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6 Foods/Drinks That Fight Bad Breath

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Woman covering her mouth.

Combat bad breath with food.

Most people assume that after they eat, no matter what they consume- it will affect their breath in a negative way.

While it’s obvious that eating onions and garlic will contribute to bad breath, lesser-known culprits are foods that are found in many people’s daily diets. These include starches, refined foods, and candies. They all increase plaque formation, which in turn makes your breath stink.

The good news is, there are actually certain foods and drinks that can help your body fight bad breath. Let’s take a look at seven of the best bacteria-busting foods.

1.) Citrus Fruits

First, citrus fruits that are high in vitamin C are great at getting rid of the bacteria that causes bad breath. This is because bacteria cannot thrive in environments that are high in vitamin C. In addition, citrus fruits have a high water content, which helps to hydrate your mouth and keep bacteria at bay. As an added bonus, vitamin C assists in fighting gingivitis.

2.) Water

Keeping hydrated is an essential part of fighting halitosis (the medical term for bad breath). This is because dry mouth creates an environment in which bacteria thrive. Water acts as a cleanser that encourages saliva production, which is crucial for cleansing your mouth of food particles and bacteria. The next time you finish your meal, follow it with a cool glass of h20.

3.) Ginger

Ginger isn’t only good for upset stomachs– it also has the effect of neutralizing bad breath. We recommend using pressed ginger combined with lemon juice mixed in equal parts with warm water. This creates a great natural at-home rinse to keep any bad odors away.

4.) Green Tea

Next, green tea is great at fighting bad breath because it’s high in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that fight the growth of bacteria and also help reduce sulfur compounds. One downside of green tea is that it can stain your teeth. To reap the benefits of it without staining, green tea extracts can be taken as a supplement– or you can drink it with a straw.

5.) Leafy Greens

As a general rule of thumb, if a food is good for your overall health, it will be good for your dental health, as well. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and kale are great for your overall health as well as your oral hygiene. Green vegetables keep your internal pH levels balanced and alkaline levels low, which in turn help to prevent dry mouth.

6.) Apples

Finally, apples are a wonderful choice for keeping your oral hygiene in check. This is mostly because of their natural detergent properties. When you bite into an apple, you’re pushing plaque away from your teeth and eliminating the food particles that cause bacteria in your mouth.

Make an Appointment

Calendar with a reminder to make a dentist appointment every six months.

While it’s not ideal, one of the best things you can do for your breath is to brush your teeth and tongue after every meal. When foods get trapped in the pockets surrounding your teeth, halitosis can develop as bacteria grows– which can lead to gum disease.

It’s also important to remember to see us twice a year for an appointment. If it’s time for your bi-annual cleaning, schedule it today.

 

 

 

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! In his free time, he often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

The Truth About Dental Myths

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The internet is a great resource, but sometimes it gives us conflicting information. When it comes to your dental health, there’s a lot of advice– so how do you know what’s true and what’s not?

We’ve compiled a list of 8 common myths regarding your oral health.

Myth #1: Bleeding gums are healthy.

Bleeding gums are the first stage of gum disease.

Truth:

Bleeding gums are actually caused by inadequate plaque removal. Plaque contains germs which attack the healthy tissue around your teeth, and cause your gums to become inflamed and irritated. As a result, they tend to bleed when you brush or floss. This is called gingivitis, and it’s actually the first stage of gum disease.

The good news is, if we catch it early– it’s easy and painless to treat.

Myth #2: Children don’t need to see the dentist until they’re toddlers.

Your child should see a dentist by the time they celebrate their first birthday.

Truth:

The American Dental Association recommends that a child be taken to the dentist by the age of one for a quick wellness check-up.

In addition, you’ll receive advice on how to care your toddler’s teeth going forward.

Myth #3: The more I brush, the healthier my teeth with be.

More isn’t better.

Truth:

Over-brushing your teeth can wear on them due to the abrasiveness of toothpaste, which could lead to problems with your tooth enamel.

Instead of brushing every time after you eat, try rinsing your mouth out and chewing sugar-free gum to avoid plaque build-up.

Myth #4: Cavities are only caused by sugar.

Cavities develop as a result of bacteria.

Truth:

Acid produced by bacteria in your mouth is what causes cavities. Although, when you eat anything with carbohydrates (sugar is carbohydrate), these bacteria are triggered to produce acid.

Be sure to rinse out your mouth after you eat anything sugary or acidic to help avoid cavities.

Myth #5: Harder is better.

A gentle touch is all you need to clean your pearly whites.

Truth:

It may seem like brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush would clean your teeth most effectively, but the truth is it can actually hurt your gums and enamel.

Soft-bristled toothbrushes are the best kind for you to use to care for your teeth and gums. Look for the “ADA Seal of Acceptance” to find a brush that’s approved by the American Dental Association.

You don’t need to press hard either– a soft touch is fine.

Myth #6: If I don’t have cavities, I don’t need to visit the dentist.

Seeing us on a regular basis will allow us to catch any issues before they develop into anything serious.

Truth:

If your teeth feel okay, great! However, regular cleanings and checkups every six months are still a vital part to maintaining your oral health. Many dental issues can be symptomless, so it’s important have a dental exam every 6 months. If we find any issues, it’s much easier and more cost-effective to treat in its early stages.

Myth #7: If I ignore my toothache, it will go away.

A toothache will only get worse.

Truth:

Toothaches are often caused by an infection, and an infection can’t go away on its own. You may need a prescription or other intervention to take care of the cause of the toothache. Ignoring it will only make the problem worse.

Myth #8: If you’re pregnant, you should avoid the dentist.

Don’t avoid us if you’re pregnant.

Truth:

It’s actually very important to continue your regular dental care while pregnant since pregnant women are more likely to develop gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bones that surround your teeth, and it can lead to pregnancy complications.

Always be sure to mention your pregnancy at your visit so we can take any necessary precautions to protect your baby while providing you with the care you need.

Now You Know

Dental myths can affect your perception of the dentist and can cause you to put off going– which can lead to serious oral health issues and long-term dental problems. Education is the key to prevention.

Now that we’ve debunked these common myths, have you fallen for any of them in the past?

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Why Are Visits To The Dentist So Important?

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Twice A Year

We’ll make you comfortable.

There’s a major reason why the American Dental Association, and your dentist, recommend that you come in for a cleaning/exam every six months. Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you need additional help, we may even suggest you come in and see us even more frequently, until we can get your issue under control. In addition, in-between your exams, it’s important for you to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as you can.

What To Expect

Cleanings don’t hurt, so there’s no need to be nervous.

At a typical checkup and cleaning appointment, we’ll perform an examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Dr. Burba will be looking for any signs of gum disease, loose, broken or cracked teeth, a damaged filling, or tooth decay. He will also look for any signs of oral cancer.

Once a year you’ll need X-rays taken, and if you’ve been experiencing any pain– we’ll examine your head and neck, your bite, and the movement of your jaw.

Finally, we clean, polish, and floss your teeth– leaving them fresh and beautiful.

Benefits

Taking care of your oral health means taking care of your overall health.

There’s a number of benefits that come along with seeing us regularly. Since there’s a strong correlation between your oral health and your overall health, taking good care of your mouth means taking care of your entire body.

For example, gum disease can increase your risk of serious health problems including heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes– just to name a few.

Deep Cleaning

We clean the places you can’t reach with just a toothbrush and floss.

You might think you don’t need regular cleanings, but we have specifically designed tools to clean your teeth much better than you’re able to at home. During your cleaning, we’ll remove plaque from hard to reach areas, and get rid of any buildup that has occurred since your last cleaning.

Prevent Gum Disease

We can catch gum disease before it spreads.

Regular visits to see us can help to prevent the onset of gum disease. Gum disease doesn’t just harm your oral health– it can affect your entire body. One of the biggest reasons you might develop periodontal disease, is by neglecting your oral health, and missing dental visits. The good news is, even if you’re more susceptible to gum disease than others– we can usually help you prevent it through regular cleanings and proper oral hygiene.

Detect Oral Cancer

Your visits could be life saving.

By seeing us twice a year, you’re giving yourself the best shot at catching the early warning signs of oral cancer. If we do detect any symptoms of the disease, we’ll recommend you begin treatment immediately to improve your chances of beating it quicker. If oral cancer is detected early, it’s curable.

Save Money

Regular check-ups save you time and money in the future.

In addition to their health benefits, regular checkups can even be good for your wallet. Finding and treating minor problems like cavities, can spare you the expense of future complicated procedures including extractions, crowns, or root canals.

Cure Side Effects

Knocking out one problem can fix another.

Sometimes dental problems have side effects, and Dr. Burba will be able to correct more than one issue at a time. For example, bacteria in your mouth can not only cause tooth decay, but it’s also responsible for bad breath. Conquering tooth decay will help you get rid of your mouth odor as well.

Make An Appointment

Don’t forget to schedule a cleaning every 6 months!

By visiting us twice a year, and practicing good oral hygiene daily, you’ll keep your teeth and gums healthy, and prevent diseases.

If it’s been over six months since your last appointment, request one today!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Sugar and Your Teeth

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Sugar, Sugar

We know it’s tasty, but it hurts your pearly whites.

Everyone knows eating too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, but many aren’t exactly aware of how and why it happens. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in your mouth that uses sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that dissolve and do damage to your teeth. Each acid attack lasts for around 20 minutes, but the good news is– it’s avoidable.

What Are The Effects?

According to the American Dental Association, your mouth is full of hundreds of bacteria. Some are helpful, but others can actually feed on the sugars you eat, and create acids that destroy your enamel. Tooth enamel is the shiny, protective outer layer of your teeth that keeps them healthy. Cavities are a bacterial infection created by acids that cause a hole in your teeth. Without proper treatment, cavities can progress past the enamel and into the deeper layers of your tooth, causing pain and even eventual tooth loss.

Avoid Sugary Drinks

That’s a lot of sugar for one drink!

 

Sugary drinks, including fruit drinks, sports drinks, sweetened waters, sugary teas, energy drinks, and sodas, have been recognized as the primary source of added sugars in American diets. Sugary drinks don’t make you feel full, so you eat the same amount of food as before– but with a lot of extra sugar calories on the side.

When you have a craving for one of these drinks, try choosing a healthy alternative, like water, milk, or 100% fruit juice with no added sugars.

The Remedy

To avoid having a mouth filled with cavities, we have several tips to prevent them.

Stimulate Saliva Flow

Make sure it’s sugar free!

In addition to cutting down on sugar, stimulating saliva flow is recommended. Chewing sugarless gum, and incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet that are high in fiber, are great ways to accomplish this. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products also contain calcium and phosphates that strengthen your teeth, and they’re much better choices than something high in sugar or starch.

Brush and Floss

Always brush after you eat or drink something with lots of sugar.

It’s important that you stay on top of your oral health by brushing and flossing twice a day. It’s even more crucial to brush after you consume sugar. Whenever you eat or drink something sweet, make sure you brush your teeth right when you’re finished. However, if whatever you have is acidic– wait at least a half hour before brushing or flossing.

Use Fluoride

Let fluoride do the work for you.

According to The American Dental Association, you should be using an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to not only prevent tooth decay caused by too much sugar, but also reverses it in its early stages. The ADA also recommends professional fluoride treatments from a dentist.

In addition, you should try and introduce tap water into your routine. Fluoride is added to your tap water source and it doesn’t affect the appearance, smell or taste of your drinking water, but it does give you the benefit of helping to prevent cavities.

Finally, rinse your brush off before you add your toothpaste to avoid washing away the added fluoride.

Stay On Top Of It

Vigilance is the key to preventing the negative effects of sugar on your teeth. Limit your sugar intake, and always brush after eating anything with a high sugar content. Choose healthy foods and drinks that strengthen, instead of damage your teeth. Include regular appointments to see us and you’ll keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime.

 

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

How to Prevent Dental Erosion

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What Is It?

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Did you know?

Dental erosion is a huge problem. It occurs when the enamel on your teeth begins to erode, or disintegrate. Your enamel is a clear, hard outer layer that protects your teeth from the damages of daily life. It keeps your teeth safe from feeling things that might otherwise be too hot, or too cold for you to eat and drink. It also helps to keep acid and damaging chemicals from hurting your teeth.

If this protective outer shell starts to erode, you’re much more likely to get cavities and tooth decay. Your nerves become more sensitive, and you might not even be able to enjoy the foods and drinks that you’re used to. The good news is, it’s preventable.

Limit Your Intake Of Acidic Foods/Drinks

As you’ll see, acid is the primary cause of dental erosion. The main goal is to prevent it as much as possible from damaging your teeth. This means the less acidic foods and drinks you consume, the less of a chance you’ll have at your enamel eroding. If you do decide to indulge, there are several steps you can take to help avoid further damage to your pearly whites.

Don’t Brush After Eating Anything Acidic

If you do eat or drink something with lots of acid, make sure you wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. If you don’t, you run the risk of damaging your enamel.

Chew Sugar Free Gum

Chewing Sugar Free Gum Rids Teeth of Acid 1080x1080

Always make sure it’s sugar free!

Saliva is extremely beneficial to your oral health, and chewing sugar-free gum is the number one way to increase saliva flow in your mouth. It helps to clear out food remnants and other debris, neutralize acids, and assists in getting rid of bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Saliva also contains nutrients like calcium, fluoride, and phosphates that strengthen tooth enamel. Without a healthy saliva flow, you’re at risk for number of oral health problems including tooth decay, periodontal disease, and infections.

Studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for just twenty minutes after eating meals can reduce tooth decay, while preventing dental erosion.

Use A Straw

Protect your teeth from enamel erosion by drinking fruit juice with a straw 1080x1080

Straws are your friends.

Straws are great at protecting your teeth from stains, but they also work wonders for keeping your tooth enamel in tip-top shape. Anytime you’re drinking anything acidic, it’s very helpful to your teeth to use a straw. By doing so, the acid in the beverage can bypass your teeth and leave them looking and feeling great.

Be Gentle

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Harder isn’t better.

Remember, when it comes to brushing your teeth, harder is not always better. A soft brush and a gentle touch is always best. You’ll clean your teeth just as effectively, and won’t wear off their protective layer.

Use Fluoride

IMG_8468

Let it do the work for you.

Select a toothpaste with fluoride as an ingredient. Fluoride has been proven to help protect teeth from tooth decay and cavities. If you’re particularly worried about the enamel of your teeth, brush more than the recommended two times daily and start brushing after every meal. This will remove sugar and starches that can turn into corrosive acid and wear away at your teeth.

Protect Them

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Don’t neglect your teeth.

While these are all valuable tips, the most important thing you can do for your pearly whites is brush and floss twice a day, and visit us twice a year for cleanings. If it’s been over six months since your last cleaning, schedule your appointment today!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

 

 

 

Mistakes To Avoid When Brushing Your Teeth

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“I Know How To Brush My Teeth.”

Your entire family can follow these simples steps to healthier teeth.

Your entire family can benefit from these tips.

You might think you’re doing everything right. After all, brushing your teeth isn’t exactly hard. What you don’t know is, unless you’ve been shown the proper way to brush– you’re probably doing it wrong. In fact, most people aren’t caring for their teeth properly.

Are you making any of the following mistakes?

Brushing too hard.

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Brushing too hard is something a lot of people are guilty of. When it comes to your teeth, rough is not better. A soft massage of the gums and teeth is enough to effectively clean them without damaging your enamel.

Brushing too long/too frequent.

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Just like brushing too hard, you also don’t want to overdo the time you spend on cleaning your teeth. You should only brush twice a day, for two minutes. Doing it any more frequent than that will harm your teeth and wear away the enamel.

Side note: this does not apply if you have braces. They require more frequent cleaning.

Not brushing long enough.

On the flip side, make sure you brush at least twice a day for two minutes. Research shows the average time people spend brushing their teeth is only 45 seconds. Not enough! Anything shorter than that won’t give the fluoride in your toothpaste enough time to attach to the enamel on your teeth.

Not replacing your toothbrush.

If you’re healthy, every three months– or 200 uses, is a good time frame to replace your brush. However, if you’re sick, it needs to be replaced as soon as you’re feeling well again. If not, your toothbrush can actually reinfect you at a later date.

Also, remember the phrase “if it starts to fray, throw it away”. If this occurs before your three months is up, replace your brush right away. Frayed bristles won’t clean your mouth properly.

Always have a few back up brushes stashed away for when that time comes.

Forgetting to clean your tongue.

Don't forget your tongue!

Don’t forget your tongue!

Your tongue is not something you should be ignoring when you brush your teeth. In fact, you should reprogram your brain to think of brushing your teeth as actually brushing your teeth, tongue and gums. All three need to be cleaned for optimal oral health.

Your tongue is a virtual petri dish for germs. If you don’t clean it, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice. Expect bad breath, and bacteria build up. We recommend a tongue scraper if your brush tickles your tongue, or you don’t like the feeling.

Using the wrong technique.

If your gums are bleeding after brushing and flossing, you may have gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.

Are you brushing your teeth the correct way?

The correct way to brush your teeth is in circles, and not back and forth. A circular motion is more gentle and effective at cleaning your teeth.

Side to side wide strokes can scrape the soft tissue lining between your teeth and gums, causing them harm.

Finally, be sure to tilt your brush at a 45-degree angle and brush close to the gum.

Flossing after brushing.

Always floss before you brush.

Always floss before you brush.

Lots of people make this mistake. You brush your teeth and then you floss. So, what’s the problem? You’re doing it in the wrong order. Always floss before you brush. If you don’t, you risk leaving leftover particles of food in your mouth. In addition, flossing before brushing exposes areas that need the fluoride in your toothpaste.

Just Ask!

Come see us twice a year.

If you’d like us to show you the proper way to brush and floss, next time you’re in our office, just ask and we’ll be glad to demonstrate.

If you change your dental hygiene habits, we promise you’ll notice a difference. You’ll see your teeth will be stronger and healthier than ever before.

Most importantly, don’t forget to schedule regular cleanings with us every six months.

 

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

5 Steps to Fresher Breath

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Woman covering mouth

Does your breath stink?

Are you constantly worried your breath is bad?

Afraid to get too close to someone, in case your mouth stinks?

You have one chance to make a first impression, we’ll make sure it’s a good one.

It’s to get bad breath–unfortunately. It’s not always easy to get rid of.

What’s causing your bad breath

To fix the problem, we first need to figure out the cause.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria that breed inside your mouth. This bacteria spreads and multiplies, finally breaking down to proteins which cause an odor to be released from the back of your tongue and throat. Yuck!

Let’s fix it

Here are a few of our favorite tips for keeping bad breath at bay.

1) Brush after every meal

Food for thought: Your food supply is also the bacteria’s food supply.

Leaving food particles in your mouth causes plaque, which leads to bad breath. When you floss and brush after every meal, these bacteria will no longer thrive.

2) Clean your tongue

The surface of your tongue is rough and home to a potentially gross smelling combination of dead cells, food debris and bacteria.

Brush your tongue with your toothbrush, or—even better—buy a tongue scrubber. A tongue scrubber is a small device designed to scrape the surface of the tongue. This eliminates even more bacteria.

3) Schedule regular appointments

One of the most common causes of bad breath is not scheduling regular dental appointments. This seems to get overlooked because, as we know, time flies. Our main priorities might not be our dental appointments–even if that practice is detrimental to your dental and overall health.

The professional cleaning process removes tartar from the teeth–which if left untreated could lead to periodontal disease–and identifies any infected areas potentially causing bad breath. Not only will you notice a difference, but your friends and family will too.

4) Wet your whistle

Chewing sugar free gum can help to eliminate bad the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Chewing sugar-free gum can help to eliminate the bacteria that causes bad breath.

When combating bad breath, keeping your mouth wet is important. Saliva contains oxygen, and oxygen deters bacteria growth. Saliva is naturally anti-bacterial and helps to wash away bacteria.

Another way to eliminate the bacteria that cause stinky breath is to chew sugar-free gum. If none is available, sugar-free, non-sticky candy works well too.

5) Know your food

You may not realize it, but the foods you eat make an impact on your breath. We’ve all been too close to someone who’s just polished off a tuna sandwhich. Run. Run far, far away.

Even red meat can cause bad breath. Meat easily gets stuck between your teeth, breeding bad breath bacteria.

You’re not alone

Bad breath affects around 80 percent of people around the world. Some, chronically.

Don’t be known as the guy with dragon breath. Follow these tips and schedule regular cleanings every six months. If you do, we guarantee you will notice a favorable change.

 

Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

7 Simple Tips For Healthy Teeth

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Healthy teen mouth with beautiful white teeth

Keep your teeth clean and healthy.

Besides brushing and flossing, what can I do at home to keep my teeth healthy and clean?

We get the question every day.

There are things you can do–along with regular cleanings every six months–to keep your smile sparkly white.

Soft bristles

Probably our most ignored piece of advice. People think harder is better. But that’s not the case when it comes to brushing your teeth.

Using a soft bristled brush will remove the same amount of debris without causing trauma to your teeth and gums.

Replace your tooth brushe after being sick

Don't forget to replace your brush.

Don’t forget to replace your brush.

This one is self explanatory.

Your toothbrush is a virtual petri dish, harboring bacteria that lay dormant. Infecting you at a later date. YUCK!

Remember to replace your toothbrush after you’re sick to prevent reinfection.

Chew sugar freegum

It has to be sugar free because sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay. The bacteria that form together to become plaque use sugar as a form of energy. This leads to dreadful cavities and avoidable dental visits.

Chewing sugar free gum provides a number a benefits. Wash away plaque and acid leading to healthier–and whiter–teeth.

Brush with baking soda

If you’re not familiar with baking soda as a substitute for tooth paste, you should be.

Brushing with baking soda has huge benefits. Baking soda releases free radicals that combine with stains to break them down.  It also helps to freshen your breath and remove plaque.

Flossing–the CORRECT way

Chances are that even if you think you know how, if you haven’t been taught, you’re doing it incorrectly.

When you floss, make sure you;re using a zig-zag motion. Contour the floss around the side of your tooth, and always use a clean section of floss. Watch this video for even more tips.

9-1-1

Accidents happen.

If your tooth gets knocked out, put it in milk and hold it in your mouth until you can get to us.  This will help your tooth survive longer.  Contact us as soon as it happens.

Oh no!

Oh no!

Floss before you brush

Many people brush first and floss later.

This isn’t efficient. Flossing before brushing exposes areas that need the fluoride in your toothpaste. It also ensures you’ll get out all the debris prior to brushing. Flossing before you brush will improve your overall oral health and appearance of your teeth.

Keep it up

There are many ways you can keep your teeth healthy, besides brushing, but the best way is to visit us ever six months.

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time

Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

National Children’s Dental Health Month isn’t over yet!

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Flash us that toothy grin before National Children's Dental Health Month ends!

Flash us that toothy grin before National Children’s Dental Health Month ends!

February’s rapidly coming to a close.  Luckily, this year the month has an extra added day – Feb. 29!

You may be asking, “Why is it lucky that this happens to be a leap year?” We think it’s lucky because February marks one of our favorite observances –National Children’s Dental Health Month!

National Children’s Dental Health Month provides dental professionals, health care providers and educators an opportunity to spread the word out about how he important good oral health can be through a special educational outreach targeted to the kids themselves, as well as parents, teachers and caregivers.

Why is it important?

Consider this – the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says more than 50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay before age 5. If that doesn’t get your attention, keep in mind tooth decay is the most common childhood disease.

You may be surprised to learn that it isn’t even close – tooth decay is 20 times more common than diabetes, seven times more common than hay fever and five times more common than asthma!

To make matters worse, the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation reports that dental care is the most prevalent unmet health need of children in the US, with an estimated 17 million children going without dental care every year.

Tooth decay can also be the cause of other issues. Its pain and the infections that often accompany it can lead to problems eating, speaking and learning.

Preventing tooth decay before it starts

One of the primary goals behind National Children’s Dental Health Month is to educate everyone on preventing tooth decay before it starts.  That includes making sure everyone understands the basics. One of those basics is ensuring kids aren’t rushing when brushing their teeth.

How long is long enough? Both kids and adults need to brush at least two minutes twice a day.

This doesn’t have to be a tedious chore that everyone dreads.  A fun way to ensure they’re brushing long enough is to pick a lengthy song they can hum to themselves while brushing. The rules are simple – they’re not done brushing until the song is.

Parents also play a key role just by being parents.  When kids notice their parents brushing and flossing daily, they’ll be quick to model that behavior themselves.

Good First Step

While the month may be ending, it’s not too late to take ensure your kids have healthy teeth. A great way to start is to have them come see us for a visit!  This will most likely include a thorough cleaning, a full dental examination and a set of x-rays.  This will be a good base to start from. From there we’ll want to see them at least twice a year to make sure they stay on the right path toward a lifetime of good oral health!

Ring In The New Year With Great Dental Health Resolutions

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New Year

Here a few easy to keep new year’s resolutions.

2016 Resolutions

There is no doubt that as 2016 approaches that we will hear more and more about them.   Some of the most popular resolutions include working out more, taking better care of our health, getting organized and saving money.

While all are truly good resolutions and definitely worth pursuing, it is very rare that we hear someone say they intend upon making their dental health a priority in the new year to come.  As dental professionals, we believe one of the best resolutions that you can make is taking care of your teeth and would like to offer suggestions on just how you can do that in a successful way.

Improve brushing and flossing habits

One way of making sure that you are doing the best for your teeth in the upcoming new year is to start by brushing and flossing your teeth daily.  By brushing at least twice a day, you are insuring the successful removal of plaque and bacteria that if not done regularly, can lead to periodontal disease and tooth decay.  Make sure that when brushing that you are using an appropriately sized, soft-bristled, manual or electric toothbrush and a toothpaste containing fluoride.  Tooth brushes should be replaced every 3 to 4 months or after obvious signs of wear, or suffering from a cold or flu.  Flossing should be done at least once a day to remove food particles that get stuck between teeth.

Make healthy food and beverage choices

People do not typically associate healthy eating in their dental health regimen and often do not see the importance of it on a regular basis.  Watching your consumption of food and snacks that contain a lot of carbohydrates and acids is a sure way of making your new dental health resolution is a successful one as both can cause major tooth decay.  Not wanting to give up some of those snacks? Simply brush after consuming them.  This will highly reduce the chances of them causing cavities.  Another good way to reduce the acid that can cause damage is to follow your snack up with a piece of gum or lozenge that contains Xylitol, an ingredient that neutralizes acid that can harm the enamel on our teeth.

Schedule regular dental visits

Did you know that attending regular visits can greatly improve the overall health of your teeth and assist in the early prevention and detection of oral diseases?  It is important to see your dentist every 6 months so that your dental specialist can monitor your dental health and be aware of any negative changes that might arise and give them the ability to provide proper treatments as soon as possible.

Following these simple steps in the new year will not only assist in making your teeth and dentist happy, but will also make sure you are as well with the knowledge that your new year’s resolution was a successful one.

Happy New Year!