Dental hygiene clinic serves ISU, public

POCATELLO — Idaho State University, teachers and students in the Arthur D. Tranmer Dental Hygiene Clinic in Pocatello know how to help people smile.

    Each day, students in ISU’s dental hygiene program are practicing their skills and learning new techniques in a very practical and literally hands-on way.

    The clinic allows advanced dental hygiene students to work alongside dentists and licensed dental hygienists to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to real life situations. February is National Children’s Dental Hygiene Month, but whether there happens to be a national spotlight on oral health or not, the clinic is ready to provide quality dental care for the campus community and the public at large.

    The clinic serves approximately 1,400 patients per year and has been in operation since 1963. ISU’s Dental Hygiene program is looking forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.   

    After two years of fulfilling prerequisite course studies, dental hygiene students can apply for entrance into ISU’s bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene. Department head Kristin Calley explained that ISU is one of the few universities in the U.S. that offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

    “Our philosophy has always been that our students are prepared to practice dental hygiene anywhere in the U.S. or internationally,” she said. “We’ve set the bar high to insure that they have a wide variety of experiences.”

    Calley explained that one of the major benefits ISU students gain from working in the clinic is the opportunity to perform direct patient care in a supervised clinical setting.

    Indeed, this clinical experience is one of the requirements for graduating from the program.

    During the three semesters of practical training required in the dental hygiene program, students gradually see more patients per semester with a wide variety of oral needs and conditions.

    The level of expertise needed to satisfy the needs of these patients increases with each semester, so that students have an opportunity to gain experience working with more challenging conditions.

    Kambree Meudt and Jennifer Kelley are two ISU seniors in the program who are excited and motivated by their work in the clinic. Besides being good friends, they study in the classroom and work in the clinic together, as they prepare for graduation in May, and look forward to getting started in their profession.   

    “In the clinic atmosphere we work on patients, giving cleanings, doing radiographs, fluoride applications, and education,” Kelley said. “It’s been quite a learning experience to learn how to use the different instruments, and to see all the different oral conditions. It’s been awesome.”

    It’s a well-known truism that most people don’t enjoy a visit to the dentist’s office and often experience anxiety, if not downright fear, at the thought of sitting in the dental chair. But Kambree Meudt would like to change that, at least for the people she works with as a dental hygienist.

    “So far I have been able to help patients who have been anxious by being forthright and communicating with them the entire time,” she explained. “If you don’t leave them in the dark, then they don’t have as much fear about what’s going on.”

    Meudt feels that her experience working with patients at the clinic and learning from professors and professionals there has been invaluable to her future.

    “I have learned self-discipline and how to manage my time and I’ve also learned how to put others first,” she said. “One thing I try to take home every day is the idea, ‘Did I help someone today? Did I change anything for the better?’”  

    After graduation, Meudt would like to work in private practice. And after gaining several years of experience, she would consider continuing her studies in the master’s program at ISU.  

    Kelley is also set to graduate from ISU’s dental hygiene program in May and is looking forward to using her skills in private practice. The 24-year-old Colorado native would like to stay in Pocatello and hopes to also get involved in public health programs and public health education programs.

    “I love it here,” Kelley said.  

    Kelley says she was drawn to a career in dentistry because of her positive personal experiences when going to the dentist.

    “I was researching different careers, and I decided to join the ISU Dental Hygiene program,” Kelley explained. “I just find it very interesting,” she said.

    Both Kelley and Meudt are confident that ISU’s program has prepared them well for a career in dental hygiene and that the skills and techniques they have learned while working in the clinic will carry over into their new profession.

    “They have taught us to be very professional,” said Kelley. “They’re tough on us, but it’s a good tough because we are much better clinicians for it.”

    “I will definitely take into private practice the professionalism and skills I’ve learned at the clinic,” added Meudt. “It’s a very demanding program and very challenging, but I know that I’ll be a good clinician because I’ve been well trained.”

Source: Idaho State Journal / http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_a0061162-7ff0-11e2-8427-001a4bcf887a.html

Caroline Zimmerman: Oral health access an issue for many Mainers

Dr. Michelle Mazur-Kary, president of the Maine Dental Association, wrote in her guest column (Feb. 3) about Maine’s “A” grade from the Pew Center on the States for dental sealants.

We wholeheartedly agree that the dental sealant grade is an important indication that Maine is doing well on prevention. However, in a separate evaluation, Pew found that Maine is performing much worse in providing care for those already suffering from dental disease.

A key part of the past success around prevention and dental sealants has been due to the collaborative approach that Maine has taken. Primary care providers, dental assistants, dental hygienists and dentists are able to apply dental sealants.

According to a December 2012 study (which the MDA helped fund), recent innovations in expanding the dental team for prevention has also increased access to care.

Another significant factor contributing to Maines success are Community Health Centers, leaders in team-based care, providing necessary access points for oral health and primary care in many communities.

Despite improvements in prevention, the shortage of dentists (especially in rural Maine) remains a very real problem. Fifteen out of the 16 Maine counties have federally designated dentist shortages. That means many people in rural Maine cant locate a dentist in their own hometown. According to the previously mentioned 2012 statewide study, two-thirds of Maine residents live in rural areas, but only 13.5 percent of dentists practice in those areas.

Maines shortage disproportionately affects our children. In 2010, only 45 percent of eligible MaineCare children received a dental service. That dropped significantly in 2011, to 35 percent. Equally troubling, contrary to the original column, only 24 percent of general dentists are accepting new MaineCare patients.

The problem is getting worse, too. That the same study concluded that, within the next five years, 23.7 percent of dentists in Maine plan to retire and 16.1 percent more expect to reduce their hours. That's a sum of 39.8 percent of dentists retiring or reducing hours in the next five years. At the same time, thousands more children will profit access to private dental insurance through the federal health care law next year.

Fewer dentists and more patients don't add up.

The fact that 86.5 percent of dentists aren't practicing in rural areas leaves too many people without a dentist when they are suffering from dental pain and disease. As a result, Mainers seek care in expensive emergency rooms for preventable dental problems.

On summit of the costs to the health care system and taxpayers, oral health has been shown to have a significant impact on other health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So when people have poorly managed oral health, their physical health is negatively impacted as well.

There are a number of potential solutions in addressing Maine's oral health access issues. One is to improve reimbursement rates for preventive and restorative oral health care in the Maine Care program for both children and adults.

Another option to address the shortage is to expand the dental team in Maine, much like medical practices have by using care teams that include physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Dental providers and patients could benefit by expanding the use of a team-based approach to care.

Maine has the opportunity to join Alaska and Minnesota and establish a dental hygiene therapist. Fifty-three other countries have had these professionals for decades. Studies show that dental hygiene therapists provide quality care and effectively increase access to dental care.

There is much to be proud of, in terms of what Maine has been able to accomplish, including the success of CHCs in increasing access to oral health. But sealants are just one aspect of comprehensive dental care.

Far too many Mainers continue to forego dental care or wait until they are in serious pain to go to expensive emergency rooms for care. It will take a comprehensive, team-based approach to care to improve the treatment and prevention of dental disease for people of all ages.


Source: Sun Journal / http://www.sunjournal.com/news/0001/11/30/colczimmerman022013-col/1323948

Dental health on decline for Chicago's needy

As more than 30,000 dental experts descend on McCormick Place for their winter meeting this week, a new report issues a stark warning: The Chicago area's dental safety net — the oral care it provides to underserved patients — "is in the midst of collapse."

From 2006 to 2011, more than a quarter of the region's low-cost dental clinics were shut, according to a 30-page white paper released Thursday by the Chicago Dental Society. The report details how the local availability of dental treatment has declined for the neediest patients, leading to what one dentist calls a "perfect storm of an oral health crisis."

They have "almost nowhere to go" at this point, said Dr. Susan Becker Doroshow, secretary of the dental society. "The path for them is already irreversible."

Most factors cited in the report could apply to any municipality — strained budgets, fundamental misconceptions about oral care and shrinking income thanks to stubborn unemployment. But the dental safety net in Cook County and Chicago is especially vulnerable, according to oral health advocates.

"The economy has hit our area hard," Doroshow said. "When people are strapped financially, they take away the things from their budget they think are the easiest to postpone."

In 2011, more than half of Chicago-area residents surveyed by the dental society said they put off dental treatment in the past year because they couldn't afford it.

Delaying oral care could be disastrous. Every year, dental health-related illnesses are responsible for 20.5 million days of missed work and 51 million hours of missed school, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last spring, Illinois lawmakers approved a $1.6 billion cut to the state's Medicaid program, resulting in what many dentists describe as an "emergency-only" program for adults. The remaining service, they say, does nothing to curb the underlying problems that can often lead to emergency treatment.

Today, Illinois ranks 48th in the nation for Medicaid reimbursement, with the state paying back Medicaid dentists just over half what it gives hospitals and pediatricians.

The white paper recommends expanding Medicaid coverage, motivating more dentists to treat underserved patients, refining public health data and drawing more dental care advocates into local government.

Although the report notes neither Cook County nor Chicago currently has a dental care director, the city Health Department has taken steps to increase access, partnering with Chicago Public Schools to provide preventive treatment to about 100,000 students.

Dr. David Miller, Illinois' chief dentist and a former state representative, said the report illustrates the increasing difficulty of advocating for oral care.

"When I was there, it was a lot easier," Miller joked about his time in the Illinois General Assembly, noting dental authorities have to "educate legislators continuously" to keep dentistry-related funding off the chopping block.

For Samah Onaissi, 26, the importance of preventive care became obvious when he walked into a University of Illinois at Chicago dental clinic four months ago. The master's degree student at the Illinois Institute of Technology recently returned from visiting family in Colombia and Lebanon and realized he hadn't seen a dentist in more than six months.

"So I didn't have any evaluation or assessment for a long time," he said during an appointment Wednesday at the UIC College of Dentistry clinic, which is run by undergraduate students. "Coming here, initially, was because of an emergency. Now I'm here regularly."

The decline in low-cost dental clinics has turned Illinois' dental schools like UIC into "de facto clinics," according to the report. Dr. Michael Santucci said he's "very happy to accept" underserved patients at the UIC clinic, but not every Illinois resident has that luxury.

The state has three dental schools: two in the Chicago area and one about 300 miles away near Illinois' southwestern border with St. Louis.

"We can see patients from the Chicago area, but what about patients from Rockford or Peoria?" said Santucci, who is on the dental society's Access to Care committee. "Those patients are not going to have dental care."

The society points to its fundraising arm as one model of propping up the safety net. The Chicago Dental Society Foundation used public and private donations to open a free clinic in Wheaton along public-transit routes that will offer preventive treatment, not just emergency operations, starting next month.

Still, dental professionals agreed that one clinic can't change the political mind set that oral care is "fluff in the budget," as Doroshow puts it.

"These aren't incidental things," Doroshow said. "These are critical to quality of life."

Source: Chicago Tribune / http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-chicago-dental-care-0221-20130221,0,7789444.story

IDA's New Dental Marketing Websites Find More Dental Insurance Cases

The new dental marketing websites from Internet Dental Alliance let dentists easily set up their own lead generation campaigns to find the kinds of patients they want – like dental insurance cases.

(PRWEB) February 18, 2013

Dental insurance can be a controversial topic among dentists. But for doctors who practice in locations where dental insurance is used by a large number of new patients, it makes good dental marketing sense to let these patients know they are welcome. The new dental websites (New Patient Portals) from Internet Dental Alliance, Inc. (IDA) make it so easy for dentists to get the word out that they can have their Portal running online in less than 10 minutes.

"If you practice in a dental market where you need to take insurance to keep chairs filled, IDA's Portals can be customized to attract the kinds of new patients that will increase your bottom line," says Jim Du Molin, dental marketing and management guru, and founder of Internet Dental Alliance, Inc. "By strategically optimizing your dental websites with keywords that your patients use when they search online, you gain more cases and more control over your cash flow."

IDA dental marketing Portals are easily set up using the dentist's online Control Panel. There dentists indicate that dental insurance will be the focus for the Portal, and they choose from among hundreds of pre-written articles on the topic. These articles work along with IDA's automated search engine optimization (SEO) technology to create an authoritative yet personalized Portal in minutes that is designed to attract potential local patients searching online for those topics.

Once it is published, the Portal is available online to attract new patient leads 24/7. To learn more about IDA's New Patient Marketing Machine, and more than 25 different dental care markets dentists can target, visit http://InternetDentalAlliance.com/.

About Internet Dental Alliance, Inc.
IDA is North America's largest provider of dental directories, websites for dentists and email patient newsletters. Its unique lead generation technology automates dental SEO and content marketing and allows doctors to begin generating new patient leads within minutes of set up. It automatically optimizes IDA Web Portals for each dental office using geo-targeted local search terms. Internet Dental Alliance provides online dental marketing dental marketing services such as dental website design, marketing newsletters, and other dental management advice and resources.

Soure: SFGate /  http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/IDA-s-New-Dental-Marketing-Websites-Find-More-4288692.php#ixzz2LRr5Epb3

Health Net Helping Raise Awareness of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and Health Net, Inc. (HNT) reminds parents and caregivers about how to prevent early childhood caries (ECC), otherwise known as “baby bottle tooth decay.”

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines ECC as the presence of one or more decayed or missing teeth or fillings in a child up to 71 months of age.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ECC can occur when a child’s teeth come in contact with too much sugar. Sugar facilitates the growth of bacteria, and bacteria-produced acids can, in turn, cause tooth decay.

The NIH additionally notes that ECC often can be traced specifically to liquids that contain sugar, including milk, formula, fruit juices, and soft drinks. The NIH additionally points out that the potential for ECC increases if a child sleeps or walks around with a bottle or training cup containing a sugary liquid, because the sugar coats their teeth for longer periods of time, causing teeth to decay more quickly.

“What many people don’t realize is that children who don’t receive appropriate dental care can grow up to become adults with poor dental health,” says Robert Shechet, D.D.S., director of dental programs for Health Net, Inc.

Shechet explained that – as part of Health Net’s efforts to help reduce the incidence of ECC and to set youngsters on a lifelong path of good dental health – the company is working with primary care physicians to educate parents regarding the importance of:

•     Scheduling a dental visit for children within six months of their first tooth appearing, but no later than age 1;
•     Switching from bottles to cups by age 1; and
•     Helping children brush their teeth until age 7 and teaching them the importance of oral hygiene and good nutrition.

ECC Takes Significant Toll

ECC is a serious medical issue. In fact, as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ECC is the single most common chronic childhood disease, as it is five times more common than asthma, and seven times more common than hay fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ECC among children younger than 6 years is prevalent, affecting nearly half of U.S. 5 year olds, despite being highly preventable. The CDC further notes that ECC is associated with lifelong cavities, because the process that results in cavities – once established – tends to be stable and chronic.

The ADA adds that ECC exacts a significant toll on children, affecting their development, school performance and behavior. And the NIH points out that ECC often leads to pain and infection necessitating hospitalization for dental extractions.

Preventing ECC

To prevent tooth decay, the NIH recommends the following actions:

•     Do not fill your child’s bottle with fluids that are high in sugar, such as punch or soft drinks;
•     Put your child to bed with a bottle of water only – not juice, milk, or other drinks;
•     Give children ages 6 months through 12 months only formula to drink in bottles;
•     Remove the bottle or stop nursing when your child has fallen asleep;
•     Avoid letting your child walk around using a bottle of juice or milk as a pacifier;
•     Avoid prolonged use of pacifiers, and do not dip pacifiers in honey, sugar, or syrup;
•     Work toward eliminating your child’s use of a bottle by age 12 months to 14 months; and
•     Limit juice to fewer than 6 ounces per day during meals.

In relation to caring for your child's teeth, the NIH shares these tips:

•     After each feeding, gently wipe your child’s teeth and gums with a clean washcloth or gauze to remove plaque;
•     Begin tooth brushing as soon as your child has teeth. Brush your teeth together, at least at bedtime. If you have an infant or toddler, place a small amount of non-fluoridated toothpaste on a washcloth and rub it gently on their teeth. You can switch to fluoridated toothpaste when you are sure that your child spits out all of the toothpaste after brushing. Older children can use a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles. Use a very small amount of toothpaste (no more than the size of a pea);
•     Start flossing children’s teeth when all of the primary (baby) teeth have erupted (usually around 36 months); and
•     If your baby is 6 months or older, use fluoridated water or a fluoride supplement if you have well water without fluoride. If you use bottled water, make sure it contains fluoride.

Medical Advice Disclaimer

The information provided is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health provider for any questions you may have regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider’s instructions.

About Health Net
Health Net, Inc. is a publicly traded managed care organization that delivers managed health care services through health plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net provides and administers health benefits to approximately 5.4 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”), Medicaid, Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs programs. Through its subsidiaries, Health Net also offers behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs, managed health care products related to prescription drugs, managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers, and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net’s website at www.healthnet.com.

This release contains links to other sites that are not owned or controlled by Health Net. Please be aware that Health Net is not responsible for the contents linked or referred to from this release. Links to other websites are provided for the user’s convenience. Health Net does not express an opinion on the content or the properties of such linked websites and disclaims any liability in connection therewith. 




Resource: Yahoo! Finance / http://finance.yahoo.com/news/health-net-helping-raise-awareness-191500656.html;_ylt=A2KJjb0OGyBRSn8AjT7QtDMD

12 Best & Worst Foods for Your Teeth

If coffee, cigarettes, red wine and food have left their mark on your teeth, you’re not alone.  “The rule of thumb is anything that can stain a white T-shirt can stain your teeth too,” says Marc Liechtung, DMD, principal in New York-based Manhattan Dental Arts, a practice that specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry.

While you certainly don’t have to give up your morning cup of coffee or your evening glass of red wine, if your teeth are discoloring, you might want to consider consuming less and thoroughly rinsing your mouth with water after you’re done eating or drinking, according to Dr. Liechtung.

Dr. Liechtung’s dirty dozen foods that stain your teeth include:

1. Black Coffee and Black Tea—The darker the beverage, the more staining that can occur. So try adding a little extra milk to lighten the color and reduce the staining effect.

2. Wine—Both red and white wines, if taken in excess, will stain your teeth.   Although red stains, white wine’s acidic composition actually etches tiny grooves in your teeth, making them more porous and more easily stained.

3. Colas and Sports Drinks—Because they are so highly acidic, they help promote staining by other foods
.

4. Berries– Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, cherries and other berries, although excellent for your overall health, can stain your teeth. So, if you’re crazy for berries, be sure to rinse out your mouth thoroughly with water after each indulgence.

5. Sauces—Soy sauce and tomato sauce, as well as other deeply colored sauces, are believed to have significant staining potential.

6. Juice—Grape, pomegranate and cranberry are highly pigmented and can cause staining.  So, if you must imbibe, try rinsing your mouth out with water or drinking juices through a straw, thereby bypassing the fronts of your teeth.

7. Pickles and ketchup—These acidic foods are good at opening up the pores of your tooth enamel allowing for easy staining.

8. Balsamic Vinegar—While great on a salad, it can cause havoc to your teeth.  If you must, try it on lettuce, which has a natural ability to provide a protective film over your teeth.

 9. Candy–Sweets contain teeth-staining coloring agents. If your tongue turns a funny color, there’s a good chance that your teeth will too.

10. Beets—Now here’s a vegetable that could put a powerful stain in your t-shirt, so, like all foods that stain, moderation is called for with this one.

11. Curry—Although great on Indian food, this yellow-staining food flavoring can be harsh on teeth. So make sure to rinse thoroughly after indulging.

12. Popsicles—Did you ever look at your tongue after you’ve finished your fruity, sugary pop? Not only does it color your tongue, but also your teeth. Plus, it has an added double whammy negative effect because of all of that sugar.

But, did you know that Mother Nature has some natural solutions to whitening your pearly whites?  Here is Dr. Liechtung’s list of tooth-whitening foods:

12 Tooth Whitening Foods

1. Apples, pears and guavas increase salivary production which flushes away stains over time.

2. Cauliflower and cucumbers also help to increase salivary production, the natural way to flush away stains.

3. Cheese is rich in protein, calcium and phosphorus, all of which can help safeguard  against the acids in your mouth.

4. Sesame seeds help scrub away plaque. (Read more reasons to love sesame seeds.)

5. Salmon provides calcium and vitamin D, nutrients needed for healthy bones and teeth.

6. Shiitake mushrooms help inhibit bacteria from growing in your mouth.

7. Onions help reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay.

8. Pineapple acts as a natural stain remover.

9. Green vegetables like broccoli, lettuce and spinach contains iron which helps form an acid-resistant film or barrier that can help scrub away stubborn stains and protect the enamel on your teeth.

10. Ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory to support healthy mouth tissue.

11. Carrots contain vitamin A, which is needed for healthy tooth enamel.

12. Basil is a natural antibiotic that reduces bacteria in the mouth.




Source: Care2 / http://www.care2.com/greenliving/12-best-and-worst-foods-for-your-teeth.html

How to keep your teeth clean

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.. For more tips, here are some more tips that you could do to keep your teeth healthy.

Plaque is a film of bacteria that coats your teeth if you don't brush them properly. It contributes to gum disease, tooth decay and cavities.

Tooth brushing stops plaque building up. It isn't just about moving some toothpaste around your mouth, though. You need to concentrate on the nooks and crannies to make sure you remove as much plaque and leftover bits of food as possible.

When should I brush my teeth?

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning before breakfast and last thing at night before you go to bed.

Never brush your teeth straight after a meal as it can damage your teeth, especially if you've had fruit, fizzy drinks, wine or any other food that contains acid.

This is because tooth enamel is softened by the acid and can be worn away by brushing. Instead, wait an hour after a meal before brushing your teeth to give your saliva chance to neutralise the acid.
Should I use an electric or manual toothbrush?

It doesn't matter whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush. They're both equally good as long as you brush with them properly. However, some people find it easier to clean their teeth thoroughly with an electric toothbrush.
What should I look for in a toothbrush?

For most adults, a toothbrush with a small head and a compact, angled arrangement of long and short, round-end bristles is fine. Medium or soft bristles are best for most people. Use an electric brush with an oscillating or rotating head. If in doubt, ask your dentist.
What type of toothpaste should I use?

The cleaning agents and particles in toothpaste help to remove plaque from your teeth, keeping them clean and healthy.

Most toothpastes also contain fluoride, which helps to prevent and control cavities. It’s important to use a toothpaste with the right concentration of fluoride. Check the packaging to find out how much fluoride each brand contains.

•     Children aged up to three: use a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm (parts per million) fluoride.
•     Children aged three to six: use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.
•     Adults: use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,450ppm fluoride.

It's fine for babies and children to use the family toothpaste rather than a special children's toothpaste, provided it contains the right concentration of fluoride.
How to brush your teeth

The British Dental Health Foundation gives the following advice on how to brush your teeth:

    Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth, then tilt the bristle tips to a 45 degree angle against the gum line. Move the brush in small circular movements, several times, on all the surfaces of every tooth.
    Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower, keeping the bristles angled against the gum line.
    Use the same method on the inside surfaces of all your teeth.
    Brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
    To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small circular strokes with the toe (the front part) of the brush.
    Brushing your tongue will freshen your breath and clean your mouth by removing bacteria.

How to floss

Flossing isn't just for dislodging food wedged between your teeth. Regular flossing may also reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line.

•     Take 12-18 inches (30-45cm) of floss and grasp it so that you have a couple of inches of floss taut between your hands.
•     Slip the floss between the teeth and into the area between your teeth and gums, as far as it will go.
•     Floss with 8 to 10 strokes, up and down between each tooth, to dislodge food and plaque.
•     Floss at least once a day. The most important time to floss is before going to bed.
•     You can floss before or after brushing.

You can use inter-dental brushes instead of flossing, especially if your teeth are very close together and you find it difficult to manoeuvre dental floss through the gap.

Avoid using toothpicks to remove trapped food from between your teeth, as you could cause your gums to bleed, which can lead to an infection.
Should I use mouthwash?

Yes, using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay and help get rid of any last bits of bacteria or leftover food that you might have missed with your toothbrush.

However, don't use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth. Choose a separate time, such as after lunch. And don't eat or drink for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash.

Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, so they're not suitable for children, as they could swallow them accidentally. If you use a mouthwash with alcohol, you may get a very dry mouth and dry, cracked lips due to the drying effect of the alcohol. You can avoid this by using an alcohol-free version.

Are plaque-disclosing tablets helpful?

Plaque-disclosing tablets work by dyeing plaque either blue or red and can be very useful at showing you which areas of your teeth you're not cleaning properly.

As the staining can last for some hours, it’s best to use these tablets at bedtime or when you're not expecting visitors. 

 Source: NHS Choices / http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Teethcleaningguide.aspx

General Dentists vs. Cosmetic Dentists: the Differences

In order to understand the main differences between cosmetic dentists and general dentists, keep reading.

Here is the whole article:

If you need an extraction, gum disease treatment, or other such general dental work done you will surely go to your general dentist. However, when you need dental work that focuses not only on the functionality of the teeth but also the overall aesthetics of the teeth, you should choose a reputable cosmetic dentist.

Cosmetic dentists will focus on creating beautiful teeth which are functional and healthy. A general dentist will typical focus on fixing problems, to make you feel comfortable and take the pain away, putting less stress on the importance of a Hollywood style smile.

Cosmetic dentists are trained specially to take into account the wishes of the patient. They know that patients must be 100% satisfied with the looks of their smile. General dentists might overlook this aspect and focus more on offering dental work that is correct from a medical point of view, and less perfect from an aesthetic point of view.

If you have ever got a filling for a molar at a general dentist, and then another filling at a cosmetic dentist, you already can see the difference. The filling offered by the cosmetic dentist has a perfect finish, you can almost not see the difference between your natural tooth and the filling.

It is not that general dentists do not offer high quality work, but if you are truly concerned about the perfect appearance of your smile, you should get work done at the cosmetic dentist.

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General dentists have a got a more medical-technical mindset. They will pay attention to details pertaining to the functionality of the tooth, to your overall oral health and other aspects. However, the cosmetic dentist will have that creativity it takes to create a smile which is perfect and beautiful, plus very functional.

Both dentists focus on technical details and the comfort of the patient, but the cosmetic dentist is empowered with that extra creativity to make things outstanding.

Cosmetic dentists undergo many years of specializing in the cosmetic field, after finishing general dental school. They need to master perfectly the art of cosmetic dentistry, and they need certifications and qualifications to use all those important materials such as porcelains, tinting agents, opaquers, or the very complex binding agents for teeth. In order to be able to create the most natural and perfect result, cosmetic dentists must know exactly how to use and combine all these materials.

Cosmetic dentists will learn a lot about the artistic concept of smile design. When they will fit dental veneers, they will take into consideration the shape of the face, the configuration of the jaw, skin complexion and many other such details.

They will not just place the veneers over the teeth, but make them blend in beautifully with the rest of the patient’s anatomic details. Cosmetic dentists also suggest changes in the dental structure, such as making the teeth shorter or wider in order to complement and highlight the overall features of the patient.

Source World Dental / http://worldental.org/dentists/general-dentists-vs-cosmetic-dentists-differences/9852/

California Dental Hygienists’ Association Offers Tips to Improve Health During Children’s Dental Health Month

Organization warns of connection between Childhood Obesity and Poor Oral Health.

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One of the hidden dangers of childhood obesity is the adverse impact the epidemic typically has on oral and overall health, the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) warned today at the beginning of Children’s Dental Health Month.

“We join the public health community in sounding the alarm on this national epidemic,” said Susan Lopez, CDHA’s president. “The importance of protecting sound oral health provides yet another reason for parents and caregivers to aggressively take steps to combat childhood obesity.”

“Obesity increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems, joint issues, and social or psychological issues such as discrimination and poor self-esteem. It also contributes to damaging teeth and promoting gum disease,” she said. For example, the same sugary beverages that contribute to obesity also destroy tooth enamel.

“Frequent snacking brings another red flag into the mix,” said Lopez, “because it creates a prolonged acidic environment in the mouth.” This condition damages teeth by making one more susceptible to both gum inflammation and cavities.

Protecting baby teeth, which are present in the mouth until approximately 12 years of age, is critical because of the role they play in the development and eruption of adult teeth. Dental issues, such as large cavities, can affect childhood development in several ways:

(1) Decay can affect a child’s ability to function or concentrate in school due to pain. A UCLA research study stated that 7 percent of California children, ages 5-17, missed at least one day of school due to a dental problem in the last year.

(2) Cavities can make chewing food thoroughly difficult, affecting digestion.

(3) Missing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce words correctly, affecting social communication.

(4) Cavities and missing teeth can affect self-esteem and acceptance if decayed teeth are visible when smiling.

In keeping with its mission to promote better oral health, the CDHA is promoting a healthier lifestyle by offering a few practical suggestions to alter the epidemic of obesity:

        Limit the consumption of soda whenever possible – opt for tap water.

        If not drinking water, opt for milk or 100% diluted fruit juice.

        Limit snacks to no more than twice a day – put the focus on meal times.

        When snacking, avoid sweets and junk food. Snacks high in protein and low in carbohydrates are better choices. String cheese, yogurt, carrots, apples or almonds can easily substitute for crackers or chips; they keep kids satisfied longer and blood sugar levels steady.

        Keep portions small. Beware of oversized portions when eating out.

        Talk to your pediatrician about a healthy weight range for your child.

        Encourage children to thoroughly chew their food.

        Parents should assist children under the age of seven in brushing and flossing their teeth for at least two minutes every morning and evening.

        Sugar-free gum, mints or candy with xylitol (a natural sweetener that prevents cavities and has a lower glycemic index), can be a treat between or after meals.

        Children with orthodontic appliances (braces, retainers, expanders, etc.) require extra oral hygiene care to keep teeth and gums healthy. Ask your dental hygienist if there are special oral hygiene aids that they can recommend to make cleaning easier. Effective brushing and flossing can keep cavities and inflammation away, keeping orthodontic treatment on schedule and dental visits to a minimum.

“These relatively small adjustments in everyday habits can make a big difference in the oral health of children,” said Lopez. CDHA encourages incremental healthy lifestyle changes to promote better oral and overall health.

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The California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state’s dental hygiene profession. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists in California and is dedicated to expanding opportunities for the profession and access to care for all Californians.

Source: PRWeb / http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10381708.htm