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Providing Portable At-Home Dental Services

Enable Dental provides at-home dental services for unique populations in the comfort of the patient’s home, senior home, assisted living facility or community center.

Enable Dental is easily accessible for homebound individuals. They respond quickly to concerns and are genuinely open to feedback. Enable Dental ensures vulnerable populations have access to much needed dental care.

It was nice meeting you and Dr Jenna, Miguel and Anet today, an amazing group of people! Everyone did their utmost to make my mother feel comfortable, she knew she was in good hands! Thank you for going out of your way to ensure that everything went smoothly and with a smile! Your positive energy and enthusiasm for what you all do, was evident today, as well as in the past, when I spoke with you on the phone. Considering the time you are on the road, dealing with multiple family members, and facility staff, it’s obvious that you enjoy your job and are very good at it! We are grateful for having you work so hard to get Mom back on track! Looking forward to seeing you all on the next visit.

The staff is very friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and have amazing patience. They are able to work with anyone and manage to keep not only a smile on their faces, but on the faces of their patients as well. I highly recommend this dentistry company.

Your crew are all professional, informative, and thorough. They provide an invaluable service that’s greatly needed by a segment of people who have little or no other options. Plus, they’re friendly and kind and so very considerate.

At Enable Dental, We Bring The full Scope Of Dental Care Directly To Our Patients.

We focus on providing top-tier clinical dental services in the comfort of our patient’s home or on-site community, significantly reducing the need for hospital visits and lowering the risk of infections.

• The removal for an escort and the associated risks.

We specialize in caring for seniors, individuals with memory issues and special needs, ensuring our services reduce stress for residents, their families, and caregivers by maintaining their routine in a familiar environment.

• Our services are adaptable and can be delivered in communal areas within communities, directly in residents’ apartments, or bedside for those requiring more intensive care.
• Enable Dental’s clinicians are equipped to provide a range of services, including exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns, dentures, and more.
• Each patient’s dental and health history is thoroughly assessed to create a personalized care plan.
• We tailor each plan to meet the unique needs and preferences of each patient, ensuring the most effective and comfortable treatment and approach.
• We bring high-quality dental care to your doorstep, whether it’s at your home or an on-site community setting.
• With us, there is no compromise on quality or convenience; we bring the best of dental care to where you are most comfortable.

We Bring The Dentist To The Patient!

Our portable systems make it possible to thoroughly diagnose and perform dental treatment wherever the patient resides.

We create custom dental solutions suitable for your organization and budget.

Our patients are seen on a regular, recurring schedule. We manage and handle all the scheduling, care coordination, and billing.

The health and safety of our patients, team, and community is our utmost priority. Our clinical staff is fully vaccinated to COVID-19.

Catch The Enable Dental Team In Action

Expanding access to dental care for all

Using our mobile dental solutions model, Enable Dental provides all the dental services you would expect at a traditional office while allowing us to deliver high quality care to our patients at home.

We hope that our partnership can facilitate access to dentistry and ensure that oral health care can be made accessible to all under-served populations.

Our handheld digital x-ray units, custom dental chairs, and wheeled dental units make it possible to thoroughly diagnose and perform dental treatment in different living environments.

Our unique approach facilitates access to dentistry for all, and ensures that oral health care can be made accessible to unique and under-served populations.

At-home dentistry across the country

With over 20 locations across the country and 10 more opening soon, Enable Dental is ready to serve you and your community.

• 6500 Dublin Blvd ste 210
• 2414 S Fairview St ste 107a
• 1401 El Camino Ave
• 2414 S Fairview St
• Colorado Springs
• 1250 S Parker Rd
• 743 Horizon Ct suite 106
• 4500 Hiatus Rd
• 4500 Hiatus Rd suite 202
• 8367 Nieman Rd
• 250 N Rock Rd
• 8475 Sparta Line Rd
• 9500 Brooktree Rd
• 5555 N Lamar Blvd
• 12200 Ford Rd
• 15995 N Barkers Landing Rd
• 3700 Fredericksburg Rd
• 3813 22nd St ste 4c
• 19011 68th Ave S

The Next Generation of Dental Services

Our services are uniquely designed to reduce caregiver stress and improve patient health outcomes. We provide personalized, high-tech dental care in the comfort of the patient’s residence.

Regular dental exams are a critical part of preventive health care. During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and check for cavities and gum disease.

Teeth cleaning is a procedure for the removal of tartar that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine toothbrushing.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available – complete and partial dentures.

Fillings typically used to treat cavities, as well as to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down. A dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area where material was removed.

X-rays help the Dentist diagnose accurately and allow them to see things that they may not be able to see with the naked eye.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth – to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. A crown fully encases the entire visible portion of a tooth.

A dental bridge typically consists of two crowns placed on abutment teeth or implants on either side of a gap in the mouth, in addition to a pontic that joins the two crowns and fills the gap.

There are a number of reasons why tooth extraction may be necessary. It typically involves a tooth that is too badly damaged by trauma or decay to be repaired.

Root canal therapy is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. It is usually performed when the nerves or blood vessels in the tooth become damaged. 

A night guard is a plastic dental appliance that fits over the top teeth. Without a night guard, enamel can be worn down excessively, leading to tooth sensitivity.

Daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth is important because it removes plaque. If the plaque isn’t removed, it continues to build up, causing tooth decay and gum disease.

We pride ourselves in being able to bring the dentist office to you.  We are able to do most treatments that are performed in a traditional office, but now it will be in the comfort of your own home.

Get to know our amazing dentists

We solve important dental issues and reduce stress for patients and their loved ones. Our licensed professionals are highly qualified and committed to providing the best care to our patients.

What makes them love us?

The dental cleaning was excellent, and I appreciated the email reminders about the appointment as well as the follow-up to take care of all the paperwork. This is an exceptional service, especially for the elderly who have difficulty making it to appointments when they cannot drive. I am grateful and thankful for this service!

Corey scheduled our 1st appt. by phone. He listened to my concerns & answered all of my questions. Mary & Dr.Sowle were amazing! While my daughter apologized for not taking good care of her teeth, Mary focused on what she was doing right! They make a great team. Very patient focused and friendly. Thank you for this much needed service!

They came out to see Mom for a dental problem she’s 95 and cannot walk. I didn’t know what I was going to do about the dental issue and was so relieved to find this service. I was very impressed with Enable Dental and their staff. Now we’re going to set up regular visits for dental care.

Texas Mobile Dentist has been an absolute joy to work with at Sundance Memory Care. I really consider them family with how well they relate and communicate with our loved ones. They are a true blessing!

Enable Dental comes to our community and provides excellent service to our dementia residents, right in their suites. I would recommend Enable Dental!

My brother John is in assisted living and having the mobile dentists come to him is so nice. He feels safer in his environment and the dentists and assistants have been so patient with him.

My mother is an assisted living residential home. Her condition poses a few challenges to transfer and transport her to medical appointments. However, this week an Enable Dental dentist made a visit to her home to perform dental work. They were extremely professional, helpful, and friendly in coordinating care. Making such a pleasant dental experience for mom.

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Dental Care That Comes to the Homebound

22 Jun Dental Care That Comes to the Homebound

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people across the world have discovered what millions of elderly and disabled adults live with on a daily basis: the challenges of being homebound. Until recently, with high vaccination rates and eased social distancing guidelines, 97% of the country’s citizens found themselves homebound and facing limited access to services. The vast majority of these individuals can now transition into familiar routines. But an entire population of permanently homebound people, isolated prior to the outbreak, still confront significant challenges in receiving the oral care they desperately need.

The “Invisible Homebound”

An academic study published by Mount Sinai (“Oral health status and needs of homebound elderly in an urban home-based primary care service,” R Gluzman, H Meeker, P Agarwal, S Patel, G Gluck, L Espinoza, K Ornstein, T Soriano, R V Katz, Spec Care Dentist 33(5): 218-226, 2013) projected the elderly population to reach 88.5 million by 2050, echoing concerns about the number of permanently homebound individuals:

“A large portion of these elderly, chronically ill patients suffer from significant functional impairment that leaves them homebound and unable to access routine medical care. Although no official national data is available on home-bound elderly, the 2005 American Academy of Home Care Physicians’ Public Policy Statement states that at least two million seniors 65 years of age or older are permanently homebound and this number will increase over the next decades.”

In 2012, when that study was published, about 13% of the population was 65 years or older. Today, that number has risen to 16.5%, based on data from the Population Research Bureau. More distressing, according to the Department of Health and Human Services , 51% of these seniors live alone. The bigger challenge, however, is finding a way to treat the permanently homebound—a group of over 5 million seniors, an increase from 2 million in 2012, who have functional limitations that confine them to their homes. Many of them experience profound difficulty accessing office-based care. Some can’t at all. Because of this, they rely on overwhelmed family caregivers or succumb to illness.

According to the March 2018 issue of AGD Impact (Vol. 46, No. 3):

• Only 62.7% of seniors visited the dentist in 2015 vs. 84.7% of 2- to 17-year-olds
• Roughly 1 in 4 haven’t visited the dentist in the past five years
• They have 9.24 decayed or missing permanent teeth and 43.02 decayed and missing surfaces, on average
• 93% have had dental caries in their permanent dentition
• 68% have periodontitis
• 50% of those age 75 or older have root caries affecting at least one tooth
• 30% have xerostomia
• 18% suffer from untreated decay
• Around 5% are edentulous

These are conditions that contribute to the development of heart disease, complications in dealing with diabetes, and increased risks for stroke, pneumonia, or respiratory problems. They also affect basic quality of life for the elderly, such as being able to eat the foods they want each day. Yet it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Historically, geriatric dentistry primarily involved removing infected teeth until a dentist prescribed dentures. But, beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, education and awareness shifted to preserving most, if not all, teeth,” said Dr. David Blende of House Call Dentists, who was featured in the same issue of AGD Impact.

As the Pandemic Wanes, Challenges for the Homebound Persist

Once the pandemic is completely contained, we’re left with the pivotal question of how to treat the permanently homebound. Through teledentistry platforms, dental professionals can interface directly with caregivers, relatives, social workers, and assisted living facilities directors to ensure that their patients’ needs are articulated clearly and addressed promptly. But treating patients with special needs persists as a huge challenge.

• Enhanced medical and dental training is required
• In-home devices and mobile equipment must be obtained and learned
• Hospital privileges are often necessary to perform most complex procedures, including anesthesia, for patients who cannot comprehend instructions or stay still
• Many of the groups working in the field rely on grants and government funding, such as programs like Medicare and Medicaid

Fortunately, the tide is turning. Whether brought about by the visibility of homebound circumstances from the pandemic or the rapidly aging population, people are paying attention.

In addition to the nation’s homebound population, nearly 27% of people in the United States have functional or physical limitations. They experience profound difficulty accessing standard dental care. The problem is further complicated by the lack of dentists who have the specialized skills, training, and capabilities to serve their unique needs. The management of this population’s oral health often falls on the shoulders of overwhelmed family members or caregivers. Far too often, they avoid seeking dental assistance because providers can’t deliver the level of care needed to comfortably fit the unique needs of these patients.

• Complex genetic conditions
• Cognitive and physical limitations
• Developmental disability including autism
• Complex medical conditions

The Renaissance and Modernization of House Calls

As one the nation’s leading and most tenured experts in treating geriatric and homebound individuals, Dr. Blende understands that traditional approaches won’t satisfy the needs of these patients.

“The dental team must come to them,” he explained.

Dr. Blende has good reason for this claim. The Mount Sinai Hospital’s visiting doctors program found that 92% of its homebound elderly patients needed some form of dental treatment beyond oral hygiene. And 96% had not seen a dentist for three years or more since becoming homebound. Yet, all said they would welcome a home visit.

The idea of house calls isn’t new, but it also isn’t rooted in the nostalgic days of the country doctor. Today’s house calls are modern, supported by advanced technology, comprehensive, and safe.

Virtual Appointments

Through teledensity platforms, caregivers and family members can schedule appointments, review records, and communicate with dentists directly through voice and video using a computer or smart device.

New Tools of the Trade

State-of-the-art mobile dental technologies make setting up onsite visits a breeze in the home or a residential community. Teams can treat patients using portable equipment that replicates the essential tools found in the traditional office. Restorative and emergency care take place in the comfort and safety of the resident’s room.

As explained by Jonathan Wolfe is his 2017 article about House Call Dentists for the New York Times, “House Call Dentists, using what it says is a kit the size of a large briefcase, offers to create a sterile environment in your home, take x-rays with a portable machine, drill and fill cavities or perform a simple cleaning.”

This modern approach is an incredible way to keep senior and special needs patients healthy while improving their quality of life, wellbeing, and comfort.

About House Call Dentists

House Call Dentists (HCD) offers a unique approach involving portable equipment and sterilization procedures that meet or exceed hospital-grade standards to deliver in-home care for those in need, reinforcing our professional commitment to a continuum of care, even after our patients have left our office. We go where our patients need us. To learn more about our solutions, visit our website or contact us directly.

San Francisco Registered Dental Assistant (SF)

Lani Tugade

Taharah Burford

New York, San Francisco Registered Dental Assistant (NY)

CLARISSA CHAN

New York, San Francisco Registered Dental Assistant

LISA DAINON

Dr. Joy Marcial

New York Doctor of Dental Medicine

Dr.  Maria “Joy”  Marcial attended the University of the East where she completed her degree in Doctor of Dental Medicine in the Philippines.  After practicing for several years, she later moved to New York City where she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at New York University School of Dentistry. 

Dr. Joy Marcial is dynamic, energetic, friendly, and caring, reputed for her combination of artistic and technical expertise, she is a master at creating beautiful, natural-looking smiles.  She believes that the smile is a reflection of the overall health and well being of an individual and is committed to removing barriers to dental care.

Victoria Cameron

Registered Dental Assistant

Victoria has focused her career on the oral surgery element of being a Registered Dental Assistant, and has been with The Blende Dental Group since 1990. She has been keenly aware of the importance of teamwork and providing superior customer service by way of empathy & kindness toward her dental/oral surgery patients. Victoria received her RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) certificate & radiology license in the state of California after attending College of San Mateo on the Peninsula. Further, she acquired her OSA (Oral Surgery Assistant) certificate after additional training in oral surgery provided by the Northern California Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. Victoria also has operating room privileges at all four California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) campuses in San Francisco,  Kaiser San Francisco & San Rafael, Marin General Hospital in Marin County, and Mills-Peninsula in San Mateo County.

800-395-1152

Marissa Lawlor

Dental Assistant

Marissa is a Dental Assistant who brings nineteen years of talent and patient care to our team. She focuses her career on making sure patients are comfortable and enjoys getting to know about her patients. In her free time, she is a frequent fan at Giant’s games with her family.

Lindzy Goodman, DMD

San Francisco & New York

Dr. Lindzy Goodman graduated with magna cum laude distinction from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. She then went on to complete a two year General Practice Residency at the Brooklyn Hospital Center where she served as chief resident and as an attending physician, seeing patients under general anesthesia. Dr. Goodman is determined in fighting barriers to care and training includes treating patients with special needs, phobias, and complex medical conditions.

Nicole Ryan

New York, San Francisco COO

Nicole Ryan is the Operations Manager of House Call Dentists and The Blende Dental Group’s San Francisco Office. She has over 10 years’ experience in the dental field and business management. Nicole is responsible for directing, administering, and overseeing the day to day operations of both the clinical and the administrative teams. Nicole joined The Blende Dental Group in 2009 and became an integral part of the growth and success of one of the largest private dental practice in San Francisco. Nicole continues to top-grade a team dedicated to providing high touch service to their complex patients.

Gary Nord, DMD

Dr. Gary Nord received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree cum laude from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2010. He then went on to complete a two-year General Practice Residency where he served as chief resident of the department in his second year, overseeing the first-year residents and treating a wide variety of complex cases under general anesthesia and IV sedation. Dr. Nord then furthered his training in the specialty of Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry at New York Hospital Queens, where he learned to provide complex care to patients needing implants, cosmetic dentistry, and full mouth rehabilitation.

Dr. Nord’s interest in house call dentistry and the treatment of special needs patients began back in Dental School, where he travelled to patient’s homes to fabricate dentures for them. He is proud to be a part of House Call Dentists in New York City, where he can use his advanced specialty training to treat a wide variety of patients with complex medical and dental needs.

David Blende

New York, San Francisco Founder

Dr. David Blende brings you over 30 years of dental expertise. After graduating from the University of Southern California, he practiced in Switzerland, then went on to build a successful aesthetic dentistry practice in Beverly Hills. He became one of a pioneering group of dentists to do full-mouth rehabilitation using general anesthesia in a hospital setting. He later went on to establish the Blende Dental Group, where patients have traveled from more than 30 states and 20 countries for extensive treatment, complex aesthetic dentistry, or to have all their treatment completed while they sleep.

To complete these cases, Dr. Blende joined the medical staff at eight San Francisco Bay Area hospitals. He also serves as Chief of the Dental Division at two of the major hospitals. In these positions, he interacts with the entire healthcare team from physicians of all specialties to case managers to assisted living community nursing directors. Through these relationships, he realized that many people do not have access to dental care because they cannot travel to or cooperate with a dentist. He founded House Call Dentists in 2008 with a vision to remove such barriers to receiving dental care.

As word spread that dental care was available outside the dental office, Dr. Blende began receiving requests from concierge physicians and some of his private clients for services at home. The Concierge side of the practice was established to provide the highest level of service: real relationships with clients combined with elegant results. In 2013, House Call Dentists opened a second location in Manhattan.

Ava Salinas

Registered Dental Assistant (SF)

Dr. Zarabi attended George Washington University. He received his dental degree from SUNY at Stony Brook. He had additional training in periodontics at New York Medical College Department of Surgery and UMDNJ department of Periodontics.

Since joining the team, Dr. Zarabi was immediately aligned with the practice goals of treating each individual according to their unique needs and doing so in a comfortable and safe environment where he can create healthy and beautiful smiles.

Johanna Castaneda, RDA

Registered Dental Assistant (NY)

Johanna was born in Colombia but has called New York home for over 20 years. She graduated from Five Towns College on Long Island. Johanna has been a Registered Dental Assistant for nearly 18 years and in addition to general dentistry has experience in endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and Invisalign. Outside the office, Johanna is the lead singer in a band and is studying for her dental hygiene accreditation. Johanna loves helping our patients, and we love having her as part of our team.

Deborah Chau, DDS

San Francisco

Dr. Chau earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco after completing her undergraduate training at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. Upon graduating from dental school, she moved to Minneapolis to complete a General Practice Residency at the University of Minnesota. In residency, she managed the care of medically compromised patients both in the clinic and under general anesthesia in the hospital. After her time in residency, Dr. Chau moved back to the Bay Area and continues to be dedicated to treating patients, both general and special needs, with the House Call Dentist team. Dr. Chau is passionate about removing barriers to care for all patients so that they may have optimal dental health, no matter the situation.

Carla Caramat

New York, San Francisco CEO

Ms. Caramat is Managing Partner of House Call Dentists and the Blende Dental Group where she has worked since 1997. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University with a focus in Industrial Organization and completed an executive education program at Harvard Business School. Her purview includes not only managing one of the largest private dental practices in San Francisco; she also brings her appreciation for the finer things in life to tailoring exceptional concomitant services specifically for House Call Dentist Concierge clients.

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Everything Your Need To Know For Great At-Home Dental Care

Let’s be honest about something. Nobody loves visiting the dentist. That doesn’t mean some people don’t like their dentist or mind getting their teeth cleaned, but nobody really gets excited about it, especially if they need any kind of reconstructive work done. Even with dental technology improving quickly, getting a filling or a root canal is the pits. Getting a tooth pulled is even worse. So how do you stay out of the dental chair? Is there a way you can insure you never need to visit the dentist again?

The short answer is no. You still need to visit the dentist the same way you need to visit your doctor to check your blood pressure. Catching problems before they get serious and professionally cleaning your teeth every 6 months are the best ways to insure great dental health through your entire life. You only get one set of adult teeth, so take care of them, and find the right dentist for you to make that happen.

But you can take steps at home to all but ensure you won’t be getting any more cavities anytime soon. You can avoid that root canal, or getting any teeth pulled by taking into account our tips for at-home dental care. This is everything you need to know about taking care of your teeth at home. Follow our guide, and maybe just maybe you’ll arrive at your next dentist appointment with a smile on your way in, as well as your way out.

Do you chew your nails, a pen or even sugary gum when nervous? Do you suffer from Bruxism; grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw when stressed? These are all common conditions we notice at 123 Dentist clinics, and our dentists will work with you to treat each of these issues. At home, try flavoured nail polish to deter nail biters in your family. Always chew sugar free gum like Trident Xtra Care Gum, which carries the Canadian Dental Association’s seal of approval. And consider a custom mouth guard when sleeping to help relax your jaw the next day. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking and ask your dentist about it too. Curbing bad habits like these with simple aides can help preserve your teeth and if you have fillings already it can keep them from getting loose.

It’s a tale as old as time in the dental community, but one of the best ways to avoid cavities and rotting teeth is watching what you consume, and your body will thank you as much as your mouth. Limit your sugar intake, drink stain causing liquids like red wine, coffee and dark sodas from a straw. Eat more foods that support tooth health and consider a calcium supplement if you’re not getting enough. Some foods like oranges can even help kill germs in small amounts, but in larger amounts, citric acid can do harm. Whatever you eat, brush after every meal by packing a portable tooth brush to take to work. Only a couple minutes out of your day will save you hours at the dentist later on.

The first question a lot of patients ask our dentists about mouth wash is, does it work? The answer is a resounding yes, but only if it’s used properly. Over the counter mouth washes need to be used daily, and for the time recommended on the bottle. If the instructions say rinse for 60 seconds, 45 seconds isn’t enough. Studies have shown that patients can reduce plaque and gingivitis significantly by using over the counter rinses, but only if the directions are followed. The brand doesn’t matter as much, but you may need to sample a few before you find one that works for your mouth and taste. If the mouth wash you’re using is causing you irritation, switch to one without alcohol.

Mouth Guards

As mentioned above, custom mouth guards are a moulded from your teeth and fit into place. Our dentists will work with you to create a mould that addresses your needs and habits. At home, you don’t need to use soap or other cleaner on the plastic, just boil hot water to kill bacteria and then place the guard in your mouth. (Wait until it won’t burn your tongue.) Mouth guards will help you avoid clenching, grinding and straining your jaw while you sleep and they improve habits during the day too, over time. A custom mouth guard takes some getting used to, and it’s natural to wake up with it on the other side of the room, because your unconscious self isn’t used to it. Don’t worry though, a custom guard is made to last. You can purchase over the counter versions as well, but we recommend custom moulded versions, particularly for clenching and grinding.

Flossing is possibly the most effective and under-utilized at-home dental care solution. A lot of people don’t floss because they don’t feel they have the time, because they find it frustrating or difficult and because they find floss breaking in their mouth. Talk to your 123 Dentist about flossing, and don’t be afraid to ask for instructions and help. Use stronger floss to avoid shredding and if your teeth are tight together, try flossing aids like floss picks or even a water pick system. Though not as effective as carefully flossing your teeth in the traditional way, aides are a great way to get used to flossing. Contrary to some information, we recommend flossing once per day, it’s not more effective to floss more than that and can be hard on your gums. Finally, if you find yourself with bleeding gums after flossing, it is often natural, but not all the time. A little blood after you’ve not flossed in a while is natural, but if you’re consistently bleeding after you floss it may be a sign of something more serious, like gum disease. See your dentist for more information.

Toothpaste Options

Another popular question we’re often asked is what kind of toothpaste and brand is best for healthy teeth? There are so many brands and one important qualifier is the Canadian Dental Association Seal of Approval. Aquafresh, Crest, Colgate and Sensodyne all have toothpaste approved by the CDA. Narrowing it down has a lot to do with your specific teeth and needs, from sensitive teeth to stained teeth or problems with cavities, choosing the right tooth paste comes down to you. For those with fairly healthy teeth, a well rounded tooth paste with a flavour you like is best and our dentists always recommend toothpaste with enamel support. If you need help choosing the best toothpaste for you, talk to your 123 Dentist today!

Tooth Brushes (Classic)

These days we recommend electric tooth brushes as the best way to brush your teeth, but it’s not always possible to carry an electric tooth brush with you. Brushing at work after lunch or on vacation still requires manual brushing. So what kind of brush is best? Most of our dentists agree that a soft bristle brush with a small head is best. A smaller head allows better access to the back of your mouth and soft bristles aren’t as tough on your teeth. As for the handle and grip, choose whichever brush feels right for you. Replace your toothbrush as often as every 3 months, at most every 6 months when you visit the dentist for cleaning.

Tooth Brushes (Electric)

Only two electric tooth brushes carry the seal of approval from the CDA. Oral-B Professional Care 5000 with Smart Guide Power Brush and Oral-B Professional Care Series 3000, both from Proctor and Gamble. We also like some models of the Philips Sonicare collection. It’s important to remember that while an electric toothbrush is more costly than a standard brush, it also lasts much, much longer. High quality brands offer more power, more rotations per second and do a better job cleaning. They also offer better warranties and are convenient for replacement. Oral-B for instance lets you replace the heads of the brush easily so other members of the same household can share the same brush and replacing heads every 6 months is easy. Storage options offer a neat, hygienic place to keep everyone else’s brush head and they are colour coded to avoid confusion.

At Home Whitening

As mentioned above, diet matters. A bad diet, especially one that includes a lot of stain causing food and drink can cause yellow teeth. Surface whiteners like gum and tooth paste can help to reduce light surface stains, but they won’t help with deep stains like the ones caused by bad habits and diet. White Strips and other at home solutions involve bleaching the teeth themselves using peroxide-based bleaching. This technique is more effective, but it can also damage your teeth and is no replacement for a professional cleaning at the dentist. There are more expensive and effective bleaching kits available from your dentist, but you’ll need to be extra vigilant about stain causing foods, smoking and sensitivity. Keep in mind that while Health Canada requires all products sold to adhere to truthful advertising, some improvements shown are exaggerated by the manufacturer. An alternative to bleaching is laser-based whitening, available at many of our clinics.

Bi-Annual Dentist Visits

Just remember that no matter what you do at home, the most important part of good dental care is professional cleanings every 6 months. Your dentist can use tools that aren’t available to the average family and offer a level of cleaning you can’t get even from regular flossing. Regular cleanings help catch any other problems before they become painful and costly to repair. Many of our dentists offer promotions with regular check-ups and cleanings and the cost is far more manageable than fillings.

Many families with dental insurance will find that it lapses at the end of the calendar year. Book your dental cleaning and exam early enough to find any existing cavities and take full advantage of your insurance before it resets in 2015.

Easy financing will help the millions of Canadians who cannot afford basic dental care.

123Dentist combines with Altima Dental and Lapointe Group, solidifying its position as one of the largest dental support organizations in Canada

Now in its 29th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies remains one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. 

Our passion is driven by the values that we use every day to guide our decision-making and interactions with patients, team members, suppliers, and the communities where we live and work.

123Dentist is a great place to work. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to some kind words from our team members and what it’s like working at 123Dentist. […]

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Dentist for Homebound Patients

Thanks to Dr. Nguyen’s work, there is now a dentist for homebound patients in the Southern California region. If you are looking for dentists that come to your home in Orange , San Diego , Riverside , or Los Angeles counties, please know that this service is available to you. If your elderly loved one cannot leave their bed, contact us. In-House Dental Care works with patients laying in bed, on recliners, sitting on couches, or in wheelchairs. We can come to wherever the patient is, including private residences, assisted living facilities, and patients in hospice. Our state of the art equipment offers the same high quality treatment you would expect in a traditional dental office, and it can travel with us anywhere. We even have a smaller unit that can be taken up stairs.

In Home Dental Care Can Relieve Pain

Regular dental care can keep your loved one from jaw and tooth pain, and relieve problems like cavities, which is why dentists that make home visits are so important for the elderly population. We treat every patient with the respect and dignity they deserve, and make sure they are comfortable at all times. Dr. Nguyen is a respected dentist for homebound patients , and has experience working with patients that have Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and other physical and cognitive ailments. Call (949) 339-5373 to make an appointment with a caring and professional team that can help your elderly loved one, in the comfort of their own home.

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Home Oral Care

• ADA home oral care recommendations are based on data from clinical studies and systematic reviews.
• While general recommendations may adequately address the needs for many patients, a dentist may tailor home oral care recommendations to fit the individual patient’s needs and wants, focusing on a personalized approach to treatment and prevention.
• Home oral care is an important contributor to oral health and can help lessen the need for extensive dental intervention in the future.

This information on home oral care, developed by the ADA, is a summary of the ADA recommendations and can help facilitate discussions with your patients about their home oral health care habits.

Spending the right amount of time engaged in appropriate home oral care is essential to helping minimize the risk of caries and periodontal disease. An individual who visits the dentist twice a year for an oral exam and dental prophylaxis will spend approximately two hours per year in the dental chair. The time for that same person to brush and clean between his or her teeth each day might be estimated to be around 30 hours per year. Considering the amount of time that should be devoted to daily oral hygiene, it is important to understand the scientific evidence that supports home oral care recommendations for patients.

In 2017, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs identified three aspects of home oral care that dentists should discuss with their patients:

• General recommendations that are applicable to most people;
• Personalized recommendations specifically targeted to meet the needs of the individual patient, especially patients at increased risk of caries and/or gingivitis; and
• Lifestyle considerations to enhance oral health and wellness.

The general and personalized recommendations were developed in accordance with a rapid evidence assessment methodology, 1 meaning that the evidence examined was derived from existing systematic reviews. Lifestyle considerations comport with current ADA policy. This Oral Health Topic page is an executive summary of that work and relevant ADA policy.

While a seemingly simple statement, the guidance for brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes weaves together a number of discrete components.

Toothbrushing frequency Review of the scientific literature, along with guidance from governmental organizations and professional associations found sufficient evidence to support the contention that twice-daily brushing, when compared with lower frequencies, was optimal for reducing risk of caries, 2-4 gingival recession or periodontitis. 5-7 It is important to recognize that in these studies, it was the frequency of tooth-brushing with a fluoride toothpaste that was evaluated rather than tooth-brushing alone.

Fluoride toothpaste Although the measures used to assess the benefit varied, studies examining the effect of over-the-counter (OTC) fluoride dentifrice on caries incidence in children and adolescents found the fraction of caries prevented ranged from 16% per tooth to 31% per surface versus placebo or no dentifrice, and concluded that fluoride-containing toothpaste was effective in caries control. 4, 8, 9 In addition, high level evidence shows that 5,000 ppm fluoride (available with a prescription) results in significantly more arrest of root caries lesions than use of OTC levels of fluoride (1,000-1,500ppm). 10

Toothbrushing duration Data examining the question of optimal duration of daily tooth-brushing encounters relies on plaque indices, which are surrogate measures rather than direct measure of caries or gingivitis. Understanding that the use of surrogate measures decreases the certainty with which a recommendation can be made, the available systematic reviews found a brushing duration of two minutes was associated with greater reduction in plaque than brushing for a single minute. 11, 12 Two minutes per whole mouth can also be expressed as thirty seconds per quadrant or about four seconds per tooth.

While cleaning between teeth is important in maintaining oral health, it is a concept that includes several barriers people encounter on the way to adoption. ”Flossing” is often used as a common, shorthand term for interdental cleaning, which can become problematic in the real world where many people report a strong dislike for that particular activity. 13 Some people presume flossing is ineffective or unnecessary, which can also make it harder for them to adopt the daily habit. Flossing is a technique-sensitive intervention 14 as exemplified by the differences in benefit observed when comparing study designs involving self-flossing and professional flossing. 15 Patients who do not see positive results from flossing may not continue to do so.

Using “flossing” as shorthand for interdental cleaning can also be problematic in that patients may be unaware of alternative devices, which may be more pleasant or effective for them. A meta-review, which included the available devices developed for this purpose (i.e., dental floss, interdental brushes, oral irrigators, and woodsticks), addressed the question “What is the effect of mechanical inter-dental plaque removal in addition to toothbrushing on managing gingivitis in adults?” The strength of the evidence on the benefit ranged from weak to moderate depending on the device in question. 16

Thus, there may not be one “best” interdental cleaning method; rather, the best method for any given patient will be the one that they will regularly perform. A guiding principle that is relevant to interdental cleaning is “best care for each patient rests neither in clinician judgment nor scientific evidence but rather in the art of combining the two through interaction with the patient to find the best option for each individual.” 17

While eating a healthy diet is important for overall health and well-being, a review of the literature found little in terms of the effects of micronutrients on the risk of caries or periodontal disease. However, the conclusion of numerous systematic reviews on the effect of the macronutrient content of the diet, specifically of sugar, is that there is an association between sugar intake and caries. 18-20 A review of the evidence supporting nine international guidelines recommending decreased consumption of sugar found consistent recommendations from all the groups while noting that they relied on different data and rationales. 18

Viewed through the prism of the primary prevention of caries and/or gingivitis, a systematic review of the literature failed to arrive at consensus regarding optimal recall frequency to minimize either caries 21, 22 or periodontal disease risk 23 in part due to limited availability of studies addressing this topic. Nonetheless, in terms of the balance between resource allocation and risk reduction, it can be concluded that there is merit in tailoring a patient’s recall interval to individual need based on assessed risk of disease. 21, 24

Previously, the ADA Healthy Smile Tips advised people to “Visit your dentist regularly.” However, dentists are doctors of oral health, which encompasses both the prevention and treatment of oral disease. The current recommendation goes a step further than its predecessor in articulating the duality of the dental visits.

Dental care includes actions to reduce disease risk, as well as the formulation and execution of a treatment plan when disease is present. While generalized recommendations for home oral care may be appropriate to help optimize oral wellness for many patients, those found to be at elevated risk of caries and/or gingivitis, may ask their dentists to provide guidance on additional action steps that they can take to reduce their risk of oral disease. 25 To help address this reality, the ADA recommends that dentists:

• Design a home care regimen with specific recommendations for oral hygiene. This may involve consideration of not only the person’s individual oral disease risk but the needs and wants of the patient.
• Offer direction concerning lifestyle changes (this is addressed in the next section, entitled “Lifestyle Considerations”).
• Provide guidance on dental products and mechanical devices. This includes detailed suggestions that can help patients make decisions about dental hygiene practices and products. Patients may look to their dentists for guidance and recommendations to help discern among the plethora of home oral care products and mechanical devices that lay claim to oral health benefit. Dentists and patients can look to the ADA Seal of Acceptance program as a source of validated information regarding the safety and efficacy of many home oral care products.

After careful review of the available evidence, the Council on Scientific Affairs provides the following rationale to inform decision-making between dentists and patients on products and mechanical devices that can be considered as adjunct therapies and modalities for the prevention of caries and/or gingivitis:

For individuals with increased risk for gingivitis or periodontal disease, there is evidence that over-the-counter oral care products containing specific antimicrobial active ingredients can decrease risk of gingivitis. Systematic reviews found that mouthrinses containing an antimicrobial effective amount of a fixed combination of four essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, and thymol) or cetylpyridinium chloride, 26-28 and toothpastes containing triclosan or stannous fluoride, 29-31 were associated with decreased risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

With regards to caries risk reduction, there is strong evidence supporting the use of fluoride-containing mouthrinses by children at elevated caries risk 32 and low level evidence on the benefit of adults using fluoride mouthrinse to decrease their risk of root caries. 10 However, all of the products available in the market that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been shown to have fluoride levels that are safe and effective.

Like their manual counterparts, powered toothbrushes provide effective removal of dental plaque and reduction in gingival inflammation when used appropriately. 11, 12, 33-37 Some patients may find powered toothbrushes easier to use. 38-43

• Interdental Cleaning Devices

Recent analysis using NHANES data found that adults who more frequently reported using floss or other devices to clean between their teeth were found less likely to have periodontitis. 44 Because of the barriers to interdental cleaning, it may not be effective to tell patients that they must floss and expect it to become a regular part of their oral home care routine. Instead, dentists can support effective home oral care by gauging their patient’s level of understanding, learning about their motivation, and then serving as a “coach” by communicating and promoting daily cleaning between their teeth. 45 Discussing the various interdental cleaning devices can help educate patients on available options and provide them with some of the skills necessary to be effective stewards of their own oral health.

Dentists can provide, promote or direct patients to information about lifestyle behaviors and/or services that can aid in reducing the risk of problems and improving overall oral health.

Beyond the general and personalized recommendations above, specific ADA policies that address lifestyle considerations to help reduce risks to oral health. Four policies are discussed below:

At-home orthodontic treatments, such as direct-to-consumer (DTC) and do-it-yourself (DIY) orthodontia are both forms of orthodontic treatment discouraged by the ADA due to patient safety concerns. DTC orthodontic treatment services allow consumers to order teeth straightening kits directly from a supplier and often rely on patient-supplied impressions or photographs. Unlike impressions and radiographs taken by an experienced, licensed dental professional, patient-supplied impressions may be more likely to result in user error, which can ultimately lead to an improper fit of orthodontic appliances. A poor fit can cause the gum tissue to be impinged or stripped, and may also increase the chances of tooth loss or misalignment; or problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In addition to assuring proper fit, dental professionals can provide pre-treatment dental evaluations and take radiographs. These play an important role in planning treatment and identifying underlying problems, such as periodontal disease, which can impact both oral health and orthodontic results. 46 For example, while patients who undergo orthodontic treatment are more likely to experience root resorption than those who do not, 47 the process may be exacerbated by periodontal disease. 48 The importance of regular dental visits is greater during orthodontic treatment to ensure the well- being of the teeth being treated. Regular dental visits, including radiographs, as part of the orthodontic treatment plan can help identify tooth structure loss or other problems as they occur and address the problem in real time.

The use of rubber bands and paper clips to adjust teeth is ill advised. DIY orthodontia commonly involves using household items and can result in permanent damage and/or require corrective measures to avoid adverse results, such as tooth loss or misalignment. 49 Citing concern about patient harm and the importance of dental oversight throughout orthodontic treatment, the ADA passed a resolution discouraging the use of DIY orthodontic treatment in 2017 (Do-It-Yourself Teeth Straightening (Trans.2017:266)). 50

Much of the literature evaluated in systematic reviews examining the association between consumption of fluoridated water and reduced levels of caries in primary and permanent dentition derives from studies conducted before the 1980s. 51 One experiment, in which a Canadian community discontinued its community water fluoridation to allow for the comparison of caries rates within a socioeconomically similar, adjacent community that maintained its water fluoridation demonstrated a significant increase in primary tooth decay and an increasing trend for increased decay in permanent dentition 2.5 – 3 years post cessation among residents who reported usually drinking tap water. 52 In 2016, the U.S. Surgeon General expressed the view that community water fluoridation was an important component for developing a culture of disease prevention and helping to ensure health equity for all. 53 The ADA’s most recent resolution supporting community water fluoridation was passed in 2015 (Operational Policies and Recommendations Regarding Community Water Fluoridation (Trans. 1997:673; 2015:273)). 50

While the various forms of tobacco have a variety of health consequences, the oral consequences of cigarette smoking 54 and use of smokeless tobacco products 55 can include adverse effects on gingival health, enamel discoloration and erosion, and oral cancer. For these reasons, the ADA has long advocated for smoking and tobacco cessation initiatives both at the policy (Policies and Recommendations on Tobacco Use (Trans.2016:323)) 50 and practice levels.

The literature on the oral consequences of oral piercings show tooth fracture, tooth wear and gingival recession among the commonly reported adverse events, and the ADA established policy discouraging oral piercing in 1998 (Policy Statement on Intraoral/Perioral Piercing and Tongue Splitting (Trans.1998:743; 2000:481; 2004:309; 2012:469; 2016:300; 2021:164). 50

• Grant MJ, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Info Libr J 2009;26(2):91-108.
• Cooper AM, O'Malley LA, Elison SN, et al. Primary school-based behavioural interventions for preventing caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013(5):Cd009378.
• Kumar S, Tadakamadla J, Johnson NW. Effect of toothbrushing frequency on incidence and increment of dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res 2016;95(11):1230-6.
• Twetman S. Caries prevention with fluoride toothpaste in children: an update. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2009;10(3):162-7.
• Heasman PA, Holliday R, Bryant A, Preshaw PM. Evidence for the occurrence of gingival recession and non-carious cervical lesions as a consequence of traumatic toothbrushing. J Clin Periodontol 2015;42 Suppl 16:S237-55.
• Rajapakse PS, McCracken GI, Gwynnett E, et al. Does tooth brushing influence the development and progression of non-inflammatory gingival recession? A systematic review. J Clin Periodontol 2007;34(12):1046-61.
• Zimmermann H, Zimmermann N, Hagenfeld D, et al. Is frequency of tooth brushing a risk factor for periodontitis? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2015;43(2):116-27.
• Santos AP, Oliveira BH, Nadanovsky P. Effects of low and standard fluoride toothpastes on caries and fluorosis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Caries Res 2013;47(5):382-90.
• Wright JT, Hanson N, Ristic H, et al. Fluoride toothpaste efficacy and safety in children younger than 6 years: a systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc 2014;145(2):182-9.
• Wierichs RJ, Meyer-Lueckel H. Systematic review on noninvasive treatment of root caries lesions. J Dent Res 2015;94(2):261-71.
• Rosema N, Slot DE, van Palenstein Helderman WH, Wiggelinkhuizen L, Van der Weijden GA. The efficacy of powered toothbrushes following a brushing exercise: a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg 2016;14(1):29-41.
• Slot DE, Wiggelinkhuizen L, Rosema NA, Van der Weijden GA. The efficacy of manual toothbrushes following a brushing exercise: a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg 2012;10(3):187-97.
• American Academy of Periodontology More Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults are Dishonest with Dentists About How Often They Floss Their Teeth . 2015.
• Wilder RS, Bray KS. Improving periodontal outcomes: merging clinical and behavioral science. Periodontol 2000 2016;71(1):65-81.
• Hujoel PP, Cunha-Cruz J, Banting DW, Loesche WJ. Dental flossing and interproximal caries: a systematic review. J Dent Res 2006;85(4):298-305.
• Salzer S, Slot DE, Van der Weijden FA, Dorfer CE. Efficacy of inter-dental mechanical plaque control in managing gingivitis--a meta-review. J Clin Periodontol 2015;42 Suppl 16:S92-105.
• Suvan JE, D'Aiuto F. Progressive, paralyzed, protected, perplexed? What are we doing? Int J Dent Hyg 2008;6(4):251-2.
• Erickson J, Sadeghirad B, Lytvyn L, Slavin J, Johnston BC. The scientific basis of guideline recommendations on sugar intake: A systematic review. Ann Intern Med 2017;166(4):257-67.
• Moynihan P. Sugars and dental caries: evidence for setting a recommended threshold for intake. Adv Nutr 2016;7(1):149-56.
• Moynihan PJ, Kelly SA. Effect on caries of restricting sugars intake: Systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. J Dent Res 2014;93(1):8-18.
• Patel S, Bay RC, Glick M. A systematic review of dental recall intervals and incidence of dental caries. J Am Dent Assoc 2010;141(5):527-39.
• Riley P, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Beirne PV. Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013(12):Cd004346.
• Azarpazhooh A, Main PA. Efficacy of dental prophylaxis (rubber cup) for the prevention of caries and gingivitis: a systematic review of literature. Br Dent J 2009;207(7):E14; discussion 328-9.
• Twetman S. Caries risk assessment in children: how accurate are we? Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2016;17(1):27-32.
• Chapple IL, Van der Weijden F, Doerfer C, et al. Primary prevention of periodontitis: managing gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol 2015;42 Suppl 16:S71-6.
• Serrano J, Escribano M, Roldan S, Martin C, Herrera D. Efficacy of adjunctive anti-plaque chemical agents in managing gingivitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol 2015;42 Suppl 16:S106-38.
• Van der Weijden FA, Van der Sluijs E, Ciancio SG, Slot DE. Can chemical mouthwash agents achieve plaque/gingivitis control? Dent Clin North Am 2015;59(4):799-829.
• Araujo MW, Charles CA, Weinstein RB, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect of an essential oil-containing mouthrinse on gingivitis and plaque. J Am Dent Assoc 2015;146(8):610-22.
• Paraskevas S, van der Weijden GA. A review of the effects of stannous fluoride on gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol 2006;33(1):1-13.
• Riley P, Lamont T. Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013(12):Cd010514.
• Salzer S, Slot DE, Dorfer CE, Van der Weijden GA. Comparison of triclosan and stannous fluoride dentifrices on parameters of gingival inflammation and plaque scores: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dent Hyg 2015;13(1):1-17.
• Marinho VC, Chong LY, Worthington HV, Walsh T. Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;7:Cd002284.
• Petker W, Weik U, Margraf-Stiksrud J, Deinzer R. Oral cleanliness in daily users of powered vs. manual toothbrushes - a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health 2019;19(1):96.
• Vibhute A, Vandana KL. The effectiveness of manual versus powered toothbrushes for plaque removal and gingival health: A meta-analysis. J Indian Soc Periodontol 2012;16(2):156-60.
• Neelima M, Chandrashekar BR, Goel S, Sushma R, Srilatha Y. "Is powered toothbrush better than manual toothbrush in removing dental plaque?" - A crossover randomized double-blind study among differently abled, India. J Indian Soc Periodontol 2017;21(2):138-43.
• Kakar AM, Nair SK, Saraf S. A 12-week, multicenter, normal-use evaluation of a manual toothbrush with angled bristle design. J Indian Soc Periodontol 2019;23(5):469-74.
• Yaacob M, Worthington HV, Deacon SA, et al. Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014(6):Cd002281.
• Wolff L, Kim A, Nunn M, Bakdash B, Hinrichs J. Effectiveness of a sonic toothbrush in maintenance of dental implants. A prospective study. J Clin Periodontol 1998;25(10):821-8.
• Swierkot K, Brusius M, Leismann D, et al. Manual versus sonic-powered toothbrushing for plaque reduction in patients with dental implants: an explanatory randomised controlled trial. Eur J Oral Implantol 2013;6(2):133-44.
• Elkerbout TA, Slot DE, Rosema NAM, Van der Weijden GA. How effective is a powered toothbrush as compared to a manual toothbrush? A systematic review and meta-analysis of single brushing exercises. Int J Dent Hyg 2020;18(1):17-26.
• Pitchika V, Pink C, Volzke H, et al. Long-term impact of powered toothbrush on oral health: 11-year cohort study. J Clin Periodontol 2019;46(7):713-22.
• Erbe C, Klukowska M, Tsaknaki I, et al. Efficacy of 3 toothbrush treatments on plaque removal in orthodontic patients assessed with digital plaque imaging: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2013;143(6):760-6.
• Allocca G, Pudylyk D, Signorino F, Grossi GB, Maiorana C. Effectiveness and compliance of an oscillating-rotating toothbrush in patients with dental implants: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Implant Dent 2018;4(1):38.
• Cepeda MS, Weinstein R, Blacketer C, Lynch MC. Association of flossing/inter-dental cleaning and periodontitis in adults. J Clin Periodontol 2017;44(9):866-71.
• Vernon LT, Howard AR. Advancing Health Promotion in Dentistry: Articulating an Integrative Approach to Coaching Oral Health Behavior Change in the Dental Setting. Curr Oral Health Rep 2015;2(3):111-22.
• Meeran NA. Iatrogenic possibilities of orthodontic treatment and modalities of prevention. Journal of Orthodontic Science 2013;2(3):73-86.
• Gay G, Ravera S, Castroflorio T, et al. Root resorption during orthodontic treatment with Invisalign®: a radiometric study. Progress in Orthodontics 2017;18:12.
• Alfuriji S, Alhazmi N, Alhamlan N, et al. The effect of orthodontic therapy on periodontal health: a review of the literature. Int J Dent 2014;2014:585048.
• American Association of Orthodontists. Orthodontists Report Uptick in Number of Patients Attempting DIY Teeth Straightening: American Association of Orthodontists; 2017.
• American Dental Association. Current Policies, Adopted 1954–2017. Chicago, IL: American Dental Association; 2018.
• Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Worthington HV, Walsh T, et al. Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015(6):CD010856.
• McLaren L, Singhal S. Does cessation of community water fluoridation lead to an increase in tooth decay? A systematic review of published studies. J Epidemiol Community Health 2016;70(9):934-40.
• Centers for Disease and Prevention Surgeon General's Statements on Community Water Fluoridation. 2016. " https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/guidelines/surgeons-general-statements.html ". January 4, 2023 .
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The health consequences of smoking – 50 years of progress: a report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General 2014. " http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/50-years-of-progress/full-report.pdf ". Accessed January 4, 2023.
• Couch ET, Chaffee BW, Gansky SA, Walsh MM. The changing tobacco landscape: What dental professionals need to know. J Am Dent Assoc 2016;147(7):561-9.

Related Oral Health Topics

The following related Oral Health Topic pages contain current scientific reviews of subjects that relate to home oral care, including:

• Toothpastes
• Toothbrushes
• Mouthrinse (Mouthwash)
• Floss/Interdental Cleaners
• Fluoride in Water
• Oral Piercing

Information Sheet on pH of Home Oral Care Products

ADA Seal of Acceptance Search for related products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance , including:

• Interdental Cleaners
• Mouthrinses

Patient Education

For the Dental Patient is a JADA column that is geared toward patient education and intended to facilitate discussion between dentists and patients. The following items can help facilitate conversations related to the ADA’s home oral care recommendations:

• Helping your child fight tooth decay (February 2020)
• The word on vaping: don’t start (March 2020)
• Fluoride helps fight cavities (January 2021)
• Keeping your smile healthy (October 2021)
• Key Points for Your Child’s Teeth (January 2022)
• Shopping smart: looking for the Seal (May 2022)
• Returning to Good Health Care Can Start with a Smile (August 2022)
• Oral Piercing and Gems: Know What You’re Getting Into (December 2022)

Additional ADA Resources Search the following databases for additional resources related to home oral care:

• JADA (scientific articles) 
• ADA Store (educational/office products)
• ADA Library Services  (scientific articles)

Last Updated: December 30, 2022

Prepared by:

Research Services and Scientific Information, ADA Library & Archives.

Content on the Oral Health Topics section of ADA.org is for informational purposes only. Content is neither intended to nor does it establish a standard of care or the official policy or position of the ADA; and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ADA is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Dentist Home Visits

Can dentists do home visits.

Yes. Dentists can do home visits and provide dental care in private homes. Our special portable dental units allow us to provide treatments such as placing temporary and permanent fillings, doing denture adjustments such as relieving sore spots, adjusting the bite, reline loose dentures, and tightening clasps on partial dentures. We can also add teeth to dentures, fix broken denture teeth, and repair split dentures.

Where can I find a dentist who makes home visits?

If you are looking for a dentist who provides home dental care, then you are already in the right place! Dr. Stu Rubin , Dr. Lindsay Rubin , and their team at Dental Home services are a unique group of dentists who have decades of combined experience working with patients in their own homes, outside of the traditional dental office.

Compassion, kindness, and experience

Dentists who make home visits are those who have the experience and desire to work with disabled patients outside of the traditional dental office. Dr. Stu Rubin founded Dental Home Services over twenty years ago after his father-in-law suffered a debilitating stroke that left him homebound. Stu saw how difficult this situation was for the patient and the family and wanted to do what he could to help. His extensive work with Alzheimer’s patients led to his appointment to the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s New Jersey. Dental Home Services is the leading provider of on-site dental treatment, and we encourage you to read our reviews .

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The Secret Power Hiding Behind At-Home Dental Care

Why at-home dental care is so important, especially for seniors.

That’s why it’s important to understand that at home dental care plays a vital role in their overall wellbeing.

At Home Dental Care for Seniors

Senior dental care at home is not as cumbersome for some as it is for others. Regardless of their ability or mobility, it’s important for them to maintain good oral hygiene habits. Even though they may not want to, you can help them by making sure they:

• Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush with a fluoride -containing toothpaste.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Eating a healthy diet
• Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day.
• Remember to clean dentures on a daily basis. Take them out of the mouth for at least four hours every day . It’s best to remove them at night.
• Visiting the dentist on a regular schedule for cleaning and an oral exam

It’s the last one that can present a challenge for seniors who are homebound or confined to a senior care facility. As we said before, getting older, more vulnerable senior to the dentist may be impossible. That’s why Dr. Alisa Kauffman of Geriatric House Call Dentistry brings in-home geriatric dental care to them. There’s an undeniable call for house call dentists to provide at home dental care for those who cannot care for themselves. With the American Dental Association recommending that patients see their dentist about twice a year, the need is great for those who cannot leave their home.

The Importance of House Call Dentistry

At home dental care is not only important, it’s crucial to the overall health of the aging patient.

Oral health directly impacts the health of the rest of the body, and taking care of elderly teeth and gums is just as important as digestive or heart health. In fact, it can directly affect it. According to The Mayo Clinic , your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis . An infection of the inner lining of your heart. It typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in the heart.
• Cardiovascular disease . Heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
• Diabetes . Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes.
• Osteoporosis . Osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak and brittle, might be linked to periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer’s . Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Those problems can be greatly reduced or alleviated by having proper oral hygiene practices in place. If they can’t do it on their own, and you’re finding yourself in a position where you need help helping an aging, vulnerable patient, Dr. Kauffman would be thrilled to discuss your concerns. She’s been living in her calling for years, and she’s passionate about making a difference in the lives of the marginalized senior community.

Give her a call today at 866-686-4423 to schedule a consultation.

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© 2024 Geriatric House Call Dentistry. Geriatric House Call Dentistry is committed to serving the most important generation of our time, and those who cannot receive dental care the traditional way. Dentists featured on our website are highly skilled in their field and operate their own practice independently in their respective locations. We are all highly trained independent practice owners providing dental treatment to our homebound elders. This is not a franchise. Dr. Kauffman recommends and distributes denture products by Dr. B Dental Solutions. Website and web marketing by Syndicate Marketing Agency

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Read This Before Your Next Trip to the Dentist

Here’s how to evaluate your dentist’s advice—and ways to pay less for pricey dental procedures

When you’re in the dentist’s chair, being told that you need a filling, a crown, a root canal, or some other procedure, should you trust that advice? Or is there another option?

Many factors—apart from what’s best for you—may play a role in how some dentists decide what to recommend. Plus, the scientific evidence supporting some dental procedures is often lacking. When it comes to the best way to handle a problem with a tooth, there’s a whole lot of gray area.

Plenty of teeth do need dental work, and no repair lasts forever, so a tooth with a filling could require ongoing attention. A small filling may be replaced by a larger filling, the tooth might eventually need a crown and a root canal, and you could finally need to have the tooth taken out, says Alexander Holden, PhD, clinical associate professor of dentistry at the University of Sydney. But when should all these steps occur? Or are they even necessary?

In many cases, there are no hard-and-fast rules. “Even among skilled, ethical dentists, there can be discrepancies in treatment plans,” says Olivia Sheridan, DMD, a professor of clinical restorative dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Recommendations about many medical treatments come from respected groups that pore over all the evidence. But fewer such guidelines exist for most dental treatments.

In the absence of such data, a dentist can weigh considerations such as a person’s age, the shape of their bite, and more. But other influences might sometimes play a role, too.

For example, private-equity-owned dental service organizations may encourage some dentists to sell people unnecessary treatments to maximize profits. And in a 2020 Canadian study , researchers found that dentists who reported more debt were more likely to recommend more aggressive (and probably more expensive) treatments. Such research shows why people should ask about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of any proposed treatment, says study author Abdulrahman Ghoneim, a dentist and PhD student at the University of Toronto. Yet only 27 percent of Americans have ever gotten a second opinion on a recommended dental treatment or procedure, according to a nationally representative survey of 2,116 adults conducted by CR in March. Here, we take a look at five common procedures to help you figure out if and when you really need them.

Note: Prices are from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute’s 2020 Survey of Dental Fees. They represent the average total amount dentists reported they expect to be paid for procedures (insurance may not reimburse the full amount). The actual cost to consumers will vary.

CR's Guide to Treatments

Filling Replacement What it is: Fillings, the standard treatment for cavities, eventually wear out. They can be made with materials such as metal or tooth-colored resin, which can crack, or they can decay around the edges. For a replacement filling, the old filling (plus any new decay) is removed, and a new one is placed.

When it’s needed: The experts we spoke with had a wide range of opinions on when fillings should be replaced vs. simply repaired. Gerald Simmons, BDS, a general dentist in Palmdale, Calif., says he almost always advises replacing the whole filling because the cost to the consumer is the same, and he can ensure that there’s no decay underneath the filling that could be missed if it is only repaired. Still, a repair also has potential advantages—it may help preserve more of the tooth’s original structure and can be less traumatic for patients. Nathaniel Lawson, PhD, director of the division of biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, says he prefers repairing—if they’re fillings he originally performed. The scientific literature is of little help: In 2014, the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent group that reviews evidence about tests and treatments, found that there was insufficient support to determine whether repair or replacement was preferable . Ultimately, you’ll need to have a conversation with your dentist about the risks and benefits of each option.

When to question it: Replacing or repairing fillings can be important when they’re damaged or there’s new decay. But you should push back if a dentist recommends replacing your fillings just because they’re old. Age alone shouldn’t indicate a need for new fillings, according to the American Dental Association’s Choosing Wisely recommendations , which aim to reduce unnecessary care.

What the alternatives are: A filling repair involves removing and replacing only the defective part of the filling, rather than the whole filling.

Cost of a filling: $104 to $472, depending on material used and the number of sides of the tooth it covers.

What it is: A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that replaces part of your natural tooth above your gumline. To place one, a dentist removes some of the tooth’s outer material and cements the crown on top of your remaining tooth. “We use a crown to restore a tooth to its original shape and size,” says Edmond R. Hewlett, DDS, consumer adviser for the American Dental Association and a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry in Los Angeles.

When it’s needed: A crown is meant to reinforce a tooth whose structure has been weakened by other dental work or decay. If you’ve had a root canal on a molar, for example, you need a crown on the tooth, too, because you need strong molars for chewing. (A crown may be optional for nonmolars with root canals.)

When to question it: The decision can be subjective. For some people, preserving their natural tooth structure is most important; others, such as those who have a forceful bite or who grind their teeth, may benefit more from the added strength of a crown. Crowns are expensive, so it’s always reasonable to ask for options.

What the alternatives are: A larger filling may work instead of a crown in some cases, according to Simmons, who says he tries to use this approach when he can because the natural tooth surface will be less prone to collecting plaque than the crown (particularly at its edge). On the other hand, crowns tend to have a longer life than fillings. Dentists also have the option of using a partial crown, known as an onlay, which caps only part of the tooth. This preserves more of the tooth’s natural structure, but it is somewhat more complicated to perform because it must be bonded to the tooth. Your dentist might not routinely do them, and insurance might not cover it. Still, Lawson calls onlays “a great conservative option.”

Cost of a crown: $400 to $1,698, depending on the materials and how much of the tooth is covered.

What it is: Deep cavities, extensive or repeated dental procedures, or trauma to the tooth can leave a tooth’s soft insides, or pulp, inflamed and eventually infected. During a root canal, a provider drills into the root of your tooth to remove infected, necrotic (dead) pulp in the center of your tooth. The inside of the canal is cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed.

When it’s needed: The pulp contains a tooth’s nerves, and once that tissue has begun to decay, there’s no option but to take it out, Simmons says. Otherwise, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Although it’s rare now, before the advent of antibiotics untreated infected tooth pulp could sometimes be fatal.

When to question it: It’s important that your dentist perform adequate testing to determine that your tooth’s pulp is necrotic and not salvageable, because some people who need root canals don’t experience pain as a symptom. Testing may include X-ray imaging, and your dentist should do a sensitivity test, such as placing something cold against the suspect tooth and assessing your reaction. If you can’t feel the cold at all, the tooth is probably dead and needs a root canal, Lawson says. Significant or extreme pain is also a concerning sign. A few seconds of pain, however, may mean that the tooth’s pulp is inflamed but not irreversibly so. (If the tooth is crowned, a temperature-based test might be less effective.) The dentist should also place the cold object against one of your other teeth for comparison.

What the alternatives are: For a tooth that definitely needs a root canal, the only alternative is to extract the tooth (and potentially place an implant). But for a tooth that has reversible inflammation (known as reversible pulpitis), a filling plus a pulp cap—a much less expensive procedure in which pulp exposed by drilling is covered with protective material—can suffice, Lawson says. But keep in mind that this option isn’t always successful. If consumers go with that choice, he says, “they have to assume the risk that they might continue to hurt because it didn’t work, and they might be paying for two treatments.”

Cost of root canal treatment: $620 to $1,472, depending on whether it’s a molar, premolar, or front tooth. A crown, if needed, will add to the cost.

What it is: When an infected, cracked, or decayed tooth can’t be fixed with a filling, crown, or root canal, sometimes it has to be pulled. An implant, a medical device surgically implanted into your jaw to support a crown, is one common treatment for replacing the tooth with a prosthetic. The procedure generally involves a surgery of several hours to place the implant in your jaw, and then months waiting for the surgery site to heal before the artificial tooth is placed on top of the implant.

When it’s needed: Some types of severe fractures can’t be repaired with a root canal or crown, so extraction is the only solution. And sometimes the tooth has too much decay or damage to save it. According to Lawson at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, “if the decay goes below the level of the bone, then we can’t get rid of it all and have enough tooth structure to hold a crown on with.” That’s when it’s better to remove the tooth.

When to question it: Whether a tooth can be restored or needs to be fully removed can be highly subjective, but usually extraction should be the last resort—after fillings, a crown, and possibly a root canal. “If you start skipping paths on that journey, you’ll reach the part where you lose the tooth sooner,” says the University of Sydney’s Holden. So if a dentist is recommending extraction and has skipped one or more of those steps, it’s reasonable to ask whether there are ways to extend the life of the tooth instead.

One type of extraction you may want to think twice about if you’re not in pain: removal of wisdom teeth (shown below). Millions of people have their third molars, or wisdom teeth, removed every year, even in the absence of pain or infection. But a 2020 analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to be able to say whether asymptomatic, disease-free wisdom teeth should be routinely removed.

What the alternatives are: Fillings, crowns, and root canals are all procedures that can help preserve your natural tooth. There’s also a procedure called crown lengthening that can be used to expose more of your tooth’s surface, which can make a crown a possibility. The challenge, however, is figuring out whether multiple procedures—a root canal, plus crown lengthening, plus a crown—are really worth all the time, effort, and cost. If you have “a weak tooth that requires a lot of procedures just to keep it there . . . taking it out and replacing with an implant is very commonly preferable,” says UCLA’s Hewlett. Still, Sheridan says, implants require scrupulous oral hygiene to maintain and might not be the right choice for people with certain types of bites. Bridges and dentures are also alternatives to implants, as is simply not replacing the tooth.

Cost of an implant: $3,080 to $5,825, including the placing of the implant, crown, and metal connector.

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Custom Night Guard

What it is: A night guard can protect your teeth while you sleep if you have bruxism—unconscious grinding and clenching of your teeth. Night guards made by dentists are fit to your bite by taking an impression of your teeth.

When it’s needed: Teeth grinding can lead to chipped or cracked teeth, pain, and other problems, and night guards can provide protection. Simmons, the general dentist in Palmdale, Calif., says he also sometimes recommends one for patients who have porcelain crowns because a night guard can help protect repaired teeth from breakage.

When to question it: Generally, if you don’t grind and clench your teeth, you don’t need a night guard. But diagnosing bruxism can be tricky without a sleep study, says Geoffrey Gerstner, PhD, associate professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and sleep studies can be expensive and inconvenient. Two typical signs are visible wear on the teeth and reports from your sleeping partner that you’re grinding.

What the alternatives are: Over-the-counter night guards are available. Some require you to perform a fit procedure at home, and some are one-size-fits-all. These are generally fine for a week or so if you need immediate relief, but they should not be used long-term, Sheridan says. A guard that doesn’t fit could cause your teeth to become misaligned, Gerstner says. The self-customizable OTC options don’t appear to solve this problem. In Gerstner’s 2020 study of such night guards , only four out of 31 participants were able to craft their guards with acceptable quality—and most of them were dental students.

Cost for a bite/night guard: $324 to $788.

Paying for Dental Care

Dental costs can be high—even if you have insurance. “Dental insurance, even at its best, is a fee-reduction service,” says the University of Pennsylvania’s Olivia Sheridan. “You have copays, and you have a yearly maximum that is embarrassingly small.” Delta Dental insurance, for example, says its yearly maximums are between $1,000 and $2,000. But there are ways to save.

• Find coverage. Sign up for an employer-subsidized dental plan if you have the chance. Some state Medicaid programs cover dental care for adults. Medicare doesn’t cover dental care, but some Medicare Advantage plans do.

• Consider a dental savings plan. These are similar to buying club memberships: You pay an annual fee and gain access to a large network of dentists who offer discounts. Fees range from about $80 to $200 per year, for discounts of 10 to 60 percent off various procedures. Search for one in your area at DentalPlans.com.

• Get care at a dental school. Services performed by dentists or hygienists in training will often take longer because the students will be supervised by faculty members. But schools offer care at lower costs. Pueblo Community College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic in Colorado, for example, charges $30 for an exam and cleaning. Find an accredited school through the Commission on Dental Accreditation .

• Try a community health center. Some of these are federally funded and may provide free or low-cost care. Look for one in your area through the Department of Health & Human Services .

• Plan your treatment wisely. If you need a lot of work, talk with your dentist about scheduling it to make optimal use of your dental insurance, Sheridan says. Two expensive procedures can sometimes be scheduled in different calendar years, for example.

Dental Specialists 101

A general practice dentist is a good place to start for many tooth-related problems. If you have a problem that your regular dentist can’t address, they’re likely to refer you to a specialist. These professionals have the same basic training as general dentists, plus additional years of education in their specialty field.

• Endodontists focus on problems inside your teeth and are especially skilled at performing root canals. (The American Association of Endodontists says an endodontist may do as many as 25 root canals per week.)

• Periodontists diagnose and treat periodontal (gum) disease, which affects the gum and the bone tissue surrounding teeth.

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in surgical treatment of injuries or other problems of the head, neck, and jaw. Extraction of wisdom teeth and placing of implants are two common procedures for oral surgeons.

• Prosthodontists specialize in dental prosthetics, including implants, dentures, and bridges.

• Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other techniques to treat misaligned teeth and jaws, and problems with your bite.

How to Say No to Your Dentist

Given all the room for interpretation between necessary and unnecessary care, saying no, or at least “not right now,” can be useful. Here’s how.

Ask Good Questions “The doctor is obliged to explain the risks, the benefits of the procedure being discussed, as well as any alternative, and make sure that all of your questions are answered,” says UCLA’s Edmond Hewlett. Along with asking about risks, benefits, and alternatives, Sheridan recommends asking what will happen if you do nothing. You should also ask about the expected life span of the work, says the University of Sydney’s Alexander Holden.

Watch for Red Flags When you ask why your dentist has recommended a procedure, they should explain their medical reasoning. Proceed with caution if they won’t do so, or if a treatment plan seems out of the ordinary—if, for example, you’ve rarely needed anything and then suddenly need work costing $10,000, says general dentist Gerald Simmons.

Get a Second Opinion A trustworthy dentist shouldn’t be offended by this. “If somebody wants a second opinion, that would not hurt my feelings,” says the University of Alabama’s Nathaniel Lawson. In CR’s nationally representative survey, we found that about 4 in 10 people who got a second opinion about a dental procedure ended up not having the procedure, postponing it, or having a different procedure. To find a dentist for a second opinion, ask friends and family members, or search for a specialist using the ADA’s tool . Ask for copies of your X-rays to give to the second dentist, Lawson says. If your dentist refuses to or is reluctant to provide your records, that’s another red flag. When you ask for a second opinion, Lawson recommends, you should refrain from explaining what the first opinion was, so the new dentist can look at your mouth and X-rays without any preconceived notions.

Make Your Decision Be sure to ask both the first and second dentists you consult why they’re recommending a particular treatment. If the two opinions diverge, you can decide which path to take based on which provider best aligns with your preferences, Holden says—be it a more aggressive proactive approach to try to prevent future problems, or a more conservative approach of doing only what’s necessary at the moment.

Editor’s Note:  A version of this article also appeared in the September 2022 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Clarification: This article, originally published on Aug. 4, 2022, has been updated to clarify that the pricing estimates provided by dentists may not reflect what consumers pay.

Catherine Roberts

Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on Twitter @catharob .

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• Find-a-Dentist

Your Top 9 Questions About Going to the Dentist—Answered!

Whether you are 80 or 8, your oral health is important. Did you know that 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year, even though regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental disease? Here are some frequently asked questions about going to the dentist.

9 Questions Accordion

Regular dental visits are important because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. They also help prevent many problems from developing in the first place. Visiting your dentist regularly is also important because some diseases or medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth.

• Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold
• Your gums are puffy and/or they bleed when you brush or floss
• You have fillings , crowns , dental implants , dentures , etc.
• You don’t like the way your smile or teeth look
• You have persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
• You are pregnant
• You have pain or swelling in your mouth, face or neck
• You have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay
• You have a medical condition such as diabetes , cardiovascular disease , eating disorders or are HIV positive
• Your mouth is often dry
• You smoke or use other tobacco products
• You are undergoing medical treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy
• Your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up; you have an uneven bite
• You have a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth and it isn’t going away

Yes. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health problems that only a dentist can diagnose. Regular dental visits will also help prevent problems from developing. Continuity of care is an important part of any health plan and dental health is no exception. Keeping your mouth healthy is an essential piece of your overall health. It’s also important to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your overall health since many medical conditions can affect your dental health too.

The dentist or hygienist will ask about your recent medical history, examine your mouth and decide whether or not you need x-rays. Depending on your treatment plan, the hygienist may use a special dental instruments to check your gums for gum disease. Your dentist will evaluate your overall dental health and conduct an oral cancer screening by holding your tongue with gauze, checking it and your whole mouth, then feeling your jaw and neck.

There is no one-size-fits-all dental treatment. Some people need to visit the dentist once or twice a year; others may need more visits. You are a unique individual, with a unique smile and unique needs when it comes to keeping your smile healthy.

The American Dental Association offers these suggestions in finding a dentist:

• Visit ADA Find-a-Dentist to search dentists in your area. 
• Ask family, friends, neighbors or co-workers for recommendations. 
• Ask your family physician or local pharmacist.
• If you're moving, your current dentist may be able to make a recommendation.
• Call or write your state dental society.

You may want to call or visit more than one dentist before making your decision. Dental care is a very personalized service that requires a good relationship between the dentist and the patient. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you.

Consider the following:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient for you? 
• Is the office easy to get to from your home or job? 
• Does the office appear to be clean, neat and orderly?
• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
• Does the dentist explain techniques that will help you prevent dental health problems? Is dental health instruction provided?
• Are special arrangements made for handling emergencies outside of office hours? (Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.) 
• Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled? 
• Is your dentist a member of the ADA? All ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the high ethical standards reflected in the member code of conduct . You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist's advice.

If you’re looking to find a dentist you may notice that while most are listed with a “DDS”, some may be listed as “DMD”. They both mean the same thing—your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. The level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree, and the high academic standards of dental schools are on par with those of medical schools. Upon completion of their training, dentists must pass both a rigorous national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam in order to practice. In order to keep their licenses, they must meet continuing education requirements for the remainder of their careers so that they may stay up to date on the latest scientific and clinical developments.

Here are some tips to help you take care of your smile:

• Healthy habits . Brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing daily are essential for everyone, no matter how unique your mouth is. It’s the best way to fight tooth decay and gum disease.
• Build a relationship. Continuity of care is an important part of any health plan and dental health is no exception. When your dentist sees you regularly, he or she is in a good position to catch oral problems early. For instance, catching gum disease  when it’s still reversible, or cavities when they are small and are more easily treated.
• Maintain. Keeping your mouth healthy is an essential piece of your overall health. It’s important to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your overall health as well.
• Talk about it! Only your dentist can determine what the best treatment plan is for you. Have questions about your oral health or certain dental procedures? Start a conversation. Ask your dentist to explain step-by-step. Dentists love having satisfied, healthy patients.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

How to Clean Your Teeth at Home, According to Dentists

We’ve all had to become a little more resourceful in the time of social distancing . From making bread and plunging toilets to cutting hair and giving manicures , a lot of things we once outsourced to professionals are now up to us to do on our own. If you’ve had to postpone your regular dental checkup due to the coronavirus outbreak, you may be wondering if it’s possible to get that squeaky-clean feeling at home. You can achieve something close, but maybe don’t rush to buy the little hook your hygienist uses. As Sonya Krasilnikov , a dentist and co-founder of Dental House , warns, “a dental cleaning may be more technique sensitive than you think.”

We asked Krasilnikov and eight more dentists what you actually can do at home while you wait, and they offered plenty of suggestions that’ll make your dentist proud when you finally make it into the office. One thing you probably won’t want to hear mid-quarantine, but we’re going to tell you anyway: In addition to the tools and tips below, nearly all the dentists advise minimizing your intake of sugar, which attracts tooth-decaying bacteria. That’s going to be hard in this golden age of baked goods .

It’s not very exciting, but brushing and flossing are still the best things you can do to keep your teeth clean. “The purpose of brushing and flossing is to remove the plaque that forms around our teeth and gum lines,” says Heather Kunen, dentist and co-founder of Beam Street . If plaque (the thin film of bacteria composed of food and saliva on the tooth surface) isn’t removed regularly, she says, it hardens and becomes more difficult to scrape off, leading to tooth and gum disease. Since you’re not brushing your teeth in a hurry to make it into work on time, use this as an opportunity to make sure you’re getting in a full two minutes of brushing — 30 seconds for each quadrant of the mouth.

Most experts prefer electric toothbrushes , which use vibrations to blast plaque off the tooth’s surface. “The nice thing about electric toothbrushes is you don’t actually have to use the scrubbing motion that you do with a manual brush,” says dentist Samantha Rawdin of Gallery 57 Dental . “Just hold it at a 45-degree angle toward the gums and slowly walk it around the gum line.” Like many other dentists we’ve spoken to in the past, Siama Muhammad of Brooklyn Oak Dental Care is a fan of the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean, which uses ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque. Make sure to pair your toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste. “Fluoride serves to help remineralize and strengthen enamel, essentially adding a protective layer of armor against invading bacteria,” Kunen says.

We’ve written about coconut-oil-coated Cocofloss before, and Rawdin says that using it “feels like I just got my teeth cleaned.” Because it’s a little thicker than standard floss, it has “a loofahlike effect, where it really does scrub in between the teeth and underneath the gum line,” she says. It also comes in unique flavors like strawberry and dark chocolate . Whatever floss you’re using, Rawdin advises wrapping it in a C shape around the sides of each tooth and gently shimmying it up and down.

For some, string floss can be cumbersome and difficult to maneuver, especially when you get into the back teeth. If that describes you, Muhammad recommends this flosser that’s as long as a toothbrush, allowing it to easily reach the back molars and even wisdom teeth (if you have them). She says it’s “awesome” for getting that “feeling that you’re clean on all surfaces, because it’s reaching those surfaces that the toothbrush can’t reach in between your teeth.”

Dentists Elisa Mello and Ramin Tabib of NYC Smile Design recommend trying these tablets out now while you have some extra time on your hands. Typically used to teach kids proper brushing techniques, plaque-disclosing tablets can help you improve your regular routine by showing you the areas you’ve been missing. After brushing, chew one up, swish it around your mouth, then spit it out. It’ll temporarily dye plaque spots on your teeth red so that you see where you should spend a little more time brushing.

“If you are trying to keep your teeth extra clean, you may want to invest in a water flosser,” Krasilnikov says. Especially “if you have orthodontic brackets, bridges, implants, or gum disease. This will help you clean around those extremely hard-to-reach places.” Even if you don’t have any of those issues, adding a water flosser to your routine (in addition to, not as a replacement for, regular flossing) will help you get into the narrow spaces in between your teeth. As Strategist writer Liza Corsillo learned in her investigation into water flossers and picks, most dentists recommend the Waterpik brand. “Use of a Waterpik reduces inflammation of the gums, which will decrease or eliminate bleeding from the gums,” says Brooklyn-based dentist Elliot Eskenazi . “This is important because it minimizes the risk of infection due to gingivitis, inflammation of gum tissue.”

For a two-in-one punch, Mello uses this electric-toothbrush-water-flosser combo device.

If you want to add some more power to your teeth-cleaning arsenal, Marc Schlenoff, dentist and head of clinical development at Tend , recommends both Proxabrushes and interdental picks for really going deep into the crevices in between the teeth. “The Proxabrush looks like an old-fashioned bristle brush but is very small and flexible, making it easy to get deep into crevices between teeth,” he says. “Interdental picks are special plastic sticks that are easy to use to clean between teeth, which is the hardest area to keep clean. They look similar to toothpicks, but will not break off like a wooden toothpick often does.”

Rawdin recommends occasionally brushing your teeth with baking soda for a deeper clean. “You just sprinkle it on your toothbrush with some water and scrub your teeth,” she says. “It does help to give you that squeaky-clean feeling.” Because baking soda is abrasive, you don’t want to do this more than once a week.

While most dentists don’t recommend using stainless-steel scaling and scraping instruments at home, they are an option if you’re desperate. And careful. “Exercise extreme caution and a light touch,” says Rawdin. “You don’t have to go in there and start digging around. The edges are sharp, and you really can take out chunks of gum tissue.” The mirror in this kit is helpful for seeing what you’re doing, but don’t expect to be able to clean your whole mouth: Without the benefit of ideal lighting, a perfectly angled chair, and a trained hygienist, dentist Mark Burhenne of AskTheDentist.com says he could only “hand-scale probably four or five of my lower anterior [front] teeth” and “do an 80 percent job” on his wife’s teeth.

Muhammad, who normally doesn’t recommend these tools but admits we’re in an “unprecedented time,” says if you must use them, do not go deeper than three millimeters (again, hard to estimate on your own) underneath the gum. This space, called the “free gingival margin,” is the area where the gum sits atop the tooth surface and is where hygienists focus on cleaning. She says to use a light flick of the wrist when touching the tip of the hook-shaped tool to the tooth surface to remove visible plaque and to follow the natural, scalloped shape of the gum line. If the whole concept scares you, don’t feel like you need to wield these tools on your own. “You can still keep your mouth healthy even though there is buildup on your teeth,” says Tabib. Flossing and brushing will prevent additional buildup from forming until you can get to the dentist.

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Navigating the First Dental Visit: A Guide for Parents

Introducing the Dental Visit Concept

Before the big day arrives, take some time to introduce the concept of going to the dentist to your child. Use age-appropriate language to explain why dental visits are essential for keeping their teeth healthy and strong. You can read books about visiting the dentist, watch videos, or even play pretend dentist at home to familiarize them with the idea in a fun and positive way.

Choosing the Right Dentist

Selecting the right pediatric dentist is crucial for ensuring a positive experience for your child. Seek out a dental practice that specializes in pediatric care and offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. At RVA Pediatric Dentistry, our team of dentists are trained to work with children of all ages, and we strive to create a comfortable and calming atmosphere that puts kids at comfort from the instant they step into our office.

What to Expect During the Visit

During your child’s first dental visit, our team will focus on establishing a rapport with them and making them feel comfortable in the dental chair. We’ll conduct a gentle examination of their teeth and gums, checking for any signs of decay or other dental issues. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, we may also take X-rays to get a comprehensive view of their oral health.

Tips for a Smooth Visit

To help prepare your child for their first dental visit, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Maintain a positive attitude: Children often pick up on their parents’ emotions, so try to stay calm and upbeat about the upcoming visit.
• Keep it simple: Avoid using scary or intimidating language when talking about the dentist. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of dental care, such as keeping their teeth healthy and strong.
• Role-play: Practice what to expect during the dental visit at home by playing dentist with your child. Use a toothbrush to “count” their teeth and show them how the dental chair works.
• Bring comfort items: If your child has a favorite toy or blanket, feel free to bring it along to the appointment to help them feel more at ease.
• Offer praise and encouragement: Throughout the visit, offer plenty of praise and encouragement to your child for their bravery and cooperation. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in making the experience a positive one.

Request Your Appointment Today

At RVA Pediatric Dentistry , we’re dedicated to making your child’s first dental visit a memorable and stress-free experience. By following these tips and working with our compassionate team of professionals, you can help prepare your child for a lifetime of good oral health. Request an appointment with us today and let us partner with you in caring for your child’s smile every step of the way.

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Oral health education programs

Bringing oral health education to children across the country

The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program currently offers 9 state-of-the art, mobile dental vans that are equipped to educate and screen more than 10 million children in a typical year for common oral health conditions. These dental vans are based in hub-cities and travel to under-served rural and urban communities in the United States to help raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health. Request a van visit today.

What happens during a Mobile Dental Van visit?

We help make oral health education and dental screenings fun! When children visit the dental van they are greeted by friendly volunteers, and a reassuring environment to help make the experience easy and enjoyable. Our van visits feature engaging games and videos that educate and entertain children as they await their free dental screening.

How do our dental vans operate? Colgate's mobile dental vans measure 32 feet long, nearly the size of a mobile home! There are 2 child-sized dental chairs aboard, so we can screen 2 children at a time. Children up to 12 years of age can receive free dental screening with parent or guardian consent.

The average dental screening lasts approximately two minutes. Our free screenings are visual examinations conducted inside the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans by volunteer dental professionals. Parents and guardians receive screening results, and a referral to local dentists if needed.*

After the screening, children take home learning materials, Colgate ® kid's toothpaste and toothbrush, and brushing instructions to help build healthy habits at home.

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How many mobile dental vans are there within the program.

In the U.S., Colgate currently funds nine mobile dental vans as part of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program.

What would I see aboard one of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans?

Each of our mobile dental vans is a functioning "dental office on wheels", specially designed to help establish a friendly comfort level for all children. Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, our mobile dental vans feature two dental chairs for conducting dental screenings and a waiting area where kids learn about healthy habits before their screening.

Are Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® dental screenings free?

Our scheduled mobile dental van visits, education materials, dental screenings and treatment referrals are free to children as a part of Colgate's ongoing commitment to improving oral health among children.

What is a typical "van visit" like?

Throughout the year, we bring the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program to local areas by organizing and participating in community events. Our "van visits" feature engaging games and videos that educate and entertain children as they await their free dental screening.

Our free screenings are visual examinations conducted inside Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans by volunteer dental professionals and generally do not include preventative care. Parents and guardians receive screening results, a referral to local dentists if needed, and children take home their own Colgate ® toothbrush and toothpaste to help build healthy habits at home.

How many visits does the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program make each year?

In the U.S., the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program makes approximately 2,000 van visits in a typical year.

How can my child receive a free dental screening?

Our fleet of Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® mobile dental vans travel to select communities to provide free dental screenings to children in need. To request a visit from the mobile dental van click here or if you'd prefer to make your request by phone, please call us at 1.877.672.3075.

If the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program does not reach my area, can I request a van visit?

At the end of each year, our team collaborates with governments, dental professionals, schools and community groups to identify areas in need for the upcoming year's van schedule. To submit your local community for consideration, please click here .

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Dental treatment for people with special needs

Some dentists may be able to treat people with special needs in their surgery. However, some people may not be able to get to their dental practice because of a disability or medical condition.

In this case, the dentist should refer the patient to a more specialised dental service. Ask your dentist what is needed for a referral and if it is suitable in your case.

Specialised dental services are commonly provided by community dental services.

Community dental services are available in a variety of places to ensure everyone can have access to dental health. These include hospitals, specialist health centres and mobile clinics, as well as home visits or visits in nursing and care homes .

Some hospitals or health centres also help people who need specialist care and may be able to offer treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic .

People who may need community dental services include:

• children with extensive untreated tooth decay who are particularly anxious
• children with physical or learning disabilities or certain medical conditions
• children referred for specific treatment
• children who are in foster homes or in residential care, or on the "at risk" register
• adults with complex needs who have difficulty accessing general dental services, including adults with moderate and severe learning and physical disabilities or mental health problems
• adults with medical conditions who need additional dental care
• housebound and homeless people

To find out more about the community dental care available in your area, contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233.

Tips for your appointment

If you are referred to a specialist dental service, check your dentist is forwarding all necessary documents.

Do not be afraid to ask detailed questions about anything you do not understand about your treatment or the costs involved. If necessary let the dentist explain it to your carer or family member.

If you have specific medical requirements, for example allergies, or fears, make a note of it and tell your dentist at your first appointment.

Find out more

Oral Health Foundation: dental care for people with special needs

Page last reviewed: 5 July 2023 Next review due: 5 July 2026

Dentist Discovers Human-Like Jawbone and Teeth in a Floor Tile at His Parents’ Home

Scientists are planning to study the specimen, embedded in travertine from western Turkey, in hopes of dating and identifying it

Daily Correspondent

While visiting his parents’ recently renovated house in Europe, a man spotted something unusual in one of the floor tiles. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be part of a human jawbone—and it still had a few teeth.

The man could recognize the bone because he’s a dentist, according to a post he made on Reddit last week.

Embedded in a hallway leading to the home’s terrace, the mandible appeared to have been cut at an angle. It reminded the dentist of the CT scans he reviews at work.

“As I am specialized in implant dentistry, I work with this kind of image every day, and it looked very familiar,” he wrote in an email to the Washington Post ’ s Carolyn Y. Johnson.

The man, whose Reddit username is Kidipadeli75, declined to reveal his full name to protect his family’s privacy.

Found a mandible in the travertin floor at my parents house by u/Kidipadeli75 in fossils

He found the jawbone in a tile made of travertine, a type of limestone that typically forms near hot springs. This specific tile came from a quarry in the Denizli Basin of western Turkey. The travertine excavated there formed between 0.7 million and 1.8 million years ago, which suggests the mandible did not come from a person who died recently.

Travertine forms when a change in chemical conditions cause dissolved calcium carbonate to harden into solid rock. It usually solidifies in layers, giving travertine tiles their distinctive and visually appealing look. These layers can trap anything that falls into them, such as leaves, feathers and even dead animals.

As such, the recent jawbone discovery is “somewhere between uncommon and common,” says Andrew Leier , a geologist at the University of South Carolina and chair of the Geological Society of America’s sedimentary geology division , to Architectural Digest ’s Katherine McLaughlin.

“But it’s not a crazy thing to happen,” he adds.

Anywhere you find travertine tile, you might also find fossils. The travertine-clad Getty Center in Los Angeles, for instance, is a treasure trove of fossils , including feathers, algae, bacteria, an animal foot and leaves.

Since the anonymous dentist posted about the discovery, he’s been contacted by an international team of researchers, and they’re working with him on a plan to remove the tile for study, reports the Atlantic ’s Sarah Zhang. They have also initiated discussions with the company that sold the tile, in hopes of searching for additional remains in other pieces of travertine from the same quarry.

By simply looking at the photo, scientists can’t tell how old the jawbone may be or which species—modern human or early human relative—it may have once belonged to. To sleuth out that information, they hope to run the specimen through a CT scanner and construct a 3D model of it. Chemical analysis of the rock could reveal its age, and samples of the tooth enamel might hold clues to what the jawbone’s owner ate. Teams might even attempt to recover ancient DNA.

However, the photo has revealed at least one interesting tidbit already: The person may have had some dental work done.

“There appear to be absent teeth and the bone tissue has filled into where the teeth once were,” write forensic dental consultants Amber D. Riley and Anthony R. Cardoza in a joint email to Architectural Digest . “Another human potentially intervened and removed teeth due to injury or disease.”

Comment by u/Kidipadeli75 from discussion in fossils

Paleoanthropologists have discovered all kinds of fossils in Denizli Basin travertine, including deer, mammoths and reptiles. They’ve also discovered at least one other set of human remains: fragments of a human skull cap that showed signs of tuberculosis. The skull, which is at least  1.1 million years old , represented the first Homo erectus ever found in Turkey, now nicknamed the “Kocabas hominin.”

So, why didn’t anyone notice the jawbone in the travertine at any point before or during installation? John Hawks , a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, took up this question in a blog post titled “How many bathrooms have Neanderthals in the tile?”

Quarry workers make rough cuts of travertine to create large panels, he writes. While doing so, they check for big defects and any gaps before they begin polishing the stone. Then, they typically stack the tiles for shipping and move on quickly.

“Small defects and inclusions are the reason why people want travertine in the first place, so they don’t merit special attention,” Hawks writes. “Consumers who buy travertine usually browse samples in a showroom to choose the type of rock, and they don’t see the actual panels or tile until installation.”

So, the next time you renovate your home with travertine, take the time to thoroughly inspect the tiles. Or, to boost your chances of stumbling upon a fossil, you might only need to travel as far as your local home improvement store.

“Every time I am in Home Depot, I go through the travertine tile looking for fossils,” says John W. Kappelman Jr ., a paleoanthropologist at the University of Texas at Austin, to the Washington Post .

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Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

A Dentist Discovered a Staggering Relic During a Home Renovation

The accidental find has archaeologists buzzing.

• A European dentist helping his parents renovate their home discovered an ancient jawbone embedded in travertine tile.
• The man recognized immediately that the mandible “looked human.”
• Research shows that the travertine was sourced from a basin in Turkey known to house fossils.

“This looks like a section of mandible,” the anonymous dentist posted on Reddit, along with a photo of the tile near the home’s outdoor terrace. “Could it be a hominid ? Is it usual?” Those are questions researchers now want to answer.

The man wrote on Reddit that, as a dentist, he’s looking at this type of anatomy all day long, “which maybe [is] why I immediately noticed it.” But there’s certainly an ancient feel to the find.

“I spotted the mandible because I am a dentist and it looked very familiar,” he told Newsweek . “It was not so much the teeth but the shape of the arch. At first, I thought it was a fossil of a random animal. Then, with a closer look, I realized it was very familiar and looked human.”

But not recent human —“I don’t think it is Jimmy Hoffa,” he posted. Archaeologists have already dated it to anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million years old, according to Newsweek .

Research revealed that the travertine—a type of natural limestone that forms from mineral deposits near water springs—originated in Turkey. Known for its non-uniformity in design, travertine is prized for the distinct look each piece can offer.

The Washington Post reported that the travertine has been dated to 1.8 million to 0.7 million years old, meaning the quarry in from which this tile originated yielded quite the find. The location was already known to host the fossils of mammoths, rhinos, giraffes, and a variety of other animals.

“What this means is that there may be lots more hominin bones in people’s floors and showers,” wrote John Hawks, a professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to Newsweek .

“Every time I am in Home Depot, I go through the travertine tile looking for fossils ,” said John Kappelman Jr., a paleoanthropologist at the University of Texas at Austin, according to the Washington Post .

While a bit hesitant to undo a recent remodel, the family will allow a research team to study the travertine tile containing the mandible, along with other tiles in the house that offer up some intrigue.

Mehmet Cihat Alcicek, a professor at Pamukkale University in Turkey who will join the team studying the new find, said another discovery made over two decades ago from travertine sourced from the same basin yielded part of a skull . At that time, Alcicek and Kappelman were unable to find any other tiles offering more evidence.

The new travertine discovery will undergo testing to give scientists a better idea of its age and unearth any additional details on the H omo erectus (or similar) that gave up the jawbone for study.

“Certainly, somebody has more pieces of the mandible,” Hawks said. “If you take another look at your shower wall and suspect an ancient human is looking back at you, it might actually be one.”

Tim Newcomb is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. He covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics. His favorite interviews have included sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland. 

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Archaeology .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

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Brushing up on your dental hygiene at home could keep you healthier for longer. 

A recent poll found that Americans admit to skipping brushing their teeth 5 times a week. 

Oral health is a window to overall health, and problems in the mouth can lead to disease throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.  

Luckily, 90% of Americans recognize the importance of dental health. However, the number of Americans who have been to a dentist within the past year is around 67%, according to recent statistics from Express Dentist. Without insurance, going to the dentist can be expensive, but that shouldn’t prevent you from caring for your teeth entirely.

Experts shared their tips on how to keep your smile healthy at home.  

Flossing 

The American Dental Association recommends people floss once a day to remove food and plaque in the teeth that could lead to gum disease or cavities. 

A national poll found that 4 in 10 Americans floss their teeth once a day and 20% never floss at all. 

“Tooth brushing alone only cleans 60 to 70% of the tooth surface area, so if you are not cleaning between your teeth, you are leaving 30 to 40% of your teeth untouched! These sites are often hotspots for both decay and gum disease,” dental hygienist Camilla Bevan told The Sun.  

“If you avoid flossing, you may find staining and calculus deposits between the teeth builds up quickly,” she added. 

Flossing is only beneficial if you do it properly, experts warn.

Healthline’s flossing guide instructs people to break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss before winding the floss around both of their middle fingers. 

Use around one to two inches to floss your teeth and hold the floss tight with with your thumbs and index fingers. 

“Place the dental floss in between two teeth. Gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don’t glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums,” Healthline’s guide explained. 

“As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape. This allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and your tooth,” the guide continued. 

Repeat the steps tooth by tooth. 

Tongue scraping 

You’ll likely breathe easier knowing you don’t have a stench coming from your mouth.

A good way to prevent bad breath and improve your oral hygiene is to brush and scrape your tongue. 

“Getting to the back of your tongue will help with bad breath as this is where the bacteria are hiding,” Dr. Tom Crawford-Clarke, a cosmetic dentist, told The Sun. 

In addition to brushing your tongue, you can use something called a tongue scraper. 

“Copper tongue scrapers, specifically, are highly recommended as they contain antimicrobial properties,” Bevan said. 

“Using a tongue scraper not only reduces bacteria levels and bad breath but can also improve and heighten your taste!” she added. 

Get an electric toothbrush 

Make your toothbrush work for you. 

“An electric toothbrush is more effective in removing food, debris and bacteria from your mouth, particularly between your teeth and at the gumline, compared to a manual toothbrush,”  Sharon Huang, DDS , board-certified dentist founder of NYC’s Les Belles, told the New York Post earlier this year. 

“Research has shown that brushing for two minutes with an electric toothbrush is equivalent to brushing for seven minutes manually.”

And here are a few things you shouldn’t do at home:

Don’t whiten your teeth at home 

Whitening your teeth with a dentist is a safer and more effective way to get a sparkling smile. 

“I would not recommend any home remedies for tooth whitening as most do not work and can cause erosive wear. Teeth can in turn become yellower and more sensitive,” Bevan said. 

However, there are things you can do at home to prevent your teeth from staining such as avoiding coffee, tea and red wine. 

Don’t ignore red gums 

Red, swollen and bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis. If left untreated you can go on to develop a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, which can lead to bone loss in your jaw, according to Cleveland Clinic. 

Going to the dentist is the best way to make sure your oral heath is up to snuff, but in the meantime you can use an electric toothbrush and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

“The use of a good electric toothbrush in the correct way and daily interdental cleaning will help keep the gums healthy and reduce the risk of gum recession,” Bevan said.

“If you smoke, quitting will help to stop any present gum recession getting worse as well as reducing the risk of tooth loss and oral cancer,” she added. 

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Visiting a dentist

On this page, eligibility direction, children upto school year 8, adolescents – up to 18th birthday, special-needs dentistry, emergency dental services for adults, dental treatments for injury.

A range of basic preventive, treatment and specialist dental services are available to eligible children and adolescents up until 18th birthday. A limited range of services for some adults is publicly funded. The main publicly funded services are outlined below.

You must meet one of the criteria in the Eligibility Direction to be considered for these publicly funded services. If you are not eligible, you are liable to be charged for the full costs of any medical treatment or disability support service you receive.

To see whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria go to the  Guide to eligibility for public health services.

Dental education, preventive and basic treatment services are provided free of charge to pre-school and primary school age children through the Community Oral Health Service. Parents can enrol their children directly or referrals can be made by Well Child providers or general practitioners.

Dental and oral therapists provide most services and dentists provide more specialised treatment if necessary. Dental assessments and treatments usually take place in community-based clinics, often located on school sites, or in mobile dental units. Some treatments are not free, such as orthodontics (including braces, for example).

Contact  0800 TALK TEETH  ( 0800 825 583 ) for enrolment information.

A range of free basic dental services is funded for adolescents until their 18th birthday. Services are usually provided by private dentists who are contracted by the local district health board to provide free services for adolescents. The Community Oral Health Service will normally provide enrolment information at the end of school year 8, or adolescents can enrol directly with a contracted dentist.

Children and adults with special medical needs (such as cleft palate) or disabilities that make them unable to access normal dental services or who require dental treatment as part of other treatment (such as for head or neck cancer) can receive free hospital dental services. Part-charges apply for outpatient services, but services are free where a patient needs to be admitted (for example, if they need a general anaesthetic).

Referrals are usually made by dental and oral health therapists, private dentists, or general practitioners.

Emergency pain relief and extractions are provided through hospital dental departments, or by contracted private dentists. These services are restricted to people on low incomes (usually demonstrated by having a Community Services Card). Part charges may apply. Contact the hospital dental department (see your   local region website   for the phone number).

Work and Income New Zealand can also provide discretionary financial assistance for   immediate and essential  dental treatment for low income adults. Contact your local Work and Income service centre for more information.

Dental treatment needed due to injury or accident is funded for all people in New Zealand and managed through the  Accident Compensation Corporation . Co-payments may be required. Contact your local ACC office for more information.

A dentist found an ancient human jawbone embedded in his parents’ tile floor

A dentist was visiting his parents’ newly renovated home in Europe when he noticed something odd: One of the floor tiles in a corridor leading to a terrace held what looked like a human mandible, sliced through at an angle, including a cross section of a few teeth.

Not knowing exactly what steps to take, the dentist posted a photo of the discovery on Reddit . The internet exploded with enthusiasm, interest and ick.

“It’s not so much the teeth that I noticed but the shape of the mandible that is very recognizable,” the dentist, known as Reddit user Kidipadeli75, wrote in an email. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his family’s privacy.

He pointed out that the object in the tile bears a striking similarity to a slice of an image taken with a form of CT scan used in dentistry. “As I am specialized in implant dentistry I work with this kind of image everyday and it looked very familiar,” he said.

The tile, made of a type of limestone called travertine, was imported from a quarry in Turkey. Scientists are now working with the dentist to make sure the tile is properly studied — along with a few other suspicious-looking tiles installed in the house.

While this all may seem quite shocking, paleoanthropologists were both fascinated and a little unsurprised. Travertine can form quickly, but the stones used for commercial purposes tend to come from deposits that have formed over hundreds of thousands of years, ruling out a recent death.

This tile came from a quarry in the Denizli Basin in western Turkey, where the stone has previously been dated to 1.8 million to 0.7 million years ago, according to Mehmet Cihat Alcicek, a professor at Pamukkale University in Turkey who is part of the scientific team that plans to study the mandible.

This viral photo is a reminder that travertine, which forms near hot springs and is valued as an architectural material, often contains old fossils, and that digging it up can unearth ancient treasures. Those fossils can be anything that washes into the spring, from plants, freshwater crabs, deer and reptiles to — on occasion — human remains.

John Hawks, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, titled his blog post on the matter: “ How many bathrooms have Neanderthals in the tile? ”

“Every time I am in Home Depot, I go through the travertine tile looking for fossils!” said John W. Kappelman Jr., a paleoanthropologist at the University of Texas at Austin.

Fossils preserved in travertine

Scientists have found a menagerie of ancient fossils embedded in travertine from the Denizli Basin , including remains of mammoths , rhinos , giraffes, horses, deer, reptiles and turtles, according to Alcicek.

Researchers have also found at least one other ancient human in tile. In 2002, Alcicek began studying the formation of travertine in the Denizli Basin. Workers in a tile factory had been cutting stone when they noticed an ancient human fossil, part of a skull . The travertine had been sliced into a slab a little more than an inch thick, so parts of the skull had probably been destroyed — but fragments of the skull cap were recovered.

Alcicek and Kappelman studied the skull fragments, now known as the Kocabas hominin, and found it was the first specimen of Homo erectus to be discovered in Turkey. The skull fragments bore small lesions that were an indicator of tuberculosis, showing evidence of that pathogen in an ancient human. Recent efforts to date the specimen suggest it is more than a million years old .

“Who knows how much of the rest of it from the inferior portion of the cranium on down went unnoticed? We joke that maybe it was a complete skeleton, all the way to the tip of its toes,” Kappelman said in an email. “We literally spent weeks going through the discard pile at the factory looking for any additional bits but no go.”

It’s possible that other parts of the remains went on to be installed in kitchens.

Quarries elsewhere in the world have yielded similar finds. Parts of two hominin skulls and a mandible were discovered during excavations at a quarry in Bilzingsleben, Germany . Hawks said in his blog that they are thought to have been early Neanderthals or a different early human, Homo heidelbergensis .

But how common are incidental finds of ancient human remains in architectural tile?

“It’s twice as common as it was last week!” Hawks said in an email.

Buzz among paleoanthropologists

The latest find created immediate buzz among scientists who study ancient humans. Several paleoanthropologists said it was too tricky to hazard a guess from a photo as to the age or the precise species, but said it was absolutely worth following up on.

“It is clearly a human relative of some kind, but to rule out modern human or find out which ancient population it may belong to will take detailed study,” Hawks said.

Kappelman suggested that follow-up studies could include taking CT scans and 3D-printing the mandible, or perhaps even trying to see if ancient DNA could be recovered. The enamel of the teeth could be scrutinized to learn about what this individual ate.

The dentist who discovered the mandible said that he was inundated with interest from researchers from multiple universities after his Reddit post, and he is working with them now in hopes of learning more about the specimen. He said those researchers have also reached out to the company that sold the travertine to track the batch to the quarry and look for more pieces there.

Hawks said that, in general, if people see what might be human remains in their tile, they should contact local authorities. Laws vary, but in the United States, the process might involve a call to the state archaeologist or historical society.

Alcicek said that after the Homo erectus found in a factory was thoroughly studied, it was given to authorities and is now on exhibit in the Denizli Museum. He expected something similar would happen after the new specimen is carefully examined.

The entire episode is a reminder that construction projects and quarries have what Hawks calls an “ uneasy symbiosis ” with archaeologists. They can both expose and destroy ancient remains.

“The main constraint on finding the fossils is whether the travertine is being quarried!” Hawks wrote in an email.