Watch Out for Potentially Unsafe Toothpastes

In 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued consumer warnings against toothpastes coming from China and South Africa. The agency has identified these imported products over concerns that they contain a poisonous and potentially hazardous substance known as diethylene glycol (DEG), which is used in antifreeze. An advisory was also issued stating that these products are typically sold, at a lower price, at “bargain” stores and retail outlets.

While the ban on certain imported toothpastes was lifted, consumers should still exercise precaution in the purchase of these products. Accordingly, the FDA advises the public to look at the product’s label; if it contains DEG, do not use it.

The public should also look out for “gray market” toothpastes: counterfeit products marketed and sold under a particular brand name without the permission of the brand’s true manufacturer. These toothpastes are potentially dangerous since they may not contain the same ingredient quality as its original counterpart. Since its production and sale were not authorized, safe use cannot be assured.

To identify a counterfeit product, check the label for spelling errors, uneven spacing of markings or any signs of inconsistent labeling. Take note that genuine products are stamped with a seal of approval from the FDA.

In all cases, avoid toothpastes that don’t present “Drugs Facts” on their packaging. The FDA regulates the content of each toothpaste product. Accordingly, it is mandatory for manufacturers to list their ingredients. If no list appears on the label, it is mostly like coming from an illegal source.

For further information, consult Dr. Curtis W. Sandahl in Oxnard, California who is specialized in Restorative Dentistry, root canal treatment, dental bridge, dental crown and many more.

Dental Accidents (And What to Do If It Happens to You)

Have you noticed how most athletes (boxers, football players, etc.) wear mouthguards for every game? This protective gear helps prevent jaw and tooth injuries. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists highly recommends wearing one when engaging in physical sports like boxing, basketball, football, wrestling and other similar activities. Think of it as armor and a cushion for your teeth, protecting them from an incoming ball, another object or a person.

However, mouthguards are not your typical fashion accessory that you can always wear to school, the office or party. Unprotected, your teeth are at risk of injury at any moment notice. That could be broken, loosened or knocked out at the point of impact.

Accidents happen. But what you do afterward is what really matters. If you slip on the floor, fall off a bike or bump the wall and hit your mouth, chances are you could injure your jaw and teeth. Here are a couple of tips on dealing with the unfortunate event.

If your tooth broke,was chipped or loosened, put an ice pack on the injured area. Save the chipped tooth fragment for possible reattachment, or gently attempt to push a loosened tooth back into its socket, if feasible.

If you knocked out your tooth, seek professional help immediately Timely dental attention could greatly improve your tooth’s chances for reattachment. Still, you can attempt to restore it in its socket until professional help arrives. If not possible, place the tooth in your mouth (saliva helps), in a glass of milk or in sterile saline solution—but never in water.

Indulging in Healthy Foods for Better Dental Health

Feeding your kids can be difficult. They are usually picky with their food usually preferring junk food over the healthy food that they should be eating. Try bringing them to the grocery store and you’ll see them grabbing the sugary and starchy items instead of apples and oranges. This can be a disaster for children’s health; not to mention, their dental health.

You see, eating right is a huge factor in having a healthy set of teeth and bones particularly those foods containing calcium and other nutrients.

However, peer pressure, coming from friends and classmates, isn’t helping the cause of healthy eating. Picture this: You pack your child a healthy and delicious meal for lunch at school. But what your child sees peers eating can influence the way he or she eats. While your child takes a bite from an apple, the classmate is munching on junk food. Most likely, your child will drop the apple and feast on the classmate’s sugary food. What’s a parent to do?

Dr. Courtney Chinn, DDS, MPH, of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine acknowledges this predicament and stresses the fact that healthy food choices can have a significant effect on a child’s overall health, which includes the teeth and gums.

Dr. Chinn advises parents to keep kids away from snacks that stick to the teeth, which causes tooth decay and cavities. Sugary drinks should be minimized; milk and water are highly recommended. Stash only fruits and veggies at home so your child will be motivated to eat healthy foods only.

9 Simple Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

We’ve all seen, heard or read them many times before. Let’s sort things out once and for all. Here are nine simple ways to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

What You Need to Know about Enamel Microabrasion

There are a lot of factors that cause discoloration of our teeth. Take coffee, colas, and cigarettes, for instance. Their ingredients contain chemicals that stain the teeth. In fact, even fluoride, an active ingredient in toothpaste, can cause mottling and produce a white or brown stain on the teeth. To eliminate these unwanted teeth stains, most patients undergo a procedure known as enamel microabrasion.

Endodontic Treatment: Saving One Tooth at a Time

If a patient experiences tooth pain over a long time period for no apparent reason, most dentists would likely attribute it to the tooth’s pulp. When the tooth becomes severely painful, has become very sensitive to changes in temperature or has an exposed tooth pulp, dentists generally recommend an endodontic treatment for the patient.

Endodontic Treatment on Baby Teeth

Dentists perform endodontic treatment for people who experience tooth pain due to severe sensitivity or exposed tooth pulp. This procedure can be performed both on permanent and baby teeth. And even though baby teeth will fall out eventually, dentists would still opt to fix them. After all, these baby teeth occupy the spaces that permanent teeth will replace once the former fall out. Otherwise, the neighboring teeth would occupy the space and block the growth of the permanent tooth, causing it to tilt out of place.