What You Probably Don’t Know About the Humble Toothbrush

The next time you pick up that dental floss, take a moment to think about how your ancestors brushed and flossed their teeth, and you will quickly realize just how lucky you are.

According to your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, ancient civilizations have always taken care of their teeth and gums, but the methods that they resorted to were often disgusting, and downright painful.

The first tooth whitening methods can be attributed to the Ancient Egyptians who used wine vinegar mixed with a paste to polish and whiten teeth. This method was not as bad as the Ancient Romans who were thoroughly convinced that using their own urine, which contains ammonia, was the only way to brighten teeth.

Early toothbrushes were actually branches that had cleansing and antiseptic properties. These twigs were frayed at the end and used to brush teeth. Known as chew sticks these ancient tools have been discovered in the tombs of ancient Egyptians and are still used by some civilizations today. These twigs, or chew sticks, were probably much more hygienic than the early animal hair toothbrushes that were invented by the Chinese in the 1400’s.

The first toothbrushes were made from boar hair that was pounded into a piece of wood. Although more stylized than the first crude boar hairbrushes, this same concept was used up until DuPont invented the first nylon toothbrush in 1938.

Dental Floss does not have the colorful past that the toothbrush has. Dental floss is probably the world’s oldest product as toothpick remnants and dental floss has been discovered by archaeologists while exploring ancient tombs.

A dentist in New Orleans by the name of Levi Spear Parmly invented modern Dental floss. Dr. Parmly believed that people would have better results if silk floss were used to clean teeth. Before 1882, dental floss was only available at the dentist’s office becoming available to the public after Johnson and Johnson applied for the patent in 1898.

According to a recent survey, people would rather go without their television set or the internet instead of dumping their trusty toothbrush, and your Rancho Mirage Dentist is pretty happy about that. These days you can buy toothbrushes in different sizes and shapes, but the basic concept remains just as it did when it made its first appearance thousands of years ago.

If all this talk about toothbrushes has made you think about your own oral hygiene, perhaps it is time to schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, Dr. Randall Szutz.

White Teeth for Life with your Rancho Mirage Dentist

Wouldn’t it be great if you could whiten your Teeth for Life? Well, now you can thanks to modern technology and the cosmetic dental expertise from your Dentist in Rancho Mirage.

Those whitening strips, tooth whitening pastes and mouthwashes may work for a while, but these types of over the counter whitening products are only temporary. If you want to keep that beautiful smile, you will have to use them for as long as you want white teeth.

Dr. Randall Szutz focuses on restorative and cosmetic dentistry and continually advances his education with training courses. Dr. Szutz can provide you with a quick, safe, and affordable teeth-whitening treatment that will help rid your smile of stains, dark spots, aging, and staining. Your dentist uses a 21^st century tooth whitening procedure that can lighten your upper and lower teeth. All you have to do is commit to an hour each day for a white, brighter smile.

Without altering the structure of your tooth, your dentist will fit you with special custom bleach splints that will be ready for you within a couple of days of your appointment.   

Unlike other bleaching agents, you decide how bright you want your smile. Once your teeth have reached the desired color, you will only need an occasional treatment for smile maintenance.

Teeth become stained for a variety of reasons including food, drink, prescription drugs, and simple aging. With Dr. Szutz safe and effective tooth whitening treatment, you can have the brilliant and beautiful smile that you never thought possible.

Of course, there are some extreme cases where your dentist will not be able to whiten some of your teeth that have been previously restored.

Your dentist recommends tooth whitening if you have mottled, yellow or brown teeth regardless of your age. Tooth whitening is an almost perfect and permanent solution for that dull smile that you want to cover up at every opportunity.

When it comes to a whiter, brighter smile, you can count on your Rancho Mirage Dentist to provide you with the latest products and services giving you the confidence to show everyone your famous grin. 

Make Your New Year’s Resolution Count

If you indulged in too much red wine or any other food over the holidays, it might be more than your waistline that is suffering from all of your good-hearted excess. According to your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, tooth decay is one of the biggest issues he confronts when seeing patients after the New Year.

Most people are too busy to schedule an appointment with a their dentist before the holidays, and if that sounds like you, it is imperative that you go online or pick up the phone and call your dentist.

That toothache that you had just before Christmas may have been helped with a bit of clove oil, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a cavity. Sometimes patients have no idea that tooth decay has invaded their teeth until after a visit with their dentist.

Ignoring a toothache can be downright dangerous, especially if an infection is present. Once an infection advances to the abscess stage, you need to make a beeline to your dentist. Untreated abscesses can travel through your bloodstream into the brain and that could be deadly. Problems with your teeth and gums should never be ignored and that includes bleeding gums.

Gingivitis and the more advanced periodontal disease can result in tooth loss if ignored. Those little pockets that sit between your teeth and gums can become loaded with food particles that form bacteria eventually turning to plaque and tartar. Make an appointment with Dr.Randall Szutz who can access your gum situation by measuring the pockets, or sulcus, in-between your teeth and gums.

Your Dentist in Rancho Mirage is the only one who will be able to determine if your gums are healthy. If Dr. Szutz believes that gingivitis is to blame for your bleeding gums he may recommend a deep cleaning, otherwise known as scaling and planing.

This year add, “Dental checkup,” to your New Year’s resolution list and make an appointment today.

Bonding Could Be the Answer

Your Rancho Mirage Dentist has a wonderful alternative if you have been toying with the idea of veneers, but have been put off by the cost. Dental veneers do look natural, and if you are planning on cosmetically enhancing all of your teeth, Dental Veneers are probably the way to go, but according to Dr. Randall Szutz, bonding could be just the ticket if you only have a couple of teeth that require Cosmetic Dentistry in Rancho Mirage.

Bonding is a wonderful restorative treatment that is used to repair chips, cracks, discolorations, and misarranged teeth. Dental bonding is an alternative to Veneers, is much quicker, and can usually be completed in just one appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist.

When you schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, Dr. Szutz will examine your teeth for any decay or gum issues including gingivitis and periodontal disease. If you have been given the all clear, your Rancho Mirage Dentist will begin by etching the surface on the teeth that are to be bonded. Once etched your dentist will apply a bonding liquid. Once the liquid has set, the plastic resin will be applied and artistically sculpted by your Rancho Mirage Dentist who will then trim, smooth and polish your teeth giving your new smile a natural appearance.

Whether you are a candidate for dental bonding is really up to your dentist. The composite material used by Dr. Szutz is made up of quartz particle and resin and if you like to suck on hard candy or lemons, indulge in soda on a regular basis, or grind your teeth at night, dental bonding in Rancho Mirage may not be the best solution for your cosmetic dentistry issues.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Szutz and the team from Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage today for Cosmetic Dentistry, which could include bonding or veneers. After all, isn’t it time that you started smiling again? 

Talk To Your Rancho Mirage Dentist about Silver Amalgam Fillings

If you have been thinking about replacing those old silver amalgam fillings, contact your Rancho Mirage Dentist, Dr. Randall Scutz, who can take out your old fillings and replace them with porcelain inlays or tooth colored restorations.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of disadvantages when it comes to silver amalgam fillings. Silver fillings can wear down and even break. Over the years, your dentist will tell you that those silver fillings can actually weaken the structure of your tooth.

Silver fillings can also be dangerous as they contain 50 percent mercury. According to Dr. Oz, your silver fillings could actually be making you sick. Over 100 million Americans have had their teeth filled with silver amalgams. These fillings are made of other metals, and of course silver, but it is the mercury content that actually binds the materials together. Dentists have been using fillings containing mercury for almost 150 years.

It was over thirty years ago that the media brought attention to silver amalgam fillings containing mercury. Some of the health issues that are causing concern are memory loss and mood swings, anxiety, and in some cases, autoimmune disorder. The American Dental Association stands by silver amalgam fillings, but the latest evidence claims that mercury is released when you drink, eat, and even when you brush your teeth.

According to recent surveys, over 50 percent of dentists no longer use silver amalgam fillings, but, how much amalgam is too much? Because there are not enough studies, nobody really knows the answer, but any amount of mercury can be causing you health issues.

Back in the 80’s the ADA claimed that the mercury in your silver amalgam fillings is locked into place, but since that time, your Dentist in Rancho Mirage knows better. Mercury is one of the most damaging substances and can cause nerve damage. Mercury can also suppress your immune system. Patients from Country Club Dentistry have seen a significant improvement in their health after they have had their silver amalgam fillings removed and replaced with tooth colored restorations. Patients who have had their fillings removed and replaced have had their migraines disappear, report more energy, and have better coordination.

Look in your mouth, and if you see silver, gray, or even black colored fillings, you have silver amalgam fillings. Schedule an appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist who can safely remove your silver amalgam fillings and replace them with porcelain inlays or tooth colored restorations.

When it comes to Your Teeth Watch What You Eat

Everyone knows that a bad diet can wreck havoc with your body, but according to the Huffington Post Canada, there are certain foods that you should steer clear of if you do not want to visit your Rancho Mirage Dentist every four weeks.

Dried Fruit

This one will shock most people, but dried fruits are very high in sugar and sticky, which is not a good combination for your teeth, as the sugar will be stuck in between your teeth and stay for hours. The sticky and sugary substance will actually feed the bacteria in your mouth causing dental erosion.

Pickles

Another surprise is the humble pickle, which may be good for your waistline, but not so good for your teeth. Dr. Randall Scutz from Country Club Dentistry explains that vinegar, which is used for pickling, is very acidic and could wear away the enamel on your teeth.

Sugar

Not so surprising, sugar creates a very acidic environment and will eventually wear away the enamel on your teeth. If you must eat something sweet, dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth out with water as soon as possible.

Wine

Both red and white wine contain erosive acids. These acids can soften the enamel on your teeth after just five minutes. Everyone loves a good drop of red, but the tannins that are found in red wine can dry out your mouth and stain your teeth.  

Soda

Fizzy drinks are loaded with sugar and drinking soda can lead to tooth decay, but it can also cause your teeth to erode. Even diet soda, which contains phosphoric and citric acid could damage the enamel on your teeth.

Hard Candy

Because it takes a while for a piece of hard candy to dissolve the sugar tends to stick to your teeth and could cause serious damage to the enamel on your teeth because the candy stays in your mouth allowing bacteria more time to produce.

Chewy Candy

Bacteria loves chewy candy as it sticks to your teeth. The bacteria from sticky and chewy candy will begin to form acid when it is exposed to sugar attacking the enamel.

Citrus Fruits

Of course, citrus fruits are essential for a balanced diet, but that does not mean sucking on a lemon or lime all day. Over time, the acid in citrus fruits like lemons, grapefruits, and limes will wear away the enamel on your teeth, which could lead to cavities.

Fruit Juices

Cranberry, lime, and orange juice can be just as acidic to your teeth as the acid in vinegar. As mentioned previously in this article, acidic foods will wear away the enamel on your teeth.

Tea and Coffee

Because black teas have high levels of tannin like red wine, they will cause staining. It is a known fact that the darker the beverage, the darker the stains will be on your teeth.

Crackers

Carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates, come in many forms. Crackers, potato chips, pretzels, and even pasta can affect your teeth. People who consume refined carbs are at a higher risk when it comes to chronic diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.

You Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Fighting tooth decay can be a never-ending battle, but not if you talk to your dentist about sealants. According to Colgate, dental sealants can help protect the chewing areas of your teeth against tooth decay in both children and adults.

Your molars and your kids premolar teeth have fissures or grooves that make them susceptible to tooth decay. Because the grooves are quite deep, they can be very difficult to keep clean. Some are narrower than one bristle on your toothbrush. Once plaque begins to accumulate, bacteria will start to attack the enamel on your teeth eventually causing cavities.

Country Club Dentistry and your Rancho Mirage Dentist can apply sealants that will give your teeth and your kids teeth the extra protection needed to prevent cavities. These sealants will give teeth a smooth surface covering the pitted areas preventing tooth decay.

Dental sealants have been used since the 1970s and can last for years. Your dentist can provide you and your children with tooth sealants that can help prevent tooth decay.

After Dr. Randall W. Szutz cleans the surface of your teeth he will make sure that the area is washed and dried. After an acidic solution is placed on the chewing surface, it is rinsed off. This acidic solution causes the surface of the tooth to become rough enabling your Dentist in Rancho Mirage to attach the dental sealant to each tooth. Country Club Dentistry will then dry the sealant until it becomes a hardened plastic like coating.

Your Rancho Mirage Dentist can provide you and your family with dental sealants that are proven effective in the fight against tooth decay. Each sealant application only takes a few minutes and can hold up to normal chewing.

If you would like more information about dental sealants, schedule an appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist. Fighting tooth decay has never been easier thanks to Dr.Randal W. Szutz and the professional team from Country Club Dentistry.