Tongue Talk: Facts About Your 8-Muscle Organ

How much do you know about your tongue? Sure, it’s important for speaking and for removing food stuck in between your teeth. However, this fascinating organ is one of the most important parts of your mouth. Here are some little-known facts about your tongue.

1. Your Tongue Has 8 Muscles

Your tongue is one of the most flexible parts of your body, thanks to the eight muscles it contains. However, the idea that it’s the strongest muscle in the body is just a myth. That honor belongs to the quads and glutes.

2. No Saliva, No Taste

Did you know that without saliva, the taste buds on your tongue couldn’t do their job? That’s right. Saliva is necessary to help flavors bind to the receptor molecules. Your tongue is also partially responsible for producing saliva, through the submandibular glands at its base.

3. Your Taste Buds Die and Are Replaced

The tongue can have as few as 2,000 or as many as 10,000 taste buds. However, they’re not permanent. Some of them die off every week and are replaced with new ones. They’re also located all over the tongue, and the idea that different areas of the tongue correspond to salty, sweet, sour, and bitter tastes is just a myth. Every part of the tongue can taste all tastes.

4. The Color of Your Tongue Says a Lot About Your Health

A normal, healthy tongue is pink. However, if your tongue is red, it’s a sign that you may be suffering from allergies or an infection. White patches on the tongue often indicate a fungal overgrowth, while blistering is usually a sign of an allergic reaction (blood pressure medicines can also cause your tongue to blister).

5. Your Tongue Is a Haven for Bacteria

If you look closely at your tongue, you’ll see that it’s covered by tiny bumps called papillae. That’s completely normal, but it also makes your tongue a perfect home for bacteria. The best way to deal with them is to brush your tongue whenever you brush your teeth. Note that a tongue that’s too smooth (missing a lot of papillae) is an indication that you’re deficient in folic acid.

6. You Can Store Fat in Your Tongue

Recent studies have shown that the tongue stores fat much like other parts of the body. This can lead to a larger-than-normal tongue and increase your risk of sleep apnea due to obstruction by the tongue.

The Amazing, Essential Tongue

Your tongue is one of the most important parts of your mouth, and yet it’s often overlooked when it comes to oral care. Vital for speaking, essential for tasting, and irreplaceable, the tongue deserves a little TLC.

You should brush your tongue twice a day, just like your teeth. You should also keep an eye on its color and texture for clues to other health conditions. Regular visits to your doctor will help ensure that you’re able to keep your tongue, teeth, and gums in good health.

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9 Things to Know about Cavities

For most people, a trip to the dentist might involve filling a cavity. These erosions in teeth are often painful and sometimes unsightly. But what are cavities? How do they form? What can you do to prevent them? Here are nine things you should know about cavities.

What Are They Called?

Cavities, caries, erosions – they all amount to the same thing – a hole in your teeth that may become painful and will grow larger if left untreated.

Are They Caused by Worms?

Many ancient cultures believed cavities were caused by worms that drank the “blood” of your teeth and ate the roots. While inaccurate, that’s not too far from the truth. Instead of a worm, bacteria cause cavities.

The 1-2-3 Combo

The bacteria that live in your mouth need a couple of things to thrive and cause cavities – a lack of frequent brushing, a diet rich in sugar and/or processed foods, and saliva.

More Veggies, Please

Bacteria love highly processed foods but cannot process whole foods (think broccoli, cauliflower, etc.). A diet rich in whole foods, particularly vegetables, can help you prevent cavities.

It’s All About the Acid

Bacteria don’t cause cavities directly. Instead, the acid produced when these microorganisms eat is responsible for eroding your tooth enamel. It’s a natural byproduct of consuming food debris in your mouth.

Remineralization Can Happen

If you give your teeth enough time and prevent bacteria from permanently colonizing the area, they’re capable of re-mineralizing damaged areas (before the damage becomes too severe). That’s what brushing and flossing do – they remove bacteria so that your teeth have time to heal.

Multiple Types

Did you know there was more than one type of cavity? The three most common are pit and fissure cavities, which tend to form on the tops of molars, smooth surface cavities, which form on the sides of teeth, and root cavities, which form just below the gum line.

Many Stages of Development

A cavity continues to grow the longer it’s left untreated. They begin as enamel cavities. Here, the hole only affects the enamel of the tooth – the outermost layer. Next, they progress to dentin cavities, where the hole erodes into the softer second layer of dentin.

Pulpitis is the next stage, where the cavity reaches the tooth pulp. This is the most painful stage and can lead to infection. Finally, the cavity results in periodontitis, which can result in bone infection and can usually only be treated by oral surgery.

How to Treat Cavities

In most cases, cavities are treated the same way. Your dentist will drill out the decayed part of the tooth and then replace the hole with a filling. In the past, fillings were often made from silver or gold, but porcelain and amalgam are more commonly used today.

Here’s to Your Oral Health

Cavities affect most people in the US at some point in their lives, but they’re not unavoidable. Regular brushing and flossing will help keep bacteria from building up and destroying your enamel. Regular visits to your dentist will also help keep your teeth clean and free of damage.

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Sudden Tooth Pain? Here’s What Might Be Causing It

Dental pain is some of the most intense you’ll ever experience. And when it appears suddenly, it can be very alarming. What might be causing your agony? Here are a few likely suspects.

Heat or Cold

Perhaps the most common reason for sudden tooth pain is worn tooth enamel and exposure to heat or cold. Did the pain appear shortly after eating or drinking something hot or cold? Was it a sharp flash of pain? Temperature sensitivity is a sign that you should make an appointment with your dentist to check for erosion.

Increased Sensitivity

Have you noticed that your teeth have become more sensitive? If that’s the case, you may have receding gums. Gum tissue surrounds and protects the roots of your teeth, and when it recedes, it exposes parts of the roots to the air, as well as to foods and liquids. Eventually, that can lead to infections and gum disease.

Cracked Tooth

It’s easy to spot cracked teeth most of the time, but sometimes hairline cracks form that are all but invisible. They can still lead to considerable dental pain, though. The good news is that your dentist has solutions for cracked teeth, including veneers and crowns.

Gum Infection

Almost half of all American adults suffer from some degree of gum disease. As gum disease escalates, it can make your teeth and gums more sensitive, particularly to hot or cold temperatures. That can include not just foods and beverages, but also outside air if you’re breathing through your mouth, such as while jogging or during other forms of exercise.

Your Toothpaste

Activated charcoal is everywhere today, including in many different toothpaste formulations. While charcoal can certainly help address mild staining, it also causes tooth sensitivity when used too frequently. If you’re fixed on using charcoal toothpaste, don’t overuse it.

Bleaching Products

Bleaching products are very popular today and can help you whiten your teeth by several shades right in your own home. However, they are not particularly gentle and can cause sudden sensitivity. If you stop using the whitening product, the sensitivity should go away.

Grinding Your Teeth or Clenching Your Jaws

Do you ever have to force yourself to relax your jaw and stop clenching your teeth? Does your dentist suspect that you grind your teeth at night? Both actions wear away at your enamel and can cause sensitivity. Wearing a mouthguard at night can help prevent grinding and clenching. You’ll find over-the-counter mouthguards, but your dentist may also be able to custom-make one to fit your mouth.

Lost Filling

One of the most common causes of sudden tooth pain is the loss of a filling. While fillings can last indefinitely, they can fall out, leaving the hole in your tooth open and exposing the interior of your tooth to temperature extremes that may cause sudden pain.

Experiencing unexplained sudden tooth pain? Your dentist can help. Make an appointment to have your teeth inspected as soon as possible to prevent additional damage.

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How Can You Tell If You Have a Cavity?

Cavities (dental erosion) are the most common oral health disease in the US. Most children will have at least one cavity and up to 30% of adults in the country have untreated cavities. Without proper care, cavities can grow and destroy teeth, as well as cause more serious issues, like bone infections. It’s important to have cavities treated as soon as possible, but how do you tell if you have one?

Temperature Sensitivity

One of the most common signs that you’ve got a cavity is sudden sensitivity to heat and cold in your mouth. If you take a gulp of cold water and experience a stabbing pain in your mouth, chances are good you have a cavity. The problem here is that when a cavity exposes the dentin layer of your teeth, the microscopic tunnels in the dentin make perfect channels for food and drink to stimulate the nerve inside the tooth.

Sugar Sensitivity

While temperature sensitivity is a common sign you might have a cavity, so is sensitivity to sugar in foods and drinks. In most cases, this will be a lingering discomfort that lasts for several minutes after eating or drinking something sugary and is caused by exposure of the dentin layer within a growing cavity.

Tooth Pain

There are few things as hard to deal with as a toothache, particularly when the pain becomes severe. Toothaches are prime signs that you’re dealing with an oral health problem, which is most likely a cavity. However, other issues can cause toothaches, so you must visit a dentist as soon as possible to have the situation diagnosed. Note that toothaches can be sudden, or they can grow slowly and continually. You may also experience pressure in the area when biting or chewing.

White Spots

In many cases, cavities begin as white spots on your teeth. Over time, they can darken, eventually becoming brown or even black. If you notice telltale staining, it’s important to visit your dentist to have the growing cavity treated.

A Visible Hole

If left untreated, a cavity will eventually form a visible hole or pit in your tooth. You may be able to see this when you look in a mirror and/or feel it with your tongue. However, not all cavities can be seen or felt. That’s particularly true if they form under the gumline or between teeth, which is why it’s so important to visit your dentist every six months.

Prevent Cavities with Good Oral Care and Regular Dentist Visits

While cavities can be painful and lead to major oral health problems, the good news is that they’re preventable. Brushing after meals and flossing every night can help prevent plaque build-up that leads to cavities.

Avoid sugary drinks and foods, and make sure to drink plenty of water to dilute the acid that causes cavities in the first place. Combine that with regular dentist visits and you have a good chance of not experiencing another cavity.

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Does Chewing Gum Hurt or Help Your Teeth?

Gum has been around for thousands of years in various forms. Today, there are plenty of myths and facts about whether it’s good or bad for you. We’re here to lay the claims to rest and give you the information you’ve been looking for.

Gum originally came from the sap of spruce or chicle trees. People chewed it for the same reasons they chew gum today: as something enjoyable to put in the mouth and to pass the time.

Modern chewing gum, though, isn’t quite what it used to be. It’s made mostly from synthetic rubbers and artificial flavorings, meaning that it has some potential health risks that weren’t associated with original gum chewing. In fact, it’s full of plenty of ingredients that you probably didn’t know you were putting into your mouth.

 

  • “Gum” – a rubbery base that makes the product chewy
  • Resin – used to strengthen gum and make it last longer
  • Fillers – what gives gum a particular texture (ex: calcium carbonate, talc)
  • Preservatives – compounds that make gum have a stable shelf life (ex: butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT)
  • Softeners – substances that keep gum from hardening (ex: wax, paraffin, vegetable oil)
  • Sweeteners – natural sugar, corn syrup, sugar alcohols, or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame
  • Flavorings – natural or artificial flavorings

All of these ingredients are considered food grade and deemed “safe” by the FDA; however, they aren’t often labeled well and sometimes appear as a simple “gum base” ingredient. You should decide for yourself whether or not you want to consume the ingredients in chewing gum.

Certain experts deem chewing gum to have benefits for the mouth, such as:

  • Preventing cavities – Sugar-free gum can help prevent tooth decay, especially when it’s sweetened with xylitol.
  • Reducing bad breath – Xylitol prevents bad bacteria growth, which is a common cause of bad breath.

It can also have negative side effects though, including:

  • Causing cavities – If you chew gum with added sugar, this can be a cause of cavities.
  • Plaque buildup – Sugar is dissolved by bad bacteria in your mouth, which increases plaque growth.
  • Metabolic conditions – Too much sugar, even in the form of gum, can cause diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.
  • Jaw problems – People who chew gum all day long often develop TMJ, or temporomandibular disorder, which causes pain, tightness, and immobility of the jaw.
  • Headaches and teeth grinding – Gum chewing can also cause tension headaches and migraines, which can cause jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

Chewing gum here and there, especially when it’s sugar-free and made with natural ingredients, typically won’t harm your teeth. Chewing healthy gum in moderation can even help prevent cavities and rid the mouth of bad bacteria. However, if you’re choosing gums full of artificial ingredients and sugar—and chewing them from sun-up to sun-down—then it could mean a range of dental problems, such as cavities, plaque buildup, tooth decay, and jaw disorders, or even more serious metabolic disorders.

Choose your gum carefully and remember—everything in moderation.

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What Does Single Tooth Discoloration Mean?

Dealing with yellowing teeth is a common issue for many people. Teeth can become discolored from smoking, food and drink stains, or plaque and tartar buildup. However, sometimes people notice that just one tooth is discolored when the rest around them are their normal shade. What causes this, and what can be done about it?

Tooth decay often happens when the enamel (the hard, protective coating on the outside of your teeth) starts to erode. When this is gone, it’s more likely that plaque can stick to your teeth (and plaque is filled with bacteria).

If you see a dark spot on one tooth, this can be a sign of many other things, too, such as:

 

  • Cavities – Cavities that are left untreated can cause brown, yellow, or black spots on a tooth.
  • Tooth decay – Teeth will turn gray, brown, or black if the pulp inside has died.
  • Injury – Trauma to teeth can damage the nerves, which can cause spots or whole-tooth discoloration.
  • Tartar buildup – When plaque isn’t removed, it turns into tartar, which stains teeth and can be difficult to remove.
  • Fluorosis (excess fluoride) – Sometimes children receive too much fluoride during the time that their teeth are forming. This can cause fluorosis, which can result in tooth discoloration.
  • Celiac disease – Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) can cause wear and tear on teeth enamel, which in turn causes brown spots on the teeth.
  • Overuse of antibiotics – Certain antibiotics, mainly tetracycline and doxycycline, can cause discolored teeth. This typically happens in children who took these medications regularly while their permanent teeth were forming, but it can also be caused when the mother took them during pregnancy.
  • Tartar buildup -Single-tooth discoloration can also be caused by tartar buildup. Tartar is hardened plaque, and it often presents as yellow or brown, usually by the gumline.
  • Chlorhexidine mouthwash – This type of mouthwash is prescribed for people with halitosis or chronic bad breath. Although it kills the bad bacteria which cause bad breath, it can cause brown spots on the teeth.

Usually, when only one tooth is discolored (i.e., yellow, gray, or brown) and there aren’t spots on the surrounding teeth, it can signify a root issue. Check with your dentist and get an x-ray to determine if there are issues underneath your gums that are causing single teeth to become discolored. If the pulp inside your teeth dies and has caused your tooth to turn brown, you’ll probably need a root canal.

Many people also notice that their teeth become spotty with age. This is sometimes a result of a few factors, such as enamel wearing down over time, darkening dentin (the substance underneath enamel that surrounds each tooth), and years of stains from food and drink.

Check your teeth carefully for spots and make sure that you’re staying up on dentist visits twice a year. If you notice that one tooth is discolored compared to the rest, don’t ignore it! Treating the issue early can mean saving your tooth and preventing further damage.

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How Do Water Irrigation Devices Help My Oral Health?

Dental treatments and options for taking care of your oral health have evolved a great deal over the years. One of the best new tools is a water flosser, or an oral irrigator. These are handheld devices that look similar to electric toothbrushes. They are meant to be used in addition to a toothbrush and regular flossing as a very effective way of removing bacteria, plaque, food particles, and gum-disease-causing elements.

Water flossers use—you guessed it—water to get all those pesky germs out of the crevices of your teeth and from beneath the gum line. They concentrate on the areas of your mouth that brushing just can’t get to.

There are many types of water flossers, each with benefits that work well for different lifestyles.

 

  • Countertop water flossers – These can be a bit bulky and heavy, but they’re easy to use in most bathrooms as they only need an electrical outlet. The irrigation tank gets filled with water and you refill it as needed.
  • Battery-operated water flossers – These are great for traveling or for those with limited counter space. They’re slim and portable; however, they aren’t as powerful as the countertop variety.
  • Shower flossers – These attach to your showerhead so you can floss in the shower! They’re a bit more difficult to maneuver, and you’ll need space in your shower to mount it, but they’re great for people who would rather keep all the “mess” in one place.
  • Faucet flossers – These are similar to shower flossers but they use a cord that connects to the sink faucet instead of the shower head. They’re also a bit more cumbersome.

Most types of water flossers, no matter the design, have different modes that make them easy on sensitive gums and effective for people who want more pressure. They’re also easy to use for people with braces, bridges, and implants.

Water flossers are a more fool-proof way of getting all the bacteria and build-up from between teeth and underneath the gumlines. Even for those that floss the traditional way each day, most don’t do it properly. There’s less “technique” involved with water flossers, which means that you’re more likely to keep your gums healthy and happy. 

Oral irrigators are especially beneficial for people with the following issues:

  • Bleeding gums – This is an early sign of gum disease that needs attention right away.
  • Braces – Food and plaque often get stuck behind and between brackets.
  • Dry mouth – Saliva is a natural mouth cleaner, so those with dry mouth usually have more buildup and are at higher risk for cavities.
  • Crooked teeth – If your teeth aren’t perfectly straight, it’s more likely that food will get stuck in them. Plus, it’s harder to floss them well!

Oral irrigation devices should be combined with a regular flossing routine to ensure that your mouth remains as clean and healthy as possible. Especially if you already have signs of periodontal disease, such as bleeding gums, or if you have braces, dry mouth, or crooked teeth, then a water flosser is a smart addition to other elements of a dental hygiene routine.

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Do I Really Need to Floss My Teeth?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever lied to your dentist when they ask you about your flossing habits. You’re not alone.

Your dentist will tell you that you should be flossing your teeth every single day. However, that’s not the case for most people. Most people probably don’t even brush their teeth correctly twice a day, and flossing is one more chore. However, most people have issues with cavities, plaque, and gingivitis that they tend to ignore.

Why is flossing so important? Well, even the best toothbrushes can only get so much out of your teeth. Food, bacteria, and plaque accumulate in the areas of your gums and the crevices between your teeth. (If your teeth aren’t perfectly straight, there’s even more likelihood that bad germs are hiding in between!)

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your teeth and your gums. When bacteria and buildup get left behind, it creeps up into your gums and causes gingivitis, which is the fancy name for gum disease. Gum disease, when left untreated, isn’t just bad for your mouth. It travels into your bloodstream and can cause serious health issues, such as cardiovascular problems.

The CDC reports that over half of American adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. This only gets worse as people age, so the sooner you improve your flossing habits, the better.

If taking care of your health isn’t motivation enough, flossing will help take care of your wallet, too! Cavities and gum disease caused by lack of flossing can mean expensive dental visits and procedures in later years. Even when people have quality dental insurance (and not everyone does), co-pays for those treatments add up fast.

Flossing your teeth doesn’t have to be difficult! Choose the type that fits your lifestyle best.

  • Waxed or unwaxed original floss – save money and don’t accumulate a lot of plastic waste
  • Superfloss – good for people with braces, bridges, or wide gaps in their teeth
  • Water or air flossers – use air or water to get into the crevices of your teeth
  • Single-use flossers –get deep into the back sections of your mouth without squeezing your fingers back there and wondering if you’re doing it right

If you haven’t flossed your teeth in a long time or you’re already dealing with early-stage gum disease, you might notice a little bit of pain or bleeding when you floss. This is normal, and it will go away as your gums begin to heal.

Floss before you brush your teeth at night to loosen up any particles that can then be removed more easily when you brush. Keep your preferred method of flosser on the counter next to your toothbrush—this will make it easier to remember to floss your teeth and soon, it’ll be part of your dental hygiene routine.

Next time you go to the dentist and you tell them about your good flossing habits, your teeth and your conscience will be clean!

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How Often Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned?

Naturally, you want to have healthy-looking, clean teeth. You want your smile to be as white and charming as possible. Having stained teeth covered in plaque is not the look you want. Ensuring that you get your teeth professionally cleaned regularly is a huge help when you want to establish a healthy lifestyle. Of course, many people aren’t aware of just how often they should get their teeth cleaned.

Typically, a dental cleaning will be part of an annual checkup that you have with your dentist. However, having an annual cleaning is not enough for most people. Consider all of the various types of foods that you eat that could stain your teeth. Consider the way your teeth feel and the amount of plaque that starts to build up over time, even when you are taking good care of them.

Instead of annually, it’s recommended that you have a professional cleaning every six months. With some gum conditions, it can be as often as two to three months. This will help to ensure cleaner and healthier teeth and gums.  Your dentist can help you determine the proper interval for your situation.  Plus, if there are any issues with your dental health, your dentist will find them during these visits. This means you could catch problems earlier than if you only had one cleaning a year.

Why Do I Need Dental Cleanings?

Dental cleanings will help to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and in good shape. They are a good part of oral hygiene. As mentioned, they allow the dentist to get a better look at what’s happening with your teeth. Any issues that you might have can be addressed early, so you can keep your mouth as healthy as possible.

If you do not keep your teeth clean and if you don’t visit the dentist regularly, there is a good chance that you will be dealing with oral health problems. Cavities, gingivitis, tooth loss and breakage, hardened plaque, tartar, and inflamed gums are just a couple of the potential problems that you will face. It’s best to find a good dentist that can take care of your cleanings a several times a year.

Taking Care of Your Teeth Between Dental Cleanings

However, this doesn’t mean that you aren’t still responsible for keeping your teeth clean the rest of the time. You need to make sure that you are providing yourself with good oral care in between those visits. This means that you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Ideally, you will brush after each meal and after any sugary snacks that you might have. This can help to keep your teeth in better shape.

When you are choosing a toothbrush, opting for a soft-bristled brush is a good idea. You will want to be sure that you are using high-quality fluoridated toothpaste, too. In addition to brushing, you should also floss your teeth to remove any particles that are in between your teeth and that could cause damage if they are left there. Flossing should be done at least once a day. Additionally, make sure that you have some good mouthwash that will help to keep the breath feeling and smelling fresh, and that will keep the bacteria away.

Get in Touch with a Great Dentist for Cleaning and Other Care

Your dental health is connected to your overall health. Take the time to find a good dentist that can help you with your teeth cleanings twice a year, and who can help you with other dental care that you might need. You can talk with your dentist about the best types of toothbrushes to use, as well as the best kinds of toothpaste to use, too. Take care of your teeth and they will take care of you. Dr. Foutz can help you keep your teeth and gum tissue in optimal health!

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

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How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?

You want to keep your teeth and gums looking and feeling great and clean, so you brush several times a day using a good dentist-recommended toothpaste. You floss and use mouthwash, as well. However, if you aren’t changing your toothbrush regularly, you might not be getting your teeth as clean as you might believe. Of course, many people aren’t sure when they should change their toothbrushes or why it is so important to do it regularly. Let’s look at what the experts say.

When Should I Change My Toothbrush?

It’s recommended that you brush your teeth between meals and after sugary snacks to help keep your teeth in good shape. All of this brushing means that your toothbrush will start to wear down and will need to be replaced. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommend that people change out their toothbrushes every three to four months. This is true for traditional toothbrushes, as well as electric toothbrush heads. Erring on the side of caution and opting for a replacement every three months tends to be a better idea. After all, you want to be sure that your teeth are getting as clean as possible.

Why Should You Change Your Toothbrush Regularly?

Of course, you don’t have to wait this long to change your toothbrush. If you notice that there is a lot of wear and tear, or if other people in the family have been sick, it’s a good idea to change the toothbrush. When they are in the bathroom, they could be coughing. Even though they might not be near the toothbrush, there is still the chance that it could cause you to get sick.

The bristles on your toothbrush start to wear down over time. When they are worn out, they will be more abrasive on your gums, which could lead to inflammation or even gum recession. Worn-out bristles tend not to be as effective, as well. If you want to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy, get a new toothbrush sooner rather than later.

Also, bacteria and plaque can start to build up on the toothbrush. The longer you use the same toothbrush the more bacteria will start to take over your brush. It’s better to simply adhere to the three-month rule and change out the toothbrush. They are not overly expensive, and you can often find some good deals online.

Signs You Need to Replace Your Toothbrush Early

If you notice the bristles are becoming frayed and wild, you will want to replace your toothbrush. However, there are plenty of other signs that it might be time to replace your toothbrush. For example, if you drop the toothbrush, you may want to replace it. Cleaning it is often enough if you keep your bathroom spotless, but you don’t want to take the chance if you live with roommates.

Don’t make the mistake of trying to boil or microwave the toothbrush to remove germs and bacteria. While it might help with those problems, it will also warp the bristles. The toothbrush will not be as effective at keeping your teeth clean.

Find a Good Dentist

In addition to brushing your teeth at least twice a day and changing out your toothbrush every three months or so, you also want to have a great dentist. Find a dentist that can provide you with the cleanings and other services you need. They can also provide you with some insight into some of the best types of brushes to get that will do a good job cleaning your teeth.  Dr Foutz is happy to help his patients in all of the areas discussed in this article.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

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Ezbond A. Foutz, D.D.S.
4 Generations of Dentists Spanning 3 Centuries
1st Generation:

Great Grandfather

Dr. Ezbond A. Foutz
Harold B. Foutz, D.D.S.
4 Generations of Dentists Spanning 3 Centuries
2nd Generation:

Grandfather

Dr. Harold B. Foutz
Lawrence C. Foutz, D.D.S.
4 Generations of Dentists Spanning 3 Centuries
3rd Generation:

Father

Dr. Lawrence C. Foutz
Barton H. Foutz, D.D.S.
4 Generations of Dentists Spanning 3 Centuries
4th Generation:

Family and Cosmetic Dentist

Dr. Barton H. Foutz