Walking in to the oral hygiene isle at your favorite store can be overwhelming, even for us as professionals. There are so many things to choose from. Today we will focus on the mouthwash aspect of this isle and help you make a decision! So, here is an overview of the main things you will see while shopping.
Antiseptic mouthwash: The most common brand of Antiseptic mouthwash is Listerine, however there are many store brands that offer an equal option. Just look carefully at the label and be sure it specifically uses the word “antiseptic”. Any flavor, any brand will work, although not all generic brands will carry the seal of approval from the American Dental Association. This type of mouthwash has the highest ability to kill germs of any mouthwash on the market. It is generally a 30 second rinse that you can perform 1-2X daily after your brushing and flossing routine. Expect a little bit of a spicy burning sensation during your rinse. No worries, this just shows how well it’s really working! The soft mint flavors or similar offer less burn while you rinse.
Fluoridated mouthwash: Many different companies now offer a fluoridated mouthwash. You can look for them by Act, Listerine, Arm and Hammer and generic brands. Fluoride functions in preventing cavities by killing bacteria and remineralizing spots that may be breaking down on our teeth due to plaque, diet, enamel deficiencies or poor oral hygiene. It is a naturally occurring element that plays an important role in making teeth stronger. It is best used as a ONE MINUTE rinse after brushing and flossing before bed.
Dry mouth rinse: Common companies you may recognize that make dry mouth rinse are Boitene and Act. These are both alcohol free rinses that help soothe dry and irritated oral tissues and stimulate a healthy salivary flow. Many medications or circumstances can lead to a chronic dry mouth, which leads to discomfort, bad breath and a higher risk of decay. Using a rinse can reduce some of these symptoms.
Whitening rinse: Most major brands provide a whitening mouthwash option. Their effectiveness and flavor options can vary widely. The important thing to know before investing time and money into this type of rinse is that it is not made to alter severely stained teeth. They can aid in preventing new stain once heavier stain is removed by your dental professional, and brighten your smile to varying degrees. The degree in which you will see a change will greatly depend on your commitment to the product, how many stain creating things are in your daily routine (smoking, coffee, tea, juices and red wine) and the shade your teeth started at naturally. It will certainly aide in whitening, but don’t expect to have a Hollywood smile by simply using a rinse alone.
There are many other rinses out there that fit into a vague category that can only be described as providing a wide spectrum of effectiveness for cavity prevention and killing bacteria. Some good rinses, some not even worth it. If you have questions about your favorite mouthwash, ask your hygienist at your next routine visit. Heck, why not even bring the bottle in with you so they can take a look at what it is! That’s what we are here for.
September 15, 2015
Every September marks the beginning of cold and flu season. As the kids go back to school and the weather changes, we are all more susceptible to picking up a virus. Here are a few simple tips at keeping the illnesses away.
Wash your hands. It takes 30 seconds and use of antibacterial soap with room temperature water to effectively rid your hands of germs. So, don’t rush through it and pay special attention to your finger tips and nails as they’re the perfect hiding spot for bacteria.
Vaccinate. Although the effectiveness of the flu vaccine may vary each year depending on the strain, the flu vaccine can dramatically decrease your chances of contracting a flu virus. The vaccine is recommended for all people over the age of 6 months old. It is firmly recommended for those who are pregnant, have small children, the elderly or have a compromised immune system. Flu shots are generally available at your doctor, a local pharmacy, or even your health department.
Stay home if you’re not feeling well. Your boss may not like it, but the truth is that it is in the best interest of your coworkers and others around you if you stay home when you have symptoms. You’re most contagious when you have a sore throat, a fever or within the first 48 hours of an illness. If you’re not feeling well then consider staying home to rest and recover and keep your colleagues healthy too!
Cough into your sleeve. The flu and cold virus can spread to people up to 6 feet away through droplets in the air from a cough or sneeze. If you use your hand to cover your cough, then touch a door knob, pen or even counter top, you’re leaving the virus there for the next person to pick up. Coughing into your sleeve can reduce the likelihood of the germs spreading.
September 3, 2015
At at average age of 5, children start to lose their baby teeth in order to make room for their new, larger adult teeth. Many families choose to have the Tooth Fairy come and swap those adorable baby teeth out for a special monetary gift. We have heard many different ways to make the tooth fairy a little more fun and exciting. Here are some things we would like to pass along!
Print this special Tooth Fairy Envelope. Fill out all the fun facts, cut and fold, then use for safe keeping under your little ones pillow until the Tooth Fairy can arrive and make the trade. http://ideas.hallmark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/tooth-fairy-certificate-envelope.pdf
Want to make the money from the Tooth Fairy extra special, but don’t want to do it by leaving a $20 bill? Try this simple idea for sparkly Tooth Fairy money. http://amindfulmomma.blogspot.com/p/momma-m.html
And of course, one of our favorite ideas: Leave a note from the Tooth Fairy encouraging good brushing and flossing habits. After all, the Tooth Fairy does only want healthy, sparkling teeth in her collection! Here is a link that gives you basic tips to pass along in the note for your child. Choose the tips your child needs most improvement on. Use bright colors and paper to make it attractive for the little ones. Who knows, it may even make your daily hygiene routine a little bit smoother for a while! http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/basics/tooth-fairy/article/sw-281474979039601
August 25, 2015
Who should go to the dentist? People with a toothache? People who have broken teeth? People who have dirty teeth and need a cleaning? Well, the answer is everyone should go to the dentist! If you have teeth, come to the dentist. If you don’t have teeth, you should still come to the dentist. That’s right. Your Grandpa Ned and Great Aunt Mildred should still see us even if they have full dentures. This is so we can clean the dentures professionally and be sure they’re fitting correctly or make needed adjustments. But most importantly, it is so we can do a detailed exam of their gums, roof of their mouth, tongue and cheeks to be sure there are no signs of abnormal lesions or cancer. For someone with full dentures, once a year check ups are generally sufficient unless otherwise advised. If you have a full set of healthy pearly white teeth, twice a year visits are recommended. There are some patients who have more detailed needs who we may ask to spend a little more time with us. Always remember that routine dental work is the cheapest and easiest dental work you can get. Plus, if it’s been too long, we just start to miss you!
August 14, 2015
If you didn’t see it on our facebook page already, August is full of birthdays for our staff! Kari, Amanda G, Dr Taibl, Tiffany, Kerrie W and Kim all celebrate in the month of August. This year, we had an extra special birthday to celebrate. Dr Brunner turned 40 years old! If you were lucky enough to be in the office on Tuesday, August 11th, you may have heard some singing, some teasing and laughing or even seen a pink gorilla! We had so much fun celebrating the big FOUR OH with you Dr Brunner.
He was a good sport about it all and wore a big gaudy pin all day announcing his new age. Dr Tack hired a singing pink gorilla to surprise him with the birthday song, and Connie (who is SO talented) made an amazing cake of his caricature. It even had a bald head and extra special jimmies so he could add just as much hair to the cake as he thought he deserved. Interested to see photos? Check out our facebook page and take a look! https://www.facebook.com/elmbrookfamilydental
August 12, 2015
We know, we know. The alarm goes off in the morning and you hit snooze. A few extra minutes of sleep, and then you hit snooze again. And maybe even a third time. Don’t worry—we’re right there with you. The problem is that all that snoozing cuts in to your time to get ready in the morning. Consequently, you may not be able to devote enough time to properly brushing and flossing your teeth. As your dental health care team—Dr. Brandon A. Brunner, Dr. Eric Taibl and Dr. Suzanne Tack—at Elmbrook Family Dental in Brookfield, WI, want to help you have the most effective at-home oral hygiene routine. And it really doesn’t take much time.
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As many of you may know, our beloved hygienist of 10 years, Joanne passed away in October from AML Leukemia, a form of blood cancer. Her battle with this cancer has touched us and we miss her deeply. Through all of her journey, she maintained a positive and uplifting attitude, reassuring the people around her that things would be fine because she would be “going to a better place.” During a time that it is so easy to mourn the loss of someone we love, we are choosing to come together and celebrate the blessings of her life instead. Through this celebration, we have decided to host a fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in her honor.
As many of you have known, our hygienist Joanne had been battling AML Leukemia. Today we are sad to announce that she has lost her battle. On the morning of October 14th, Joanne passed away at AngelsGrace Hospice in the presence of her family. Her battle with Leukemia began just over a year and a half ago and included many treatments, one of which was a bone marrow transplant from her son Patrick. Sadly the transplant was not a success and it became clear that her battle would be lost. She was then moved to hospice care. She was sure to keep a positive attitude and enjoy every moment she had with her family.