When Whitening...

Everybody wants to look great, and we all want to feel great about the way we look.  People notice our teeth, and nowadays, we want our teeth to look white.  White teeth make us look younger, healthier, and more vibrant.  Did you know that you can over-whiten your teeth?  A good rule of thumb to make your teeth white and still natural-looking is to compare the whites of your eyes with your teeth.  If your teeth are whiter, especially if you notice a blue hue to your teeth, then they may not look natural.  Another thing to remember is that crowns and fillings and veneers don't transmit light the same way that natural teeth do, so your teeth may be different hues in different lighting:  teeth look different on a sunny day as compared to the inside of your home.  Keep in mind that the best way to keep your teeth looking good is to take care of them, including seeing your dentist regularly for prevention and cleaning the spots you may not be reaching when you clean your own teeth.

Camping!

Noah, age 3, thinking about making a run for it! ~2009

My family and I are trying to catch some of the last cold weather this weekend before the baking heat rolls into Arizona.  Having camped all through my childhood, I grew to love being outdoors away from comforts of the city, but enveloped by the beautiful Arizona wilderness.  Many Arizonans know what I'm talking about, and our state has a wide variety to enjoy.  In particular, my children love the campfire food and are engrossed by the pine trees in Northern Arizona.  It's rejuvenating to our spirits, I think, to live for a day or two close to nature.  It can help us take stock of our lives and be grateful for small blessings, like running water or mattresses.  Should you find yourself out and about, remember to care for your teeth.  The great thing about a toothbrush and toothpaste is that it is portable.

Electric!

There is nothing wrong with using a manual toothbrush.  We recommend brushing your teeth for 2 minutes to ensure sufficient time to remove plaque and give the fluoride time to remineralize your teeth.  Also, we need to use circular, light motions to make the most of the time we spend brushing.  If either of these two requirements is difficult to achieve, we recommend getting an electric toothbrush.  The price ranges from $6 to over $200, and even the least expensive can give some benefit in doing more brushing work within the period of time you brush.  Just remember to still brush lightly, as the mechanical action of electric toothbrushes increases the chances of doing damage to your teeth or gums. (See previous post 'Ye Olde Washboarde')  If you have questions about what electric toothbrush to buy, talk to your oral health doctor about the options. (Originally posted Feb 2012)