Melrose Family Dentistry is now a BBB Accredited Business
"Our Mission is to provide the finest dental care. We strive to expand our knowledge so that we can treat and educate our patients, family and friends through a lifetime of optimal oral health." (781) 665-2113
Smokers Present Tougher Bacterial Challenge to Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease is difficult to successfully treat in any dental patient. One patient type that can be especially challenging is smokers. Smokers are up to 6X more likely to experience periodontal destruction compared to non-smokers And it's been long recognized that smoking impairs healing following non-surgical periodontal treatment.
A new study has found that smoking may pose yet another hurdle.
In patients with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis, researchers found that smokers consistently demonstrated lower levels of health-protective bacteria and significantly higher levels of disease-related bacteria below their gumlines. These included higher levels of the red complex Treponema and Tannerella species, which have been linked to more severe and refractory periodontitis.
This may help to explain why smokers are less responsive to scaling and root planing (SRP) alone, exhibiting smaller pocket depth reductions and fewer clinical gains resulting in deeper periodontal pockets.
www.melrosefamilydentistry.com
36th Annual Yankee Dental Congress
Our doctors and staff recently attended the 36th Annual Yankee Dental Congress at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Yankee is the largest dental meeting in New England and entertains upwards of 25,000 dentists and dental personnel . This is a great way to stay up to date on new technology, new products and new techniques.
Our office attends many hours of courses and classes on a yearly basis to stay current in the rapidly evolving technology available to the dental field . At Melrose Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves in offering the best, most current treatment options to our patients and their families.
Toothbrush Advice!
Toothbrush Care and Replacement
How can I take care of my toothbrush?
To keep your toothbrush and yourself healthy, make sure you let it dry out between uses. Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria, which after a while can build up to significant levels. After using your toothbrush, shake it vigorously under tap water and store it in an upright position so that it can air out.
To prevent cold and flu viruses from being passed between brushes, try to keep your toothbrush from touching others when it is stored. A standard toothbrush holder with slots for several brushes to hang upright is a worthwhile investment in your family's health.
How often should I change my toothbrush?
Most dentists agree you should change your toothbrush every three months. Studies show that after three months of normal wear and tear, toothbrushes are much less effective at removing plaque from teeth and gums compared to new ones. The bristles break down and loose their effectiveness in getting to all those tricky corners around your teeth.
It is also important to change toothbrushes after you've had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat. That's because germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. Even if you haven't been sick, fungus and bacteria can develop in the bristles of your toothbrush —another reason to change your toothbrush regularly.
How can I protect my toothbrush when traveling?
A plastic toothbrush case will protect toothbrush bristles from becoming squashed or flattened in your traveling kit. After brushing, however, you should let your toothbrush dry in the open air, to help reduce the spread of germs.
Visit us at http://www.melrosefamilydentistry.com
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