Don’t Let Your Benefits Go To Waste!

The end of the year is fast approaching and when the New Year rolls over, so do your dental benefits. Dental insurance benefits are paid for throughout the year by you. You may have money left over that you have not taken advantage of, but that you have already paid for. Once the New Year comes around, those benefits are no longer available to you. These are benefits you have already paid for and that you are able to take advantage of and that insurance companies hope you don’t know about. Not only that, but once the New Year begins, you pay a new deductible for dental services.

It can be beneficial to use your benefits now because fee increases can happen, and your insurance company may change the amount they pay. If you have had your eye on enhancing your smile for a while but have been holding off, now is the time to take advantage. You deserve an amazing smile that is going to wow your friends at the next holiday party.

Sometimes, treatments that are needed to keep your smile healthy, or it may seem like a something you can just do later. In fact you may have been putting this off all year. But by delaying treatment, you may cause extensive damage to your smile, which costs more.

For more information on your dental benefits, or to take advantage of dental benefits before they expire contact Dr. Rice and her team.

Why Do You Need To Brush Your Tongue

It may seem silly to brush your tongue, but it is actually an important part of your dental practices. There is more to it though, then just putting the toothbrush in your mouth and moving from side to side a few times. In order to properly remove the biofilm on your tongue and successfully remove the bacteria from the crevices, it is important to follow these tips and tricks. Buildup of plaque on your tongue can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. While taste buds are an important part of our mouth and serve an important role, food and bacteria stick to the tiny hairs on the tongue which can lead to bad oral health.

The toothbrush you use should have small, soft bristles that fit comfortably in your mouth. You do not want it to be too big or the bristles to be rough, this can cause damage to your gums.

Brush back and forth across your tongue for at least 1 minute. Then you’ll want to brush side to side. This ensures that you get all of your tongue and are not missing out and leaving too much bacteria on parts of your tongue.  Once you have brushed, it is important to rinse your mouth out.

For more information contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

Brushing Your Tongue

While you chew food particles build up on the surface of your teeth. "You may remember to brush twice a day, but if you are not brushing your tongue you’re doing an injustice to your mouth and potentially risking your overall health,"says Dr. Denine Rice.

Food particles, and other bacteria from the air can stick to the tongue causing your breath to smell, and plaque to build-up. Plaque is a soft sticky substance that accumulates on your teeth and tongue. Plaque is dangerous because it contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria turn into acid and acid attacks the enamel on your teeth.

A more complicated affect of not properly brushing your tongue happens over time. Continual build-up of bacteria on the tongue can cause you to loose taste buds. "You can also end up with tongue related sores that can make it difficult to eat or talk," suggests periodontist Dr. Rice.  

Build-up on your tongue is the leading cause of bad breath.  Bacteria that stays stale in one place it can cause your breath to repel those around you even if you are taking the time to brush and floss everyday.

Good oral hygiene can prevent bacteria causing gingivitis and periodontal disease too. Another good reason to remember your routine and practice it daily.  

The Proper Way To Brush

Prevention is the key to success with your gums.  Tooth decay is caused when acid stays on the teeth and begins to attack the enamel. "While you may feel that you can just stick your toothbrush in your mouth and move it back in forth, that is actually not the case," says periodontist Dr. Denine Rice. It is important to use proper brushing techniques to ensure a long lasting smile.

                                                                                                                      

Your toothbrush should have a smaller head with soft bristles.   The bristles of the toothbrush should not be too stiff. The toothbrush should enter your mouth at a forty-five degree angle.   If you open your mouth and your toothbrush head hits the roof of your mouth or the fit is uncomfortable, you may want to get a toothbrush with a smaller head.

Move your toothbrush around in small circles around your teeth.  Dr.Rice suggests, “Brush the gum line as well as the surface of your teeth.” 

There are four quadrants of the mouth, and three different surfaces on each tooth that need to be brushed. It is easy for food to get stuck on the top surface of the molars, make sure to gently brush this area in a back and forth motion in order to get all of the food off of the chewing surface. 

When you’re finished with all of your teeth, don’t forget your tongue. Bacteria can build up on the tongue and lead to decay on your teeth.

What Toothbrush Should I Buy?

Toothbrushes and floss are a lot alike, in that the one you should buy is the one you feel comfortable using.

“When discussions of toothbrushes arise it is generally in reference to the two main types of brushes: manual or powered, but there are some other things to keep in mind,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Periodontal and Implant Practice in Riverside, California. “You should make sure the size and shape of the brush head fits into and allows easy access to all locations of your mouth. You will also want a soft or very soft bristled brush, as this is less damaging for gum tissue and teeth. Finally, a handle that is easy to grip in your hand will make the process more comfortable.”

Regarding the manual versus powered brush. “Manual brushes are fine for most people. Some children, though will brush better when they have a powered brush and some adults with dexterity challenges will find a powered brush more effective.”

What’s the most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a new brush? Brushing and flossing daily is a great way to keep you smiling for a lifetime.

 

Dr. Denine Rice

How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

There are several factors in determining if it’s time for a new toothbrush. First, the American Dental Association (ADA) (link ADA: http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush.aspx) recommends every three months.  “That’s appropriate as a worn out toothbrush is probably not keeping the plaque off your teeth and is not massaging the gum tissue as it should,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal Practice.

A worn brush head has:

·      Bristles that splay (lean out in different directions)

·      Bristles coming out.

·      Discolored bristles or deposits at the bristles’ base.

You might also consider changing your toothbrush sooner if:

·      You’ve been ill and have taken antibiotics. While the germs have been killed in your body, they may still be alive on your toothbrush.

·      You’ve completed chemotherapy treatment. Your immune system may have been compromised during your care. It’s best and easy to quickly change your brush.

·      You store your brush in a closed case. Damp brushes hold onto bacteria.

·      You keep your brush near your toilet.

To keep your brush at its best rinse after using, store it upright and let it air dry.

Denine Rice, DDS