much quicker and prevent flare-ups. Gargling with it won’t cause your sores to sting, unlike a regular mouthwash, but it will help manage bacteria. A mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide is always good to have in your bathroom cabinet so that you will never be tempted to neglect oral hygiene if you are experiencing problems in the mouth. Thanks to its soothing properties, it can help with something as simple as accidentally biting your tongue or lip. And most of all, its antiseptic effects greatly reduce bacteria in the mouth. Always opt for a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse between 1.5% to 3% and avoid anything more to achieve desired results with minimal side effects. Moreover, limit its use to twice or thrice per week to prevent chemical burns, which can result in gum inflammation or weakened enamel.