Did You Know?

Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth approximately seven hundred times a year. Over this time, the small amounts of toothpaste that you swallow are going to add up. With this in mind, it can be important to be mindful of the harmful substances that might be hiding in your paste. Here is a list of the common ingredients you might want to look out for:

• Blue Dye No. 2: It is believed that this artificial color may be related to learning and behavioral issues, as well as some allergies.
• Triclosan: The effects of this substance are not fully understood, but the Environmental Protection Agency says that more research is required.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: This chemical is aggravating to the skin and delicate gum tissues, bringing about irritation and canker sores.
• Hydrated Silica: A common abrasive, too much hydrated silica can wear down your enamel.

If you need help choosing a good toothpaste for your needs, consult our Federal Way dentistry clinic.

There are five different types of tooth in your mouth, each one of which has a special job.

• Incisors: These are the eight teeth at the very front of your mouth. Flat and scissor-like, these teeth are used to bite off pieces of your food.
• Canines: You have four of these teeth. They are your “fangs”, the sharpest teeth in your set. It is their job to rip and tear, making them instrumental for eating meat and similarly tough foods.
• Premolars: Also known as bicuspids, there are four of these teeth in your mouth. They serve to chew and grind your food.
• Molars: Similar to the premolars, the molars are responsible for chewing and grinding. They are bigger than your premolars, and do more of the work.
• Third Molars: These are the wisdom teeth. You may have anywhere from zero to four of these. They can serve the same function as your molars, but they frequently need to be removed so that they don’t overcrowd your other teeth.

You can talk to our Federal Way dentistry clinic to learn more about your teeth and how to properly care for them.

Chronic dental pain can agony, and many people are willing to try anything to find relief. One alternative option that many people will explore is magnet therapy. Under this practice, powerful magnets are worn in key places to dull pain and promote healing. But is the science sound, or is it just another dose of snake oil?

The unfortunate truth is that it is difficult to say just how much magnets have to offer. It isn’t entirely absurd to think that magnets may be able to affect your health, as magnetic fields run through the body. However, some of the claims made by magnet therapists don’t hold up to scrutiny. It is claimed by some that the magnets act upon the iron in your blood, but this iron is not in a state where it will react to magnetism.

If you are struggling with dental pain, talk to our Federal Way dentistry clinic.

You will periodically get something stuck between your teeth that is more difficult to clean out than the average bit of broccoli or corn husk. It’s a particular problem for people who have large gaps between some of their teeth. This is generally a very simple dental problem to overcome, but it is important that you do it right if you want to keep it from leading to more significant problems.

The mistake that people will often make is trying to dislodge a stuck item with a sharp object. Such objects can frequently do more harm than good. Not only do you risk irritating your delicate gum tissues, but you are also likely to scratch away some of your thin tooth enamel. If you have a stubborn item stuck between your teeth that you can’t extract with ordinary floss, it may be necessary to call our Federal Way dentistry office.

If you suffer from asthma, you should put special focus on your oral health. This condition leaves you significantly more susceptible to tooth decay, mostly due to its tendency to cause your mouth to dry out. Many people with asthma will get in the habit of breathing through the mouth, and the asthma medication they take often dries out your mouth all the more. Because saliva plays a valuable role in cleaning your teeth and gums of harmful microbes, a dry mouth encourages infections and decay.

Be sure to tell our Federal Way dentistry clinic if you suffer from asthma, particularly if you also experience dental anxiety. If we know about your difficulties, we can take special measures to keep you more comfortable and prevent an asthma attack during your dental visits.