Friday, March 23, 2018

Time For A Change

Image provided by musely.com

Germs seem to be lurking everywhere! While it’s difficult to avoid catching the cold or flu bug, you can help keep your number one oral hygiene accessory in great shape by replacing your toothbrush regularly. 

Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush? 

It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months, and directly after any cold or flu. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since they are constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn, that is a clear sign that you need a new toothbrush. 

People who wear braces will likely need to replace their toothbrushes frequently, as braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness. It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement. 

You may be thinking "My toothbrush is great, it's broken in just the way I like it”. While that may be true, did you know that your old toothbrush can actually be harming your mouth? 

3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush 
  1. Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth…but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on your toothbrush after you are done brushing. Now, this isn’t a problem initially, but imagine three to four months of bacteria build up on your toothbrush. That old bacteria ridden toothbrush is in your mouth at least twice a day…yuck. 
  2. Bristles - Like any tool, a toothbrush wears down. Worn bristles are tough on your enamel and can wear it away over time. Not only that…an old, worn toothbrush can be up to 95 percent less effective at removing plaque. 
  3. Illness - Always change your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, even if it’s not “technically” time to switch out your toothbrush. 
If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution! Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning around facet fixtures and tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer keyboards, and tennis shoes! 

Make sure to mark your calendar as a reminder to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months. If you need a few tips on keeping your smile in tip-top shape, make sure to ask our team at your next appointment with Spannhake Orthodontics.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

More Than Just A Pretty Smile

Spannhake Orthodontics

At Spannhake Orthodontics, our dedication to providing extraordinary personal service with compassion and consideration to the unique needs of each of our patients is our top priority. 

The primary focus of our practice is to work with our patients to obtain a healthy and beautiful smile, taking oral and facial harmony into consideration. As a specialty practice in orthodontics and dental-facial orthopedics, Dr. Spannhake's goal is to provide consistently excellent orthodontic treatment to children, adolescents and adults in a gentle and caring environment. 

We feel open communication is extremely important in creating a positive environment for our patients and insuring a successful treatment outcome. Here at Spannhake Orthodontics, we consider dental health to be an integral part of overall good health. We believe that good dental health can instill a sense of well-being, provide a lifelong smile, and promote good overall health. 

If you have questions on how to improve your dental health, let’s talk! Our caring team takes pride in providing exceptional care to patients of all ages. We have great information right at your fingertips 24 hours a day on our website

Take a look at the NEW PATIENTS section as well as TREATMENT section. You can also request an appointment right on our website, by clicking here.