Disposable

Positives

•  Disposable toothbrushes generally only cost a few dollars and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.
• A disposable brush with soft bristles allows you to brush your teeth as vigorously as you like without irritating your gums or damaging the enamel on your teeth.
• With the wide variety of disposable toothbrushes on the market, you can be sure to find one that works for you. A good toothbrush should have a head small enough to fit easily inside of your mouth, while being large enough to cover more than one tooth during each brushing motion.

Negatives

•  Disposable brushes wear out quickly depending on how frequently and how aggressively you brush, and need replacing every three months.
• A disposable brush also requires you to put all of the effort into cleaning your teeth, necessitating the need for you to be thorough and detail orientated while brushing.

Electric

Positives

•  Studies have shown electric toothbrushes with rotating oscillation heads work more effectively than a manual toothbrush at removing plaque.
• Electric toothbrushes don’t require the user to do all of the work while brushing. This can be especially helpful to individuals who suffer from arthritis or a lack of mobility with their hands.
• Once you make the investment on an electric toothbrush, you only need to replace the head of the brush instead of the entire brush once the bristles become worn and frayed.

Negatives

•  A quality electric brush can cost significantly more money than a disposable brush.
• Some people don’t like using electric brushes because their familiarity with disposable brushes makes using an electric brush strange and unwelcome.
• Electric brushes require charging or fresh batteries in order to work.

Conclusion

Using the proper technique while regularly brushing will keep your teeth healthy and strong regardless of which type of brush you use. If you are content with using the type of brush you have, then switching make little sense. However, if you want to spend a little more money, an electric brush can provide a little extra when cleaning your teeth.

Gear to dominate the Vineman

Dr. Conklin competed in the Vineman Ironman 70.3 triathlon on July 17^th, 2011, swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles. This incredible accomplishment took him 13 hours and 18 minutes – better than he expected!

“I’m really happy with my overall time,” said Dr. Conklin. “I improved on my previous time by 25 minutes.”

The Vineman Ironman 70.3 is one of the most competitive and popular triathlons worldwide, held each year in Sonoma County, California. In the heart of wine country, the course itself passes through hundreds of vineyards in the Russian River Region, Chalk Hill, the Dry Creek Valley, and the Alexander Valley.

Dr. Conklin and two friends spent 10 months training for the Vineman Ironman 70.3 triathlon, alternating between swimming, running, and biking workouts that gradually increased in length as they trained. To prepare his endurance, Dr. Conklin went on several 100 mile bike rides, finishing up with running before as part of his training.

Clearly, Dr. Conklin enjoyed the challenge. “It was worth all the work and the three black toenails,” he said.

• Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.
• Toothbrushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
• Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

• Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
• Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
• Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
• Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health. These include:

• Medical history review: Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your overall health and also your dental health.
• Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
• Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
• Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
• Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
• Teeth polishing: Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during toothbrushing and scaling.
• Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
• Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.

As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.