Hi, Friends!

A New Year is upon us — a time for setting goals and making resolutions. How many times have we heard about the importance of writing our goals down? Do you have a system for this?

Each New Year’s Eve, my husband and I have the tradition of making a “Mind Map” — this is our system for goal setting for the year. I’ve had several ask me about it — how it works, and how we do it. You asked and you shall receive! Mind Maps can be done electronically or manually. We prefer to do ours manually. And we s p r e a d o u t! We get an end-roll from our local newspaper and unroll about a four-foot length on our table.

We put a catchy label in the middle, usually in a heart. Our label is our declaration of the kind of year we want to have. Then we put the main categories in various places around the center: Physical, Spiritual, Social, Financial, Business/Career, Family, etc. Then we fill in sub-categories, then whatever detail we want. When we’re all done, we color it to be able to see it better at a glance.

This would be a good place to mention that the main “rule” for Mind Maps is: There are no rules. The intent is to get your ideas, thoughts, goals, and dreams down on paper. We do ours on a long sheet of paper, others do it on lined paper, others do it in their computers. Your main categories will likely be different from mine — make them whatever you want. Some years we put one main category down and fill in all the details we want to capture for that one category before moving on to the next. Other years, we jump all around — what I call the “brain dump” technique. There’s no “right” way.

On the right is a simple mind map for you. You’ll notice that the main category labeled “FUN” has some example detail around it. Put in as much or as little detail as you want. (Click to enlarge)

In closing, I’d like to tell you something amazing that happened. The first year Bill and I did this, we rolled up our Mind Map, put a rubber band around it and stored it in the basement. The following New Year’s Eve, we started the evening by unrolling our Mind Map to look at it. We were amazed to discover that everything on it except one thing had been accomplished (the new house we bought wasn’t on a lake). Wow! Now we hang it on a wall where we see it more often. Just walking by it and seeing it there is good. Plus, our Mind Maps have more categories now and it’s fun to make notes on it throughout the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and remember to keep flossing!!!!

Health. . .it starts in your mouth!

Sadly, there are 2 ways you can be “scammed” by gum disease. One is to not have it but be told that you do. This creates about $1200 of unnecessary expense for you, not to mention the 4 hours of unnecessary time in the dental chair.

The second way to be “scammed” by gum disease is to have it and not be told that you do. Missing this diagnosis can be very costly to your health later, as bacteria from gum disease has   link to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and possibly obesity — according to research.

So how do you know if you have gum disease or not?

Before I start cleaning your teeth, I take a “Perio Probe” (a tiny ruler), which may feel “pokey,” and take measurements around each tooth under your gums. Some people tell me they  “know” they have gum disease because their previous hygienist said they have “fours.” I don’t buy it. I look at more information than only that number.

And what’s a “four” anyway? What does that mean? I’ve put together a short and simple video that demonstrates where those numbers come from and what they mean. See it by clicking on the Post “Tools of the Trade” on the left.

The following little flowchart will empower you to participate in the co-diagnosis of what’s happening in your mouth. It will take the mystery out of the “Do I have gum disease?” question.

Quick Lesson

A very quick dental lesson: “Probing depths” are the numbers I get from measuring with a tiny ruler. The ideal numbers are 1, 2, and 3. The depths are measured in millimeters.
1. Do I have any probing depths greater than 3mm?
If YES – go to #2. If NO – go to #8.

2. Do they bleed when Vicky takes the measurement?
If YES – go to #3. If NO – go to #7.

3. Is there any puss in that bleeding, deep, greater-than-3mm pocket?
If YES – go to #4. If NO – go to #6

4. To answer this question fully requires an x-ray of the tooth and another question: Is the bone support around the tooth disintegrating and going away?
If YES – go to #5. If NO – go to #6

5. The answer is YES – you have all the symptoms of gum disease, also called periodontal disease.
TAKE ACTION NOW, CALL ME RIGHT AWAY! I will show you how to get it under control or potentially even REVERSE it!

6. The answer is PROBABLY. Depths greater than 3mm, plus bleeding is a sign of GINGIVITIS – the first step in the gum disease process – or early gum disease. There may be some  beginning bone loss (an x-ray would be needed). If puss is present but the bone support is still good, you have an active infection. Take action now — CALL ME for an appointment.  You don’t want to mess with this!

7. The answer is NO, you most likely don’t have gum disease. It’s not unusual to have 4- or 5mm measurements (called “pockets”) that don’t bleed and the gums are tight against the  teeth. These may be caused by your bite, or grinding or clenching your teeth.  These are healthy gums that simply have less-than-ideal numbers. An assessment of the effectiveness of your homecare  routine will ensure that gingivitis or gum disease doesn’t get a foot hold! This less-than-ideal situation makes you susceptible for gum problems and bone loss.

8. If your probing depths are NOT greater than 3mm, you do not have gum disease. If your gums are “snug” against the teeth, pink, and don’t bleed, you have great, healthy gums. If  your probing depths are NOT greater than 3mm, but you DO HAVE red, puffy gums and bleeding, you have GINGIVITIS. Gingivitis can be quickly reversed back to health. It can also  take off into the next level of gum disease. Don’t mess with it! Get it under control right away!

With this basic information with you, there’s no reason why you should ever be scammed by inaccurate diagnosis of gum disease.

Download

This article is available for download on Vicky’s Past Issues page»

Contact

Call me for an appointment today! 970-481-8752.
I’ll give you a mirror so you can see EXACTLY what I’m doing.
You’ll see for yourself!

(c) 2008 by Victoria J. Flint, RDH, Dental Hygiene Haven

“The TRUTH about Toothpaste” by Vicky Flint, RDH

THE BOTTOM-LINE SCOOP: TOOTHPASTE IS NOT SOAP.

There. Now you know. The truth is: you would do just fine without toothpaste at all. You don’t need it. What? We don’t need it? That’s right. Plaque (“biofilm”) is sticky. Think of peanut butter on a knife. Think about getting peanut butter off of a knife. You can rinse it in water, smear soap on it, blast it with high-pressure water, and swish it through an anti-peanut butter preparation – and still have peanut butter on that knife. These actions, of course, are analogous to rinsing your mouth out, smearing toothpaste across your teeth, using an oral irrigator, and using mouthwash.

The most effective way to remove sticky biofilm (and peanut butter) is to scrape it off. That is best accomplished with a toothbrush and floss (tooth brushing reaches about 70% of tooth surfaces).  Think back to how great your teeth felt as you were leaving my office – so smooth and “slick”. Run your tongue over your teeth right now. Do you feel some “rough” spots? That’s plaque. About once a week or so, take your dry toothbrush (no toothpaste, no water) and brush along your gumlines in tiny, gentle circles. Check with your tongue again. Those “rough” spots usually go away. That means your toothbrush has reached the areas previously missed. Then put a small smear of toothpaste on your brush and brush your tongue with it. This is the best in-between professional cleaning spiff-up you can do.

So – Why do we have toothpaste? Why use it?

There are 3 primary reasons to use toothpaste.

1 – It tastes good. Toothpaste has mint or some other flavoring that freshens breath and leaves a pleasant, fresh taste in our mouths. In fact, that pleasant, fresh taste can shut down  sugar cravings. Sometime when you are craving sweets, go brush your teeth and tongue (with toothpaste). See if it works for you!

2 – Most toothpaste contains fluoride, and topical fluoride treatments help keep tooth enamel hard and cavity-resistant. (The fluoride in water controversy will be addressed in a future article.)

3 – Specialty toothpastes help special needs. Specifically, sensitive teeth, whitening, early tooth decay, and gum disease issues.

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is highly appreciated by people who have this issue.

Whitening toothpastes help to control coffee and tea  stains and may prolong the effects of professional whitening.

I sometimes recommend toothpastes such as Arm & Hammer’s® EnamelCare™ with ACP (Amorphous Calcium  Phosphate). Studies have shown that ACP re-mineralizes tooth enamel.  That means that small or beginning cavities may “heal” and not grow into something that needs a filling.  Now where was ACP when we were kids?  Sensodyne’s Pronamel is another one.

For people with gum disease issues, a couple of herbal blends have gained my respect.  I like Auromere, an Ayurvedic herbal blend in toothpaste form.  I’ve seen some dramatic turn-arounds with this toothpaste.  I’m also a fan of Dental Herb Company’s Tooth & Gum Tonic.  Refreshing and restorative.

How much should I use?

Those TV toothpaste commercials really pour it on, balancing a twisted figure-8 blob of toothpaste on top of a toothbrush. As is typical of TV ads, it encourages wasteful consumption! A small pea-sized amount of toothpaste is plenty.

A closing word about toothpaste and mouth sores. If you have frequent break-outs of canker sores, you may hold your toothpaste suspect. Many people are sensitive to the foaming agent in it, called Sodium Laureth (or Lauryl) Sulfate, or SLS. Try Tom’s of Maine, available in stores,  or Glister, available from Amway Global, the herbal toothpastes mentioned above, or any other toothpaste that doesn’t have SLS.

So now you know. Toothpaste is not necessary, but it is nice. Select one that you like or one that addresses a special need you have. Use it knowing that it is your excellent brushing technique, and not the toothpaste, that is removing plaque and keeping your gums healthy!

(c) 2008 by Victoria J. Flint, RDH, Dental Hygiene Haven
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Dental Hygienist Vicky Flint, RDH publishes the ‘Straight From the Mouth’ ezine with 200+ subscribers.
If you’re ready for exceptional personalized dental hygiene care, and a healthier body, get your FREE tips now at http://www.DentalHygieneHaven.com

970-481-8752

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Valentine’s Day – the Chocolate Holiday! Remember the antioxidant benefits of dark chocolate. The darker the better, 73% cacao if you have the taste buds for it.

A recovering carbo addict like me prefers milk chocolate with the higher sugar content. However, the higher sugar content causes a higher insulin spike, which “programs” the body to store everything as fat. It also produces more acid in the mouth, which is not good for teeth or gums. That acid promotes tooth decay and gum disease — which we don’t want! Making the switch has been an adjustment, but I find that the desire for something chocolate gets satisfied much more quickly with dark chocolate. So that means fewer calories and a lot less sugar (less insulin spike, less acid production), especially by having some almonds or walnuts with it.

So, whether you’ll be enjoying the Holiday with antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, or taking a “vacation” from “being good” and going for the milk chocolate, I’d like to thank you for your interest in this short newsletter and in my practice. It’s a privilege to be part of your health solutions!

Would you be my valentine?

(970) 481-8752
Dental Hygiene Haven

Health. . .it starts in your mouth!