The first recorded explanation behind the cause of a toothache was written on a tablet found in the city of Nineveh, which was located along the Tigris in what is now modern day Iran. Referred to as The Legend of the Toothworm, the tablet explained that toothaches were caused by tiny worms burrowing into the tooth itself. The belief that worms caused dental decay was unquestionably accepted in Western medicine until the 18^th century when Pierre Fauchard, considered the father of modern dentistry, successfully disproved the superstition.

History’s first dentist was an Egyptian physician who lived around 3000 B.C. by the name of Hesi-Re. Archeologists found an inscription inside of his burial chamber that referred to Hesi-Re as “the greatest of those who deal with teeth.” By 1500 B.C., the Egyptians had already created the first known set of false teeth, and left a record of their medical knowledge on the Papyrus Ebers, which described over 700 medical remedies.

By the time of the Romans, people had begun cleaning their teeth through the use of chewsticks. Generally about the size of a pencil, chewsticks were made from any number of fibrous woods. By chewing on one end of the sick until the individual fibers in the wood were separated, the user could then brush each tooth individually with the frayed end of the stick. This technique is still used today in parts of Africa and in some Islamic countries.

Around 15 A.D., the famed Roman physician Archigenes designed perhaps the world’s first dental drill, and developed a procedure to cure an ailing tooth. Archigenes would drill into a tooth and then fill the hole using a mixture of roasted earthworms, herbs, and crushed spider eggs. Fifteen years later in 30 A.D., Celsus, another Roman physician, first began filling cavities with small amounts lead. He did this not to fix the tooth, but to keep it from breaking when attempted to extract it from the patient’s mouth. (Hey, it’s still better than spider eggs!)

During the Middle Ages, priests and barbers served the role of dentist. (That’s right, the same people still cutting hair today.) Tooth extractions were public events that attracted large crowds of onlookers as people with toothaches would step onto the stage (they would actually build a stage and surround it with jugglers to draw people’s attention) and have their tooth pulled out. It wasn’t until our friend Pierre Fauchard published Le Chirurgien Dentiste (The Surgeon Dentist) that the practice of dentistry stopped using such barbaric methods of treatment. (While Mr. Fauchard’s book did outline a lot of practical advice, he also recommended that patients rinse their mouths out twice daily with their own fresh urine!)

So the next time you feel anxious about visiting Dr. Lusch, just remember how far dentistry has come over the last 2,000 years, and take comfort in knowing that there is not a spider egg implant in your future.

Some things are out of your direct control, like air pollution but most of the time you can take steps to improve the quality of your health. Here are some tips to help you combat negative environmental factors and their effects on your teeth.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is a large contribution factor to disease, lung cancer, and even stained teeth. Recycling items that can be reused again is a great first step to reducing air pollution, but there are additional local factors affecting your health. Smoking, secondhand smoke and chewing tobacco is a huge risk factor to your health and teeth. Choosing not to use or be around tobacco can improve the quality of your life and keep your teeth free of stains.

Social Factors

There are many social influences that can affect your oral health. Social hour, happy hour, and celebrations of any kind where you drink a lot of alcohol or consume dark-colored foods can have an impact on your teeth. Alcohol such as red wine can stain your teeth. If you can’t brush your teeth after each occasion, it’s a good idea to drink more water. Drinking water helps push away particles that hang out on your teeth. The swooshing of the water against your teeth will help them stay stain free.

Food Choices

Choose your food wisely and make healthy food choices. By doing this you will have better health. Some places do not have as many food choices as inner city and urban areas. If getting fresh fruits and vegetables is hard for you, consider growing your own garden. The more control you have over what goes in your body, the better you will feel and cleaner your teeth will be – what you put in your body affects every aspect of your health, including your smile.

 Make Smart Choices

Where we live has an impact on our health, but making wise choices doesn’t have to be stressful. Eat a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruit. Drink plenty of water and limit and reduce smoking and eating and drinking dark colored foods. By doing these few things and taking an active role in your health you will be smiling bright for a long time to come.

The practice of brushing one’s teeth traces back to 3,000 B.C., when ancient civilizations used to rub “chew sticks,” small twigs that had frayed ends, along their teeth and gums. The first bristle toothbrush dates back to 15^th century China, and was constructed of boar’s hair attached to a handle generally made of either bone or bamboo. The nylon bristle toothbrush used today didn’t come into use until the late 1930s, when Doctor West’s Miracle Toothbrush first hit the market.

Toothbrush technology has come a long way since these early models, but how do you determine which brush is right for you? Keep in mind these factors when selecting a toothbrush.

Bristle

The majority of dentists recommend using a toothbrush that has soft bristles, especially for individuals who have sensitive teeth and gums. Despite what you may think, the harder the bristle doesn’t mean the cleaner the teeth. Toothbrushes with soft bristles remove plaque just as effectively as brushes with firm or wiry bristles. A brush with soft bristles will also allow you to vigorously clean your teeth without irritating your gums or damaging your teeth’s enamel.

Head Size

The head size of a toothbrush should be small enough to easily fit inside your mouth, while large enough to cover more than one tooth with each brushing motion. Young children should use kid-sized brushes instead of larger brushes designed for adults.

Replacing Your Brush

Replace your toothbrush every three months, or as soon as the brush begins to look worn out or frayed. When the bristles of your toothbrush begin to fan out, you know the time for a new brush has arrived.

Which Brush to Buy

When deciding which brush to buy, look for the American Dental Association Seal of Approval. A toothbrush that carries the ADA seal has undergone a series of quality control tests to ensure the brush cleans effectively and that it can withstand the rigors of daily use. An ADA seal guarantees the toothbrush will adequately reduce the build-up of plaque and help to prevent early stage gum disease.

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Use these three tips for how not to brush your teeth in order to change any of your own teethbrushing habits that may need to be adjusted!

1. Brush Sporadically

Why You Shouldn’t: The cornerstone of good dental health is consistency, especially when it comes to brushing your teeth. Use a clean toothbrush in good condition that fits comfortably in your hand when brushing your teeth. Using a toothbrush on your pearly whites every single day will help keep plaque away. This yellow, sticky film coats your teeth and eventually leads to cavities, tooth decay and periodontitis, a serious gum disease. Choose around the same times each day to brush and floss your teeth in order to build up a regular routine that your smile will appreciate.

2. Brush Once a Day

Why You Shouldn’t: There’s a science to brushing your teeth two times a day, which is once in the morning and once at night. Think about what happens inside your mouth while you sleep – when you brush first thing in the morning, you eliminate the harmful bacteria that have gathered during the night. When you brush your teeth before heading off to bed, more of this bacteria that has gathered during the course of the day is eliminated, along with leftover food particles that eventually turned into plaque and tartar on your teeth.

 3. Brush Only Your Front Teeth

Why You Shouldn’t: The front teeth are the only ones that matter, since those are the ones that people see – right? Wrong.

It’s essential to brush all surfaces of your teeth, the front and the back. Tooth decay is more likely to develop in those hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth and along the gumline. Take extra care with these areas to avoid the possibility of future gum disease.

These simple tips will help you keep your smile bright and your whole mouth healthy and clean!

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The outer layer of each tooth, called the enamel, contains pores that can hold stains. The whitening process virtually erases stains and brightens your teeth, without damaging your enamel or your gums.

Custom trays are made from molds of your teeth. In these trays you place the whitening gel . These trays are worn for as little as one hour a day for two weeks. In-office whitening is also available at 4 to 6 times the cost.

In-office whitening is also available for more immediate results. In as little as one appointment we can whiten your teeth several shades. Schedule a Cosmetic Consult with Dr. Lusch to discuss your options.

Did you know that this whole process could be avoided or corrected with modern dental treatments? If you are noticing a change in your smile, you should call your dentist to see what is going on and what can be done. With all the tools we have in dentistry today, there is no need to become “long in the tooth”!

As we age our teeth change color and start to shift or crowd. Correcting this problem can be as simple as regular cleanings at your dentist’s office and take home bleaching or it could be more involved with the use of veneers or crowns.

It’s never too late to have the smile you have always dreamed about and with all our modern dental materials and techniques we can do some amazing things!

The History of Toothpaste

The toothpaste that we currently use on our teeth contains three basic elements:  an abrasive,  a flavoring and a soaping agent (the suds). These three fundamental materials that clean our teeth are a vast improvement over what has been used in the past.

Previous ingredients used to clean teeth included salt, crushed bone or seashells, ashes from fires, sand, pumice, charcoal and baking soda. At times, sweeteners like honey were added to improve the flavor. The first toothpaste in the form that we know it was invented by Washington Wentworth Sheffield, a dentist from Connecticut. His creation, called Creme Dentifrice, was available as early as 1850 – but not in a tube. The first toothpaste to be packaged in tube form was Colgate toothpaste, called Colgate Ribbon Dental Creme, and was first sold in 1896.

So Many Toothpaste Choices!

There are so many different types of toothpastes available that patients often ask Dr. Lusch what kind he recommends. The most important qualities to look for when choosing toothpaste are not brand or cost, but rather whether you like the taste and texture. You will, after all, be putting it in your mouth at least twice a day.

Additionally, your toothpaste should contain fluoride, especially in Portland where the drinking water does not have adequate amounts of the tooth-strengthening mineral. Most mainstream brands, especially those with the American Dental Association seal, contain fluoride.

What About Tooth Problems?

If you have problems with tarter building up on your teeth, Dr. Lusch recommends using  an anti-tarter toothpaste, which usually contain an active ingredient called pyrophosphate.  If you have sensitive teeth due to root exposure or wear, consider using a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate, which can block the tubules in teeth that cause sensitivity.

From whitening toothpaste to tartar control, it doesn’t matter all that much what type of toothpaste you use as long as you’re brushing twice a day with a soft toothbrush and keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.  Dr. Lusch and his team of skilled hygienists at Mt. Tabor Dental can answer any questions you may have about toothpastes and other oral health products.

Dental decay (called “caries”) is an active process; starting out the size of a pinhead and eventually spreading enough to destroy an entire tooth!

Regular dental check-ups including x-rays once a year will help your dentist detect decay when it is first beginning and easily treated.

Early treatment can be as simple as a tooth colored filling while delaying treatment can lead to the need for a root canal and crown or even removal of the tooth.