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Here’s Some Information You May Not Believe!

February 24, 2012

WELL, WE THOUGHT WE HAD HEARD ABOUT ALL the crazy dental trends here at our practice, but apparently we were wrong.

Remember the “tooth gap” fad that became popular back in the 1970s? Supermodels and celebrities caused young fans with perfect teeth to want a gap between their two front teeth! Well, if you thought that trend was surprising, you might not believe this new fad in the East!

Tokyo Dental Salon Specializes in Giving Girls “Crooked” Teeth:

images via OddityCentral and InventorSpot

Yup. Women in Japan are actually paying to make their teeth crooked. You heard us correctly. What we call “fangs” and “snaggle teeth,” are being referred to as “yaeba” in Japan—a term that directly translates to “double tooth.”

Famous celebrities and various blogs have begun popularizing this unique new look. These fang-like yaeba teeth are supposed to make the girls seem more cute and approachable, causing men to be more attracted to them. Consequently, women are spending upwards of $400 on these “stick-on” fangs. The procedure simply consists of a dentist applying the plastic teeth directly onto existing teeth with glue. Imagine how much harder flossing would be if you had a few extra teeth glued to your existing ones!

So, now we want to hear from you! What are your thoughts on these yaeba? Would you spend money to have us make your teeth crooked?

Two Minutes, Twice A Day

February 17, 2012

EXCUSES FOR NOT BRUSHING OFTEN are all over the map! In a recent survey conducted by the Chicago Dental Society, more than half of the dentists surveyed said that their patients’ top excuse for not brushing or flossing is that they don’t have enough time. We’ve definitely heard that excuse before here at our practice.

Fortunately, proper brushing techniques don’t require a lot of time at all! Simply brush for two minutes, twice a day…that’s only 240 seconds total. If it really is a time issue you’re dealing with, set your alarm clock back 2 minutes. Your oral health is worth it and your smile will thank you!

Now, although two minutes really isn’t very long in the grand scheme of things, it can seem like a long time to brush your teeth if you’re used to a 20-second scrub. So, next time you’re in the bathroom brushing, bring along your phone and time yourself!

To properly brush your teeth, use gentle strokes and pay extra attention to your gum line, those hard-to-reach places, and the areas surrounding your fillings or crowns. If you concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section of your mouth, those 2 minutes will fly by!Here is a great video by Colgate that illustrates proper brushing techniques:

By the way, among the most interesting responses from that same survey suggested that pets crave toothbrushes as well as homework. But now that you’re motivated to take your brushing and flossing seriously, you won’t need to pretend like the dog ate your toothbrush! You’ll be a brushing pro.

If you have any additional questions about maintaining good oral hygiene, feel free to leave a comment below!

Oh, and be sure to Like us on Facebookand visit our website for additional information!

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Are You Using Mouthwash?

February 10, 2012

EVEN THE MOST DILIGENT FLOSSERS AND BRUSHERS sometimes forget about the added benefits of mouthwash.

But don’t worry—even if you already brush, floss, AND rinse with mouthwash everyday, you’ll find this content useful. The affect that mouthwash has on your oral health is often dependent upon the type of mouthwash you use.

So, before we get into the do’s and don’ts of choosing a mouthwash, let’s talk a little bit about why we recommend it.

Not only can mouthwashes make our mouths feel and smell fresher, they help prevent cavities and periodontal disease. They also help reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria in our mouths. However, don’t let these facts fool you into depending on mouthwash alone! Brushing and flossing are still essential to our oral health as rinses cannot adequately remove food and plaque on their own—they simply help prevent plaque.

Now, what’s the key difference between all the varieties of mouthwashes? Frankly, some help more than others, and some may even contain ingredients that should probably be avoided. For example, fluoride helps prevents cavities, but sodium lauryl sulfate tends to dry and irritate mouths, especially if you suffer from canker sores.

Be careful when choosing your mouthwash, and feel free to ask Drs. Bradley and Dr. Boswellfor a recommendation that will suit your specific dental needs!

Here’s a little cheat sheet of ingredients to look for that should help you in the meantime.

If you have any additional questions regarding mouthwashes or dentistry in general, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Facts About Teeth

February 3, 2012

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CURIOUS about all the odd facts dental professionals like Drs. Bradley and Dr. Boswell have floating around in their heads all day? Well, it’s your lucky day! Let’s switch things up a bit and devote a post entirely to random dental facts. Sound fun?

Did you know…

  • Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in a human’s body.
  • Toothbrush bristles were originally made from cow hair.
  • A shark goes through about 40 SETS of teeth during its lifetime.
  • A person’s teeth set is unique—much like their fingerprints. Even identical twins do not have exactly the same set of teeth. Did you know that your tongue print is also unique?
  • The average woman smiles about 62 times a day! A man? Only 8!
  • Kids laugh around 400 times a day. Adults… just 15.
  • According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day. The recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.
  • People who are right-handed typically chew their food on the right side of their mouth. Left handers? The left side.
  • 50% of people consider the smile the first facial feature they notice.
  • 80% of people are not happy with their smile.
  • 78% of Americans have had at least one cavity by age 17.
  • 32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of a co-worker.
  • According to the recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey, 92% of Americans believe that an attractive smile is an important social asset.

Well, there you have it! We hope you enjoyed those facts! It never hurts to know a little more about your smile. Contact us if you have any other dental-related questions or to set up an appointment!Oh, and please “Like” us on Facebooktoo!

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!