Properly brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the foundation for good dental hygiene. But, what’s the best way to do so, and what are the proper techniques? Should you invest in an electric toothbrush or continue brushing with a manual one? Let’s take a look. 

Electric Toothbrushes

In the past decade or so, electric toothbrushes have grown significantly in popularity. More people realize the importance of proper oral hygiene and recognize that an electric toothbrush can make that easier. 

Electric toothbrushes have been proven to decrease the amount of plaque in your mouth and the chances of gingivitis. They’re also ‘easier’ to use, as the brush, itself, does most of the work for you. Furthermore, electric toothbrushes have timers for two minutes so that you know that you’ve spent enough time working on those pearly whites. Many electric toothbrushes today also vibrate every 30 seconds, allowing you to move from one-quarter of your mouth to another, and so on, until your two minutes are finished. 

It’s no secret that kids don’t like to brush their teeth. Electric toothbrushes make it fun for them and encourage healthier oral habits. Many children’s toothbrushes even play a song or tune for two minutes, making it seem more like a fun playtime activity than a healthy chore, as many children see it. 

While there are many benefits to electric toothbrushes, the main negative attribute is the cost. Electric toothbrushes range in price but are oftentimes much more expensive than manual toothbrushes. On top of the base price, you also have to pay for brush heads, which you should replace every three months. 

Manual Toothbrushes

We are all familiar with manual toothbrushes; it’s what we grew up with and many people still use them today. Manual toothbrushes are inexpensive, can be found anywhere, and can be used anywhere. They even come in travel sizes, to keep in your purse, work bag, or desk – you never know when you might need a quick brush. 

When done correctly, manual toothbrushes are quite effective at removing plaque. The proper technique for manual brushing is simple, although many people tend to apply more pressure and brush harder when using a manual toothbrush, oftentimes resulting in damaged teeth or gums. If you are committed to your manual toothbrush, first make sure you are using the right-sized brush for your mouth. Also, ensure that you use a soft-bristled brush, as hard bristles can irritate your gums.

Manual toothbrushes do not come with a timer, causing many people to brush for less than the recommended two minutes. Setting a timer on your phone, however, can counteract this. 

While electric toothbrushes can be ‘fun’ for kids, starting them with a manual toothbrush may be better. When babies get their first teeth, there is no need to use an electric toothbrush; a gentle, manual toothbrush meant for young children is preferable. This continues for the next few years. After that, whatever they are most comfortable with is the best option. Some children may find the vibrations strange, which could turn them off even more from brushing their teeth. To find out what’s best for your child, talk to them! They’ll let you know which they prefer and you can help them from there. 

The Bottom Line

Depending on your lifestyle choices, age, and price point, there are pros and cons to electric and manual toothbrushes. While electric toothbrushes are easier to use and help your teeth receive a better clean, they are not for everyone.

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we treat each patient with the individual care and attention that they deserve. We are always happy to help our patients in their oral care journey, so give us a call if you have any questions or want to know if an electric toothbrush or manual toothbrush is right for you.

The Effects of Sugar on Teeth

With Halloween around the corner it’s easy to be craving candy but don’t let the holiday be a reason to wreak havoc on your mouth with cavities. While all foods cause build up sugar is the biggest offender, making your teeth susceptible to enamel erosion, cavities, and permanent damage.

On Halloween, that number jumps to 384 grams of sugar, or 16 times the recommended sugar intake. 

What can we do about it?

Make sure to pack nutrient-dense meals full of protein and fibers to avoid that mindless moment of rummaging the cabinets for something sweet. Read the nutritional labels to find the sugar content and the hidden ingredients. Even reading the labels can be tricky these days, with sugar hiding in so many forms it can be hard to find an innocent treat.

Added sugars hide in 74% of packaged foods under as many as 61 different names. Here are some of the most frequently occurring names:

• High fructose corn syrup
• Sucrose
• Barley malt
• Dextrose
• Maltose
• Rice syrup
• corn syrup
• corn syrup solids
• fructose
• anhydrous dextrose

We know that sugar is bad, and we know that it can hide in several places, but what else can we do to protect our teeth? Here are 6 tips:

1. Don’t snack all day
2. Nix sugary beverages
3. Use fluoride toothpaste
4. Brush your teeth at least twice daily
5. Floss at least once daily
6. Swap candies for fruit

If you feel concerned about your oral health, or haven’t seen the dentist in a while call (865) 588-8202 to set up an appointment at Cakmes Studio today!

Resources:

• https://au.pearlywhites.com/blogs/news/the-effects-of-sugar-on-teeth
• https://sugarscience.ucsf.edu/the-growing-concern-of-overconsumption.html#.W84ymNN94Wo
• https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/cavities/what-are-the-effects-of-sugar-on-teeth-1214
• https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-sugar-the-average-kid-consumes-on-halloween-2017-10?r=UK&IR=T

Dental Hygiene & Your Health

Did you know October is recognized as Dental Hygiene Month? We all know that skipping brushing and flossing can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss, but studies have shown that poor oral hygiene can affect your whole body. From heart disease to low birth rate, forgetting to take good care of your mouth can take a toll on your body.

Here are a few diseases that poor oral hygiene can play a part in:

• Cardiovascular disease
  Some studies show that bacterial infection in the mouth and gums can move into the bloodstream, attach to fatty plaques and cause inflammation in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of clots.
• Dementia 
  Some studies suggest there is a correlation between periodontal disease and increased risk of dementia. The bacteria from gingivitis may enter the brain through the nervous system or the bloodstream leading to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Diabetic complications
  Gum disease is more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Periodontal disease can make it harder to control blood sugar and worsen diabetic symptoms.
• Pregnancy and Birth
  A study found in the NCBI confirms that mothers with Periodontal disease tend to produce relatively low birth weights as a result of poor dental hygiene.

Now that we know what poor hygiene and periodontal disease can cause, how do we prevent it?

• Find the right toothbrush
  Brush with a soft or extra soft toothbrush because medium and hard bristles can damage enamel.
• Floss Daily
  Brushing only cleans 70% of tooth surface area leaving a whopping 30% to be reached only through flossing.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings
  Tartar buildup cannot be cleaned with just regular brushing and flossing, dentists need to remove tartar buildup to prevent oral disease. They also check for oral and throat cancer.
• Brush at least twice a day for two whole minutes
  Studies show that brushing for two minutes reduces plaque considerably compared to one minute of brushing. Brush a minimum of twice daily for two minutes each for optimal oral hygiene.
• Brush more than just your teeth
  Gums, tongue, and top of your mouth also harbor bacteria so make sure to give them a good brush too.

If you think you may be experiencing periodontal disease, Cakmes Dental Studio in Knoxville is here to help. We are currently accepting new patients. Call (865) 584-6163 to schedule an appointment today!

Resources:

• https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Dental/ways-poor-dental-care-makes-sick/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/