Often I hear from parents this: "my kid never had those white lines on the teeth before braces". these are signs of early decay. They can be prevented with good oral hygiene at home. Here is what I recommend

1. Use the Rotadent toothbrush which has specialized heads. one of these heads is specifically designed for braces. Rotadent is also excellent for adults with crowns, veneers, implants, root exposures for adult, perio patients, or sensitivity.
2. Brush with baking soda, or Wow toothpaste and floss.
3. use any product that has Xylitol during the day to prevent decay or beginning of decay. Products you can find in whole food such as sparx, or other products.
4. At night I recommend brushing and flossing, then apply a special paste (clinpro). Do not rinse or drink water after you apply this paste since it gives several hours of protection while you are sleeping.
5. Apply an in office treatment of Varnish 3 times per year.

For more information call our office at 1-781-935-2200.

Cancer patients go through extensive treatments which results in developing dry mouth and cavities. to prevent that, patients should:

1. use a rinse called Caphosol prescribed by their Doctor or Dentist. this rinse is covered by medical insurance since it is expensive.
2. use anything over the counter that has Xylitol in it like Spry, Ice breakers, ice cubes gum, or any Xylitol mints. there is also a prescribed Lollipops that will increase salivation. "Xylitol is safe for diabetics".
3. patients should also use a special paste sold only in dental offices that will give protection for several hour at night while sleeping.
4. should use backing soda while brushing, or you can buy a tooth paste called WOW, and use it. this tooth paste has baking soda+ Xylitol+ citric acid.
5. and in office varnish treatment 3 times a year.

In summary, Morning Brushing with baking soda, keep the mouth moist during the day with Xylitol, at night use a protective paste, and Varnish treatments 3 times a year.

Next week i will be talking about Kids with braces and how to prevent those annoying white lines that we commonly see after the braces are removed.

Happy Brushing and flossing everyone.

I have great news for you to prevent cavities.

today I'm goign to start with a protocol for Dry mouth people:

1- at home:

a- use baking soda with your brush.

b - apply a special paste at night after brushing and flossing. this will give you a 6 hours protection, eg (clinpro, Mi paste).

c - during the day keep your saliva going with any gum over the counter that contains Xylotol eg ( ice breakers, ice cubes etc), there is a prescribed lollipop that the office can help you with, and gum amd mints that have 100% Xylotol.

2- In office:

a- Varnish protector applied 3 times a year

b- different products that can help you at home.

For more information call our office and we will be happy to help you.

Stay tuned for more information for Chemotherapy patinets, radiation therapy patients, and dieters.

to your health,

Dr. Massabni

Sometimes it is worth a review of the basics. Here is what your woburn dentist recommends for an everlasting healthy smile:

1. Brush your tongue.
2. Brush your teeth manually one minute on the top and one minute on the bottom. Always use soft brush and put half the bristles on the gum and half on the teeth. Go downward on the top, and go upward on the lowers. Never brush horizontally.
3. Flossing: secure the floss in a C shape hugging the tooth, floss it up and down, then hug the tooth next to it and floss it in the same manner, then come out. People tend to pass the floss up and down without hugging any tooth. This will only dislodge food but not remove plaque off the teeth.
4. Finally brush with an electric toothbrush, 30 seconds on each quadrant. Put half the bristles half on the gum and half on the teeth. DO NOT bend the bristle at all, pressing too hard since will damage your gum.
5. For periodontal patients with greater than 4mm pockets, rubber tip only the back molars. Insert the tip in a 90 degree angle, and massage counting to 10. Rubber tip each area from the cheek side and the tongue side.

Go through these few steps every day, and you will show great results.

Your Woburn Dentist,

Ghada

Let's face it. Life can be crazy and hectic. But having a busy schedule is not an excuse for neglecting your oral hygiene. All it takes is a few minutes of your day to fight against tooth decay and plaque. Simple brushing and flossing can go a long way to keeping your smile healthy. Combined with healthy eating, gum disease prevention and routine visits to your Woburn dentist, you can ensure your smile looks and feels it's very best for a lifetime.

Step 1: Brush Your Teeth Daily

It seems obvious, right? While brushing your teeth seems like a mundane task, failing to give your teeth the attention they need and deserve each and every day can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, tooth discoloration and gum disease.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean all sides of the teeth, and remember to brush your tongue and along the gumline. When your toothbrush starts to look worn, or after three months, toss your old toothbrush for a new one. Ask your Woburn dentist for the best brushing techniques and the most appropriate toothbrush for your teeth.

Step 2: Don't Forget to Floss

Don't underestimate the importance of flossing. Flossing regularly ensures your penetrating those hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and along the gumline to remove food particles that a tooth brush can't. Failing to floss properly and regularly allows plaque to build-up, eventually turning to tartar- a hard substance that can only be removed by your dentist. With time, bacteria accumulate within the tartar, leading to gingivitis and eventually progressing to gum disease.

Not sure about the proper methods for flossing? Talk to your Woburn dentist for easy tips and techniques. Coupled with good brushing, you can help eliminate the harmful bacteria that lead to bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.

Step 3: Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Just as eating nutritional foods is good for your body, it's equally as important for your teeth and gums. Avoid excessive snacking between meals- especially sugary or starchy foods. And limit your amount of soda intake as even diet soda contains harmful acids that can erode tooth enamel. Foods rich in calcium, fluoride, and vitamins will keep you teeth strong and stunning. As a general rule, if it's bad for your body, then it's probably bad for you mouth as well.

Step 4: Monitor Your Gums

Tender, swollen and red gums; gums that bleed easily; and persistent bad breath are all common warning signs of gum disease- an infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth. Getting to your dentist as soon as signs of infected gums are detected is the best way to ensure a quick and full recovery. Luckily gum disease can be treated at all stages, and even more importantly, easily be prevented with good oral hygiene, a well-balanced diet and regular visits to your dentist.

Step 5: Visit Your Dentist

One of the most essential steps for achieving a healthy smile is to visit your dentist in Woburn for routine check ups and cleanings- usually twice a year. During your regular visits, your dentist will look for signs of diseases, infections, injuries, oral cancer and other dental problems that she is trained to detect. The earlier a problem is identified, the more effectively your dentist can administer the appropriate treatment.

Being proactive about your personal dental care is the best way to combat harmful plaque and bacteria from accumulating on your teeth and gums. Start by improving your brushing and flossing, paying extra attention to the hard to reach areas between the teeth and along the gumline. Modify your diet and be more cautious of how often and how much of certain foods you are eating. Monitoring the health of your gums is also important as gum disease is a common and very serious issue that can have far-reaching consequences. And finally, keep up-to-date with appointments to your Woburn family dentist as she can detect dental problems in their earliest stages to keep your teeth their very best for a lifetime.