Tooth Fact Tuesday

Diagram of a tooth:

Fun Fact: The enamel on our teeth is even harder than our bones and is the hardest part of our body.

Tooth Fact Tuesday

Below is the eruption pattern for deciduous "baby" teeth. Not all babies will follow the time exactly but the most important factor is sequence and that all teeth should follow this sequence. If you feel like your child may be missing a tooth visit a dentist for some X-rays. Otherwise a child's first trip should be around 3 years of age. 

Tooth Fact Tuesday

Muscles we Use to Eat

There are 43 muscles in the face. Certain ones used for smiling, frowning, raising your eye brow, puckering your lips and so on. Today we will look at the exciting muscles used when we eat! There are four of them; Temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid. The temporalis, masseter and medial pterygoid raise the mandible (lower jaw) up against the maxilla (upper jaw). A good way to remember this is My Teeth Meet using the first letter for each of the muscles! The lateral pyterygoid's primary function is to protrude and open the lower jaw when chewing and is also used to help in conduction with the medial ptyergoid to move the jaw side to side. So next time you are having a snack you can think about your exciting muscles of mastication!

~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

I recently picked up the new Sonicare Diamond Clean toothbrush. I have always been a very big fan of Sonicare toothbrushes. I have tried a lot of different electric brushes but this brand is by far my favorite and I always recommend it to my patients. 

How it works:

The carefully researched and patented sonic combination of approximately 31,000 brush strokes per minute and the specific reach of the brush head as it sweeps back and forth are what create Sonicare’s unique dynamic cleaning action. This unique combination achieves the clinically proven disruption of plaque biofilm, even in hard-to-reach areas.

I have seen the difference that it makes with my patients and it is worth the money! It even comes with a USB charger so you can charge it with your computer! 

~Kim

Tooh "Fun" Tuesday

Tooth Fact Tuesday

Why Should I Floss:

Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces and controls bad breath. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth a lifetime and decrease your chance of having periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay.

Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than the toothbrush. A toothbrush cleans the tops and sides of your teeth. Dental floss cleans between them. Some people use waterpicks, but floss is the best choice.  Many people just don't spend enough time flossing and many have never been taught to floss properly. 

It is important to try and floss at least once a day. I like to tell my patients to leave floss all over the place so they always have access to it. Such as by the couch to use during your favorite TV show or in the car to use at stop lights. There are many different kinds of floss and it is important to find one that works best for you. Your dentist or hygienist can help you determine this. Below are a few samples of floss. 

Waxed and Unwaxed Floss

Super Floss,  great for ortho 

Floss sticks, great for on the go

Snap, Swoop and Scoop

Fun (and weird) Floss flavors!!

~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

15 Fun Tooth Facts

1.  If you happen to have a tooth knocked out you should place the tooth in a cup of water or milk and bring it to the dentist immediately. There could still be a chance that you would be able to save the tooth and reinsert it.


2. The enamel on a humans tooth is the hardest thing in their body. The enamel is also known as a “crown”


3. A mammal has 2 types of teeth called primary and permanent teeth.

4. Teeth in humans start to form before they are born.

5. Toothbrush bristles were originally made from the hair of cows.

6. Baby teeth are actually called milk teeth. However, you never should put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or any kind of juice. Only a  bottle with plain water will not cause tooth decay.

7. Oddly enough a Shark has around 40 sets of teeth in their life time, a mosquito has about 47 teeth

and a snail has about 25 teeth….on their tongue.

8. A human baby has 20 teeth which start to grow at about 6 months old.


9. An adult human has 32 permanent teeth. This number includes 4 wisdom teeth
however 35% of people’s wisdom teeth do not develop. For many people, wisdom teeth can affect their health and cause many problems with their current teeth. This is why most people have these teeth
removed sometime in their lives


10. Humans only have 2 sets of teeth in their lifetime. The first set is known as your “baby teeth” and you start to lose these teeth around 7 years of age. You should have your full second set of teeth in place
before your late teens.

11. A humans front teeth are called "incisors" and we have 8 of them.


12. An adult human has 2 "canine" teeth that have points and are used for tearing. 


13. A human uses "molars" to grind their food. 


14. Teeth are kept alive by blood and nerves and are supposed to last a lifetime. That is, if you take care of them properly! Unfortunately more then 40% of people over the age of 65 no longer have all of their teeth. Also tooth decay is one of the most preventable diseases.


15. Teeth are fixed into jawbones. Each tooth has blood vessels and nerves and around two-thirds of the length of your tooth is in your gum.

Tooth Fact Tuesday

When has your brush had enough?

Most dental professionals will agree you should change your toothbrush every three months. Studies show that after three months of normal wear and tear, toothbrushes are much less effective at removing plaque from teeth and gums compared to new ones. The bristles break down and loose their effectiveness in getting to all those tricky corners around your teeth. Most toothbrushes also come with a color strip that will wear away as the toothbrush ages. Electric toothbrush heads are usually ok for up to 6 months.  Always brush with a soft toothbrush! 

It is also important to change toothbrushes after you've had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat. That's because germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. Even if you haven't been sick, fungus and bacteria can develop in the bristles of your toothbrush —another reason to change your toothbrush regularly.

You want to make sure that you store your brush in an upright position so that it is able to dry out in between uses. You want to make sure not to store your toothbrush openly on your bathroom counter. Germs and bacteria can spread easily in this environment and you do not want them to end up on your toothbrush. 

~Kim 

Tooth Fact Tuesday

TEST YOUR DENTAL IQ

1. Aspirin placed next to a tooth ache is a good way to relieve the pain
• True
• False
• FALSE-  Placing an aspirin directly on your gum causes an ulceration of the tissue, known as an aspirin burn. Aspirin can be effective as a pain reliever when taken as directed. However, no home remedy can replace the expertise of a dentist. The best cure for a toothache is a trip to your dentist to find out what’s causing the pain. 
2. It is normal for there to be a little bleeding of your gums after flossing
• True
• False
• FALSE-  Bleeding gums are never normal. If your gums bleed when you brush, it could be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. It also could be something simple like brushing or flossing too hard. 
3. Pregnant women should pay very close attention to their dental health
• True
• False
• TRUE-  Dental health is an important part of your overall health during pregnancy because all the changing hormone levels that occur with pregnancy can actually make some dental problems, such as gingivitis worse. 
4. Dry mouth only occurs later in life
• True 
• False
• FALSE- Dry mouth can happen at any age. It's important to diagnose the cause because dry mouth can lead to serious oral health problems, including dental decay. If you feel like your mouth is constantly dry, talk to your dentist.
5. Baby (primary) teeth do not need to be brushed because they eventually fall out
• True
• False
• FALSE- It is important to care for baby teeth because they help the child chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
6. Refined sugars, such as though found in soda, are more harmful than natural sugar found in fruit juices
• True
• False
• FALSE-  Any form of sugar can be harmful to your teeth. From a dental perspective, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can damage teeth. That’s because cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that attack tooth enamel
7. A child's first dental check up should be at age 5, before they begin school
• True
• False
• FALSE- The ADA recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist.
8. Flossing twice a week is sufficient enough
• True
• False
• FALSE- It is important to clean between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners to remove plaque from between the teeth, areas where the toothbrush can't reach. 
9. The cavity causing bacteria can be spread from care giver to child
• True
• False
• TRUE- Bacteria can be passed to children by their caregivers so be careful not to share drinks with your young children or put anything in their mouth that has been in yours
10. Your toothbrush needs to be replaced once a year
• True
• False
• FALSE- Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria and should be replaced every 3-4 months or at the first sign of wear

Hope you did good!!

~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

What is Periodontal Disease?

Perio Disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults due to bone loss. Because perio disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. It is caused by plaque, which is the film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth, making brushing and flossing an important factor in decreasing your chances of developing this disease.

The early stage of perio disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily (remember bleeding is not normal!!) At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing. 


It is possible to have perio disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good dental care at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. Remember this is a disease and it is super important to treat this disease because when treated appropriately it can be moved into an inactive state. However damage already done, such as bone loss is irreversible.

Remember: You don’t have to lose teeth to perio disease. Brush your teeth twice a day(for 2 minutes), clean between your teeth daily (either floss or a go between brush), eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles!!

Be sure to adapt the floss to each tooth, forming the floss into a 'C' shape. Gently slide the floss below the gumline, do not snap directly into the tissue.

Happy Flossing!

~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

When you can't brush.....chew! 

Xylitol is found in sugarless gum and can help reduce cavities when chewed after meals. Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars we eat. 

When you eat food containing ordinary sugar (sucrose), it gives bacteria on your teeth energy, allowing them to multiply and start making acids that can eat away the enamel on the teeth. This "acid attack" causes tooth decay and cavities to begin to form. 

Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants. It does not break down like sugar and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. Xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. This is how it protects the teeth from tooth decay. With Xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over half an hour is stopped. So keep that gum handy and chew away!! When you can't brush.....chew! Xylitol is found in sugarless gum and can help reduce cavities when chewed after meals.

~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

Hope you enjoy today's video, "Teach me how to Brushy"

Happy Tuesday everyone!


~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

So for today's tooth fact Tuesday I thought I would respond to a recent segment that was posted on "The View" Last week the show had an "expert reporter" on who was listing off the top jobs that do not require a college education. 

As you can see above, a Dental Hygienist is listed first with an annual salary of $45,000. Well I am hear to say that this is absolutely false and the hell that I went through for the previous two years proves this. A dental hygienist is the second highest trained professional in a dental office underneath the dentist. They are also a preventative oral health care provider who must have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program in order to even take board exams(5 separate exams) and must be licensed in the state in which they practice. After the segment aired, the American Dental Hygienists' Association reached out to "The View" in order to inform them of this misinformation and that the average salary of a hygienist is $68,250. Today the show did finally confess to their mistake in a comment on their webpage, but please keep in mind that the hygienist cleaning your teeth is in fact a graduate of a very vigorous program who does care for each of their patients well being! I will get off my soap box now but I am hoping that "The View" will look more into the information that they provide in the future. 

Thanks for stopping by! ~Kim

Tooth Fact Tuesday

For the first tooth fact Tuesday I thought I would explain my journey into this marvelous profession! I graduated from college in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in partying finance. After working for a financial company for 4 years where I basically sat at a computer and stared at the time slowly tick on by, I was tempted to do some inner sole searching and try and figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. I had always been interested in dental hygiene but never actually knew what it entailed to become a hygienist. So off I went, googling away and speaking with my hygienist when I decided that this was what I wanted to do. After being accepted to school on my first attempt I was extremely excited and anxious to embark on this journey. School was the most challenging, rewarding, and stressful experience I have ever had to go through but I am so glad that I did. My professors and classmates were amazing and could not have imagined going through this without them. Before school I never realized how medically trained a hygienist is but it is true that we are next in command following a dentist (although the dentist will never want to admit that). All through out this program I joked and said that if my marriage can make it through dental hygiene school, it can make it through anything! Luckily I had such an amazing and supportive husband who put up with my oh so horrible pleasant moods over the course of these past 2 years. So now that school and all my licensing exams are a thing of the past,  this week I will begin my next journey as Kimberly Augustus, registered dental hygienist and begin working. {Insert James excited face here}

{Congrats class of 2012, we did it!}

xoxo ~Kim