Admit it, it's already traumatic enough that you now have a railroad running through your mouth, and now it's required that you have to brush even more than you ever used to. It makes sense, though. Food is more likely to get stuck between the wire and get firmly wedged in your teeth even more. You can handle it though, because the light at the end of the tunnel is an amazingly brilliant and flawless smile. Here is a quick reminder on how to brush with braces.

First, I advise you use a smaller head, soft, rotary or electric toothbrush. Next, hold your toothbrush straight (perpendicular to your teeth), and start with the outsides. Use small circular motions. Then, on your upper teeth, angle the brush down so you get the space between the braces and the gums. Reverse this motion for the bottom teeth so you are angling the brush up between the gums and braces.

Proceed with your usual diligence by thoroughly brushing your chewing surfaces (molars), then the backs of your front teeth (top and bottom), and finally the inside backs of top and bottom teeth. While normally you should brush for two minutes, I advise about two and a half minutes now that you have additional obstacles in your mouth.
 

Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth at night, until their sleep partner nudges them awake to infom of the often-irritating occurences. "You sound like you're grinding an axe! I was dreaming I was working for a blacksmith..." People with bruxism, or a teeth-grinding habit, may wake with a headache, earache, toothache or sore facial muscles. Besides causing discomfort to you and your sleep partner, bruxism can eventually damage dental restorations and may loosen teeth. 
Why - you might ask? Although several factors might be involved, stressful situations, problems in sleeping, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth top the list of culprits. During your check-up I will determine what course of action to take. I may recommend a nighttime mouth-guard, stress-reducing techniques, or reducing the high spots on an abnormal bite - all depending on your individual circumstance. Call to schedule your appointment - 425.688.0197

An eye-opener for your mouth: If you find yourself drinking bottled water frequently, you will probably be missing out on the added fluoride from tap water. Consider a fluoridated toothpaste that carries a higher percentage of fluoride.

The selection of toothbrushes available in the store is dizzying. We can pay anywhere from a few bucks to $100; pick hard, medium or soft; and can even select from a rainbow of colors or have a super hero look after my gums. Which one to choose?  

Although it's tempting to believe that Spider Man will be your best ally in the fight against plaque, in this case you can probably take on this villain by yourself. In most cases, a soft, off-the-shelf, manual toothbrush will do the trick in taking down tartar. Those spinning and vibrating toothbrushing weapons are great for those with crowded teeth or difficult to reach spaces, but for the rest of us an easy and soft defense is best.  

According to studies and surveys, men are less likely to take care of their physical health than women. Similarly, men suffer greater oral health problems than women. "Really?" you say. Think about it, men are more likely to participate in sports, which brings greater potential for trauma to one's mouth and teeth. If you play contact sports such as football, soccer, basketball and even baseball you run the risk of tooth damage if you do not wear protective mouth gear.

Another way of looking at the discrepancy in oral health between men and women is that men run a higher risk of heart attack, so they are more likely to be on medications which cause dry mouth. If you take medication for the heart, blood pressure, or anti-depressants, your salivary flow could be inhibited, increasing your risk of cavities. Statistically speaking, men are less likely to seek regular dental care and will neglect a visit to the dentist until a problem arises.

On the bright side, this oral health discrepancy between the genders can be bridged simply by instituting the two-two-two routine. Brush for two minutes, twice a day, and go in for a check-up twice a year. Sound simple? It is!

Those who suffer from heart burn also contend with some uncomfortable side effects: throat irritation, gagging and bitter taste. Although stomach acids are meant to flow through the digestive system, those with acid reflux experience these acids flowing up the esophagus and into the throat.

In general your mouth maintains a neutral pH of 5.5, but stomach acids drive the pH level down to a dangerous 2.0 - not comfortable for your mouth's environment! At a pH of 2.0 reflux can erode tooth enamel, discolor your teeth and make them more sensitive as well as give you bad breath.

Please inform Dr. Sayyah if you suffer from acid reflux. She will suggest ways to keep your teeth protected.

No, but let me qualify that. With 20 years of clinical research dentists can confidently say that bleaching techniques, if used properly, will not cause permanent damage to teeth or gums.  More damage is done from bleaching too frequently or too long. This will cause the enamel surface of the tooth to become porous and turn chalky white. Your teeth can become more sensitive to temperature, as well as become quickly stained from red wine or coffee.

We offer a safe alternative to bleaching mishaps at our office.  With Zoom® chairside whitening treatment you can brighten your smile by up to eight shades! Now that is 45 minutes well-spent!