Toothbrush Trivia with Dr. Bracy

It isn’t any big news to dentist Dr. Bracy that people have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years. In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced, and people began practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss:

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• If you don’t floss, you are only cleaning 65% of your tooth surfaces
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Replace your toothbrush every two months, when bristles appear worn, or after recovering from a cold or flu
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

Parsley and Other Ways to Brighten Your Smile

At St. Pete Smiles we know that many patients are concerned about bad breath and the brightness of their teeth. Naturally, good oral hygiene is the first step. With proper brushing and regular dental checkups you can keep bad breath (halitosis) in check. There are also certain foods that can be used as home remedies to help keep your teeth sparkling and beautiful.

Here are a few home remedies to keep you smiling bright:
Spice up your life: Snack on some cloves, fennel, or anise after each particularly odorous snack.
Be weary of dark beverages: The worst options for your teeth are coffee, wine, whiskey, and beer. If you do indulge in these beverages, we recommend that you use a straw to protect your teeth from dyes.
Apples, celery, and carrots: These foods are known to increase saliva production, and can act as natural stain removers.
Enjoy your strawberries: This fruit contains malic acid and fiber, which may help whiten and remove bacteria from your teeth.
Parsley’s there for a reason: Finish your parsley after you finish your dinner and you’ll find a refreshing breath enhancer. Hate the texture? Throw a couple sprigs in a blender to sip after each meal.
Frequent brushing: Carry a toothbrush with you so brushing after each meal is convenient and refreshing! Trust us, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. If you can’t brush, still swish around a couple sips of water to remove any lingering food.
Don’t forget the tongue: Lots of people brush their teeth regularly, but leave the tongue alone. One of the main causes of bad breath is food and plaque residue on the surface of your tongue. So give it a nice gentle brush-over too!
Sugarless gum: Always a good idea to carry some mints or sugarless gum for that quick spruce up before you meet the boss.

For more tips on teeth whitening, you can visit this great article by AOL health, or give St. Pete Smiles a call! Dr. Bracy is specially trained to offer out patients Zoom! professional teeth whitening, which whitens teeth an average of eight shades - in just one hour.

Gummy Tummy, from Dr. Bracy

At St. Pete Smiles we know the rumors going around—mostly among young people—that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

What are patients saying about St. Pete Smiles?

St. Pete Smiles, serving St. Petersburg, Largo, and Seminole, FL and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Bracy and team!

"Prior to a girlfriend recommending Dr Bracy, I had been to quite a few dentists in the St Pete area. Something was always amiss until I went to Dr Bracy! Susie, his receptionist, is always pleasant, sweet and willing to work with me. Very knowledgeable with insurance, and teeth which makes it a lot easier and pleasant. Hygienist...I like a good, deep cleaning and I always get that. Know of others that don't care for it that deep and they also have hygienist that provide that type of service. Dr Bracy...complete check after every cleaning. Recommends what needs to be done and shows you the evidence of his findings. He puts money back into his practice. He has the latest technology, which improves my health greatly. Most important to me is having a clean, safe environment, current technology, and a doctor that does exceptional dental work. I have found all of this with St Pete Smiles!" ~Kathleen

"This office came highly recommended. The dentist, assistant, and office personnel were all very knowledgeable. I didn't have to wait for anything, and the price was respectable. The scheduling and records requests were faster than any office I've ever seen. I've been searching for a good dentist for quite some time now, and am happy to say that I think I've FINALLY found one!" ~Jessica

"I can't speak highly enough of Dr. Bracy & his staff. They are always pleasant, smiling & helpful. They have been my dentist for several years & I have had major dental work completed..." ~Sue

Make 2011 the year to improve your oral health

Many folks in St. Petersburg consider the beginning of a new year a time to not only reflect on the year that was, but also to set personal goals for the upcoming year. How are you planning to improve your health and happiness in 2011? Dr. Bracy and our team recommend that you make a New Year’s resolution to benefit your oral health!

It is important that New Year’s resolutions are reasonable and attainable, and that they improve your overall quality of life—for example, did you know that flossing every day is the very best way to prevent periodontal, or gum, disease? Using a straw when drinking sugary beverages can also help prevent cavities. There are many small steps that you can take to prevent cavities, oral infections and bad breath.

Be sure to give us a call if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, or visit this helpful article from our friends at the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). After all, your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

-The team at St. Pete Smiles

Family Resources Holiday Collection

The St. Pete Smiles holiday collection for Family Resources was a huge success. They were thrilled to receive the much needed items. Dr. Bracy and our team hope to make this an annual event, thanks to the generosity of our staff and patients. Happy Holidays!

St. Pete Smiles Holiday Staff Luncheon

Dr. Bracy and our team at St. Pete Smiles had a wonderful holiday luncheon at Malio's Steakhouse in downtown Tampa. Great minds must think alike, because Dr Bracy got the staff e-readers as gifts, and that's the gift they got Dr. Bracy as well! There will be alot of reading going on at St. Pete Smiles this winter.

After our holiday luncheon, we had fun ice skating at the rink set up along the Riverwalk. Ice skating brought back memories for our former figure skater receptionist Susie. First timer assistant Michele was a good sport and tried ice skating. Dr. Bracy and his wife Donna held their own out on the rink.

This holiday season we would like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What do you love about the holidays this year? Spending time with loved ones? Winter activities, such as ice skating? All of the delicious holiday treats?

Please feel free to share your thoughts on our Facebook page. Happy holidays!