We are here to bust 2 common oral hygiene myths for all of you. These are things we think you should know!

1. Myth: The harder you brush, the better it is.

Truth: Brushing with medium or hard bristles, or brushing with heavy pressure can actually wear your gums away exposing your softer, not as strong root surfaces. Exposed root surfaces can cause sensitivity and are even more susceptible to decay. So, we recommend using a soft bristled brush and gentle pressure while brushing. Remember, it’s not about brushing harder, it’s about brushing longer. Two full minutes, twice daily will give you the best possible results.

2. Myth: When using toothpaste, apply a long strip of paste to cover the length of your brush. That’s what they do on the commercials, isn’t it?

Truth: If you read the directions on your tube of toothpaste, it instructs you to apply only a pea size amount of paste. This small amount is all it takes to effectively aid in cleaning your teeth. Using more than this can cause build up in your bristles. This build up hibernates dirty mouth bacteria and compromise the integrity of your bristles. So, stick to the directions and use only a pea size. You will even save money in the long run!

Everyone knows that our ultimate goal for oral hygiene is to brush twice daily, (2 min each time) and floss once daily. But, the most  frequent conversation with our patients is that they need to increase flossing! Flossing helps to control bacteria that can cause gum disease and also cavities in between the teeth. Skipping your daily flossing routine increases the bacteria build up, thus increasing your chances to have gum disease or decay. Think of what you’re risking before you skip flossing! As we always say:  Preventative care is the cheapest and easiest care you can receive.

Technique can be important to ensure you’re getting the best results possible. So, take a minute to watch this video. It has great instructions and great visuals. Happy flossing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcNf2bZFrRU

Watched the video and still hate flossing? Talk with your Dental Hygienist about alternative options like floss picks, Soft Piks or even a Waterpik.

Researchers are always digging deeper and looking harder for new information that will help improve our oral health. Some recent evaluations of existing evidence now indicates that people who have higher amounts of Viatmin D in their system are at a lower risk for cavities. In fact, they are seeing that it is an astounding 50% reduction in decay!!

The following study was done on children between the ages of 2 and 16 years old. Children who are deficient in Vitamin D are more likely to have delayed tooth eruption and tooth decay.  Take a look at this article for details: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/253298.php

So, where does Vitamin D come from? The best sources of this great vitamin are: the sunlight, fortified milk and yogurt, some cereal,salmon, eggs and cheese. 15 minutes a day of sunlight (don’t forget your sun screen!) provides a prefect amount of Vitamin D.

It’s time we take a break from everything dental. After all, it IS summertime! The kids are home on summer break and they are already telling you they’re bored, right? Well, check out a couple of these fun summertime crafts from spoonful.com. We think they might like them!

Nature t-shirts are a great way to get the kids out and active, and allow them to show their creativity: http://spoonful.com/crafts/nature-t-shirt

Keep the un-wanted creatures out of your garden with this garden noisemaker: http://spoonful.com/crafts/garden-noisemaker

During your next trip to the beach, have the kids collect some rocks and stones. They can make their very own pet rocks: http://spoonful.com/crafts/pet-rocks

Here at Elmbrook Family Dental, our favorite new patients are those referred by our current loyal patients. Referral of your friends and family is the best compliment we can get! These referrals have helped our practice grow to the lengths that it has. Each patient is valuable to us and we are so thankful for each one of you. In fact, we are so thankful for each of you that when you refer friends and family members, we will send you a gift! That’s right, for each person you send to our office above the age of 18, we will send you a token of our appreciation. Our gifts over the last few years have been gift cards to local restaurants and even movie tickets. Thank you again for your trust and confidence.

You may know that sugar can be bad for your teeth. Because of this, many people think it is safe to drink diet soda and be saved from tooth decay. But, did you know that diet soda is still acidic? That’s right; although diet soda has no sugar, the ingredients in them cause an acidic environment which is conducive to decay. If you have read our previous blog titled “Acid Erosion”, you are familiar with the chemical form of acid erosion which is caused by food and liquids in your diet.

Indications of erosion can be a dark or stained look to your teeth, a soft feeling, cupping or abnormal wearing of your enamel. Individuals that are at highest risk are those who drink diet soda in larger amounts and sip over long periods of time. We won’t tell you not to enjoy a soda at all, but if you must have one, enjoy it with a meal. Be sure you are not exposing yourself to acids in regular or diet soda over an extended period of time. Remember the phrase: “Sip all day, get decay”.

This article has some great information on diet soda and tooth decay. It even compares it to people people with drug addictions to Meth. So, take a look at the following link: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/05/23/diet-soda-habit-as-bad-for-teeth-as-meth-addiction-study-claims

The pacifier debate can be controversial among parents. When is the right time? The truth is, there is an age that is best for a child to quit the pacifier! So, read a little bit about the appropriate age and the reasons, then make the change.

At about the age of two years, dentists may advise you begin to wean your child off of the nuk or pacifier. At this age, a lot of growth is occurring with your childs palate. These plates are expanding and beginning to create the shape they will have for the rest of their life. The pacifier can begin to make the palate high an narrow, increasing your childs chances of needing expensive orthodontic work in the future. Sometimes these orthodontic procedures may even include a palate expander. Aside from the dental considerations, there are other reasons to wean your little one off of their pacifier. Studies have shown that extended use of pacifiers can be related to delayed or incorrect speech, swallowing problems, and can even prevent a child from developing coping skills during stressful situations.

Any parent who has gone through it knows that weaning is easier said than done! But, before you consider putting it off, remember the negative outcomes that can come from extended pacifier use. So, here are some tips and suggestions that some moms we know how used:

*Make a trade. Tell your child that when they are ready, they can pick out a new book or toy in exchange for their pacifier.

*Poke a pin hole in the rubber part of each pacifier. This will make the sucking sensation less enjoyable and they may desire to have it less.

*Leave the pacifiers under their pillow for the “pacifier fairy”. When they wake up, there will be a special note and surprise waiting for them.

*Make it a slower transition. At or before the age of two, start limiting access to pacifiers to only nap and bed time. Avoid it during the day, in the car and when you’re out and about. Make the child aware of all the “big boys” and “big girls” they see that do not have a pacifier. Then, take them away during naps, then eventually during night time.

Whichever strategy you use, remember that your child is giving up a symbol of comfort. Be patient, be understanding, but stay strong. There comes a time every child has to let go, so just remember that this is only for his or her own good. In the end, the benefits will outweigh the tears and hard nights.

We have all had bitewing  x-rays. You know, two x-rays on each side that help us detect cavities between the teeth. But, did you know that we also check for the level of your jaw bone, nerve size, margins of existing fillings and even large pieces of build up? That’s right! We get all that information from 4 little pictures.

The guidelines we use to determine how often to take these radiographs may vary from patient to patient based on their needs. If you are at a high risk and have a history of decay or many fillings and crowns, we may choose to take bitewings twice a year. This is because early diagnostics means cheaper, easier repair. If you have a low risk or minimal history of decay and restorative work, we may choose to take your x-rays every 1.5 years instead. This is generally the longest we will wait to take x-rays in order to ensure we can diagnose abnormalities before they get out of control.

So, before you decide to forego your next x-rays, discuss the risks you may be taking, and the benefits of taking those x-rays with your dental professional. They may be able to ease your mind and answer questions you have. Just remember, fixing decay while it can repaired as a filling sure beats fixing decay after it has reached the nerve and needs a root canal!

By now you may know that your mouth is related to the health of the rest of your body. Oral bacteria has been directly correlated to cardiac conditions, Alzheimer disease and even diabetes. We cannot say that any of these diseases cause oral conditions, or that oral conditions cause the disease, but we do know there is a direct correlation.

Because patients with diabetes also often have periodontal disease, it is more likely they will experience tooth loss. 1 out of every 5  patients without teeth are diabetic. So, what causes the tooth loss? Periodontal disease starts as an active infection deep below the gum line. It then begins to destroy bone. If not treated and controlled with regular dental visits and periodontal treatment, the bone loss eventually leads to loose teeth and even the complete loss of teeth.

Staying on a regular cleaning and exam schedule will help your dental provider detect any of these problems early and prevent further progression of more severe periodontal disease. We may need to see you more frequently for cleanings, but the end result with be maintaining your own natural smile for many years! Our staff can evaluate your needs as a diabetic patient and come up with the best treatment for you.

We all know that preventing cavities is the cheapest and easiest dental care there is. We do our best to prevent cavities by brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. Have you considered that avoiding certain food, or eating certain other foods can provide a healthy, cavity free mouth?

Avoiding candy, soda (even diet!), sugary foods and foods high in acid are a given. Enjoy these in moderation.

Aside from the obvious sweets and acids, it is also important to know that sources of carbohydrates like crackers and pretzels convert into sugars in your mouth very quickly.  After these snacks are chewed up and combined with your saliva, they become lodged in the nooks and crannies around your teeth creating a higher decay risk.

If you must enjoy foods like this, be sure not to do it over an extended period of time. and either brush or rinse with water afterwards. This will help remove the sugars and acids from your teeth and help reduce plaque build up.

Did you know that cheese and other dairy are not only an excellent source of calcium, but also contain a protein called casein that may repair and stabilize tooth enamel? We know Wisconsin residents are thankful to learn that!

Green leafy vegetables are great for our entire digestive system, starting with the mouth. Chewing fresh spinach leafs or a nice green salad stimulates a healthy salivary flow and also helps give your teeth a mini scrub down.

So, before you grab for the caramel, cola, pretzels or crackers, remember all things in moderation and good oral hygiene routine at home may help you avoid the dental chair in the future!