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Posts for: August, 2018

Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing

By The Smile Spa
August 28, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral hygiene  
AnyTimeAnyPlaceCamNewtonsGuidetoFlossing

When is the best time to floss your teeth: Morning? Bedtime? How about: whenever and wherever the moment feels right?

For Cam Newton, award-winning NFL quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, the answer is clearly the latter. During the third quarter of the 2016 season-opener between his team and the Denver Broncos, TV cameras focused on Newton as he sat on the bench. The 2015 MVP was clearly seen stretching a string of dental floss between his index fingers and taking care of some dental hygiene business… and thereby creating a minor storm on the internet.

Inappropriate? We don't think so. As dentists, we're always happy when someone comes along to remind people how important it is to floss. And when that person has a million-dollar smile like Cam Newton's — so much the better.

Of course, there has been a lot of discussion lately about flossing. News outlets have gleefully reported that there's a lack of hard evidence at present to show that flossing is effective. But we would like to point out that, as the saying goes, “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” There are a number of reasons why health care organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) still firmly recommend daily flossing. Here are a few:

  • It's well established that when plaque is allowed to build up on teeth, tooth decay and gum disease are bound to follow.
  • A tooth brush does a good job of cleaning most tooth surfaces, but it can't reach into spaces between teeth.
  • Cleaning between teeth (interdental cleaning) has been shown to remove plaque and food debris from these hard-to-reach spaces.
  • Dental floss isn't the only method for interdental cleaning… but it is recognized by dentists as the best way, and is an excellent method for doing this at home — or anywhere else!

Whether you use dental floss or another type of interdental cleaner is up to you. But the ADA stands by its recommendations for maintaining good oral health: Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste; visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups; and clean between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner like floss. It doesn't matter if you do it in your own home, or on the sidelines of an NFL game… as long as you do it!

If you would like more information about flossing and oral hygiene, contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.


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Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa

By The Smile Spa
August 18, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral hygiene  
ProsandConsforFlossingBeforeBrushingandVice-Versa

For best results in cleaning your teeth of disease-causing plaque you need both the power of brushing open teeth surfaces and flossing in between them. But you may be wondering: should you perform one task before the other?

In general terms, no—there’s no solid evidence that flossing is better before brushing, or vice-versa. But that being said we do recognize each way has its own advantages.

If you floss before brushing, it’s possible you could loosen plaque that can then be easily brushed away when you perform your second hygiene task. Flossing first can also reveal areas that need a bit more attention from brushing if you suddenly encounter heavy particle debris or you notice a little bit of blood on the floss. And, by flossing first you may be able to clear away plaque from your tooth enamel so that it can more readily absorb the fluoride in toothpaste.

One last thing about flossing first: if it’s your least favorite task of the two and you’re of the “Do the Unpleasant Thing First” philosophy, you may want to perform it before brushing. You’re less likely to skip it if you’ve already brushed.

On the other hand, flossing first could get you into the middle of a lot sticky plaque that can gum up your floss. Brushing first removes a good portion of plaque, which can then make flossing a little easier. With the bulk of the plaque gone by the time you floss, you’ll not only avoid a sticky mess on your floss you’ll also have less chance of simply moving the plaque around with the floss if there’s a large mass of it present.

It really comes down to which way you prefer. So, brush first, floss last or vice-versa—but do perform both tasks. The one-two punch of these important hygiene habits will greatly increase your chances for maintaining a healthy mouth.

If you would like more information on effective oral hygiene, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.


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World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!

By The Smile Spa
August 08, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
WorldCupSoccerCoach-DentistSavestheDay

If you followed the 2018 FIFA World Cup Soccer games, you probably know that one of this year’s biggest surprises was the debut of the team from Iceland—the smallest country ever to earn a chance at the sport’s top prize. But here’s something you may not have known: When he’s not on the field, the team’s coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, is a practicing dentist! Those two skill sets might not seem like a natural fit… but they came together dramatically at a recent contest.

At a local women’s game last summer, when a player was hit and her tooth was knocked out, Dr. Hallgrímsson took immediate action. “I jumped on the pitch and put the tooth back in, took her to a dental office and fixed it,” he said.

Not everyone has the special training or ability to fix a tooth that has been damaged or knocked out—but there are some simple things that you can do to help an adult who has suffered this kind of injury. Here’s a quick run-down:

  • After making sure the person is stable and not otherwise seriously injured, try to locate the tooth.
  • Handle it carefully, without touching root surfaces, and clean it gently with water if possible.
  • Try to open and gently rinse out the mouth, and find where the tooth came from.
  • Carefully place the tooth back in its socket, making sure it is facing the right way, and hold it in place with a soft cloth.
  • If the tooth can’t be re-implanted, place it in a bag with a special preservative solution, milk or saliva, or have the person hold it between the cheek and gum—but make sure it isn’t swallowed!
  • Rush to the nearest dental office or urgent care facility.

When these steps are followed and the person receives professional treatment as quickly as possible (ideally within minutes), their tooth will have the best chance of being saved. But even if it isn’t possible to preserve the tooth, receiving prompt and appropriate care can make replacing the tooth much easier.

Having Dr. Hallgrímsson on the sidelines was a lucky break for the injured soccer player—and as a coach, just getting to the World Cup is a remarkable achievement. But you don’t need to be a coach (or a dentist) to give first aid in a dental emergency. Taking the right steps can help ensure the best possible outcome… and might even save a tooth!

If you would like more information about emergency dental treatment, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor articles “Knocked Out Tooth” and “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries.”


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • January (3)
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
      • November (3)
        • Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
      • October (3)
        • Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
      • September (3)
        • Keep Your New Smile After Orthodontics with a Retainer
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
        • Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
      • August (3)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
      • July (3)
        • This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD
      • June (3)
        • What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
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        • Sealants Could Protect Your Child's Teeth From Future Problems
        • Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
        • 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
      • April (3)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
        • Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
      • March (3)
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
      • February (2)
        • 3 Orthodontic Options for Correcting Bad Bites
        • How to Get the Most from Your Daily Brushing and Flossing
      • January (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Give Yourself the Gift of a New Smile
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
      • November (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes and Oral Health
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        • Why Your Teeth Hurt Will Determine How We Treat Them
        • New Season, New Toothbrush
      • September (3)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • August (2)
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • July (2)
        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • June (2)
        • Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • May (2)
        • If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • April (2)
        • Don't Forget Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • March (2)
        • Bonded Retainers Provide a Less Noticeable Option for Keeping Teeth Straight
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • February (3)
        • Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Air Abrasion: An Alternative to the Traditional Dental Drill
      • January (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Disclosing Agents Show Plaque You've Missed When Brushing and Flossing
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
      • November (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Cleaning Your Oral Appliance Extends its Life and Ensures Good Health
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth

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