The Natural Brushing Secret For Smiles and Smooches

Life these days calls for the multitasking. Whether you are parked waiting for a pickup and you quickly check your bank account or sending emails while in a waiting room, we are conditioned to maximize time and get as much done in a time efficient manner as possible. 

 

Have you ever thought about ways to clean your teeth while completing other tasks? What if we told you there are ways to naturally brush your teeth while you ate lunch or dinner? I’m sure your fist inclination is to say, “no way.” You’re supposed to brush your teeth after eating, right? Well of course, but there are foods that due to their crunchiness or fiber content act as a natural tooth brush. 

 

Raw fruits and vegetables are the most common example of food that scrub your teeth while you eat them, but what about meals? Is it possible to create dishes that boost oral health and fill your family’s bellies? We have a few suggestions below that will act both as a natural tooth brush as well offer a balanced an delicious meal.  

 

Veggie stir fry 

 

While Chinese take-out is a universal favorite, it is also full of sodium, sugar and other chemicals that can lead to tooth decay. The crunchiness of raw carrots and celery helps rid your teeth of build-up plaque. Instead of eating them raw, consider cutting them into thin strips and throwing them on the stove in a stir fry. This dish is great for when you need to clean out your refrigerator and get use up vegetables before the go bad. Throw everything in the pan together and cook with teriyaki or soy sauce. Pair the veggies with rice or noodles to complete the meal. This dish is a crowd favorite and will give your teeth a natural teeth brushing. 

 

Besides, who doesn’t invite an excuse to eat stir fry? 

 

Chicken salad 

 

Homemade chicken salad is a simple dish to make if you’re expecting a large number of guests for lunch. To increase its tooth brushing qualities, add fresh apple and almonds. The water in apples combined with their crunchiness increases saliva production which helps to wash plaque and food articles from the teeth. Almonds, a high fiber and high protein food, are low in sugar and will help fill you up. This dynamic duo of almonds and apples will help build stronger and healthier teeth. 

 

Pizza 

 

I am sure the addition of pizza to the list is somewhat confusing on a list of healthy food options. However, if you top it with crunchy peppers and spinach your can turn this meal around. The crispness of peppers coupled by leafy greens will increase salvia production and help wash away food particle stuck in your teeth. Spinach, as well as cheese, is packed with protein which helps increase the enamel. Stronger enamel means healthier teeth that are more resistant to bad bacteria.  

 

Edamame  

 

If you are looking for a mouth-friendly appetizer when at a restaurant (or at home!), opt for edamame. This south-east Asian dish is an immature soy bean that you commonly dip in a soy sauce. To pop the bean out of the middle of the shell, involved place the whole bean in your mouth and slipping it through your teeth. Don’t let the complexity scare you. The sliding of the bean through your teeth will help dislodge food particles stuck along the gum line. Try this international dish next time you’re out! 

 

By choosing the right dish, you can help build strong and healthy teeth. Crunchy, fibrous food act as a natural tooth brush, while protein and dairy rich options help strengthen the teeth and their enamel. While you may feel like you have brushed your teeth after these meals, it is important to remember they are not a substitute for the real thing!

The post The Natural Brushing Secret For Smiles and Smooches appeared first on Fort Worth Dentist | 7th Street District | H. Peter Ku, D.D.S. PA.

The Fascinating History of Teeth Whitening

If you are looking to “remake yourself” this year, our recommendation is to start right here at Dr. Ku’s office! While spending hours in the gym and focusing on improving your nutrition will make you a healthier person in 2018, it’s important to feel good about all aspects of how you look. We want each of our patients to feel more confident in 2018, and to jumpstart that process it is important to focus on the beautification of your smile. 

 

Teeth whitening is an easy and painless way to get immediate results that has been proven to boost self-confidence. If you are ready to take the first step in your journey, call our office today for a consultation. Or, if you’re just curious about what tooth whitening entails, keep reading for a quick synopsis of its history and the procedure.  

 

Is tooth whitening a new thing? 

 

While you may assume tooth whitening is a newer phenomenon thanks to increased advertising, the truth is that the concept has been around since the time of the Egyptians. As you can imagine, ancient tooth whitening was primitive and used questionable (by our standards) ingredients. As civilizations progressed, white teeth became a symbol of power and wealth. By the 18th century, physicians used a combination of bleach and oxalic acid to artificially color teeth. While patients did experience whitened teeth, the toxic combination of ingredients also did irreversible damage. 

 

Modern tooth whitening  

 

Thankfully we’ve progressed significantly, and tooth whitening is no longer detrimental to the health of your teeth. What we’d consider the foundation for modern day tooth whitening—a thick gel called Opalescence carbamide peroxide—was patented in 1989. This creation spurred the market, and it soon became commonplace in dentist offices across the country. Its ease and popularity also created the at-home whitening market. From whitening strips to toothpastes and mouthwashes it is hard to find a product without a whitening quality. Products meant to be applied at home all have varying efficacies; however, technological advances have made them both easy to use and popular. 

 

Today, dentists have the option to choose between professional teeth whitening trays or laser teeth whitening. And don’t let the laser scare you. Unlike the movies where lasers normally blow up aliens or obliterate planets, the laser doesn’t actually do the whitening of your teeth. Instead, the laser works in conjunction with a paste that is applied to the teeth that is then heated up by the laser. Whitening trays are a more traditional approach and use peroxide to break down stains. Both treatment options brighten teeth, but come with different price tags and time commitments. It is important to discuss this with your dentist prior to making a decision.  

 

What does the future hold? 

 

The future of teeth whitening is bright. (That’s a little dental humor for you!) An increase in patient demand has pushed innovation and technology and made teeth whitening more accessible for everyone. As convenience continues to dominate the marketplace, expect to see more at-home products. If you choose to pursue at-home methods, it is important to remember some of the products are not regulated and therefore are much less potent than what you would receive in our office. If you are looking to drastically change the color of your teeth, it’s recommend to come to us for professional application.

The post The Fascinating History of Teeth Whitening appeared first on Fort Worth Dentist | 7th Street District | H. Peter Ku, D.D.S. PA.

Unique Valentine’s Day Ideas!

We are a country divided: those who think Valentine’s Days is a real holiday, and those that think it was the creation of capitalistic card and candy companies…Those that love to be showered in flowers and those that think it is all a ruse and insincere. The set that loves to go out and be among the throngs of couples, and those that think restaurants purposefully increase their prices and serve the worst wine on February 14. 

 

Well, we understand. However, since the tradition of a Valentine has been around in some form since the Roman Empire, it doesn’t look like it will be abolished anytime soon. February 14 rolls around each year, and for your reading pleasure we’ve come up with a list of nontraditional activities for you to do with your Valentine, or with friends and family. 

 

And for the haters: this list will not contain any reference to a prix fixe menu!  

 

Get down and dirty 

 

Put the little black dress back in the closet and opt for a pair of jeans and tennis shoes instead! The “sweet nothings” you will be whispering to your significant other will be along the lines of “see you at the finish line”. Bring out your competitive side with a trip to the go-kart track. K1 Speed boasts a professional track with cars that go fast! The experts here will fully outfit you for the ride so you look like a professional driver. Who needs roses when winners get trophies? 

 

Pop the cork 

 

For those who want to drink wine, but not be bothered by a stuffy restaurant, try out one of the many sip and paint options across the metroplex. From Painting with a Twist to Art in the Vine the concept is all the same: drink wine and paint. The best part of these classes is that your art actually looks good. Maybe it’s the instructors or maybe it’s the wine, but whatever the reason your creation will be wall worthy. 

 

No skating on thin ice 

 

We’ve had enough cold weather in the metroplex so why would you want to skate around frozen water?! Ditch the blades for wheels and head to Skate Town for a night of roller skating. The last time most of us were at a skating rink was for a birthday part that concluded with the kid of honor in the money booth. Now that we are older, the falls hurt a little more, but at least your date will pick you up this time!  

 

Fall in love  

 

All relationships have their ups and downs, but if you really want to test it then try indoor skydiving. iFLY allows you to have the skydiving experience without actually jumping out of a plane! Safe inside a wind tunnel you will experience the feeling of free falling while gently hovering above the ground. Parachutes are not required for this experience! 

 

Don’t reject Valentine’s Day due to preconceived notions of what you should do or what the movies led you to believe was the “right” way to go about it. Take advantage of these locations around Fort Worth to have both a fun and adventurous night!  

The post Unique Valentine’s Day Ideas! appeared first on Fort Worth Dentist | 7th Street District | H. Peter Ku, D.D.S. PA.

But What IS Fluoride?

If you’re anything like us, sometimes going to the store to pick out toothpaste can be a little overwhelming. Between the different flavors, gel vs. paste, and whitening agents, it’s hard to find any uniformity between products. However, if you take a closer look you’ll notice that almost all toothpastes on the shelves contain fluoride. In fact, if you’re reading this blog, toothpaste has contained fluoride your entire life. 

 

If fluoride is such a prevalent ingredient in a daily product everyone uses, why don’t we know much about it beyond its advertised benefits? To help you become a more educated consumer, we’re going to break down the history and benefits of fluoride toothpaste.  

 

What IS fluoride? 

 

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring chemical ion found in rocks, soil, and water; however, it does not exist on its own in nature. To harness its benefits, it must be created though a scientific process. Harnessing this ion was a scientific achievement, and its benefit so widespread that it was added to water and toothpaste in the 20th century. Fluoride protects your teeth by making them stronger and more resident to the bacteria that feed on their outer surfaces. Thanks to fluoride in toothpaste, there has been a significant decline in cavities over half a dozen generations. 

 

While fluoride is generally lauded as a great accomplishment in public health, some concerns remain about what is the proper amount of fluoride for kids. Overconsumption of fluoride in young children can lead to fluorosis. This condition is caused prior to age eight and is a result of getting too much fluoride when the teeth are forming in the gums. It’s estimated less than one in four people have this purely cosmetic condition. 

 

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noticed an increase in the number of fluorosis cases among children. They speculated this was due to the amount in the water combined with fluoride toothpaste. To address this concern, the recommended amount of fluoride in water was reduced. While this new recommendation has brought awareness to the fluorosis, it’s important for parents to be vigilant and monitor the amount of fluoride introduced to their children—without forgetting the core benefits of fluoride use. 

 

What’s the “fluoride footprint?” 

 

While we are bombarded by the presence of fluoride in the market and—whether or not you know it—in your own home, you might be most familiar with fluoride treatments at the dentist’s office. After reading the potential adverse effects, you might be thinking these treatments aren’t necessary, or even a waste of money. However, that’s simply not true. Fluoride treatments are beneficial at any age—especially at a you age. While young children are more susceptible to cavities, older people are more likely to experience cracked teeth and gum disease. Fluoride strengthens the teeth and acts as a bonding agent to prevent bad bacteria from infiltrating the gum line and causing root diseases. Root decay is a leading cause of pain in the middle-aged. In addition to being painful, it is more serious than tooth decay. Fluoride helps to prevent this dental disease.

 

The discovery of fluoride and its inclusion in tap water, toothpaste, and mouthwash has led to a drastic decline in the number of cavities and other oral health diseases. Just like with any supplement, it’s important to understand how to properly use it and how to prevent harm from overuse.

 

Fluoride is such an important factor in keeping your mouth healthy that we encourage you to continue to use it and to ask us about professional fluoride treatments! If you have any concerns about its intended use or how to protect your child against fluorosis, please call our office today!

The post But What IS Fluoride? appeared first on Fort Worth Dentist | 7th Street District | H. Peter Ku, D.D.S. PA.

The Best Flossing Techniques

We all know it, and most of us (at least sometimes) do it. Then there are those who know themselves well enough to know that it’ll just be forgotten again tomorrow. We’re talking about the ever-forgotten act that only comes back when you feel that giant piece of broccoli stuck in your furthest molars: flossing.

 

Flossing technique is actually one of the two important hygiene habits when it comes to oral health and preventative care. 

 

Flossing might not be the most fun part of your daily routine, but it’s important and will get even more important for you over time. Flossing gets between the teeth as well as down into the gums between the teeth—areas where a toothbrush obviously can’t reach. So, for those of you who don’t floss, we want to ask: are you okay with just leaving that gunk in your mouth to just sit there and decay? We’re just going to go ahead and say it: ew.  

 

We here at Dr. Ku’s office wanted to remind you of the importance of having good flossing techniques as well as the history of flossing and your contemporary flossing options. Read on to see if you knew or can benefit from any of these tidbits! 

 

The history of flossing 

 

Over the years anthropologists have found evidence that even ancient peoples used a variety of pointed devices to clean in between their teeth. We agree that there’s nothing peskier than something wedged between your teeth, so it’s understandable that flossing has been around as long as we have. 

 

But, when did modern-day floss become recognized as a standard practice?  

 

As it goes, the “invention” of dental floss was first advertised back in 1815 when a New Orleans dentist taught his patients to use a thin, silk thread for interdental cleaning. 

 

Seeing as everyone has teeth to clean, and we’re all bound to get food stuck in them at some point, the Codman and Shurtleft Company based out of Massachusetts saw their opportunity and began manufacturing an unwaxed silk dental floss in 1882. In 1896, Johnson & Johnson began manufacturing their own dental floss, and in 1898 patented a silk material for floss that doctors also used for stitches. 

 

It wasn’t until World War II that a physician by the name of Charles C. Bass developed a floss made from nylon. It not only had a better abrasion resistance and better elasticity than silk, but it could be produced in a greater variety of lengths and widths. By the end of the war, nylon floss (and flossing itself) became a standard. 

 

Fast-forward to 2018, and we now have an endless variety of options based on our preference. Read on to see your options! 

 

Technique 

 

Before we go into your floss options, we’ll start with technique. Without being able to show you right here on the page, we’ll list out the steps to the most dependable flossing technique to use at home:  

 

1. Pull approximately 18 inches of floss out of the container.
2. Start by wrapping the floss around your index fingers a few times, at one end of the string, leaving about 3 inches of floss between fingers to wrap between the interdental area (the teeth and gums). We recommend starting at the back of the mouth first and making your way around.
3. Gently guide the floss between two teeth by zigzagging the string down into the area.
4. Contour the floss around the tooth, in a C-shape as some like to say, and with a little wiggle pull up any plaque or food that may be residing in the crevice.
5. After one interdental area is complete, move onto the next tooth and be sure to unravel the used floss around your fingers and move to the next clean area on the floss, and then repeat, repeat, repeat!

 

Hardware options 

 

1. Water picks

A water pick uses a pressurized stream of water to get in between the teeth and gums—some of you might have experienced this during your dentist office visits.  

 

While dental picks are a great option to avoid putting fingers in your mouth, it does require electricity and a rechargeable battery, and can be somewhat bulky and expensive. Though, once bought though, you might never need floss again! 

 

2. Flossing sticks

While flossing sticks are a bit pricier than traditional floss, there aren’t many drawbacks. They’re disposable, single-use instruments that enable you to not have to stick your fingers in your mouth but do the job just the same. They look like a little bow and can be moved by their little plastic handles. 

 

3. Interdental brushes

This is one of the latest products to hit the oral care market. Interdental brushes look a bit like those fuzzy pipe or glass cleaners. One size won’t fit all, so you’ll have to figure out what works for you. This is actually a fabulous choice for those who have braces and need to get between the brackets and wire and to the tooth/gum area. The price is comparable to the flossing sticks and these are actually reusable after a sanitary rinse.  

 

4. Old-fashioned dental floss

There’s unwaxed floss, waxed floss, dental tape, polytetrafluorethylene floss and super floss. All of these are strand based, and just vary in strength and width. Try a few over the course of a month to see which you like the best!  

 

 

Data shows that 80-90% of people in the U.S. brush their teeth once or twice a day. But only 12% of Americans use dental floss daily! We’re here to encourage you to put not just Texas, but America on the map as some of the best flossers in the world.  

 

Pick your best flossing method preference and go for the gold! We’ll plan to see you, plaque free, at your next visit.

The post The Best Flossing Techniques appeared first on Fort Worth Dentist | 7th Street District | H. Peter Ku, D.D.S. PA.

Eating Out While Eating Healthy in Ft. Worth!

Eating healthy is at the top of MANY resolutions this year. While many people snap into shape planning balanced meals at home, eating out at a restaurant can be a struggle. 

 

Fort Worth is full of restaurants that boast meals that range from gourmet to home cooking, so it’s hard to wrap your mind around foregoing your favorite eateries. In addition to the delicious food and favorite venues, it’s hard to avoid the social aspect of eating out. Whether it’s hitting a sports bar to catch a game or snagging a patio spot on Sundance Square for brunch, joining together with others at a meal is a formative part of our daily lives. 

 

Since foregoing restaurants forever is an untenable solution, we’ve provided a quick guide on how to eat healthily while eating out in Fort Worth, as well as great restaurants in our area that have a wide selection of healthy options! 

 

Preparation for eating out 

 

1. Be deliberate when ordering: This could mean perusing the menu online before arriving, or asking questions on specific dishes’ preparation to your waiter. Many restaurants are happy to substitute side dishes for healthier alternatives. While the fries may be tempting, try substituting a salad or even a plain potato on some of those Texas platters.
2. Control your portions: The meal you receive at a restaurant is generally several portion sizes larger than what you eat at home. To ensure you don’t eat the whole thing, ask the waiter to box up half of it for home. The added benefit of this is that you get to enjoy your meal twice! Also, just like when you go to the grocery store, don’t go to a restaurant starving. Yes, this sounds counterintuitive. However, if you’re too hungry, you’re more likely to choose a dish with higher fat and carbohydrate content and eat the whole thing. Consider a small, healthy snack before you go to prevent over-eating.
3. Eat slowly: We have all sat down at a table with tortilla chips and salsa and inhaled the first basket before we realized it. It takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to catch up with your stomach when you fill up on what you eat. This lag can cause you to severely overeat if you eat too quickly. Try putting your fork down between bites or sipping on water to preventing devouring your meal at record speeds. 

 

Fort Worth favorites 

 

Forth Worth is a town of foodies. Thanks to a combination of locally-owned restaurants and nationally-available favorites, there’s something for everyone. This is not an exaggeration! 

 

To help you to achieve your goal of eating healthy, try Righteous Foods located right off Camp Bowie Boulevard. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner from all-organic sources guarantees each meal is full of the nutrients you need, not the preservatives you don’t. Looking for something that goes down easy? Try their expansive list of detox beverages as well.  

 

If you’re pressed for time, head to Juice Junkies where they serves raw and organic juices that bring the body back into balance. All their juices are USDA certified organic and made in-house…daily. That means they’re full of living enzymes and packed with nutrients!  

 

Finally, Spiral Diner serves up vegan comfort food that is all plant-based. With a menu full of options like burgers, sandwiches and hot plates, even would-be carnivores will find something to love. 

 

Getting healthy requires a change in lifestyle. From hitting the gym more, to ditching lounging on the couch, it can be hard to start a new routine. Don’t let your social life suffer by having to avoid going out to eat, because it will only make your end goal harder! With a little preparation and choosing the right restaurant, going out won’t get you off track.

The post Eating Out While Eating Healthy in Ft. Worth! appeared first on Fort Worth Dentist | 7th Street District | H. Peter Ku, D.D.S. PA.