Did you realize that you typically spend about 24 hours every year brushing your teeth. In all that time have you ever wondered what was in your toothpaste? The answer varies from brand to brand but here are 5 ingredients that are the most common. Fluoride This mineral is key to fighting tooth decay. Fluoride makes the enamel of your teeth harder and more resistant to acid wear. To make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride, check the list of active ingredients for sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate or stannous fluoride. Only these three forms of fluoride are recognized by the Food and Drug Administration for cavity prevention. And a little fluoride goes a long way: Most toothpastes contain only 0.15% fluoride ion, or 1500 …
How to Brush Your Teeth
You would be surprised at how many patients that ask "What is the proper way to brush my teeth". Here are some facts that explains the proper way to brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine. For a healthy mouth and smile the ADA recommends you: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. The proper brushing technique is to: Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree …
Floss Picks vs. Traditional Floss
Ever wonder how Lowcountry Family Dentistry decides on Facebook posts and blog subject matter? Typically our subjects are prompted by several patients asking the same question. If multiple patients have the same question it figures others might have be wondering the same thing. That being said, today's topic hits closer to home. Although a dental professional, I am also a mom and wife. As with many married couples, my husband and I were raised a little differently, Despite the fact we both want what's best for our children and are usually on the same page, there are a few things we debate. One of those debates is whether traditional floss or a floss pick is better for the kids. I'm in the traditional floss camp, and he thinks …
Flossing
Do I really need to floss? Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque and, in some ways, more important than the toothbrush. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing and many never have been taught the proper way to floss. What type of floss is the best? Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. They all clean and remove plaque. Wide floss, also known as dental tape, may be helpful for people with a …
Bad Breath
Halitosis, or bad breath, affects more than 80 million people in the United States. In most cases, people with bad breath aren’t even aware of the problem. Halitosis has a significant impact, both personally and socially, on those who suffer from it. If you think that you suffer from bad breath, your Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant can help determine the source of the odor. If one of our Beaufort dentists believes that the problem is caused from a systemic (internal) source, such as an infection, he or she may refer you to your family physician or a specialist to help treat the cause of the problem. What Causes Bad Breath? Typically, bad breath originates in your gums and tongue. It is caused by waste from bacteria in the mouth (typically …