YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT NEGLECTING TO FLOSS can lead to all kinds of oral health problems—including tooth decay and periodontal disease. But what most people don’t know (or don’t think about) are the correct and incorrect techniques associated with flossing. They’re not complicated and they’re important to know. We hope this helps!

Yes, Ned Is Finally Flossing… But Don’t Be Like Ned

Nice job, Ned! You’ve gone from never flossing to flossing more often! But there are still a few very important things that you’re not doing correctly. Now it’s time to tighten up those flossing skills!

Don’t Do These Things That Ned Does:

• Don’t skip a day now and then. Floss daily to remove harmful bacteria.
• Don’t “saw back and forth” which could cut into your gums. Slide the floss up and down against the tooth’s surface.
• Don’t floss too aggressively. Snapping the floss into your gums can cut them and damage the tissue.
• Don’t forget to floss under your gum line to remove hard-to-reach plaque.
• Don’t forget to floss the back side of those very, very back teeth (even though they’re not up against another tooth).

Important Flossing Tips:

• Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wind most around one finger and the rest around the same finger on the opposite hand.
• Be gentle! Slide the floss between your teeth and below the gums and then use a soft up-and-down rubbing motion.
• Use a new section of your floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria from tooth to tooth.
• Flossing in front of a mirror can help you be more thorough.
• You can floss in the morning or at night, before or after you brush.

Have Questions About Flossing?

Flossing is an important part of your daily oral health routine. However, maximizing the benefit comes from doing it correctly. If you have additional questions about flossing or any other aspect of your oral hygiene, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you! And you can always post questions directly on our Facebook page.

Thanks for being our awesome patient!

WHEN THE COLD AND FLU SEASON STRIKES your teeth are probably the last thing you’re thinking about as you reach for another tissue! But there ARE some things related to that cold or flu that can affect your oral health. Be conscious of these three things:

Tip 1: Avoid Dry Mouth By Staying Hydrated

Dry mouth increases cavity risk. Most colds come with a giant side order of stuffy nose. We respond by breathing through our mouths! Doing so, combined with decreased saliva production during sleep, makes our mouths more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

Tip 2: Keep The Bad Stuff Off Your Teeth

• Are you sucking on cough drops all day? Most are loaded with sugar. Opt for sugar-free cough drops if possible.
• Cough syrup is loaded with sugar too. If you take cough syrup, rinse your mouth out before going back to bed.
• Stomach acid is hard on teeth. Sorry to bring this up, but if you’re throwing up, keep your teeth rinsed and clean.

Tip 3: No Matter How Tired…

We know it’s tough when you’re sick, but don’t skip your normal brushing/flossing routine just because you’re feeling really tired. Your oral health is too important to neglect. (By the way, did you notice the kitty in the photo above? We think she’s smelling his breath because he hasn’t brushed in days.)

A Few More Practical Tips For Staying Healthy

Stay healthy this flu season! Remember to sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands often to keep viruses from spreading.

And This One Is Just For Fun…

If you’re sick, get feeling better soon! And thanks for your trust in our practice.

WE USE IT DAILY TO CLEAN OUR TEETH and freshen our breath, but did you know there are many other everyday uses for toothpaste? Here are a few:

Cleaning, Polishing, And Removing Stains

A little toothpaste can help remove stains from clothes and carpet, crayon from walls, scuffs from shoes, and soap scum from the shower. You can polish chrome faucet fixtures, jewelry, and even your finger and toenails!

Deodorizing

Have a plastic bottle that smells like sour milk? Are your hands smelly after handling onions or fish? Scrubbing with toothpaste can help get rid of unpleasant smells.

Restoring Car Headlights

Itch And Pain Relief

Want to soothe the pain or itching caused by a bug bite or simple burn? It has also been said that toothpaste can help reduce the size and discomfort of cold sores and zits.

Defogging Mirrors And Goggles

Rubbing a little toothpaste on a mirror, glasses or goggles and then rinsing the surface clean can help prevent fogging. Eureka!

Filling Nail Holes In Walls

Don’t have drywall paste on hand or time to run to the hardware store? No problem. Fill in the holes with toothpaste and let it dry. You can even paint over it.

A Little Toothpaste History

Before You Go Crazy With The Toothpaste…

There are LOTS of accounts out there of people using toothpaste for the purposes above AND others. But, we haven’t tried them all ourselves! So here’s our little “disclaimer”!

If you’re going to try any of these ideas use white, non-gel toothpaste AND be sure to do your own research first! Just Google your idea before you start—there are tons of step-by-step instructions and testimonials out there!

Do you have another use for toothpaste that you’ve tried? Share it with us below!

We hope this was fun for you (and informative). Thanks for being our awesome patients!

NEARLY ALL OF US EXPERIENCE bleeding gums at some point in our lives. But don’t assume it’s no big deal. Gum disease can have serious consequences including pain, chronic bleeding and tooth loss. It has also been linked to a number of total body health conditions including Alzheimer’s.

Skipping The Floss Can Increase Dementia Risk

A recent study of over 5000 retirement community members found that NOT brushing daily could increase the risk of developing dementia up to 65%. Other research supports the correlation between tooth loss and Alzheimer’s. Some researchers theorize that because tooth loss and sensitivity may contribute to poor eating habits, that also affects brain health. And, Alzheimer’s patients are more likely to neglect their personal dental care. However, even with these other variables removed, there seems to be a strong link.

Miles Of Floss

How Oral Bacteria Hurts Your Brain

When you experience gum irritation and bleeding you essentially have an open wound and bacteria from your mouth can enter the rest of the body through your bloodstream. In one British study, traces of P. gingivalis were found in brain tissue of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s. It may be that the bacteria creates brain inflammation, causing dementia. It could also be that it triggers an immune response which attacks healthy brain cells.

Take Care Of Your Body By Taking Care Of Your Gums

Taking care of your gum health is an important part of overall health. Follow these steps for a healthy mouth and a healthy brain:

1. Brush every day.
2. Floss every day.
3. Don’t postpone your regular cleanings.

Do you have someone you care about who could benefit from this information? Share the message and remind them to floss!

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We appreciate you!