Jeff L. Rodgers, DMD

Happy Halloween!

There are over 100 million bacteria in one drop of saliva!

Recent research found that chewing sugar-free gum after your meal can encourage the production of saliva, remove food particles, protect your teeth from decay, and give you minty-fresh breath. So, don’t hesitate to opt for a stick or two until you can get to your oral hygiene routine!

Before the invention of toothpaste, people used charcoal, chalk, ashes, honey, and lemon juice to clean their teeth!

Brushing twice a day does wonders for your oral health, but alone it only cleans about 60% of your teeth. To clean the remaining 40% of plaque and tartar, you should floss daily! That way, you can effectively clean the areas of your mouth that the bristles cannot reach.

A New Orleans dentist introduced the concept of flossing in 1815 when he offered patients a strand of silk thread to clean between their teeth. By 1882, factories were producing unwaxed, silk dental floss for mass use.

Amid the current pandemic, our lives have changed in more ways than one. However, clenching your teeth, poor sleep, and frequent snacking with no trips to the dentist in sight can wreak havoc on your teeth. So, make sure to implement a solid daily oral care routine at home and speak to your dentist about how you can safely attend your biannual visit.

Did you know a 32-ounce sports drink contains between 14 and 19 teaspoons of sugar? That’s roughly six times the recommended amount for kids and teens! To protect your child’s oral health and keep them hydrated, opt for water instead.

Your tongue takes up a large amount of real estate in your mouth, so it is important not to neglect it! To keep it clean and bacteria-free, use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean it from front to back during your oral hygiene routine.

Coconuts are known as a natural anti-bacterial food that can help boost your oral health by limiting the accumulation of harmful oral bacteria.

Cavities, also known as tooth decay, is considered one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, which is why daily brushing and twice a year dental visits are so important!

People who use tobacco are between two and seven times more likely to develop gum disease due to their habit.

Never pick up a knocked-out tooth by the root. If the root becomes damaged, it might hurt the chances of successful reimplantation. Only touch the side normally used for chewing.