oral hygiene

National Selfie Day and the Importance of the "Selfie Smile"

June 20th, 2022

 

 

June 21st is National Selfie Day!

Selfie History

Self-portraits are really nothing new, but the level of importance they have found in our current culture certainly is!  Though the first ‘selfie’ is credited to Robert Cornelius almost two hundred years ago, and Buzz Aldrin took a selfie in space during the Gemini 12 mission in 1966, what we would now consider the ‘selfie’, (and the term itself), wasn’t really introduced until 2002.  The mainstream adoption of smartphones and social media catapulted the selfie into our lexicon, and it was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2013, becoming the Word of the Year for 2014, the same year we saw the first National Selfie Day!

Selfies and Dental Aesthetics

The rise in the popularity of social media platforms and selfies brought with it an increase in the importance of dental aesthetics.  Our obsession with the perfect “Selfie Smile” may be relatively new, but society’s standards for dental aesthetics have evolved over time.  Orthodontists have been studying cultural perceptions of oral aesthetics for decades, and though there are some notable changes over time, (for example the ideal length of the central incisors (the two front teeth) in comparison to the lateral incisors (between the front and canine teeth), or the ideal width of the smile), the perception that bigger, whiter, brighter smiles are more attractive has been the standard for at least a century, and if our selfie trends are any indication, that won’t likely change any time soon.

The Selfie Smile Makeover

Cosmetic dental procedures have become mainstream in America and across the globe.  According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, common aesthetic procedures range from as simple as teeth whitening and orthodontics to complex surgeries like implants and periodontal plastic surgery.  Advances in dental materials and techniques make obtaining a smile to match your favorite celebrity more possible than ever before, and our constant access to beautiful people’s selfies makes us want this more than ever before, and this is especially true for teens and young adults.

Pediatric Dentistry and Prevention

Here at All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we know that in our current social media/selfie culture, a child's or teen's smile can profoundly effect their self esteem and development of their social skills.  We help our young patients build and maintain their beautiful, natural, selfie smiles, to help them avoid the need for invasive corrective procedures later in life.  Learning and using proper brushing and flossing techniques and placing fluoride to strengthen enamel helps to prevent oral health problems.  Maintaining a regular six month dental exam and professional cleaning schedule will catch issues when they first arise, and using the right techniques when there is dental decay, (placing timely and appropriate restorations (fillings) before too much tooth structure is damaged) are important tools that will keep your children’s smiles in selfie-ready shape throughout childhood!

We love a good selfie as much as anyone else, and we LOVE helping our patients feel good about themselves when they put their Selfie Smiles out there for the world to see!

All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry we have taken steps to keep your children as safe as possible while in our office. Our initial protocol was set based on the guidance from the CDC, CalOSHA, and local government recommendations.  As guidelines change, so will the practice to ensure you and your child have a safe appointment.

Get to Know Us

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we incorporate proven techniques to share with you and your child at each dental checkup visit. Dr. Allen Job and his team are committed to providing the latest in oral health care prevention. Check out our monthly blog posts! Our practice is centrally located in San Diego, CA.

Get acquainted with us by watching our practice video and find out what we do.

Scheduling an appointment for your child is easy! Start here to schedule an appointment. All of our forms are online. Fill them out securely from your smartphone or tablet and hit send. On appointment day, your child will be seen at their scheduled time. For example, if you have a 9:00 AM appointment, your child will be seen at 9:00 AM.

 

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention. For more than a decade, served as assistant professor for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLUSD). He is currently an instructor at LLUSD.

 

 

Has the Pandemic Affected Children’s Oral Health?

February 23rd, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is approaching its two-year anniversary.

The pandemic, with its shutdowns, quarantines, and overall societal changes, has impacted every facet of our lives.  As we reflect back on these last two years, we find some surprising unintentional health effects.  Even as we’ve focused our efforts entirely on protecting the health of our communities, certain aspects of health for some of us have been negatively impacted by our efforts.  Children’s oral health is one of those and identifying the reasons why will help us to repair the problems.

How Have Two Years of Pandemic Worsened Kids’ Pre-Existing Dental Health?

In March of 2020, when our country (along with the rest of the world) was figuring out how to navigate COVID-19, ‘elective’ procedures and surgeries were cancelled, sometimes for months at a time, in almost every state.  This meant dental practices were either closed entirely, or available only for serious emergencies.  Given that dental decay is one of, if not the, most common chronic illnesses of children in America, this created a crisis in children’s oral health.  Untreated dental cavities lead to more serious infections, at least requiring more extensive dental treatment, but sometimes resulting in serious bodily infections.

Children who already had significant decay and planned restorative treatments when the shutdowns began, frequently ended up in hospital emergency departments to treat their increasing symptoms (pain, inability to eat or sleep, etc.), or more seriously, the spreading infections caused by untreated cavities.  For these patients, what could have been in-office treatment often ended up requiring hospital-based general anesthesia for dental surgery, adding considerable expense and increased risk.  Children with moderate dental problems at the onset of the pandemic faired only slightly better, often requiring more invasive in-office procedures to restore worsened dental health.

Even if your child went into March of 2020 with healthy teeth and mouth, the pandemic may have impacted his or her oral health, too.  The months-long closure of most dental offices created a re-opening environment full of scheduling bottlenecks, due both to the backlog of delayed appointments and to the need for longer visits to accommodate patients’ additional treatment needs and new infection control protocols.  This meant those 6-month preventive visits you never miss were very delayed or very hard to get scheduled.

When it Comes to Pandemic Effects, Think Outside-the-Mouth

The pre-pandemic state of our kids’ mouths isn’t the only factor affecting children’s oral health two years later.  Things that have become our ‘new normal’ have had surprising impacts on pediatric dental health as well. For example, stay-at-home orders and online schooling allowed for more frequent snacking and drinking than would be typical in a child’s ‘normal’ day.  It’s well understood that eating and drinking sugary or high carbohydrate items leads to tooth decay, but grazing and frequent snacking on even lower-sugar foods and drinks has also been shown to increase your risk of cavities.  When we eat, the environment in our mouths becomes more acidic within seconds, but it takes much longer for our saliva to get our mouths back to a neutral pH.  This means that frequent snacking or drinking beverages other than water can overwhelm your body’s ability to protect tooth enamel from the acidic environment, leading to increased tooth decay.  Read more from our previous blog, Foods that Cause Decay.

Additionally, the toll of the pandemic and the sweeping changes it brought have had mental and emotional health effects on adults and children alike.  For many children, especially those under 7 years old, expressing their pandemic-related anxiety and fear is difficult, and can often be illustrated unexpectedly.  This can include what happens with the return to the Pediatric Dentist.  Even children who never exhibited dental anxiety or fear before may be nervous about any medical facilities, (including dental offices), and extensive protective equipment worn by the providers. This can make dental visits more difficult for both patients and parents.

Bouncing Back from the Pandemic Toll on Oral Health

The good news is that our pediatric dental community has been able to overcome the challenges we’ve faced over the last two years and have learned so much more about how to bring our patients’ oral health back to the pre-pandemic baseline.  Maintaining oral health and eating schedules at home, returning to routine preventive dental care, preparing kids for the emotional toll of returning to our offices, and treating any diagnosed dental issues as quickly as possible will position us all for success.

It’s been a long two years, but we’ve learned a lot about the importance of oral health for our communities, and our providers and patients are better for it!

All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry we have taken steps to keep your children as safe as possible while in our office. Our initial protocol was set based on the guidance from the CDC, CalOSHA, and local government recommendations.  As guidelines change, so will the practice to ensure you and your child have a safe appointment.

Get to Know Us

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we incorporate proven techniques to share with you and your child at each dental checkup visit. Dr. Allen Job and his team are committed to providing the latest in oral health care prevention. Check out our monthly blog posts! Our practice is centrally located in San Diego, CA.

Get acquainted with us by watching our practice video and find out what we do.

Scheduling an appointment for your child is easy! Start here to schedule an appointment. All of our forms are online. Fill them out securely from your smartphone or tablet and hit send. On appointment day, your child will be seen at their scheduled time. For example, if you have a 9:00 AM appointment, your child will be seen at 9:00 AM.

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention. For more than a decade, served as assistant professor for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLUSD). He is currently an instructor at LLUSD.

 

 

Save your Heart by Brushing your Teeth

March 12th, 2020

According to a recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, toothbrushing multiple times a day can lower one's risk of heart disease.

Let's Dig Deeper

This study involved one hundred sixty thousand participants between the ages of 40-79 years, who were tracked over a ten year span.  These individuals had no history of atrial fibrillation or heart failure at the the beginning of the study.

The study results were independent of factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, exercise frequency, alcohol consumption, and other behaviors that could damage the heart.

At the ten year followup evaluation, they there 4,911 participants who had developed atrial fibrillation and 7,971 developed heart failure.

Back to Basics

Anatomy of the Heart:

The heart has 4 chambers.  The two upper chambers are called the atria.  The two lower chambers are called ventricles.  Oxygen-poor blood returns from the body and flows first into the right atrium then into the right ventricle.  From here the blood gets oxygen from lungs. Now oxygen rich blood flows into the left atrium and then into the left ventricle.  Now the blood is pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body. The atria and ventricles contract or "pump" blood in a coordinated way.  Click here to see an animation by the American Heart Association.

What is Atrial fibrillation?

According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation is noted by a quivering heart beat or irregular heart beat.  This can lead to blood clots, stroke or heart failure.  Click here to see an animation of Atrial fibrillation.

What is Heart Failure?

According to the American Heart Association, heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping as effectively as it could be.  The heart cannot keep up with its workload.  Therefore, the body is not getting enough oxygen that it needs. This condition is a chronic continuous degradation of heart muscle that leads to worsening performance of the heart without medical intervention.  Therefore, one common term that is associated with the ineffective heart, is congestive heart failure. Click here to seen an animation of heart failure.

Toothbrushing Benefits

According to this study, toothbrushing at least three times a day reduces one's risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Researchers from this study believe that the mechanical action of the toothbrush against teeth help lower bacterial levels that are below the gum level before they enter the bloodstream.

Put this Concept into Practice

Brush your teeth after mealtimes.  Parents, do this for your own health and then model this habit to your children.  Children often will follow a parent's lead.  Children who are too young to brush their own teeth should be assisted by a parent or guardian. Often I hear from parents that say that their child doesn't like to have their teeth brushed or won't tolerate it.  When I ask the parent how often they brush their teeth, it is often less than two times a day.  Please note that you are the parent. It is your responsibility to take care of your child.  A child will protest all day long to avoid anything he or she doesn't like.  Toothbrushing is one battle that you have to win, parents.  For a toothbrushing refresher, head to our page on preventive care.

Toothbrushing is an effective way to not only help your teeth, but it can also reduce your risk for some heart diseases like atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Start today!

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention. For more than a decade, served as assistant professor for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLUSD). He is currently an instructor at LLUSD.

 

 

 

 

 

Electrical or Manual Toothbrush: Which is Better?

September 13th, 2018

[caption id="attachment_629" align="alignleft" width="640"]Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes[/caption]

This is one of our most frequently asked questions!

Our answer? It’s not the brush that matters, it’s who’s doing the brushing.

Let’s break that down. The goal of tooth brushing is to remove plaque from your teeth on a consistent (daily!) basis, so that we prevent the buildup of tartar which leads to tooth decay.

Manual Toothbrush

A manual toothbrush is a great and inexpensive tool that helps us do just that. Make sure to brush at least for two minutes per day, twice a day. Gently brush ALL surfaces and make sure to reach those back molars.

If you need some help with visualizing the proper techniques, here are some helpful recommendations.

Electric Toothbrush

For some people, it can be difficult to brush properly with a manual toothbrush. Those with some form of motor disability or arthritis may benefit from using an electric toothbrush. An electric brush can also be helpful for kids or anyone with braces.

The same tooth brushing rules apply – two times per day, two minutes at a time. One advantage of an electric toothbrush is that some have a built-in timer. If you’re one of those quick brushers who has a hard time making it to two minutes, consider using a timed electric brush.

Round vs Rectangular

When picking an electric toothbrush, pick one that has a round brush head instead of a rectangular head.  A rounded brush head can more easily maneuver around teeth, especially those hard to get molars.

What about Battery operated toothbrushes?

You've all seen those cute battery operated electric toothbrushes with that are decked out in action figure brands or stylish colors.  Note, only some allow for battery replacement when they start to run low.  Moreover, very few allow the brush head to be changed.

An electric toothbrush would be recommended for long term use.  Just replace the brush head every 6 months.

Cost of Electric Toothbrushes

Some are deterred by the cost of electric toothbrushes.  They can range from $30 to over $130.  A solid $30 electric toothbrush can last over a decade with proper care use.

Take home message: When choosing an electric toothbrush, choose function over all the bells and whistles.

At your next dental visit, ask us whether we think you would do better with a manual or electric brush! And, as always, don’t forget to floss!

Bonus: How do astronauts brush their teeth?

Here's a bonus video from astronaut Chad Hadfield, who is commander of the International Space Station.  He explains who he brushes his teeth while in space! Find out what type of toothbrush he uses in outer space!

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we incorporate proven techniques to share with you and your child at each dental checkup visit. Dr. Allen Job and his team are committed to providing the latest in oral health care prevention. For more information about brushing and flossing check out our preventive care page. Still want more information? Check out our blog posts on prevention! Our practice is centrally located in San Diego, CA.

Scheduling an appointment for your child is easy! Start here to schedule an appointment. All of our forms are online. Fill them out securely from your smartphone or tablet and hit send. On appointment day, your child will be seen at their scheduled time. For example, if you have a 9:00 AM appointment, your child will be seen at 9:00 AM.

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention. He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

 

Foods That Cause Tooth Decay

April 19th, 2018

[caption id="attachment_581" align="alignleft" width="640"]Foods that Cause Tooth Decay Foods that Cause Tooth Decay[/caption]

 

 

Acid Attack!

When it comes to tooth decay, it’s important to know the main culprit – acid!

Acid is what eats a way at our enamel and causes cavities. Acid can enter our mouths in one of two ways: either directly through what we eat (citrus fruits, for example), or as a byproduct when oral bacteria consume the sugars that we eat.

The Litmus Test

Ultimately, a simple way to identify foods that cause tooth decay is to ask whether it’s acidic or sweet/starchy.

Acids vs. Carbs

Acidic foods include things like citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar, kombucha and sour candy.

Sweet/starchy foods include things like candy, soda or sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit, bread, cereal, pasta and crackers.

Note, sweets and starchy foods are lumped into one category since they both are composed of simple sugars in their most basic building blocks.  So if you think eating potato chips are healthier than eating M&Ms, they are not. You are eating sugar in both cases.

Does it matter how many times a day I snack on these foods or drinks?

The longer these things interact with your teeth, the greater the chance for tooth decay to
occur.  Also, the frequency is just as important to note.  If you frequently snack on acidic foods or drinks and/or sweet or starchy foods and drinks, then you are MORE at risk to develop dental caries (cavities)!

For example, sipping on soda throughout the day, or chewing a gooey caramel treat, increases the amount of sugar that coat your teeth. Bacteria love to feast on this sugar, creating an acidic environment and putting your teeth at risk for decay.

Six ways to protect your teeth against tooth decay:

1.  Reduce your consumption of sweets and refined starches.

This isn't difficult, however you have to make a choice requiring will power.

2. Enjoy acidic foods in moderation or as part of a meal.

Decrease snacking.  If must snack between meals, try carrot sticks or celery sticks.

 3. Decrease or eliminate your consumption of soda or sugar-sweetened beverages.

Make a mental note, drinking sodas or sweetened drinks are just empty calories that do not provide any nutritional value.

4. Swish with water after meals and snacks.

Trying doing it for 30 seconds each time.

5. Maintain good oral hygiene to brush away plaque buildup.

Floss at least once a day and brush twice a day.

6. And, as always, make sure to visit us regularly so we can remove tartar buildup and assess for early signs of decay.

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we incorporate proven techniques to share with you and your child at each dental checkup visit. Dr. Allen Job and his team are committed to providing the latest in oral health care prevention. For more information about brushing and flossing check out our preventive care page. Still want more information? Check out our blog posts on prevention! Our practice is centrally located in San Diego, CA.

Scheduling an appointment for your child is easy! Start here to schedule an appointment. All of our forms are online. Fill them out securely from your smartphone or tablet and hit send. On appointment day, your child will be seen at their scheduled time. For example, if you have a 9:00 AM appointment, your child will be seen at 9:00 AM.

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention. He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

 

Caries Risk Assessment - What's the big deal?

May 4th, 2017

Caries Risk Assessment - What's the big deal?What is the Caries Risk Assessment Tool?

The Caries Risk Assessment Tool is a research-based tool used to identify the risk factors that cause dental decay. It is also used to provide recommendations to reduce the risk of future cavities.  It has been well documented that dental decay affects children throughout their childhood and into their early adulthood.  The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that there has been a significant increase in dental decay in primary (baby) teeth.  This study further revealed that in U.S. children ages 2-5, one in four had dental decay.  Moreover, one half of children ages 12-15 had dental decay.

Why is this needed?

Instead of just filling cavities, this new method helps identify the cavity-forming risk factors and then provides guidelines to prevent future dental cavities.  The old method of just treating dental decay did not address the root factors that cause dental decay.  Several years ago, leading dental experts, ranging from educators, clinicians, and policy makers, converged to create the Caries Risk Assessment tool. Using the Caries Risk Assessment is a new paradigm shift that helps health care providers and educators provide specific recommendations to decrease the risk of getting dental caries.

What are the categories?

There are 3 risk categories:  High, Moderate, and Low

For each category there are recommendations based on the child’s age.

Some common recommendations include: nutrition changes, use of fluoride supplements, sealants, and more frequent cleaning and checkups.

Still need more information?

For additional information you may contact these organizations:

I've got it, what should I expect at my child's next dental visit?

At your child's next dental checkup visit, you will be asked a few questions that will help determine your child's risk for dental decay.  These responses will be used along with the information Dr. Allen Job gather's during your child's examination to determine your child's risk for dental decay.  Dr. Job and his team will be review that information with you at the end of the appointment.

How often will the Caries Risk Assessment be performed?

The Caries Risk Assessment will be performed each time at you're child's checkup appointment.  This is an ongoing process.   Our goal at All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is to prevent dental decay from starting in your child.  This involves providing you with easy ways to prevent dental decay. Our secondary goal is to convert Moderate and High Risk patients into Low Risk patients.

Contact our office, All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allen Job.  Dr. Job and his team will be able to provide you with more information for your child at his or her visit.

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention.  He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

How can parents help prevent tooth decay?

January 20th, 2016

How can parents help prevent tooth decay?

Children are born with a set of primary teeth – 20 to be exact – that help them learn to chew and speak, and develop enough space in the jaw for the permanent teeth that will appear several years later. Kids are especially susceptible to decay, which can cause pain and tooth loss – a problem that could interfere with oral development. As a parent, it is important that you take proactive steps to keep your child’s teeth as healthy as possible.

Bottles and “Sippie Cups”

One of the biggest culprits of childhood tooth decay is poor diet. This begins as early as a few months old, when children are often allowed to go to bed with bottles and “sippie cups” of milk or juice. The sugars in these beverages – even natural sugars – can steadily decay the teeth.

Dr. Allen Job and our staff suggest serving children milk and juice only at meal times, and limiting juice intake to just a few ounces per day. If your child becomes thirsty between meals or likes to go to bed with a bottle, serve water during these times.

Hygiene

As a parent, you can establish healthy dental habits long before your child’s first tooth erupts. Start by gently wiping your baby’s gums with a clean wash cloth during the first months of life. By age one, graduate to an appropriately sized toothbrush with fluoridated toothpaste, and brush at least twice a day.

Dental Visits

Dental visits should start young and continue on a regular basis throughout your child's life. Dr. Allen Job and our staff recommend parents bring their children to All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for the first time no later than the child’s first birthday. Initial visits concentrate on parental education, while later visits may include thorough cleanings and fluoride treatments as your child grows.

For more information about keeping your child’s teeth cavity-free, contact our San Diego, CA office to schedule a dental consultation and checkup.

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention.  He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.