The Do’s and Don’t’s of Brushing

Our Issaquah dental clinic sees many problems that could have been avoided with proper brushing technique. Even a small flaw in your routine can gradually turn into a big problem for you and your teeth. If you think that your own habits could do with a little “brushing up”, take a look at our easy-to-follow tips here:

Flossing should come first. This allows the toothpaste to put its fluoride to better work between your teeth.
Brush twice a day, once after you wake up and once before you go to sleep, after your last meal of the day. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything aside from water after you last brush, as your mouth is more vulnerable to lingering food particles as you sleep.
Brush for two minutes at a time. Too little may leave you insufficiently cleaned, and too much might be too hard on your gums.
Do not brush too soon after eating. Acids in your food can compromise your tooth enamel for a short while, making them vulnerable to being stripped away by your brush.
Hold your brush at a forty-five degree angle to your teeth and brush in a circular motion so that you gently massage your gums.
Remember that plaque can gather on your tongue. Use a tongue scraper if you have one, or simply brush your tongue.
If you’re so inclined, follow up your brushing with mouthwash. There are many good options available to give your teeth the extra edge they need.

What’s with DNA Testing at Issaquah Dental?

Your Periodontal Health is on your DNA

Gum disease is a very common affliction and most people are bound to have it, anywhere from gingivitis to its severer form which is periodontal disease. There are reports that say 75% of Americans over 35 years of age have some degree of a periodontal problem.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial invasion, coming from poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, and unhealthy habits. With its predominant symptoms of gum swelling, discoloration, gum recession and sometimes bad breath and bleeding, this advanced form can pervade other teeth and gum tissue. You may lose your teeth eventually.

However, studies show that even if widespread, different people respond to bacterial plaque differently. Certain populations are more prone to higher risks of developing severe periodontitis, while others are not. Their genetics seem to spell the difference. It becomes of clinical significance to test your DNA to find out if you are predisposed to the disease so that you are forearmed.

Test and Know at Issaquah Dental

To have your DNA tested at Meadow Creek Dental can establish a clear window to your periodontal health. Our Issaquah dentist employs this test to identify if you have a pathway to this condition, your risk is assessed and a personalized treatment may be necessary to manage it before it starts or before it worsens. Have this simple test at our Issaquah dental clinic and know how to win the battle.

Most Women Practice Better Dental Care

In the battle of the sexes, it would seem that women are ahead in terms of proper dental care. This is according to a study conducted by the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This study surveyed eight hundred participants on their dental habits, then subjected them all to a dental examination. Their findings were as follows:

Women were 26% more likely to report flossing every day.
Women were about twice as likely to report maintaining regular checkups.
44% of women surveyed stated that they were aware that their overall bodily health was influenced by periodontal visits. 33% of men reported the same.
Women were about twice as likely to take notice of a missing tooth in another person.
74% of women stated that they would feel embarrassment at being seen with a missing tooth. 57% of men said the same.

If your own dental habits could stand some improvement, contact Meadow Creek Dental. Our Issaquah dentist can give you the proper care that you deserve.

Is Your Tea Giving You Cancer?

Many health-minded individuals drink tea for its numerous proven benefits. A good tea promises to reduce your stress, purge toxins from your body, and decrease your risk of various diseases. Knowing this, it can come as a surprise that this same tea may also be inviting esophageal cancer upon you.

Researchers took a look at a number of patients being treated for esophageal cancer, finding that many of them reported regularly drinking more than a litre of hot black tea. Apparently, the high temperature of the beverage can do unfortunate damage to your delicate throat tissues, increasing your risk of developing malignant growths. Drinking your tea at above sixty five degrees puts you at a significantly greater risk, while teas heated up above seventy degrees are even worse.

Knowing this, it is a simple matter to avoid the increased risk brought on by your tea-drinking habit. Simply allow your tea to sit for at least four minutes after you’ve finished boiling the water, after which it should fall safely below the sixty degree level. This, coupled with regular check-ups with our Issaquah dentist, will do wonders to help prevent cancer in your mouth or throat.

Are There Harmful Substances in Your Toothpaste?

Many people don’t give too much thought as to what’s in their toothpaste. Aside from the fluoride content, there is very little to interest the average brusher. However, there are certain ingredients found in trace amounts in many common pastes that may have unfortunate implications. In small amounts, they are likely entirely harmless, but with over seven hundred brushings every year, these substances can build up. Some of the ingredients to look out for include the following:

Blue Dye No. 2: It has been suggested that this artificial color can be attributed to the development in learning and behavioral issues in children.
Hydrated Silica: This substance is an abrasive, which is an important part of a toothpaste. However, this abrasive is particularly strong and can break down your enamel over time.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Some people find this substance irritating, and it has been known to cause or irritate canker sores.
30: The Environmental Protection Agency does not yet understand the effects of this substance, and further study is required.

Holiday Stress and Your Teeth

December is one of the most stressful times of year for many people. Either you’re anxious over your preparations for vacation and the winter holidays, or the gloomy feel of the season encourages depression. Unfortunately, the additional stress you are feeling takes its toll on your oral health. Too much stress can cause your gums to recede and impair your mouth’s ability to fight infections. Some people start grinding their teeth, which wears down their enamel, while others even develop painful oral sores. Therefore, it’s important to find ways to manage your stress.

Careful planning is a good way to start. Some of us are guilty of biting off more than we can chew, which never ends well. Try being mindful of your limitations, and don’t commit to too much. There are likely people in your life that you can count on for help; identify these people early on, and share tasks where appropriate.

Whatever happens, don’t let yourself slack off on your normal brushing and flossing. In addition to its normal benefits, there is comfort to be derived from maintaining your usual, daily habits. This will help you control your stress, and get the best out of your oral care.