Toothbrush Trivia!

Before the toothbrush was invented, many people actually brushed their teeth with sticks!

The first time in history that people actively cleaned their teeth was between 4000 and 3000 BC in ancient Babylon (the site where Iraq is now). The Babylonians used “chew sticks” – thin twigs or tree roots that were chewed at the end to loosen the fibers and then used like brushes.

Between 2000 and 1000 BC the ancient Chinese used similar twigs to clean their teeth. But the Chinese took it one step further and used twigs from trees with a nice smell. (Perhaps this was an early attempt at breath freshening?)

The next time you brush your teeth, take a moment to be thankful that you have a nice, clean toothbrush with soft bristles – instead of a stick!

Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy!

If you are looking for a great way to keep your teeth clean and healthy in addition to brushing and flossing, we recommend using new MI Paste. This product has the ability to deliver calcium phosphate and fluoride directly to the teeth, helps prevent tooth decalcification, can repair any permanent stains, and can also reduce tooth sensitivity.

So how do you use MI Paste?

• Apply the paste at bed time after a thorough brushing

• Place a pea sized amount on your finger and rub onto teeth at the gum line and areas of decalcification (permanent staining). Repeat for other arch

• Leave the paste in place for 3 minutes and then rub the teeth with your tongue

• Do NOT eat, drink or rinse after use for at least 8 hours

This product is not recommended for anyone with an allergy to milk protein or hydroxybenzoates.

Lactose intolerant patients CAN use MI Paste.

MI Paste is not to be used in place of your regular toothpaste. This is a wonderful product that can give great results if used regularly. This product is available for all of our patients to purchase in our office, and makes a wonderful stocking stuffer!

Why Is It So Important To Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your chances of keeping your own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to decay – and because they are easier to keep clean. Plaque can lead to cavities and can increase the risk of gum disease.

If you’re wondering whether your teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 704-364-6544 to set up a consultation. Dr. Valeriano can help you decide whether you could benefit from orthodontic treatment.

Gum and Oral Health

As oral health becomes more and more important (it's even becoming something of a fad), it's interesting to watch how gum companies have changed their ad campaigns. There's EXTRA which mainly focuses on it's low calorie weight loss appeal (it was constantly displayed on the Biggest Loser this year), Stride is all about long lasting taste, but what about Orbitz and Trident? These gums are all about dental health. In fact, the other day I saw a commercial about how Trident helps to restore tooth enamel. Now it's definitely important to know that not all gum is good for your teeth. In fact, there's quite a lot of gum that's just horrible for your teeth - like Bubblegum. So the next time you are at the checkout stand and want to get a bargain buy of gum, consider getting a pack of Trident... like Trident whitening for example.