Just like that, it’s Spring, and the world looks brighter! The skies are sunnier. Daylight in Hiawatha, IA lasts longer. And your smile can be brighter, too—with a little bit of spring cleaning.

After all, sometimes dental habits become so automatic that we don’t pay them as much attention as we should. Without careful daily brushing and flossing, you could start to see surface staining on your enamel. Or red and swollen gums. Or tartar deposits along the gumline or behind your teeth. 

The start of the season is a good time to spring ahead with a plan for better oral health, and we have some simple ideas to help you clean and protect your smile all through the year.

Assemble the right tools.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, because anything firmer can be hard on your tooth enamel and gums. If you’re having trouble removing food particles and plaque, an electric toothbrush might be a game changer.
• Find the right floss. If you’ve been neglecting flossing because it’s difficult, or if you have mobility issues, there are lots of options available to improve efficiency and comfort. Whether it’s floss picks, interproximal brushes, or water flossers, Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying can recommend the best products for your individual needs.
• Choose fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride not only helps prevent cavities by creating an unfavorable environment for cavity-causing bacteria, it also actually strengthens tooth enamel as well. Win/win!

Use those tools!

• Brush all the surfaces of your teeth carefully and thoroughly (no need to scrub) and brush along the gumline at a 45˚ angle. This will help prevent plaque from accumulating above and below the gumline, where it can harden into tartar.
• Brush often enough and long enough. The team at Blair Ridge Dental generally recommends brushing twice a day, for two minutes each time. 
• If you wear aligners, a retainer, a mouthguard, a nightguard, or other appliances, brush your teeth before wearing them. You don’t want to trap food particles or bacteria in your appliance!
• Floss at least once a day, or more often as recommended. Proper flossing can be difficult sometimes, so ask Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying for the best techniques.

Make sure your dental products are in top shape.

• Replace your toothbrush as often as necessary. After three months or so, bristles start to fray. They don’t clean as effectively, and they could be abrasive to gum tissue. Change out your brush every three to four months, including the head on your electric brush. A good way to remember is to change your brush with the change of seasons. 
• Check the date(s)! Many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other oral supplies come with a “best used by” date, ensuring that your products remain safe and effective.
• Choose the right toothbrush holder. Your brush should air-dry upright, because germs thrive in closed, damp environments. And your holder shouldn’t allow your brush to touch other people’s brushes to avoid transfer of bacteria and viruses. Clean your brush holder regularly to remove toothpaste residue and germs.
• Clean your aligners, retainer, mouthguard, night guard, and/or cases for your appliances as recommended. Bits of food, bacteria, viruses, and other germs collect there as well.

Work with the experts for your brightest smile.

• See Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying regularly. You’ll discover any problems which might be dimming your smile, and you’ll discover them early.
• Schedule cleanings with your exams. The team at Blair Ridge Dental uses tools such as ultrasonic or hand scalers and polishers to remove stubborn plaque, tartar deposits, and surface stains that brushing can’t.
• If you want brighter, whiter teeth, consider professional whitening. While whitening kits are available in almost any drug store or supermarket, office treatments or kits provided by Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying use stronger ingredients and are more effective.

Easy steps, yes? Step up your cleaning routine, and you’ll have a springtime filled with not just brighter smiles, but healthier smiles, too!

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in tree bark, plants, fruits, and vegetables. The human body also produces it in small amounts. It looks and tastes like sugar, so as part of a health regimen, most people require no willpower to use it.

Xylitol is safe (approved by the World Health Organization) because only a small amount is needed for health benefits. With a glycemic index of seven, it is safe for diabetics. It has less than three calories per gram and 40% fewer calories than other carbohydrates. If eaten in extremely large amounts too quickly, it has a laxative effect in humans.

Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars you eat. When you eat food that contains ordinary sugar, it gives energy to the bacteria on your teeth, allowing them to multiply and start making acids that destroy the enamel on the teeth.

Since xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants, it does not break down like sugar, so it helps maintain a neutral pH level in the mouth. Xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth because they are unable to digest it. That is how it protects the teeth from cavities.

With xylitol, the acid attack is diminished. With less bacteria and acid, your teeth stay healthier. The frequency of xylitol ingestion is important: aim for five grams a day, or one gram every three hours.

Studies of xylitol use as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new cavities. It has also stopped and even reversed some existing cavities. This effect is long lasting and possibly permanent. Low cavity rates persist even years after the trials have been completed.

Xylitol needs to be one of the first ingredients in a product to be effective. It is convenient and easy to use. You can find it in health food stores and specialty grocery stores. Xylitol can be delivered to your teeth in chewing gum, tablets, or even candy and mints.

It also comes in toothpaste, mouth rinse, baby oral wipes, gel and pacifiers, nasal wash, dry mouth spray, a granulated form for cooking, granulated packets to add to drinks, and commercially prepared foods. It can replace sugar on a one-to-one ratio.

Sweet rewards in xylitol are good for the body and the teeth! If you have specific questions please feel free to contact Blair Ridge Dental. We look forward to seeing you soon!

You found the perfect toothbrush! The bristles are soft, to avoid irritating your delicate gum tissue. The angle of the bristles is perfect for removing plaque. The handle is durable and comfortable when you spend at least two minutes brushing in the morning and two at night. Why, you love this toothbrush and you’ll never let it go… for the next three or four months.

The life of a toothbrush is naturally a short one. Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying and our team recommend replacement every three to four months because the bristles become frayed and worn with daily use. They cannot clean as effectively when the bristles begin to break down, and, depending on your brushing style, may wear out even more rapidly. (Children will probably need to replace toothbrushes at least every three months.) But even in the short time you have your toothbrush, there are ways to keep it ready for healthy brushing.

• Don’t share. While sharing is normally a virtue, sharing toothbrushes can lead to an increased risk of infections, especially for those with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases. Similarly, keep different brushes separate when drying to avoid cross-contamination.
• Rinse thoroughly after brushing. Make sure to remove any toothpaste or debris left after you brush.
• Store the brush upright. Air-drying is the preferred way to dry your brush, as covering the brush or keeping it in a closed container can promote the growth of bacteria more easily.

There are several products on the market that promise to sanitize your brush. The verdict is still out on its success, but if you or someone in your home has a compromised immune system, call our Hiawatha, IA office to see if it might be worth your while to check them out.

Even though your toothbrush won’t be with you long, make its stay as effective and hygienic as possible. And if you find a brush you love—stock up!

Taking care of your oral health involves a daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and rinsing to prevent tooth decay and bacterial infections. Though you may have asked us which toothbrush to use, few patients at Blair Ridge Dental ask about mouthwash.

However, different mouthwashes you might choose will have varying effects on your oral health. So which type is best for you?

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes are designed to reduce the majority of bacteria on and near the gum line. Using an antiseptic mouthwash can help decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. If possible, look for a mouthwash with antibacterial or antimicrobial ingredients.

Fluoride

Fluoride is beneficial for oral health and can help prevent tooth decay. If you drink a lot of bottled water without fluoride, we may recommend that you purchase a rinse with fluoride in it.

Bad Breath

Although mouthwash is designed to prevent bacterial build-up within the mouth, many people use it to combat bad breath. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath, and some are specifically designed to do so.

However, if bad breath is a chronic problem that requires daily treatment with a mouth rinse, contact Blair Ridge Dental to discuss your symptoms.

American Dental Association Approval

The ADA reviews mouth rinses for safety and effectiveness. A mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Approval will meet strict criteria, and will have scientific evidence or clinical studies that support the claims of the manufacturer. If possible, select a mouthwash that bears the ADA Seal of Approval to ensure you are using a quality rinse.

Considerations

If you are unsure as to which mouthwash is right for you, contact our Hiawatha, IA office or ask Dr. Sardzinski, Dr. Wilken, Dr. Stanley, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Heying during your next visit. Also, be sure to keep mouthwash out of the reach of children, as it contains alcohol and other substances that could be harmful to them. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and discontinue use if you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth.