I know that dentists and dental hygienists recommend that
toothbrushes be discarded every 3 to 4 months or after a cold or illness, but do we really have to just throw them away? Any suggestions of what a man can do with an old toothbrush?
Remove dirt and grime from chains, brakes and other
difficult to reach parts
of a bicycle or motorcycle.
A: YES. Have you ever used cola to clean pennies? It's
easy, just throw some dirty pennies in a container with some cola and let them soak overnight. In the morning, you'll have clean pennies. The phosphoric and carbonic acids in the cola are responsible for the change. These same acids damage dental
enamel and the sugar in those same colas promotes dental
decay. Cutting back on cola and replacing it with water is a good idea. If you just can't give up cola, try brushing or at least rinsing with water right after drinking. This
will help remove acids and sugars that damage your teeth.
Well, here are some clever ideas on how to put your old
toothbrush to use:
Clean the heads of your car battery.
Remove dirt and debris from hiking or work boots and
sneakers.
Clear the hair out of your electric razor.
There are many other uses one can add to this list, so next
time you're ready
to throw away that old toothbrush, take a look around. It
may become a useful
cleaning instrument for something else besides your teeth.
Help! My son just fell off his bike and knocked out his
front tooth. What
should I do?Timing is critical. Handle the tooth only by the tip (crown) and avoid touching any attached tissue fragments. If possible, reposition the tooth in the socket and hold gently in place or submerge the tooth completely in milk or lukewarm water. Go to your dentist ASAP!
Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning
process because it removes plaque from
between teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal
(gum) disease often begins.
Wind 18 inches of floss around the
middle fingers of each hand leaving a 2-inch length
in between. Use your thumbs to direct floss
between the upper teeth. Keep the 2-inch length
of floss taut between your
fingers. Use your index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower
teeth. Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag
motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH.
Contour the floss around the side of the tooth.
Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and
under the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with
a clean
section of floss. If you find using floss
awkward or difficult (and you
certainly aren't alone), there are a variety of
dental floss holders or interdental cleaning
devices that are available, but that's another question.
When the bristles are splayed in all directions it
is time to get a new brush. This usually happens after
3-4 months of regular use. When a toothbrush
gets into this condition it is no longer as
effective in
cleaning teeth, especially along the gumline
and in between
teeth. After a cold or illness it is wise to
change your brush, too
Americans spend $850 million a year on mouthwashes,
breath
mints and
sprays (yes folks, I double checked that figure!).
The sad
thing is that
dental professions and consumers are not secure
that any
products do
more than cover up or mask bad breath. In 1992,
Consumer
Reports
reported that rinsing with a mouthwash is effective in
controlling bad
breath for only 30-60 minutes. Some products also have a
very high
alcohol level which has been proven to be harmful.
(I've
treated
patients that I thought had a drink before their
appointment only to
find out I was smelling mouthwash. Or so they say.)
So if
bad breath
is a problem, go see your dentist. The cure may be as
simple as learning
to brush better. Other causes may be gum disease, tooth
decay, post
nasal drip or stomach problems and let's not forget
cigarettes, etc.
A: Yes, some diets that are designed to help you lose
weight may be
low in the minerals and vitamins that are necessary for
good dental
health. Your teeth and gums can be affected by deficiencies
in calcium
and vitamin D which are plentiful in dairy products. Be
sure not to
skimp in that food group
A: Baby bottle tooth decay is rampant dental cavities in a baby or a toddler. It can occur when a child is given a bottle filled with milk, formula, or fruit juice at bed time or nap time. Since breast milk contains sugar, decay can also occur when a baby falls asleep while breast feeding. Sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria plaque on the teeth to form acid, which attacks the enamel. To prevent damage, clean the infant's gums after each feeding using a soft wet cloth. After the teeth erupt, a soft bristled brush and warm water should be used. If the child must have a bedtime bottle for comfort, the bottle should be filled only with water. If a pacifier is used, never dip it in honey or any other sweets, for this sugar can be just as damaging.
A: Yes, there's nothing wrong with pacifiers during the first
three years
of life. In fact, they may be preferable over
finger-sucking habits.
Babies are comforted by sucking and it may actually
strengthen certain
mouth muscles. When this happens, the tongue and lips are
better able to
guide in the baby teeth which will then guide the permanent
teeth. Most
children will give up their pacifiers by the age of three.
On the other
hand, those who suck their fingers or thumbs may continue
this habit
past age five and some until age nine. At these late ages,
this habit
most likely will lead to orthodontic (braces) problems.
Hormonal differences -- increases in estrogen and
progesterone -- can
affect a woman's gums during pregnancy. Blood flow to the
gums is
increased causing puffiness and bleeding. Home care is
especially
important in battling this problem. Twice daily and after
meals
brushing and regular flossing can help reduce plaque
buildup. If morning
sickness is present, anti-plaque and fluoride rinses can
also be
helpful. A healthy diet that includes sources of vitamin C
and B12 can
also positively influence dental health.
VERY IMPORTANT! See your dentist/hygienist during your
second trimester
to have a dental exam and cleaning.
OLD WIVES TALE: "Lose a tooth with every baby": the fetus draws calcium from the mother's bones, not her teeth.
Available at your local drug store: towelettes for your
teeth and breath
Use them while traveling, biking, hiking, camping, work,
school, anytime you
wish you could brush. Soft, strong, textured cloths,
moistened with a mint
flavored mouthwash, each towelette is individually packaged
for easy storage.
They are the easy way for the whole family to clean teeth
and freshen breath
when brushing just isn't possible.
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