Long Island Dental Excellence » Rockville Centre

10 Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes

smile — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:02:31 +0000

Tooth brushing is an activity that we do so often it is hardly given much thought. Bad habits developed over time can unintentionally increase the risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Here are the most common tooth brushing mistakes and suggestions to fix them.
Mistake #1 – Not Using the Right Toothbrush - Toothbrushes come in sizes for a reason, so consider the size of your mouth when purchasing a toothbrush. If you have to strain to open wide enough to get your brush to your back teeth, your brush is probably too big. Look for a brush with a smaller or “compact” head. Electric versus manual toothbrushes? With proper technique, either type can be equally as effective.
Mistake #2 – Not Picking the Right Bristle – The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a soft-bristled brush. Bristles that are too stiff can aggravate and wear away the gums. Angled bristles versus straight ones? This is more a matter of personal preference – choose what is most compatible to your own brushing technique.
Mistake #3 – Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough – Gently brushing two or three times per day is recommended to prevent plaque from building up and causing gum inflammation and other problems. Brushing for two to three minutes each session is ideal as it takes this long to clean all of the surfaces of each tooth properly.
Mistake # 4 – Brushing Too Often or Too Hard – Brushing three times a day is ideal, while more than four times per day may actually be too much. Excessive brushing or brushing too hard can erode tooth enamel or expose the roots to irritation which in turn could irritate the gums. If you find yourself brushing too hard, try holding the toothbrush between your thumb and forefinger only. This will lessen the pressure but still allow enough to get the teeth clean.
Mistake #5 – Not Brushing Correctly – Brushing with horizontal strokes can lead to abrasions and gum recession. Instead, brush softly up and down, in gentle circles or with short strokes with the bristles at a 45 degree angle.
Mistake #6 – Starting in the Same Place Each Time – Out of habit, many of us begin brushing in the same part of our mouths each time we brush. And when brushing unconsciously, the tendency is to brush the same areas repeatedly and ignore others. Try to start brushing in a different quadrant each time, and don’t stop until you have completed all surfaces in each quadrant.
Mistake #7 – Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces – The areas that receive the least attention when brushing are the surfaces that are touching the tongue. And, the most commonly skipped area is the inner surface of the front teeth. The plaque you can’t see needs to be removed just as much as the plaque you can see. Remember to brush your tongue also.
Mistake #8 – Not Following Up With a Rinse – Bacteria from your mouth can grow on an un-rinsed toothbrush. Then, the next time you brush, you could be putting that bacteria right back in your mouth. Rinse your brush thoroughly after each use to remove bacteria, tiny food particles and leftover toothpaste.
Mistake #9 – Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry – A toothbrush that remains moist will cultivate more bacteria. After brushing, shake out excess moisture. If using a cap or case to cover your brush, make sure that it is one that allows air to flow in.
Mistake #10 – Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough – The ADA recommends using a new toothbrush every three or four months. If bristles look frayed or start to break apart, more frequent replacement may be necessary.
Spending just a little more time and attention on brushing technique could warrant much healthier results in the long term. Everybody needs to brush. We might as well make it time well spent!

Spring Cleaning – The Health Benefits of … Decluttering

smile — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:47:03 +0000

While we would like to take this opportunity to remind you to schedule your dental spring cleaning appointment, we also want to focus on another beneficial form of spring cleaning to improve your overall wellness.
A home or an office filled with clutter can be very stressful. Not only is disorganization a symptom of stress but also a source causing it. Research indicates that the body secretes the stress hormone cortisol when living or working in a clutter-filled environment. Prolonged high levels of cortisol in the bloodstream can contribute to many serious health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, a suppressed immune system, blood sugar imbalances and impaired cognitive performance, among others.
So, that mess you’ve been meaning to clean up isn’t just aggravating but actually takes a real toll on physical well-being. The good news is that spring cleaning is an opportunity to reclaim your surroundings as well as a chance to restore serenity and wellness to your life.
Don’t know where to start? It is probably safe to say that the untidiness that surrounds you didn’t happen overnight. Here are some tactics to help you tackle the big job:
Start Small – Break up the work into manageable chunks. Focus on one room, one junk drawer or one kitchen cabinet at a time. Even completing small tasks can help boost your mood and have beneficial effects on your health.
Set a Timer – Do a task for a designated time, 20 minutes a day for example, and accomplish as much as possible during that period. Or, designate a day or a weekend to clear out the clutter. Then, stick to your schedule.
Make a List – Set goals for yourself regarding what areas need to be cleaned and organized. Choose one to focus on and then take pleasure when you check off the chore as completed.
Seek Help – Ask people you know that may have faced the same issue how they successfully met the challenge. There are also books and articles that you can read that will help you get organized and make decisions about what to keep, what to toss and what can be donated.
Spring cleaning is an annual ritual requiring some effort, but the results can be satisfying to body, mind and spirit. And, don’t forget to schedule your spring dental cleaning for optimal dental health!

Don’t Let Stress Wear You (or Your Teeth) Down

smile — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:57:36 +0000

It seems like folks are more stressed out than ever before. Career stress, family obligations, mounting debt and over-scheduled lives affect so many in ways that can take a toll on our physical health. The added pressure of questionable job stability, an unstable economy and financial uncertainty exacerbates the problem.
Of particular concern is the serious damage that stress can exert on teeth. The incidence of bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, has been increasingly dramatically. Normally, 10-15% of American adults in the U.S. grind their teeth on a moderate to severe scale. It is believed that the current number suffering from this condition may be twice that.
While not a dental disorder per se, tooth grinding or clenching is a subconscious muscle activity and most grinders do so without being aware of it. Additional stress releases fight-or-flight hormones in the body, leading to built-up energy that has to be released in some way. Grinding frequently occurs at night, and nocturnal grinders can grind up to 40 minutes of each hour spent in slumber. Genetics may also contribute to the likelihood that one would be prone to grind.
Grinding can exert up to 200 pounds per square inch on teeth, much more than the 20-30 pounds per square inch exerted on the back molars while chewing. The relentless motion can erode tooth enamel 10 times faster than it does in non-grinders. Wear and tear can also cause fractured or fragmented teeth, jaw and facial soreness or pain, earaches, headaches, damage to the TMJ (tempromandibular joint) and the muscle that controls the jaw (masseter muscle), and problems with the bite.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please let us know so that we can address the possible causes. There are simple treatments to alleviate bruxism, the most common being the use of a night-guard. When fitted properly, these hard plastic devices run over the top or lower teeth from front to back and prevent the top and bottom molars from making contact, reducing the risk of damage.

Welcome To Our Office

smile — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 23:24:05 +0000

Recycling with Dr. Mike

smile — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:33:10 +0000

Every year millions of pairs of athletic shoes are thrown away, clogging landfills and wasting a lot of good, reusable material. Nike has created a solution and we want to be a part of it! That’s why we are sponsoring Rockville Centre’s first athletic sneaker recycling drive.

In conjunction with Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe* program, any brand of old athletic shoes can be donated FOR ONE DAY ONLY, Saturday May 17, 2008 in Rockville Centre, NY. Through the Reuse-A-Shoe program, the worn-out sneakers are collected, processed and recycled into material used in sports surfaces like basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for young people around the world.

We invite you to bring as many pairs of worn-out athletic sneakers as you wish to the Rockville Centre Recreation Center, 111 North Oceanside Rd., Rockville Centre, NY on Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 10am to 2pm ONLY.

The guidelines are simple!

* Athletic shoes only – any brand, any size, any color
* NO cleats or dress shoes
* NO shoes containing metal
* NO wet or damp shoes

* Reuse-A-Shoe is part of Nike’s Let Me Play campaign. Let Me Play gives excluded youth around the world access to sports and a chance to play. In the US, Nike has been helping New Orleans rebuild their communities by resurfacing playing fields, providing Nike sporting goods, and supporting community-based programs. For more information, please visit www.letmeplay.com/reuseashoe.