October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

At My Dentists, we just can't believe September is already over. It's fall; the leaves are turning color, the weather is crisp and cool and tomorrow, October 1st, marks the official start of National Dental Hygiene Month, a time for Drs. Michalski, Yeager and Pinnavaia (and our staff) to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy beautiful smile.

This year's theme is “Healthy Habits are Easier than You Think,” which focuses on prevention. At My Dentists, we know everyone is busy; living a life on-the-go is difficult for most people, but our staff is here to tell you keeping a healthy mouth shouldn’t be.

Your teeth are an important part of your body, and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting our convenient Charlotte office on a regular basis, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

We encourage you to check out the ADHA's National Dental Hygiene Month website, which provides pointers on keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Lastly, has it been six months since your last visit to My Dentists? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to give us a call at (704) 375-8577 to set up an appointment.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Three tips for a stressful mouth, courtesy of TV's Dr. Oz

We hope you're enjoying your Friday! TV's Doctor Oz recently did a segment titled, Three Signs of Stress in Your Mouth, and provided some solutions to relieve tension. Our staff at My Dentists thought we'd pass along his suggestions!

1. Teeth Grinding: Mouth Guard & “Hook & Pull” Exercise - Dr. Oz said that people who grind their teeth tend to have a lot more stress hormone in their body, and that grinding your teeth can cause headaches, earaches and pain. Also, the Chicago Dental Society has suggested that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise. A mouth guard can help relieve your teeth grinding, and Dr. Oz says that you can do a “Hook and Pull” exercise when your put one index finger in either side of your mouth and pull your mouth out horizontally. Then from that position you can massage the muscle, which can be very helpful for getting rid of stress.

2. Canker Sores: Hydrogen Peroxide & Milk of Magnesia - Dr. Oz said canker sores are stress-related and often happen when your immune system is suppressed. A good home remedy, Dr. Oz said, is to swish around a solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent hydrogen peroxide inside of your mouth. Also, you may dab Milk of Magnesia on your canker sore 3-4 times a day for relief.

3. Gingivitis: Cranberry Floss - Here's Dr. Oz's theory: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is more common among people who are stressed out because roughly 50 percent of people do not floss or brush regularly when they are under stress, which causes their gums to recede and pull away from your teeth. Dr. Oz recommends drinking unsweetened cranberry juice to ward off plaque, and said you can even buy cranberry floss at your local supermarket.

We hope that helps! If you have any questions about your gum health, we encourage you to give us a call or ask us during your next visit!

Ask My Dentists: What, exactly, are wisdom teeth?

Good question. Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth and are the last molars to develop. There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Drs. Yeager, Michalski and Pinnavaia will all tell you that when a tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and yes, even gum disease.

In addition to visiting our website with any questions you may have about wisdom teeth, our friends at WebMD have developed a helpful explanation about wisdom teeth and how they impact your health. Our team at My Dentists also recommend that you give us a call at (704) 375-8577 for more on wisdom teeth.

$1.25 for a cavity? From My Dentists

Our doctors and staff at My Dentists know that vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger when you're on the go: you put in $1.25 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda. But that’s not all! Vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!

Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar, the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge remind yourself: “Can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, Drs. Yeager, Michalski and Pinnavaia want you to consider the following nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that "sweet tooth," but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities:

•Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)
•Raw Vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, etc)
•Bread
•Pretzels (low salt)
•Milk (low or non-fat)
•Cheese (low or non-fat)
•Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc)
•Sliced meat

We hope this helps! Give our convenient Charlotte office a call at (704) 375-8577 if you have any questions! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

September is National Gum Care Month! From My Dentists

At My Dentists, we know that gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be difficult to recognize. Many people do not recognize the warning signs- bleeding and swollen gums, as a precursor to gum disease. This month a national campaign is underway to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Drs. Michalski, Yeager and Pinnavaia will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as the heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease. These can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Charlotte office by calling (704) 375-8577 as soon as possible. Our staff at My Dentists can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

Have a great holiday weekend!