After a recent cleaning at A Perfect Smile my hygienist recommended to me the Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000!  It sounds like a lot but if you like the feeling of having your teeth cleaned professionally this is definitely as close as you can get!   Today’s blog post will be a  review of the Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 as well as the top 5 reasons why you should own one as well!

The Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 comes equipped with all of the bells and whistles you will need to keep your pearly whites clean all year long.  It has a “state of the art ergonomic design”, multiple brush heads (Oral-B FlossAction and Oral-B Pro White,) portable charger, travel toothbrush case, charging station, SmartGuide, and rechargeable battery are all apart of the package making it easy to travel with.

Don’t let the instructional DVD and 10 page manual for this toothbrush intimidate you.  Total this toothbrush brand new out of the box takes less then two or three minutes to set up.  Once the batter is charged its time to give it a try.  A wireless SmartGuide helps to maximize your brushing performance by displaying a timer and a guide to help you brush the different quadrants of your mouth effectively; its recommended you spend 30 seconds on each quadrant for a total of 2 minutes of brushing.  Every 30 seconds you will feel a pulse indicating that you are supposed to change quadrants.  The power of this toothbrush is so amazing that there is no way plaque will remain on your teeth once you have finished brushing.  With over 40,000 pulsations and 8,800 oscillations per minute you will feel like you just stepped out of the dentist’s office every time you brush your teeth!

I promised you 5 reason to use this toothbrush and here they are!

1.) Removes up to 99.7 of plaque from those hard to reach areas of your teeth (even deep between your teeth!)

2.) 5 different brushing modes: daily clean, sensitive, whitening, massage and deep clean

3.) Portable Charger and Plastic Travel Case.

4.) 40,000 pulsations and 8,800 oscillations per minute.  Thats a lot of power!

5.) The clean feeling you get after using the Oral-b Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 feels like you just had a professional cleaning.

I love my new tooth brush and encourage you to give it a try!

- Michael Papi

What toothbrush do you use? Tell us in the comments!

Since the back of the mouth is one of the most important areas to keep clean, you may want to consider using a tongue depressor to keep your tongue down or a tongue cleaner to lengthen your toothbrush for hard to reach areas. Closing your mouth halfway can also help you get behind your back molars or wisdom teeth with a brush.

Can’t Brush the Backs of Your Teeth?
There are special tooth brushes available at A Perfect Smile to brush the back of your teeth with. Offered in a circular bristled design that is small enough to fit tight areas behind the teeth, these toothbrushes provide better access to the back of the teeth.

Do You Have Poor Hand Coordination?
Arthritis sufferers or those recovering from strokes or other conditions that affect hand coordination have found that inserting the back end of a toothbrush into a tennis ball can greatly help with grip and maneuverability.

Talk to your hygienist about other suggestions for enhancing your ability to care for your teeth and mouth. There may be specific tools and techniques that relate to your particular situation.

If you are having difficulty brushing, call A Perfect Smile, a Portland, Maine dental practice at 781-2448.

Tips for Sensitive Teeth

• The Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste: You’ll likely to be able to reduce tooth sensitivity by using a soft toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste.
• Consider Fluoride: You’ll probably benefit from a fluoride mouthwash, gel or varnish which help to remineralize and strengthen the teeth. There are also prescription strength fluoride toothpastes.
• See Your Dentist: Sensitive teeth may be a sign of tooth decay. So, it’s important to see your dentist about tooth sensitivity. Dentists also have in-office desensitizers and sealers that can be painted or sprayed on the teeth, offering an advanced method for managing sensitive teeth. Dentists can also perform bonding to protect tooth surfaces from sensitivity. You may also request prescription strength fluoride toothpaste. Regular professional hygiene appointments are highly advantageous for people with sensitive teeth.

If you would like to learn more about sensitive teeth, call Dr. Robert Nelson, a Portland, Maine cosmetic dentist at 207-781-2448

Here are some great questions to ask when you are making your decision:

• What training and credentials do you have in performing these procedures?
• Can I see photos and testimonials of some of your most recent cases?
• Which lab will you use for my case?
• What can you do to help me preview my results before and during my treatment?
• What can you do to help my treatment be conservative and last a long time?

I invite you to share your questions or experiences with me and here in the comments. If I, or my team at A Perfect Smile in Portland, Maine, can be of service to you or help you answer your questions, please email me at drnelson@maine.rr.com or call our office at 207-781-2448.

- Dr. Nelson

Teeth grinding can be costly from several perspectives. Because we are likely to experience ongoing pain from teeth grinding, bruxism is associated with chronic pain. This pain can affect our relationships, our social life and professional life. In addition, teeth grinders are more likely to experience tooth fractures or can wear teeth down to stumps. Bruxism also destroys tooth restorations and cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental veneers. Teeth grinders who do not receive treatment are at a higher risk for dental bridges, dental crowns, root canals, dental implants and dentures. When we consider all costs associated with teeth grinding, a preventative treatment plan becomes important.

Teeth Grinding Prevention

Mouth Guard: Dentists can custom design a mouth guard that fits to the size of your teeth as well as contours of your teeth and tooth restorations. Mouth guards protect your teeth, cosmetic dentistry and tooth restorations from damage due to grinding.
Oral Hygiene: Improper oral hygiene is a contributor to teeth grinding. Daily brushing and flossing is important for teeth grinders. Obtaining dental fillings, root canals, dental crowns and the like, when necessary, reduces the risk of teeth grinding. Proper alignment of your bite, also known as occlusion, helps to prevent teeth grinding.
Massage: Certain massage therapists can focus on areas of the jaw to relax the jaw muscles. Regular massage has been known to alleviate the pain associated with teeth grinding.
Stress Relief: Stress is a factor in teeth grinding. Cardiovascular exercise and weight training help to reduce stress.
Diet: Refrain from caffeine foods and drinks that contribute to teeth grinding. This includes soda, coffee and chocolate. Stay away from alcohol that makes grinding worse. Don’t chew gum as the chewing motion can be a trigger for grinding.

If you have questions about your smile or bruxism, please contact our office!

We will check for malocclusion in children during regular dental visits. If need be, we can recommend your family to an orthodontist for further examination. Many adult patients can treat their malocclusion with clear aligners instead of braces. Teeth tend to move forward as you age, even after treatment with braces. If you had or are planning to have braces to correct your malocclusion, make sure you commit to wearing your retainers.

If you have additional questions about malocclusion, please ask your hygienist at your next appointment.

Teeth whitening products work by using carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which get deep into your tooth enamel and break apart the staining compounds. Neither of these active ingredients will damage your enamel in the ratios used in whitening products today. In addition, professional whitening products go through a ton of clinical studies and are reviewed by the American Dental Association.

Some patients experience tooth sensitivity and gum irritation from whitening but these symptoms quickly subside. Fluoride can help with both of these symptoms as well as protect tooth enamel.

If you have questions about whitening your teeth, call our office at 207-781-2448.

Generally, flossing should not cause your gum to bleed. If it does, consider it an early sign of periodontal (gum) disease and get yourself to a hygienist.

Flossing is important. When you brush and skip flossing, you miss cleaning 35% of your teeth. The harmful bacteria that is left behind causes irritation and inflammation. If left untreated, the bacteria can get into your bloodstream or cause irreversible jaw bone damage.

So the short answer is “No”. Flossing does not make your gums bleed. Bacteria and infection does.

-Sarah

If you have any questions about flossing or your oral health, we are happy to answer them. Call our office at 207-781-2448!

How do I clean my invisible braces?

The “invisible” braces we offer our patients can be removed for brushing and flossing. The aligners do not need special cleaning treatment and the best part is you get a new set every 2 weeks. You may notice that dental plaque will accumulate on the aligners just as it does on your teeth. You can brush the aligners with a toothbrush or other small brush to remove this plaque and prevent staining.

If you want a “deeper cleaning”, you can also make a soaking solution by diluting hydrogen peroxide with water (equal parts). Hydrogen peroxide will help kill bacteria. If you have an old set of aligners, experiment using the new cleaner on them before you use it with your current set.

* Remember to use warm (not hot) water when cleaning your aligners so they do warp.

If you have other questions about your invisible braces treatment, feel free to call us at 781-2448!

Raisins may be sticky and sweet, but they’re not as bad for teeth as traditionally believed, according to a study in Pediatric Dentistry.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago report that eating bran flakes with raisins containing no added sugar does not promote more acid in dental plaque than eating bran flakes alone.

Like many other sugary snacks and foods, raisins and cereal can stick to your teeth and cause decay overtime. They will be less damaging to teeth if proper oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, is exercised so make sure you brush after breakfast!