Dental Questions: Is chewing gum good for your teeth?

Chewing gum is often touted as a great way to freshen your breath and remove strong tastes. You may have even heard that it can protect teeth or the dental enamel. While there is some truth to this statement, you have to be careful of what type of gum you use. Additionally, no matter what any advertising agency says, chewing gum is no replacement for daily brushing or flossing. However, it is an easy way to add a protective factor to your daily routine. Take a look!

First and foremost, for a gum to be "good" for your teeth, it absolutely has to be sugar free. Any products flavored with fructose, sucrose or HFCS are capable of fueling bacteria and starting the tooth decay process. Sugary gum is particularly harmful, since it is kept in the mouth and not swallowed. Gums flavored with sucralose, stevia, aspartame or xylitol are much safer options. Notably, xylitol provides the secondary benefits of stimulating salivation and inhibiting bacterial growth. You can find specific xylitol flavored gums at health food stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods. 

The physical act of chewing gum also has some benefits to the teeth. Chewing activates the salivary glands, keeping your teeth moist and mineralized. Additionally, gum can dislodge food stuck in the biting surfaces. However, gum overuse is a real problem that can lead to sore jaw muscles and headaches. Like anything, use gum with moderation and listen to your body. 

Chewing sugar free gum is an easy way to add extra protection against cavities and tooth decay. If you would like to know more about preventing cavities, brushing or flossing, please give our office a call!

Organic Toothpaste

If you shop at a natural market like Whole Foods or Sprouts, you have probably seen the organic toothpastes available in the cosmetics aisle. Companies like Toms of Maine and Jason all sell numerous types and flavors of toothpaste with varying promises. No matter what the packaging claims about being anti-cavity or enamel strengthening, all toothpastes have to have fluoride to protect against oral disease.

The protective factor of brushing your teeth comes from the mechanical action of scrubbing the enamel and the remineralizing effect of fluoride. Fluoride works by increasing the rate of enamel mineralization and interfering with bacteria's ability to colonize your teeth. Years of research and clinical trials have shown that using fluoride is safe, effective and significantly lowers your risk of developing cavities.  If you aren't using fluoride toothpaste, you are missing out these great benefits. Other ingredients, such as baking soda or triclosan may add to the protective factors but are not effective enough on their own to fight cavities. 

If you are interested in switching to an organic or specialty toothpaste, simply check the packaging for added fluoride (all active ingredients have to be disclosed by law). Specifically, Toms of Maine sells a version of their organic toothpaste with fluoride. If you have any more questions about fluoride, toothpaste, or oral hygiene, please give our office a call! 

What causes tooth decay? - A Halloween refresher

With Halloween around the corner, we would like to take a moment to remind kids of all ages about the tooth decay process. While those sugary treats might make you happy now, they can cause a lot of problems if you aren't careful. Like many things in life, moderation is key to keeping your teeth protected from bacteria and cavities. 

The biggest point in understanding cavities is that duration, not amount, of sugar consumed is the main factor in the tooth decay process. Every time we eat or drink anything other than water, our mouth drops into an acidic state for the next hour. With this in mind, someone who snacks on candy all day will spend 24 hours bathing their teeth in acid and fueling bacteria with carbohydrates. If that same person ate the same amount of candy after a single meal, there would be a much less drastic effect on the teeth. 

Furthermore, it is important to remember that all carbohydrates can contribute to enamel demineralization and decay. Even foods that aren't necessarily sweet like goldfish crackers and pretzels are harmful to the teeth. Additionally, naturally sweetened or organic foods like fruits cause decay all the same as processed sugars. In fact, raisins are one of the most tooth-harmful snacks, due to their high sugar content, dryness and ability to stick to dental enamel. 

What can you do to prevent tooth decay? For starters, limit snacking and candy consumption to set times or pair them with scheduled meals. Do not let yourself graze on sweet food all day or take multiple hours to finish food. Additionally, rinsing your mouth out with water after eating sweets is an easy way to clear the carbohydrates from your teeth and limit their contact. Finally, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily is the gold standard in preventing dental diseases. If you have other questions about tooth decay, candy or tooth healthy snacks, please give our office a call!

Dental Questions: Does the order of brushing and flossing matter?

One of the most common oral health questions dentists receive from patients is the proper order of brushing and flossing. We are here to assure you that there is no recommended order to a standard oral health regimen. As long as you are brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, you are experiencing all the benefits of basic home oral hygiene. Dentists typically recommend brushing once in the morning and (definitely) once right before going to sleep/after your last meal. Flossing can take place at any point throughout the day, so long as it happens before you go to sleep. 

Beyond these suggestions, you may want to consider these options as well:

-Brush in the morning before breakfast. Brushing right after a meal can actually damage dental enamel due to the acidic affects of digested carbohydrates and the abrasive nature of toothpastes. 

-Using an alcohol rinse like Listerine after brushing can limit the fluoride activity of toothpaste. If you are at a high risk for developing cavities, consider switching to a fluoride rinse like ACT. 

-Chronic non-flosser? Consider keeping a bag of handle flossers in your car. It's a great reminder to keep those teeth clean!

-While sugar-free chewing gum can help clean/protect teeth, it is no replacement for brushing and flossing. However, a sick of gum after lunch or dinner can help dislodge food and stimulate protective salivary flow. 

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you have any other questions on oral hygiene, flossing, brushing or toothpaste choices, please give our office a call.

Bacteria on your toothbrush?

In a recent article, the American Dental Association recognized that where and how you store your toothbrush has a significant impact on the types of bacteria it harbors. Toothbrushes left sitting out on bathroom counters to dry harbor many types of bacteria, some associated with the "other" things we do in the bathroom. Fortunately, there is no scientific evidence that these bacteria can harm your mouth.

To keep the general level of bacteria on your toothbrush at its lowest, the ADA recommends rinsing with tap water after brushing and allowing the brush to air dry. Putting the brush in a case or cover can retain moisture and actually cause more bacterial growth between the bristles. The brush (or brush head in electric units) should be changed every three to four months to maximize their cleaning ability. 

Finally, it is important to remember to never share a toothbrush. We now understand that both gum disease and tooth decay are bacterial in nature, and that these bacteria can be transferred from person to person. This is particularly important for children under the age of three who are highly susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria. If you have any other questions on dental hygiene or oral health products, please give our office a call! 

Dental Sealants

February is the official National Children's Dental Health Month, as recognized by the ADA. Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry will be rolling out weekly topics relating to pediatric dentistry all month long. Make sure to check back regularly to catch all the great information. 

While Dental Sealants are appropriate for patients of all ages, they are most commonly placed on kids and teens to maximize their preventative ability. The pit and groove patterns of the chewing teeth create near-perfect food traps. In fact, they are often so deep and narrow that toothbrush bristles cannot reach the furthest depths. Bacteria can then grow in these areas undisturbed and fueled by a constant food source. This is the general pattern behind cavities on the biting (occlusal) surfaces of teeth.  

Sealants interrupt this process by physically filling in the deepest parts of these pits and grooves. With the space gone, the risk of developing cavities in these areas is significantly decreased. The process of placing a sealant takes about 45 minutes (depending on the number of teeth) and does not require a shot. We start by cleaning the teeth with gentle air abrasion. Once the teeth are free of saliva, bacteria and food, we place the material into all deep grooves. The procedure is finished by checking the patient's bite and making sure the sealant is well bonded to the tooth. 

It is important to understand that sealants only protect against decay on the biting surfaces of the teeth. Cavities between the teeth (another common area) are only prevented by proper brushing and flossing. Additionally, it is worth noting that sealants can fall off over time and are much more likely to fail if the patient's home care is insufficient. As always, the key is brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. If you have any more questions about sealants, what they do or why we place them, please give our office a call!

Fall Festivals, Winter Parties and Dental Woes

The next three months will be marked by office parties, fun sized candy bars and indulgent meals with your friends and loved ones. For many of us, this can also be a stressful time between end-of-year obligations and hosting family gatherings. Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry wants to take a moment to remind our patients about the risks posed during these fall/winter months, and how to manage them. Remember, it only takes a few easy changes to protect your teeth and save yourself from future dental headaches. 

Firstly, avoid marathon meals and snack sessions. Does that bowl of halloween candy call to you at all hours of the day? Every time we eat or drink anything other than water, our mouths become acidic enough to demineralize enamel for thirty minutes. If you eat one candy bar every half hour, your teeth would spend the whole day in this softened state. Likewise, the classic 4pm to 9pm holiday meals have the exact same effect. Minimize your risks by paying attention to the duration over which you are eating. By limiting yourself to three meals a day with light sugar/carb free snacks in between, you give you saliva a chance to use its natural remineralizing powers. 

Another way to avoid dental troubles this holiday season is to stay hydrated with water. When the thermometer drops, we often gravitate towards teas, coffees and other warm beverages. Unfortunately, these are often acidic, sugary and sipped over a long period of time. This creates a perfect storm for cavities and damaged enamel. Try to swap out some of your favorite fall/winter drinks for an old fashioned glass of water. This small change spares your teeth from demineralization, provides a rinsing effect and (if you are drinking tap water in Southern California) provides a beneficial dose of fluoride. Its a win-win-win!

Finally, make sure to take care of yourself! As the days get shorter and the calendars get more full, it becomes easy to forget the basics. Make sure to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. Additionally, don't ignore your regular dental cleanings and exams! It can make a huge difference in the longevity and comfort of your teeth. If you would like to know more about how to keep your teeth healthy this fall/winter season or schedule an exam, please give our office a call!

Dental Questions: What's the difference between sealants and fillings?

A recent study released by the Journal of the American Dental Association identified dental sealants as one of the most effective means of reducing cavities in children. Sealants were found to be more effective than fluoride varnish at preventing decay and are associated with a 70%-80% reduction in cavities in the pits and grooves of teeth. 

A dental sealant is administered by cleaning the tooth surface, fillings the grooves with a resin material and adjusting any high points that interfere with biting/chewing. This may sound similar to the way that a traditional dental filing is performed because it is essentially the same procedure. The main differences come from the goals of the treatments and the amount of modification to the tooth. 

A dental filling is provided to remove active decay from a tooth's enamel and dentin. They usually extend 3-5 millimeters into the tooth and are used as a reparative treatment. By taking out the damaged areas, we can halt bacteria's progression into the tooth. In contrast, a sealant is performed on an undecayed tooth as a preventative measure. Typically, no tooth structure is removed. The end goal is to "seal out" food and bacteria from the deep grooves in our teeth. These tiny nooks create a perfect spot to catch food, harbor bacteria and avoid cleaning (most times the grooves are too thin to be reached by a toothbrush bristle!). 

In total, there are many similarities between traditional fillings and sealants. However, placing a sealant takes less time, requires less tooth structure to be removed and is an overall less traumatic experience for young patients. If you would like to know if you or a family member would benefit from sealants, please call our office to schedule an appointment!