5 Surprising Little Known Dental Facts

At Hamlin Dental Group, we're all about spreading awareness of good oral hygiene. You probably already know the basics: brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, and get to your dentist for checkups twice a year. Still, there's plenty of fascinating information about your teeth that eludes most people. Here are some great dental facts that everyone should know!

1. Tooth decay is the most common and widespread disease amongst human beings. It's the 2nd most common disease, behind the common cold, in the US alone, and 3 out of 4 Americans have some form of gum disease! Most don't know it.
2. Clean teeth can prevent heart attack! Studies have proven a link between gum disease and certain life threatening conditions such as lung disease, stroke, and even heart attack. Practicing good dental habits cuts back on risk. 
3. Most parents take their kids in for their first visit to the dentist at three, but children should have their first visit at age one. Babies begin to develop their primary teeth six weeks after conception!
4. The average brushing time is 48 seconds, but that doesn't cut it. Recommended brushing time is for 2  to 3 minutes.
5. Tooth brushes should be replaced at least every three months to prevent the buildup of bacteria. You should also replace it after a cold. Avoid placing a cap on your toothbrush becuse this actually has the opposite effect of keeping it clean. It makes it easier for bacteria to flourish in the enclosed environment.

Good dental hygiene requires proactive treatment. Since the vast majority of Americans have gum disease, make sure you're not one of them! Visit you dentist regularly, and make sure you're in good shape. Our specialists at Hamlin Dental are ready to take you and are the Dentists in Northridge that residents trust!

Tips For Avoiding Teeth Stains

At Hamlin Dental Group many patients ask us what foods and drinks stain their teeth the most in order to avoid them. We’d never encourage you to avoid any foods or beverages -but you can do some things to help fight stains. First of all, don't let stain-causing foods and drinks stay in your mouth for long. Instead, swallow and chew them quickly to help protect your teeth. It's also important to rinse and brush after eating.

Another tip is to use a straw to sip on some of these drinks. This way, the liquids are kept away from your teeth and reduce the risk of staining. While iced coffee and tea are easy to drink through a straw, hot beverages and wine are more difficult. Be sure to rinse with a sip of water in between and after drinking.

Tea has many great health benefits, but black teas and other dark-hued teas can cause teeth staining. Our dentist in North Hollywood says by adding some milk into these dark teas or sticking to green, white, or herbal teas to lessen the staining.

Berries like blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and other brightly colored fruits can stain teeth. The juices from berry pies or tarts can also cause discoloration. Our dentist in Northridge suggests opting for light colored grapes instead or just be sure to brush & floss because the acidic components can harm tooth enamel.

Who can resist a glass of red wine with a nice dinner? Just make sure to drink water and swoosh it around in your mouth in between sips, because the acidic content of red wine can cause staining and wear away tooth enamel.

We look forward to seeing you and hearing about your success stories regarding these tips!

Don't Go 88 Years Between Visits to the Dentist!

At Hamlin Dental Group, our patients know that when they visit our office, they experience warm, gentle dentistry from a skilled and dedicated team. That's why our North Hollywood dentist sees a lot of loyal patients making regular appointments for dental check-ups and various other services. 

However, we understand that there are many people around the world who aren't luck enough to have the same quality dentistry at their disposal as that offered from our dentist in Northridge. That's why we found it so inspiring to read about a team of dentists working with the UK charity SmileStar who treated a number of patients who had never been to a dentist even once before in their lives!

National Geographic reports that last month, Kenya's first-even mobile dental clinic moved into the Westgate Samburu Community, where many people go their entire lives without ever seeing a dentist - and often suffer with painful oral conditions for a number of years. One such person was an 88-year-old Samburu who had two very painful teeth removed, causing her to "smile like a lion", according to writer Paul Steyn.

All in all, there were 500 teeth extracted by the mobile dentists. "I've never seen people so keen to sit in a dental chair and have their teeth removed," said Ali Allport, the conservation and community manager for the Safari Collection - an organization that managed the project on the ground.

Remember, every appointment with Hamlin Dental Group is an opportunity for gentle dentistry that not everyone gets to experience, so don't hesitate to schedule your next check-up today!