Does Brushing After Sweets Help Prevent Cavities?

Surprisingly, the answer to that is no! To have a cavity one requires a tooth, some of the right kind of bacteria concentrated in an area where they can create and harbor acid on the tooth, sugar that the bacteria will eat and convert to acid, and some time for the acids to dissolve calcium out of the tooth enamel to make a hole.

So you see, if sometime during the day you cleaned all the bacteria off your teeth so they are not there to create any acid, then the sugar has no affect on the teeth. Also note: If bacteria have been successfully cleaned off the teeth, then it will take 24 hours for those bacteria to multiply and aggregate adequately to create and concentrate acid in a sheltered place on the tooth. In other words, your teeth are safe for 24 hours.

So THE TRICK here is to know how to effectively clean your teeth once each day to make them safe. Check our web site regarding disclosing solution as a tool to teach yourself effective tooth cleaning, and as a tool to monitor yourself periodically to verify you are still keeping your teeth safe.

Now here is an interesting taboo. DO NOT brush your teeth immediately after drinking any beverages (other than water or milk). Check in with us next week to learn why brushing your teeth immediately after drinking nearly all prepared beverages can do serious harm to your teeth.

In the mean time teach yourself to be a superb once a day effective tooth cleaner. And it makes absolutely no difference when during the day you do this cleaning.

Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons

Contagious Cavities?

Most people recognize that cavity problems seem to run in families. Most people also shrug and say "I have soft teeth, it runs in the family," as if they cannot do anything about it. That is wrong. Research has never demonstrated soft teeth. Research has definitely demonstrated the bacteria that cause cavities are contagious and we usually get ours from our caretakers when we are infants and first growing teeth.

If a family has aggressive cavity causing bacteria, they are typically traded to the infant at those cuddly slobbery spoon sharing times. But, please do not stop being cuddling nurturing parents. There is another way! The contagious disease is dose dependent. Research has shown that cleaning up mom and dad's oral health before baby is born, or at least before infant teeth show up, is an excellent way to reduce bacterial count and improve outcomes for baby. By the way, this includes improving odds for full-term pregnancy.
A good way to start would be a dental checkup. However, by "cleaning up oral health" I don't mean necessarily getting those expensive cavities filled, though that obviously helps too. Immediate and inexpensive, or even free things people can do are:

1. Become a truly effective tooth brusher. 

Use disclosing tools (tablets, solutions, or kitchen food color) to show you the bacteria. Then teach yourself how to thoroughly clean your teeth. Check yourself every couple weeks until you are confident you have figured it out. Most people find they can thoroughly clean their teeth in about half the time they used to.

How Long should you brush your teeth?

How Long Should You Brush?


Brush until they are clean. Most people try to brush for 2 minutes twice a day. Time is not the answer.

People who have taught themselves to be effective tooth brushers can get the job done in one minute. If you are brushing the way you have always brushed since a child, some places get clean and some don’t.

More times per day and more minutes per brushing just gets the clean spots cleaner and the not clean spots are still not clean!

Teach yourself to be an effective brusher (see "disclosing bacteria) and get the job done in one minute per day!

 Be sure to ask us to evaluate your effectiveness when you are in the office. Call us at 1-530-878-2357 or visit our web page. www.winningwithsmiles.com


Scott Thompson, DDS

Tooth Brush and Spit – DON’T Rinse

Since 1999, when John Featherstone PhD published his new data on the mechanisms of Fluoride in oral fluoride mouth rinse after brushing for the express purpose of leaving fluoride on their teeth.  The same concept can be accomplished by merely leaving the residual toothpaste on your teeth.

health, I and many prevention oriented colleagues have promoted the concept that one should not rinse after brushing one’s teeth.  Just spit the excess foam out and leave the residual toothpaste on your teeth.  After all, don’t we tell you the same after your dental appointment where we give you a fluoride application and tell you not to eat or rinse for 30 minutes?  Many folks will use a

If you like to rinse with a mouthwash for other than a fluoride based reason, then I would recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after brushing if you are going to use a non-fluoride mouth rinse.

2 Minutes 2 Times

Brush your child's teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day!

As I have told you in previous blogs, doing fillings and crowns on teeth does not improve oral health or dental health. Effective prevention of dental disease requires a little simple education of the patient and the desire to have healthy, cavity free beautiful smiles. With that in mind the California Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentists and 12 other organizations have started a nationwide educational program designed to help patients improve their own oral health and prevent cavities.


2min2x.org is the website it will originate from and where you can find all the information needed to create oral health for you and your children. It includes great videos to educate, entertain and motivate your children to want and achieve good oral health.  Check it out!

Winning With Smiles - Pediatric Dentistry
Meadow Vista, California 95722

How Often to Brush and Floss?

How Often to Brush and Floss?

If a person is cleaning their teeth effectively (see "Finding Hidden  Bacteria in Your Mouth" and "Why Are You Flossing?") then the teeth and gums are safe until the bacteria return, organize their bio-environment and begin causing damage.

Studies indicate it takes 24 hours or a little longer depending on mouth chemistry and diet.

So effectively cleaned teeth are safe for one full day. Most people will brush more than once per day because they are concerned about food particles showing in their smile and about food particles on teeth creating bad breath.

So most people will brush a couple times daily after meals. For "healthy" teeth, however, one "effective tooth cleaning" each day is enough for excellent oral health.

Scott Thompson,DDS

530-878-2357

What is a Cavity?

A cavity is a hole in the tooth. It is the end result of a contagious disease caused by bacteria. If these bacteria are allowed to live on the teeth (inadequate brushing and flossing) and we feed these bacteria sugars (juice, sodas, sweet teas, sweet coffees, pastries, candies, etc.) the acids they "poop" from their metabolism will dissolve holes in the teeth.

A filling or crown cleans the hole and fills it to support the damaged tooth, but DOES NOTHING TO STOP THE DISEASE.

If home care and diet is not resisting and removing the bacteria, the disease continues and new holes develop. They destroy that expensive dental work, make holes in new areas, and eventually destroy the teeth.

Learn how to "see" those bacteria and teach yourself to be an effective tooth brusher (see "Finding Hidden  Bacteria in Your Mouth" in these note files).

Scott Thompson,DDS

530-878-2357

Flossing your Teeth is Critical...for kids and parents!

Cavities between the teeth are slow, insidious and begin showing up between age 3 and 5 years old. They account for 90% of cavities that I see; the majority of them happening between 5 and 9 years old. I cannot apply preventive sealants between teeth. Tooth brushing will not clean between the teeth.  Flossing will, however, and will help protect those areas. Since brushing will not help prevent these cavities, lets make flossing easy and bring it up high in the parent priority list, higher than brushing.


Floss anywhere. At evening story time on the couch, they can lay with head on your lap, looking up with mouth open wide. It is easy to see in that mouth and the head is supported, making the job quick, easy and comfortable for the younger kids. It is part of snuggle time.

When my kids were 6 years old they were OK though not yet great brushers. Since flossing was the real important issue, I chose to let them brush and bring me a piece of floss afterward. They handed me the floss, turned their back to me and tipped their head way back against my stomach. Mouth is wide open, easy to see, took 10 – 15 seconds of my time, and if their brushing job was really poor I saw it and sent them back. They soon improved their brushing to avoid being sent back. By about 10 they were doing their own flossing.

Set up their flossers. Many kids want to floss themselves and can’t get the floss wound on the flossing handle tightly enough. So the flossing goes undone or severely lacking. How about winding up 7 days worth for them to have in their bathroom? Ask us for more handles if you want them. They are inexpensive and we would love to give you what you need.

There are pre-strung single use flossers in the stores which I caution against. Floss-Picks and Wild-Flossers and such are attractive, but the little piece of floss is limp and the handle is flexible. Caution: Kids get very independent minded and insist on flossing themselves. Many haven’t developed adequate hand skills yet.  They go through the motions with the limp floss that does not get between the teeth and are rudely surprised later when cavities show up.  It is too late then, when we point out to the parents that the children have not been using the floss effectively.

Dental Necessities for Your Child - Birth and up

Here's a list of dental care necessities from birth on up:

• Baby Teeth Cleaning: Baby teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt. Clean your baby's teeth with a soft washcloth or gauze after every bottle or meal. When molars erupt, use a small child-sized (age-appropriate) toothbrush with warm water to brush your baby's teeth, as instructed by your dentist.
  
  At age two begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.  In select special circumstances your dentist may recommend fluoride toothpaste younger than age two.   Encourage your children with a daily brushing habit.  Help them “finish the job until their hand skills develop adequately (Age 6 or more).   Replace toothbrushes every two to three months.
  
  Children taking regular medications need extra attention including brushing after taking the medicine.  Ask your dentist regarding the specifics.
• First Dental Visit:   It is important that your child see a dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene and professional dental cleaning plan.
• Dental Sealant Application:   Dental Sealants are used to protect teeth from decay and are appropriate as soon as permanent molar teeth erupt.
• Fluoride Treatments:  Check with your dentist and water authority about the need for fluoride treatments.  Fluoride is a major component in the prevention of childhood dental caries.  This is because fluoride alters the molecular structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to acid attack and decay.
  
  However, children require the right balance of fluoride treatment. Too much fluoride could be problematic and lead to fluorosis.
• Dental Flossing: Parent-assisted dental flossing should commence when two teeth erupt next to each other, especially the molars at age 2 1/2.  Independent flossing should occur when children have the ability to do it on their own (often by eight years of age).
• Mouth Washing: Mouth washing is recommended by age six if your dentist deems there are special preventive needs.  Mouthwashes not containing alcohol are fine for anyone age 6 and older who can rinse without swallowing the mouthwash.
• Orthodontics: may be appropriate by seven years of age.

Keep in mind that these age ranges are estimates only; you should follow your dentist's recommendations.

One of the gifts parents can give their child is a start at good dental health as well as a healthy relationship with the dentist.