Torrance Endodontix
The 6 Tips Your Toothbrush Wants to Tell You
You already know how important I am to your oral health. That’s why you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
However, are you aware of how much bacteria lives on your toothbrush? Researchers have found that a single toothbrush can have as many as 10 million germs and bacteria! But, don’t let this statistic scare you away from brushing. These bacteria aren’t a huge threat to your teeth according to Everydayhealth.com, because its been researched that these germs don’t make people sick.
That’s because toothpaste is made with an anti-germ component.
So what is your toothbrush trying to tell you to help prevent all these germs?
It’s important that you use your toothbrush correctly. Always make sure to rinse it in tap water and give it time to air dry. Germs need moisture to survive, so as long as you give your brush enough time to dry before using it, you should be fine. Make sure not to leave any toothpaste or debris in the head of your brush, rinse it well!
2. Store me upright!
When you’re at home, store your toothbrush upright in a cup or toothbrush holder. This allows it to air dry, which will help kill those germs.
On the road? When traveling make sure to keep your toothbrush in a travel holder, that way it isn’t rolling around uncovered and collecting bacteria in your bag.
If you really want to be in the clear you can soak your toothbrush in a toothbrush sanitizer or in mouth wash. Another alternative to kill germs is dipping your toothbrush in boiling water for 5-10 seconds.
Don’t ever attempt to microwave or dishwasher your toothbrush, these appliances will damage your toothbrush!
3. Don’t brush where you flush!
Try to store your toothbrush as far away as possible from the toilet. This is because each toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria into the air and I’m sure you don’t want that near your open toothbrush! We recommend at least 3 feet!
Don’t share! Forget what your kindergarden teacher told you about sharing. When it comes to toothbrushes, it’s an absolute no! No matter how close you may be to that person, whether it’s your sibling or spouse, don’t ever use their toothbrush.
5. It’s time for us to say Goodbye!
The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush about every three months.
This also depends on the wear of the bristles. Some people brush with a heavy hand and therefore their bristles may wear out sooner. It’s important to judge when it’s time for a replacement based upon the bristles, so don’t mark it in your calendar, just keep a look at your bristles. If you have children be sure to check their brushes regularly because they will probably need to be replaced more often.
6. Let me remind you!
Some toothbrush brands such as Oral-B feature color changing bristles. That way after a few months of use your reminded that it’s time!
You can also pick up the habit of replacing your toothbrush the first day of every season. That way you’re replacing it four times a year, with an average of 3 months per a brush.
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Sep 24th, 2014
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The Evolution of Dental Care
Did you know that the toothbrush is one of the oldest tools that humans still use? In fact, in a survey conducted in 2003, Americans chose the toothbrush as the number one invention over the car, personal computer, cell phone, and microwave. This may come as a shock in a day and age obsessed with technology, but it just goes to show how much value we place on our pearly whites. But it makes you wonder… how have people kept their teeth clean throughout the centuries? How did the toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss come into existence and how have they evolved over time?
One would assume that the first toothbrush was surely the finger, but evidence has shown that as far back at 3500 BC to 3000 BC chewing sticks were used in Babylonia. These chewing sticks were essentially a stick from an astringent tree with a frayed end that acted as bristles to clean teeth. These chewing sticks have also been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Their predecessors are still commonly used in certain areas of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South America and are known as miswak or mswaki sticks.
When excavating Ur in Mesopotamia, ornately decorated toothpicks were found that dated back to 3000 BC. Other archaeological digs have recovered various tree twigs, bird feathers, animal bones, and porcupine quills as the earliest toothbrushes and toothpicks. An ancient Sanskrit text on surgery dating back to the 6th century describes severe periodontal disease and stresses oral hygiene; “the stick for brushing the teeth should be either an astringent or pungent bitter. One of its ends should be chewed in the form of a brush. It should be used twice a day, taking care that the gums not be injured.” Pretty sound advice, even by current standards! Ancient Greek and Roman literature referenced the use of toothpicks to keep their mouths clean, and ancient Roman aristocrats kept special slaves for the sole purpose of cleaning their teeth. Imagine that job!
Ancient Chinese writings from around 1600 BC portray chewing sticks that were derived from aromatic trees and sharpened at one end to act as a toothpick. In the thirteenth century, the Chinese began to attach boar bristles to bamboo, essentially fashioning the first toothbrush. The optimal choice for bristles was taken from the back of the necks of cold climate boars, generally found in Siberia. Traders introduced these toothbrushes to the West and they quickly gained popularity. At that time Europeans were brushing their teeth by dipping a linen cloth or sponge in sulfur oils and salt solutions to rub away tooth grime. This was referred to as “The Greek Way”, as Aristotle had recommended this method to Alexander the Great. As these toothbrushes spread from East to West, in the West they preferred softer horse hairs over the coarse boar bristles, yet horses were deemed too valuable for the sake of toothbrushes, making boar bristles popular well into the early 1900’s.
Fast-forward to 1780 and we meet a man named William Addis of Clerkenwald, England. Addis was sitting in Newgate Prison for allegedly inciting a riot. The method for brushing teeth in jail was to take a rag and dip it in a solution of soot and salt and rub it onto the teeth. Addis believed there had to be a more efficient way, so while he passed his time in jail he began to think up solutions. Spying a broom, inspiration struck him and he took a small animal bone leftover from his meal and drilled holes into it. He then tied some swine fibers into bunches, strung them through the holes, and glued them into place. At this time in Georgian England, refined sugar was being shipped in from the West Indies in mass quantities. This caused a huge increase in the consumption of sugar for Londoners who then suffered from rotting teeth, the only treatment for which was to pull the infected teeth. When Addis was released from jail, he went on to market and sell his toothbrush under the name Wisdom Toothbrushes, which went on to become a very successful business that is still around today.
Toothbrushes continued to be made with animal bone handles and more often than not, boar bristles, although fancy toothbrushes were made with badger hair for those who could afford them. Celluloid handles were introduced in the 1900’s and quickly replaced bone handles. In the 1920’s a new method of attaching bristles to the handle was developed: holes were drilled into the brush head, bunches of bristles were then forced through the holes, and secured with a staple. This method is the same method that is commonly used today.
The next evolution in toothbrushes occurred when Wallace H. Carothers of Du Pont Laboratories invented nylon in 1937. Nylon bristles quickly overtook animal hair bristles for sanitation and cost-effective purposes. Although boar hair bristles often fall out, do not dry well, and are prone to bacterial growth, they strangely still account for 10% of the toothbrushes sold worldwide. The new nylon bristled toothbrushes were sold as “Doctor West’s Miracle-Tuft Toothbrush” due to its more hygienic properties.
With World War II looming in the background, British and American housewives were instructed to waste nothing, which translated to no more bone handles for toothbrushes. Bone handles had long been popular for things like toothbrushes, knives, guns, and handles for many more items. The shift to celluloid was a natural progression as soup bones were needed more than ornate bone handles. World War II gave oral hygiene an unexpected boost. The soldiers in World War II were expected to brush twice daily, a habit they brought home with them, likely due to the fact that Trench Mouth had become so rampant during World War I.
And what about toothpaste? Well, ancient Egyptians were making a “tooth powder” as far back as 5000 B.C.E. It was made from ox hooves, myrrh, eggshell fragments, and pumice. No device was found with the remnants of the tooth powder, which is why it is assumed that the finger was the first actual toothbrush. Other early tooth powders contained mixtures of powdered salt, pepper, mint leaves, and iris flowers. In Roman times, urine was used as a base for toothpaste. And since urine contains ammonia it was likely an effective whitening agent. In later times, homemade tooth powder was made of chalk, pulverized brick and salt. It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte regularly brushed his teeth with an opium-based toothpaste. In 1873, Colgate mass-produced the first toothpaste in a jar called Crème Dentifrice. By 1896, Colgate Dental Cream was packaged in collapsible tubes. Finally, by 1900, a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was developed, and by 1914 fluoride was introduced and added to the majority of toothpastes on the market at that time.
And what of floss? Researchers have found floss and toothpick grooves in the teeth of prehistoric humans. But it wasn’t until 1815 when a New Orleans dentist named Levi Spear Parmly promoted flossing with a piece of silk thread that floss really gained notoriety. Levi went on to be credited for inventing the first form of dental floss. By 1882 the Codman and Shurtleft Company of Randolph, Massachusetts began mass-producing unwaxed silk floss for commercial use. In 1898 Johnson & Johnson received the first patent for dental floss. Dr. Charles C. Bass then developed nylon floss, which performed better than silk because of its elasticity. Today floss is still made of nylon.
Who would’ve thought that the history of dental care would be so fascinating? And who would’ve guessed that the toothbrush we use today evolved from a stick and was perfected by a convict? Today, there are over 3,000 patents worldwide for toothbrushes. Regardless of how they got here, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss are a necessity in our daily lives.
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Sep 10th, 2014
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What You Need to Know About Saving Your Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth is something everyone dreads because it could be a prelude to a painful and costly experience. Cracked Tooth Syndrome is the name given to a set of symptoms and signs that lead to this particular diagnosis. These signs include craze lines, cracks, and fractures—and they can all lead to cracked teeth. But not all may be lost, early diagnosis is critical so that our office has a better chance at detecting, repairing, and hopefully saving your tooth.
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Aug 27th, 2014
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Can You Really Whiten a Traumatized Tooth?
Years after having a root canal on one of your front teeth, you may notice that your tooth has become darker than the surrounding teeth. While this can have a negative impact on your self-esteem as you find yourself smiling less, there is great news! Our office may be able to obtain remarkable results through internal bleaching…yes, bleaching this discolored tooth from the inside out! With typical bleaching processes, a bleaching agent is applied to the external surface of the teeth. This procedure, as the name suggests, is applied to your root canal filling via an access cavity to the inside.
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Aug 13th, 2014
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Calming Your Nerves Before Dental Procedures
Almost everyone has some feelings of nervousness when thinking about visiting the dentist. We hear it all the time from our patients. But don’t worry (I know, easier said than done). It is totally normal to have a bit of anxiety (or even a lot of anxiety) before you come to our office.
In our office, we have many years of experience in dealing with nervous patients. So to help you out, we’ve compiled this quick yet effective set of tips for dealing with those inevitable nerves before your dental procedure.
- Let us know! Sometimes just saying the words, “I’m a little bit nervous” can help by normalizing the nervousness itself a little bit, which instantly releases some of that stress that has the tendency to build up in your system. It also alerts us, which is great! In fact, we might just be able to help by doing procedures a little bit differently than we normally would or even just by offering some words of encouragement and reassurance.
- Music – Ask us to turn up (or down) the music in your exam room if that helps. Or, depending on the procedure, you may even be able to listen to your own MP3 player while we work away. Ask us ahead of time to be sure the procedure will allow for this.
- Breathe – Did you know that consciously taking a breath instantly calls to action your parasympathetic nervous system which is the part of the brain responsible for calming you down? The good news is that you always have your breath with you, so don’t forget to use it! Just by paying attention to your breath, for example, how it feels coming in and going out and the other sensations it creates, you can access the calming center of your brain. An easy breathing exercise that can be used anytime, anywhere, including in the dental chair is to breathe in for 4 counts, then out for 4 counts. You will instantly feel better.
We hope you find these tips helpful in dealing with your dental fears. Just remember, you are not alone.
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Jul 30th, 2014
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Do I Have the Symptoms of a Future Root Canal Problem?
When all the tissue inside your tooth (pulp chamber) dies, including the nerve, the pain may be acute, even excruciating! Many times the pain goes away temporarily, but the infection does not. And when this occurs, you will need a root canal to treat the infection so that your tooth can be saved. But now you may wonder, “what got me into this situation?”
When decay reaches the pulp chamber, it frequently causes infection. The pulp (nerve) inside the chamber can die from a traumatic blow, recurrent decay, or anytime you have a large filling that breaks down around the edges or margins.
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Jul 16th, 2014
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What Good Oral Health Means when you are Pregnant
If you are pregnant, you probably already know how important it is to take care of your body during this exciting time. A good, nutritious diet, regular moderate exercise and adequate sleep help protect both your health and the health of your baby. But what you may not already know is how important your oral health is during pregnancy also.
Recent research has suggested that women with periodontal disease may have a higher risk of unwanted childbirth complications, such as pre-term labor and low birth weight of the baby. However, luckily, the opposite is also true! A thorough exam by your oral health professional may decrease the chance that you will have these pregnancy and labor problems.
Now we may have you wondering, “What exactly is periodontal disease?” Simply put, it is “gum disease”, a chronic inflammatory condition in the gums that is caused by the presence of bacteria.
So what can you do about it? To ensure the best health outcome for you and your baby, in addition to receiving regular medical care from your obstetrician, be sure to see your dentist or periodontist on schedule during your pregnancy as well. And, as always, practice good dental hygiene at home with routine brushing and flossing.
These simple steps that we all should be doing anyway might just save you and your baby from potentially serious complications when the birthday comes!
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Jul 2nd, 2014
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Chomp! Fun Facts about Teeth
As children, we are obsessed with our teeth. Counting them, watching them fall out and grow back in. Waiting for the tooth fairy’s surprise. And as adults, we are still obsessed with them, but maybe in a different way (as in “why do they always hurt and why aren’t they white anymore?”) So just for fun, and to further indulge in this fascination with teeth (See? It’s not just dentists that are obsessed with them), here are some fun facts about teeth.
This is a great article to share with your children! How many of these facts did you already know?
Sharks don’t get cavities. Why? Because their teeth are coated in fluoride. That combined with the fact that they have rows and rows of replacement teeth, ready to go at a moment’s notice, give them an unfair advantage over humans when it comes to oral health.
You are lucky! You have three types of teeth: (1) Incisors to bite pieces off, (2) Canines to hold and tear, and (3) molars to grind food. This allows you to eat a wide variety of foods. Some animals, like crocodiles, aren’t so lucky, they only have sharp teeth to grab and kill, which greatly reduces their restaurant choices.
Enamel is the hardest material in the human body. It is considered the last line of defense for your tooth. Normal wearing down of enamel does occur over time and is simply a part of aging. But bacteria can cause this breakdown to accelerate, which is why we brush and floss regularly!
Taste buds only live for about 10 days, or 2 weeks if they are lucky. They go through a life cycle just like every other cell renewal processes in the body.
Sharkskin is covered in teeth. Don’t believe me? Both sharks and their cousins, rays, are covered in what are called dermal denticles. Although they look like scales they are actually just modified teeth, with an enamel coating and all! These protect them and also help them swim faster, but enough about sharks.
The jaw muscle, called the “masseter”, is the strongest muscle in the body if we are talking about strength based by weight. When all of these muscles work together, the jaw exerts 55 pounds of weight on the incisors and 200 pounds on the molars. This is why we take jaw disorders like teeth grinding, TMJ and bruxism very seriously – that’s a lot of force! Call us today if you suspect you might be a teeth grinder.
Did you know any of these fun facts about teeth already or did we surprise you?
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Jun 18th, 2014
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Are Root Canals Safe?
Sometimes, while doing research on procedures on the internet, a patient may come across some concerning information. And since the internet is an unregulated source of information, you may have guessed that sometimes that “information” is actually MIS-information. Unfortunately, thanks to old rumors that have resurfaced over the last few years, the root canal has unfairly been condemned on the internet as an unsafe procedure, even though this idea has been scientifically disproven, time and time again
If you have been questioning the safety of any upcoming procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact us so we can do a thorough review with you and hopefully alleviate your fears. In the meantime, however, we will zero in and set the record straight about root canals.
You may be surprised to learn that these rumors about root canal procedures go back almost 100 years (long before the internet). It all started in the 1920s with research by a Dr. Weston Price that suggested that the bacteria that sits in the root of the tooth could be disturbed and leaked during a root canal procedure, then spreading and causing diseases around the body. Needless to say this fear led to many unnecessary tooth extractions as dentists and patients panicked, refusing to have or perform the root canal procedure. Within a few years of Dr. Price’s focal infection theory being born, modern research techniques were able to discredit the findings. Additional studies were performed in the fifties and right on through to 2012, each debunking this old tale. But we know how rumors can persist on the internet.
In fact a root canal procedure is safer and offers a better overall health outcome for patients than tooth extractions as it preserves the original tooth.
If you still have concerns before an upcoming root canal procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We understand these concerns and would like to help you make the right decision for your health and peace of mind.
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Jun 4th, 2014
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What Do You Do About a Severe Toothache
Anytime you have a toothache, the first thing most people do is reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. While this may provide some temporary relief, to discover the cause of your toothache and the right treatment, you will need to see our office to determine the exact cause of your pain. Specifically, it must be determined whether the pain due to decay or trauma to a tooth involving the central pulp tissue containing the nerve—the most common cause for severe toothache. This will require endodontic (“endo” = inside, “dont” = tooth) treatment or what is commonly referred to as a root canal treatment, which will remove the pain and allow you to keep the tooth.
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May 21st, 2014
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