Cavities, also known as tooth decay, is considered one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, which is why daily brushing and twice a year dental visits are so important!
Never pick up a knocked-out tooth by the root. If the root becomes damaged, it might hurt the chances of successful reimplantation. Only touch the side normally used for chewing.
Coconuts are known as a natural anti-bacterial food that can help boost your oral health by limiting the accumulation of harmful oral bacteria.
Many people miss the gum line – the area where the tooth meets the gum – while brushing. You can clean this area more effectively by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget the gums facing the tongue as well!
People who use tobacco are between two and seven times more likely to develop gum disease due to their habit.
Don’t forget to schedule your dental appointment! Call us today!
Before the invention of toothpaste, people used charcoal, chalk, ashes, honey, and lemon juice to clean their teeth!
Brushing twice a day does wonders for your oral health, but alone it only cleans about 60% of your teeth. To clean the remaining 40% of plaque and tartar, you should floss daily! That way, you can effectively clean the areas of your mouth that the bristles cannot reach.
There are over 100 million bacteria in one drop of saliva!
Recent research found that chewing sugar-free gum after your meal can encourage the production of saliva, remove food particles, protect your teeth from decay, and give you minty-fresh breath. So, don’t hesitate to opt for a stick or two until you can get to your oral hygiene routine!
A New Orleans dentist introduced the concept of flossing in 1815 when he offered patients a strand of silk thread to clean between their teeth. By 1882, factories were producing unwaxed, silk dental floss for mass use.
Your tongue takes up a large amount of real estate in your mouth, so it is important not to neglect it! To keep it clean and bacteria-free, use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean it from front to back during your oral hygiene routine.
Candy-based holidays, like Halloween, can wreak havoc on your oral health. Fortunately, you can protect your teeth by eating a healthy meal beforehand. Not only can it coat your teeth, but it can also increase the production of saliva, which helps fight cavities. Just make sure to follow your candy consumption with a good brushing and flossing!
Amid the current pandemic, our lives have changed in more ways than one. However, clenching your teeth, poor sleep, and frequent snacking with no trips to the dentist in sight can wreak havoc on your teeth. So, make sure to implement a solid daily oral care routine at home and speak to your dentist about how you can safely attend your biannual visit.
Did you know a 32-ounce sports drink contains between 14 and 19 teaspoons of sugar? That’s roughly six times the recommended amount for kids and teens! To protect your child’s oral health and keep them hydrated, opt for water instead.
Did you know your toothbrush is home to more than 100 million bacteria? To keep your teeth and gums healthy, the American Dental Association recommends replacing it every three to four months.
Happy Halloween!
Thank you, Veterans, for your service!
Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group updated their business hours.
Don’t Forget to schedule your dental appointment before the year ends!
6% of Americans said they would share their toothbrush with a celebrity!
To keep your toothbrush clean, place it at least six feet away from your toilet. Otherwise, it can be exposed to the bacteria that travels after flushing.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
From using their teeth to cut ribbons to opening a bottle of wine, people are hard on their teeth during the holidays. So, it’s not surprising that many patients experience cracks or chips in their teeth during the winter season. To prevent this from happening to you, grab the scissors or the bottle opener!
The practice of teeth whitening dates back to 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt! At the time, a mixture of pumice stone and vinegar was used to lighten people’s smiles.
The most widespread disease is the common cold. The runner up? Tooth decay. Fortunately, visiting your dentist annually can reduce your risk by 60%!
Wishing our patients a Happy New Year!
X-rays were accidentally invented by a German physicist named Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895. Although the first-ever X-ray was taken of his wife’s hand, this invention is used today to help diagnose a number of dental issues, including tooth decay and cavities!
Kicking some bad habits can reduce your risk for oral health concerns. People who eat ice, bite their nails, or chew on pencils are more likely to see tooth chips or cracks. Opening packages and cracking nuts can also cause unnecessary damage.
Look out! Over 5 million teeth are knocked out each year in sports-related incidents alone. If you or your child participate in a contact or non-contact sport, ask your dentist about a custom mouthguard.
In the past, dental implants were crafted from seashells, ivory, and animal teeth!
Patients with sensitive teeth may avoid hot and cold foods and beverages, but this is a band-aid, not a solution. Call our office and let us help!
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” – William Arthur Ward
"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo
Don’t forget to schedule your next dental appointment today!
“Smile at strangers and you just might change a life.” – Steve Maraboli
Did you know that you should be using about 18 inches, or a foot and a half, of floss every time? Most people use far less, but that just causes you to redistribute bacteria throughout the mouth.
Have A Great Weekend!
Actor Brad Pitt actually paid a dentist to chip his teeth in order to look more realistic as an underground boxer in 1999’s “Fight Club.” Afterward, he needed to have them capped.
Smile it’s Friday!
Chewing gum was introduced to America following the battle of the Alamo. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who led the attack against the Alamo also created a type of chewing gum using the sap of sapodilla trees. Sugar-free gums, like this early version, remove food particles from teeth and may reduce the risk for cavities.
Did you know that COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses could impact your oral health? Certain symptoms, such as dry mouth, are notorious for causing decay, which is why it’s important to keep up with your dental hygiene and stay hydrated whenever you feel under the weather.
Pets can get cavities just as easily as people! So why do humans get more tooth decay? Animals simply don’t eat as much sugar as we do. Learn from Fido or Mittens and cut back on the sweets to protect your smile from cavities.
Have a dental emergency? Most ERs aren’t equipped to treat issues concerning the teeth and gums. Instead, they’ll help you manage your discomfort until you can make an appointment with your dentist. Save yourself time, money, and hassle by calling your dentist for a dental emergency first!
American patriot Paul Revere is best known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia of the approach of British forces before the battle of Lexington. However, he also practiced dentistry! Not only did he clean teeth, but he also wired in replacement teeth too.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US, and well over half of the population has some form of this condition! Most cases are still the earliest stage of gum disease (gingivitis) which can be treated and reversed if caught early enough. Keep your gums healthy and your teeth in place by brushing and flossing every day!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Enjoy the weekend!
Over 90% of systemic, whole-body health conditions present symptoms in the mouth. That means your dentist may be the first to detect warning signs of problems like kidney disease, diabetes, leukemia, and more. Seeing your dentist twice a year can make all the difference in spotting and stopping these problems as early as possible!
Wake up with a smile and go after life!
Let Friday begin!
Toothaches can hurt plenty during the day, but did you know they can get worse at night? Laying down increases blood flow to our heads and puts extra pressure on sensitive areas like our mouths.
“Life is good especially on a Friday.” – Anonymous
Have you ever wondered why none of President George Washington’s portraits show him smiling? It’s probably because he had no teeth! By the time he was elected as president, he only had one natural tooth left, which he lost by the age of 57.
Using the wrong toothbrush can do more harm than good. Toothbrushes with hard or medium bristles can scratch away your enamel and cause sensitive teeth, while the bristles on toothbrushes that have been used for more than three months can trap and redistribute bacteria in your mouth.
Let Friday begin!
“Always wear a smile sometime during the day, it makes you feel happier and younger.” – Kylie Bax
What color is your toothbrush? Recent surveys show that more people use blue toothbrushes than any other color. The second most popular choice is red.
When you get a cut or bruise on your skin, you can expect your body to heal itself. However, the same can’t be said for your teeth! Once a tooth is cracked or develops a cavity, the only way to fix it is to see your dentist. Putting off any dental work you need will just allow the problem to get worse!
“Life is good especially on a Friday.” – Anonymous
Have you ever wondered why none of President George Washington’s portraits show him smiling? It’s probably because he had no teeth! By the time he was elected as president, he only had one natural tooth left, which he lost by the age of 57.
Eating spinach can make your teeth feel weird, but it can also help treat sensitive teeth! Alongside a garden variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals, spinach contains oxalic acid, which has been shown to naturally reduce tooth sensitivity.
If you plan on enjoying a few more diet sodas as the weather warms up, don’t think that you’re doing your teeth any favors! Diet soda is just as acidic and bad for your teeth as regular soda and will give you cavities just as quickly. Stick to water instead!
“Always wear a smile sometime during the day, it makes you feel happier and younger.” – Kylie Bax
What color is your toothbrush? Recent surveys show that more people use blue toothbrushes than any other color. The second most popular choice is red.
When you get a cut or bruise on your skin, you can expect your body to heal itself. However, the same can’t be said for your teeth! Once a tooth is cracked or develops a cavity, the only way to fix it is to see your dentist. Putting off any dental work you need will just allow the problem to get worse!
Most Americans didn’t brush their teeth daily until after World War II. During the war, soldiers were required to brush twice a day to keep their teeth healthy. When they came home after the war, they brought their new dental habit with them.
Do you have sensitive teeth? You’re not alone! According to the Academy of General Dentistry, at least 40 million adults suffer from tooth sensitivity. While the most common cause is tooth decay, it can also be caused by overaggressive toothbrushing, gum disease, cracked teeth, or a dental infection. Don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist about sensitive teeth!
Have a great weekend!
Eating spinach can make your teeth feel weird, but it can also help treat sensitive teeth! Alongside a garden variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals, spinach contains oxalic acid, which has been shown to naturally reduce tooth sensitivity.
If you plan on enjoying a few more diet sodas as the weather warms up, don’t think that you’re doing your teeth any favors! Diet soda is just as acidic and bad for your teeth as regular soda and will give you cavities just as quickly. Stick to water instead!
