Toothbrush Trivia

How often do you use your toothbrush? Hopefully it’s at least two times a day. You may have looked at it so many times, though, that you hardly even think about it anymore. They are an object that has been in your life, probably since you can remember. You may even think you know all there is about your toothbrush, but today we’d like to give you some fun trivia facts about them.

The toothbrush may be 5,000 years old. It may have been in different forms, but in some ancient civilizations, people used a “chew stick,” which was a thin twig with a frayed end, to help them remove food that was stuck in their teeth.

The first mass-produced toothbrush was created in prison. In 1770, William Addis was jailed for starting a riot when he observed the other prisoners cleaning their teeth with a rag covered in soot or salt. He saved an animal bone from dinner, got bristles from a guard, bored tiny holes, inserted the bristles and sealed them with glue. Upon his release, he refined his prototype and started a company.

There isn’t a set order for brushing and flossing. It may not really matter to your teeth which you do first, so long as you are doing it.

Your toothbrush’s lifespan may be three or four months. After that, your brush might not be able to do as great of a job at cleaning your teeth and it should be replaced.

If you would like to know more about dental hygiene and you live near Jacksonville, Florida, please call Berdy Dental Group today to schedule an appointment at (904) 647-2789. Drs. Christian and Cary Berdy, and our friendly team members, would be happy to help you have a bright and healthy smile.

What Is Plaque?

Do you get a substance built up along your gumline and teeth? Does it usually come off after brushing, flossing or if you gently scrape it? That substance could be a colorless, sticky film of bacteria and sugars known as plaque, which continually forms on your teeth.

Your mouth naturally has a lot of bacteria that can collect on your tongue, teeth and gumline. Plaque often begins at the gumline and is completely normal and even expected by our dentists. When the bacteria mixes with sugar, it can produce acids that, if not removed, can eat through the enamel on your teeth and a cavity might form.

Additionally, if plaque is allowed to remain on your teeth it could harden and become tartar, which is a calcified form of plaque. Once it has calcified, it can become much more difficult to remove, and you may need Drs. Christian and Cary Christian Berdy’s help.

How you can prevent plaque buildup

One of the easiest ways to prevent plaque buildup is by practicing proper dental hygiene. Our dentists recommend that you brush at least twice a day and floss once daily. Limiting your sugary and starchy foods can also help as it can reduce the bacteria’s food supply. Chewing a piece of sugar-free gum may be beneficial as it can increase your saliva production, which can clean your mouth naturally.

One of the best ways to care for your dental health and reducing plaque from your smile in Jacksonville, Florida, is to schedule an appointment at Berdy Dental Group by calling (904) 647-2789. We look forward to caring for your smile.

Tips For Maintaining Your Oral Appliances

We thought this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss some tips for maintaining your partial denture or orthodontic retainer.

1. Give them a break

Take your dentures out before going to bed so that mouth tissues can recover from wear during the day. Soak dentures or retainers in warm water if they have metal clasps. If they don’t, you can use either a vinegar and water solution or a special denture cleanser. This will help to remove stains, plaque, tartar and bacteria.

2. Handle with care.

Since oral appliances don’t come cheap and can break easily, you’ll want to be careful with them. Clean them over a folded towel or bowl of water in case they drop. Remember; always put them in plastic container when you are not wearing them!

3. Clean daily

Just because these aren’t your real teeth, that doesn’t mean they don’t need regular cleaning. If your dentures are plagued with plaque, it can lead to problems in the tissues underneath, such as infection and irritation. Brush your dentures with a regular soft-bristled brush—not the same one you use for your real teeth. You can use regular hand soap, mild dishwashing detergent, mildly abrasive toothpaste or dental paste for cleaning your dentures.

4. Maintain your oral health

Even if you have complete dentures, you still need to care for your gums. Whenever you take out your dentures, give your mouth a good rinse and then massage your gums with a washcloth or a soft toothbrush. If you have partial dentures, you still need to properly brush and floss your regular teeth every day.

5. See your dentist.

Remember to see your dentist at least once a year and your hygienist for your regularly scheduled cleanings. Dentists examine your oral tissues for changes and for sores that might become cancerous. We can also provide advice as to oral hygiene and denture care.

6. Watch for changes in fit.

If your dentures aren’t fitting properly or just don’t feel right, check with your dentist. The gums and bones in your mouth change over time, leading to an improper denture fit. Your dentist can adjust your dentures to protect against problems like sores, pain and burning that can come from ill-fitting dentures. Ill-fitting dentures can also be a sign of periodontal disease, so it’s important to get checked.

12 Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Dry Mouth

No one likes a dry mouth. But dry mouth is more than just an annoyance, it’s also bad for your teeth. Saliva plays a crucial role in oral health. It washes away bacteria and neutralizes the harmful acids. Saliva protects against diseases in the mouth and provides the first line of defense against microbial infections that can create serious oral health problems.

Dry mouth—a.k.a. xerostomia—results from an inadequate flow of saliva. It is not a disease, but can be a symptom of certain medical disorders or a side effect of medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, and pain killers. Without saliva, tooth decay is more likely to occur.

To manage dry mouth, try sugar-free candy or gum to stimulate saliva flow. Also, moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses. If the problem persists, you can contact our office to explore other medical options.

Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Failure To Be A Floss Boss

Many of us are much more diligent about flossing than brushing, but flossing everyday is just as important as brushing everyday. Brushing only cleans the service areas of the teeth. Tooth brush bristles alone are not able to clean between these tight spaces. Floss removes the food that gets trapped between the teeth and gets rid of the plaque that accumulates there before it turns into tartar. Tartar is harder to get rid of and makes it more difficult to brush and floss effectively. It only takes plaque 24 hours before plaque begins to harden and form tartar. That’s why it’s important to floss everyday to prevent its accumulation.

Flossing every day is one of the most important things you can do to protect your teeth. It prevents periodontal disease, polishes the tooth’s surface, and can even help control bad breath. Cleaning between teeth is essential to your daily oral hygiene routine. Need instructions on how to floss? Check out Dr. Berdy’s videos about proper flossing technique and how to floss with a handy wipe in order to clean difficult to reach areas of your mouth.

Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Lemons, Limes, and Oranges! Oh My!

Many of us are much more diligent about flossing than brushing, but flossing everyday is just as important as brushing everyday. Brushing only cleans the service areas of the teeth. Tooth brush bristles alone are not able to clean between these tight spaces. Floss removes the food that gets trapped between the teeth and gets rid of the plaque that accumulates there before it turns into tartar. Tartar is harder to get rid of and makes it more difficult to brush and floss effectively. It only takes plaque 24 hours before plaque begins to harden and form tartar. That’s why it’s important to floss everyday to prevent its accumulation.

Flossing every day is one of the most important things you can do to protect your teeth. It prevents periodontal disease, polishes the tooth’s surface, and can even help control bad breath. Cleaning between teeth is essential to your daily oral hygiene routine. Need instructions on how to floss? Check out Dr. Berdy’s videos about proper flossing technique and how to floss with a handy wipe in order to clean difficult to reach areas of your mouth.

Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Aging and Your Teeth

As you age, it becomes even more important to take care of your teeth and protect your dental health. Teeth become more susceptible to decay  near old fillings or roots left unprotected by receding gum lines. It is a common misconception that losing your teeth is inevitable. It’s not true. Your teeth can last a lifetime if you care for them properly.

The danger is not aging, but oral disease. However, you can be protect your teeth if you follow a few of these tips to maintain your oral health:

• Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush.
• Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, a Waterpik,  or another interdental cleaner.
• Increase your fluoride protection by by drinking tap water. Since most contains fluoride, it helps prevent tooth decay no matter how old you are.
• Quit smoking. Smoking puts you at greater risk for lung and other cancers as well as increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.
• Visit your dentist regularly for a complete dental check-up.

By adopting these healthy oral habits, making smart choices about diet and lifestyle, and seeking regular dental care, you can help your teeth last a lifetime.