This four-part article series presents a suite of interesting facts every dental healthcare practitioner wished their patients knew and practiced.

Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series on the many facts and important tips Manhattan dental implants professionals wished patients knew. In our previous article post, they explained the following:

1. It’s not normal for gums to bleed.

2. Floss that frays quickly may be a sign of a cavity.

3. You should see the dentist at least once a year, even if nothing feels wrong.

We’ve got another 9 facts to get through, so without further ado…

4. Tooth decay is the second most common disease in the United States.

“Second only to the common cold, tooth decay is the most pervasive disease affecting the population of the United States,” says the Manhattan dental implants expert. “The problem is, most of the afflicted Americans don’t know that they have a problem! Until bacteria infiltrate the insides of the tooth, where the nerves are housed, it’s difficult for patients to know that their tooth is at risk, because there are no nerves in dental enamel. Therefore, a surface cavity or decay won’t necessarily cause any pain.”

“A cavity that extends into the dentine of the tooth can cause sensitivity, but even this is frequently ignored. Unfortunately, too many patients wait until a tooth is irreparably decayed until they seek treatment. Then it’s an appointment with a Manhattan dental implants surgeon and not the general dentist!”

5. You should never store your toothbrush in a small, closed container.

This may come as a surprise, especially because it’s the well-known oral health and hygiene companies that have made toothbrush storage containers popular, but the truth is these appliances may be causing your brush to become contaminated.

“In between uses, your toothbrush should be left in a place where it can dry,” explains an 'All On 4' implants expert. “Bacteria love warm, moist environments and the small, contained spaces inside those toothbrush caps prevent evaporation, effectively creating an environment that favors bacterial growth. Once you’ve used your toothbrush, rinse it off thoroughly and stand it upright in a glass in a bathroom cabinet or medicine cabinet.”

6. Think your teeth need a whitening treatment? A simple professional cleaning could be enough to do the trick.

“Many patients are quick to turn to cosmetic procedures to improve their smiles, when, in most cases, all it really takes to keep a smile beautiful, white and healthy is good oral hygiene. For the same reason, going for a professional cleaning may be all that stands between you and a much improved, far whiter smile,” explains the Manhattan dental implants expert.

“Plaque, which is essentially oral bacteria, deposits on the teeth and hardens over time to form tartar. This is a hard, yellowish substance that cannot be removed by brushing alone and visibly deteriorates the aesthetics of your smile. A professional teeth cleaning and polishing at your dentist eliminates most of this calculus and stain from your teeth and from beneath the gum line, leaving your teeth whiter, their shapes more defined and the gums a healthier shade of pink. So, before opting for a more expensive cosmetic dental procedure, brush and floss your teeth regularly and go for regular scheduled check-ups and cleanings, and you should be able to keep your smile looking beautiful and white.”

7. A frayed toothbrush is completely ineffective at cleaning your teeth.

“The bristles of your toothbrush should meet your teeth at a 90 degree angle, otherwise they won’t do as good a job of scrubbing the crowns and getting into the gaps between your teeth,” explains the All On 4 implants expert. “If the bristles of the toothbrush are looking a little worn and frayed, it’s time to get a new brush!”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more of the important facts the Manhattan dental implants professional wished patients knew, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.