Category Archives: Blog

There is a recent trend in dental care known by the naturopath community as “oil pulling”. Practitioners do away with tooth brushing in favor of vigorously swishing with natural oil for twenty minutes, two times a day. This is supposed to clean your teeth, reduce inflammation, and give you all sorts of other benefits. But is this for real? Before you throw away your own toothbrush, our International District dentistry clinic has a few words of caution.

There is a lot to be skeptical about in regards to oil pulling. Many of the theories that this practice are based upon are downright absurd, and the rest are backed up with studies that are highly suspect. It can be difficult to empirically dismiss the practice, but it does remain clear that it is not an apt substitute for tooth brushing.

Consider the prospect of swishing for twenty minutes, two times a day. Your jaw will probably get tired after minute number two. After all of this work, you’re still not getting the same benefits of two minutes of proper brushing. A toothbrush is the only known way to scrub plaque off of your teeth, and toothpaste plays an important role in reinforcing your tooth enamel with fluoride. With this in mind, think twice before abandoning proven oral hygiene techniques for unproven medical fads.

If you’ve ever had a dentist use amalgam to give you a filling, you may have discovered some minor discoloration on the soft tissues in your mouth. It may come in the form of a blue-gray stain on either your cheek or gums. Our International District dentistry clinic knows stains like this as amalgam tattoos.

An amalgam tattoo occurs when some of the material used in your amalgam filling embeds itself in your tissues, much like the ink of a regular tattoo. These are nothing to worry about for the most part, though some people with more visible tattoos find them to be unsightly. If this is the case, you may be able to have the mark removed with a minor surgical procedure.

Look out for any changes in your amalgam tattoo. If the mark gets bigger or changes color, chances are good that it isn’t an amalgam tattoo after all. This may be a warning sign of oral cancer or other dangerous condition, which you should show to your dentist.

Many people come to our SoDo and International District dentist with questions about how frequently they should be replacing their brushes. This is a valid question, as your brush can often become a breeding ground for bacteria. Also, the bristles of your brush are getting warped and worn out, gradually losing their ability to effectively strip plaque from your teeth. Not being mindful of a proper replacement schedule eventually leaves you with a brush that does more harm than good.

The common wisdom is to get a new brush once every three months. However, this number can vary, depending on your circumstances. If you brush particularly hard, for example, you may see your bristles splaying every which way long before your three months are up. This is a clear sign that you’re due for a fresh brush. If you’re suffering from gum disease, you might want to change your brush every few weeks or so. This helps you to avoid cleaning with a bacteria-stained brush.

On top of this, you can keep your toothbrush cleaner for longer by following some simple sanitation practices. Remember that bacteria cannot thrive in dry environments, and so storing your brush upright to let it dry out between brushings is a good idea. For further peace of mind, consider periodically soaking the bristles in either hot water or an antibacterial mouthwash. Never microwave your brush or wash it in the dishwasher, as this can destroy the fragile material of the bristles.

If you have other questions about your brush, consult Sixth Avenue Dentistry.

Selecting the right floss is not as simple a matter as you might think. There is a number of options available to you, any one of which may represent the best selection for your own particular needs.

First of all, consider the gaps between your teeth. Do you frequently find yourself wrestling with your floss to get it in or out from between certain teeth? You may want to look for a finer floss. However, if you can accommodate a thicker thread, then you’re probably better off with a floss that will offer you a superior coverage.

Secondly, take a look at your floss’s fluoride content. This material, found in most toothpastes, serves to re-mineralize your enamel. Some people are getting enough fluoride from their paste or from conventional tap water, but others can benefit from a little extra help.

Finally, if you have trouble maneuvering your floss in your mouth, you might consider a flossing aid. Whether you lack a good manual dexterity, or you simply have large fingers that don’t reach your back teeth too well, check your local drugstore for an appropriate flossing tool. You can also consult our International District dentist for more information.