What’s the best way? Brushing and flossing are tried and true methods, but the technique must be right. It does not do any good if the process isn’t removing most of the plaque. Today, we have new technologies that can help.

At my office, we are big advocates of the electric toothbrush, namely the Sonicare toothbrush (although Oral B products are very good too!). If everyone had one of these; and used it properly, I would have a lot less work to do! The Sonicare does most of the work for you in that it vibrates and moves against your teeth and gums to remove the plaque. Due to the frequency of these motions, the liquid in your mouth is moved around and acts to flush out some of the plaque. Because it is disrupting the plaque and bacteria, it keeps it from doing damage to tooth structure, gums, and the bone supporting your teeth. The bristles of your toothbrush, however, do need to touch every surface of exposed tooth structure which is where technique comes into play.

Flossing is also very important. It only needs to be done once a day (brushing, a minimum of twice a day). There are new advances in flossers as well; however, in this case I don’t think that these work better than traditional flossing. Phillips Sonicare has come out with an air driven flosser similar to a waterpik. While it is a good product, it cannot completely break through the contact to remove debris and plaque like traditional dental floss.

My routine at home includes Sonicare brushing of all exposed tooth surfaces in the morning and flossing (which takes less than two minutes) at night right before brushing again with the Sonicare. The floss must be in contact at the gum line and “agitated” against the tooth in the front and back of the contacted teeth to properly remove the plaque. I will use my Sonicare Air Flosser on occasion to complete my homecare. Remember, no eating or drinking (except water) after your routine before bed.

Because we believe so much in the Sonicare toothbrush, we have been giving away one every month via our Facebook page. Just “like” us on Facebook (Gregory B. Garrett, D.D.S., PA) and you can follow us there to have a chance to win a Sonicare and other monthly prizes. You can find our Facebook link on our website (Wilmingtonsmiles.net) under “links”. The October Giveaway is now posted on our page!!

As always, we hope that this Newsletter finds you well and we look forward to seeing you at your next dental appointment!

Have A Great Day!!
Dr. Garrett & Staff

Below is some information on Oral Cancer that is important for everyone to read. If you have any questions, please feel free to give the office a call. Again, thank you for your continued faith in our practice and we look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!!
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According to the American Dental Association, there is recent good news about progress against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for a cure is great. Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.
Our practice has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. We can help you fight and win the battle against oral cancer. Know the early signs and see your dentist regularly.
You Should Know:
• Oral cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.
• It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.
Other Signs Include:
• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue
• A change in the way the teeth fit together
Regular Dental Check-ups Important
Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.
Request an appointment or call our office to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

2010 has brought many new exciting changes to our practice. One of the biggest changes is that Dr. Garrett has completed training in Implantology. Throughout 2009, he participated in a continuing education course dealing with the placement and restoration of dental implants. This course was 216 hours of instruction. Upon completion, he was awarded Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Not only is this exciting for our staff, but in some cases, it enables our patient to have their implants done here at our office rather than at multiple offices. If you are interested in learning more about implants or you would like to see if implants are a good solution for your dental needs, please call the office and we will schedule a consult for you.

Another improvement that we have made to our practice is that we are now having Patient Appreciation Days. Once a month, we randomly select a day where we do a little extra to show our appreciation for our patients continued faith in our practice. We have a different gift every month.

We are also very excited about our new website! The site address is the same, as before, however, it looks very different! Check us out at www.wilmingtonsmiles.net!