A Little History of The Dental Floss

Dental floss has become routine in our daily oral hygiene regimen, yet it wasn’t the case before. Since early times, people have tried using different tools to take out irritating matter stuck in between the teeth. While the toothbrush has been used in its earliest form to clean teeth, floss is fairly a recent invention. Know more about where this magic string came from.

While dentists early on know that debris stuck in between teeth can cause future gum problems, it was a dentist from New Orleans, Levi Spear Parmly, who came out with the first form of dental floss. In 1819, he said a waxen silk thread running through the spaces between the teeth, including the gum arches, can dislodge debris that a toothbrush cannot remove. It caught on and became popular. However, floss only became commercially available in the latter part of the century when the Codman and Shurtleft company started producing unwaxed silk floss. In 1898, the Johnson & Johnson Corporation patented it using the same silk material that surgeons used for stitches.

By the 1940s, the dental floss material was nylon which replaced silk. Its texture is more consistent and resistant to shredding, definitely an improvement over silk. Then the use of nylon made possible the development of waxed floss in the 1940s, and for the development of dental tape in the 1950s. By the 1970s, North Americans had made dental floss a part of their daily oral care routine.

From that time dental floss came in a variety of types. There are waxed and unwaxed dental floss, soft floss and spongy floss, and others. And there are those that can be used around braces and other oral appliances. There are expensive dental floss and inexpensive ones. Practically, their price tags do not mean much difference. Today’s interdental cleaners may come with dispensers, or have plastic wands or as floss picks.

But there are factors to consider in picking out the better version for you. For example, consider the tightness between your teeth surfaces; a dental tape is recommended for larger tooth spaces. Consider, too, the gingival contour, and the roughness of the surfaces of neighboring teeth. You might also need to consider if the user has the dexterity and preference to use certain types of dental floss.

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Learn More About Dental Floss

For a more informed discussion about dental flosses, seek your dentist’s recommendations. Come and see your Bellevue dental professionals here at Overlake Dental and find out more.

The Advantages and Disadvantages

Many people are of the belief that one of the amazing benefits of baking soda is that it is good for teeth brushing. Today, even manufacturers of toothpaste put baking soda into their formulas. However, there are advantages and disadvantages when using baking soda to clean teeth.

Advantages of baking soda for oral health:

• It is readily available almost anywhere and also inexpensive. A box can last you a long time and can be used for other things, not just for tooth brushing.
• It can clean your teeth because it is a light abrasive; it’s effective in scrubbing away dental plaque that’s accessible
• It can also lighten the color of teeth by scrubbing away new surface stains, like those of coffee, red wine, nicotine, to a certain degree
• It can prevent tooth decay and limit plaque buildup because it remineralizes the enamel and neutralizes acid
• It can help stave off gum disease because of its ability to limit plaque buildup which causes gum issues.

Disadvantages of baking soda for oral health:

• It’s messy using baking soda powder to brush your teeth. The powder can get onto your clothes, the counter, or your face. That is why toothpaste manufacturers incorporate it into their products instead.
• It feels very gritty in the mouth and can leave an unpleasant feeling of the powder substance.
• It does not contain fluoride, which is essential in fighting bacteria and acid in dental plaque.
• Fluoride is better in remineralizing the enamel, making it strong and preventing cavity formation.
• It can lead to damaged enamel if it is used too often. It can be used a few times a week or on occasion only. It can also cause enamel damage if you are in the habit of brushing too vigorously.

If you think that the benefits of using baking soda for brushing outweigh its disadvantages, then confirm with your dentist. Anyway, according to the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (June 2008), brushing teeth with baking soda products was more effective than using products without baking soda.

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Learn More About Cleaning Teeth in Bellevue

Come see your friendly Bellevue dentist for more helpful tips about teeth cleaning. Let’s see what’s the best for you. Learn that you have several options with regards to aids in better tooth brushing.

Causes and Remedies

Pregnancy for the expectant comes with many side effects that can either be tolerable or very cumbersome to deal with. Some would be unexpected or surprising, situations you have never experienced before and you might not know how to deal with them. From those many side-effects, a lesser known symptom is actually quite common. It’s dry mouth.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth in pregnancy?

One sign is the constant soreness of the throat, a kind of burning sensation there. It may also encompass the entire mouth. As a result you might suffer from hoarseness and have difficulty swallowing. Another symptom is dryness inside your nose. This can be bothersome as the inside of your nose is almost always wet. Speaking may become difficult. You might also experience an altered sense of taste.

What causes dry mouth during pregnancy?

A major culprit is dehydration. You can lose a lot of water while pregnant, a lot more than if you are not pregnant. Water helps in your baby’s development. Insufficient hydration may harm your baby and, in severe cases, may cause developmental defects.

Signs that you are dehydrated are any of the following: extreme thirst, overheating, headache and dizziness, fatigue, and dark yellow urine.

Hence, drink more water everyday. Hydrate yourself well because it also hydrates your baby. This way you can counter dry mouth.

Do you have sleep concerns while pregnant?

You may have difficulty falling asleep or have insomnia. If you snore or have sleep apnea, you are likely sleeping open-mouthed, breathing through your mouth, which causes mouth dryness.

Another cause of dry mouth is your shifting hormones. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that may narrow your throat and nasal passages causing difficulty in breathing.

If you ask your dentist, here are some home remedies that may be prescribed for you.

• Drink water during meals, or liquids at room temperature only
• Do not take carbonated drinks, like softdrinks, or beverages loaded with sugar
• Try chewing on sugarless gum or candy
• Avoid mouthwash with alcohol content

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More Tips for Pregnant Patients by Bellevue Dentist

Are you suffering from dry mouth while you’re pregnant? Come consult with your Bellevue dentist for this and other oral issues you might have while expecting.

What’s Best To Eat and Drink

Do you wonder about the best diet for your kids to ensure they stay safe from cavities and tooth decay?

Here are the best tips for babies, from 0 to 2 years old.

• Only milk and water are best for babies, as far as drinks. Avoid juices, soda, fizzy drinks, and any other sweetened drinks.
• Foods that are sweet should be restricted during mealtimes; there should be no in-between snacking of sweets, and certainly none before bedtime.
• Snacks that are safe are those without sugar. Try fruits, cheese, breadsticks, plain yogurt, or veggies.
• Before bed at night, gently wipe baby’s gums and teeth with soft cloth, or if they are a little older, brush their teeth gently.
• Milk or water may be given before bed. If it is milk, best to dilute it gradually over a few weeks until it is just water.
• From 6 months up, start feeding your baby from a cup and cease feeding from the bottle by 12 months of age.
• When shopping for baby foods and drinks, inspect labels first for sugar loads. Watch out for syrups, glucose, fructose, honey, and the like.

Here are the best for toddlers, 3 to 5 years old.

• Three meals a day and two snacks seem practical; however, it should follow a schedule, it should be low- sugar for snacks, and just milk or water for drinks.
• Even if they are older, there should still be no soft drinks, juices, or anything with added sugar as much as possible. Fresh fruit, dairy, and veggies are best.
• Sometimes, consuming sugary treats and drinks can happen. As long as they are allowed sparingly, there is no need for worry.

Parents and guardians must teach kids to appreciate non-sugary food and drinks. They must also be taught proper oral hygiene. They also must have regular checkups with their pediatric dentist, who can guide and oversee their oral health development through the years.

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Bellevue Dentistry and Children’s Oral Health

Concerned about your babies and toddlers’ oral health? Bring them regularly to your Bellevue dentist for proper care. Learn more about avoiding caries and tooth decay to keep children safe and healthy.

Invisalign: The Clear Alternative

Due to the advances in the orthodontic field, for people who need to correct their crooked or misaligned teeth, metal braces are no longer the only option for treatment. Clear aligners are a system that’s improving over the years and gaining a wide following since. Invisalign is arguably the most popular.

What is Invisalign?

It is the brand name of a popular, clear set of thermoplastic retainer trays that aim to correct teeth that are crooked or misaligned. It is recommended for children, teens, and adults. Best of all, Invisalign is custom-made and, therefore, makes treatment goals accessible.

Is it the same as metal braces?

Yes, but that is where the similarity ends. Invisalign is best recommended for adults whose teeth are not severely crooked. Unlike metal braces that are very noticeable, Invisalign’s clear and light appearance makes it less obvious.

There are other advantages of the brand when compared to metal braces. Here they are:

• They are more comfortable to wear than braces
• They are removable
• They do not irritate the gums
• They are easily cleaned with brushing and flossing
• They do not interfere with food enjoyment or with speaking
• They are made much faster
• They can be worn in just 6 months time
• They produce results that are more predictable

Here are the treatable cases where Invisalign is concerned: Teeth of children, teens, and adults, crowded teeth, open bite, overbite, underbite, crossbite and gap teeth.

What is the Invisalign process?

A trained dentist or your orthodontist first takes a physical impression of your teeth. Then they are scanned by technicians to create the 3D image using a special software. Hence, the final product is fitted much later. Your clear aligners will have to be changed every few weeks as your teeth positions shift, or as determined by your dentist.

Is Invisalign expensive?

Invisalign is quite affordable. Ask your dentist or orthodontist about financing or insurance plans. You will find how this investment is worth your time and resources.

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More About Invisalign by Bellevue Dentist

Know more about how you can realize a wonderful, confident smile with Invisalign from your Bellevue dentist. We hope to see you soon.