Rene Piedra DMD notes that 61% of us have been attracted to someone by their smile alone. It is esse...

1. Rene Piedra DMD celebrates National Smile Month: May 19-
June 19th - Canada Social Issues
Rene Piedra DMD notes that 61% of us have been attracted to someone by their smile alone. It is
essential for everyone to keep up with regular dental checkups and cleanings to keep their teeth in
optimum condition. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), maintaining healthy teeth
will not only provide you with a brighter smile - it is also beneficial for your overall health.
National Smile Month is a long running campaign sponsored in the UK. Together, with thousands of
individuals and organizations, National Smile Month promotes three key messages, all of which go a
long way in helping us develop and maintain a healthy mouth. They are:
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.
The ADA has provided comprehensive information about myths associated with dentistry to help
ease the fear of going to the dentist. "Some myths are funny and some are dangerous." Rene Piedra
DMD notes.
Teeth Brushing Can Ruin Enamel
Brushing your teeth will not ruin the enamel in your teeth, but instead help protect it. Dentists
encourage patients to simply remember the basics and brush at least twice a day for two minutes in
front of a mirror. The continuous practice of brushing teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride
using a soft bristle brush will strengthen the tooth enamel. Electric toothbrushes are also good for
the teeth because their advanced technology can provide a full two minutes of thorough cleaning.
Salt or Lemon Juice Can Whiten Teeth
Salt is bad for the teeth. Brushing with salt can cut the gums and also rub away the enamel on the
outer layer of your teeth. Lemon juice is also bad for your teeth because it erodes the outer enamel
as well, which can lead to rapid tooth decay.
Stop Brushing Your Teeth If Gums Bleed
Do not quit brushing your teeth because of bleeding gums. The most common reason for bleeding
gums is due to plaque and debris that accumulates around the teeth. The body works as a healing
agent and when it notices an inflammation or infection, antibodies are delivered through the
bloodstream. For this reason, it is essential to continue brushing and flossing daily so that the gums
can begin to heal.
Aspirin Placed on the Tooth Will Stop Pain

2. Actually, placing aspirin directly on the tooth may cause the gums to burn and even create an
abscess. Aspirins can certainly help to alleviate tooth pain; however, they should be always be
ingested normally through swallowing. It is important to keep in mind that severe pain in the tooth
may be a sign of something serious, and treating it with medicine may not be the best long-term
option. "When in pain, visit a dentist to find out why it hurts rather than attempting to treat it at
home and waiting for the pain to go away on its own," Rene Piedra DMD advises.
Pain is the First Sign of a Cavity
Typically, a person may not realize that they have a cavity because it starts out small and does not
hurt. When a person has a painful cavity, it is due to tooth decay that has damaged nerves. By
getting regular check-ups at the dentist, patients are able to have cavities fixed before they begin to
decay and cause mouth pain.
Brushing and Flossing Regularly Alleviates the Need Go to the Dentist
Brushing and flossing regularly can help to maintain good teeth, but it is still essential that a dental
checkup be completed in case of underlying issues. It's also a good idea to floss between meals to rid
your mouth of plaque build-up between teeth. The flossing will reach portions of the teeth that the
toothbrush can't reach. This will help to prevent cavities as well.
Rinsing the mouth is an essential hygienic procedure and should be completed twice a day to
prevent bacteria build-up and bad breath. Dentists recommend rinsing the mouth with fluoride, as
this also decreases one's chances of developing cavities.
However, it is still essential for visits to the dentist to be scheduled at least twice a year.
Professional cleanings will get rid of bad breath and make your teeth look whiter because surface
stains are removed during the cleaning process.
Fun Facts
? It seems children have the right idea about smiling; they smile about 400 times a day. Women
smile about 62 times a day, compared to men who smile eight times a day on average.
? Foods that make us smile the most: chocolate, Sunday roast, BBQ
? Each person's set of teeth is unique much like their fingerprints.
? Top of the list of things we would not do without when we go on a holiday: a toothbrush
? We would share our toothbrush with: a partner (24%), our child (18%), a friend (7%), and a
celebrity (6%).
As Rene Piedra DMD emphasizes, it is essential to separate fact from fiction when it comes to
dentists, as this will minimize patient anxiety about visiting them and make the entire experience
much more pleasant.