Whoa baby! We’ve had many patients and even one of our own team members’ welcome new babies into the world just within the last few months. Along with all the other many things to learn about at this exciting time in their lives, we cannot forget about protecting those infants against cavities! You may be thinking: “Cavities?! My baby doesn’t even have teeth yet!” Though their teeth may not begin to erupt until they are near 6 months of age, it is not too early to start their preventative care. Before an infant is even born, they are already acquiring flora or ‘normal’ bacteria from their mothers. After birth, they are introduced to even more bacteria through contact with their mothers and other family members. The cavity causing bacteria named S. mutans is passed from person to baby through fingers, airborne saliva droplets and even kissing those cute baby faces! That’s right; the flora in your own mouth can be passed along to your new borns. Once the bacteria are introduced, there is no removing it entirely. Your job as parents will simply be to limit the amount of exposure your baby receives, and minimize the bacteria daily by keeping up on your infants oral hygiene. Before teeth erupt, a wet wash cloth can be used inside of their mouth by gently sweeping along their gums and cheeks. Once the teeth are in, a soft infant tooth brush can be used either with water, or non-fluoridated toothpaste. By reducing the amount of S. mutans bacteria in your baby’s mouth, you can lower their chances at having cavities early in their childhood. Next time you’re in to visit one of our hygienists, ask them for recommendations on the best hygiene aids for your child!

Did you know that the first toothbrushes were used as long ago as 3000BC? They were made with wild boar hair which served as a stiff bristles to help clean biofilm off of teeth. Throughout history many other things have been used as well. Everything from horse hair toothbrushes to the Miswaak stick which naturally contains calcium and fluoride. Today we have evolved to the nylon bristled brush that comes in many shapes and forms. A good toothbrush will be based on each patient’s individual needs. Take a walk down the toothbrush isle and see how many options there are! The style of brush is not as significant as the type of bristle. Soft or extra soft bristles play an important role in maintaining your optimum tooth and gum health. You may be tempted to try medium or hard bristles, but these can cause recession and abrasion. Soft is still a better way to go! Next time you’re out shopping for your next toothbrush, take a look at all the options out there. You may just find you’ll like something new. Remember the most important thing is that you are brushing twice daily for 2 or more minutes at a time. The best times to visit your dentist are during preventative and routine care visits! Good oral hygiene can help keep your visits to us at a minimum.  

Did you know that our office offers Nitrous Oxide? Sometimes referred to as “laughing gas”. Perhaps for those of you who have not had the best dental experiences in the past, this can be a great option to help relax you during dental procedures. Aside from our already friendly staff, the TV’s in each room, neck pillows, massage chairs and sometimes even a malt or shake after more difficult procedures, some patients still need a little extra help to relax.

N2O2 was first used in dentistry in 1844. Today its uses have been expanded to many other things like whipped cream, auto racing and even scuba diving. The way it works here at the office is simple. Once you arrive to the office, we’ll recline you back to a comfortable position and place the nose shield on. Once you’ve taken a few deep breaths in, you’ll begin to feel much lighter and relaxed, making your whole appointment much more enjoyable. Before we release you, we turn the oxygen which will make you feel normal and alert. You will be fully capable of driving once you leave the office.

If you think you may be interested in using this for any of your next appointments, call our front desk staff to discuss this option. We are happy to do anything to make your next procedure as enjoyable as possible!