MONKEYS TEACH THEIR CHILDREN TO FLOSS!

Here's a fun story originally reported by the BBC: researchers in Thailand have noted that not only do monkeys floss regularly, they pass this skill onto their little ones! This is a big story because teaching proper tool use to another, tends to be thought of as a distinctly human thing to do.

It appears that female monkeys will spend twice as much time flossing if their offspring is watching than if they aren't. It goes without saying (but...what the heck, we'll say it anyway) we should take the example from these monkey moms and be sure to teach our own kids proper dental maintenance!

THE MIRACLE OF TOOTH ENAMEL

While comprising only two to three millimeters of the tooth, enamel is the hardest substance on the human body. That's why dentists utilize diamonds on their drill bits.

Police CSI will often use dental records as a way to identify a body. A body can be burned or badly decomposed, but teeth can survive thousands of years. Tooth enamel is 97 percent inorganic.

Your teeth are really a miracle of nature. Take care of them with daily brushing and flossing!

7 IMPORTANT WARNING SIGNS OF GUM DISEASE YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE

If you have one or more of these warning signs, seek attention immediately from your dentist.

1. Teeth loose in gums
2. Your gums bleed easily
3. Chronic bad breath or bad taste in mouth
4. Gums appear to be "pulling away" teeth
5. Change in your bite or how your teeth fit together
6. Gums red, swollen, or tender
7. Pus visible between teeth and gums when they are pressed

WHAT EXACTLY IS "PROPER" FLOSSING ANYWAY?

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know the importance of brushing and "proper" flossing. But just what is "proper" flossing? Here is a quick tutorial on the way to floss your teeth. First of all, it is important to know that most gum disease starts between the teeth. Just brushing won't reach these areas. That's why flossing is essential. Ready to start? Gently glide the floss between the teeth. Pull the floss into a "c" shape and let it slide just under gum line. Clean the surface of the tooth in an up and down motion (not side to side). When to teeth are clean the floss will make a squeaky sound against the surface of the tooth. Then, move to the next tooth, and repeat the process. Considering the links between gum disease and serious health conditions "proper" flossing is definitely a healthy habit worth developing.

FINDING A LANAP DOCTOR IN YOUR HOMETOWN

Without a doubt the most common question we receive here at ameridontics.com has to do with finding a LANAP practitioner in a prospective patient's hometown. Well, here's the good news: as LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) becomes better and better known as a patient friendly alternative to traditional surgery, more and more doctors are offering it. Currently, there are approximately 900 dentists who have been certified to perform LANAP. Currently, most major cities and population centers in the United States have one or more LANAP doctors. And, that number is expanding all the time!

CHRONIC BAD BREATH COULD MEAN SERIOUS GUM DISEASE

Bad breath can seriously "cramp" your social life, to say nothing about success at work. But chronic bad breath or Halitosis can also indicate serious gum disease. Periodontal disease causes the mouth to harbor dangerous odor-causing bacteria. This bacteria has also been linked to serious health conditions including heart disease and stroke. Bad breath remedies found on drug store shelves will only provide, at best, a temporary relief. If you suspect your bad breath is caused by gum disease, it's important you see your dental health professional as soon as possible. Gum disease untreated will never get better on its own!

THE CALMING EFFECT OF THE DENTAL ENVIRONMENT

Ever wonder why dental offices and medical offices in general seem so calm? It's all an effort to make you feel less anxious. A less stressful environment makes patients feel much calmer. This is especially true for children. The Journal of Pediatrics has reported the results of an Israeli study that children we're markedly less anxious in a dental office that played soothing music and had softer lighting. In addition, the children were given a covering that produced, in the words of the study, a "hugging" feeling. Less stress is a good thing for both the patient and the doctor!