According to the American Dental Association, patients who brush their teeth twice daily and floss once a day have better checkups, less tooth decay and brighter smiles. Most people grow up with the knowledge of brushing their teeth properly. You know the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It takes educators getting involved in young people’s lives to help them make brushing your child’s teeth a habit. How Busy Schedules Prevent Children from Brushing Regularly In the daily routines of sports schedules, school programs, after school events and extracurricular activities, children often fail to properly take [...]

It is no huge secret as to why gum chewers tend to have better dental checkups. Chewing gum after a meal helps breakdown acids and bacteria that foods leave behind. In the long run, gum reduces plaque build-up on teeth.  John Patterson, DMD knows the advantage that gum chewing can bring to his patients. However, just remember that gum chewing never takes the place of brushing or flossing your teeth regularly. You may be wondering if all gum is equal. Actually, it is not. Sugarless gum is the only gum that is ADA approved to help prevent cavities and to [...]