Brush 'Em! Floss 'Em!

Everybody brushes, but did you know there's a trick to it? To help you get the most out of your routine, here are a few important tips:

- Always use a toothpaste that is recommended by the American Dental Association. It will say so on the box or tube. This lets you know that the toothpaste has enough fluoride and will not be too abrasive for your teeth.

- Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles. A medium- or hard-bristle toothbrush can injure your gums and cause them to recede.

- Begin by placing the bristles towards your gums at a 45 degree angle (pointing up for the top teeth and pointing down for the bottom teeth.)

- Move the brush in a circular motion to loosen the plaque at the gum line.

- Then roll the brush in the direction your teeth grow (or the “pointing” of the gums): roll up for the bottom teeth, roll down for the top teeth.

- Remember to brush all the surfaces of your teeth: the sides facing your lip, cheek, and tongue, and the chewing surface.

- Finally, brush your tongue. Swish and rinse with water.

It should take you two minutes to properly brush your teeth. You should also floss your teeth daily. Flossing removes the plaque from in between your teeth and gums where your toothbrush cannot reach. Studies have shown flossing daily helps keep your whole body healthy. Here are some tips to help make flossing easier:

- There are lots of different types of flosses at the store. Pick a type of floss that works best for your teeth. If you have tight contacts (your teeth are very close to one another) or your teeth are crowded, use a Glide brand or a waxed floss (they are thinner). If you don’t have tight contacts, a woven floss works best.

- Take about 18 inches of floss and wrap most of it around one of your index or middle fingers. Wrap the rest of the floss around the index or middle finger of your other hand.

- Take a small section of floss (about an inch or so) and move it back and forth between your two teeth until it goes through the contact area (the place between your teeth).

- Once the floss is between your teeth, curve the floss like the letter ‘C’ around the side of one of the teeth. Then move the floss up and down the side of the tooth to wipe it clean. Make sure to go under the gum line!

 - Curve the floss towards the other tooth and repeat.

- Then roll the used section of floss onto your finger with the least amount of floss on it, and go in between the next two teeth with the new section of clean floss.

- It doesn’t matter which tooth you begin with. Just don’t forget to floss any of them! It might be easier to go in a pattern around your mouth, for example start in the upper right, go around the top, down to the bottom left and around the bottom to the right.

- The back teeth can be tricky to floss. Here's a little trick: Put the floss on your fingertips. When working on the right side, put your right index finger on your cheek to push it away from your gums. When you get to the left side, do the same with your left index finger. Also, don’t open your mouth too wide. If you only open halfway it makes it easier to pull your cheek back.

- If you get to the end of your floss but you haven’t hit all your teeth, throw the floss away and get a fresh piece. Don’t use old floss to clean new teeth!

- If you have dexterity issues that make flossing difficult, there are a couple products that could help you. You can use flossers, soft picks, and proxy brushes; just remember: wipe them off between each tooth you do. Otherwise you’re taking the plaque off one tooth and just putting it on another.

And there we go! Brushing and flossing daily is the way to go. You should take the time and do it mindfully, and if you follow our tips you'll be using your time effectively.

Teeth Around the Globe

Meghan visited Copenhagen recently and took this picture of a local dental office. “Klinik” is pretty easy to decipher, but we had to look up “tand.” Tand is the Danish word for tooth. That got us thinking about how to say “tooth” in other languages. What can we say? We love learning new things.

Spanish                       diente

Haitian Creole            dan

Russian                       зуб

Irish                           fiacail

Italian                       dente

Korean                      치아

Hebrew                      שן

German                     Zahn

Indonesian                gigi

Portuguese               dente

Japanese                    歯

Swahili                     jino

Polish                       ząb

Greek                       δόντι

Armenian                ատամ

Chinese                     牙齿

Arabic                        سن

Turkish                    diş

Thai                        ฟัน

Finnish                   hammas

Slovenian               zob

Hindi                        दांत

Vietnamese           răng


If we forgot your favorite language, we apologize! Please feel free to write it in the comments section.

Dental Insurance 101

Believe or not, insurance is the aspect of dentistry we hear the most questions about. Insurances can be very confusing, and sometimes not very easy to deal with. Our front desk is very experienced and can answer just about any question you have. In this post we hope to answer some general questions. If you have a specific question, or one that isn’t addressed here, please write to us. If we don't know the answer, we will find it for you.

One of the trickiest things about insurance is the whole network thing. Unless a plan is particularly restrictive, most patients can choose their own dentist. We participate in most Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield networks. A dentist being in-network or out-of-network affects how much of the payment the patient is responsible for; most out-of-network plans will still pay a portion of each procedure, but your portion may be higher. If you have questions about whether we are in your network, your human resources department should be able to tell you for sure.

Every employer chooses what plans to offer its employees, and sometimes one employer will offer different options based on your job within the company. You can’t assume anything about dental insurance; you and your neighbor could both have Delta Dental, but your job might offer one level of coverage and your neighbor’s coverage might be completely different. Most human resource departments will give you a booklet that breaks down what and how much is covered. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your specific insurance plan.

If your insurance allows you to visit us, we’ll figure out exactly what your plan covers. Each insurance policy has different coverage levels and stipulations, so there is no general answer. A quick call to your insurance company will give us a breakdown of your benefits.  This will tell us in broad terms what will be covered and allow us to estimate how much of our fee the plan will cover. We like to have this breakdown before you visit us, so we can accurately explain the financial side of proposed treatment plans. We’ll also review financial options available for work that is not covered by the insurance plan.

If there is a question about whether a specific procedure is covered, or if you’d like to know exactly how much of the fee insurance will cover, we can submit a pre-estimate for you. The insurance company processes the pre-estimate like a claim, and tells us exactly what they will reimburse. It it the only way to guarantee what your coverage will be before you come in. Any other fees we quote you are estimates. A pre-estimate doesn’t force you to complete the treatment plan, but the coverage is guaranteed for a year.

Our office will submit all claims to your insurance for you. One less thing you have to worry about! We also follow-up on any outstanding claims in our system. We take care of as much as we can on our end, but occasionally we do need your help. For example, the insurance company might send a letter to you requesting more information, such as whether you have any other coverage. It’s important to fill out and return these forms to the insurance company, as they often won’t resolve your claim until you do.

As a final thought: You always want to maximize your insurance benefits; you are paying for them! But keep in mind dental insurance companies are not on your side. They occasionally deny necessary or cost-effective treatment based on a black-and-white policy or obscure stipulation. It's important to remember this when you and your dentist look at treatment options. Make the best choice for you. Maximize your insurance, but don't let it tell you what to do!

This One's for the Kids

Some of our most frequently asked questions regard children’s dentistry. Home health care habits should be established at a young age, and should adapt as the child matures. ​With the advances in dental technology (fluoride, sealants, digital x-rays) over the last two decades, we've been able to cut childhood tooth decay in half. Our goal is to keep that stat up and help your children build strong dental habits early in life to keep their smiles bright and healthy. Here are some tips to guide you.

• Infancy
• Some infants are born with teeth, but most are not. Even if the baby has no teeth it’s important to create an oral healthcare routine. After each feeding, take a wet infant cloth and rub it along the baby’s gums. This will clean any food debris from the mouth, as well as stimulate the gum tissue.
• Once the baby has teeth, it’s time to find a dental home. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend bringing a child to the first dental appointment 6 months after the first tooth comes in (“erupts”), or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This helps the child acclimate to the dental routine in a way that's not overwhelming. Early visits also serve as consultation sessions with the parents to address any concerns or questions they might have. Research shows that kids who get this type of early start tend to get fewer cavities.
• Based on these visits, the dentist will recommend when to schedule the child’s cleaning. Every child is different. One child may sit for the hygienist at 2 or 3 years old, while another child may have a hard time with that. We understand that children mature at different rates and we don’t force the issue.

A woman's oral health can change based on hormone levels. That's why it's important for women to keep up with regular dental cleanings if they’re pregnant or trying.

• Childhood
• Use a kid’s toothpaste until the first baby teeth fall out. Then “graduate” to an adult toothpaste. By that point the child is old enough not to accidentally swallow the toothpaste. Adult toothpaste has stronger agents to prevent tartar buildup and staining.
• Children tend to bite the toothbrush, causing the bristles to wear out sooner. A child's toothbrush will often need to be replaced more frequently than an adult's. When the bristles start to wear and fray, it’s time for a replacement.
• As a general rule of thumb, parents should help with teeth brushing until the children are old enough to tie their shoes by themselves.
• It’s also important for children to see parents brushing their own teeth. And also to see the clean, shiny smiles parents come home with after their own dental cleanings. When led by example, children are taught to appreciate healthy habits and will be more likely to keep up those habits into adulthood.
• Definitely talk about the dentist with youngsters. Answer any questions they might have, in an honest but age-appropriate way. If they express fear or anxiety, let them know we are their friends. But please be careful of the words used. Words like "pain" or "hurt" or "needle" will do more harm than good.

If you as a parent have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health at any time, please call us and set up a consultation visit.

• School
• If the school allows it, children should keep toothbrush and toothpaste in their desks or lockers so they can brush after lunch.
• If it’s not allowed, or the child doesn’t have time to brush, give them “detergent foods” (apples, carrots, celery, etc) for lunch. They are slightly abrasive, not sticky, and have a high water content - natural cleaners that stimulate saliva! Foods like these should be eaten last to wash away excess food particles and protect teeth against decay-causing acid.
• Another trick is to rinse with a little water after eating. Doing a little swish will help dislodge food particles so they don’t stick to the teeth and create cavities. It’s not the same as brushing but it’s a decent substitute.
• Kids love to snack, but since snacking doesn’t produce as much saliva as eating a full meal, bits of food can stick to teeth longer, increasing the risk of decay. Dairy acts as a buffer to the acids bacteria produce. Drinking milk or eating cheese during or after snacking can help reduce tooth decay.
• Student athletes are at a higher risk for tooth decay and erosion because breathing through the mouth during intense training causes dry mouth (saliva protects your teeth from tooth decay). Also, athletes tend to use acidic sports drinks and sugary carbohydrates to refuel. (Acid erodes enamel and sugar causes decay.) Athletes should practice excellent home care habits, and try to drink water over sports drinks.
• Athletes of high contact sports are also at a high risk for dental injuries. Mouth guards should always be worn during practices and games. We can create custom-made mouth guards for athletes of all ages.
• When children graduate to college, we tend to see a rise in the patient’s tooth decay. We understand how busy college life can be, but it is important that good home care habits are still practiced. Encourage students to brush and floss, and to schedule dental cleanings around school breaks. We will do our best to accommodate their schedules.

We know how busy life is, especially with kids! That's why we have evening and Saturday hours, appointment reminders, easy parking, diaper changing stations, and of course....the sticker drawer! If you have any questions about this post or wish to add your own tips, please feel free to leave a comment.

Flossie's Very Short History of the Dental World

Flossie’s Very Short History of the Dental World

Ancient Rome - The ancient Romans would take bones, eggshells, and oyster shells, and mix them with oil. They used the mixture to clean their teeth.

Ancient Greece - Hippocrates and Aristotle write about dentistry. They discuss the eruption pattern of teeth, how to treat decayed teeth and gum disease, the tools used to extract teeth, and how to use wire to stabilize loose teeth and fractured jaws.

600 Mesoamerica - The Mayan Civilization gives us earliest known example of implants embedded directly into the bone. An archaeologist found the lower jaw of a 20 year old woman. The jaw bone had three tooth-shaped shells placed into the sockets of three missing front teeth.

700s China - The Tang Dynasty invents the first bristled toothbrush. They used hog and boar bristle, and introduced the device to Europeans during their travels in the 17th century.

1600s Japan - Married Japanese women would paint their teeth with black dye to prove their faithfulness.

11th century France - William the Conqueror seals his official documents by biting into the sealing wax. His teeth were misaligned and a seal with his recognizable bite on it guaranteed the document’s authenticity.

1700s England - Rich Englishmen could buy replacement teeth from donors. Often the donors would be poor people who would willingly have their teeth extracted. The donor tooth was immediately inserted into the buyer’s mouth. If no willing donors were available, healthy teeth were taken from executed criminals or unidentified corpses.

1870s US - Dr. Washington Sheffield of Connecticut makes the first toothpaste tube out of lead. This marks the beginning of widespread use of toothpaste (as opposed to powder) because it is now easy to apply.

20th century US - There is a law on Vermont’s books that says a woman can’t wear dentures without her husband’s written permission.

*** Flossie is a cartoon flamingo, and she only uses the internet for research. Any inaccuracies are entirely Flossie’s fault; she apologizes for them and takes full responsibility. If she forgot to add your favorite dental milestone, please leave a comment.

Animal Dental Facts

Every animal’s mouth is different, featuring adaptations based largely on what that animal eats. Meat eaters have sharp pointy teeth used to grip their prey while herbivores have flat teeth that are needed for eat vegetation. Some animals grow new sets of teeth continuously throughout their lives (sharks), other animals’ teeth don’t fall out, but actually continue growing longer to compensate for being worn down (rabbits). 

The number of teeth animals have also varies. Some of the numbers may surprise you. For example:

• Just like humans, adult sheep have 32 permanent teeth and lambs have 20 baby teeth.
• Giraffes also have 32.
• Cats have adult 30 teeth and 26 baby (or “milk”) teeth.
• Dogs 42 adult teeth and 28 baby teeth.
• Armadillos have 104.
• The long-snouted spinner dolphin can have up to 252 teeth.
• Pigs have 44 teeth.
  

Here are a some other interesting animal facts we came across:

• Since they don’t consume sugar, animals rarely develop cavities. They can develop other dental issues, such as plaque and tartar buildup, periodontal diseases (such as gingivitis).
• Elephants are either right- or left-tusked the same way humans are right- or left-handed.
• A horse's gums recede with age, making the horse's teeth appear longer and longer as he gets older. (That's where we get the expression "long in the tooth.")
• During the Middle Ages in Germany, people believed that kissing a donkey could relieve toothaches.
• The Egyptian plover flies into the open mouths of crocodiles and cleans their teeth. It's like a hygienist with wings!
• The bat has the same tools in its mouth that we do, but uses them very differently. Its saliva contains a mild anesthetic, so its host doesn't feel any irritation when it feeds. The bat's sharp incisor teeth make a triangular wound, and its tongue has a rough texture to it that opens the wound wider. Then it makes a kind of funnel out of its tongue and sucks the blood.
• Lions have 30 teeth, but cannot chew their food because their jaws can’t move from side to side.
• A hippo’s teeth can grow up to 20 inches long.
• A walrus’ tusk can weigh up to 12 pounds.
• Minnows’ teeth are in their throats.
• Some insects also have teeth in their stomachs, or gizzards, to grind food.
• Last but not least, our favorite animal: the flamingo! Its jaw is the opposite of humans’. The bottom jaw is stationary and the top moves on a hinge-like joint.

*** Flossie is a cartoon flamingo, and she only uses the internet for "research." Any inaccuracies are entirely Flossie’s fault; she apologizes for them and takes full responsibility. Flossie would also like to give all photo credit to Meghan, who helped write this blog.

Happy New Year! We resolved to become regular bloggers, so here we go…

January is already over. How are those New Year’s Resolutions going? We see the New Year as a time when little changes can make a BIG difference. Of course, we’re thinking of your smile...

You know the basic rules of home care: brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day; floss once a day; visit your dental team twice a year for dental cleanings. But sometimes people fall out of habit, despite the best intentions. We’d like to share some tips and tricks to keep your smile bright and healthy while balancing work and home life.

Navigating lunch at work or school

If you’re unable to brush your teeth after lunch, rinse with a little water. This is especially good if you’ve eaten sweets (including fruit) as it keeps the acid level down and prevents decay. You can also prevent decay by chewing a piece of sugarless xylitol gum.

There are certain foods called “detergent” foods that act like mini toothbrushes while you eat. Pack your lunch with apples, cauliflower, carrots, celery, radishes...These veggies are great for your oral health AND your overall health.

Being a good flosser

Our patients often tell us they can’t find time to floss. It’s actually pretty easy to work into your day. Keep a bag flossers in the car and floss at red lights or when you’re stuck in traffic. You only need one hand to floss this way, and you’ll at least check one thing off your to-do list.

The best dental routine we can recommend is when you’re winding down after dinner. Before you settle down to relax, brush your teeth (for two minutes!). Then floss while you watch TV or read. Not only is it a great time to floss, but it makes you think twice about that midnight snack. (Do you really want to go through your routine all over again?) It’s a two for one bonus!

Make sure you’re really brushing for two minutes

Two minutes is longer than most people realize. We have a couple tricks to make sure you’re brushing for two full minutes. You can buy an electric toothbrush with a timer in it. You can also use an egg timer. But our favorite way to brush is with music. Playing a favorite song while you brush, and brushing for the length of that song, is a great way to ensure that you’re brushing for the right amount time. Pick a song that’s around two minutes (you don’t need to brush to “Stairway to Heaven”) and brush away. Who knows? You might find yourself looking forward to your dental routine.

We hope you find these tips helpful. If you have any tips to add, please leave a comment below.