How Do I Care for My Clear Aligners?

Posted on by Derek DetorDesign

With a little maintenance, it’s easy to keep your clear aligners looking like new.

Invisalign and Clear Correct are just a few of the brand names of clear aligners on the market today. Depending on the treatment needed, they can be a great alternative to traditional orthodontics.

Most treatment plans have patients wear one set of trays for several weeks and then move on to the next until the treatment phase is over. But you still need to take proper care of your trays for your treatment to be effective and prevent damage to your teeth and gums.

Here are some tips for keeping your clear aligners looking good and your mouth healthy:

1. Rinse Your Trays – Clear Aligners are designed to be worn for around 22 hours a day, taken out only to clean your teeth and eat. Rinsing out your trays every time you remove them helps keep them wet and prevents plaque and saliva from drying on the trays, which can cause them to become stained and discolored and a breeding ground for bacteria.

2. Don’t Scrub with Toothpaste – The abrasive nature of toothpaste can scratch your clear aligners. One of the best ways to clean them is with a soft toothbrush and a small dab of liquid soap. Brush gently and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water before putting the trays back in your mouth.

3. Give Your Trays a Bath – Once a day, ideally while you’re eating, soak your trays in a special rinse designed for clear aligners for about 30 minutes. This will help kill bacteria on your trays. Never wash them in mouthwash or hot water, as they can damage and discolor your trays.

5. Brush and Floss After Each Meal – Brushing after meals, in addition to every morning and night, removes food particles that might otherwise get stuck between your teeth and the aligner and cause tooth decay and unpleasant odors.

 

6. Water Only While Wearing Clear Aligners – While wearing your trays, the only thing you should drink is water. Food and drink can get trapped between your trays and your teeth. The trays also aren’t built to withstand chewing forces and might crack under pressure.

7. Keep a Kit with You – Who wants to turn down a spontaneous day trip or impromptu lunch out with friends? No one! Put a kit together that includes an extra case for your aligners, a toothbrush, travel size toothpaste, floss, and keep it in your book bag, car, or purse.

By following these simple steps, plus any advice from your dental team, you can keep your mouth healthy and your trays sparkling clean from their first day to their last.

 

Scientists Prove Human Ancestors Drank Milk

Posted on by Derek DetorDesign

Scientists have spent decades studying ancient paintings on cave walls that depict animals being milked in an attempt to find evidence of dairy consumption. They have even found traces of dairy fat in pots. But scientists have never been able to determine if one specific human ate or drank dairy until now.

Modern technology has recently allowed archaeologists to test ancient remains for proteins specific to milk, and they can even tell you which animal the milk came from!

But how? You guessed it. By their teeth! Archaeologists have removed hardened dental plaque, called calculus, from our ancestors’ teeth and test it for these proteins. Fortunately for us, many ancient people didn’t brush their teeth. Unfortunately for our ancient ancestors, the lack of proper oral care coupled with the sugars naturally present in dairy probably meant a lot of tooth decay and pain. Over time, plaque built up on their teeth and hardened into calculus, locking in the dairy proteins and preserving them for us to find six thousand years later.

A study done at a gravesite in Sudan revealed that goat milk was being ingested over 4,000 years ago. Other studies in Africa have shown that sheep’s milk was also consumed, while evidence in Europe suggests our ancient ancestors also farmed cows.

This discovery doesn’t just prove that ancient humans drank milk from animals. It also provides a glimpse into the development of farming and dairying as humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to a more agricultural society.

 

Studying the evolution of lactose tolerance, scientifically called lactase persistence, we can see how cultural development and genetic adaptations can evolve together.

Generally speaking, the ability to digest dairy disappears as humans approach adulthood. Lactase is the enzyme responsible for allowing the body to digest milk fully. Without it, we show symptoms of lactose intolerance: nausea, bloating, and stomach cramps, to name a few.

However, some populations have developed a genetic mutation called lactase persistence, allowing adults to keep digesting dairy into adulthood. There is one primary mutation in Europeans, but in different populations throughout Africa, there are as many as four! Why? How were ancient Africans able to keep drinking milk when their bodies stopped producing lactase? Scientists now think that ancient African cultures learned that by fermenting milk and creating yogurt, they could eat dairy without the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Little did they know that by fermenting the milk, they were naturally reducing the lactase present, making it easier to digest.

These studies provide a glimpse into not only the history of dairy farming and the evolution of the agricultural society, but it gives insight into the determination of the human spirit, both culturally and genetically, to adapt to a changing environment.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Smiles Depend on Healthy Gums

Posted on by Derek DetorDesign

Gums hold your smile in place, keep them healthy with a few simple steps!

Your oral health goes beyond just teeth. Gums play a big part in a healthy and beautiful smile. They help protect your teeth and the underlying bone from harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Think of your teeth as a fence post and your gums as the ground surrounding the post. In order for that post to stay securely in place, it needs to be placed deep in the ground and have dirt firmly surround it. If the dirt starts to become misplaced or loosed the fence post loses stability. If enough of the dirt becomes dislodged, the fence post will fall. It doesn’t matter how strong the post is, it needs support just like your teeth!

Almost half of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Some people are genetically more susceptible to gum disease, but it is also caused by plaque buildup from poor brushing and flossing habits. Plaque buildup can cause the gums to get infected and damage the soft tissue. If gum disease is not stopped, it can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Gum disease is preventable and the progression can be stopped if you already have the condition. Follow these easy tips to keep your gums healthy!

Tips for Healthy Gums:

Floss Daily: Flossing protects not only your teeth but also your gums! Flossing removes plaque and food that can’t be reached by a toothbrush. This can help prevent gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. It is best to floss at night so food particles don’t stay on your teeth all night.

Keep up on your Routine Dental Cleanings and Exams: Dentists are trained to detect early signs of gum disease. If you go to your dentist regularly they are more likely to be able to catch signs of gum disease early and treat it before it causes serious damage.

Professional cleanings are also the only way you can remove tartar. Tartar leads not only to tooth decay but also gum disease. Your hygienist is trained to remove this tartar to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Brush your Teeth Twice a Day: Brushing your teeth helps remove food and plaque on your teeth and gums. You should be brushing your teeth, gum line, and tongue to adequately remove bacteria. Make sure you are brushing your teeth for a full two minutes, twice a day. The average person only brushes their teeth for 48 seconds at a time, so make sure you set a timer to get the full two minutes in.

If you are looking for a deeper clean, you may want to consider investing in an electric toothbrush. These are able to reduce plaque and gingivitis more effectively than a manual toothbrush. They even have built-in timers to ensure you brush your teeth for the correct amount of time.

Use a Mouthwash: Regular mouthwash use can help prevent gum disease, slow tartar buildup, reduce the amount of plaque on teeth, and remove food particles that were missed during brushing and flossing. It can also help prevent inflamed and bleeding gums by reducing the number of bacteria in your mouth. Look for mouthwashes that contain fluoride or have the ADA seal to get the most benefit.

Healthy teeth rely on healthy gums to keep them in place. Take care of your gums to maintain a beautiful, functional smile that lasts a lifetime!