May 4th, 2016
Summer is almost here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at Weaver Dentistry.
Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around and we have a few reminders to keep your pearly whites healthy and beautiful over the summer! Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that fabulous smile you're working on! Another tip is to try and focus on brushing your teeth; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat! A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal you can’t fully brush your teeth after. Your teeth, inside and out, will benefit!
And remember, whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we want to hear all about it! Make sure to let us know what you’re up to below or on our Facebook page! We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures!
April 27th, 2016
Our team at Weaver Dentistry will tell you brushing on a regular basis is critical for a healthy mouth, but you can definitely overdo a good thing. Known as “toothbrush abrasion,” over brushing can lead to sensitive teeth and receding gums, not to mention the wearing down of the protective layers of your tooth enamel. Over brushing can also push back your gums, and in the process, expose the dentin layer under the enamel.
“So, how do I avoid over brushing?”
- Use a soft or extra-soft bristled toothbrush to prevent gum damage and wear on the soft tooth dentin
- Keep in mind which direction bristles face when you brush. They should be perpendicular, not parallel. Place the head of your toothbrush with the tips of the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and brush away!
- Move the toothbrush with short strokes and a scrubbing motion, several times in each spot – don’t saw back and forth across the teeth with your toothbrush.
- Apply just enough pressure to feel the bristles against the gums. If you are squashing the bristles, you're brushing too hard.
- Replace your toothbrush when you notice frayed and bent bristles.
- Brush for two minutes at a time
If you have any questions about proper brushing techniques, ask us about it at your next appointment or give us a call today!
April 25th, 2016
If you could prevent tooth decay, reduce tooth sensitivity and help make your teeth stronger for a lifetime with a simple 2 minute procedure, would you want to know more?
Our office is now offering topical fluoride varnish treatments to all patients. Fluoride varnishes offer a safe, easy, affordable evidence-based treatment to prevent dental caries and hypersensitivity for patients from infancy and older. The teeth are dried with gauze or air and then the flavored gel is painted on the teeth with a small brush. The gel dries clear when it comes in contact with saliva and stays on the teeth ideally for 4-6 hours after application. Patients can eat and drink immediately and are asked to avoid hot, sticky, or crunchy foods until they brush off the varnish before bed.
Benefits include:
- Prevents decay is children and adults
- Reduces tooth sensitivity
- Reduces sensitivity to whitening procedures
- Strengthens teeth
- No trays are needed
- No waiting to eat or drink
In a recent Wall Street Journal published on April 11, 2016, the benefits of fluoride varnish made headlines; “The advantages of fewer fillings go beyond avoiding the dreaded anesthetic injection and drill. Fillings don’t last forever and eventually need to be replaced, says Mark Wolff, chair of cariology at New York University College of Dentistry. Each successive filling is going to be bigger than the last, progressively weakening the tooth. The key is avoiding the first one.”
Ask about fluoride varnish at your next dental visit!
Cheryl Elmstrom, RDH, BS
April 20th, 2016
The idea for Earth Day was the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He envisioned an Earth Day that would be a kind of environmental teach-in. The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22, 1970, and a surprising 20 million people participated on that day. Ultimately, it became the largest organized celebration in US history.
Earth Day Over the Years
Over the years, the recognition of the day, and the number of people celebrating it all over the world, turned Earth Day into an international celebration. Because it is celebrated throughout the world, it is not only the largest international environmental observation, but it is also more widely celebrated than any other environmental event in the world. Today, Earth Day is celebrated in 175 countries where over 500 million people participate in celebrations.
The Earth Day Movement
The Earth Day movement is credited with developing the idea that people should “think green”. It encouraged congress to enact laws, including one that resulted in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. It also inspired the passage of the Endangered Species Act.
The Five R's and Their Importance
- Reduce – Reduce by avoiding unnecessary purchases. Reduce your use of materials that wind up in landfills. Reduce the use of chemicals around your house. Reduce your use of disposable bags, plates, cups, eating utensils, and batteries.
- Reuse – Instead of using plastic bags for your groceries or purchases, bring your own reusable bags. When you go to buy coffee at Starbucks, take a travel mug so you don't have to get your coffee in a disposable paper cup. Instead of storing food in disposable refrigerator containers, buy containers that can be washed and reused. Don't use regular batteries. Whenever possible, opt for rechargeable batteries that you can reuse.
- Recycle – Most cities offer a recycling program to collect used bottles, cans, and newspapers. Recycling includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials such as fibers and manufacturing raw materials into new products.
- Re-buy – Make an effort to purchase things that are made through recycling. When purchasing furniture, look for items that are made from reclaimed wood. When buying paper for kids school work, computer printer paper, holiday cards, or anything else, make a point of purchasing recycled paper products. Instead of buying clothing at full retail price, shop for second hand clothing. You will save a lot of money by doing so!
- Rethink – Rethink the way you do things so that you do them in an eco-conscious way at all times. Instead of driving to work alone, consider taking the bus or going in a carpool. Walk or ride your bike when you're only going a short distance. Plan your shopping trips and errand runs so that you can do everything on one day, and do it in a way where you can save time and gas.
Other ways to "think green" include growing your own food, composting yard waste and food scraps, or by participating in local recycling programs. Join a group like Freecycle so you can share your unneeded and unwanted possessions with people who can use them. Likewise, you'll be able to get things you need or want for free.
Earth Day teaches people that the planet belongs to everyone, so everyone is equally responsible for protecting it. Although Earth Day is an environmental celebration, our team at Weaver Dentistry wants to remind you that you don't have to wait until then to make changes that will allow you and your family to live a greener life.
Happy Earth Day from the team at Weaver Dentistry.
