BREAKFAST MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT meal of the day, but for many of us it’s also the most unhealthy. A bad breakfast is not only bad for our teeth, but makes us feel sluggish before we even get out the door—setting us on a track for unhealthy choices throughout the day.

How Often Do You Eat Breakfast On-The-Go?

We usually don’t give ourselves time for healthy breakfast options. We grab something handy and rush out the door. Donuts, starchy muffins, and sugary pastries gulped down with acidic orange juice or tooth-staining coffee aren’t exactly tooth friendly. Even our morning cereals may contain more decay-causing sugar than candy bars!

3 Smart Breakfast Tips To Protect Your Teeth

1. Choose whole grains. They’re better for you, and easier on your teeth than refined starches.
2. Yogurt naturally neutralizes acids on teeth. Adding granola, chopped nuts, or fruit can make your breakfast more nutritious and delicious!
3. If you eat acidic fruits, juices or smoothies, rinse your mouth with water when finished.

Smile-Healthy Breakfasts

What’s good for your teeth is usually what’s good for your body. Here are some great menu ideas:

• whole grain, sugar-light cereal with calcium-rich milk
• scrambled eggs and whole-wheat toast
• yogurt with granola or muesli

What’s your favorite quick-and-healthy breakfast? Share in the comments below. We love to hear from you.

Thanks for being a valued part of our practice family!

Top image by Flickr user Jonathan Lin used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN LAID BACK in our dental chair wondering what the numbers mean that a hygienist calls out while examining your gums? They’re readings of the gum pocket depths in your mouth, and they’re an important part of monitoring your gum health.

Pocket Readings Help Us Measure Inflammation

Pocket depth refers to your gums’ attachment to your teeth.

If there’s an infection in your gums, they can become inflamed. The gums slightly pull away from teeth, making that pocket between your teeth and gums deeper. The deeper the pockets, the higher the risk of gum disease.

We use a labeled probe to see how deep the pockets go. 1–3 millimeters is a good reading. Any higher than that, and you may be in the danger zone!

Inflammation Leads To Gum Disease

Bacteria harbors in those deep pockets, and can cause more inflammation and detachment, so it’s important to counteract the first signs of encroaching gum disease right away. The early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) are reversible, with refocused care for your teeth and gums.

However, if the infection has progressed to periodontitis, it becomes a more complex condition to care for, requiring constant vigilance and possibly, more intensive treatments.

Take Your Periodontal Health Seriously

Periodontal disease is the most common cause of lost teeth in adults. Possibly 80% of adults have some level of gum disease. It’s something everyone needs to take seriously.

You can take responsibility for your own dental health. Talk to us about your gum pocket readings. You can even ask to have a mirror and watch as we measure. Ask us what you can do to reduce your risk. And if you have gum disease, take action to get control of the infection right away!

Proper Flossing Is One Of The Greatest Prevention Habits

Regular cleanings with our team can help to fight gum disease, especially when paired with your vigilant at-home care, including daily flossing. If you ever have any questions about your oral health, please ask us!

Thanks for your trust in our practice! Now go floss!

Top image by Flickr user Rory MacLeod used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

FEW OF US ARE EVER SEEN WITHOUT our smartphone in hand. We love our devices because they make our lives easier! But did you know that your smartphone can also help you keep good oral hygiene habits?

How Long Do YOU Spend Brushing Your Teeth?

Plaque is soft, but it hides away in nooks and crannies. That’s why it’s important to put in a full two minutes every time you brush your teeth. That’s simply how long it takes to thoroughly clean every corner of your mouth! Brushing harder, for a shorter period of time, isn’t going to get it done.

If Brushing For Two Full Minutes Is Hard…

Those two minutes of brush time will go faster if you’re jamming out to one of your favorite tunes! Brush DJ is a free smartphone app that will play 2 minutes of music from your own music library, shuffling songs each time. It also has a visual display guiding you on where to brush and for how long.

Brush DJ even lets you set reminders to change your toothbrush, floss and keep your regular dental appointments with us.

Of Course, Apps Can’t Do It All

Remember that your smartphone can’t provide the same oral care that our professional team does! Apps provide support, motivation, and encouragement, but nothing compares to the critical one-on-one time with us!

What’s Your Favorite App?

If you’ve used a dental-related app before, let us know which one is your favorite! Tell us in the comment section below. We truly love hearing from you and we’ll pass your suggestion along!

Top image by Flickr user Kārlis Dambrāns used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

FOR MANY OF US, SUMMER MEANS it’s time for a vacation! But just because you’re taking a break doesn’t mean your oral hygiene should do the same.

Travel can throw off our good routines. During odd hours, long plane rides, and close quarters, it’s easy to skip dental care and end up with “traveler’s breath”. Protect your teeth while traveling by packing these four essential items:

1. A Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle. Having a dry mouth can increase the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in our mouths. If you have a soda or some juice, rinse with water afterward. This will help get rid of any remaining sugar and acid in your mouth.

2. Tooth-Friendly Snacks

Being on the road makes it easy to indulge in lots of delicious food, and that’s OK! If you’re smart about it, your teeth don’t have to suffer. Carry healthy, tooth-scrubbing snacks like apples, celery, and carrots. These foods will help your mouth clean itself and resist plaque buildup.

Additionally, many travelers find themselves with a dry, stale mouth because they haven’t eaten! Skipping meals and going long periods of time without food means a decrease in the healthy saliva stimulation that happens whenever you chew on food. Keep healthy snacks handy for those gaps between meals.

3. Sugarless Chewing Gum

Often when we are traveling, stopping to brush our teeth just isn’t practical! In a pinch, chew some sugar-free gum. It will freshen your breath and help clean your mouth.

4. Your Toothbrush

As you’re packing your bags, don’t forget your oral health basics: floss, toothpaste, and a toothbrush.

Toothbrush-Packing Tips

• Keep it dry and clean. Toothbrush caps or bags are great for keeping bristles clean in your luggage.
• Keep travel-sized options in your carry-on. That way if your luggage gets lost or delayed, your teeth won’t be neglected.

More Cool Packing Tips

Happy Trails!

We hope these tips will come in handy the next time you travel. Do you have any travel tips YOU would like to share? Comment below. We would love to hear your ideas!

Thanks for being wonderful patients and friends!

Top image by Flickr user Consumerist Dot Com used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.