How Did Pilgrims Brush Their Teeth?

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Americans Thankful for Toothbrush

Americans have a lot to be thankful for, and you might be surprised to learn, oral healthcare is at the top of the list. In a recent poll, Americans chose the toothbrush above computers, cars, and even the microwave as a “cannot live without” invention. The toothbrush we know and love today didn’t even hit the U.S. market until 1885. And electronic toothbrushes weren’t widely distributed until the 1960s.

How Pilgrims Brushed Their Pearly Whites

Although the first Thanksgiving gathering happened in 1621, Thanksgiving Day wasn’t an official holiday until President Lincoln declared it in 1863. Today, Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday of November each year. Our early American ancestors were concerned about oral health, just as we are.
Before the invention of the toothbrush, people used bones, feathers, or anything that would get the plaque off their teeth. We think pilgrims used salt to remove grime from teeth. Salt may not sound like a very good cleanser, but it is actually pretty effective. Indians, on the other hand, most likely used herbs, like sage, to remove plaque. Some tribes actually used paste made from the cucacua plant to rub the grime off. (more…)

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The Great American Smokeout

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Where Did The Great American Smokeout Start?

The Great American Smokeout is an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) that takes place on November 17, 2011. It all started in Berkeley, California. In 1977 Berkeley became the first private facility to limit smoking in public areas. Tobacco smoke was socially accepted until recent decades. Just 20 years ago, people smoked on the clock at work, on airplanes, and even in hospitals. Things have changed for the better.
The Great American Smokeout is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and further limiting the acceptance of smoking in public areas.
The Smokeout is celebrated in many creative ways all over the United States. Participating smokers commit to quit for the 24-hour period on November 17th and then make goals to completely quit in the future.

Tobacco’s Effect On Your Mouth

All forms of tobacco have the potential to cause cancer and gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease develops into periodontitis, which is the primary cause of adult tooth loss in the US. Periodontitis is an advanced form of gingivitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis can be prevented if spotted early. The best way to prevent these diseases, whether you smoke or not, is to visit Grinnell Street Dental for regular checkups. We can find these diseases in their early stages and help you take care of the problem.
Your smile is not the only thing that suffers when you loose a tooth.  Side effects of tooth loss include difficulty speaking, dietary restrictions, jawbone degeneration, and risk of further tooth loss.
We offer several treatment options right here in Sheridan to replace missing teeth:

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Healthy Living

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What is Dental Plaque?

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Plaque is a biofilm that forms on the surface of your teeth. It is usually a pale yellow color and can be easily removed with brushing and flossing. Even though plaque is initially simple to remove, the plaque that isn’t removed can adhere to the surface of your teeth for a long time. In about 48 hours, plaque hardens on your teeth, and in about 10 days, it calcifies into dental calculus (tartar).

Plaque, Good and Bad

There is one benefit of dental plaque, believe it or not. Plaque helps build your immune system. But plaque is more well known for its ability to cause bad breath, gum disease, and systemic health problems. The problem is, plaque grows and grows and grows, and you have to remove it or it will get out of control. Daily brushing and flossing remove a lot of plaque, but not all of it. Calculus is insoluble, which means it won’t dissolve in water. At your six-month cleanings, our hygienist will remove calculus from your teeth; it generally builds up at the gum line and between teeth, where brushing may be ineffective. (more…)

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The History of Dental Implants

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Did you know that dental implants date back to 600 A.D.? In 1931, archaeologists uprooted a piece of mandible (human jaw) that had three shards of shell in line with the jaw’s natural teeth. It is considered to be evidence of the first successful dental implant operation in the world. Because the jaw was found in Honduras, archaeologists suspect it may be Mayan. 

Dental Implant Procedure

Today, prosthetic dentistry has refined the dental implants so that they’re stable, long lasting, and natural looking. Dental implants are prosthetic teeth secured to the jaw with a small, biocompatible post. The post replaces the roots of missing teeth. Because biocompatible material is used, bone tissue fuses with the post to create a solid anchor for a replacement tooth or denture.
Here’s what you can expect for your dental implant procedure:

  1. Your jawbone density and oral health will be evaluated to determine whether underlying concerns must be addressed before placement of dental implants.
  2. Once your mouth is in good shape for implants, you’ll be scheduled for placement.
  3. At the placement appointment, Dr. Donald Coon will insert a small titanium anchor into your jawbone for each implant crown, or he’ll position a few implants to secure your denture, partial, or bridge. Over the course of a few months, the jawbone tissue fuses to the implant posts so that they become secure, like natural teeth roots.
  4. You may wear a temporary crown or denture during the healing time.
  5. You’ll visit us for follow-up appointments. Once your jaw has healed, Dr. Coon will remove the temporary prosthetics and secure your permanent crowns or denture.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

Remember, dental implants do not make you impervious to gum disease or tooth decay. You must brush and floss regularly, as if you had natural teeth. Be sure to also visit Dr. Coon as scheduled for follow-ups, cleanings, and checkups. With proper maintenance, most patients enjoy their dental implants for life.
If you live in the Sheridan, WY area and are in search of an experienced cosmetic and implant dentist, call the Grinnell Street Dental at 307-672-7567 for an appointment. You can also visit our website to learn more about our services.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants

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Fun Uses For Your Old Toothbrush

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The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Just because the brush is no longer effective in cleaning your teeth, doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. Try these thrifty tips to make your old toothbrushes useful.

  • Scrub grime from the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Toothbrushes can get into crevices that your sponge or rag cannot reach, much like dental floss can get in between the crevices in your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach.
  • Clean between the bristles of your hairbrush or between the tongs of your forks.
  • Use the long handle to help clean the inside of bottles or cups.
  • Wash mud off your shoes.
  • Scrub rough spots off of potatoes, pumpkins, and other vegetables.
  • Put an abrasive agent on the bristles to help polish your jewelry.
  • Spot-clean laundry and carpet by rubbing the area with a toothbrush and cleaning agent.
  • Use the brush to make interesting paint splatters on a piece of art.
  • Clean your pet’s teeth. Harmful human bacteria are different than dog germs, so reusing your brush won’t harm your pet.
  • Use the bristles to clean your blades, chainsaws, and other sharp tools that could injure your fingers.
  • Use a dry brush to remove dust around keys on your computer keyboard or remote control.
  • Boil the brush handle so you can bend it into a fun shape. One example is a round shape that fits around your wrist like a bracelet.

Before reusing your old brush for other purposes, make sure you disinfect it to prevent contaminating other areas. You should also label your brush so you won’t mix it up with your good toothbrush.
The best use for your toothbrush, however, is to clean your teeth. Good oral hygiene is necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you don’t brush properly, you could damage your mouth. Visit Dr. Coon to restore any troubled areas in your smile. Contact Grinnell Street Dental in Sheridan, WY at (307) 672-7567 to schedule your appointment.

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The Risks of Excessive Tooth Bleaching

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Most people want whiter teeth. Instead of waiting around for their at-home whitening products to work, they overuse the product to have a whiter smile faster. This may sound like a good idea in theory, but what are the risks of excessive bleaching?
People who are obsessed with whitening their teeth, sometimes called “bleachorexics,” are never satisfied with the color. They constantly use the bleach, becoming addicted to it and using it more than necessary. This behavior can harm your teeth.
Excessive use of whitener can damage the structure of your tooth enamel. The bleaching products contain a strong peroxide agent that can hurt the nerve endings inside your tooth. The chemicals can get into your nerves through weak enamel or cracks. When the nerves become exposed to the chemical, it can cause tooth sensitivity or pain.
Too much peroxide can make your teeth have an uneven color tone and different shades. Instead of getting whiter, after excessive use your enamel will begin to turn a light bluish color.
(more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

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Halloween Candy Craze

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It’s October, and that means empty parking lots become pumpkin patches and crazy costumes become fashionable. This spooky holiday can be fun for everyone, but your smile may feel differently.
Why are your teeth afraid of Halloween? Because stores stock up on candy.

  • The average person eats about 24 pounds of candy each year.
  • Americans spend about $2 billion on Halloween candy each year.
  • The average household spends about $20 on candy each Halloween.
  • Americans eat about 20 million pounds of candy corn each year.
  • Candy corn is the preferred candy of the season, followed by Snickers, Reese’s, Kit Kat, and M&M’s.

The sugar from candy can stick to your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth live off the sugar to create acids that can harm your teeth. Without proper oral care, the acids contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems.
So how can you protect your mouth from the candy craze? Try giving out small bags of nut mixes, pretzels, animal crackers, or non-candy treats like stickers. In addition, there are other spooky snacks you can make that are healthy for your smile and your waistline.

  • Add an almond or piece of a fruit or vegetable to the end of a carrot or string cheese. This will create a fingernail to make healthy, freaky fingers.
  • Use nuts or raisins to build a face on a banana or hard-boiled egg, creating a ghost look-a-like.
  • Cut sandwiches into festive shapes using Halloween cookie cutters.
  • After carving your pumpkins, bake or roast the pumpkin seeds for a delicious snack.

Protect your teeth from decay all year long by limiting your candy consumption. Dr. Coon wants to encourage healthy eating habits this Halloween season. Contact Grinnell Street Dental at 307-672-7567 to schedule your dental appointment in Sheridan, WY.

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Be Careful With Your Wiggly Tooth

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Baby teeth fall out to make room for permanent teeth. Don’t think that just because it comes out, it doesn’t matter. When a tooth becomes loose, don’t rush to pull it out. Yanking out your wiggly tooth too early can cause infections and dental complications.
Primary teeth begin falling out between the ages of six and 14. Many children get excited when their first tooth becomes loose because they want money from the tooth fairy. While baby teeth are acceptable to pull out of your mouth, you need to wait until they are actually ready to come out. If a tooth comes out too early, the other teeth may shift into the empty space, causing crowding or spacing problems for permanent teeth.
Dentists don’t recommend playing with your loose tooth. The constant movement can damage the roots, causing complications and alignment issues for the new teeth that try to come in. Also, if you try to yank the tooth out too early, you may break off the top part of the tooth, leaving the rest impacted in your child’s mouth. The dentist will have to cut out the remaining part of the tooth.
If a tooth is ready to come out, there should be little bleeding. If gums do bleed, hold a piece of cotton or gauze on them to control bleeding. It’s also important that only children pull out their own teeth. They can figure out how the tooth is attached. If it hurts too much, your child will know and that means it’s not ready to come out.
If you have a loose tooth that shouldn’t be loose, contact Dr. Donald, Cody, or Justin Coon immediately. Permanent teeth can fall out due to gum disease and other serious dental problems.
The safest way to lose a tooth is just to let it fall out on its own. It’s important to clean the area after the tooth comes out to prevent infection and bacteria from entering the gums. Dr. Coon can tell you if your tooth is ready to be pulled out. He can pull it out for you, or tell your child the best way to do it. Contact Grinnell Street Dental in Sheridan, WY at 307-672-7567 to schedule an appointment.

filed under: Family Dentistry

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Family Health and Fitness Day 2011

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Family Health and Fitness Day is a national health event, always held on the last Saturday in September. The 15th annual family day will be held this year on September 24, 2011.
The health event is organized by the Health Information Resource Center. The goal is to gather families together to promote the importance of healthy lives. Your local YMCA, health clubs, and other community centers may have activities to promote good health awareness and family involvement. Some activities include health screenings, exercises, games, demonstrations, and health information workshops.
Taking care of your health is important to fight off illnesses and diseases. Also, you need to get your children involved in health awareness. Family Health and Fitness Day will teach them the importance of good health and how to maintain it.
Your oral condition is one important part of your overall health. Poor oral health can lead to excess bacteria in your mouth, causing tooth decay and gum disease. However, these harmful bacteria can also enter your bloodstream, potentially causing heart attack, stroke, complications with diabetes and pregnancy, and respiratory problems. Maintaining a healthy mouth will contribute to a healthy body.
Check your local organizations to see how you can get involved in promoting good health with Family Health and Fitness Day. You should also visit Dr. Coon every six months to make sure your family oral health is in good shape. Contact Grinnell Street Dental in Sheridan, WY at 307-672-7567 to schedule an appointment.

filed under: Family Dentistry, Healthy Living

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Fun Facts About Floss

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Daily flossing is required for healthy teeth. Thorough flossing removes the plaque and food debris that your toothbrush may not. It also increases blood circulation in your gums to help prevent gum disease.
Flossing is a crucial component for a healthy smile, but it has a fair share of interesting facts, as well. Here are some fun facts about dental floss:

  • The idea for floss is credited to Levi Spear Parmly, a dentist from New Orleans, in 1815. He told his patients to use a thin silk thread to clean between their teeth.
  • Floss was commercially manufactured for the first time in 1882. Codman and Shurtleft Company began marketing unwaxed silk dental floss. Johnson & Johnson released their first silk floss product in 1896 and patented dental floss in 1898.
  • During the 1940s, the physician Dr. Charles Bass found that nylon material is better for flossing than silk. The silk often shredded when going between teeth. Nylon has a consistent texture and better resistance. Nylon led to the development of waxed floss and dental tape.
  • Proper flossing requires the average person to use 122 yards of floss per year. Sales data shows that only an average of 18 yards is sold per person each year.
  • Only 28 percent of people say they floss every day. About 73 percent would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

It comes in many forms – waxed, unwaxed, flavored, unflavored, wide, and regular. All floss works the same, but only if you use it properly. Ask Dr. Coon or one of our hygienists to demonstrating proper flossing techniques. Contact Grinnell Street Dental in Sheridan, WY at 307-672-7567 to schedule an appointment for your professional dental checkup.

filed under: Family Dentistry, Healthy Living

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