The Germ Quiz-What Lives In Your Mouth?

1. The # of bacteria in your mouth is closest to the population of which of the following?

• New York City
• USA
• North America
• Earth




Answer: EARTH
The typical human mouth contains billions of bacteria.  Scientist have identified more than 700 different species of mouth- dwelling micobes



  2. A dog's mouth is cleaner than humans

• True
• False

   


Answer: FALSE

 This surprised me. There is no basis for concluding that a dog's mouth is "cleaner" than a humans.  Both  mouths are full of bacteria & contain roughly the same # bacteria.   In addition, there are more than 100 different germs in dog (& cat) saliva that could make you sick.

 
     3. If you drop food on the floor, it won't pick up any germs if you pick it up w/i 5 seconds. 

• True 
• False

Answer: FALSE
The longer the food is on the floor, the more germs it will pick up, the "5 second rule" is arbitrary.  Food starts to pick up germs from the moment it hits the floor

 

 4. Which of the following items can transfer potentially dangerous microbes b/n people.



                          

• Lipstick                                    
• Drinking glasses
• Band instruments
• All of the above




Answer: All Of THE ABOVE
Studies have shown that germs are present on many items that are shared. Don't share such personal items if you want to avoid picking up potential harmful bacteria, viruses, & other microbes.



 

5. If you find yourself w/o a toothbrush, it's a good idea to borrow a friends. 

• True
• False



Answer: FALSE
You should never share a toothbrush (TB) w/ someone else.  The CDC advices "the exchange" of body fluids would foster TB sharers @ an increased risk of infections



6.To protect your TB from harmful germs, you should:

•  Leave it out in the open air
• Store it in a closed container
• Soak it in an antibacterial mouthwash
• Microwave it for 15 seconds





Answer: LEAVE IT OUT IN THE AIR
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), recommends rinsing your TB w/ tap water after using it, then letting it air dry.  Keeping it in a closed container creates an ideal moist enviroment for the growth of bacteria.  Further more, there is no clinical evidence that soaking a TB in an antibacterial mouth rinse or using a comerically available TB sanitizer have a positive or negative effect on health.  Also using a dishwasher or microwave could damage your TB.

 

7. To avoid the build-up of bacteria, the ADA recommends replacing your TB every  month.

True

False  



Answer: FALSE
The ADA recommends replacing your TB every 3-4 months, sooner if the bristles are frayed.  The main reason for replacement is to make sure your TB is in good working condition-not because of bacteria.

 
8. Drinking green tea may help keep gums healthy.

• True
• False



Answer: TRUE
Research indicates that green tea has been associated w/ healthier gums & lowers the risk of tooth loss.

9. Anyone who kisses someone w/ periodontal (gum) disease will always get it.

•  True
• False
 



Answer: FALSE
Periodontal (gum) disease is not contagious.  While bacteria that leads to gum disease can pass through saliva, periodontal (gum) disease develops if your teeth & gums aren't healthy.  If your mouth is not healthy, you increase your risk through repeated prolong exposure to someone w/ periodontal (gum) disease.

                                                                                                                                                            

10. All bacteria are bad for the health of your teeth & gums .

• True
• False
 



Answer: FALSE
While some bacteria are bad for your teeth & gums, others are critical to keeping them healthy.  In fact, some helpful organisms in your mouth secrete substances that kill bad bacteria.




*Good Job! You now know how to deal w/ those germs in your mouth.

10 Myths & Facts About Cavities

                  PROTECT YOUR TEETH WITH THE FACTS!

1. Sugar Is The Prime Cause Of Cavities

Myth & Fact: In reality, it's the acid produced by the bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria eats carbohydrates.  When you eat anything with carbs ,(ie-sugar, rice, bread, fruits & vegetables...) the bacteria becomes active & produce acid that eats into your tooth. In fact, frequency is more harmful than quantity>>>If you eat a lot of carbs for lunch, that's one big exposure,  But if you spend the day sipping sugary drinks, that's continuous exposure-much more dangerous for your teeth.
   2. Exposure To Acidic Foods Like Lemons Causes Tooth Decay

Fact: Acidic foods such as lemons, citrus juices or soft drinks don't cause cavities, but may be putting your enamel in danger. Acids can cause erosion of the tooth-protecting enamel,weakening the tooth.  Exposing the underlying dentin makes the tooth more prone to decay.
   3. Kids Are A Lot More Likely To Get Cavities Than Adults

Myth: With the help of sealants, fluoridated water & preventive care, dental caries in school-aged children have actually been decreased by 50% in the last 20 years.  However, there has been an increase in cavities in Senior Citizens. Some medications tend to reduce the saliva flow, causing dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva has important enzymes that neutralize acids, has a disinfectant quality, washes away bacteria, and helps prevent food from sticking to your teeth.
   4. Aspirin Placed Next To A Tooth Will Help A Toothache

Myth: Swallowing aspirin is what helps reduce toothache pain. Since aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) is acidic, placing it besides the tooth can actually burn your gum tissue, causing an abscess.
  5. All Fillings Eventually Need Replacing

Fact: Fillings do have life expectancy, but it depends on >>> tooth wear & oral hygiene habits. Brushing 2x/day with fluoridated toothpaste & flossing daily will decrease the chances of tooth decay& your fillings may last longer.
  6. If You Have A Cavity, You'll Know It

Myth: Mild tooth decay doesn't cause symptoms.  The pain we associate with cavities comes when tooth decay is more advanced causes damage to the nerve.  Allowing tooth decay to advance (Waiting for it to hurt),can lead to much more expensive procedures, like root canal .That is why regular dental checkups are so important!
  7. Clenching & Grinding (Bruxism) Leads To Cavities

Myth & Sometimes Fact: Clenching & grinding (Bruxism) is one of the most destructive thing you can do to your teeth!  These parafunctional habits put tremendous pressure/strain on your teeth for extended periods leading to cracks & fractures. Those fractures exposes the weaker dentin, tooth decay can form @ a faster rate which can lead to crowns or even root canal  to treat the traumatized nerve.
  8. Sensitivity In Teeth Means You Have Decay

Myth:Tooth sensitivity could just mean you have hypersensitive teeth, or gum recession has exposed some root surface. You could have a cracked or broken tooth or even need a root canal.  There are many things including decay that could lead to sensitive teeth.
  9. You Don't Need To Worry About Cavities In Baby Teeth

Myth: If cavities are left untreated in baby teeth, they can develop into serious pain & abscess. Occasionally, the infection can spread to other areas of the body & in rare cases even results in death.
 10. Brushing & Flossing Is The Best Way To Prevent Cavities

 Fact: ABSOLUTELY! Prevention is the key. You need to remove bacteria from teeth by flossing & brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste.

FLOSSING FENDS OFF JOINT PAIN

SURPRISE!
Flossing Fends Off Joint Pain

Keeping your mouth healthy may prevent hip & knee problems, say researchers in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatalolgy. In a study of people with periodontal (gum) disease and arthritis, the same plaque bacteria was found in subjects' mouths & joints. Study author Nabil Bissada, D.D.S., says periodontal (gum) disease can make tissue permeable, letting in harmful microbes enter the bloodstream and settle into the joint fluid. Dr. Bissada has also found that treating periodontal (gum) disease reduces joint pain- and recommends Brushing, Flossing, and Regular Dental Checkups.

 

 

Tooth-Extraction Instruments

Tooth Extraction instruments @ the British Dental Association Museum.
Marylebone, London

Wow! Looks scary!! So glad Dentistry has made advances over the years. :)

TGIF!

You Know You're A Dentist When...
This Looks Like An Open Mouth With Crooked                                          
YELLOW TEETH!

Smile! It's What People Notice First

 

EAT, DRINK ,CHEW

                        Other Oral Care Benefits of Chewing Sugarfree Gum Include:

• Stimulates saliva flow:By stimulating saliva production, chewing sugarfree gum can be an important defence mechanism to help protect teeth.
• Reduce plaque: Chewing sugarfree gum has been associated with a reduction in the quantity & development of plaque on teeth and a reduction in the acid-forming ability of plaque.
• Neutralize acids: Salivary stimulation by chewing sugarfree after snacks or meals containing fermentable carbohydrate has been demonstrated to reduce the acidogenic potential of foods significantly.
• Remineralize enamel: Stimulated saliva helps to restore minerals in tooth enamel as levels of calcium & phosphate ions in the saliva increases due to stimulation caused by chewing gum.
• Clean the mouth of food debris: Chewing sugarfree gum increaseses the rate of food debris clearance from teeth compared with not chewing gum during the initial 15 minutes after eating.
• Relieve dry mouth (Xerostomia) discomfort: Stimulation of salivary flow caused by chewing gum can relieve some of the discomfort of xerostomia.  In fact, chewing sugarfree gum has shown to be one of the most preferred treatments of xerostomia.

FRUITS ,VEGGIES & HERBS!



Vit. C,Omega 3,Fiber & Antioxidants

 Strawberries: Nutrients & Omega 3.  Just a 1/2 cup provides over 70% of daily Vit. C, plus fiber & antioxidants.



Helps Kills Cancer Cells & Decreases Cholesteral

 Cherries: (87 calories/ cup) . Eating 1 cup of cherries 3x/wk can shed 5lbs this summer.  Loaded w/ anthocyanins>>>helps kills cancer cells and decreases cholesterol by 10%.

Bell Peppers: Loaded w/ Beta Carotene, antioxidants & Vit. C. Great on the grill!



Beta Carotene, Vit. C & Antioxidants


Zucchini-Summer Squash: Great source of Magnesium & Potassium. Toss on the grill a delicious side dish.



Great Source Of Magnesium & Potassium








Prevents Fluid Retention

 Parsley: Each cup contains 984 milligrams of Vit. K>>>prevents fluid retention>lose lbs when used daily. ( mayo,omelette's,burgers,rice,potatoes...)


More Cancer Fighting Antioxidants Than Even Broccoli



Blackberries: Superstar of the slimming fruits-62 calories/cup. Great source of an appetite taming fiber>>>Maganese> a tough to find mineral that helps cells soak up & burn fats.  Contains 220% more cancer fighting antioxidants than even broccoli.



The Seeds Have More Nutrients Than The Flesh Itself

 Figs: Super fruit>>> Potassium, fiber, foliate & vitamins for heart health. *the seeds release even more nutrients & omega fats than the flesh itself*



An Internal Sunblock

 Watermelon: Loaded w/ lycopene> a plant compound that acts likes an internal sunblock, upping your protection against damaging UV rays by as much as 46%>>>helping to prevent collagen damage & skin sagging.

Cherry Tomatoes: Fat burning potential off the charts. 1 cup daily>>>sheds up to 3 lbs / month. Also a great source of antioxidants.



Fat Burning Potential & Antioxidants



Improve Circulation & Fight Free Radicals

 Blueberries: Improve circulation, fight free radicals. In addition to just eating a handful of these yummy treats, you can puree them & add them in hamburger patties for added moisture & flavor!



Anti-inflammatory enzymes

 Green Beans: Feel full almost 2x quickly>>>anti-inflammatory enzymes>helps flush excess water weight out of cellulite prone areas.



Decreases Heart Disease By 30%

 Cantaloupe: One of the most filling fruits you can find. Just 1/2 cup squashes hunger pangs up to 2 hrs.  Packed w/ Vit. C>>>helps blocks artery clogging plague>decrease heart disease by 30%



 Slashes Risk of Stomach Cancer By 30%

 Garlic: Sneak a clove into a meal & your hunger pangs could disappear w/i 10 minutes of enjoying the first few bites. One clove a day can also slash your risk of stomach cancer by 30%>>>contains allicin & gyercetin.



Decreases Heart Disease, Birth Defects & Colon Cancer

 Beets: Great source of Vit B> foliate>>> decreases heart disease , birth defects & certain cancers-especially colon cancer.



Appetite Taming & Stalls Growth Of Cataracks

 Sweet Corn: Appetite taming protein, plus 138 milligrams of phenylalaline>>>amino acid that quickly sucks into brain cells dampens carb carvings for up 3 hrs. Also contains Lutein & Zeoxantin>>>antioxidant> stalls the growth of cataracts.



Shuts Down Sugar Cravings

 Pluots (Dinosaur Eggs): due to the odd coloring> 2/day>>your ticket to slim.  Sweet flavor & delicate fruity scent & when their distinctive taste and smell reaches the brain olfactory nerve, they can shut down sugar cravings in a little as 5 minutes.

Fresh Breath Never Tasted So Strange !

Five Unusual, Delicious, and Effective Toothpastes:

What flavor is fresh?  Unless you're a 5-year-old, we're guessing bubble gum doesn't come right to mind-or pork or vanilla ice cream.  Strangely, though toothpaste, the ultimate breath freshener, comes in all of those flavors and many,many more.  Mint, of course, dominates the market & for good reason.  It's a proven bacteria fighter. But in recent years research has turned up promising stats on other ingredients-from sweet to spicy to downright strange-that do what mint does in the mouth and maybe more.

1. Cinnamon- Get ready to think outside the tube.  Research suggest cinnamon has properties that make it effective @ fighting both inflammation and bacteria, two of your mouth's biggest enemies.  (Crest, Colgate & Jason Natural all make cinnamon toothpastes).
2. Licorice- Some people love it.  Some people hate it.  But this flavor elicits such strong reactions thanks to it's intense active ingredient, glycyrrhizin.  Research has also shown the stuff packs a punch against bacteria & plaque. (Nature's Gate Creme de Anise Natural Toothpaste).
3. Tea Tree Oil- This essential oil has been used for ages for its antiseptic & anti-inflammatory properties.  And research in recent years has confirmed that it can also fend off bacteria & inflammation in your mouth. ( Jason Natural Healthy Mouth Toothpaste or Tea Tree Therapy Natural Whitening Toothpaste).
4. Pomegranate- Pomegranate possesses not just potent antioxidant powers but antimicrobial potential too.  That means, in the microcosm of your mouth, it can knock out the bacteria that leads to gingivitis. ( Organique by Himalaya Neem & Pomegranate Toothpaste).
5. Chocolate- Research out of Tulane University in 2007 showed that chocolate may not be bad for your teeth.  The study found that a naturally occurring extract in cocoa powder and teas could strengthen enamel and work as as effective alternative to fluoride.  More research is needed, however, if you forget to brush more often than you forget your daily dose of dark chocolate, there are a couple of toothpastes out there that may solve your problem. ( Closeup Choco Loco, Tanner's Tasty Paste in Cha Cha Chocolate).

"I Think I See Your Problem"

Remember to Brush @ least 2x/day & Floss!

Oh... poor floss. SHARE and/or LIKE if you think floss should always feel included!

WATER! Sugar Free & Calorie Free

People who tend to drink 3 or more glasses of soda/pop daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others.

Top 10 Habits that Harm Teeth

From chewing on ice to drinking white wine, there are plenty of ordinary ways to crack, stain, or put a cavity in your smile.

1. Chewing on Ice- It's natural  sugar-free, so you might think ice is harmless. Not so, munching on ice can chip or even crack your teeth.  Next time you get the urge for ice, chew some sugarless gum instead.





Protect your Smile!

2. Playing sports with no mouthguard- Whether you play football ,working out @ the gym, or any other contact sport, protect your teeth with a mouthguard.  Contact us @ 941.492.3211 for a custom made guard or @ least purchased a self -fitting one @ a store.






3. Bedtime Bottles- It's never to early to protect teeth. Giving a baby a bedtime bottle (Milk, Juice or Formula) can put new teeth on a path to decay>>> Nursing Bottle Syndrome. It's best to keep the bottle out of the crib.



Keep bottles out of cribs.



4. Tongue Piercing- Tongue piercings may be trendy, but biting down on a metal stud can crack teeth. The mouth is also a haven for bacteria, so piercings raise the risk of infections.

5. Grinding teeth- Teeth grinding (Bruxism) can wear teeth down overtime. It is most often caused by stress & sleeping habits.  Wearing an occlusal guard @ night can reduce/prevent harming tooth structure & pain in the joints (TMJ) caused by the habit.



Don't keep quitting !

 6. Smoking-Cigarettes- as well as other tobacco products, can stain your teeth & cause them to fall out as result of gum (periodontal) disease.  Tobacco can also cause cancer of the mouth, lips, & tongue.  If you need a reason to quit, thinks of your SMILE!

7. Drinking Coffee- Coffee dark color & acidity can cause yellowing of the teeth overtime.  Fortunately, it's one of the best stain to treat with various whitening methods. Contact us @ 941.492.3211 & schedule an appt. & ask about our whitening for life program.

 8. Drinking Red & White Wines- The acids eat away @ tooth enamel, creating rough spots that make teeth more vulnerable to staining. Red wines also contain a deep pigment called chrogen & tannis, which helps the color to stick to the teeth.

9. Chewing Pencils- Do you ever chew on your pencils when concentrating on work or studies? Like crunching on ice, this habit can cause teeth to chip or crack.  Sugarless gum is a better option when you feel the need to chew. Gum will trigger the flow of saliva, which can make the teeth sronger & protect against enamel eating acids.

10. Sports/Energy Drinks- There is no doubt a cold sport/ energy drink is refreshing after a good workout.  But these drinks are usually high in sugar & acids.  Like pop (Soda) or candy, sport/energy drinks create an acid attack on the enamel of your teeth .  Drinking them frequently can lead to decay.  A betterway to stay hydrated @ the gym is to chug sugar -free & calorie free water.


High in  sugars & acids