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.
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!
Teeth whitening treatment is one of the most popular cosmetic services available in the dental industry. When you consider just how easy it is to get your teeth as white as they’ve ever been, you can see why many patients choose this specialized form of cosmetic dentistry. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of revolutionary teeth whitening services? Patients in the past only wish this type of treatment was offered back then. Our 
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!
This July we said goodbye to our assistant Ashley. In May she graduated with her associates degree in Dental Hygiene. This coming August she will be getting married to the love of her life Rob here in Wisconsin. They have begun a new chapter in their lives down in Texas where Rob is now working. Who knows what their future holds for them! Currently they are easily getting used to the hot weather and great water ski lakes near their new home. She has been a part of our assisting team since June of 2011. After her graduation, she was able to help in our hygiene schedule as well. Good luck to you Ashley and Rob in your new and exciting life. You will be greatly missed.
This month we celebrated Dr Tack’s birthday. Of course we did the obvious and brought some fantastic food into the office. We can never pass up an excuse to bring in some veggies and dip… and other not so healthy snacks!
In case you’ve been living under a rock since you came into this world, flossing, along with brushing, is one of the most important steps to take in ensuring your oral health is at its peak performance. Flossing cleans your teeth in ways that a toothbrush can’t. It’s one of the best ways to prevent diseases and bacteria from invading. There is a huge difference between “just” flossing and flossing with the proper technique. If you’re cutting corners and not flossing correctly, or you have no clue what the proper flossing technique incorporates, we’re here to help. All it takes is a little dedication and your dental routine can become beneficial. Our