When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? Are you worried about what germs may be taking up residence on your toothbrush? Here’s a few tips on when you need to replace your toothbrush.

According to an article at everydayhealth.com, “Replacing your Toothbrush”

“Do you know how many live bacteria’s are on your toothbrush? Brace yourself! Researchers have found that a single toothbrush can be loaded with as many as 10 million germs and bacteria. In fact, recent studies even found that your toothbrush could be a breeding ground for tiny microorganisms.

But before you swear off brushing, know this: These bacteria aren’t a big threat to your pearly whites. According to Richard Price, DMD, a dentist in Newton, Mass. and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, the researchers who discovered those toothbrush-dwelling microorganisms found that they didn’t make people sick — toothpaste has an anti-germ component built into it, and the microbes need moisture to survive. So as long as your toothbrush is given time to dry after you use it, it should be safe.

Squeaky-Clean Toothbrush Tips

To take care of your teeth and your toothbrush, it’s important to use your toothbrush the way you’re supposed to, rinse it in tap water, and then let it air dry, Price says.

This starts with storing your toothbrush in an upright position. Most people don’t need to worry about storing it away from other toothbrushes — germs are airborne, but they don’t hopscotch from one brush to another. However, if someone in the household has an immune deficiency, you can’t be too careful, says Price.

If you’re really fastidious about dental care, you can soak your toothbrush in alcohol to kill the germs, Price adds. Mouthwash is also an antiseptic, so it works as a “toothbrush soak,” too, as does a solution of half water and half hydrogen peroxide. Another option is to dip it in boiling water for about five to 10 seconds.

Interestingly enough, toothbrush sanitizers haven’t shown to have much effect. And you should never put your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave: You’ll just end up damaging it.

Time for a New Toothbrush?

The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush (or brush head, if you use anelectric type) about every three months — more because of the wear on the bristles than germs.

And that depends on the brusher and not the brush, Price emphasizes. If you have a heavy hand, the bristles might wear out sooner. Remember that the key determinant is not the calendar but the shape the bristles are in. “You need to replace your toothbrush when the bristles spew in different directions,” Price says. Check your children’s toothbrushes regularly because they probably will need to be replaced more frequently.

Should you replace your toothbrush after an illness, like a cold? No, says Price. Just be sure it dries out between uses so that germs can’t survive."

Remember just like you need to change your toothbrush every couple of months, you still need to maintain your regular dental check-ups. Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry has perfected thousands of smiles and he can help you. Visit renolaserdentistry.com for more information.

Do you love your smile? Want a healthier smile? Do you know what foods are packed with nutrients that benefit your oral health?

According to an article at examiner.com, “Foods that give you a Beautiful Smile”

“Dr. Shawn Frawley, AACD member and Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist, is a gourmet cook who worked together with nutritionist and health coach Karen Krchma to create these healthy, easy-to-make recipes.

“The teeth and gums mirror what’s going on in the rest of your body. Therefore, what you consume influences the health of your smile,” says Dr. Frawley. “That’s why it’s important to think carefully about making the right food choices.”

Super-smile foods

Shitake mushrooms are one example of some super-smile foods might surprise you. A study by the Paediatric Caries Research Foundation found that these mushrooms contain a sugar called Lentinan which prevents mouth bacteria from growing.

Raw onions and wasabi, a Japanese version of horseradish, also contain substances which stop bacteria growth. Based on a 2010 lab-based study in The European Journal of Dentistry, the iron in broccoli may help form an acid-resistant film on teeth. After exposure to an acid-based drink like cola, enamel erodes half as quickly when exposed to broccoli.

“To have a great smile, a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods will be your best ally,” says nutritionist Krchma. “

To have a great smile, diet and routine dental check-ups are essential to maintain optimal oral health. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry for more information and appointment request.

We all want healthy gums. How healthy are your gums and teeth? Would you like some tips to improve your oral health status?

According to an article at dentalhealthsite.com, “Dental Health Tips”

“Healthy teeth and gums reflect a healthy personality. Poor Oral health damages our self-esteem besides the various other harmful effects it has. Here I have outlined the 10 Commandments which will go a long way in ensuring you have healthy teeth and gums.

1. Brush your teeth twice daily: Brush your teeth twice a day to avoid majority of the dental problems. Brushing incorrectly may reduce its effectiveness. It’s important to know HOW TO CORRECTLY BRUSH YOUR TEETH.

2. Use a Dental Floss: Flossing cleans the areas which are harder for a toothbrush to reach. It removes the food debris and plaque accumulated between the teeth. Flossing twice daily is preferable.

3. Use of Mouth Washes: Mouthwashes such as Listerine or Chlorohexidine possess effective antiseptic properties. They kill the bacterial plaque known to cause bad breath, tooth decay and gingivitis. Use a mouthwash AFTER BRUSHING as per its directions.

4. Eating right: Maintain a balanced diet but reduce the consumption of foods containing sugars or starch. Sugary Foods (Candies, gums) and Starchy foods (potato chips, snacks) play an important role in causing tooth decay.

5. Avoid in between eating habits: Snacking between meals makes the teeth prone to tooth decay. The bacterial action is greatest at acidic Ph. The Ph. is most acidic immediately after meals and gradually reduces and comes to a normal level. Eating in between meals does not allow the acidic level to come down increasing bacterial action leading to caries.

6. Avoid Cola and Energy Drinks: Cola drinks contain acids such as phosphoric acid and citric acid which have damaging effect on teeth. Energy drinks contain organic acids in addition to the above which directly damage the tooth calcium. ENERGY DRINKS AND COMMERCIAL LEMONADE ARE 11 TIMES MORE HARMFUL TO TEETH THAN COLA DRINKS. If you must drink, don’t sip on them for a long time and do rinse your mouth after drinking.

7. Quit Smoking: Smoking not only stains your teeth but also damages your gums by reducing the blood supply. It also causes smokers breath.

8. Chewing Sugar free Gum: Chewing Sugar free gum prevents bad breath and fights tooth decay by washing away the plaque acid resulting in healthier teeth.

9. Regular visits to your Dentist: It is essential to visit your dentist once in 3-6 months to diagnose any oral concerns early. Most oral health problems do not produce any symptoms till they have progressed to a later stage.

10. Oral Piercings: Oral Piercings such as tongue or lip are a no-no for good oral health. Tongue piercings can lead to allergic reactions, infections, nervous damage to tongue and gum disease.”

Looking for an experienced dentist, well recognized throughout the Reno community? Dr. McElhinney of RenoLaserDentistry.com is the best dentist in town. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney for more information.

Do you have a child that suffers from acute otitis also known as middle ear infections? Did you know that sugar free gum with xylitol may help decrease their middle ear infection? Want to read more about the study involving children that received xylitol?

According to an article at colgate.com, “Sugar free gum may decrease middle ear infection”

“Having your child chew sugar free gum with xylitol several times a day may not only help protect her from getting cavities—it may also be a useful strategy to help prevent acute middle ear infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear that is usually painful and may improve with antibiotic treatment. Symptoms can include pain, redness of the eardrum, pus in the ear and fever.

The Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group examined three Finnish studies from 1998 through 2007. More than 3,000 healthy children in day care settings received the natural non-sugar sweetener xylitol in gum, lozenges or syrup. The children who received xylitol in the studies had 25 percent fewer ear infections.

Those receiving the xylitol gum chewed it five times a day for at least five minutes.

“In the United States, AOM accounted for almost 16 million office visits in 2000 and costs almost $3.8 billion annually in direct and indirect health care costs,” researchers said. “Antibiotic treatment of AOM is costly and raises concerns regarding the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Surgery is invasive and costly and because of these factors, effective measures for preventing AOM are sought.”

A fourth study followed children with upper respiratory infections who received xylitol. In those children there was no reduction in the number of ear infections with the xylitol treatments.

Xylitol has been shown to inhibit growth and acid production of a variety of bacteria related to cavities and upper respiratory infections, so the researchers theorized that it would also be useful for preventing middle ear infections.”

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This post is for all the mothers, as a mother you only want the best for your children. Children model their mothers from a young age, but what about their habits in regard to dental care. Is your oral health your #1 priority? If it’s not, do you think your children will pick your poor dental care habit?

According to an article at colgate.com, “Mothers’ poor oral health can affect children’s dental care”

“A 27-year-long study suggests that mothers with poor oral health are likely to have children who also have poor oral health when they are adults. The study was published online in the Journal of Dental Research (Jan. 19, 2011).

More than 1,000 children born in New Zealand in 1972 and 1973 were examined at age 5. More than 900 participants were examined again at age 32. Participants’ oral health was compared to 835 of the mothers’ self-rated oral health reported in 1978.

Nearly half (45 percent) of the children whose mothers rated their own oral health as “very poor” had severe tooth decay, and four in every 10 participants had tooth loss as adults.

Researchers theorize that a combination of shared genetic factors and environmental risk factors that affect oral health—including social/economic status, attitudes, beliefs and oral health knowledge—are passed from mother to child.

Scientists say that it’s important for mothers to visit the dentist regularly, improve their own oral health and educate their children in good oral health practices.

The American Dental Association advises parents to teach children the importance of oral hygiene at an early age, so when they grow up they will continue good habits that will contribute to their overall health. Oral hygiene, just like diet and exercise, should be factored together when teaching children how to keep themselves healthy.

Parents should clean their baby’s gums with a clean wet gauze pad or washcloth after each feeding. When teeth start to appear, brush them with a child-sized toothbrush and plain water and begin flossing when at least two teeth begin to touch.

Regular dental visits should begin by the child’s first birthday.

By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day but often require supervision until about age 10 or 11, to make sure they are doing a thorough job. Since each child is different, your dentist can help you determine whether your child is brushing and flossing properly.

Parents should make sure children continue to visit the dentist regularly. They should also ask the dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.”

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Need to consult the best dentist in Reno? Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry can help you with all your families’ dental needs. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney's office to set-up an appointment or visit our website to request an appointment.