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Dental health, explained simply
Articles and tips from our team on keeping your smile healthy between visits. Search by topic, or start with the latest.
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Cosmetic Dentistry
Efficacy of the Water Pick
Oral irrigators have been evaluated in a number of scientific studies and have been tested for periodontal maintenance, and those with gingivitis, diabetes…
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Gum Health
History of the Oral Irrigator
The first oral irrigator was developed in the 1950s by Dr. C.D. Matteson, who patented the invention in 1955. Dr. Matteson's invention was designed to…
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Gum Health
Oral Irrigator
An oral irrigator (also called a dental water jet, water flosser or, by the brand name of the best-known such device, Waterpik) is a home dental care device…
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Oral Hygiene
Types of Tongue Scrapers
The top surface of the tongue can be cleaned using a tongue cleaner, a tongue brush/scraper or a toothbrush. However, toothbrushes are not considered as…
· 1 min read
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Oral Hygiene
History of Tongue Scraping
Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine, recommends tongue cleaning as part of one's daily hygiene regimen, to remove the toxic debris, known…
· 1 min read
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Dental Health
Health Effects of Tongue Scraping
Breath While there is tentative benefit from the use of a tongue cleaner it is insufficient to draw clear conclusions with respect to bad breath. A 2006…
· 1 min read
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Oral Hygiene
Tongue Cleaner
A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the coating on the upper surface of the tongue.…
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Gum Health
Floss Pick
A floss pick is a disposable oral hygiene device generally made of plastic and dental floss. The instrument is composed of two prongs extending from a thin…
· 1 min read
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Cosmetic Dentistry
Floss for Orthodontic Appliances : Floss Threader
Floss for orthodontic appliances Orthodontic appliances, such as brackets, wires, and bands, can harbor plaque with more virulent changes in bacterial…
· 1 min read
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Gum Health
Did You Know There is More Than One Type of Floss?
A variety of dental flosses are commonly available. Floss is available in many forms including waxed, unwaxed monofilaments and multifilaments. Dental floss…
· 2 min read
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Gum Health
The History of Floss
Levi Spear Parmly (1790-1859), a dentist from New Orleans, is credited with inventing the first form of dental floss. In 1819, he recommended running a waxen…
· 1 min read
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Gum Health
Dental Floss
Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments used in interdental cleaning to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth or places a toothbrush has…
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Articles are general education. For advice about your own teeth, schedule an exam with Dr. Carter.