Almost all dentists go through a lot of training to be where they are now. But just how successful are they in their chosen career? Every dentist must possess some important quality traits to be TRULY successful.

3 Important Quality Traits Every Dentist Must Possess

1. Integrity

Every good dentist should have a noble purpose and maintain integrity. This ‘two-rolled-into-one’ attribute is the most important character trait every good dentist should possess.

Purpose simply means to have a vision, mission and goal – a plan or mental picture of what you want to do with your career. The more noble and genuine your purpose is, the more known and successful you will be in the long run. Integrity, on the other hand, is the difference that sets one apart from the rest. Integrity denotes doing your job to the best even in the absence of praise or evaluation. Integrity always indicates quality. If you have a noble purpose, coupled with integrity in your work, success is not far off from where you are.

2. Good People Skills

A good dentist should be open to communication and care. Being a dentist requires you to have constant correspondence with your patients. To succeed in this career, the lines of communication between you and your patients should be clear. You have to develop the skill to let your patients know and understand why they need such procedures in a humble, respectful way. Similarly, you must have the same attitude when hearing out your patients’ needs. Doing so will also transmit that trait to your staff and the people you work with.

Aside from this, you should have the caring touch or the passion to serve. Without this, you may be simply treating your patients as a means to get by everyday life, not as a giver of care to them.

3. Punctual

A good dentist should be punctual. Nothing spells more disrespect to your patients than to continually have them wait for you over long periods of time. Being habitually late brings a bad reputation to your name and a negative message to your clients that you do not value their time. If something comes up, communicate. A good quote to remember comes from W. Mathews. He says, “Nothing inspires confidence in a business man sooner than punctuality, nor is there any habit which sooner saps his reputation than that of being always behind time.”

Final Thoughts

Practice all these three character traits and you will most likely never run out of clients. Remember that the best way to promote yourself is not by what you say about yourself, but by what your patients tell their friends about you.

What should we add to this list?

If you have a trait or traits that you would like to add to this list please leave a comment below.

The link between diabetes and oral health is clearer than ever. In fact, it is generally accepted that diabetes sufferers are prone to tooth decay, periodontal disease, xerostomia and salivary gland dysfunction and infection. However, more research exposing this link is required, and dental professionals need to learn how to properly educate their diabetic patients about their unique oral care needs.

Online Community Explores Link

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JPEC Dental Care Center Highlights

Additionally, the JPEC Dental Care Center offers dental professionals the opportunity to:

• Earn continuing education credits (CDE, CE or CME)
• Participate in case discussions monitored by Joslin clinical experts
• Interact with colleagues: Exchange ideas and participate in patient case discussions with colleagues from around the country on the dedicated Dental Discussion Board, monitored by Joslin clinical experts.

The Dental Care Center will go live with “Diabetes, Oral Health, and Nutrition: Interrelationships, Innovations, and Interventions,” JPEC’s web-based educational program designed to help primary care providers and dentists understand the connection between periodontal disease and diabetes and develop practical screening strategies for their practices.

If you would like more information or would like to register with the JPEC Dental Care Center, please visit the official JPEC website.

We all know about the many foods that are bad for our teeth, but you may not be aware that there are actually several foods that keep your teeth healthy. Eating foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates can produce nasty bacteria that feed on the bits of food that are left behind. As these bacteria feed, they produce an acid that causes your teeth to decay.

However, a number of different foods that you eat can help you fight off the bacteria. Specific foods are effective in preventing these harmful little critters from producing acid. Once you are able to suppress the acid production in your mouth, you will be able to smile brightly with pretty, healthy teeth.

Here is a list of the top ten foods that can help you keep your teeth healthy:

1. Celery

Celery is an effective weapon against the bacteria inside your mouth. In addition to the obvious health benefits of eating celery, it also causes you to chew more, producing additional saliva. As you generate saliva, it kills the bad bacteria present in the mouth. Celery may not taste as good, but is a healthy alternative to plaque-producing potato chips. The extra water contained in celery is a good way to clean your teeth, sort of like naturally brushing your teeth.

2. Onions

You may not think so, but eating onions is a great way to eliminate harmful bacteria inside the mouth. When you eat an uncooked onion, the substances in the onion work to destroy the bacteria that are eating away at your teeth. You may be concerned about stinky breath, but the benefits are worth it. Simply follow up with some sugar free gum and you are good to go.

3. Shitake Mushrooms

Shitake Mushrooms work similar to onions in destroying the harmful bacteria, but they also prevent the buildup of plaque, which can turn into cavities if you do not take care of your teeth properly.

4. Cheese

A tasty option for keeping your teeth looking great, cheese contains elements that are good for keeping your teeth healthy. Cheese makes you produce additional saliva, which destroys the harmful bacteria inside your mouth. In addition, cheese also works to prevent discoloration of your teeth.

5. Strawberries

Strawberries are a great natural way to whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth daily with strawberries as a healthy alternative to potentially harmful whitening gels.

6. Oranges

Like strawberries, oranges are also fantastic tooth whiteners. Rub a little of the skin of an orange rind on your teeth after brushing to take advantage to the benefits.

7. Milk

Milk is a tasty way to keep your teeth healthy. The calcium in dairy products is effective in keeping the teeth strong. In addition, the Vitamin D helps the calcium to be absorbed more efficiently.

8. Meat

Meat, fish and eggs are an excellent source of phosphorus that is needed for tooth enamel formation.

9. Bananas

Bananas are high in magnesium, which is also needed to help the enamel of the teeth form properly. Whole grain foods and spinach are also good sources of magnesium.

10. Carrots

Carrots and other orange-colored vegetables and fruit are great sources of beta-carotene, which is turned into Vitamin A by the body for strong teeth and bones.

Your Thoughts

Are there any foods that you would add to this list? Please leave them in a comment below.

Children Don’t See Dentist Early Enough

The survey of 914 primary caregivers revealed that the average age children first visited a family dentist was 2.6 years of age. Furthermore, the study found that 34% of those sampled had children under the age of 11 that had never been to the dentist!

Common Excuses

Those surveyed commonly responded that their children were “too young,” or “didn’t have enough teeth” to visit the dentist. A number of others cited a lack of dental insurance as the reason they delayed their child’s dental visit.

According to Jed J. Jacobson, DDS, MS, MPH, chief science officer and senior V.P. at Delta Dental:

“Many Americans don’t understand how important their children’s baby teeth are to lifelong oral health. There’s a continuing need for more education to teach practices that will ensure lifelong oral health. And, since people overwhelmingly prefer the dentist and dental hygienist as their primary oral health information sources, dental benefits that encourage visits to the dentist are crucial.”

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

Baby Teeth Matter

The AAPD also states that proper care of baby teeth are critically important for the following reasons:

• Help children chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
• Are involved in speech development.
• Help save space for permanent teeth.
• Promote a healthy smile that helps children feel good about the way they look.

Proper Care

Furthermore, the AAPD advises caregivers to gently wipe the baby’s gums with a soft, wet cloth after each feeding. When primary teeth begin to appear, they should be cleaned with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of children’s toothpaste, twice a day.

Additional Information

For additional pediatric dental care tips, Delta Dental has a number of educational videos that caregivers of small children shouldn’t miss.

Your Thoughts

Were you aware of these guidelines recommended by the AARP? What are your thoughts?

Top 5 Stories of the Week

1) Dentists Ready for a Dental Union The Wealthy Dentist Blog recently surveyed a number of dentists to determine whether now is the right time to form a dental union. You may be surprised that 49% of respondents said, “Yes”. Watch the video recap for an analysis of the results.

2) Dentistry’s new magic wand With amazing resolution and applications for almost every facet of dentistry, optical coherence tomography imaging could be a technology that changes everything…

3) Curve Dental Wants to Change Dental Software In this post, dental technology guru, John Flucke, explains how Curve Dental plans to revolutionize the dental software market with web-based software solutions…

4) Gratitude as a Marketing Tool Joseph J. Portale, DMD, MAGD, discusses a number of tips for establishing lasting, loyal relationships with your patients. Robotic dentists are out,. Real, personable, relationship-minded dentists are in…

5) Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Performs First MOOKP Procedure in USA Sharron “Kay” Thornton has just regained her sight in first-in-the-U.S. procedure known as Modified Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (MOOKP). Put simply, the procedure involved implanting the woman’s eyetooth in her eye as a base for a prosthetic lens. Read more in this recent DentalBlogs.com post…

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

Ultimate Office Sweepstakes

The Dental Product Shopper’s latest sweepstakes is what they’re appropriately calling the “Ultimate Office Sweepstakes”. As the name suggests, Dental Product Shopper is trying to hook up your dental practice with great dental gear. The collective estimated value of the Grand Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize is $293,500!. Click on the links below to view the prize packages that you can win:

1) Grand Prize Package – estimated value ($280,000)
2) Second Prize Package – estimated value ($10,000)
3) Third Prize Package – estimated value ($3,500)

Who’s Eligible to Enter

Before you take the time to enter, keep in mind that “you must be a (i) licensed dentist, (ii) dental hygienist, (iii) dental assistant, or (iv) an office manager that has been employed at a licensed dental office during the entire six (6) months immediately prior to entry(dentalproductshopper.com)” to enter. For a full listing of the official rules, check out the sweepstakes rules page.

How to Enter

Dental Product Shopper has made entering the “Ultimate Office Sweepstakes” real easy. Oh, and did I mention that it’s free to enter? No? Well, it’s FREE TO ENTER. Simply fill out the official sweepstakes entry form to be eligible for almost $294,000 in prizes.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow DentalProductShopper.com on Twitter (@DentalProducts).

What do you think?

What do you think of the prize packages? Which product(s) do you currently use in your practice?

However, the coolest Wisp feature is the “freshening bead” planted in the center of the toothbrush. Upon contact, the bead releases a fresh liquid that freshens your breath – all without the need for water.

Let’s Get Creative

In the following parody, you’ll learn about a number of creative uses for the new Colgate Wisp. Who knew that watermelon sculpting could be so easy?

What do you think?

Have a creative use of your own for the Colgate Wisp? Share your ideas with other Dental Heroes readers in a comment below. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some tires to detail…

The List

1) Sonicare To Launch Flexcare+ @ ADA Meeting In Hawaii – Teresa Duncan, of The Dental Implant Blog, announced the launch of Philips Sonicare FlexCare Plus electric toothbrush at this year’s annual session of the American Dental Association in Hawaii. Clinical studies have shown some promising results…

2) ADA Membership? Not for One in Four Dentists Jim Du Molin and Julie Frey, of TheWealthyDentist.com recently conducted a survey asking dentists about their ADA membership status. You’ll see in the video recap of the study results that dentists across the country have very different opinions regarding the ADA’s usefulness and agenda…

3) Dental Practice Transition Planning Learn the numerous factors that must be taken into account when planning a practice transition, and why its more important than ever do your due diligence.

4) Reality in this appropriately titled post, John Gammichia, DMD, FAGD, author of The Daily Grind and general dentist offers his “real” take on the toll this economy is having on his practice. Many of you can empathize with Dr. Gammichia, I’m sure…

5) Marty Jablow, DMD, and author of the Dental News and Technology Blog provides us with a nice summary of the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) data security requirements…

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

For those of you who aren’t sure what a podcast is, have a look at Wikipedia’s definition to get up to speed.

Note: The easiest way to download the following podcasts is to subscribe to them on itunes. If you don’t have iTunes installed, you can download it for free on the Apple Website. If you’re not sure how to proceed after downloading iTunes, check out this Youtube Video illustrating the process.

1. The Wealthy Dentist Podcast

Jim Du Molin, of The Wealthy Dentist, is known for his powerful, yet pragmatic methods of increasing dentists’ profitability. Jim has tapped into the power of podcasts to spread his message.

The Wealthy Dentist podcasts are free, and cover topics such as: dental practice management, dental continuing education, dental care issues, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, dental marketing and several others.

Download The Wealthy Dentist Podcasts

2. American Dental Association(ADA) Podcast

The ADA has been developing podcasts since 2006. Since then, they’ve churned out 19 episodes focusing on topics ranging from reducing stress within your practice to identifying emerging trends in dental care.

Download ADA Podcasts

3. Dental Insider Podcast

DI and Associate Q(Speakers) boast 40+ years in the dental care industry and have worked in every facet of the industry from sales (wholesale and retail), marketing, dental equipment repair and consulting. Unfortunately, the pair made the tough decision to discontinue regular updates on The Dental Insider Blog, but don’t let that discourage you from checking out their timeless podcast episodes.

Download Dental Insider Podcasts

4. Henry Schein Podcast

Henry Schein podcasts feature “leading industry consultants and experts discussing the latest dental trends, clinical techniques and technologies. Current and future podcasts available through the Dental Podcast Center include Practice Design, Practice Marketing, Operatory Ergonomics, Cone Beam 3D Imaging, Laser Dentistry, Digital Radiography and more(dentalpodcastcenter.com).”

Download The Henry Schein Podcasts

5. DentalCast Podcast

The DentalCast Podcast strives to bring dental professionals the latest information about dental technology and clinical techniques.

Download The DentalCast Podcasts

Any Others We Should Know About?

I know there are a number of dental care podcasts out there that are not on this list, but the majority seem to be heavily promotional in nature and not as broadly applicable as those in this list.

However, if you know of a podcast that should be on this list, please leave the name and url where people can download episodes in a comment below.

1) The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation

The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation “is the only independent non-profit national children’s health organization exclusively focused on supporting delivery of comprehensive oral healthcare for economically disadvantaged children(ncohf.org)”. Their 10-year plan includes educating and screening 20+ million children, and treating $5 million of those throughout the U.S. and globally.

Link: www.ncohf.org

2) American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation (AACDCF)

The AACDCF is quite unique in that a portion of their mission is dedicated to providing dental care services at no cost to survivors of domestic abuse. You’ll also see the AACDCF providing much-needed dental work to victims of natural disasters. If you use Twitter, you can follow them (@TheAACD). I follow them myself – real good people.

Link: AACD.com

3) Healthy Smiles Healthy Children

Founded in 1987 by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Healthy Smiles Healthy Children’s mission is to “support and promote education, research, service and policy development that advance the oral health of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs(aapd.org).”

Link: AAPD.org

4) National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH)

The NFDH is a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association that’s dedicated “to arranging comprehensive dental treatment and long-term preventive services to needy disabled, elderly or medically compromised individuals through a national network of direct service programs that involve
more than 12,900 volunteer dentists and 2,700 volunteer laboratories(NFDH.org).” The NFDH claims to provide $15 of dental services for every $1 they spend!

Link: NFDH.org

5) Oral Health America

Oral Health American differs from the other organizations on this list because their primary focus is advocacy. Their mission is “to improve public health by eliminating oral disease, especially for the country’s most vulnerable citizens. OHA works to accomplish this by educating and empowering communities to provide access to care, and by advocating for policies that create oral health parity(OralHealthAmerica.org).” Over the years, Oral Health America has been responsible for a number of notable oral care awareness programs including: National Smile Month; the National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP); Smiles Across America®; the Special Olympics Special Smiles.

Link: OralHealthAmerica.org

Share Others You’re Aware Of

I realize that this list is just scratching the surface. There are hundreds of charitable organizations with similar goals making a difference in people’s lives every day. That’s where I could use your help. If you know of others that Dental Heroes’ readers should check out, please leave the name of the organization and their website address(if applicable) in a comment below. Thanks!

This week, we want to know if you currently have some form of dental care coverage?

In light of the current economic downturn and the healthcare reform bill nightmare that’s taking place in Washington, we think this question is quite prudent.

If you have a second to weigh in, please do so. Thanks!

Here’s the poll

So, without further ado…here’s this weeks list:

The Top 10 List

1) Operation Smile: Making the World Smile One Child at a Time (DentalBlogs.com)

2) How dirty is your toothbrush?(Complete w/Photos) (howdirtyisyourtoothbrush.com)

3) Photo ID may soon be required at the dentist’s office (kndo.com)

4) Managing erosion caused by everyday beverages (medicalnewstoday.com)

5) Teeth and gums also benefit from the healing power of aloe vera (medicalnewstoday.com)

6) Congress must not overlook dental coverage (newjerseynewsroom.com)

7) Dental clinic treats 1,400 patients for free (ketv.com)

8 ) Many Americans would drop employer dental insurance if taxed (dentalplans.com)

9) Dental floss still #1 choice for cleaning between teeth (thewealthydentist.com)

10) Dentists dread Universal Dental Care (thewealthydentist.com)

…and there you have it. There’s my top ten blog post/article list for the week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Am I Missing Anything?

Have you read a particularly interesting dental-related blog post or website article lately? Please share.

Since I’m sure you don’t like your time being wasted either, I’ve decided to add a new weekly feature to Dental Heroes.

Each week I’m going to feature a list of the top 10 dental-related blog posts or articles I’ve read for that week.

Here’s the top 10 for this week:

1) At Home Tooth Whiteners Differ in Effectiveness (Consumer Reports)

2) As rating sites grow, doctors voice concerns (azcentral.com)

3) New treatment for receding gums (medicalnewstoday.com)

4) Nanotechnology may increase longevity of fillings (sciencedaily.com)

5) Russian dentist has unusual artistic talent (dentalblogs.com)

6) Orange juice worse for teeth than whitening agents (sciencedaily.com)

7) What should dental health care look like in a reformed health system? (rollcall.com)

8 ) Cities with the cleanest and dirtiest teeth (aolhealth.com)

9) Change your breath from bad to good (webmd.com)

10) Dental students play video games to learn implant procedures (dentalblogs.com)

…and there you have it. There’s my top ten blog post/article list for the week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Am I Missing Anything?

Have you read a particularly interesting dental-related blog post or website article lately? Please share.

However, a lack of dental insurance doesn’t mean you have to go without much needed dental care. In fact, dentists across the country have recognized this need and have organized free clinics to help the uninsured cope with high dental care costs. Below, I’ve compiled some tips for locating free or low cost dental care in your area.

My plan has paid for itself many times over in just ten months. I saved over $1,000 on cleanings, fillings and wisdom tooth extraction.

Tips for locating free or low cost dental care

• Clinical Trials – The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research(NIDCR) periodically performs clinical trials targeting specific dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. Researchers may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the particular condition they are studying. For a complete listing of NIDCR clinical trials, please visit the clinicaltrials.gov website.




• United Way – The United Way may be able to connect you to low cost or free dental care resources in your community. Call your local chapter for more information.




• Dental Schools – While dental students are still learning their craft, you can take advantage of their low rates. Don’t worry, a skilled instructor will be watching their every move so you’ll be in good hands. For a listing of dental schools around the US, visit the ADA.org website.




• State Dental Associations – Contact your state dental association for recommended free or low cost dental care resources. To contact your state dental association visit the ADA.org website.




• U.S Department of Health & Human Services(HRSA) – The HRSA can help you locate a local federally-funded health center that offers reduced-fee dental care. At these centers you pay what you can afford. To locate a local health center enter your details into the HRSA search engine.




• Medicaid Services – Most states provide limited emergency dental services for people age 21 or over, while some offer comprehensive services. For most individuals under the age of 21, dental services are provided under Medicaid(nidcr.nih.gov). Visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website for more information.

Additional Resources to check out

A number of helpful websites maintain listings of available low cost and free dental care clinics around the US. I’ve listed some below for your reference.

• Dentistry from the Heart
• Free Medical Camps
• Free or Low Cost Dentistry Resource Guide

Final Thoughts

If you are in need of free or low cost dental care services I hope you find these resources valuable. If you know of someone with such a need please pass along this post. If you are aware of additional resources that I haven’t listed above, please submit a comment and I’ll add it to the list.

I’d like to start this post with a little exercise. Begin by holding you hand(palm facing you) approximately 3 inches in front of your mouth. Now blow a full breath into your hand. While keeping your hand in place, take a whiff of the air in front of your hand. What do you smell? Hopefully nothing, or better yet, something pleasant. For those of you less than happy with what you’re smelling right now, this post may prove to be particularly prudent. I say that half-jokingly because we all know that anyone at any time can have bad breath. Heck, I’m quite diligent with my oral care routine and I still have bad breath from time to time. That being said, I believe we can all benefit from the advice in this post.

Bad Breath Causes

Before I get to the preventative tips, it’s important to understand where bad breath comes from. Bad breath, or Halitosis as it’s formally known, stems from a variety of common sources. The following are common sources of bad breath:

• Certain food such as garlic, onions, fish, meat, cheese, etc.
• Poor general oral hygiene
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Fasting
• Nasal and sinus infections
• Throat infections
• Faulty dental restorations
• Periodontal disease
• Xerostomia(dry mouth)
• Other underlying health conditions

7 Tips for Preventing Bad Breath

Knowing the causes of bad breath can help us to understand the measures we need to take to prevent it. In no particular order, here is a list of preventative measures you can take starting today to reduce the likelihood that you will have bad breath:

1) Brush & Rinse(with water) After Each Meal – Some of you may think I’m crazy for suggesting this. Sure, you may have to get creative if you don’t want to be seen brushing your teeth at work, but this is one of the best ways to ensure that food particles do not get stuck in the pockets surrounding your teeth.

2) Floss at Least Once Per Day – Flossing is equally important as brushing in my opinion. Just like recommendation number one above, flossing is intended to remove food particles from between the teeth. This will, in turn, create an unfavorable environment for bacteria growth. That’s exactly what we’re after.

3) Brush Your Tongue – The tongue carries approximately 50% of the total bacteria in your mouth. Where there’s bacteria, there’s odor. Whack this bacteria by brushing your tongue with toothpaste for at least 10 strokes. The middle 1/3 of your tongue is most prone to bacteria growth so pay special attention to that area. You may also want to try Dr. Weider’s Original Tung-Gel. This is specifically formulated for cleaning the tongue and removing bacteria.

4) Chew Sugarless Gum – Chewing sugarless gum can increase the flow of saliva and reduce the chances you’ll experience dry mouth-related bad breath. If gum isn’t your thing you can also try sugarless throat lozenges to create the same effect.

5) Drink Plenty of Water – This recommendation follows the same lines as the above suggestion. Drinking plenty of water reduces the occurrence of dry mouth by stimulating saliva production. Stick to water as alcohol and caffeinated drinks can lead to Xerostomia.

6) Swap out Your Toothbrush Every 3-4 Months An old toothbrush is a bacteria-riddled toothbrush. Gross, right? Bad breath or not this is a good tip to remember.

7) Quit Smoking – This is easier said than done, I’m sure. However, smoking caused nicotine and tar(among other nasty chemicals) to build up on the cheek walls, tongue, and teeth surfaces. It comes as no surprise that bad breath is nearly inevitable if you smoke. However, following the above tips can minimize your risk for developing bad breath.

Give us your tips

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it covers my top tips for preventing bad breath. Please share any others that you’ve had success with.

Bye, Bye Bacteria

You may be wondering if it’s sufficient to rub your toothbrush on your tongue to remove bacteria. Sure, it is. However, I recently had the opportunity to review a product that does an even better job of ridding your tongue of odor-causing bacteria.

The product is Dr. Weider’s Original Tung Gel. Tung Gel is specifically formulated to do one thing – to clean the tongue. With the incorporation of bacteria-fighting zinc, this product means business. In fact, after just two weeks of sampling this product personally, I’ve decided to incorporate it into my daily routine.

Tasty & Fresh

What’s so good about this product you might be wondering? Two things set this product apart from other tongue cleaning products on the market: taste and effectiveness. Hands down, Dr. Weider’s Original Tung Gel is the best tasting tongue cleaning product that I’ve personally tested. The minty taste is both fresh and refreshing. Secondly, this product is just plain effective. Not only does my mouth feel fresher longer into the day, but my wife’s complaining about my breath far less often. That’s a win in my book.

Product Features(Provided by Dr. Weider)

• Dentists and hygienists now recommend tongue cleansing as an
  essential part of complete oral care.
• Light gel rinses off the tongue cleaner than toothpaste
• Unique great-tasting formula leaves tongue feeling tingly and fresh
• Sudsing helps to remove bacteria and debris from the tongue

Notes

I recommend using the Tung-Brush along with the Tung-Gel to maximize the product’s effectiveness. The Tung-Brush resembles a dental mirror – only short bristles replace the circular mirror portion. This maximizes surface area coverage for optimal tongue-cleaning.

Disclaimer

This was an unpaid review. The Tung-Gel and Tung-Brush were sent to me purely for evaluative purposes.

Have you tried Tung Gel yourself?

What are your thoughts about this product?

Advice by Age Group

The dental health needs of children are different than those of adults. So, listerinekids.com has provided advice for parents of children in three different age groups: 6-7, 8-10, 11-12. I can’t quite figure out why they didn’t create an age group for younger children, but this is a start.

Games

Your kids can even play a game called “Mission Magnitizer” that purports to teach them the importance of good oral hygiene. Not sure how effectively it drives home that message, but I had fun playing it, and I’m well above any of the target age groups.

Product Recommendations

Another feature found on listerinekids.com is their product recommendation section. Of course, they only recommend Listerine products, so keep that in mind. But, I suspect that many of you purchase listerine rinse products anyway. So, it’s nice to know which products are appropriate for each age group.

Final thoughts

While listerinekids.com isn’t likely to win any awards just yet, it’s one of the few dental health sites I’ve seen dedicated entirely to children. So, if you’re clueless about your kids’ dental care needs, and the proper way of maintaining their dental health, it’s worth a look.

Your thoughts

Have you visited listerinekids.com? What are your thoughts?

You may want to reconsider reaching for a soft drink or sugar-laden fruit drink the next time you’re in the mood for a beverage. Other than the high caloric content of such drinks, these drinks can have a profoundly damaging effect on your tooth enamel. The culprits – citric acid and sugar. The average soft drink currently contains approximately 17 grams of sugar. That’s a tad more sugar than is found in 4 sugar cubes! Yuck.

What’s even more alarming as far as I’m concerned is that many soft drinks and fruit drinks contain citric acid. Citric acid is more erosive than hydrochloric and sulfuric acid – that’s battery acid for those of you who didn’t know. If that doesn’t make you want to put the can or bottle down I don’t know what will.

Tea to the Rescue

Luckily there are beverages that you can still enjoy that do not erode your tooth enamel – like water and tea. In fact, brewed tea is the best option when trying to avoid tooth erosion, according to a study in the July/August issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

Brewed tea is also loaded with natural antioxidants, which are thought to decrease incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Specifically, researchers have found that green tea has the most beneficial properties among teas.

Experts also warn that drinking brewed tea will only provide health benefits and limit tooth erosion if you serve it in its pure form. That means, avoid adding milk, lemon, or sugar.

Tips for reducing tooth enamel erosion

• Reduce or eliminate carbonated beverages
• Skip the additives such as sugar, lemon, and milk
• Drink acidic drinks quickly and through a straw
• Acidic drinks should be consumed at meals only to limit the exposure to acid on the teeth
• Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow in your mouth
• Rinse with water to neutralize the acids, and wait an hour before brushing

Your Thoughts

Are you concerned about your beverage choices and their effect on your teeth?

Source: Science Daily

I can’t think of any product in recent years that I have been more excited to review than the TiFinity Toothbrush™ by TiFinity Oral Care Inc. Why? Simple. The TiFinity Toothbrush™ is unlike any other toothbrush on the market today. The differences are both numerous, and distinct.

How the TiFinity Toothbrush™ Is Different From Your Toothbrush

• TiFinity stays in brand new condition for the life of the brush, while all other brands rapidly splay and deform, rendering them ineffective
• Lasts 10 times longer than the average toothbrush
• Utilizes 1000′s of tiny titanium micro-bristles
• Titanium bristles are non-porous – remaining hygienic unlike nylon bristles
• Clean feeling like no toothbrush you’ve ever experienced
• Removes more plaque

My Personal Experience

I have to admit that I was both intrigued and weary prior to trying out the TiFinity Toothbrush™. The thought of using titanium bristles to brush my teeth was so foreign that I almost talked myself out of trying it. However, I was surprised to find that the titanium bristles felt very much like the nylon bristles we’re all used to – both when I ran my fingers through them, and when they were actually brushing my teeth. Maybe a bit more rigid that nylon – but not a dealbreaker. So, the titanium bristles quickly became a non-issue for me.

Amazing “Clean” Feeling

In fact, it turns out that the titanium bristles produced a “clean” feeling that I’ve never felt with another toothbrush. The inventor’s claim that the TiFinity Toothbrush™ “cleans areas between that teeth and under the gums that simply cannot be reached with traditional toothbrushes” seems to be true(for me anyway). In fact, recent studies have proven that the TiFinity Toothbrush™ cleans 15% better than the leading electric toothbrush.

Final Verdict

I like it. It took a brushing or two to determine whether it was worth purchasing a TiFinity Toothbrush™ for $25 versus a traditional nylon brush that costs around $3. However, it’s hard to imagine that I’ll go back to using a nylon-bristled brush at this point due to the long life of the TiFinity, and the extreme “clean” feeling that I experienced. Don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself if it’s worth making the switch.

Where to Find the TiFinity Toothbrush

The TiFinity Toothbrush™ is available for purchase on the TiFinity Oral Care Inc. website for $25.00 without a base, and $33.00 with a base. You even have the option of signing up for their “Auto-Send” program which will automatically send you a new TiFinity Toothbrush™ at regularly scheduled intervals at a discounted price.

As an affiliate, I want to do my part to ensure that everybody who’s looking to save money at the dentist can do so at an affordable price. This is especially important with the state of our economy these days.

I don’t want to turn this into a commercial, but if you’re interested in saving 10%-60% at the dentist on most dental care procedures and do not currently have access to dental insurance, you should really check it out.

Visit DentalPlanCards.com

P.S. Look for tomorrow’s post highlighting the negative effects smoking has on your teeth…

Just as the name of the quiz implies, you’re asked to match celebrity smiles with the proper celebrity. The quiz takes about 5 minutes, so it won’t take up too much of your time. I just took it and scored an 8 out of 10. Guess I need to start reading my tabloids…err…maybe not.

Guess the Celebrity Smile Quiz

1. DrChetan.com

Dr. Chetan’s blog is on my list because it’s a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about dentistry as a science. Want to know what a “spillway space” is? How about a “permanent detention”? If you’re shaking your head “yes,” then you can find these answers and more at drchetan.com.

2. Blog.Teethremoval.com

Wisdom, the guy behind Blog.teethremoval.com has become a regular contributor at Dental Heroes, and we’re happy to add his blog to our list. I particularly like Wisdom’s blog because he has an uncanny ability to find great news stories that affect all of us. For example, he recently posted about the high levels of mercury in dental chairs. Who knew, right? I’m often left wondering where the heck he find all this great stuff. Visit him at blog.teethremoval.com

3. Dmdstudent.com

dmdstudent.com is a blog detailing the trials and tribulations of a dental student at the Temple University School of Dentistry. He’s quite verbose(in this case a good thing), so be sure you have some time to devote to reading. Check him out at dmdstudent.com

4. Wealthydentist.com

The Wealthy Dentist Blog provides a no BS perspective on successfully marketing your dental practice. This includes both online and offline marketing. You’ll learn how to develop strategic partnerships, how to properly layout a phone book ad, designing signage, website design, how to quadruple your patient referral rate, etc. A real wealth of information from a wealthy dentist. If you own a practice, you owe it to yourself to visit wealthydentist.com

5. Dentalinsider.wordpress.com

If you’re a dentist or just enjoy a blunt look at the world of dentistry, you’ll love this blog. DI, the guy behind dentalinsider provides a unique perspective on the “behind-the-scenes” dentistry news. For example, he’ll often discuss industry group meetings, corporate takeovers within the dental industry, product recalls, etc. I find dentalinsider to be a great way to stay up-to-date with the less publicized dental news. If you’d like to check it out, visit dentalinsider.wordpress.com

Your Favorite Dental Blogs

What would you add to my list? Give us the url and a description of the blog if you can.

Do-It-Yourself Dentistry, Al Bundy Style

If you’ve followed Dental Heroes for awhile now, you’ll probably remember the posts I wrote some time ago regarding do-it-yourself(DIY) dentistry. There was the post highlighting the DIY dentistry epidemic in Britain, and a disturbing video of a Serbian man having a tooth pulled out by one of his friends with a pair of pliers. In both cases, I concluded that DIY dentistry is not a good idea. In this video, Al Bundy, and his wife Peggy display the place DIY dentistry has in their household(good part starts about 3:30 in). Enjoy.

Your Take

Have you ever substituted a dental visit for the opinion of a friend or family member?

Those of you who selected a dentist based solely on your proximity to them, or based on who sent you the prettiest postcard in the mail can especially benefit from this post.

Positive Signs

The following are signs that the dentist you chose is a good one. Please note that these are generalizations, no a litmus test for determining the quality of a particular dentist.

• They are prevention-oriented
• Chart their findings in detail
• Clearly outlines maintenance and recall schedule
• Takes their time – paying close attention to detail – as opposed to a Henry Ford-style assembly line approach
• Clearly outlines treatment options and risks and benefits associated with each

Negative Signs

The following are signs that you may want to find another dentist – or forever hold your peace.

• Distributes flashy or flamboyant advertising
• Routinely use risky intravenous sedation
• Sell vitamins or other dietary supplements
• Automatically recommend replacement of amalgam fillings or removal of teeth that have root canals
• “Specialize” in treating headaches, backaches, myofascial pain, or TMJ problems
• Practice “holistic” or “biological” dentistry
• Attempt to diagnose diseases other than those of the mouth, gums, teeth, and associated tissues

Additional Selection Criteria

The Consumers Research Council of America has listed a number of tips for choosing the right dentist. Their first recommendation is ensuring that your dentist is properly qualified to be practicing dentistry:

…Make sure your new family dentist has completed the necessary requirements to be a dentist. For instance, dentists must be state licensed and recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). Also, their training must include three or more years of undergraduate school and an additional four years of dental training at a dental school.

These are the minimum requirements needed to obtain a dental degree. Make sure your dentist has completed these requirements, or begin looking elsewhere.

Ask Yourself These Questions

The Consumers Research Council of America has also assembled a series of questions to ask yourself after being treated by a dentist to judge their quality level.

• How does your bite feel?
• Is any of the dental work irritating your gum?
• Does the treated tooth look like a tooth?
• Does dental floss or your tongue catch on the tooth?
• Did the dentist take time to polish your fillings?
• Do you feel pain when drinking hot or cold liquids?
• Was any debris left in your mouth after treatment?
• Does the dentist use a water spray to cool your teeth while drilling?

Sources: Quack Watch

Your Thoughts

What are your measures for determining the quality of a dentist?

The Links

1. Ever wonder what dental clinics of the future might look like? Well, the KU64 Dental Clinic in Berlin may just provide us with the answer. This 10,180 sq ft clinic looks more like a chic hotel lobby than a dental clinic. In fact, it almost – and I did say almost – makes dental care glamorous.

2. Have you ever wondered what the common dental diseases and conditions look like? The Hardin Library at the University of Iowa has collected a number of links to images of periodontal disease, gum disease, and gingivitis. Oral Disease Pictures

3. Something called a Toothsponge is creating a lot of chatter in the dental community lately. Essentially it resembles a polisher as opposed to a bristled brush. Some say it will replace the toothbrush, but I tend to disagree. It doesn’t clean between the teeth at all, so unless you LOVE flossing, the Toothsponge will probable not fly. Read more about the toothsponge.

That’s all the “cool links” for this week. Enjoy.

Your Thoughts

Have you seen any cool dental-related sites or stories lately? Please share them with us all.

Your Reactions

Could you envision yourself ever resorting to Do-It-Yourself dentistry? How do you deal with rising dental care costs? How have you and/or your family been effected?

Last week, “Site of the Week” honors went to Dental Watch, a site dedicated to keeping the dental industry honest, both offline and on. This week, I’m featuring ADA.org, the home of the American Dental Association.

ADA.org is among the top dental-related websites on the internet both in terms of popularity and in terms of credibility. Therefore, I consider it the perfect candidate for this honor.

ADA.org – What’s so great about it?

I like ADA.org because it’s incredibly comprehensive in nature. You would expect a professional organization like the American Dental Association to focus strictly on industry professionals. However, the consumer is such an integral part of ADA’s focus, that they’ve dedicated a significant portion of ADA.org to educating the public about oral health topics. That doesn’t in any way take away from the extensive professional resources ADA.org provides for their members.

Professional Resources

I found the vast library of professional topics to be especially well-done. You can even learn about the ADA’s official stance on a variety of topics, including: amalgam, fluoridation, and bottled water to name a few.

Consumer Resources

The Consumer resourcesection is also extremely well done. Want to learn how to select the right dentist for you? ADA.org can help you do that. Want to learn about career options in the dentistry field? They do that too. But, I think the most valuable portion of ADA.org to consumers is the large number of dental care tips they provide. You’ll learn how to clean your teeth and gums properly, and even how to choose a safe tooth whitening method. This is one of the first websites(besides Dental Heroes of course) that I’d visit with any dental care questions that you may have.

Final Thoughts

If you only take one thing away from this post, it’s that ADA.org should be one of the first stops for any type of dental care information, rather it’s consumer-related or professional in nature. ADA.org is not only a trusted resource, but it’s also among the most comprehensive. I hope you’ll find it as valuable as I do.

Further transitioning into the new format explained in Tuesday’s post, I’ve decided to dedicate Wednesday to writing about financial and insurance issues affecting both dental professionals and consumers. In the economy that we’re all operating in today, I expect to have some interesting information to share with you in this area. Even if you loathe the idea of a financial focus, I’ll do all I can to make it as relevant and interesting as possible.

Free Dental Clinics Struggling to Meet the Need

The inaugural “Financial Post of the Week” focuses on a piece run recently by CBSNEWS.com, entitled, “Lining Up For Free Dental Care“. As part of an ongoing series, appropriately called “The Other America,” this piece highlights the efforts of volunteer dental professionals to meet the bigger-than-ever demand for free dental care services

Why is the demand so high

Well, this one’s easy. Unless you’ve been living under a rock(I’m assuming you haven’t been), you probably understand that the economy is struggling in virtually all areas. Unfortunately, the Health Care is one of the hardest hit.

What is the demand?

Once simply inflated, healthcare prices are now borderline unaffordable for many Americans. Sadly, dental care is often the first healthcare services to go when money is tight. In fact, more than 1 in 3 Americans are living without some form of dental insurance. That’s more than 100 million Americans!

Who’s Helping?

Volunteers from across the country are organizing free dental care clinics for patients in need. Bruce Bergstrom, head of America’s Dentists Care Foundation, is one such volunteer who organizes free dental clinics around the country. At a recent stop in Loveland, Colorado, Bergstrom recalled seeing patients who had lined up at 1am to ensure their chance to receive free dental care services. “At 5 a.m. the line wraps around a block,” says Bergstrom. “Isn’t that tragic?” Bergstrom said. “It really is. To me it’s tragic.” However, for just one day, Loveland, Colorado was blessed with the help of eight hundred volunteers, including 113 dentists, who donated both their time and skill.

My Thoughts

It’s certainly a shame that so many Americans(not to mention in other countries) are unable to afford something so basic as dental care. Unfortunately, while I believe that organizers of these clinics are to be commended for their efforts, I believe this approach is more of a band-aid than a solid, long-term solution. Policymakers will have to reform the Health Care Industry so that healthcare is affordable and accessible to everyone. I honestly don’t know what shape such a bill would take, but it’s the only way to ensure that everyone receives the care they need at a price they can afford.

Feedback

How would you reform the Health Care System to make dental care affordable and accessible?

If you’ve been following the Dental Heroes blog for a while now, you’ve probably noticed my freestyle approach to topic selection. Up to this point, I’ve been writing about anything related to dental care that’s on my mind at the time – with little direction. To be honest, I hate that I haven’t been more organized with my articles-writing. Unfortunately, this will only become more important as this blog continues to grow.

So, what am I going to do about it? Well, I’ve decided to begin writing a series each day of the week, with the next part in the series falling on the corresponding day each following week. For example, Tuesdays are going to be “Site of the week” days. Each Tuesday hereafter will also be “Site of the week” days. This way, you’ll hopefully continue to come back for the next part of each series. In any event, I think this new method of organization(hopefully not madness) will become clear within the coming weeks. If it ends up not working out, then I’ll just go back to the freestyle approach.

Site of the Week

So, without further ado, let’s get to the first new series: “Site of the week,” which will appear each Tuesday. The “Site of the week” Series is meant to highlight one dental-related site each week that I find will be of particular interest to you. The sky is the limit here. One week I might feature a specific dental organization website, and the Ripley’s Believe it or Not wacky dental facts website the next.

Week 1: Dental Watch

The inaugural site of the week honor goes to a really cool site called “Dental Watch“. I would liken Dental Watch to the watchdog of the Dental Industry. Dental Watch’s mission is to monitor the Dental Industry with regards to the following areas:

• Investigating questionable claims
• Answering inquiries about products and services
• Advising quackery victims
• Distributing reliable publications
• Debunking pseudoscientific claims
• Reporting illegal marketing
• Assisting or generating consumer-protection lawsuits
• Improving the quality of dental health information on the Internet
• Attacking misleading advertising on the Internet

As you can imagine, doing all of these things is no small task, so Dental Watch has assigned three dentists, Stephen Barrett, MD; Robert Baratz, MD, DDS; and John Dodes, DDS, the duty of operating the site.

Answers Important Dental Questions

Dental Watch is dedicated to providing consumers with the tools they need to make intelligent, informed decisions when it comes to dental care. One way Dental Watch does this is by providing factual information about such topics as: finding a dentist, caring for your teeth, and fighting gum disease.

Questionable Practices

Have a question about a particular dental practice, or trend within the Dental Industry? Dental Watch provides information about practices they consider questionable – meaning they can’t validate the effectiveness or safety of that particular practice. If you’re unsure of a practice you’ve hear about, check here first.

Disciplinary Actions

Want to know about disgraced dentists and their misdeeds? Of course you do. We all love gossip, right? Check out the “disciplinary actions” section for all the dirt you can feast your eyes on.

Stay Informed About Heated Issues

Probably my favorite feature on the Dental Watch website is their collection of links dedicated to providing factual information about issues that are hotly contested within the dental industry, such as: amalgam and fluoridation. This is a great aggregation of relevant information regarding these issues and others as well. Can’t decide which side of a debate you fall on? This is a great place to become educated, and make a decision.

Consumer Protection

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the general ignorance consumers have when it comes to their rights. This transcends dental care as well. Most people simply don’t know where to turn if they have a complaint they want to file against a particular dentist, or dental organization. Good News! Dental Watch discussed the proper way to file complaints, and provides links to state licensing boards where you can validate the legitimacy of your dentists license.

Final Thoughts

As with any industry, not everyone has your best interests in mind. The Dental Industry is no exception. To avoid these bad apples, arming yourself with the consumer-conscious information provided by Dental Watch is a great start!

With the Little League baseball season in full-swing, I thought it would be prudent to provide you with some tips for handling knocked out teeth – God forbid this should happen to your child. But, really these tips apply to anyone with freshly knocked-out teeth.

The Essentials

If you take away anything from this post, it’s this: the longer a permanent tooth is out of the tooth socket, the less chance that tooth will survive. Experts predict that you have approximately 15-30 minutes before the tooth begins to slowly die. So, the idea is to place the knocked-out permanent tooth back into the tooth socket and call a dentist as soon as possible for the best possible chances of saving the tooth. According to Colgate.com:

When a tooth has been knocked out, the nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues are damaged, too. The nerves and blood vessels can’t be repaired, but if your dentist can put the tooth back in place within an hour after it was knocked out, there’s a good chance that the supporting tissues will reattach and hold the tooth in place.

First Aid for Permanent Teeth

• Handle the tooth by the crown not the root.
• Gently rinse the tooth in milk or normal saline solution if it has debris on it.
• Replace the tooth in its socket, make sure it is facing the right way around.
• Once the tooth is in the socket, try to keep it as moist as possible -Saliva is best.
• Hold the tooth in place with some foil or by getting the injured to gently bite on a handkerchief.
• Contact your dentist immediately.

What if you can’t put the tooth back into the tooth socket

• Wrap it in glad wrap or store it in milk or normal saline solution.
• Contact your dentist immediately.

What not to do

• Do not try to clean the tooth with vigorous scrubbing or cleaning agents.
• Do not wait to contact a dentist. This is critical.

Special Thanks

Thanks goes to Better Health Channel for these great tips for treating a knocked-out tooth. For additional tips, please visit their website.

Before we get to Tammy’s list, it’s important to define just what a cavity is. In simple terms, a cavity is the erosion of tooth enamel due to the synergistic effects of sugars/starches combining with the plaque covering our teeth. It is the acids that are produced by this synergistic effect that erodes our tooth enamel.

So, how do we prevent these nasty cavities from forming?

1. Brush your Teeth

Brush your teeth at least twice daily with a toothpaste containing flouride. You may be saying, “Duh”. However, it still amazes me how many people simply don’t brush their teeth twice per day.

2. Floss Daily

I hate it. Many of you hate it. However, flossing, or using another type of interdental cleaners is a must for cleaning out food particles stuck between your teeth. If these food particles are not removed, the sugars and starches from these particles combine with your plaque to create cavities.

3. Eat Healthy

I know, I know. This is no fun. However, eating foods low in starch and sugar is helpful in the counterattack against cavities. Besides, eating healthy has obvious benefits beyond the prevention of cavities, so it’s just a good idea.

4. Visit your Dentist

Many experts recommend visiting your dentist twice per year assuming you have good oral health. If your oral health is less than good you may have to visit the dentist more often. The important thing to note here is that dentists have specialized equipment such as x-rays that can help to indicate problems with your teeth prior to an actual cavity developing. Additionally, regular cleanings at the dentist are an important cavity prevention measure as well.

5. Place Sealants

Have dentists apply sealants to the protect your teeth from bacteria and plaque. Sealants are most often applied to newly growing permenant teeth in children, but Davenport advocates sealants for adults as well.

Diligently follow these 5 cavity-reducing tips and kiss the thought of future fillings goodbye.

What do you think?

Do you have any additional suggestions for reducing the occurrence of cavities?

While there are certainly differing opinions about what is in their best interests, I tend to think that since they can afford it, dental insurance is an intelligent decision. Why? Well, at their age, or any age for that matter, it’s a good idea to prepare for the unexpected. Unfortunately, being caught unprepared for a dental emergency could spell financial disaster for the uninsured. While I communicated these concerns to my parents, they seemed resolved to stick it out without insurance. That’s when I suggested considering a discount dental plan. After all, a discount dental plan is quite inexpensive(around $120/yr for a family on average), and offers significant discounts on many procedures. With a miminum of two cleanings and an x-ray for each of my parents every year, the discount dental plan would pay for itself in short order. My parents were pleasantly surprised to hear about discount dental plans and their ability to save them money. Sadly, my parents were unaware that discount dental plans even exist.

Are Dental Plans Still Unknown

My parents certainly aren’t alone. But, just how few of us know about discount dental plans? That’s what I want to find out with the newest Dental Heroes poll.

Those of you who know of the Mayo Clinic know it’s consistently ranked within the top 3 health care centers in the world. So, I turned to them to provide us with some easy tips to follow on a daily basis to maintain the healthiest mouth possible. The great thing is, anyone can follow these tips.

Mayo Clinic Brushing Recommendations

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal
• Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush — it’s gentler on your gums.
• Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth
• Use short back-and-forth motions.

Visit the Mayo Clinic website for more daily tooth brushing tips.

Mayo Clinic Flossing Tips

• Gently ease the floss between your teeth.
• Pull the ends of the floss against the front and back surface of a tooth
• Form a “C” as the floss wraps around the tooth.
• Gently pull the floss from the gumline to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque.< li>
• Floss the backs of your teeth.

Additional May Clinic Oral Care Tips

• Use an interdental cleaner specially designed to clean between your teeth.
• Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth.
• Use oral irrigators (such as a water pik) to remove food particles.

Following these tips provided by the Mayo Clinic will help to ensure that your mouth is a healthy mouth. But, remember, as with all tips we provide on Dental Heroes, consistency is key. These tips need to be built into your daily routine to be effective.

What do you think?

Do you disagree with any of the tips provided by the Mayo Clinic? Would you add any to the list?

Flix Sticks – Dental Floss & Interdental Cleaner Combined

I’ve been thinking lately that there must be a way to incorporate the benefits of both interdental cleaners and floss into a single product. Well, it turns out, a company by the name of Mirage Dental Products Limited beat me to the punch. They produce a hybrid interdental cleaner and floss product dubbed “Flix Sticks”. Cool name, huh? What makes this product so unique is that it utilized floss mesh and a tapered edge as opposed to a brush-like tip, common in the typical interdental cleaner. Both of these features should make for maximum plaque removal and ease-of-use.

Free Samples

Everybody likes free samples, right? Good thing, because Mirage Dental is currently offering free samples, so be sure to sign up for your free Flix Sticks now before they run out. I’m filling out the form to get mine right now!

Recaldent Innovation

The magic behind Trident Xtra Care™ is a unique, little-known form of calcium known as Recaldent®, which has been clinically proven to protect, strengthen, and rebuild teeth. Furthermore, according to a Cadbury press release,

…Recaldent® is a unique form of calcium derived from milk that increases tooth remineralization (strengthening) over and above just the salivary stimulation from regular sugar-free gum…Recaldent® is a powerful ingredient that actually replenishes calcium and phosphate to remineralize and protect teeth by filling in the tiny crevices where cavities can form2. The result is that teeth become stronger and less vulnerable to future damage…

Make it Healthy, Exciting, Easy

Brad Irwin, the President of Cadbury North America said that Cadbury had 3 main goals with the development of Trident Xtra Care™; “make it healthy, make it exciting, and make it easy.” The growing buzz within the industry regarding this product creates the impression in my mind that Cadbury has been able to satisfy all three.

Currently, you can purchase Trident Xtra Care™ in 2 flavors, Peppermint and Cool Mint at stores everywhere.

What do you think

It’s easy for a company to make a product sound promising, and I believe Cadbury has, but does Trident Xtra Care™ truly live up to the hype? Have you tried the product? If so, what can you say about your experiences? If you haven’t tried the product, will you?

With access to quality, affordable dental care increasingly limited, I find it vitally important to discuss the cost-saving benefits of what is known as a discount dental plan. But, before I do, let me explain why.

100+ Million Americans Without Dental Coverage

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 100 million Americans are currently living without any form of affordable dental care coverage. This is certainly an alarming number considering the widely accepted link between dental health and overall health.

The National Association of Dental Plans(NADP) considers discount dental plans as a viable, cost-effective alternative to traditional dental insurance: “With an estimated 45 percent of Americans not having any type of dental coverage, and the dental insurance marketplace offering few, affordable dental products for individuals, discount dental plans are an attractive answer to the need to reduce consumer out-of-pocket costs and increase access to care.”

What is a Discount Dental Plan

Though, I’ve written several posts in the past about discount dental plans, I’ll briefly mention the essentials. A discount dental plan is a discount plan, not insurance, that entitles you to discounts on most dental procedures at a local dentist. Depending on the plan you select, you can save 10%-60% on most dental procedures. The savings can add up quickly even on x-rays and fillings.

There are no forms to fill out, everyone is accepted, you can choose from over 100,000+ participating dentists, and there are more than 30+ high quality plans to choose from. If you don’t have traditional dental insurance, or your self-employed, you can see how helpful a discount dental plan could be for you.

So, how much do they cost? Typically, for an individual plan you’ll pay around $80/yr and $130/yr for a family plan. With just a few visits to the dentist its easy to see that you’ll have more than payed off the cost of the plan for the entire year. Well worth it in my opinion.

How to Find a Local Plan

Believe it or not, finding a discount dental plan is actually really easy. I would recommend, however, that you take the time to browse the benefits and restrictions(if any) associated with each plan. Also make sure that the plan you choose has dentists in your area that accept your plan.

Step 1

Visit DentalPlans.com(Aff)

Step 2

Enter your zip code into the zip code search box on the right side of the homepage.

Step 3

Browse and compare plans available in your area. Be sure to look at each plan’s fee schedule to determine which dental procedures receive discounts and the extent of the discount. Choose a plan.

Step 4

Once you have selected a discount dental plan, click the big blue “Join this Program” button.

Step 5

After clicking the “Join this Program” button, you’ll be brought to this screen. This is just notifying you that you’ve added a discount dental plan to your cart. On this screen, you’ll also see the plan type you selected(individual or family), as well as the final price of the plan. Make sure that this information is correct and look down the page to the “Apply Discount(Optional) form on the left.

At this point, type in DPP10 in the coupon code box to save 10% off the final price of your plan – compliments of DentalHeroes.com

Click the “New Member Checkout” button to enter the billing information page.

Step 6

Finally, fill out the billing information form and choose to pay by credit card, eCheck, or by mail. You’re Finished! Within 1 to 3 days your plan will be activated so you can begin receiving the discounts according to your plan’s fee schedule at any participating dentist that accepts your plan.

Get Started

To get started, visit ourDental Plan Card site.

Important Note: DentalPlans.com is the premier discount dental plan broker on the net. They’ve contracted with more than 30 national and regional discount dental plan providers to provide you with an environment where you can quickly and easily access an compare information for each of the plans.

Flossing Poll Results

In a recent poll, I asked Dental Heroes readers if they floss on a daily basis? Out of 21 responses(hey, we’re new), 13 people said “no” they don’t floss everyday. That means, you guessed it, 8 people said “yes” they do floss everyday. Of course the sample size was much too small to serve as an accurate predictor of a trend, I can only go by the numbers seen in the Dental Heroes poll. As such, it appears as though flossing is not popular among my readers.

I Hate Flossing

It’s OK. I hate flossing too. In fact, I don’t floss. That’s right, I don’t floss. Instead, I use interdental cleaners everyday. The interdental cleaners I use are much like those I wrote about in the Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaner review. You may want to give them a try if you find floss to be hard on your gums, or you find floss to be a hassle to work with.

Too Important to Avoid

In any event, simply brushing your teeth is not enough to properly ensure that our gums stay healthy and that our teeth are properly cared for. I would suggest either biting the bullet and beginning to floss everyday, or trying interdental cleaners as I suggested earlier.

To learn more about flossing and why it’s time to start if you don’t currently, visit our friends at dentalgentlecare.com.

A Healthy Smile is a Good Smile

A straight, well-aligned smile looks great, that is something everyone agrees. But a straight and beautiful smile usually means it’s also a healthy smile. So put yourself in a healthy state of mind, and look at some of the benefits of a properly aligned smile.

Invisalign Cares for your Gums

Signs of periodontal disease, such as swollen gums and redness, are apparent in people with malocclusions. Teeth that are too close together or wildly running from each other can cram and allow very little space for your gums to find a comfortable home. Research studies have shown that when teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit tighter around the teeth, which can lead to better periodontal health. Invisalign has a great advantage in the ability to align teeth. So if you have issues with gum health, see a dentist and find out if it is because those teeth are crooked. Invisalign braces also allow you to brush and floss on a regular basis because of their removable aligners, so you can more easily prevent tooth decay and mouth related diseases and issues.

Side Note: watch the dental heroes’ latest video about fluoride. I guess many toothpastes aren’t all their cracked up to be. AntiBraces use a great product called Gly-Oxide. It is a liquid antiseptic that you put two drops on your toothbrush then add toothpaste. It also works well at cleaning your Invisalign aligners. Thanks Dr. Osmunson for that great video!

Lightweight Alternative

One of the Invisalign system’s best qualities is that it uses no metal bands, brackets, or wires that may trap food and plaque like traditional braces do. And since the removable nature of Invisalign allows you to maintain good oral hygiene habits, you may also reduce chances of plaque buildup, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.

Proper Alignment

When incorrectly positioned teeth and jaws are left untreated, you can have speech difficulties and painful chewing issues or jaw problems. Invisalign treatment or braces can improve both of these problems by aligning your teeth and jaw so talking and chewing is easier (don’t do it at the same time!). Many people think they want braces or Invisalign strictly for aesthetic reasons. “I’ll look so much better.” You feel so much better and can function so much better by getting the treatment as well.

A Comfortable Choice

Misaligned teeth and jaws can cause abnormal stress on your body. This can cause tender strain and trauma to supporting bone and jaw joints. Now you no longer have teeth issues, but pain in your neck, cheeks etc… It is important to think about the health of your entire body and how your teeth affect that. These issues can also cause abnormal wear on your teeth, which can trigger continued problems in the future. Once you straighten your teeth with Invisalign or braces, the comfort in and around your mouth is present and noticeable. The structure of your entire face can change after straightening your teeth as well, causing muscles and bones around your jaw to be stronger and more fortified with healthy gums, straighter roots and better bite.

It is important to realize that straightening your teeth is not just for appearance and self-confidence, but for the health of your mouth. Start with fixing your smile to help keep yourself healthy, and benefit in the future.

For more in-depth information regarding Invisalign, please visit Blake Abel’s, antibraces.com, an invisalign information site.

Note: Invisalign is the registered trademark of Align Technology, Inc. and not Dentalheroes.com.

Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush

The following is a description and some features of Dr. Collins Periodontal Toothbrush according to the Dr. Collins website:

…Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush penetrates the areas between teeth and gums removing plaque and food particles, while gently massaging gums without pain and bleeding. It gives you cleaner teeth, healthier gums and saves tooth enamel from abrasion. Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush helps prevent cavities and provides overall oral hygiene and fresher breath…Standard toothbrush filaments have flat tips and cannot reach between teeth where residual foods and foreign substances can accumulate, rot, cause bad breath, and lead to the onset of tooth decay and gum disease. The Dr Collins Perio toothbrush has tapered filaments that can penetrate between the teeth and around the gums to remove the unwanted buildup…

The following attributes are rated on a scale of 1 – 5 (1=poor 5=excellent)

Aesthetic Appeal = 3

This toothbrush looks consistent with the signature Dr. Collins look – white and black coloring with a focus on function as opposed to aesthetics. I can appreciate this, but I also know that this toothbrush will not catch a person’s eye if they’re in the market for a new toothbrush. Sadly, flash wins the sales game sometimes. I do have to say, however, that the bristles on this thing are cooler than any bristles you’ve probably ever seen on a toothbrush. They’re more pointed than your average toothbrush and softer looking.

Durability = 5

Once again, it’s apparent that Dr. Collins cares about product quality. Most of you know I enjoy the torture-testing portion of my product reviews, and this was certainly no exception. However, I almost felt bad for the toothbrush this time. I literally bent the toothbrush in half until both ends touched. Guess what? It didn’t snap. I know many dental product manufacturers that can’t make this claim for any of their toothbrushes.

Functionality = 4

Fantastic. I’ve never used a periodontal brush before, but I have to admit, I like it. You barely know that you’re brushing, but the coveted “clean” feeling that I experienced while using this toothbrush was really incomparable. I can verify that this toothbrush is very capable of exctracting food particles as well. I had a really annoying piece of chip stuck in the crack between my two front teeth, and this toothbrush pulled it out with ease.

Least Favorite Attribute

The handle. I can see that Dr. Collins made an effort to improve the ergonomics of this toothbrush, but I felt as though I was constantly repositioning my hand to turn the toothbrush because of the extremely curved nature of the handle. Typically, a toothbrush will turn within your hand effortlessly, but this required greater than normal effort. Overall, this was a minor nuisance.

Favorite Attribute

The darn thing does what it’s supposed to do – effectively penetrates between the teeth while gently massaging the gums. This adds up to an unmistakably “clean” feeling.

Overall Opinion

I couldn’t be more bored while looking at this toothbrush, but that’s secondary to the outstanding functionality of this toothbrush. I recommend this brush to anyone looking for a gentle toothbrush that effectively cleans the teeth while combating gum disease. Ok, so I guess that’s everybody, right?

Try it for yourself

If you’d like to give the Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush a try, we recommend purchasing from Amazon.com.

How to enter
Entering to win “The Ultimate Dental Health Makeover” is easy. Simply fill out the form on the contest page with your information and wallah – you’ve entered. You have plenty of time to sign up(the contest runs through December 1, 2008), but it only takes a minutes, so you may want to get it over with now.

Enter the contest on the Deardoctor.com Contest Page.

Dr. Collins Dental Work Floss

The following is a description and some features of Dr. Collins Dental Work Floss according to the Dr. Collins website:

The shred resistant Dental Work Floss features a unique multifilament that picks up more plaque and debris. The mild mint wax coating allows the Dental Work Floss to slip easily between the teeth and leave a refreshing clean taste. Dr. Collins Dental Work Waxed Floss works great with floss holders/aids and will not break or shred in the presence of rough fillings or dental work. Dental Work Floss is also available in regular and extra fine unwaxed versions made of a standard floss fiber.

Features

• Waxed Floss fiber
• 54.7 yds

The following attributes are rated on a scale of 1 – 5 (1=poor 5=excellent)

Aesthetic Appeal = 4
Aesthetically, the floss dispenser features a look consistent with their other product – white text on a black background. This is certainly not flashy, but aesthetics are and have always been secondary to me as long as the functionality is solid. In regards to the floss itself, I was surprised to see that the shape was more flat than it was cylindrical. I suspect this had something to do with the fiber used to create the floss. Despite looking different than most floss products I’ve seen before, it did look more substantial.

Durability = 5
I pulled, twisted, gnawed, and even tried to break this floss on the corner of my desk, but couldn’t cause it to snap or tear. I did notice slight fraying after working the floss with a fair amount of pressure between my teeth and lower permanent retainer, but never enough to cause concern about the durability of this product. I give this a solid 5 for standing up to my torture-testing!

Functionality = 4
This product worked like a charm. From the get-go, I had no noticeable hitches during my normal flossing routine. In fact, this floss worked as well or better than the brand I’m currently using around my lower permanent retainer. Of course, I still needed a threader to get underneath my retainer properly, but then again that would be necessary regardless of the floss I’m using.

Taste
The dispenser indicates that this floss’s flavor is “mild mint”. While I could certainly smell the mint, the taste was too mild for my liking. I don’t want to feel like I’m chewing on a mint leaf, but I also want to feel as though my teeth are being freshened if I’m going to take the time to floss.

Least Favorite Attribute
The taste. I like pronounced flavors in my dental care products. For me, it’s more of a psychological need than anything. I think this product could benefit from a little more minty goodness.

Favorite Attribute
Durability. My extensive torture-testing didn’t make a dent in this product. If only you knew what I put it through, you’d understand how durable this product is.

Overall Opinion
As I mentioned earlier, this floss performed equally as good, if not better around my dental work than my current brand. I enjoy my current brand, but I’m considering giving the next round to Dr. Collins Dental Work Floss.

Try it for yourself

If you’d like to take the Dr. Collins Dental Work Floss for a spin yourself, we recommend Amazon.com.

Top 5 Dental Care Sites

1. ADA.org

ADA.org is essentially the “holy grail” of dental information sites. This reputable source of information features dental care information for consumers and professionals. Their “Oral Health Topics: A to Z” section is particularly informative.

Visit ADA.org

2. WebMD.com

WebMD.com is another very reputable source of dental care information. This site is more comprehensive than ADA.org, and features a dental care forum, Q&A section, and the latest news from around the dentistry world.

Visit webMD.com

3.Mayoclinic.com

The Mayo Clinic is the premier medical institution in the country. Therefore, you know their information is reputable. The dental section of their website isn’t overly large, but they do have a neat “Ask a Mayo Clinic Specialist” section that could prove very helpful in getting your dental care questions answered.

Visit Mayoclinic.com

4. About.com Dentistry

The about.com dentistry website is a great source for dental care tips aimed at the consumer(you and I). Do you want to know about how to properly brush your teeth? How often to brush? If so, this is a good place to start.

Visit about.com dentistry

5. wikipedia.org

Wikipedia is perhaps the best known general information site on the web today. If you want to find out information about the Industrial Revolution in Britain, or the life span of an asian beetle, chances are you’ll find an answer on Wikipedia. The section devoted to dental care information is not real comprehensive, but provides a quick glimpse of important dental care topics as well as links to more comprehensive resources.

Visit wikipedia.org

Are there any sites that you would add to this list?

The focus of this product review is Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaners.

Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaner Features

The following is a list of Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaner features according to the Dr. Collins website:

• Soft cylindrical brush removes plaque and food debris
• Reaches areas not accessible by manual brushing
• Flexible rubber handle is easy to grip
• Great for use with braces or bridges
• Ventilated plastic cap for each interdental cleaner
• Convenient storage box great for travel
• 10 interdental cleaners per box

The following attributes are rated on a scale of 1 – 5 (1=poor 5=excellent)

Aesthetic Appeal = 4
This is one serious-looking interdental cleaner. You can really tell it means business when looking at it. I also get the feeling that Dr. Collins was more focused on a functional look, and less concerned with producing an “eye candy” product. I for one appreciate that.

Durability = 5
I’m quite impressed with the durability of this product. I didn’t notice any signs of weakness while using this product as intended. In fact, I didn’t notice any signs of weakness while using this product in a way that was unintended either. I spent 5 minutes trying to break the interdental cleaner and couldn’t. I bent it in half, and it bounced back into its original form. I bent the bristled head in every direction, and twisted it as much as possible, but no breakage.

Functionality = 4
I was pleased with the functionality of this product. It was above average. The flexibility of both the bristled head and the rubber handle was very helpful in maneuvering between the hard-to-reach teeth. I also had no problems working it under my permanent retainer – which is something I expected to have problems with to be honest. The lone functionality issue that I experienced while using the Dr. Collins interdental cleaners was that I had to straighten out the bristled head a few times on some teeth to maneuver it properly. This was not a big deal though, and was probably due to operator error more than anything.

Least Favorite Attribute
I had no problems with this product. In fact, my only real issue with this product is not with the product at all, rather with the lack of instructions. I would have appreciated a small instruction manual tucked into the plastic carrying case that covered proper usage guidelines, cleaning tips, and usage allowance for each cleaner.

Favorite Attribute
I’m most impressed with the handle grip. Most interdental cleaners on the market slip through your fingers while working on particularly stubborn gaps between your teeth. This product simply doesn’t slip.

Overall Opinion
I give Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaners 2 thumbs up. If you’re already an interdental cleaner user, and haven’t tried the Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaners, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. I’ll bet you haven’t used interdental cleaners with this much flexibility. If you’ve never tried interdental cleaners, then you should give this product a try as well. You may just decide it’s time to convert!

Try them for yourself

If you’d like to give the Dr. Collins Interdental Cleaners a try for yourself, we recommend purchasing from Amazon.com.

Find the dental hygiene quiz at Udent.com

• Ask family, friends, neighbors or co-workers for recommendations.
• Ask your family physician or local pharmacist.
• If you’re moving, your current dentist may be able to make a recommendation.
• Call or write your local or state dental society. Your local and state dental societies also may be listed in the telephone directory under “dentists” or “associations.”
• Use ADA.org’s ADA Member Directory to search for dentists in your area.

Questions to Ask Prospective Dentist
Once you have found a dentist you believe you can trust and develop a good relationship with, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?
• Is the office easy to get to from your home or job?
• Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?
• Does the dentist explain techniques that will help you prevent dental health problems? Is dental health instruction provided?

For the remainder of the list please visit the ADA Website.

Some of these questions can’t be answered before visiting the prospective dentist for a check-up, Consider it a trial run, then answer the questions. If your answers are not satisfactory to you, keep looking for another dentist until they are satisfactory. Remember that your dentist is your partner in helping to maintain great oral health, so choose wisely.

To support their war on gingivitis, Crest and Oral-B are offering special savings on a couple popular products designed to ward off the onset of gingivitis. To watch Crest’s special informational video on gingivitis click here.

Save $6 with the following special offers:

1. Save $3 on your purchase of any 1L or larger Crest Pro-Healthâ„¢ Rinse and any one (1) 4.2oz or larger Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste.

2. Save $3 on the purchase of any one (1) Oral-B Vitalityâ„¢ electric rechargeable toothbrush.

To receive these special offers simply visit the offer signup page on the Crest Website.

The AVIA Dental Plan is worthy of our “Dental Plan of the Month” distinction for several reasons.
Just have a look at some of this plans’ benefits below:

• Affordable dental plans starting at only $8.00 a month
• Acceptance Guaranteed- No one will be denied
• No Wait! Sign up today-start receiving discounts immediately
• Save up to 50% on your dental expenses, our fee schedules are lower than most dental plans
• No limits on the number of visits to your dentist

However, the benefits doesn’t stop there. In fact, it also offers discount prescription and discount vision services as well.

The best part is, the AVIA Dental Plan is available to virtually everyone – individuals, families, and groups of all sizes.

We urge you to have a look for youself at the AVIA Dental Plan, our “Dental Plan of the Month”.

So what criteria do we use to evaluate our products? The criteria are really too numerous to list here. However, Webmd.com has put together a dental care product selection guide that we use to evaluate products in the marketplace.

Take a minute to review this guide and not only will you get a sense for our product recommendation quality, but you’ll also become a smarter shopper in the process.