$1M grant given to support teeth regrowth study

A University of Alberta dentistry professor has received a $1-million US grant to continue his research into restoring damaged dental roots using ultrasound and stem cells.

“When we get to the point that we can stop teeth root degeneration by ultrasound only, that would be great,” he said. “If it happens, then we can use the stem cells together with ultrasound to regenerate the degenerated [teeth].”

Brushing: When and How to do it

Did you know that there are different techniques for brushing your teeth?  And yes, they even have their own names.

Brushing Methods

There is the Bass method, Charter’s method, Modified Bass techinique, Modified Stillman method, etc.  The most popular and most recommended is the Bass method.

Bass Method Step by Step Directions

Step-by-step directions are offered below:

• Start by placing the toothbrush bristles at a 45 degree angle on the front surface of the back teeth. Move the toothbrush in small circular motions. Make sure that you brush the tooth and especially the area where the tooth meets the gums.
• With this circular motion, slowly move forward towards the front teeth. Don’t rush!! Be sure to take your time and clean off all food debris and plaque. If you are having the problems with the brush fitting in your mouth, angle it vertically and continue to brush at a 45 degree angle the front surface and gum line.
• Continue to move around the arch and cover the back teeth on the opposite side.
• Repeat these steps with the back of the teeth as well (the side of the teeth that is closest to the tongue)
• Next, place the toothbrush bristles on the chewing surfaces of the teeth (known in the dental world as the occlusal surface).
• Move the toothbrush back in forth in a “scrubbing motion”. Be sure to brush the chewing surfaces of all teeth, even the front teeth.
• Rinse your toothbrush, place on tongue, and gently run the bristles over your tongue. The tongue can also harbor bacteria and cavity causing germs and must be cleaned as well.

Remember, a beautiful smile leaves a lasting impression.

Happy Brushing!

Flossing Basics

Oh the dreaded floss.  We all know that we need to do it…everyday that is.  So why don’t most people floss?  It is a time-consuming task; however the benefits of flossing are MORE than worth the additional five minutes it takes to complete the tedious task.

So why floss your teeth?

• Mouthwash and a toothbrush can’t reach every surface of your teeth! Flossing removes the food buildup and bacteria that is located between your teeth.
• Most cavities arise from bacteria located between the teeth – This area is often overlooked. Many feel that if they can’t see it, then it isn’t a problem. However, if given the chance, microscopic bacteria can and will accumulate and begin the demineralization process of enamel slowly leading to cavities, pain, and bacterial invasion.
• You don’t want bleeding gums do you? – Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation! If you don’t floss regularly, you can expect some minor bleeding when you start out. But don’t quit. Bleeding gums indicates gingivitis, and even worse periodontitis. If severe enough, this will lead to recession of the gums and loose teeth. Flossing removes irritating bacteria from being allowed to infiltrate your gums and cause infection.

Proper steps to flossing

• Start off with a long strand of floss (around 15 inches or so) and wrap it around each middle finger
• Use your index finger to guide the floss between your teeth
• Once the strand of floss is between your teeth, follow the curvature of each tooth in an up and down motion about 2-3 times. Don’t be afraid to push the floss under the gums, this is a critical area that needs to be cleaned.
• Remove floss and repeat with each tooth, making sure to use a clean section of the floss each time.

How often should I floss?

It’s best to floss a minimum of once a day

I tried to floss and my gums started bleeding, should I stop?  Is something wrong?

Do not stop.  This is a sign of inflammation and indicates that you haven’t flossed in awhile.  Continue to floss everyday and the bleeding will stop.

Have more questions?  Feel free to leave a commit or submit a question to be included in our FAQ’s.

Happy Flossing!

Adult Tooth Basics

We have 2 sets of teeth in our lifetime.  A childhood set, known as the deciduous or primary dentition, in which we normally begin to lose around the age of 6.  The adult set, also known as the permanent or succedaneous set, is what we keep for the remainder of our lives, that is if we keep our mouths in good condition.  Naturally, the adult mouth contains 32 teeth separated into 4 separate categories: Incisors, Canines, Premolars, and Molars.  So what is in your mouth and how do you know what is what?

Incisors:

These are the main teeth that are visible when we smile.  We have four on top and four on the bottom.  They are used primarily for “incising” or cutting into food.  The two in the middle are known as the central incisors.  The outer two are referred to as the lateral incisors.

Canines:

Believe it or not, these are the longest teeth in the mouth (root included).  Located next to the lateral incisors, these teeth are the cornerstones of the mouth.  Canines are used for tearing or shearing food.  They are sharp and usually form a point at the tip.  Adults have four canines, two on the top and two on the bottom.

Premolars:

Premolars, also known as cuspids, are located between the molars and the canines.  We have 8 premolars in the mouth, a first and second premolar.  The first premolar may somewhat resemble the canine in that it may appear somewhat sharp and form a point at the tip.  These are used for grinding and chewing food.

Molars:

Molars are the largest teeth in the mouth.  We have 12 molars, 3 on each side on the top and bottom.  These teeth are used for chewing food.