Interesting Links
Check out some great links that will increase your knowlege of dentistry thereby allowing you to make the best choices regarding your treatment alternatives.
Excellent dental Web-sites:
www.Webmd.com
www.Colgate.com
www.Mercksource.com
www.perio.org
Common Dental Questions
For frequently asked dental questions see the FAQ page or call us at 510-845-3510
Tips and Tricks
Use baking soda toothpaste. Sounds simple and it is. Baking soda in a concentration of 55% or greater will kill oral bacteria. Brushing with it or buying a toothpaste with baking soda in it will decrease gum bleeding and tartar deposits. Fluoride, on the other hand, is beneficial to the teeth by strenghtening them and making them resistant to decay. I recommend GelKam (no prescrition needed) for an excellent product that has much more fluoride than regular toothpaste. See products page. Stronger products are available by prescription.
Got canker sores, use Cankermelts. You can purchase Cankermelts from Amazon.com or check our products section. Cankermelts are made from licorice root and does not require a prescription to purchase.
Got cold sores, use Vyroxin. It is effective for herpes virus lesions on the lips and can be purchased on Amazon.com or check our products section. No prescription necessary.
Toothpicks used daily between teeth has been shown to be as effective as floss. Research shows no statistical difference between people who toothpick between their teeth and those who flossed. If you prefer not to play with string, gently pump the tip of the toothpick between the teeth and push it until you hit resistance.. Then repeat 8-10times per space. Work from the cheek-side aspect and don't try the insides until you have mastered the cheek side entries.
An electric toothbrush is superior to a manual toothbrush. Yes it is! You get far better cleaning than using a manual toothbrush. The best brands are Oral-B Triumph (cheaper replacement heads) and Sonicaire. Replace heads every 2-3months. Visit the products section for more details.
Make sure you brush your tongue when you brush. Many of the bacteria that inhabit our teeth are on the tongue as well so brush them away and improve your breath in the process.
Bleeding gums- Get to the dentist. You most likely have gum disease which for most is a painless disease. So basically, your jaw bone may be getting eaten away by bacteria and you won't feel pain in >90% of the cases.
It has been found that dental bacteria is gaining entry into our arteries and contributing to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Get your teeth cleaned regularly and often if needed.