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 suffer from chronic heartburn also known as GERD? Want to understand the effects that chronic heartburn has on your teeth? To learn more about the disease read below.

According to an article at health.msn.com, “raising awareness on heartburn and the damage it may do on your oral health”

“The study, which followed patients over six months, found that almost half of those with the condition suffered much worse tooth wear and erosion than healthy people. The disease can ultimately lead to thin, sharp and pitted teeth.

“We hope we can raise awareness that gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition quite common in any population, is able to cause tooth damage. Dental professionals are mostly aware of tooth erosion, but the public may not be,” said study lead author Dr. Daranee Tantbirojn, an associate professor in the department of restorative dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

GERD, which is also known as acid reflux disease, causes chronic heartburn. The stomach contents, including acid, leak into the esophagus and often work their way back up into the mouth, causing burning pain.

Dentists know that chronic heartburn can damage teeth, Tantbirojn said. The acid from the stomach is strong enough “to dissolve the tooth surface directly, or soften the tooth surface, which is later worn down layer by layer. The damage from acid reflux looks like tooth wear — the tooth is flattened, thin, and sharp or has a crater or cupping.”

In the new study, researchers used an optical scanner to measure chronic heartburn’s effect on teeth of 12 patients with GERD and compared them to six healthy patients without the disease over six months. The study appears to be the first to follow people for that long, Tantbirojn said.

It’s normal to have tooth erosion due to chewing, and about half of those with the condition had about the same or slightly more erosion than healthy people, she said. “However, almost half of the GERD participants had tooth wear and erosion several times higher than the healthy participants.”

Several patients with chronic heartburn said they were taking medications, but they still suffered from tooth erosion. “Some patients told us that they still have acid reflux episodes despite the medication, or they might have skipped the medication every now and then,” Tantbirojn said.

Dr. David Leader, an associate clinical professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, who’s familiar with the study findings, said the research is innovative and uses technology that more dentists will have on hand in the near future so they too can track the progress of tooth erosion.”

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Do you know the signs to look for regarding oral cancer? Want to learn more about the disease and what to look for? Luckily due to advances in the dental industry your dentist can perform a quick biopsy in there office, quick and painless.

According to an article at washingtonpost.com, “dental health news on oral cancer”

“Oral cancer kills one American almost every hour — about 8,000 a year — and it’s not just the smokers, chewers and heavy drinkers who are at risk. Of the 30,000 victims in the United States each year (20,000 are men); roughly 25 percent don’t fit into any of those categories.

As with many other cancers, the best defense is a good offense. Early detection can help improve the chances for successful treatment. That’s why a nationwide campaign now being conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) is encouraging Americans to learn more about the disease and visit their dentist for a screening.

Signs to look for

A sore that bleeds easily or doesn’t heal; a color change of the oral tissue; a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area; or pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips. If you notice any of these signs, contact your dentist immediately.

When necessary, dentists can now perform a quick, painless “brush biopsy” screening test, using a special brush to remove tissue specimens from the mouth. Computer analysis can then determine the presence of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. The screening also helps determine whether more comprehensive tests, such as a surgical biopsy, or other follow-ups are needed.

On the research front, scientists are now looking at a newly identified gene that appears to play a key role in the development of oral cancer. Other oral cancer diagnostic tools, such as the use of special types of mouth rinses, are also being studied.

Good News for Kids

With regard to everyday dental concerns, a vaccine that inoculates against tooth decay is being developed. Tooth decay is the single most common childhood disease, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. But the discovery of a potentially important antigen, or antibody, stimulant for use in a vaccine against tooth decay may help change those statistics forever.

Sprayed in the nose, rather than being injected or swallowed like other vaccines, it works by stimulating immunity to the enzyme responsible for the accumulation of the decay-causing microorganisms on teeth. Researchers at Boston’s Forsyth Institute, who discovered the antigen, have received approval to begin clinical trials.”

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Our smile is one of the first things that people notice, so it’s very important that you make oral health a priority along with your diet. Do you think what you eat has an impact on the health of your teeth? How about a couple of tips on what foods and drinks; are great not only for your diet, but your smile as well.

According to an article at msnbc.msn.com, “eat and drink your way to better oral health”

“What you eat and don’t eat can play a huge role in how white your teeth are. It seems certain fruits, vegetables and other foods can aid in your quest for whiter teeth. Here’s what you should know about the white smile diet:

The crunch factor

Apples, cauliflower, celery and carrots work to whiten because they function as an abrasive scrub for teeth. These foods are nature’s toothbrush. They also stimulate the production of saliva, which helps keep plaque from forming. Stain sticks to plaque.

Orange ya glad?

The acid in oranges and pineapples may whiten and brighten the surface of the teeth. The acid also contains enzymes that kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath. “Saliva is the body’s wonder fluid,” says Chase, and eating juicy citrus increases saliva production that washes away foods that stain like coffee, soda and red wine.

Strawberry patch

Strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid that can whiten teeth. Munch berries several times a week to naturally whiten chompers.

Pass the cheese, please

Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and hard cheeses like cheddar contain lactic acid, which may help protect teeth against decay. Researchers think proteins in yogurt may bind to teeth and prevent them from attack by harmful acids that cause cavities. Dairy is also loaded with calcium, which guards and strengthens bone that holds teeth in place. Plus, chewing hard cheese creates saliva that helps remove food particles that stain.

Nix these

You can also try to avoid stain-causing foods. Any food that causes a stubborn laundry stain can discolor teeth, too. If you look at a tooth under a microscope, it looks like a kitchen sponge with many little nooks, crannies and holes. When stain-causing foods and beverages get stuck in those nooks and crannies, especially over time, dark stains develop. While we hear a lot about coffee, tea and red wine, soda is actually one of the worst offenders. It not only contains acids that open up those nooks but then stains them with cola color.

While you’re at it, be sure to go easy on other teeth-staining food and drink, such as coffee, tea, blueberries, red wine, soy sauce and tobacco.

“It only takes seven minutes for destruction to start, but you can stop it by rinsing with plain water for seven seconds until you can brush and remove plaque,” says Dr. Joe Kravitz, a Washington D.C. dentist and author of “Dirty Mouth.” If you can’t get to a toothbrush or drink water, chew sugarless gum to remove stain food causing particles.”

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Does your tooth sensitivity occur constantly or intermittently? Sometimes intermittent tooth sensitivity can occur while ingesting hot or cold beverages. So what happens if the case is constantly is it really tooth sensitivity or is it something more perhaps nerve damage?

According to an article at colgate.com, “what is tooth sensitivity and what causes tooth sensitivity”

"Tooth sensitivity is something that affects a number of people. It is often caused by eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet or acidic. Under normal conditions, the underlying dentin of the tooth (the layer that immediately surrounds the nerve) is covered by the enamel in the tooth crown, and the gums that surround the tooth. Over time, the enamel covering can get thinner, thus providing less protection. The gums can also recede over time, exposing the underlying root surface dentin.

The dentin contains a large numbers of pores or tubes that run from the outside of the tooth to the nerve in the center. When the dentin is exposed, these tubes can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods. Here is an image of what the dentin tubes look like under the microscope:

What causes it?

• Exposure of the dentin can occur due to a number of factors. Some of the more common reasons are:
• Gum recession due to age or improper tooth brushing
• Acidic beverages (such as soda) that cause enamel erosion and dentin exposure
• Tooth grinding – this may actually cause most or all of the teeth to feel sensitive
• Brushing with a very abrasive toothpaste, brushing incorrectly and/or brushing more than three times a day could result in a loss of enamel
• Gum disease, which can result in gum recession
• A chipped or fractured tooth may expose the dentin

In addition, some dental treatments can cause sensitivity. Treatments such as such as teeth whitening, professional dental cleanings, having braces put on or getting a filling placed have been known to cause sensitivity during or after the procedure.

What can I do about it?

The first step in doing something about dental sensitivity is to find out what the cause is – a dental professional can help you with this. If the sensitivity is due to exposed dentin, there are a number of steps you can take, as can your dental professional, to help reduce the sensitivity."

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