Lake Oconee Dentistry Blog

FOR AS LONG AS HUMANS HAVE CHEWED FOOD (that’s a long time) they’ve looked for efficient ways to rid themselves of bits and pieces caught between their teeth. It’s not just a modern dilemma. In fact, little grooves from ancient toothpicks have been found in prehistoric human teeth! But it wasn’t until more recently that we really figured out a good system. Flossing!

Dental Floss Is Awesome

You may not think about it very often but around our practice, we think modern dental floss is amazing stuff. Really. Some history buffs trace its origins to Dr. Levi Spear Parmly of New Orleans, who recommended that patients start using strands of silk to clear out the spaces between their teeth.

That was back in 1815. Since then, modern dentistry has learned just how powerful flossing is. It’s not JUST for removing annoying food particles between teeth.

Five Cool Reasons You Should Love Dental Floss

1. Dental floss is super handy!

Floss is great for tying up decorations, cutting dough for pastries, and it has even been used in a few infamous prison escapes (though of course, our team doesn’t recommend that).

2. Dental floss is a great value.

For just a few dollars you can prevent costly dental procedures down the road.

3. Dental floss helps your mouth feel cleaner and fights bad breath.

Flossing reaches more tooth surface and food debris than brushing alone.

4. Dental floss could save your teeth.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Flossing helps keep your gums healthy, and your teeth where they belong.

5. Dental floss could save your life.

We don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but many health professionals believe that unhealthy gums can actually increase your risk for other major health issues including lung disorders, heart disease, and early-term labor.

Flossing Is Simple, And Makes Sense

Surprisingly, many people still don’t realize the benefits of flossing. Depending on which study you read, 60-90% of people don’t floss daily. If you’re one of them, we challenge you to do an experiment. Floss every day for three weeks. You will notice healthier gums and a cleaner mouth. After three weeks it will have become a habit and you’ll keep doing it because you love it.

Find a flossing system or type of floss that works for you. You can use waxed or unwaxed, flavored or not. If you don’t like putting your hands in your mouth, try floss picks.

Questions For Us?

If you have ANY questions about your oral health, or you’d like to share a story about how you’ve become a “floss believer”, let us know! Comment below, post on our Facebook page, or of course you can always call us.

Thanks again for being our valued patient and friend!

ANCIENT DENTISTRY WAS PROBABLY VERY SCARY, so we felt like it couldn’t be more apropos to talk about it near Halloween! Think about what it was like to live during a time when the only fix for a toothache was to pull (or knock) the tooth out—without anesthetic—and leave a gaping hole there, which led to bone loss and eventually losing all the rest of your teeth! Yes, scary.

Thankfully, There’s Modern Dentistry

Makes you grateful for modern dentistry, doesn’t it? Here at our practice, we love the latest technologies and techniques that help us keep you comfortable, healthy, and beautiful. Let’s look back at the “roots” of dentistry and a few ancient tidbits:

Our team hopes you had fun taking a look at ancient dentistry. And remember that any time you have questions about modern dentistry, always ask us!

Be Sure To Brush And Floss After That Halloween Candy!

Have a wonderful holiday. Be sure you Like our Facebook page! And, if you have a comment about how grateful you are for modern dentistry, please share it below!

As always, thank you for being our valued patients and friends.

Photo Credit 1: The oldest dental filling: A 6,500 year old tooth with a beeswax filling (within the yellow dotted line). Bernardini F, Tuniz C, Coppa A, Mancini L, Dreossi D, et al. PLoS ONE
Photo Credit 2: The Citizen Scientists League
Photo Credit 3: José C. Jiménez López

AS ONE OF OUR VALUED PATIENTS AND FRIENDS, you’ve probably never considered the following question, “What can I do to make my dental visits as productive and effective as possible?” At first, it may sound like a silly question. You’ve probably thought, as a patient, that your job was pretty much to show up and open wide! But to really get more from our visits together, here are a few suggestions for taking more initiative.

Use Our Social Media Platform To Connect With Us

We are a “one-to-one business”. So, even though there are hundreds of millions of people (and lots of businesses) using social media, WE’RE there to better facilitate our personal one-on-one relationships with you. That means we’re interested in staying connected. Many times we only see you every six months—and that’s one reason why our social media tools (including this blog) are so important to our team.

One way to stay connected is to be sure you’ve Liked our Facebook page! We enjoy interacting with you there. And as you know, you can comment there or leave us a private message.

Ask Questions

We love visiting with you about any aspect of your oral health. We consider ourselves one of your lifetime health partners. We understand that sometimes it’s human nature to be a little shy about asking questions… But we encourage you to ask us, whether it’s during your in-practice visit, on the phone, or through social media. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask, and questions we’d love to answer:

Plan Sufficient Time For Your Next Visit

We understand that life is busy! And, you probably feel like you have many, many things to do other than hang out at our practice! That’s OK… We don’t feel bad. However, be sure to allow ample time for your appointments just so you don’t feel rushed and we’re able to answer all your questions.

Spend A Little Bit Of Time Learning More About Your Oral Health

We try to provide you with useful and relevant information about your dental health, comfort, and appearance through our blog posts. Take a few minutes each month to explore some of the topics we publish. Also, we know that many of our patients may not even realize the scope of the services we offer. Thanks, in advance, for getting to know more about how we can serve you.

Thanks For The Trust You Place In Us

We can’t say it enough… Thank you. Thanks for being our valued friends and patients. And thanks for your kind referrals of coworkers, extended family members and friends. We appreciate it!

DID YOU KNOW THAT OCTOBER IS DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH? You didn’t? (Well, actually, we’d probably be a little worried about you if you did. Maybe you need more hobbies.) In honor of Dental Hygiene Month, our team presents a few basics!

The word “cavity” gets tossed around a lot. Do you know exactly what a cavity is, and what causes them? Here’s a very short refresher course. Cavities are hollows left in your teeth when decay happens. Decay, or “dental caries” is actually an oral disease—a bacterial infection in your mouth. When this bacterial infection builds up on your teeth, it forms plaque. Having this bacteria doesn’t necessarily mean you have tooth decay. But when the bacteria interacts with sugars and starches, enamel-eating acid is created. So your first defense against tooth decay is your diet. Try to limit sugars and starches, foods that stick in your teeth, excessive acidic foods, and soft drinks.

Your second defense against tooth decay is keeping your teeth clean! Brush your teeth twice a day and be sure to floss so there’s less chance of creating acids that can wear down tooth enamel. Brushing also counteracts the plaque and tartar that’s building up over time. And remember that even with your own consistent care at home, regular professional checkups and cleanings are vital for sound oral health.

Some “Fun” Answers:

Some “More Technical” Answers:

Now, Put YOUR Knowledge To The Test With This Short Quiz!

Now that you’re an expert on dental health basics, how do you think you’d stack up on a little quiz? Surprisingly the average grade on this quiz is a “D”! But we’re sure that our patients will do better than that!

How Did You Do On The Quiz? Let Us Know!

After you take the quiz, leave us a comment below, or visit our Facebook page and comment or message us!

As always, if you have any questions about your oral health or any dental-related subject, ask us! We’re here to keep you healthy and informed.

Thanks, as always, for being our valued friends and patients!

COULD THE SECRET TO PERPETUAL YOUTH be found in your smile (wink, wink)? Well, that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration! But as you know, here at our practice, we obsess over our patients’ smiles. We know that a confident smile can be life changing. But what does your smile have to do with aging?

1. People Who Smile More Are Perceived As Younger

Last year, in an American Psychological Association study, researchers showed thousands of photos of people wearing different expressions to test subjects, who were then asked to guess the ages of the people in the photos. The guesses on neutral expressions were quite accurate, but smiling faces were generally assumed to be years younger than their actual age.

2. Sharing Your Smile (and a laugh) Makes You FEEL Younger—Regardless Of Your Age

It’s really not about the number of miles on your smile. It’s about how comfortable you are sharing it.

3. Smiling May Even Help You Live Longer

Living longer—now THERE’S a serious smiling benefit. Could this really be true? A 2010 Wayne State University study examined the relationship between smile intensity and longevity among 230 pro baseball players from a ’52 baseball registry. They found that players with big smiles lived an average of five years longer that those who didn’t (or barely) smiled. Even players with small smiles lived longer than those who didn’t smile.

Facial expression and smiles have long been shown to be a good indicator of people’s emotions—and those with positive emotions are even shown to have better interpersonal skills and more stable marriages. Smiling can have a great impact on your health—it can boost your immune system and reduces stress.

So Here Are Some Tips For Helping Your Smile Keep You Young

1. Care for your teeth, relentlessly, by doing the basics—brushing, flossing, regular checkups, etc.
2. Ask us any time you have questions about your oral health or improving your smile.
3. Smile big, and smile often.

When you take good care of your teeth, chances are they’ll last a lifetime. And a great smile will make that lifetime longer, healthier, and happier.

We’re Always Available And Always Listening

You know how to contact us! And, we love hearing from you on our Facebook page!

And thanks, as always, for being our valued patients and friends!

HOW MUCH SUGAR ARE YOU CONSUMING EACH DAY? Do you know? In many countries, the average can be well over 20 teaspoons per day! Sugar can be a major contributor to tooth decay. Here at our practice, we’re interested in talking about every topic that affects both your oral and overall health.

It’s Not JUST About Avoiding “Sweets”

Here are 5 easy ways to get a better handle on your sugar intake:

1. Read Labels

There’s added sugar lurking in places you would have never guessed. “Healthy” cereals, ketchup, chips, and even spaghetti sauces can have tons of sugar. Be sure to watch the video below to learn how to equate grams of sugar into teaspoons. Also, watch for words like dextrose, sucrose, malted barley extract, and corn syrup when reading the ingredients list.

2. Beware Of Pseudo-Healthy Traps

You may assume that you’re eating healthier with that energy bar, smoothie, or yogurt. That may not be true. Take a careful look at the nutritional facts and sugar content before you make such things a routine staple.

The Info In This Video Is Great

This video from the community partnership, Smile Kentucky!, is somewhat directed toward kids—but the information is important for everyone! Enjoy and learn!

3. Watch What You’re Drinking

Half of your sugar intake may be in the things you drink. A major offender is soda pop, but be careful of fruit juices too.

4. Find Easy Alternatives

Everyone’s tastes and lifestyles are so different, so experiment until you find YOUR OWN solution. Sweet tooth in the evening? For you, it may work best to satisfy the craving with a tiny piece of dark chocolate (eaten without guilt), and then promise yourself to brush your teeth immediately afterwards and not eat anything else before bedtime. Afternoon munchies? Cut up a bunch of easy-to-eat raw vegetables at the beginning of the week and keep them handy in the fridge for snacking. Also, drink more water! Sometimes (believe it or not) you think you’re hungry—but in reality, you’re thirsty. A tall glass of water can get you past a craving.

5. Cut Back On Starches, Snack Foods And Bread

Both sugar and starch are carbohydrates. They both break down into sugars, and they both can promote tooth decay.

We hope you find these ideas helpful!

Remember that by cutting back on sugar, you can better stave off obesity, diabetes, and of course, cavities! What’s good for your body is good for your teeth too!

Do you have any tips of your own for minimizing sugar? We’d love to hear them. Share them below in the comments section or on our Facebook page. Thank you for being our valued patient!

DID YOU KNOW THAT WOMEN HAVE special challenges when it comes to their oral health? Hormonal cycles can affect the way women’s bodies react to bacteria and plaque inside their mouths. If you’re a woman—or if you’d like to pass this information along to a woman who could benefit from it—our team encourages you to learn more about these important dental facts.

Hormonal Cycles Can Affect Gums

Puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation cause increased progesterone and estrogen levels which can lead to increased gum sensitivity. There’s also a condition known as menstruation gingivitis, which can cause some women to experience increased bleeding and swollen gums right before menstruation. This condition is typically not serious and clears up quickly. Gingivitis during pregnancy can be more severe, and may even cause non-cancerous oral tumors. That’s another reason why it’s important for women to keep their regular checkup appointments during pregnancy.

Oral contraceptives also increase hormonal levels in women’s bodies which can cause increased sensitivity and vulnerability to gum disease. During menopause, hormonal fluctuations can also create oral health problems including dry mouth syndrome, which can significantly add to a woman’s tooth decay risk.

Other Oral Health Problems That Are More Likely To Affect Women

• Women are almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders). TMD causes strain on one’s jaw joint and potential damage to teeth, often as a result of clenching and/or teeth grinding.
• HPV is becoming more common, and research is increasingly suggesting a link between HPV and oral cancer. Regular oral cancer screenings are important whether or not a woman has high risk factors.
• As you know, women are much more susceptible to osteoporosis than men which can cause jaw bone loss and associated periodontal disease problems.

The Great News? Women Take Better Care Of Their Oral Health!

As you might expect, a helpful remedy in many instances is to simply maintain good dental health habits! Fortunately, women are better at this than men! A recent study of over 800 young men and women shows:

• Women are more consistent when it comes to regular checkups
• Women exhibit better attitudes toward dentistry in general
• Women have better personal dental habits

OK… Here’s Just A Fun Little Aside From “The View”

Questions?

If you have any questions about your oral health or any of the special challenges we’ve talked about above, be sure to ask us! There are lots of easy ways to connect with us—and we promise to be very responsive! You can make a comment below, or even connect with us on our Facebook page.

YOU are a valued part of our dental practice. Thanks for being our patient!

YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT, but did you know that when you’re stressed out, our team might be able to tell by the signs in your mouth? Stress can have a huge effect on your oral health.

1. Your Mouth Can Reflect How You Feel: Stress can manifest itself in physical irritations that include canker sores, dry mouth, or burning mouth.
2. When Stressed, Your Defenses Are Down: Stress can compromise your immune system, which could make it easier for decay-causing bacteria in your mouth to wreak havoc.
3. Stress Contributes To Teeth Grinding: Many people grind their teeth and don’t even realize it. The tension you feel during the day can manifest itself through grinding at night—severely damaging your teeth.
4. Your Sound Oral Health Routines May Slip: While people’s minds are consumed with all their other important “stuff”, some put their oral health on the back burner. That could end up becoming a double whammy when compromised oral health creates even more stress in their lives.

A Remedy That Can Help

Here’s the irony—stress makes you less apt to smile, when in fact smiling can actually help you diminish stress! A study by psychologists at the University of Kansas showed that even a forced smile in stressful situations can lower heart rates. And a genuine smile? Even more powerful. Smiles also release serotonin and endorphins, which are major mood-boosters and stress-busters.

Don’t Let Oral Health Problems Add To Your Stress

Here at our practice, we try to help minimize your stress. If you experience anxiety over regular dental visits, a postponed treatment, or perhaps a toothache that you’re worried about having us look at, ask us about ways we can help you. We’re here to help keep the power of your smile in full force! Remember that a clean, healthy mouth can contribute to your total body health. And a healthy body helps you deal with the trials that life throws at each of us.

Thoughts on this subject? You can leave a comment below or post a comment or direct message on our Facebook wall. We’ll get back to you about it right away.

Thanks for being our valued friend and patient!

SHAKESPEARE WROTE, “Parting is such sweet sorrow…”. But from everyone here at our practice, we can assure you that the sorrow part ends the second you start brushing with a new toothbrush.

Take A Look At Your Toothbrush

Are the bristles starting to look bent, worn, or frayed? Or, are the bristles starting to look like they’re parallel to your teeth instead of perpendicular? If so, it’s time for a new toothbrush. Has somebody else used your toothbrush (gross)? If so, they’ve contaminated it with the bacteria in their mouth—and if you use it, you’ll expose yourself to any disease or sickness they may have. Again, it’s time for a new toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Old toothbrushes lose their structural ability to thoroughly clean, and fraying bristles don’t clean well between your teeth. Fraying bristles can also be hard on your gums and can even cause damage to your gums.

Are You Storing Your Toothbrush Correctly?

• Store it upright, and keep it out of contact with the bathroom counter.
• Keep it out of contact with other people’s toothbrushes.
• Keep it far away from the toilet splash zone (gross, again).
• Make sure it dries between uses. Toothbrush covers are handy for travel, but at home your toothbrush needs to air dry.

When you get a new toothbrush, keep these tips in mind:

• Get the size that fits in your mouth comfortably and reaches everywhere.
• Hard bristles can wear enamel unnecessarily. Soft bristles are usually better.
• The brand is not as important as your commitment to brushing correctly and regularly. If you have questions about how to do that, visit with our team.

What Can You Do With That Old Toothbrush!?

Well, you could just throw it away. But that’s boring! There are all kinds of uses for old toothbrushes—like cleaning, painting, and yes, bracelet making!Here are two videos that show you how to make a cool bracelet out of your old toothbrush (by the way, the second video doesn’t have any sound). If you don’t want to do this yourself, do you have a child, niece, nephew, grandson, granddaughter, or neighbor that would have fun doing it?Share the idea, or invite them over and try it together!

Keep Up Your Great Oral Hygiene Habits!

It’s absolutely worth it! And don’t miss your regular checkups. If you ever have any questions about toothbrushes or any other oral health topic, ask us, leave a comment below and we’ll quickly respond, or send us a message on our Facebook page!

Thanks, as always, for your continued trust and friendship.