Beware of Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some big fat kisses to come your way.

So even though at Clarence Street Dental Group we’re concerned about cavities, gum disease, bad breath and lots of saliva, we won’t use this month’s blog entry to gross you out about kissing. But we will tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your kissing partner right after they smack one on you!!

Anthropologists have argued for years about the origin of kissing. Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. (Well, okay – we might gross you out a little bit!) This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.  Nowadays kisses aren’t just about romantic love. Of course parents kiss their children. Worshippers often kiss religious artifacts. Some people kiss the ground when exiting an airplane. And who doesn’t want to have a “boo boo” kissed when they get a bruise?

But February 14th is a day for the romantic kind of kiss, and if you are craving one, there may be a scientific reason. While this action can promote a psychological response of warmth and affection, it also causes your brain to secrete some important and productive chemicals, such as:

- Oxytocin, which helps people develop feelings of attachment, devotion and affection for one another 

- Dopamine, which plays a role in the brain's processing of emotions, pleasure and pain 

- Serotonin, which affects a person's mood and feelings 

- Adrenaline, which increases heart rate and plays a role in your body's fight-or-flight response

But along with that, when you kiss, hundreds or even millions of bacterial colonies are transported from one mouth to the other. And let’s face it – no one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth. So let’s start with the basics:

- Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. 

- Floss once per day – if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask! We’ll be glad to show you the ropes. 

- Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy. (Okay - we won’t tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine’s Day!) 

- Eat a well balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, nuts and fiber. 

- If you need to slip in a piece of gum or breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay. 

- Drink plenty of water! This helps to rinse away food particles, and staying hydrated is good for fresh clean breath. 

- See your dentist on a regular basis and call immediately if you suspect there are any problems with your oral condition. 

Here at Clarence Street Dental Group we want you to have a kissable February 14th and a lifetime of excellent dental health. If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment, please give us a call at (519) 756-8080. We are here for you!

Expert Teeth-Cleaning Tips

How can you tell if you're hitting the mark when it comes to good oral care? "Generally, your teeth and gums should not bleed, be painful, or feel rough or sharp to your tongue," says Pam Atherton, RDH, a dental hygienist for Dr. John Carlile, DDS in Skaneateles, NY. "Your breath should be fresh for at least a couple of hours after brushing in the morning and after having eaten breakfast." One of the easiest ways to prevent gum disease is to clean your teeth properly, so try these tricks for a healthier mouth.

1.    Rinse your mouth.

If you use mouthwash twice a day, you'll slash your risk of gum disease by 60 percent, says Marjorie Jeffcoat, DMD, Professor of Periodontology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia. Ideally you should aim to rinse for about 30 seconds with a mouthwash that has microbial protection to fight plaque and gingivitis, such as Listerine®.

2.    Floss first.

You should floss before you brush your teeth, rather than after, says Jeffcoat. "That way you'll be able to brush away any food that was stuck between your teeth to prevent bacteria from growing." If you find dental floss hard to hold onto, Atherton suggests trying floss picks, such as Plackers® dental flossers, instead.

3.    Get the right toothbrush.

Soft or extra soft bristles are best. "Gum tissue can't make a callous; therefore, when a person uses a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush, it literally scratches the tissue away over time, exposes the root surface underneath and leads to possible bone loss," says Atherton.

4.    Brush smart.

To really clean your teeth, aim to brush them for a full two minutes. "Make sure you brush both your tongue and cheeks as well as the chewing surfaces to improve the removal of harmful bacteria in the crevices," says Atherton.  To get your kids to brush the full two minutes, sing "Happy Birthday To You" or the "Alphabet Song" twice through at a normal speed for each half of your mouth. And be sure to replace your toothbrush about every three months.

Above article from: health.yahoo.net

Clarence Street Dental Group
Smile Makeovers, Cosmetic & Children's Dentist
Drs. Ling, Ferrao, Ling, Gravett, Sachania & Bennett
Tel: (519) 756-8080
1325 Clarence Street South, Unit 1
Brantford, ON N3S 0C7

5 Ways Poor Dental Care Makes You Sick

Even if you brush your teeth daily, you may still have dangerous bacteria growing inside your mouth. Not only could that lead to periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease that comes with symptoms such as bleeding when you brush and gum pain), but studies also find a link between poor oral hygiene and major health issues. Here are some ways that missing the mark on oral care could harm your heath.

1. It may hurt your heart.

People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to those don't have periodontitis. Researchers aren't exactly sure of why this might be, but one theory is that harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart's blood vessels, leading to inflammation and upping your risk of clots that can trigger heart attacks.

2. Your memory may suffer.

Some research suggests there may be a tie between poor oral health and an increased risk of dementia. One study that followed 118 nuns between the ages of 75 and 98 found that those with the fewest teeth were most likely to suffer dementia. Experts think oral bacteria may spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw or through the bloodstream, and may contribute to the type of plaque that's been linked to Alzheimer's.

3. It might worsen your body's control of blood sugar.

People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. While this may be because diabetics are more susceptible to infections, there's also been research that finds gum disease could make it harder to control your blood sugar, and that treating it helps improve diabetes symptoms.

4. It may affect your breathing.

Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, according to the Journal of Periodontology. The infections might be caused when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into your lungs, possibly causing your airways to become inflamed.  

5. It could make it harder for you to have a baby.

Women of childbearing age with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant – two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive, discovered researchers in Western Australia. Other research finds that pregnant women with gum disease might have higher odds of miscarriage.

Above article from: health.yahoo.net

Clarence Street Dental Group
Smile Makeovers, Cosmetic & Children's Dentist
Drs. Ling, Ferrao, Ling, Gravett, Sachania & Bennett
Tel: (519) 756-8080
1325 Clarence Street South, Unit 1
Brantford, ON N3S 0C7

Dental Care - Diet and Dental Health

Limit Carbs to Mealtimes

Even not-so-sweet treats—like a handful of potato chips or a whole wheat roll—can be as damaging to your teeth and gums as a double-fudge brownie, if you're not careful.

That's because all carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, which are ultimately converted by bacteria in the mouth into plaque, a sticky residue that is the primary trigger of gum disease and cavities. Carb-based foods such as breads and crackers tend to have a chewy, adhesive texture, making it easier for them to get caught between teeth or under the gum line, where bacteria can then accumulate, says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Smile Rx: Have carbs at mealtimes rather than as a snack: When you eat a larger amount of food, you produce more saliva, which helps wash food particles away. 

Above article from: www.prevention.com

Clarence Street Dental Group
Smile Makeovers, Cosmetic & Children's Dentist
Drs. Ling, Ferrao, Ling, Gravett, Sachania & Bennett
Tel: (519) 756-8080
1325 Clarence Street South, Unit 1
Brantford, ON N3S 0C7

CAUTION - Your toothbrush may be more dangerous than you think!

This toothbrush looks pretty innocent, doesn't it?

But did you know that your harmless-looking toothbrush can actually be extremely dangerous to your health?  At least, that's what a British Columbia woman is claiming in her lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive.  According to her, a defective Colgate toothbrush broke when she was using it and caused  bleeding, pain, bad breath, gingivitis, and other dental problems that will require $100,000 of dental work to repair.

Read the article here:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Toothbrush+defective/5943847/story.html#ixzz1iVajYlZK

You say you want a resolution?

As 2012 approaches, you have probably already started your list of New Year’s resolutions. If you are like most people, this list probably includes: go to the gym, lose weight, take tango lessons, call your mother more often, find the cure for cancer, etc… But let’s face it – EVERYONE has those resolutions, and they are all usually broken by January 10th.

So let’s shake it up a little this year and try ten “Dental Resolutions” which are not only easy to keep but can lead to a lifetime of excellent health. Here they are!

1)      CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH

Most people hang on to their toothbrushes as if they have long-standing sentimental value. The fact is – you should replace your brush every two months or so. If the bristles don’t look almost brand new, chances are your teeth aren’t being cleaned well and your toothbrush is harbouring lots of yucky bacteria.

2)      FLOSS EVERY DAY

Look – we’re dental professionals. We know that most people don’t floss. But that really is a shame. Flossing every day helps to prevent gum disease – so not only can you keep your teeth for a lifetime, your chances of heart disease and others illnesses which are linked to unhealthy gums will significantly decrease. If you have trouble flossing or are not sure how to do it, don’t be embarrassed! Our fantastic team will be glad to show you how.

3)      WEAR YOUR SEATBELT

We all know that seatbelts save lives, but even in a minor accident teeth can be shattered or damaged if your body is flung forward. So buckle up and save your smile!

4)      USE A MOUTHGUARD

Dental damage from sports is extremely common and just about always preventable. There’s a reason everyone in the NFL wears a mouthguard – and it’s not to scare their opponents. Give us a call and we will fit you (and the entire tiddly winks team) with beautiful custom mouthguards.

5)      GET RID OF SODAS AND SPORTS DRINKS

We all need to hydrate, but we don’t need excess sugar and artificial chemicals. These drinks are bad for your body and pull an all out assault on your pearly-whites. Switching to water will not only be a big boost to your overall health, it will save you money as well!

6)      TEEETH ARE FOR CHEWING, BITING, AND SMILING

Please don’t use your teeth to open bottles, packages, or anything else. Nibbling on your friends is optional (with their permission, of course).

7)      SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYE TEETH

As if cancer, heart disease, emphysema, pregnancy issues and a host of chronic illnesses aren’t reason enough to stop smoking, please be aware that this nasty habit stains your teeth, increases the risk of gum disease, and makes your breath smell like the monkey cage at the zoo. There are so many reasons to quit smoking – so please make this the year!

8)      BUT THEY’RE GOOD FOR YOU!

The battle cry of mothers all over the world is true for your oral health as well. Yes – eating your veggies, fruits, legumes and nuts not only increases your overall health, it boosts your immunity which is great for your teeth and gums. Added benefit: crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.

9)      WHITEN YOUR SMILE

There is no question that a nice white smile increases your confidence and makes you more attractive to others. If you’ve been putting this off – make 2012 the year you finally will be showing your beautiful smile to the world. There are so many easy and inexpensive ways to make your smile the best that it can be – give us a call or stop on in and we will be glad to show you how.

10)   DON’T PUT OFF YOUR DENTAL VISITS

We know that visiting your friends at Clarence Street Dental may not be at the top of your “things to do” list for the New Year, but by seeing us on a regular basis you can prevent huge (and expensive) dental problems from ever occurring. It’s a small investment with a big payoff – a better smile, increased overall health, beautiful teeth and gums for life, fresh clean breath, and so much more. Please give us a call at 519-756-8080 today and get 2012 off to a great start!

Ron Artest (aka Metta World Peace) on losing his baby teeth

Basketball star Ron Artest has always been an interesting character.  For example, he recently changed his name legally to Metta World Peace.  In this video clip, Ron gives an LA Times reporter a glimpse into his very unique mind when he explains why he thinks we lose our baby teeth as children.