Secret to Fresh Breath

Everyone’s dealt with it sometime- bad breath is embarrassing.  Are you constantly worrying about hiding your bad breath while trying to mask it with gum or mints?  Don’t worry; bad breath can be conquered with some simple tips!

The most common cause of bad breath is a buildup of bacteria in the mouth.  Other main causes include smoking, tobacco use, foods, dry mouth and medications.  Below are the tips!

Brush often – It’s important to get a full clean of your teeth two to three times a day with toothbrush.

Floss – Floss helps get the hidden food/bacteria particles stuck in between your teeth.

Rinse – After every meal or snack it’s best to rinse away left over debris.

Scrape – Have you ever tried a tongue scraper?  This will help remove bacteria on the tongue causing bad breath.

New Toothbrush – Bacteria can build up on old toothbrushes, especially if you don’t wash it in hot water or leave it out in the open.  Try replacing your toothbrush every 2-3 months.

Drink Water – Keeping hydrated it important for your whole body, and helps wash away any food particles.

Eat right – Eating fresh vegetables or fruits are great for your oral health.  Coffee, beer, wine, and other sugary beverages are bad for not only your breath but your teeth.

If you maintain these tips and still can’t defeat bad breath, give All Brite Dental a call today.  Our dental professionals will give you a consultation, and work with you to design a plan to cure your bad breath.

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Healthy Snacks for Healthy Smiles!

Everyone knows brushing and flossing are important tasks to maintaining good oral hygiene. However, parents shouldn't forget that healthy snacks are equally important for growing children.  As your children grows, it’s vital for their bright smile to sustain good nutrition, which will greatly improve a child’s dental health and prevent decay. 

The biggest challenge that parents face is providing healthy snacks for their kids while they are at school.  We've put together a list of healthy snack idea that you can pack your children for lunch that will certainly keep their smile bright!

Fruits and Vegetables

• Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
• Orange Slices
• Strawberry’s
• Watermelons
• Pears
• Plums
• Grapefruits
• Tangerines
• Celery
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Kiwi
• Red and Green Pepper Slices with Ranch

Let us know what you give your kids to improve their overall health! Feel free to share any other ideas you may have!  Let us know on our Facebook page or Twitter page!

It’s Time to Show Off Your School Spirit! Enter Your School to Win the Second Annual Battle of the Fans!

Do you have School Spirit?  Now it’s time to prove it!  The Michigan High School Athletic Association is hosting its second annual Battle of the Fans.  The MHSAA Student Advisory Council will chose the five finalists, which on February 22 the winner will be announced.  During the selection process, the MHSAA will attend a Friday night game at each school to see the fan section for them.

The rules to enter are as follows:

• Film your school’s student section during any athletic event.
• Upload a 1:30 to 3:00 minute video to YouTube.  The deadline is Saturday, January 12 (So you still have time left!!).  At the beginning or end of the video, include a discussion about why your school meets the contest criteria.  The criteria includes:  positive sportsmanship, student body participation, school spirit, originality of cheers, organization of the group, student section leadership and fun.
• Lastly, email the link to your YouTube video to BOTF@mhsaa.com.

For more information on the MHSAA’s Student Advisory Council criteria guidelines visit http://www.mhsaa.com/Schools/Students/BattleoftheFans.aspx

We’re excited to see everyone’s videos for the Battle of the Fans!  Remember to LIKE our Facebook page and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more information and updates.

The NHL Lockout is OVER! Great News for Dentists!

After months of arguing the National Hockey League Players’ Association and Nation Hockey League have agreed on the structure of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Although the league didn’t specify a starting date of the season, various reports are speculating teams will play either a 50-game or 48-game schedule. 

After the 16 hour negotiating session NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, “We still have more work to do, but it is good to be at this point.”

With the new deal neither the National Hockey League nor the National Hockey League Players’ Association can opt out of the deal after eight years.  Also, teams are limited to signing new players to seven years or eight if they are already on the team.  The salary cap for this season will be $70.2 million per team and decreases to $64.3 for the 2013-2014 season.

Now with hockey back it looks like we’ll be replacing chipped and knocked out teeth again soon!  Remember to LIKE us on our Facebook page LINKED HERE!

Frequently Asked Questions from All Brite Dental!

Q:Are dental x-rays safe?

A:X-rays produce radiation which can also be found in sun, minerals in the soil, and appliances in your home.  Radiation can be dangerous but the dose of radiation you are exposed to is very very small.

Q: Does the dental drill hurt?

A:In some cases the dental drill can cause an individual to be uncomfortable.  We can administer numbing novocaine if a patient is feeling an increasing level of displeasure.  The good news is we offer pain free Laser Dentistry at both our offices.  Give us a call today for more information on the benefits of laser dentistry.

Q:Does over the counter teeth whitening products and toothpaste actually work?

A: Toothpaste and other products are very effective in removing stains from teeth.  Most over-the-counter teeth whitening products do not contain long lasting bleaching.  The bleaching you receive at your local dentist is much more powerful and will last longer periods of time. 

Q: Which toothpastes are the best?

A: When purchasing toothpaste first think about who you are buying for.  For children, it’s best to use toothpaste that contains fluoride.  Toothpastes that contain fluoride can help prevent cavities. 

You can read about more FAQ’s on WebMD here http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-health-faq.  

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Have You Thought About your 2013 New Year’s Resolutions Yet?

The end of 2012 marks the start of a yearly tradition, setting New Year’s Resolutions!  Have you planned your New Year’s Resolutions for 2013?  

Below is a list of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions for 2012 per a study done by the University of Scranton!  The study shows that the most popular types of New Year’s Resolutions are self-improvement or education related (47%), with second and third most popular being weight (38%) and money (34%) related.  The success rate at which people over 50 achieve their resolution is low (14%), compared to people in their twenties (39%). 

• Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for 2012:
• Lost Weight
• Getting Organized
• Spend Less, Save More
• Enjoy Life to the Fullest
• Staying Fit and Healthy
• Learn Something Exciting
• Quit Smoking
• Help Others in Their Dreams
• Fall in Love
• Spend More Time with Family

What’s your New Year’s Resolution this year?  Let us know!  Remember, you can LIKE our Facebook page and FOLLOW us on Twitter.