Daily plaque removal is good smile insurance. But a few simple pointers will help you get the most out of that daily dental to-do.

Healthy teeth and gums are good for your whole body. Keep decay and inflammation at bay with a consistent schedule. Brush your teeth.

Remember what the YOU Docs say: Brush and floss only the teeth you want to keep. And you definitely want to keep all of your choppers. Not just for the sake of a great smile or for the fun of crunching through crisp apples in winter and corn on the cob in summer. But also because healthy gums and teeth are good for your whole body. A recent study uncovered a link between a healthy smile and a lower incidence of cancer. And researchers have confirmed a connection between periodontal disease and inflammation — the kind of inflammation that could contribute to heart disease and diabetes.

So don’t brush past dental hygiene without any thought. Break yourself into doing this simple daily habit right, and your tongue will enjoy the company of your teeth for many years to come.
Keep Your Teeth with 3 Easy Steps

1. Brushing: Go the Distance

Brush twice a day — just don’t skimp on time. Go the distance. Most people spend only 45 seconds brushing their teeth. But bump up your brushing time to 2 minutes and you’ll remove 25% more plaque. Here are more tips on proper brushing:

Lighten up. Brushing too hard can damage teeth and gums. Use a light touch when you brush, applying no more force than what amounts to the weight of a small apple.
Work the angles. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, and use small, circular strokes to gently remove plaque along the gumline of your inner and outer tooth surfaces. To clean chewing surfaces, use back-and-forth strokes. And give your tongue a few swipes, too, to help prevent bad breath.
Toss it. Your toothbrush bristles wear out over time, reducing the amount of plaque that you can easily remove. Replace your brush every 2 to 3 months, or more often if the bristles look worn or frayed.

2. Flossing: Think 18

Brushing daily is great. But if you don’t floss, too, you’re leaving 40% of your tooth surface untouched. And if you floss but don’t use a long enough piece of string, you’re just pushing that plaque around your mouth from tooth to tooth. So start with an 18-inch piece of floss, and move to a fresh bit of string for each new tooth you clean. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers and gently curl the floss around the tooth edge, sliding up and down along the tooth surface. And be sure to go under the gumline. What you don’t want is to make a back-and-forth sawing motion with the string. You’ll end up cutting your gums and allowing plaque and bacteria to build up between your teeth.

3. Scraping: See the Pros

To help keep your teeth in tip-top shape, see your dental hygienist twice a year for teeth cleaning. Even if you’re a top-notch brusher and flosser, you’ll still need professional cleanings to remove tartar buildup with a process called scaling. Your hygienist will also polish your teeth and remove stains to help prevent future plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.

This article was found on the blog, “Real Age”. If you want to improve your smile, come in and Dr. Diamond, the Los Alamitos dentist, will help you achieve great results.

Jaw pain is the most common kind of musculoskeletal pain after low back pain, affecting about 20 million Americans. Fittingly, it has a jaw-breaking name: temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

The jaw hinge connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone on each side of the head. Sometimes this joint hurts, clicks and/or locks painfully. Jaw muscles may become sore, making it hard to chew. Pain may radiate to the facial and neck muscles, the head, ears and teeth; it may persist around the clock.

Causes and controversies of TMD

There are many theories about the causes of TMD. Some of the obvious ones are injury to the jaw or arthritis in the joint. Genetic factors may play a role. Some dentists blame grinding or clenching the teeth (bruxism), especially at night, or dislocation of the disk that cushions the jaw joint. Emotional stress is often cited as a cause of both teeth grinding and TMD. Gum chewing, nail biting and eating chewy foods or crunchy candies might also contribute, as may bad posture, particularly thrusting the chin forward, which can strain the neck and jaw muscles. TMD is hard to diagnose and treat, probably because it may be a lot of different problems that vary from person to person.

First step: self-care

• Try over-the-counter pain relievers; apply hot or cold compresses to the jaw. Massage your jaw muscles and temples.

• Eat soft foods; take small bites. Give up hard and chewy foods, like bagels and dried fruit, for a while. Don’t chew gum.

• Do gentle jaw stretches. Slowly open and close your mouth. Let your jaw hang slightly when you are not chewing, swallowing or speaking.

Next step: professional care

• If the pain persists, consult your dentist. In the past, correcting malocclusion (teeth that don’t fit together properly) by grinding down a few tooth surfaces was regarded as a good treatment, but more recent research suggests it may not help TMD much. Though its benefits for TMD are also questioned, mouth splints (worn while sleeping) may help stabilize the bite and eliminate nocturnal tooth grinding. If you try a splint, a low-cost athletic mouth guard may work as well as a custom device.

• If stress is contributing to your TMD, professional counseling may help. TMD may respond well to relaxation training, biofeedback and distraction therapy. Small but well-designed studies have found that acupuncture can be useful, too, at least in the short term.

• TMD may improve with time and go away on its own. If it does not, a referral to an orofacial pain management clinic or TMD center affiliated with a hospital or university may be the next best step.

Baby Teeth: These aren’t replaced. Broken ones are filed down to smooth rough edges, repaired with a composite material, or removed completely if the break is bad. Baby teeth that get bumped out of place can in most cases be shifted back.
Permanent Teeth: Act quickly. Don’t clean the tooth; put it in a glass of milk, and go to the dentist right away. Call first to say you’re coming, because the sooner the tooth is back in its socket, the more likely it will “take.” If it can’t be saved, your child will probably be fitted with a false tooth attached to a retainer; he/she can get a dental implant when he/she’s older and done growing, at around age 18. A broken tooth can be covered with a crown or restored with a cosmetic bonding. Source: Parents Magazine, May 2011

FDA Warns of Complications with Teething Gels Containing Benzocaine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious blood disorder that is associated with pain relievers, including teething gels, that contain benzocaine sold under the brand names Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, Orabase and generic brands.

Methemoglobinemia is a serious blood disorder that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream and, in severe cases, can lead to death. Symptoms, which could possibly follow a single application of benzocaine with concentrations as low as 7.5 percent, include pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate .

The FDA is advising health care professionals to refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for teething, which recommend giving infants and toddlers a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing or massaging the gums with a finger instead of using benzocaine to relieve the symptoms.

For more information, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm250024.htm and the ADA website at http://www.ada.org/news/5731.aspx.

There is No Need to Prolong the Pain….Let us Heal your Canker Sores in Seconds!

Do you recall noticing a painful open sore with a red border and a white or yellowish center developing in your mouth? Have you ever felt a tingling or burning sensation inside your mouth or lips? It is most likely by now that you know we are talking about canker sores or oral ulcers. Diamond Dental has the perfect solution for these uncomfortable sores!
Why do canker sores appear?
Even though the exact cause of canker sores is unknown, their appearances have been correlated with the excessive consumption of citric fruits (oranges and lemons), sudden weight loss, stress, physical trauma (tooth brush abrasion or accidental biting) and low levels of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron.
How long do they last?
If is it a minor oral ulcer, with a size of 3 mm to 10 mm, it will go away in about one week. A major canker sore, which is greater than 10 mm and is extremely painful, will last for about two weeks. However, the worst kind of canker sore, called herpetiform ulcerations, is characterized by multiple 1 to 3 mm lesions that form clumps and may take around a month to heal.
Does this mean you have to bear the pain for that long?
The answer is NO! At our Diamond Dental, we attend all kinds of oral needs, including canker sores. We count on the newest technological devices, such as our Soft Tissue Laser to make the canker sore healing process faster and less painful.
These are some of the benefits of using our NEW Soft Tissue Laser:

• Almost instant relief from pain and discomfort.
• Faster healing. The ulcer actually heals in 24 to 72 hours.
• Painless procedure that requires no anesthetic.
• Less bleeding.
• Less swelling.
• Reduction of recurrence of lesions.
• Substitutes for treatment.
• Eliminates the need for invasive procedures.
If you are suffering from oral ulcers, contact Diamond Dental’s team for an appointment now, and get rid of the pain. Our Soft Tissue Laser not only cures canker sores, but it also helps treat periodontal (gum) disease, sterilizes canals in endodontic procedures and aids in teeth whitening. Improve your oral health in a Faster, Less Painful and more Effective way!

Sept. 7, 2010 — Parents worried about mercury in amalgam dental fillings now have a new bugbear: BPA from dental sealants and “white” fillings.

Bisphenol A — BPA — is a resin used in many kinds of plastics, including some water bottles and metal food can liners. Emerging evidence suggests, but does not prove, that BPA can have harmful effects on human health, particularly on child development.

Dental sealants and fillings don’t contain BPA, but many of them contain compounds that turn into BPA on contact with saliva. Is this a problem? That’s what one mother recently asked in a letter sent to Children’s Hospital, Boston.

To answer the question, pediatric endocrinologist Abby F. Fleisch, MD, and colleagues performed an exhaustive review of the scientific evidence. They came to two conclusions:

• BPA does indeed form in the mouth after some dental sealants and fillings are applied. BPA can be found in the saliva three hours after dental work is completed. It’s not at all clear whether this poses a health risk.
• A quick wipe and rinse of the completed dental work vastly decreases whatever risk there might be.

“We believe the high preventive benefits of sealants far outweigh the risk. So until the dental industry creates alternative materials, we recommend their continued use,” Fleisch tells WebMD. “But we do recommend precautionary application techniques.”

Fleisch and colleagues had hoped to be able to recommend BPA-free brands of dental sealants and composites. But manufacturers are not required to disclose all of the ingredients in their products. Moreover, many use little-studied compounds such as triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) that may or may not pose risks of their own.

Fortunately, scrubbing and rinsing sealants and fillings after they are applied removes 88% to 95% of the compounds that can become BPA.

How hard is that to do? It’s simple, says pediatric dentist Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski, DDS, MPH, associate professor at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health.

“If you spend 30 minutes placing a filling, scrubbing it for 30 seconds more is not going to kill you,” Kopycka-Kedzierawski tells WebMD. “I would agree it is something we can do to protect our children.”

Fleisch and colleagues report their findings in the Sept. 7 issue of the journal Pediatrics.

This is an article from a recent WebMD posting. If you have any concerns regarding sealants or composite (white) fillings, please call our office. Dr. Diamond will be happy to discuss your concerns with you. Our office happens to use a NON-BPA SEALANT for the past several years.  You can reach us at (562) 430-1013 or (714) 828-5951 or email us drd@mydiamonddental.com or visit our website www.MyDiamondDental.com  for more information.

1. Visit your dentist during pregnancy. Dental treatment is safe.

2. Wipe baby’s gums twice a day, in the morning and right before bed.

3. Clean pacifier and bottle with soap and water, not spit.

4. Each family member uses his or her own toothbrush, spoon, fork or cup.

5. Give only milk or water in the cup or bottle.

6. “Test” baby’s food by tasting it with your own spoon or fork.

7. Only use a dab of fluoride toothpaste every time you brush your baby’s teeth.

If you have any questions or comments about this or related subjects, please reply back on our Blog here or Website, www.MyDiamondDental.com

When And How Often You Consume Acidic Foods Or Beverages Affects Dental Health
ScienceDaily (2008-02-10) — Sugar isn’t the only enemy of teeth. Acids found in diet and regular soda, energy drinks, juice and wine can erode tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. There are a few ways to minimize the risk of damage from acidic foods and drinks such as timing consumption: Eating acidic foods as part of a meal helps neutralize and eliminate acids. Before bedtime is the worst time to consume acidic foods, because saliva production decreases during sleep. Saliva helps neutralize and dilute acids. Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste 30 minutes before consuming acidic foods or drink is most beneficial. Brushing immediately afterward should be avoided. … > read full article

Whether children receive regular dental care is strongly associated with their parents’ history of seeking dental care, according to a new study in Pediatrics (February 1, 2010). The report is the first to analyze the relationship between parents’ and children’s dental visits in a nationally representative sample.

“When parents don’t see the dentist, their children are much less likely to see the dentist,” said lead author Inyang Isong, M.D., of the MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, in a press release. “We also found that the children of parents who have put off their own dental care for financial reasons are more likely to have their care deferred due to cost as well. It looks like strategies to promote oral health should focus on the whole family.”

Earlier investigations of the impact of parents accessing dental care focused on particular demographic groups. To see whether associations from those studies applied more broadly, researchers of the current study analyzed data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and its Child Health Supplement, which are designed to collect basic health and demographic information, along with answers to questions on health topics of current interest, from a cross section of the U.S. population.

Survey responses including data regarding dental visits for both a child and parent in the same household was available for more than 6,100 matched pairs. Overall, 77% of children and 64% of parents had a dental visit in the previous 12 months. Among parents who reported seeing a dentist during the preceding year, 86% of children had also seen a dentist; but only 64% of the children of parents with no recent dental visit had seen a dentist during the previous 12 months.

In addition, among parents who put off their own dental care because of financial considerations, 27% of their children also had dental care deferred. In contrast, only 3% of children whose parents had not put off their own care had their dental care deferred.

“Even when children are covered by medical insurance, it appears that financial barriers are influencing parents’ decisions about accessing dental care for their children,” Dr. Isong stated. “We’re now in the process of looking at the impact of dental insurance — something not addressed by the NHIS — and other enabling resources on the relationship between parents’ and children’s receipt of dental care.”

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