Happy Earth Day!

On our Facebook page we asked people what these products have in common. 

Would you believe that they all come from or contain ingredients from trees? If so, you're right!

Every day, everywhere in the world, every person uses wood. Wood is one of the Earth's most important resources.  It shows up in homes and other buildings, paper products, furnishings and tools. In addition to these, more than 5,000 other products come from or contain ingredients from trees.

So this Earth Day, consider the great value of trees and do your part to reduce waste...but we still don't recommend sharing toothbrushes!

info from Mt. St. Helen's Forest Learning Center

Chewing Tobacco and Baseball

Jackie Robinson was the first Afrcian-American baseball player to join major league baseball on this day in 1947. Many boys begin using chewing tobacco when they join baseball teams, particularly in high school. Researchers believe that boys are influenced by watching pro baseball players chew.

 It is a myth that chewing tobacco is healthier than cigarettes. Half of high school boys who use chewing tobacco develop white pre-cancerous white patches in their mouth. Chewing tobacco can harm your health because it contains toxins, which can cause gum disease. Other possible oral health impacts of tobacco products include: stained teeth and tongue; dulled sense of taste and smell; slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery; difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems; and oral cancer. Click here to take a quiz and see how much you know about the effects of tobacco on your oral health.

Baseball is much more fun without oral health problems. Skip the tobacco and hit a home run for your health!


For more information on risks of chewing tobacco and other oral health concerns, visit www.mouthhealthy.org.
Full article and more information on Jackie Robinson's amazing career available here.
More info on tobacco and links to baseball available here.

Top Foods That Damage Your Teeth

Ever wonder which foods do the most damage to your teeth? According to the American Dental Association, these are the top nine foods that damage your teeth. We also have some good alternatives if you are partial to some of these delightful yet damaging treats.

Hard Candy

Hard Candy puts your teeth in constant exposure to sugar. They can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Looking for a better alternative? Try chewing sugarless gum.

Ice

Ice is made of water and doesn't contain any sugar or other additives, but chewing on hard substances can damage the enamel on your teeth. There's also a risk of chipping a tooth any time you chew on hard substances. Advice? Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form.

Citrus

Frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, it's not always the best choice for your mouth. Citric fruits can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water! 

Coffee and Tea

Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may stain your teeth. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try not to add a lot of sugar.

Sticky Foods

Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare! When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are stick and can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after and to brush and floss carefully.

Starchy Food

Who doesn't love the nice, satisfying cruch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth.  If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that lead to plaque build-up.

Soda

When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel (the hard surface of your tooth). Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore bad for your teeth.  Caffeinated beverages, such as colas, can also dry out your mouth.  If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink alongside a cup of water.

Alcohol

 Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth.  People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease.  Heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer.

Sports Drinks

They sound healthy, don't they? But for many sports drinks and energy drinks, sugar is a top ingredient.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, while sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged vigorous physical activities, in most cases they are unnecessary.  Before your next sip, check the label to make sure your drink of choice is low in sugar. Not sure? Drink water instead!

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

We often sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth," but has anyone ever really received that for Christmas? You might be surprised to know that two front teeth are exactly what one baby was born with just three days after Christmas.

Natal teeth (teeth present at birth) are uncommon, but not unheard of. About one in every 2,000 to 3,000 babies are born with natal teeth, according to the National Institute of Health, and they usually appear on the lower gums. Often the teeth are shaved down or removed as soon as possible to avoid problems with nursing or biting the tongue. They can also present a choking hazard, as they are an extra set and will fall out to allow for the normal baby teeth to come in.

Most babies begin to teethe around 6 months, though some children don't get their first tooth until 12 to 14 months. During the first few years of life, baby teeth will gradually push through the gums one or two at a time until the baby has a full set of 20 teeth. Most children have their full set of baby teeth by the time they are three years old. Common side effects of teething include becoming fussy, sleepless, and irritable, loss of appetite, or drooling more than usual. Diarrhea, rashes, and fever are not normal symptoms of teething, so if your baby is experiencing these symptoms or continues to be cranky and uncomfortable, call your physician.

Info from ABC News and Mouthhealthy.org.

Go Hawks!

It's that time of year again when the green and blue comes out in our office!

You may even see some of us coveting fun things like this awesome toothbrush 

or this toothbrush holder

Are you a Seahawks fan also? How do you show your team spirit?

Root Canal

This month marks 100 years since the opening of the Panama Canal. While the Panama Canal is integral to worldwide shipping, a root canal can be integral to your everyday comfort.

Sometimes a cavity is just too deep to be fixed and may require a root canal. Root canals are necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or diseased. The pulp contains the blood vessels and the nerves of the tooth, which run like a thread down into the root. The pulp tissue can die when it’s infected or injured. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. During a root canal treatment, the dentist removes the pulp, and the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Your dentist may then place a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger and protect it.

Causes of an infected pulp could include:

• a deep cavity
• repeated dental procedures
• a cracked or broken tooth
• injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)

If you continue to care for your teeth and gums with daily brushing and flossing your restored tooth could last a lifetime. However, regular checkups are necessary; a tooth without its nerve can still develop cavities or gum disease. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!

Info from www.mouthhealthy.org

Personalized Tooth Fairy Pillow Ideas

Remember this post on how to make a tooth fairy pillow? If you're looking for a fun summer craft, here are some fun ideas for modifying your tooth and making it your own.

Make one in your favorite color or with your favorite pattern (camo, chevron, etc.)

 Make a black ninja mask for your tooth.

Brush yer teeth or walk the plank!

You could also try a ballerina, cowboy, or super hero.

If you make a pillow, please upload your picture on our Facebook page!