Beyond the “yuck” factor, that’s a bad idea on a lot of different levels health-wise to share toothbrush, says Dr. Sanda Moldovan, a certified nutritionist, periodontist and author of the upcoming book “Heal Up!”

That simple act of sharing a toothbrush can compromise your health in more ways than you might imagine.

Many of those problems, she says, are serious and some come with long-term implications. Among the reasons not to share:

• Bleeding gums. A toothbrush can easily spread blood-borne illnesses. Why is that? “When some people brush, their gums bleed,” Moldovan says. “That can result in exposure to bacteria and viruses that can enter the bloodstream.”
• A toothbrush can harbor streptococcus mutans — the same bacteria responsible for MRSA infections, flesh-eating bacteria and tooth decay.
• Food particles. A toothbrush can expose you to what someone else ate for dinner, possibly even the day before. That is especially true when that person fails to rinse or brush properly.

• Viruses. Viruses such as the herpes simplex type one can be spread with toothbrush use. This is the same virus responsible for oral and genital herpes. Another virus that can spread with toothbrush sharing is HPV (human papillomavirus). That virus is linked to esophageal, oral and cervical cancers.
• Fungi. Maybe you don’t think of a toothbrush as a potential petri dish, but fungi such as candida (the fungus responsible for diaper rash and yeast infections) can live on toothbrushes.
• Periodontal disease. One of the most common oral infections, periodontitis, can be spread via the toothbrush. There are a lot of implications to that, such as the potential loss of teeth, Moldovan says. “In this case, it’s also not just a problem that’s limited to the mouth,” she says. “Periodontal disease can affect the whole body.”

Pacific dental group remind you that there are lots of things in the world can share, a tooth brush doesn’t need to be one of them.

Source from dentalproductsreport.com

We are officially halfway through summer, and many, including myself, are starting to realize that all the daydreams we had in class about our summers weren’t exactly realistic. The reality of summer has been a little different than the previous visions of no class, no homework, days in the sun at the beach or pool, and the endless nights with friends we daydreamed about in class. Here are 15 thoughts we have during our “fun in the sun,” when our summers don’t quite turn out the way we hoped they would.

1. Why are all my friends in super cool places and I’m not?
2. Is it normal to spend this much time on Netflix during the summer?
3. How fun can the Caribbean reallybe?
4. France looks super boring actually. I’m glad I’m not there.
5. It’s been 30 seconds; there is probably new stuff on social media, right?
6. Time to kick it in gear! No more laziness!
7. I’m gonna come back to school super hot!
8. I’m gonna lose 20 pounds.
9. Everyone is going to be so impressed!
10. I should probably go to Lulu to prepare for my transformation.
11. Okay, well, now I can’t pay for college, but that’s okay. I’m gonna look super hot!
12. Whoa, shopping makes you tired…
13. Maybe I should take a nap before I start my transformation…
14. I’m hungry.
15. Let’s start tomorrow, because I will for surebe more motivated!

Pacific dental group wish you had a great summer and don’t forget to maintain your good habits to keep your teeth health.

Kids can need braces for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or a “bad bite” (known as malocclusion). Malocclusion is when there’s a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite.

Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will, too.

Often, your child’s dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and recommend that you see an orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in correcting jaw and/or teeth alignment problems). The orthodontist can decide whether your child does indeed need braces and which devices would be best.

There’s no set age for a child’s first orthodontist visit — some kids go when they’re 6, some kids go when they’re 10, and some go while they’re teens. Even adults can need orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontists say kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent.

Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means the orthodontist will be able to find problems and decide the best time to start treatment.

Pacific dental group remind you that it’s worth the effort and patience it takes to find an orthodontist who will treat your child. Straight teeth are more than just attractive — they can help keep your child’s mouth healthy for a lifetime.

If you’re an adult looking to maintain a professional image, traditional braces may not be the best option for treating your malocclusion (improper bite). It is important to note that while you may be looking for ways to straighten teeth without braces home, taking orthodontic care into your own hands without consulting a dentist is not safe or effective. An orthodontist can help you to find the right treatments and devices to safely and efficiently realign your teeth. Some options your orthodontist recommends may include:

• Retainers: There are three basic types of retainers, but perhaps the most well known is the Hawley retainer. This is a customized, removable device made of a combination of acrylic and metal wires.  These retainers may be noticeable when you wear them, but are removable to eat or brush your teeth.
• Appliances: These devices are typically used to straighten teeth by correcting jaw imperfections that have contributed to the malocclusion. These appliances tend to be highly conspicuous and take time for results to be seen.
• Invisalign: This option uses clear plastic retainers to straighten teeth invisibly. The custom-made aligners are removable and work quickly and discreetly to straighten your smile.

While retainers and appliances are often effective for straightening teeth, they are still visible when you speak, laugh, or smile, meaning that they are not as discreet as many adults orthodontic patients would like. This is why Invisalign is an excellent option for busy adults who don’t want to advertise to the world that they are in the process of straightening their teeth.

After considering different ways to straighten teeth without braces, you may be ready for the next step towards Invisalign treatment. At Pacific dental group, we are happy to help! You can make an appointment with our professions and consulting your considers.

If your teeth aren’t bothering you, do you really need regular teeth cleaning appointments? The short answer is, yes. The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist at least once a year to get a professional teeth cleaning. If you have periodontal issues, your dentist may recommend teeth cleanings more often. So even if you have healthy teeth, cleanings should be an essential part of your oral care routine.

At your appointment, professional tools are used to thoroughly cleanse beneath, above and within pockets of the gums to get rid of plaque. But what if you brush and floss every day? Although brushing and flossing is important, there are areas in your mouth that are difficult to clean yourself. Cleanings effectively remove plaque, which can become serious, and expensive, if left untreated.

But the benefits of regular teeth cleanings don’t stop there. A dental cleaning often helps spot certain health issues. When teeth and gums are thoroughly examined, the dentist is able to screen for cancer and can often spot other medical problems. This is important, as early detection is best for successful treatment.

As with any preventive care, teeth cleanings will actually save money on future dental costs. Taking care of your teeth now, can help avoid costly procedures down the road. For example, professional teeth cleanings can help prevent cavities and stop tooth loss.

Also, removing plaque and bacteria, your breath can instantly improve, especially if the cause is due to periodontal problems. Dental cleanings can also whiten your teeth by effectively removing stains.

You already know what the benefits and how important that dental cleaning to your teeth. Pacific dental group care about your dental health and remind you to make an appointment with a professional dentist at least twice a year and don’t skip it.

Nov. 16, 2011 (Orlando, Fla.) — Getting your teeth cleaned may give you more than a sparkling white smile — it may give you something to smile about, like your health.

In a large study, people who had their teeth professionally scaled at least once every two years were 24% less likely to have a heart attack,compared with those who skipped the hygienist. Scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth.

And their risk of stroke dropped by 13%, says study researcher Zu-Yin Chen, MD, a cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

“Something as simple as having good dental hygiene — brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings — may be good for your heart and brain health,” says Ralph Sacco, MD, head of neurology at the University of Miami. Sacco, the immediate past president of the American Heart Association (AHA), was not involved with the work.

Although the link between dental health and heart and stroke risk is not entirely clear, inflammation is a common problem in gum disease and heart disease, Sacco tells WebMD.

A number of studies have linked chronic inflammation to hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke, he says.

Cleaning your teeth gets rid of bacteria in the mouth that can lead to chronic infection and inflammation, which can then spread to other parts of the body, Chen says.The study was presented here at the American Heart Association annual meeting.

Pacific dental group provides professional dental cleaning services that not only can help keep away from bad germs, but also help you maintain a beautiful smile.

Source from Webmd.com

Does Tea Stain Teeth

We know that coffee can stain those pearly whites, but does tea stain teeth? The answer is yes. In fact, tea might be even more likely to stain your teeth than coffee due to its higher tannin content.

If you don’t want to give up drinking tea, it is important to look after your teeth in order to keep staining to a minimum.

Reduce Stains Caused by Tea

Drinking tea can cause lasting discoloration, but it is possible to reduce staining by developing healthy oral care habits.

At home, simple things such as brushing your teeth regularly can help. Brushing twice a day is good, but brushing immediately after you drink a cup of tea is even better. Drinking water after a cup of tea can help reduce the amount of tannin left in your mouth, too. Switching from black tea to herbal or green teas can also reduce staining, although it will not eliminate the problem altogether.

Now that you know that tea can stain your teeth, you might like to think about teeth whitening to combat the discoloration. Pacific dental group suggest you can do this at home using teeth whitening kits or products that work alongside your usual brushing routine to help further reduce stains and brighten teeth.

Coffee turns it brown, red wine turns it red. The truth is, your tongue is just as much of a target for bacteria as your teeth are, even if it is not at risk for developing cavities itself.

“Bacteria will accumulate greatly in the areas of the tongue between the taste buds and other tongue structures,” says John D.Kling, DDS, of Alexandria, Virginia. “It’s not smooth. There are crevices and elevations all over the tongue, and the bacteria will hide in these areas unless it is removed.”

These bacteria can lead to bad breath and even tooth damage. Because of this, it’s necessary to physically remove the bacteria by brushing or cleaning.

Kling says you should brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. It’s pretty simple:

• Brush back and forth
• brush side to side
• Rinse your mouth with water

Be careful not to over brush, though. You don’t want to break the skin!

Pacific dental group reminds you that tongue brushing is an easy addition to your daily dental routine, making it a regular habit.

Source from healthline.com