Keeping your smile as healthy as possible takes motivation. It can be hard to keep up great habits like brushing and flossing every day, especially when life gets busy and you don’t feel like you have the time (or the energy). The more you know about your oral health, the easier it is to stick to a great oral health routine. At Imagine Dental, it’s our mission to empower our patients to take great care of their teeth. And oral health education is a key part of our mission to be the best dentists in Phoenix and Ahwatukee!
1. Teeth Are Not Bones
Most people think teeth are bones, but they’re not! In fact, they’re not even counted as part of the human skeleton. There are a few key differences between teeth and bones.
Bones are made of a different mix of materials than teeth. Specifically, bones are made mostly of collagen, which allows them to stay slightly flexible. They also have living cells that allow them to repair themselves after being broken or damaged.
Teeth are mostly made of hydroxyapatite, which is the hardest substance in the body. While it’s incredibly durable, it isn’t alive in the same way as bone tissue. This means that teeth can’t heal after being damaged or broken.
That’s why it’s so important to prevent damage and tooth decay before it starts by keeping up with great home care habits and regular dental cleanings. However, if your teeth do get damaged, we’re here to help!
2. Brushing Leaves 20% of a Tooth’s Surface Dirty
We get it. Flossing can feel like a real pain. But brushing alone leaves two out of the five surfaces of each tooth untouched. The surfaces between the teeth are also sheltered from the movements of the tongue, lips, and cheeks, and don’t get scraped when you chew rough or crunchy foods.
This allows heavy plaque to build up. It also gives bacteria morsels of trapped food to snack on. Without regular exposure to oxygen, these surfaces are the perfect environment for anaerobic bacteria, which are the type that can do more damage like causing gum disease and cavities, not to mention bad breath!
Fortunately, flossing or using a water flosser only takes about a minute or two! Cleaning well between your teeth once each day removes trapped food and mixes up plaque, exposing bacteria to oxygen and decreasing their numbers.
3. About 30% of US Adults Report Flossing Daily
As you can see, flossing is a critical part of maintaining good oral health. But surveys show that only about a third of adults in the US report flossing daily!
The numbers break down like this:
- 30% of Americans floss at least once daily
- 37% floss occasionally but not daily
- 32% never floss
If you’re not a flosser, you’re not alone. But it’s never too late to add yourself to the ⅓ of people who can proudly say yes when their dentist asks if they’ve been flossing! (And if you’re not confident in the technique, talk to us at your next dental visit. We’re more than happy to help you practice or recommend alternatives that are easier for you.)
4. Tooth Decay Is the Most Common Chronic Childhood Disease
When you think of chronic childhood illnesses, you may think of issues like asthma or allergies. But research shows that cavities are the most common chronic illness in children.
- About one in five children between 5-11 years old has at least one untreated cavity.
- Dental problems like cavities lead to an estimated 34 million hours of missed school every year.
- Fluoride in tap water cuts tooth decay risks by about 25%.
- About 44% of Arizonans do not receive fluoridated tap water, although some areas get naturally occurring fluoride in groundwater.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to decrease your child’s cavity risk! Brushing their teeth twice every day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once per day, and keeping up with regular dental visits are effective ways to prevent cavities.
And if cavities do happen, don’t worry! Our team provides comfortable, stress-free fillings in Phoenix and Ahwatukee for patients of all ages.
5. Root Canal Treatments Have Been Around Since Neanderthal Times
Some dental problems need more than a filling. If you have a badly broken tooth or severe decay, you may need a root canal treatment. We understand how scary that can sound, but root canal therapy has been an effective way to treat infected teeth for a long time. Much longer than many people think!
Recently, archaeologists found Neanderthal remains in Russia that include a molar tooth with a root canal treatment. Evidence suggests that a cave-dentist carefully drilled the tooth with a sharp stone tool and then probably packed it with material like pine pitch or beeswax.
Fortunately, modern-day dentists have improved the process considerably, so if you need a root canal in Arizona, the process will be quick, comfortable, and predictable!
Have a Question for a Dentist in Phoenix or Ahwatukee? Ask Our Team!
At Imagine Dental, we believe there are no bad questions when it comes to your oral health. If you want to learn more about your teeth or what you could be doing to keep your family’s smiles as healthy as possible, give us a call! We’ll be happy to address any concerns and answer your questions at your next visit.
