At Meade Family Dentistry, we understand the power of toothpaste to maintain a radiant smile. But did you know that this humble oral care essential has a multitude of unexpected uses beyond just keeping your pearly whites gleaming? Dive into these innovative toothpaste hacks that go beyond oral hygiene, and you’ll be amazed at their versatility!

Soothe Irritated Skin from Bee Stings and Insect Bites: Have you had a bothersome bee sting or insect bite? Reach for your trusty toothpaste! Applying a small amount to the affected area can help alleviate itching and reduce swelling. The drying properties of toothpaste also aid in faster healing.

Say Goodbye to Wall Stains Without Damaging Paint: Kids’ artistry leaving its mark on your walls? No worries! Dab a bit of toothpaste on a damp cloth and gently rub away those crayon and scuff marks without harming the paint. It’s a simple solution for a spotless finish.

Keep Mirrors Fog-Free for Clear Reflections: Tired of waiting for your bathroom mirror to defog after a shower? Rubbing toothpaste on it and wiping it off before your next rinse can help prevent fogging, saving you precious time during your morning routine.

Revitalize Your Favorite Jewelry and Gems: Restore the sparkle to your silver jewelry and diamonds with toothpaste! Simply apply a thin layer, let it sit overnight, and then wipe clean in the morning. For diamonds, a gentle scrub with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush works wonders.

Rescue Scratched DVDs and CDs: Don’t let scratches ruin your movie night! Smooth a bit of toothpaste onto the damaged disc, rub gently, and rinse away for smoother playback. For deeper scratches, repeat as needed until they’re hardly noticeable.

Speed Up Pimple Healing Overnight: Pesky pimple ruining your day? Dab a bit of toothpaste on it before bed, and wake up to a visibly reduced blemish. The drying effect of toothpaste helps shrink pimples and accelerate the healing process.

Banish Lingering Odors from Your Hands: Whether it’s cooking smells or potent cleaning products, odors can linger on your hands. Combat them effectively by washing your hands with toothpaste in addition to soap and water for a fresh, clean feeling.

Patch Up Wall Nail Holes with Ease: Got nail holes marring your walls? Fill them in effortlessly by squeezing toothpaste into the hole, smoothing it with a putty knife, and letting it dry. Voila! Your walls look good as new, ready for a touch-up if necessary.

The next time you visit our dentist in Benicia, share with our team how you’ve discovered the extraordinary uses of toothpaste beyond its traditional role in oral care. We love hearing about your innovative dental discoveries!

Enamel is the guardian of your teeth and the hardest material in the body. It’s the first defense against harmful bacteria which may lead to tooth decay. When you eat certain foods, it creates bacteria which attack your tooth enamel. Carbohydrates and sugary foods are examples of these foods. Brushing directly after eating can be harmful to your enamel. 

Why this is a problem 

When eating or drinking, the pH balance in your mouth changes. After each bite of acidic food, the pH balance moves towards a level which causes demineralization. The new acidity softens the enamel which can cause bacteria to get into the teeth. Brushing right after you eat may damage your enamel. This is important because enamel protects your teeth from damage.   

Steps you can take to protect your enamel: 

If you’ve had anything acidic, don’t brush for at least 30 minutes. Fruits with citric acid are one example. If you are planning ingesting acidic foods or drinks, you can brush beforehand. A glass of water will help remove the acid. Follow this by chewing sugarless gum. These steps help create saliva which will help bring back the necessary pH balance needed for a healthy smile. Try to avoid soda as prolonged phosphoric acid can cause permanent damage. Brushing your teeth twice a day is an important habit for optimal oral health.  

Have you ever been told you should brush your teeth right after eating? While this may sound like the right habit to adapt, this practice could be detrimental to the health of your teeth. Rinsing your mouth with water after eating may be a better option to keep enamel strong. Visit our office for an exam and we can give you for tips for healthy, strong teeth. Call our office today. 

When you travel by plane, your flight attendant will advise that in the rare case of an emergency, you must first put on your air mask before attempting to help those around you. When this is not followed, the results can be catastrophic, both for you and for those you might otherwise have been in a position to assist. While this is crucial information for all, many women particularly require this gentle reminder to prioritize their own needs above those of others.  

All too often, we meet women who work tirelessly to fulfill the needs of their families. We see working moms, both at home and in office, who prioritize the health and wellness of their children, spouse and even friends before their own.  

We get it: there’s joy and fulfillment in taking care of others. However, it may be time to “put on your oxygen mask” and consider whether you are remembering to care for yourself. Your health, both mental and physical, should be one of your top priorities. This will allow you to have the energy and strength you need to assist with the needs of those around you.  

Smile restoration can take years off your appearance, while adding years to your life by improving your health. If you’re looking for a way to jump start your new self-care inclusive way of living, contact us for a cosmetic consultation. Your friends and family will love to see you with a vibrant, beautiful, healthy smile. You deserve it. 

How often does your child eat candy? According to a study conducted by the USDA Economic Research Service, children under 12 consume an average of 49 pounds of sugar in one year. While candy is not the sole source of sugar in a child’s diet, the impacts of sugary candy treats are particularly harmful to teeth. Here’s what you need to know about candy and how it might be damaging your child’s smile. 

The Impact of Sugar on Teeth 

The real culprit in candy is the high sugar content. Certain types of bacteria that are present in your mouth can feed on sugar. These destructive bacteria then create acid that wears away tooth enamel. When enamel is weakened, your risk of developing decay increases. Your mouth is effective at neutralizing acids and aiding minerals that strengthen enamel if the amount of sugars and acids is not excessive. Your mouth can only do so much, which makes it essential to limit your sugar intake and maintain a regular and thorough oral hygiene routine. 

Watch Out for Sticky, Sugary Candies 

Not all candies are made equal. For a general rule of thumb, the sticker the candy, the worse it is for your teeth. Sticky candies leave sugary residue on your teeth long after you are done eating. This gives the bacteria in your mouth more time to start demineralizing enamel. Watch out for sticky candies like gum drops and taffy.  

Suckers, lollipops, and hard sucking candies are troublesome because they are in your mouth for an extended period of time. Like sticky candies, this allows for more time for harmful bacteria to get to work by weakening your teeth. You can also chip or crack a tooth if you bite too hard. 

Other problematic candies include those that are gummy and coated in sugar. Think of gummy worms or another sour covered, chewy critter. Not only are they high in sugar content, but they also typically contain harmful acids that contribute to a loss of enamel. 

Steps for Preventing Decay 

You can help your child by limiting their candy and sugar intake. In some instances, this can be tricky and even out of your control when your child is at school or a friend’s house. What you can do is instill good oral hygiene habits in your child. Make sure they are brushing for two minutes twice each day. You can make brushing fun. Sing a song together for the two minutes, and allow them to choose a fun toothbrush and toothpaste flavor.  

Candy is a fun treat. You don’t have to take it away from your child altogether, but limit their exposure to such treats and educate them about the impacts candy can have on their teeth. When left untreated, decay can spread leading to pain and infection. Maintaining a schedule of regular visits to our office is essential. More than just a cleaning, we will provide a thorough examination to check for decay.  

If you haven’t already scheduled your child’s next appointment, please contact our office.