ARE YOU SURE YOUR BRUSHING CORRECTLY?

Many people think they are brushing properly, however that just isn't the case. More and more people are coming into see their dentist who are not brushing properly. Some tips to consider when brushing are, Aim your bristles at a 45-degree angle and do short strokes or vibrations, softly brush up and down your teeth , not across your teeth. The strokes should be vertical or circular not horizontal.

If you have any questions or would like to be shown how to brush properly please ask the Dr. or Hygienist and they would be more then happy to show you how to properly brush.

 

Are you brushing too hard?

BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH!
Brush your teeth
Brush them clean
Brush them well
Go away cavities, GO AWAY!

What comes to your mind when you read something like that?  Need to brush more often?  Need to brush harder?

Well, in reality, brushing too often and too hard is doing the exact opposite of protecting them.  Brushing too often could expose the root of the tooth.  The tooth could become more sensitive to hot or cold temperature and even irritates the gums.  Brushing too hard will erode the tooth enamel - the outer-layer or the protective layer of the tooth.  So next time try brushing gently for at least two minutes.  It will help to keep those cavities away.    

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/brushing-teeth-mistakes

TOOTH BRUSHING MISTAKE #2

 

 

 

Brushing your teeth gently twice per day is recommended but 3 times is best. After breakfast lunch and the before you go to bed at night. If you are one of those people who really only manages to brush once per day. It is highly recommended that this be done before you go to bed at night, as all the food you have eaten and all the drinks you have drink-in are sitting and causing cavities on your teeth and this gives them more time to do their dirty work while you are sleeping at night. Something a lot of people don't know is that while you are sleeping your mouth doesn't produce as much saliva as it does in the day. Saliva plays a very important role in keeping out mouths healthy and clean therefore if you do only brush once a day it really should be done at night before you go to bed. This tip will help control bacteria in your mouth for an overall better health of your entire body. 

Are you using the right toothbrush?

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/brushing-teeth-mistakes

There are three criteria that one has to consider when choosing the right toothbrush: grip, toothbrush size and bristles softness.  It is recommended by American Dental Association to find a toothbrush that handle easily, fits comfortably in the mouth and has soft bristles.  The rule of thumb is to find a toothbrush that the user feels comfortable using so that he or she will want to brush!

How To Floss Properly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52zQ0REyR0Y

Knowing how to floss properly can be very important to the health of you teeth and gums, in the end then resulting in the overall health of you entire body. Please click on the link above to see a video on how to properly floss.



School Lunches for Healthy Teeth

Packing a healthy lunch for your kids may sound easy, but did you know that some fruits, milk, cereals, bread and vegetables contain sugars and / or starches? A healthy and balanced diet is essential to maintaining good oral health. Foods containing carbohydrates and sugars come in contact with the germs and bacteria in our mouth that cause plaque.
Plague thrives on the starches and sugars that are found in a great deal of foods. When plaque combines with the sugars and starches, an acid is produced that attacks tooth enamel and eventually causes decay. According to the American Dental Association, the acid attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more.
A healthy school lunch can help maintain good oral health and establish good nutritional habits in kids and teenagers. The following tips can help you learn how to prepare a lunch that best meets your child’s dental and nutritional needs.
Daily Nutritional Needs
Nutritional needs of children vary with age and sex. The Food Pyramid, provided by the USDA, allows you to input the sex and age of your child to determine his or her average daily nutritional requirements, so that you can easily plan a healthy lunch menu. Below, you can see how the daily nutritional needs of an 8-year-old boy differ from that of a 15-year-old girl, according to the Food Pyramid.
Daily nutritional needs of an 8-year-old boy:
5 ounces of grains
1.5 cups of vegetables
1.5 cups of fruit
2 cups of milk
4 ounces of meat and beans
Daily nutritional needs of a 15-year-old girl:
6 ounces of grains
2.5 cups of vegetables
1.5 cups of fruit
3 cups of milk
5 ounces of meat and beans

Happy Easter From Metro Dental!

Did you know the first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany in the early 1800s out of pastry and sugar? Nowadays, Easter treats can include Peeps, Cadbury eggs, donuts, marshmallows, Mars bars, cake, ice cream – all things that might cause cavities and tooth decay.



If you’re worried that your sweet tooth might turn into tooth decay, don’t be! You can enjoy your Easter treats and keep your teeth healthy! Just keep in mind these simple things when hunting for your Easter eggs:

• Pick Dark Chocolate - dark chocolate can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Avoid Anything Gooey - candy that sticks to your teeth is more likely to feed the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities
• Water It Down - water can help wash away-cavity causing bacteria, so be sure to keep a glassful close at hand.
• Practice Good Oral Health - be sure to brush twice a day for 3 minutes, floss daily before bed and visit Metro Dental for your dental hygiene appointment every 6 months or if you suspect that you might have a cavity.
  

The Metro Dental staff wishes you and your family a sweet Easter filled with smiles!