Interesting Dental Facts

Teeth are the hardest substance in the body.


The first nylon bristled toothbrush was invented in 1938.


The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough saliva to fill two swimming pools.


A sneeze zooms out of the mouth at over 600mph.


Tooth decay is the second most common disease in the U.S. after the common cold.


If you don't floss you miss cleaning 35% of your tooth surface.


Ancient cultures chewed on twigs and roots to clean their teeth.


45-70 seconds , that is the amount of time most people brush a day.


Their are 300 types of bacteria that make up dental plaque.


George Washington didn't have wooden teeth,his teeth  were made from gold, hippopotamus tusk,elephant ivory and human teeth.

A tooth that has been knocked out starts to die within 15 minutes,but if you put it in milk,it will survive longer.Get to Dr. Smyths office ASAP.


Athletes are more likely to damage their teeth when not wearing a mouth guard during athletic activities.


Did you know that a mosquito has 47 teeth?


Turtles and tortoises are toothless.


Sharks have an unlimited supply of teeth.


A crocodile replaces  it's teeth over 40 times in a lifetime.


An interesting fact about Dr. Smyths office is that 8 out of 11 employees have been here 10years or more. Three of those employees  (Cheryl, Carol and Kim) have been here for over 20 years.WOW!!






Source:starsmilez.com

Canker Sores

A canker sore is a common form of a mouth ulcer, which appears as a painful white or yellow ulcer surrounded by a bright red area.

Cause

A canker sore can be triggered by emotional stress, certain foods, menstrual periods,hormonal changes, and trauma by a sharp tooth or a dental appliance. Sometimes an underlying health condition can trigger a canker sore.

Treatment

Canker sores will usually heal in 7-10 days without any treatment. If you can't or don't want to wait for the canker sore to heal, Dr. Smyth and Dr. Abernethy can prescribe a rinse for you. The prescription rinse consists of Maalox, Benadryl and Lidocaine. You rinse with this solution 3 times a day for 5 days.

Foods to Avoid

Tomatoes,tomato sauce

Strawberries

Oranges,orange juice

Lemons

Pineapples

apples

Any foods that are that are either acidic or spicy

So if you find yourself with a canker sore, Dr. Smyth and Dr. Abernethy would be happy to prescribe the above mentioned oral rinse to  help make you more comfortable.

Sources

webmd.com

about.com/picture

Clinpro 5000

I'm so excited to introduce you to our new favorite toothpaste!!

Clinpro 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste contains an innovative Tri Calcium Phosphate ingredient and provides over 4 times more fluoride than regular toothpaste.Clinpro 5000 strengthens teeth better than leading brands and also reverses white spot lesions better than leading brands.Clinpro 5000 is a prescription strength toothpaste.

Who can benefit from using Clinpro 5000?

Patients with the following: receding gums
                                          history of cavities
                                          poor oral hygiene
                                          high sugar and starch diets
                                          orthodontics
                                          dry mouth(caused by medications)
                                          white spot lesions

How do I use Clinpro 5000?

You use Clinpro 5000 just like regular toothpaste.Place a pea size amount on your toothbrush and brush for 2 minutes. After brushing, just spit out the toothpaste, do NOT rinse out. Use at bedtime.

Who should NOT use Clinpro 5000?

Children under the age of 6
Children between the ages of 6-12 should rinse thoroughly with water after brushing for 2 minutes.

Where can I purchase Clinpro 5000?

You can purchase Clinpro 5000 right here at Dr. Smyths office in Franklin, Ma.

Toothbrushes: Manual vs Electric

From the time we're young, we are taught that using a toothbrush regularly is one of the best ways to keep our teeth and gums healthy.

So which toothbrush is the best???

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush is the one that you will actually use. It is really that simple!!

So here is a list of some pros and cons for each type of toothbrush:

Manual-Pros 
It is inexpensive
Easy to travel with

Manual-Cons
No built in timer to let you know when your 2 minutes are up

Electric-Pros
Built in timer to tell you when your 2 minutes are up
Great for patients with orthodontics
massages gums

Electric-Cons
Can be expensive
Requires charging

The hygienists at Dr. Smyths office prefer an electric toothbrush, most specifically , a sonicare toothbrush. They believe a  sonicare toothbrush can help patients achieve optimum oral health.


Sources:Dentistry.about.com

Are Sports Drinks Bad for You????

Sports drinks can rehydrate you after a workout, but they may wreak havoc on your teeth. Prolonged comsumption of sports drinks could lead to erosive tooth wear. The sugar in sports drinks encourages bacteria to form in your mouth, making it easier to make their way into weak areas of the teeth. Weak enamel leads to sensitivity and increased risk for cavities.

Studies have shown that sports drinks can damage tooth enamel, even more so than soda, due to a combination of acidic components, sugars and additives.

Some examples of sports drinks are: Gatorade, Powerade, Propel Fit Water, Life Water and Vitamin Water.

So what should you do if you regularly consume these beverages, and don't want to give them up?

Use sports drinks in moderation
Dilute sports drinks with water
Drink sports drinks cold, warm temperatures speed erosion
Use a straw to reduce contact between the drink and the teeth


When Dr. Smyth was playing high school and college hockey, he drank gatorade and water.Gatorade was a fairly new product back then, so the effects  of these types of drinks were not really well known. Dr. Smyth now cautions his patients on the consumption of sports drinks to his patients.


Sources: Chicago Dental Society
               International Association for Dental Research

Xylitol- A Natural Sweetner


Xylitol is derived from the fibrous parts of plants. It doesn't break down like sugar and is slowly digested,so it won't raise blood sugar and insulin levels like regular sugar.


Regular us of xylitol makes saliva more alkaline which prevents bacteria from sticking to the enamel,therefore protecting the teeth from tooth decay.


You can find xylitol in gum, mints and toothpaste. Look for xylitol to be listed as the first or second ingredient. Each piece contains one gram , look to consume up to five grams daily , for the greatest benefit.


Dr. Smyth doesn't always chew gum, but when he does, he makes sure to choose gum with xylitol in it. Keep chewing my friends!!


If anyone has found some products with xylitol in it that you love, let us know, we would love to hear from you.


Sources:Natural Medicines
               Xylitol.org

Oral Health: A window to your overall health.


What's the connection between oral health and overall health?


Your mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of them harmless. Natural defenses and good oral health care , such as daily flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and cause oral infections,such as tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, medications,or treatments that reduce saliva flow, disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth.


Conditions that are linked to Oral health are as follows:
Endocarditis,Cardiovascular disease, Pregnancy, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Osteoporosis, Alzheimers disease, Sjogrens syndrome and eating disorders.


How can you protect yourself?
Brush at least twice a day
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or brush head , if you are using an electric tooth brush
Floss daily
Eat a healthy diet
Schedule regular dental check ups


Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.




Source:Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research