Mouth Rinses – A Compliment, Not a Substitute for Daily Oral Hygiene

Mouth rinses and mouth washes can play a key role in optimizing your daily oral hygiene to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, mouth rinses and mouth washes are not a substitute for brushing and flossing.  They serve to compliment the actions and the benefits of brushing and flossing.  When used properly and as recommended by your dentist or hygienist, mouth rinses can reduce breath odors, aid in preventing tooth decay and help reduce plaque.

The following lists different types of mouth rinses available today:

Mouth Rinses with Fluoride

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth enamel – the white, hard substance that covers teeth. For the majority of people, fluoride mouth rinses are not an essential part of their daily oral hygiene. The fluoride found in toothpastes used in daily brushing regimens provides an adequate amount, but there are occasions when fluoride mouth rinses are important.

People with abnormal mouth dryness might use fluoride containing mouth rinses. Severe dryness in the mouth can cause excessive amounts of bacteria to grow which can lead to tooth decay. Supplementing brushing and flossing with a fluoride mouth rinse can help fight this problem.

Mouth Rinses to Freshen Breath

There are a variety of mouth rinses available that will make your breath smell good, but don’t provide any long-term oral health benefits. These cosmetic type mouth rinses serve only to fight halitosis (bad breath), not to reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis.

Anti-Plaque and Anti-Gingivitis Mouth Rinses

Anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis mouth rinses are a good way to enhance the effectiveness of daily brushing and flossing.  These types of mouth rinses kill harmful bacteria.

American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval

As with all oral hygiene products, always look for the ADA seal of approval on the packaging of mouth rinses. The ADA seal provides assurances that the product has been independently tested and verified.

Prescription Mouth Rinses

While most mouth rinses are available over-the-counter, dentists can prescribe stronger mouth rinses for those who need help with advanced forms of plaque and gingivitis.

Talk to Your Dentist and Hygienist

Discuss mouth rinses and overall hygiene with your dentist and hygienist to see what products are right for you and your unique needs.

Each week during the month of May, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella have been publishing useful and informative articles on optimizing your oral hygiene to maximize both your health and your appearance. To learn more, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella care about Making You Smile!

Dental Floss and Why Flossing Is So Important to Your Overall Health

Brushing teeth daily is an essential part of keeping the surfaces of teeth free from food particles, tartar and plaque, but flossing must also be done to keep the areas between your teeth just as clean.

Similar to toothbrushes and toothpastes, there is a huge selection of dental floss to choose from in the dental care aisle of your favorite store.  No one type of floss is significantly better than the other. What’s important is that you find a dental floss that is recommended by the ADA (American Dental Association), doesn’t damage your gums and is comfortable for you to use daily. Flossing is an essential part of optimizing your oral hygiene and keeping gums healthy.

The following lists a breakdown of the different types of dental floss:

Waxed Dental Floss   

If the spaces between your teeth are very tight, waxed dental floss is a good option to help the floss glide between teeth easier.

Unwaxed Dental Floss

This type of floss is good when your teeth are not spaced too tightly.

Dental Tape

This is a ribbon-like dental floss and is made for teeth that are spaced wider apart.

Ultra Floss

If the spaces between teeth vary (some teeth are spaced tight together while other teeth have wider spacing), this type of dental floss may work the best. The yarn-like dental floss stretches thin for tight spaces and will spring back to its original size for wider spaces between teeth.

Flossing Picks

If wrapping dental floss around your fingers is awkward or uncomfortable, flossing picks are a good alternative. Flossing picks have convenient handles that make flossing easier.

Why Flossing Is So Important

Flossing is a vital part of daily oral hygiene. Keeping your mouth and teeth clean prevents health conditions such as periodontal (gum) disease.

When bacteria are not removed with daily cleaning and regularly scheduled dental check-ups, it can and usually does lead to gum disease. When that happens, it increases a number of health risks including:

Heart Disease:  When gums are inflamed, bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream and the heart. Keeping your gums healthy can reduce your risk for a heart attack.

Diabetes: Eliminating gum inflammation can directly improve diabetic control of blood sugar.

Stroke:  Research studies show people with long term gum disease are more likely to have a stroke.

Chronic Lung Problems: The bacteria that collect in the mouth when gum disease is present are the same bacteria that cause respiratory disease. Keeping your mouth clean can reduce the risk of chronic lung problems.

Pre-Term Births:  Mothers who have gum disease while pregnant are 7 to 8 times more likely to give birth prematurely.

As outlined above, good oral hygiene is much more than just producing a beautiful smile. It’s about keeping your entire body healthy.

Each week during the month of May, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella have been and will continue to publish useful and informative articles on optimizing your oral hygiene to maximize both your health and your appearance. To learn more, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!      

Teeth Whitening: Helping Teeth Look as Clean as You Keep Them

Keeping your teeth and mouth clean with a daily regimen of brushing, rinsing and flossing along with regularly scheduled visits to your dentist are essential elements for optimal oral hygiene.

For many people, strict adherence to good oral hygiene practices still does not provide them with the brilliant white smile they desire. They keep their teeth immaculately clean but still see stains or discoloration on their teeth.

Medications, tobacco, coffee, tea and red wine are just a few of the many types of foods and products that can stain your teeth no matter how clean you keep them. In addition, teeth can naturally discolor as a person ages.

Fortunately, teeth whitening (also referred to as teeth bleaching) is a popular option to help your teeth look as clean as you keep them.

The First Step for Teeth Whitening

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends you have your teeth checked by a dentist before undergoing any type of teeth whitening or teeth bleaching method.  Your dentist will then recommend the best teeth whitening option for you based on your specific needs and desired appearance.

Teeth Whitening and Teeth Bleaching Options

The following lists and describes the primary options for whitening or bleaching teeth:

• In-office whitening
• At-home whitening
• Whitening toothpastes

In- Office Whitening:  This type of bleaching is performed at the dentist’s office. In-office whitening may require more than one visit and each visit typically takes between 30 to 60 minutes. Gel or a protective coating is applied to the gums for protection. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth. A special type of light or laser may also be used to activate or enhance the bleaching agent.

At-Home Whitening:  Your dentist may also provide you with whitening kits for your use at home. These teeth whitening products contain peroxides to bleach your teeth. The at-home teeth bleaching process typically involves placing a teeth whitening gel in a mouth guard. Often times, your dentist will make a custom-fitted mouth guard specifically for your teeth. You should follow your dentist’s recommendation for frequency of using an at-home teeth whitening kit.

Whitening Toothpastes:  Whitening type toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents contained within them to enhance the removal of surface stains on teeth. However, unlike the bleaches described above, they do not alter the color of teeth. 

Each week during the month of May, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella will be publishing useful and informative articles on optimizing your oral hygiene for maximize health and appearance.

When it comes to teeth whitening, Dr. George and Dr. Grucella utilize Venus White teeth whitening products for their patients who want to brighten their smile. To learn more about these teeth whitening products, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!

Toothbrushes and Toothpastes for Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the daily practice of keeping your teeth and mouth clean.  To maintain good oral hygiene, it takes a combination of regularly scheduled visits to your dentist along with your commitment to daily self care at home between those visits.

Knowing what to do at home; what to use; when to use it and; how to use it are all questions that should be discussed with your dentist and hygienist so you can develop and implement the proper daily care regimen for optimal oral hygiene.

A toothbrush and toothpaste are essential tools for maximizing daily oral hygiene. The following are some general guidelines and tips for toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Toothbrushes for Good Oral Hygiene 

A visit to the dental care aisle of your local pharmacy, grocery store or super center will show you the wide variety of options you have for purchasing a toothbrush.  In fact, the number of choices can be overwhelming.

Finding the right toothbrush is important. The wrong toothbrush can damage gums and lead to tooth decay. Here are a few general tips for selecting a toothbrush that is right for you:

• The size of the brush should fit your hand and mouth.  This is especially important for children.
• A powered toothbrush is not necessarily better than a manual toothbrush. What’s critical is that the toothbrush can reach all areas of your teeth and gums.
• Buy a toothbrush that has been “Accepted by the ADA”. ADA is the abbreviation for the American Dental Association.  The ADA seal will appear on the packaging for the toothbrush and should look something like this:

 

• The ADA recommends buying a toothbrush labeled as “soft”.  This means the bristles of the brush are pliable and will be able to reach in between teeth comfortably.  “Hard” bristles can hurt teeth and gums when brushing.
• The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months. Inspect your toothbrush daily. If you notice the bristles are bent or frayed, it’s time for a new one.
• To prevent bacteria from growing on a toothbrush, keep it clean, dry and store it in an upright position.

Toothpastes for Good Oral Hygiene 

If you thought the choices for a toothbrush seemed endless, they are nothing compared to toothpastes. Sixty nine (69) new varieties of toothpastes hit store shelves in 2010. A few years earlier in 2007, one hundred two (102) new varieties of toothpastes were introduced.

Just like the right toothbrush, the proper toothpaste is critical to your oral hygiene and preventing dental problems. Here are some essentials when selecting toothpaste:

• Toothpaste must contain fluoride.
• Toothpaste should have the ADA seal on the packaging. The ADA seal means the toothpaste has been tested and evaluated for safety and effectiveness by scientific experts. It also ensures the toothpaste will contain fluoride.
• Toothpastes that contain multiple anti-plaque agents are good.  These types of toothpastes are generally labeled as ‘tartar control’.

Streamline the Toothbrush and Toothpaste Selection Process

To cut down your time evaluating the hundreds of choices in the dental care aisle of your local shopping center, talk to your dentist and hygienist about what toothbrush and toothpaste is right for you. Working together, your team of dental professionals will provide you with all the knowledge and the tools for the very best oral hygiene.

Each week during the month of May, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella will be publishing useful and informative articles on optimizing your oral hygiene. To learn more about good oral hygiene, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!      

Oral Cancer Prevention

Oral cancer occurs more often in men. However, the number of women with tongue cancer has increased in recent years. Oral cancer does not receive a lot of attention in the news, but it’s a type of cancer you should be aware of, recognize its signs and know how to avoid.

With many types of cancers, preventative steps can be taken and lifestyle changes can be made to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer.

Lifestyle Changes

Doctors cannot always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. However, numerous studies have been performed on cancer to learn what things around us and what things we do in our lives increase our chances of developing cancer.

Tobacco use (cigarettes, pipes, cigars and smokeless tobacco) is linked to the vast majority of oral cancer cases. People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, particularly beer and hard liquor, are also high risk factors for developing oral cancer.

The simultaneous use of alcohol and tobacco over a long period of time dramatically increases the chances for developing oral cancer.

Based on the studies and the statistics, people who use tobacco products should stop and alcohol should be consumed in moderation.

Eating a healthy, well balanced diet and limiting exposure to the sun are also important lifestyle habits in the prevention of oral cancer.

Conduct Monthly Self Exams

It’s extremely important to catch oral cancer early. Taking a few minutes each month to perform a self examination can help alert you to the initial signs of oral cancer.

Using a mirror and a bright light, inspect your lips and the front of your gums both visually and by feel. Tilt your head back and examine the roof of your mouth. Pull your checks out to view the inside of your mouth, the lining of your cheeks, and the back gums. Pull out your tongue and look at all surfaces as well as the floor of your mouth. Look at the back of your throat. Take both hands and feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of your neck and under your lower jaw.

If you see or feel anything suspicious, contact your dentist and have him or her review the area with their trained eyes and professional equipment.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

See your dentist on a routine schedule. Even though you may conduct monthly oral cancer self exams, dangerous spots or sores in the mouth can be extremely small and difficult to detect on your own.

The American Cancer Society recommends oral cancer screening exams every three years for people over age 20 and annually for those over age 40.  During your next dental appointment, ask your dentist to perform an oral exam. Early detection greatly improves the success for treating oral cancer.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and throughout the month, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella have been educating the public about oral cancer and stressing the importance of having regularly scheduled oral cancer screenings performed by a dental care professional.  To read more about oral cancer, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!  

Learn How Screening is Done for Oral Cancer

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. While you probably don’t hear a lot about this type of cancer, it should not be overlooked.  Oral cancer causes more fatalities each year than many more publicized forms of cancer.

Early diagnosis of any type of cancer is the key to successful treatment. Oral cancer is no different.  Routine screenings performed at least once per year are very important.

Who Should Perform an Oral Cancer Screenings? 

Many people think a visit to their family doctor is required for an oral cancer screening, but not so. Dentists are specially trained to conduct complete examinations of the entire oral cavity, not just your teeth.

What is Examined in an Oral Cancer Screening?

A visual observation is made of the face, neck, lips and mouth checking for such things as proper movement, swelling, sores, white patches, red patches, lumps, loose teeth and ulcerations. The doctor will also thoroughly review x-rays and feel areas of the mouth and neck for any abnormalities.  You will also be asked to stick out your tongue. The doctor may gently pull on your tongue and move it slightly from one side to the other to inspect all areas.

For the most part, oral cancer screenings are performed using the highly trained eyes and gloved fingers of a doctor who knows what to look for. Additional screening devices and techniques such as special kinds of lights and pre-examination rinses may also be utilized. They are all painless.

How Should I Prepare and What Should I Tell the Doctor?

No special preparation is required. If you wear dentures, you will be asked to remove them prior to the screening. You should tell the doctor if you use any type of tobacco products.

What Happens After the Oral Screening?

After the oral screening, the doctor will provide you with feedback and answer your questions. If the doctor finds any suspicious areas during the screening, he or she may recommend a biopsy for additional testing.

Throughout the month of April, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella will be educating the public about oral cancer and stressing the importance of having regularly scheduled oral cancer screenings performed by a dental care professional.  To read more about oral cancer, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!       

Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer does not receive a significant amount of publicity, but the fatality rates for this type of cancer are higher than those for skin cancer. It’s important to be aware of oral cancer, understand the causes and know what to look for.

Here is a list of common symptoms associated with this disease:

• A sore in your mouth or on your lip that won’t heal.

• Discomfort swallowing or consistent pain when swallowing.

• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth.

• Numbness or loss of feeling in any area of the mouth, face or neck.

• Changes in the way your teeth or dentures fit together when biting down. 

• Patches inside the mouth or on the lips that are white, red or a mixture of white and red (more on this below).

• Persistent ear aches. 

• Sudden weight loss.

The presence of white or gray colored patches on the tongue, roof of the mouth, inside the cheeks or on the gums may be a condition called leukoplakia. The development of leukoplakia is the mouth’s reaction to irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.  The probability that leukoplakia will turn into oral cancer is low.

Brightly colored red patches that form in the mouth may be a condition known as erythroplakia.  This condition brings a high level of risk for developing into an oral cancer.

Patches in the mouth with a color that is a mix of red and white may be a condition called erythroleukoplakia. There is an intermediate risk and probability of erythroleukoplakia becoming malignant.

People experiencing these above symptoms should seek the care of a dental care professional in order to properly diagnose and treat the condition as soon as possible.

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella will be educating the public about oral cancer and stressing the importance of having regularly scheduled oral cancer screenings performed by a dental care professional.  To read more about oral cancer, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com .

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!  

It’s Time to Become More Aware of Oral Cancer

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month in the United States. This type of cancer doesn’t receive a lot of attention. However, the fatality rate for oral cancer is higher than cancers that you hear about more frequently such as skin cancer.

These rates are higher not because of difficulties diagnosing, but due to delays in discovering the disease.

It’s important to understand what oral cancer is all about and realize the significance of having regularly scheduled oral cancer screenings performed by a dental care professional in order to prevent or diagnose the disease early.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral Cancer is cancer of the mouth and is a type of head and neck cancer. Oral Cancer first appears as a growth or a sore somewhere in the mouth that does not go away. It typically occurs on the lips or tongue but may also appear on the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth or floor of the mouth.

Often times, oral cancer is discovered after it has spread into other areas of the body.  When it does spread, the prognosis is significantly worse than if it is caught while localized in the mouth.

Unless regularly screened for oral cancer, the early stages of this disease can be hard to notice. Oral cancer can grow without causing pain or discomfort.

Who is Likely to Get Oral Cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as women.  Men over age 50 face the greatest risk.

While anyone could contract oral cancer regardless of their lifestyle, the most common risk factors include:

1. Smoking:  Cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancers than non-smokers.
2. Smokeless Tobacco: People who use chewing tobacco and similar type products are nearly 50 times more likely to contract cancer of the cheeks, lips and gums.
3. Alcohol:  Oral cancers are six times more common in people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol compared to people who do not drink.
4. Family:  Those people with a family history of cancer are at a higher risk for oral cancer.

Focus on Oral Cancer

Throughout the month of April, Akron and Canton area dentists, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella will be focused on educating the public about oral cancer and stressing the importance of having regularly scheduled oral cancer screenings performed by a dental care professional. They will also be offering huge savings on oral cancer screenings.  To learn more, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!  

Hall of Fame Dentists

The Canton, Ohio area is fortunate to be the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall opened in Canton on September 7, 1963 and attracts over 200,000 visitors annually. It enshrines the legendary people who have made Pro Football so successful and such an integral part of many peoples’ lives. The recent Super Bowl played earlier this month was watched by more than 111 million viewers.

The world of dentistry also has a list of “Hall of Fame” dentists who made vital contributions to the high quality and effectiveness of the dental health care we are afforded today. Here is a short list and a brief history of dentistry’s most notable people:

(1). Pierre Fauchard:  Considered to be the father of modern dentistry, this Frenchman was born in 1698 and lived until 1761. He wrote an epic book in 1723 titled Treatise of the Teeth which formalized and established the foundation of dentistry.  This was the most important book on dentistry of its time and remained the authoritative dentistry work for the next century.

(2). Dr. Horace Henry Hayden:  Dr. Hayden was born in 1769 and lived until 1844. A native of Connecticut, he worked as a carpenter, architect and school teacher before turning to dentistry in the year 1800. Dr. Hayden is credited as being the architect of the American system of dental education and organizer of professional dentistry.

(3). Dr. Chapin A. Harris:  Dr. Harris is regarded as the father of American dental science. He was born in 1806 and lived until 1860. He moved from New York to Madison, Ohio and became a physician, starting a medical practiced in 1824. During the year 1828, he turned to dentistry and became a student of Dr. Horace Hayden. Dr. Harris along with Dr. Hayden founded the American Journal of Dental Science.  In 1839, he published a dental textbook titled The Principles and Practice of Dental Surgery.  It became the most used dental textbook of the nineteenth century.

(4).  Dr. Harvey J. Burkhart:  Dr. Burkhart was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 4, 1864 and lived until 1946. He practiced dentistry for 25 years in Batavia, New York and gained a respected reputation for preventive dentistry and orthodontics.  George Eastman of Eastman Kodak selected Dr. Burkhart as his Director of Eastman Dental Clinics located in London, Stockholm, Paris, Brussels and Rome. He was chosen as the first President of the American Dental Association in 1899.

(5). Dr. Harold Hillenbrand: Dr. Hillenbrand was born in Chicago on July 19, 1906 and lived until 1986. He practiced in Chicago until he was appointed as the full-time secretary of the American Dental Association in 1946. From this position, he greatly influenced the dental world both nationally and internationally.           

To learn about a pair of Akron and Canton area dentists and their dedicated team of dental professionals who have and continue to make a significant contribution to the dental health of residents in the Akron and Canton, Ohio areas, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com .

Just like the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Dr. James George opened his dental practice in 1963 and has earned a respected and trusted reputation for providing quality and affordable dental care.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!

Washington Would Have Enjoyed Dental Care Today

February 22^nd is the birthday of the first President of the United States, George Washington. He would have been 280 years old this year.

Honesty, leadership and courage are just a few of the characteristics that describe this Founding Father. His triumphs in the American Revolution and prudent governance in the infancy of our country are nothing less than remarkable.

While Washington was battling Redcoats and overseeing the birth of a new nation, he was not able to defeat dental issues. During the American Revolution and his two terms as president, he could have used the professional dental care, comfort and convenience we enjoy today.

Historical records and the written content of Washington’s own journals, letters and messages document life-long dental problems.  As commander of the Continental Army, General Washington suffered from chronic tooth aches. Unfortunately, he was not able to drive to the dentist office located off I-77 for pain relief. But he surely must have dreamed about convenient professional dental care like this.

Washington eventually needed dentures and the dentures of the late 1700’s were awkward and uncomfortable. One written record reflects Washington talking about his dentures stating “They are forcing my lips out”. He would frequently have his dentures adjusted and repaired. This process took a long time. He wasn’t able to walk into the region’s largest dental laboratory and have them repaired while he waited. Based on the historically documented accounts, he must have wished for prompt service like this.

Talking, eating and smiling were a constant struggle for Washington and a source of much distress throughout much of his adult life. Washington was not provided the quality dental care that is common today. If he were, he most certainly of would have taken advantage of it to escape and prevent the dental problems he was forced to endure.

A closer look at this part of his life can teach us the importance of maximizing our own dental health and utilizing the care of properly trained and experienced dental professionals.

To learn about a pair of Akron and Canton area dentists and their dedicated team of dental professionals who have earned a respected reputation for providing quality and affordable dental care since 1963, please visit www.akroncantondentist.com.

Dr. George’s andDr. Grucella’s in-house dental laboratory is the region’s largest and has fabricated more than 100,000 dentures.

No matter what your dental issue or how long it’s been since you have seen a dentist, Dr. James George and Dr. Mark Grucella only care about one thing… Making You Smile!