We have all seen the commercial where we swish Scope in our mouths for minty fresh breath.
There are several uses for mouthwash besides the fresh breath. Mouthwashes can have a therapeutic effect. The ingredient that carries the essential oils is alcohol! Alcohol also carries the flavoring agent of mouthwash, which is why there are very few mouthwashes which have no alcohol in them.
Mouthwashes are primarily used to help prevent gum disease, Listerine; used to prevent cavities, ACT; used to help people with a dry mouth, Biotene; or used to freshen breath, Scope. Depending on your need and doctor recommendation you can choose on that's best for you.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/there-is-more-to-your-mouthwash-than-a-minty-taste-1421096379
I just don't recommend using it to flavor your next mint julep.
Take care,
Dr. G
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Bluetooth Dentistry?
Modern technology is on the rise. Will a dentist be able to utilize Bluetooth to fix your teeth?
As I blogged yesterday, there is a company in France which has a toothbrush and app to help children brush better by brushing for the recommended full two minutes.
Leave it to technology, Oral B and other toothbrush manufacturers are making Bluetooth enabled tooth brushes for adults. They can hook up with your Smart Phones to help you brush better and more efficiently.
http://www.cultofmac.com/308321/bluetooth-toothbrushes-work-with-apps/
As far as in our actual dental office, I don't see us being able to utilize Bluetooth technology right now. Currently we have lasers and we can also make crowns using computer generated images, However, I don't see robotics being utilized in dentistry. Robotics cannot replace the tactile sense of touch which allows me to provide gentle dentistry.
Have a blessed day and weekend.
Dr. G
As I blogged yesterday, there is a company in France which has a toothbrush and app to help children brush better by brushing for the recommended full two minutes.
Leave it to technology, Oral B and other toothbrush manufacturers are making Bluetooth enabled tooth brushes for adults. They can hook up with your Smart Phones to help you brush better and more efficiently.
http://www.cultofmac.com/308321/bluetooth-toothbrushes-work-with-apps/
As far as in our actual dental office, I don't see us being able to utilize Bluetooth technology right now. Currently we have lasers and we can also make crowns using computer generated images, However, I don't see robotics being utilized in dentistry. Robotics cannot replace the tactile sense of touch which allows me to provide gentle dentistry.
Have a blessed day and weekend.
Dr. G
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Happy New Year
Me and my staff would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
I hope you still have resolutions that you haven't broken. As for me I resolved to be more timely with my blogging, is one week too late?
I know a lot of people put improving their health as a New Years resolution. Healthy teeth and gums are critical to the long term health of your body.
We know that flossing is a difficult habit to get into, as well brushing for 2 minutes twice a day can also be a challenge. There's a French company, Kolibree, which has come up with a gaming app that can be used with its toothbrush. One app is a pirate game where you pick up gold coins, if you're not brushing properly the character won't pick up the coins. At the end of brushing if you did it properly and picked up the coins it displays a treasure chest full of coins.
This app was designed for children. I'm certain there's something that'll be coming for us big kids too!
http://venturebeat.com/2015/01/07/kolibree-gamifies-its-smart-electric-toothbrush-video/
Wishing that 2015 brings you everything you desire!
Dr. G
I hope you still have resolutions that you haven't broken. As for me I resolved to be more timely with my blogging, is one week too late?
I know a lot of people put improving their health as a New Years resolution. Healthy teeth and gums are critical to the long term health of your body.
We know that flossing is a difficult habit to get into, as well brushing for 2 minutes twice a day can also be a challenge. There's a French company, Kolibree, which has come up with a gaming app that can be used with its toothbrush. One app is a pirate game where you pick up gold coins, if you're not brushing properly the character won't pick up the coins. At the end of brushing if you did it properly and picked up the coins it displays a treasure chest full of coins.
This app was designed for children. I'm certain there's something that'll be coming for us big kids too!
http://venturebeat.com/2015/01/07/kolibree-gamifies-its-smart-electric-toothbrush-video/
Wishing that 2015 brings you everything you desire!
Dr. G
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Good Morning Honey
Dr. GThese are words we all love to hear first thing in the morning, unless those words come from a person who has morning breath. What is it and what causes it?Morning breath is just plain old bad breath! Why in the morning? Because when we sleep, we produce less saliva to wash away bacteria. This creates a humid environment which bacteria love. They produce sulphur compounds (sulphur can smell like rotten eggs) which stink.What can you do to prevent morning breath? Brush (your teeth and tongue) and floss before you go to bed, hydrate (drink some water), no alcohol (because it tends to dry you out) and no smoking.Now that you have clean breath, go say "Good Morning,Honey!" and follow that up with a hug and kiss too!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Spiders and Snakes Part Duo
For those of you who read my last blog, you know I'm discussing dental fear. Because dental fear IS NOT a laughing matter, this blog cannot be as light hearted as earlier blogs.
The most important thing you can do is make your dentist aware of your fear and anxiety. Ladies are better at this than men; the more I know about your fear and anxieties the more I can help. Macho men are the most difficult to treat because they won't say they are hurting, I ask can I give you more anesthetic and they say NO! Really, you would rather be in pain than give me permission to numb the area better. I'm sorry but there is a reason why men are the weaker sex.
What can be done for fearful patients? We have several options, the most common over the last 40 years is laughing gas. No, laughing gas doesn't make you laugh. I'll tell the story on how it got its name in another blog.
Valium works very well for people who have a little anxiety and want to take the edge off.
Oral Conscious Sedation works great for fearful patients who haven't been to the dentist for a long time and want to get their work done in the least amount of visits as possible.
I.V. sedation, this is the deepest sedation and is good for short visits like wisdom teeth, or the extremely phobic/fearful patient.
Dentistry has changed dramatically in the 30 years that I have been involved with it, and when we are a team working together. We can make your experience more pleasurable.
Dr. G
The most important thing you can do is make your dentist aware of your fear and anxiety. Ladies are better at this than men; the more I know about your fear and anxieties the more I can help. Macho men are the most difficult to treat because they won't say they are hurting, I ask can I give you more anesthetic and they say NO! Really, you would rather be in pain than give me permission to numb the area better. I'm sorry but there is a reason why men are the weaker sex.
What can be done for fearful patients? We have several options, the most common over the last 40 years is laughing gas. No, laughing gas doesn't make you laugh. I'll tell the story on how it got its name in another blog.
Valium works very well for people who have a little anxiety and want to take the edge off.
Oral Conscious Sedation works great for fearful patients who haven't been to the dentist for a long time and want to get their work done in the least amount of visits as possible.
I.V. sedation, this is the deepest sedation and is good for short visits like wisdom teeth, or the extremely phobic/fearful patient.
Dentistry has changed dramatically in the 30 years that I have been involved with it, and when we are a team working together. We can make your experience more pleasurable.
Dr. G
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Spiders and Snakes
I'm sure most of you are wondering what do spiders and snakes have in common with dentistry.
Well, those of you who know me, know that when my wife and I had all the children at home, there were several things that they feared. One of them being spiders. I cannot tell you how many times I went into a bathroom to remove one of these creatures. I could never understand how a Daddy Longlegs could evoke so much fear into a child or adolescent. Snakes on the other hand give the willy's. I just don't like them. I would rather have bamboo shoots placed under my fingernails then be alone with a snake. Mice are in a whole different category, I don't have enough time to go there.
As you can probably guess, today's topic is fear. Why is dentistry so fearful? There's several reasons:
1. To allow someone into your mouth you have to give them total control of the situation.
2. "The Shot" Most of us if not all of us have had a painful injection (Dental Terminology 101 says never to use the word shot)
3. The sound of the "Drill", for any of us who have had dental work no other words are needed.
4. Our mind telling us it's going to hurt.
5. The dental work hurting, with newer anesthetics (Novocains) your dentist or hygienist should be able to keep your visit pain-free. More on that in a future blog.
6. White coat syndrome, just walking into a room with the "white coat" will cause an increase in blood pressure, and with it anxiety and fear.
7. Comedians and colleagues talking about root canals and painful experiences.
8. A natural fear of the unknown. A patient can't know everything going on, you're not a dentist, and the mind will put thoughts in your head like "I hope he doesn't hit a nerve," "It's going to hurt"
I feel like I'm doing David Letterman's top 10 list of why dentistry is fearful!
And the #1 reason people fear dentistry, because they haven't seen Dr. Gerosa for their dental work.
Seriously, in the next blog I will discuss what can be done to reduce dental fear and anxiety.
Have a great day,
Dr. G
Well, those of you who know me, know that when my wife and I had all the children at home, there were several things that they feared. One of them being spiders. I cannot tell you how many times I went into a bathroom to remove one of these creatures. I could never understand how a Daddy Longlegs could evoke so much fear into a child or adolescent. Snakes on the other hand give the willy's. I just don't like them. I would rather have bamboo shoots placed under my fingernails then be alone with a snake. Mice are in a whole different category, I don't have enough time to go there.
As you can probably guess, today's topic is fear. Why is dentistry so fearful? There's several reasons:
1. To allow someone into your mouth you have to give them total control of the situation.
2. "The Shot" Most of us if not all of us have had a painful injection (Dental Terminology 101 says never to use the word shot)
3. The sound of the "Drill", for any of us who have had dental work no other words are needed.
4. Our mind telling us it's going to hurt.
5. The dental work hurting, with newer anesthetics (Novocains) your dentist or hygienist should be able to keep your visit pain-free. More on that in a future blog.
6. White coat syndrome, just walking into a room with the "white coat" will cause an increase in blood pressure, and with it anxiety and fear.
7. Comedians and colleagues talking about root canals and painful experiences.
8. A natural fear of the unknown. A patient can't know everything going on, you're not a dentist, and the mind will put thoughts in your head like "I hope he doesn't hit a nerve," "It's going to hurt"
I feel like I'm doing David Letterman's top 10 list of why dentistry is fearful!
And the #1 reason people fear dentistry, because they haven't seen Dr. Gerosa for their dental work.
Seriously, in the next blog I will discuss what can be done to reduce dental fear and anxiety.
Have a great day,
Dr. G
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Veterans Day
On this day we remember all Veterans! To me it's a more important holiday than Memorial Day because in May we recognize all those who died protecting our country. Today we celebrate everyone who has protected our country both dead and alive.
In the 20th century, our military was used to make medical breakthroughs. Because of the injuries they faced in the line of duty, procedures were created to save the injured and repair the injury. Dentistry also fits into this category.
During the Korean War a material was created called Intermediate Restorative Material, today we refer to it as IRM. This material was used quite often when dental work was done near the front lines. It was made in 3 colors. Yes, you guessed it, red, white and blue. The colors were used so the next dentist would be aware of what was going on with the tooth.
Red meant I went in there, did the best I could but there's still decay and more treatment needed on this tooth.
White meant I got all the decay out of this tooth, all it needs is a permanent filling.
Blue meant I got all of the decay out of this tooth but it needs more extensive work like a crown.
So today we honor all of the men and women who have defended our country, and recognize one of the advances they contributed to my dental profession.
Yes, we still utilize IRM, but we can only get it in white.
Dr. G
In the 20th century, our military was used to make medical breakthroughs. Because of the injuries they faced in the line of duty, procedures were created to save the injured and repair the injury. Dentistry also fits into this category.
During the Korean War a material was created called Intermediate Restorative Material, today we refer to it as IRM. This material was used quite often when dental work was done near the front lines. It was made in 3 colors. Yes, you guessed it, red, white and blue. The colors were used so the next dentist would be aware of what was going on with the tooth.
Red meant I went in there, did the best I could but there's still decay and more treatment needed on this tooth.
White meant I got all the decay out of this tooth, all it needs is a permanent filling.
Blue meant I got all of the decay out of this tooth but it needs more extensive work like a crown.
So today we honor all of the men and women who have defended our country, and recognize one of the advances they contributed to my dental profession.
Yes, we still utilize IRM, but we can only get it in white.
Dr. G
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