Your toothbrush looks innocent sitting on your bathroom sink waiting to be used by you. But before you put it in your mouth, consider this: the average toothbrush contains over a million germs because your mouth is also home to millions of germs. So what can we do to help reduce some of the germs in our Toothbrush? • Store your toothbrush in an upright position, in the open air in order for it to dry fully and not in a drawer nor in a covered container. • Don’t store your toothbrush on the counter close to the toilet. …
Author: Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, DDS
Although we may think that our teeth are in good shape because they look good when we look in the mirror, regular visits to your family dentist are still very important. Regular checkups and professional cleanings can help save your teeth, your health, and can also save you time and money. Dental Checkups in Children Taking children to the dentist at an early age is good for several reasons: • Can show the child as well as the parent the correct way to brush and floss. • Can discuss limiting the amount of sugars and junk foods in their diets.…
Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? Bleeding gums are one of the most common signs that something is wrong in your mouth. While we may brush bleeding gums under the rug and assume that we are brushing and flossing to aggressively, healthy gums shouldn’t bleed easily. Over 80% of people have experienced bleeding gums occasionally. Certain medications and poorly fitting oral appliances can cause some bleeding to occur, but more than likely, your gums are bleeding due to plaque being left around your teeth and not being properly cleaned and removed near the gum line. What Can…
By Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, D.D.S. Brushing your teeth two times a day plays an important role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. Proper toothbrush care and maintenance are very important and the American Dental Association recommends that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed from use. Tips for Toothbrush Care • Never Share Toothbrushes with your spouse, siblings, or your kids because it can result in an exchange of germs and increase the risk of infections. • Do not cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers because any moisture makes…
A dental abscess is a buildup of pus that forms inside a tooth or gums. An abscess is characterized by a facial swelling in the region of the infected tooth. Bacteria exist in plaque, saliva, and the mouth in general which sticks to the teeth and damages them and the gums. If the plaque is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, the bacteria can weaken the enamel and cause a cavity to form and if the cavity goes untreated, it will eventually turn into a painful abscess. Symptoms of a Dental Abscess • Pain in the affected area. •…
Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First a toothpaste and correct brushing technique help to remove plaque from your teeth which is a sticky, film of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease if not removed. Second, toothpaste contains fluoride which helps to make teeth more resistant to tooth decay. Third, there are special ingredients in toothpaste that help to clean and remove stains over time as well as freshen your breath to leave your mouth with a clean feeling. What Type of Toothpaste to Use? There are many different brands of toothpaste on the market that…
Teeth grinding, medically known as “Bruxism” and can start very early in life. Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and can cause other oral health problems to. Our upper and lower teeth are supposed to glide together smoothly, touching when we are chewing food. Clenching is more likely to occur during the daytime and grinding occurs during sleep and most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. Signs and Symptoms of Teeth Grinding? • Sore muscle of your jaws…
Alveolar Osteitis better known as “Dry Socket” is a painful condition that sometimes occurs after you have a permanent adult tooth extracted. It is a condition that may result if the blood clot that normally fills the socket is lost. The dry socket leaves underlying nerves exposed which can be very painful and can slow the process of healing. If you develop a dry socket, the pain usually begins one to three days after your tooth has been extracted and it can intensify becoming unbearable. Signs and Symptoms of a Dry Socket? • Severe pain within a few days after a…
By Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell Tooth Talk A dead tooth means the tooth no longer has a blood supply flowing to it. All teeth have three layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp. The pulp is the layer that contains all the nerves and blood vessels. If this layer becomes damaged due to infection or trauma the tooth will begin to die if untreated. Common Symptoms of a Dying or Dead Tooth? • Pain: can be from moderate to excruciating. • Abcess: bacteria, pus and infection may build up causing swelling and fever. • Bad smell or bad taste in mouth that…
Dental floss is a tool you should use daily to remove food and bacteria buildup from in between your teeth. Many people don’t like to floss or don’t make it a priority because they don’t see the importance of it, or don’t know how to floss correctly. Brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, but flossing cleans the gaps between your teeth where bacteria often hide. If you don’t floss, you are more likely to have plaque build-up, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. How Often Should You Floss? Take your time and floss correctly because if…