Tuesday, March 27, 2012

How To Use a Power Toothbrush

Using a power toothbrush is unlike using a manual toothbrush. Watch the video below to get a sense of how to properly use your power toothbrush.

If you live in the Niles area and are looking for a dentist, please visit our website for more information:
http://www.hb-dentistry.com

Our office is located at 9101 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 302, Niles, IL. 60714
Call us at 847-296-4030.

Follow us on twitter: @hbdentistry

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Symptoms of a Toothpaste Allergy?

From the nickel in the button on your jeans to the herbal products in your expensive moisturizer, virtually any product that you use has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. But toothpaste ingredients should be low on your list of potential allergens.

Of course, there have been some reports of allergic reactions that have been linked to toothpaste ingredients, but these reports are rare. The low degree of sensitization in most toothpaste ingredients contributes to the rarity of toothpaste allergies. The ingredients in toothpaste have changed over time and continue to change as companies refine their formulas to make them safer and more effective.

That said, flavorings often used in toothpaste, such as oil of peppermint, can cause an allergic reaction, but such reactions are usually mild and will resolve if you switch to a different flavor or brand of toothpaste. For example, a 1998 report from Denmark published in the journal Contact Dermatitis described a case of a person who developed severe chapped lips (cheilitis) as the result of a contact allergy to spearmint oil that was traced to toothpaste.

If you experience an allergic reaction, such as swelling, redness, dryness, or infection in your mouth, see your dentist immediately to rule out gum disease and to discuss your choice of toothpaste. You may find that you simply have sensitive teeth and gums, rather than a full-blown allergy, and that a mild flavored toothpaste and soft-bristle brush—such as Oral-B’s Sensitive Advantage—may solve the problem.

Article Source: http://www.oralb.com/topics/symptoms-of-toothpaste-allergy.aspx

If you live in the Niles area and are looking for a dentist, please visit our website for more information:
http://www.hb-dentistry.com

Our office is located at 9101 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 302, Niles, IL. 60714
Call us at 847-296-4030.

Follow us on twitter: @hbdentistry

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Q & A: Wisdom Teeth Edition

Question: Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

The dreaded wisdom teeth. Why on earth were we given teeth that, in most cases, just end up being pulled anyway?

Answer:

Many people have asked me "Why do we have wisdom teeth?" Considering the fact that I personally had nothing to do with the creation of mankind, I had to do some digging to find out why we were given wisdom teeth, and why most of us need to have our wisdom teeth extracted.

A Wise Tooth...Thousands of Years Ago

Our earliest ancestors survived on a diet of raw meat, nuts, roots, berries and leaves. Cro-Magnon man didn't have the luxury of using knives to cut and prepare his food, and cooking his meat wasn't even thought of then. Chewing these tough, coarse, and rugged foods required a broader jaw, and strong molars -- including the wisdom teeth. Having all three molars was vital, in order for our ancestors to be able to eat the foods necessary for survival. The larger jaw, common in our ancestors, easily accommodated the wisdom teeth, which allowed them to erupt into the mouth normally.

Fast-forward to today, and take a look at what we are eating and more importantly how we are preparing our food. We cut, dice, chop, and boil, steam, and bake almost everything we eat. All of that food preparation has made eating a pretty easy feat to accomplish, in fact experts believe that our jaw line has become less broad and smaller over the years due to how food is prepared and consumed; hence the reason why our wisdom teeth need to be extracted.

Article Source here

If you live in the Niles area and are looking for a dentist, please visit our website for more information:
http://www.hb-dentistry.com

Our office is located at 9101 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 302, Niles, IL. 60714
Call us at 847-296-4030.

Follow us on twitter: @hbdentistry

Monday, March 12, 2012

Dr. Alice Boghosian in USA Today!

Dr. Alice Boghosian was recently quoted in USA Today. To read the article, click on the following link:

Put health screenings on this year's schedule

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

How to Floss Your Teeth Properly

Healthy Teeth - 5 Tips On How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy And Strong

You need to eat right to be well and fit. To eat right means chewing your food completely so that proper digestion takes place. You are able to chew your food and enjoy it only when you have a complete set of healthy and strong teeth. These 5 tips on how to keep your teeth healthy will make your life easy, enjoyable, and stress-free:

1. Brushing at least twice a day is the most basic but considered the most important dental care. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the very first lessons you learn as a child. The right toothbrush matters - those bristles should be round-ended and soft enough to remove plaque and food particles without damaging the enamel or the gums. The size should be just right to reach all corners of the mouth including the back part of the teeth. You should replace your toothbrush when the bristles begin to wear, or ideally every 3 months.

2. Regularly use dental floss. Even with regular brushing, there will always be areas where food debris can’t be removed. Wrap the floss around your fingers and wave it up and down between each tooth. Some people floss first before brushing but it really doesn’t matter what’s done first. After brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth, swishing it around in your mouth, and spit it out after one minute.

3. Watch what you eat. The types of food and beverages that you consume and your over-all eating habits have an effect to your oral and gum condition. Consumption of a well-balanced diet with emphasis on fruits and vegetables is an excellent choice. Dental plaque thrives on sugar. The contact of bacteria and sugar creates acids that destroy tooth enamel. Caffeine-rich beverages can discolor your teeth, however you may use a straw to avoid most of the sugar and stain that could make your teeth and gums sick.

4. Keep your gums healthy. You should check for signs of cavities or gum disease if you notice some color change of your gums. Gum tissue is normally soft and pinkish. If it becomes reddish, it could be a symptom of Gingivitis, a disease causing the gums to become sore and swollen. You must also be careful not to damage or irritate your gums when brushing and flossing. At the first sign of gum disease, go to your dentist immediately.

5. Have a regular appointment with a qualified dentist. Your dentist can give you further specific advice on how to keep your teeth healthy so you may have a confident smile at all times.
A smile is what keeps a day bright. But how can you smile when you don’t have healthy teeth to show? Keeping your teeth healthy requires you to have discipline and the right attitude. Prevention is always better than cure, and it can save you a lot of time, money, energy and stress.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6184757