When sitting down to write our first blog at The Tooth Doctors, I was overwhelmed with the topic ideas that came rushing to mind and all of the information that our team here in Alliston would like to share with you. To keep from getting ahead of myself I decided to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions that our patients have been asking us since our doors first opened here in August 2010.
I hope you find the following information helpful. And remember, we are here to educate you as our patient, so your questions are always welcomed!
Which is better…an electric or a regular toothbrush?
At the Tooth Doctors we feel that an electric toothbrush, such as the Sonicare or OralB electric brush, is a better tool for standard tooth brushing. The reason is not that the electric brushes clean better, but studies have shown that using an electric toothbrush promotes LONGER brushing, which is the key to good oral care. So, the take home message here is, if you brush the full 3 minutes with an electric or manual brush, the results tend to be the same, no cavities!
How can I prevent cavities?
The obvious…good oral hygiene practice: Flossing DAILY, brushing 2-3 times per day and of course visiting your dentist at least twice annually for dental hygiene care is a good start. BUT, the most important “trick” to preventing cavities is a diet filled with fruits and vegetables, good sources of protein, little to no added sugar in your diet like candy and pancake syrup, and a daily vitamin to make up for the loss of nutritional value in today’s farmed foods. Good nutrition is often overlooked as one of the keys to a healthy mouth and healthy body.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath also known as “Halitosis” has multiple sources. It can stem from poor oral hygiene; having low to moderate amounts of bacteria filled plaque and tartar on teeth and gums. Bacteria smells bad, so any amount in your mouth will lead to a foul odor on your breath.
Another source of bad breath can come from a deeper location, your gut. High odiferous foods like onions and garlic recently consumed, mixed with the acids in your stomach can track up and out of your mouth leading to bad breath.
Medications can also lead to bad breath. Certain medications react with your saliva and general biochemistry that lead to a foul taste in your mouth and bad breath.
Finally, bad breath has also been linked to people who suffer with bacteria related Ulcers. The mix of high levels of bacteria and acids in ones stomach can track up and lead to bad breath as well.
Having open communication with your dental team is very important and is the foundation on which we built our practice: our philosophy.
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