Showing posts with label toothbrush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toothbrush. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Electric Toothbrush
The studies show that, hands down, an electric toothbrush
will clean your teeth 5x better then a manual one.
So what keeps some people from going out and getting one?
Price.
Some electric toothbrushes are $150-$200!!
My name is Dr Jim Ellis.
I was tired of my patients getting the short end of the brush ; )
So I designed, and had manufactured, an electric toothbrush
that is just as good as the other guys, but at about 1/3 the price.
30 second quadrant timer.
2 minute total brush timer.
2 weeks on a single charge.
3 different modes.
AFFORDABLE interchangeable heads.
And for my loyal Blog followers put the code
SMILEJIM
in the box at check out for 20% of.
Read the reviews.
Check it out for yourself.
Dentist designed with patients in mind.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Electric Toothbrushes
Which is better, an Electric toothbrush or a Manual?
The answer, and overwhelmingly so, is that an electric
toothbrush will get your teeth more clean then a manual
brush (used properly, of course).
How many times the head of the brush moves across
the tooth is the key. Every brush stroke is a cleaning stroke.
An electric toothbrush can move, up to, 40,000 times per minute.
I don't know how fast your hand is, but it probably is close to that.
Therefore, the electric brush moves across each tooth more often then a manual.
So why wouldn't you get one of them?
Some electric brushes can be up to $200!!
If only you could find an electric toothbrush that did a great job,
but was also affordable as well.
Well............ your search is over!!
"I", Dr Jim Ellis decided to do something about my patients
getting gouged by the big toothbrush companies.
I designed, tested, and had manufactured a sonic toothbrush
that has all of the high quality components of the leading brushes
but is around half the price.
How is that possible?!
Well, I don't have millions of dollars a year to pay in expensive
television advertising. I have a little blog.
So, if you have always wanted an electric brush but never
wanted to pay the expensive price of one then check it out.
Designed by a dentist, with patients in mind.
Monday, April 18, 2016
Should I cover my toothbrush at night?
There is a decent debate, among the general public, as to
whether or not you should cover your toothbrush when you are
done using it, or simply let it air dry.
Those who say it needs to be cover will state that every time you
flush your toilet, germs come hurdling up out of the bowl
and cover everything in site. Thus, if your toothbrush is
uncovered the bristles will get caked in these germs.
Well, I sure hope this isn't the case. Because my towels, handles to
my faucet and soap dispenser all all uncovered all the time.
It would be a shame if I was drying off with a poop germ
covered towel every morning.
So I did some research. I looked to see if there were any studies
done on the matter of toothbrushes being less germy in, or out
of a toothbrush head cover.
And it turns out that the American Dental Association says:
"Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. A moist environment such as a closed container is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms than the open air."
So, according to the ADA, placing your moist brush in an
enclosed environment actually is MORE conducive to the
brush getting germy then leaving it out to air dry.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Meth Mouth
There is a drug out there known as Meth.
Its not good for a whole boat load of reasons.
But seeing as how I am a dentist I will focus on the dental problems.
The first problem is that Meth causes your salivary glands to stop producing saliva.
This may not seem like a big thing, but it is.
Just imagine if your tear ducts stopped producing tears.
Your eyes would dry out in a big hurry.
Dry eyes would be painful and damage would begin to occur.
Same thing with teeth.
Dry teeth will end up being painful and damaged teeth.
(Early meth use)
The next problem is that Meth will make a person grind their teeth.
Scientists really aren't sure why but they have seen it enough to know that it happens.
Grinding of brittle dry teeth will cause fractures to begin happening.
(Moderate Meth use)
Finally Meth will cause people to just not care anymore.
And when you really don't care about your teeth you really don't
take care of them and you really don't care eat of drink anymore either.
The black spots on the gums are what's left of the teeth.
They have either rotted, been broken down to, the gums.
(Severe Meth use)
Monday, July 8, 2013
Teeth is a day.
"Painless tooth replacement"
"Teeth in a day"
"One appointment smile"
We have all heard these claims and typically they are accompanied by promises that the doctor can,
almost magically, take out all of your teeth, put implants in, and place crowns on the teeth
with little to no pain, in just one day.
They may even show the patient biting into an apple right after the procedure.
In very rare and unique circumstances this MAY be the case. But for the other 99.7% of us, its not.
Anytime you have surgery of ANY kind you need to heal.
The picture below shows a site where a tooth was recently extracted.
This site will be very tender for several days while the body heals.
That's just the way it works. Blood will rush to the site of any injury thus
creating inflammation (swelling) and moderate discomfort.
If implants are placed that too will cause some type of discomfort.
To say that teeth can be extracted and implants placed and that you can begin
eating right away with no pain whatsoever is just not true. What is typically
happening is that these people are trying to suck you in and then sell you on something else.
Simply do lots and lots of homework before letting these places touch your mouth.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
When, if ever, should my kid see an orthodontist?
When Should my Child See an Orthodontist?
This is a great question. Most parents hope that the answer to this question is… never. Braces can be an expensive process. And if you have multiple children that need braces, the financial outlay can become burdensome. So, most parents hope that their child is one of the lucky ones whose teeth simply come in straight and won’t ever need to be straightened.
Well, how do you know? How do you know when, or even if, your child needs to go to the orthodontist? Here is some information that may help. This chart Problems to Watch for in Growing Children July 2012 (PDF) indicates some of the things to look for in your child’s oral development to assist in knowing if an appointment with an orthodontist is wise. These are not all of the issues out there, but it’s a very good sampling of what can go wrong.
As a general dentist, I can say that the use of an Orthodontic Specialist can be critical in the health of your child’s teeth. Teeth that are crowded are much harder to keep clean then teeth that are not crowded. A child’s speech development can be negatively affected by severe open bites. And, the list can go on and on. Making sure that your child’s teeth are straight is more than just about good looks. There is a very large functional component that is involved that must be considered.
Getting to an orthodontist is as easy as can be. You do not even need to have a referral from a general dentist. You can simply call an orthodontist and schedule an evaluation for your child. If you would prefer to have a referral simply visit your dentist and ask for a quick evaluation to see what they think.
Monday, June 17, 2013
I think I see a little spot on my tooth. Should I go to the dentist?
If you ever look in your mouth and are able to SEE any color other then the white of your teeth you need to get it looked at.
It may just be stain or last nights dinner. But it could be a sign of something much more.
When a dentist looks at your teeth he/she uses color change as one of the indicators to take a closer look at any particular area.
The pictures below are a case that we did.
The patient came in with a little darkened area on one of his molars.
After we got done getting out all of the decay out he was as close as you would ever want to come to getting a root canal. Once the decay gets down into the tooth you are no longer able to get to it with your toothbrush, floss or mouthwash. The bacteria simply sets up shop in your tooth and start to multiply. The tooth was saved and things should be okay but the patient had to go through a lot more drilling then they bargained for.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Send in your teeth and have your stem cells harvested!!!
One of the most exciting things involving dentistry right now is the idea of re-growing teeth.
No one likes to hear the words crown or root canal.
Well don't worry. Pretty soon we will just be able to extract a tooth that
needs one of these evasive procedures and simply grow you a new one.
(Or so they say)
Fact is that we may be a long way from that.
Lots of smoke but very little fire at this point.
But just because we are not yet able to grow teeth in humans
does not mean that people are not yet trying to capitalize on
the future of stem cell teeth.
If you visit http://www.store-a-tooth.com/ you will find
yourself at a place where you can send your teeth.
Why would you send your teeth there?
So that they can harvest your stem cells and keep them on file of course.
They can't use them yet, but when they can you will be the first in line.
You will have to make your own decision on whether or not you
want someone having your stem cells on file.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Which dentist is right for you?
Well, that's kind of like asking if all apples are the same. Apples come in different colors. Apples come in different sizes. Apples come with a variety of flavors.
So what apple is right for you? That depends on the situation. Is it a hot summers day and you just want an apple that will taste good? Or are you looking to make a pie and need an apple that is good for baking? The answer to these two questions would lead you to two very different varieties of apples. Yet they are both still called apples.
The same can be said for dentists. Every dentist has had to go to a qualified dental school to get his/her degree. Every dentist has had to take the same national examinations to prove that they are proficient at certain types of dentistry. Therefore, anyone that legally can be called a dentist is pretty much the same thing.
So what dentist is right for you. Like the apples, that depends on what you are looking for. If you want convenience then do an internet search for dentists and you can find the absolute closest dentist to you by mileage. If you want the cheapest dentist then call dental offices and ask what their cost is on a certain procedure. You can then find the cheapest dentist out there.
These factors are the easy ones. But what if you want a dentist that is good with kids. What if you want a dentist that has a good cosmetic eye and can not only fix your teeth but make them look attractive as well. What if you want a good bedside manner, etc. etc. etc.
These are some of the tougher ones. For this you need to do a little more homework. Go online and read reviews. Ask neighbors, friends, and family. Ask to see before and after pictures of work they have done. Ask if they have gotten any extra training in any particular aspect of dentistry. Ask if there are procedures that they choose not to do. Even though every dentist can do a root canal, some choose not to.
Once you have found all of this out you can choose which dentist is right for you. Last thing you want is to take a bite thinking you have a golden delicious and end up with a granny smith.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Do you have bad breath?
What is the cause of bad breath??
There are many causes.
Teeth that are decayed.
Gum disease.
Bacteria.
Digestion problems.
Etc.
One of the first things to do in order to determine the cause of your
bad breath is to get to a dentist and get a good cleaning.
This will make sure you start off with a clean slate.
Then.....
For 2 weeks commit to brushing after each meal.
For 2 weeks commit to flossing daily.
And for 2 weeks commit to rinsing with a mouthwash such as Listerine, daily.
(Important note: You also need to brush your tongue.
Tongue scrapers, pictured below, are also available.)
After the 2 week period see how your breath is.
If it still smells as fresh and clean as it did when you left the dentist office
then your bad breath was, more then likely, a result of poor oral care.
This would be good news because all you need to do is continue
your new pattern of brushing, flossing, and rinsing and your bad breath should be history.
If things return to there normal, bad breath, state then other things need to be considered.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Are dental implants a serious surgery?
Any time you must undergo surgery of any kind I would
never consider it "no big deal".
Life is precious and we should never undertake anything
without serious thought.
There is however, of course, a scale of seriousness
which I would place different surgical procedures on.
For instance, if I am going to get a mole removed I would
consider that of a less serious nature then a heart transplant.
(Artificial Heart)
( Diagram of a real heart.)
So where does a tooth implant lie on this scale?
Well, it should be considered as more serious then a mole.
When placing implants there are risks of bleeding complications.
Nerve damage, jaw fracture, sinus involvement, and necrosis of
the jaw are also things to consider.
But if properly treatment planned these risks can be greatly minimized.
Below you will see a diagram of a tooth implant.
Its a titanium screw.
No moving parts are pieces.
Far less complex then most people think.
A natural tooth is removed and the false one is put in its place.
The point.
If I was getting my heart replaced I would make sure to tell
everyone I love them, just in case.
If I am going to get an implant placed.
I would simply, rent a movie on my way home.
If you think you may be a candidate simply talk to your dentist
about implants and ask if they are right for you.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
How long can I go with a cracked tooth?
Okay your dentist just told you that your tooth is cracked.
He/She just told you that you need a crown.
Your first question is, "How long can I wait to get this crown"?
Well, here is the answer.
It totally depends.
A crack in a tooth will not stop on its own.
It will continue to progress until the tooth fractures.
What will continue to move the crack is chewing on the tooth that is cracked.
Therefore, if you stop chewing the crack will stop moving.
An all liquid diet will allow you to keep the crack from moving.
(Little side note here: grinding, even without
food in your mouth, can cause a crack to move as well.)
But unless you do that then the dentist has no idea how long until the tooth will fracture.
Bottom line is this, get your teeth fixed as soon as possible.
Financing the work is always a factor and maybe it can't get done right away.
Just know that the dentist has no way of predicting when and where you tooth will break.
If your dentist tells you you have a crack just be very careful.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
"It's just a small cavity. I'll get to it later."
Oh boy.
I hear this all the time.
And the truth is that sometimes a small cavity is just that, a small cavity.
But other times it is much much worse.
That only way to know however is to go the dentist and get is checked out.
A perfect example of this is represented in these pictures.
This first picture looks like the smallest of cavities.
This next picture however, shows the extent of decay that was present
down inside the tooth and the amount of tooth structure that
we had to end up removing.
Very close to a Root Canal.
In the end the tooth looks great but there is no getting around the
fact that the size of the filling will now make this tooth much weaker
then it needed to be if the patient would have been getting regular
checkups and fixed the problem much sooner.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Is there anything wrong with Gold Tooth Crowns?
No there certainly is not.
In fact, gold is probably still the best material to have in your mouth.
It won't crack.
It won't wear down the opposing teeth.
It fits around the tooth exceptionally well.
So why don't people do them these days?
Two reasons.
#1 The look.
People simply don't like the look of gold in their smile.
#2 The Cost.
With the price of gold through the roof gold crowns
are about 40% more then the white crowns.
They still can be done upon request.
And any dentist can still make them for you.
They are just kind of a dying breed.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Which Electric is Right for Me?
Okay, because you asked.
When the topic of electric toothbrushes comes up there are two big questions that I always get asked.
Questions.
#1 Do I need one.
#2 Which one is the best.
Answers
#1 No. You do not need an electric tooth brush. If you are a diligent brusher then it does not really matter if your tooth brush uses batteries for power or uses you for power. The results can be the same. This is not to say that the results will be the same in the same amount of time. Because they wont. The manual tooth brush will take a little longer but it is capable of doing the same thing.
# 2 This question is like asking which car is the best. Well, a Ferrari is the fastest and looks the best, but a Toyota Camry will do you just fine. The same is true for tooth brushes. There are tooth brushes out there that can run you over $300. They have timers to tell you when to stop. they will talk to you and tell you to switch sides of the mouth. They have pressure sensors to tell you if you are brushing too hard. And they look really cool. However, the electric toothbrushes that cost $10 can do just as much for cleaning your teeth. The whole idea behind cleaning your teeth is just to get the bristles to remove the plaque. Little timers are nice but if you are capable of getting your teeth clean without a timer then what is the point.
So what do I use?
I use an Oral B electric. I like the way it feels when it cleans and it seems to work well for me. My wife uses a Sonicare, and can't stand my Oral B. Conversely I have used her Sonicare and that thing drives me up the wall. So there is a lot to be said here about personal preference.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Which retainer is right for me?
Lots of people ask me about retainers.
Most retainers are given to folks from their orthodontists.
The type of retainer you have really depends on the personal preference of the Orthodontist.
Some orthodontists like the retainers that you can take in and out every night.
These come in two forms. The ones that use wire to retain the teeth position
and the ones that are made simply of clear plastic.
Other orthodontists like the small metal wires that are actually
glued to the teeth and can not be removed.
So which one is better?
That depends on what irritates you most.
Would it irritate you more to have something glued into your
mouth that you could never take out?
Or would it irritate you more to always have to remember to put your retainer
in every night and take it with you on every trip vacation and overnighter you go on?
Both will do a fine job.
My Mother has a retainer that she puts in every night and has done so for over 30 years.
My wife has a bonded metal wire that she has had in place for over 20 years.
Both seem to like what they have and wouldn't change.
If you have a particular type of retainer and you would like
to try another kind that is no problem.
We can switch you to another kind, let you try it for a while, and then
switch you back if you don't like it.
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