Friday 28 July 2017

Diabetes and Your Mouth # 4 : Keep Plaque at Bay

Sticky plaque -- food, saliva, and bacteria -- starts to form on your teeth after you eat, releasing acids that attack tooth enamel. Untreated plaque turns into tartar, which builds under gum lines and is hard to remove with flossing. The longer it stays on your teeth, the more harmful it is. Bacteria in plaque causes inflammation and leads to gum disease. Having high blood sugar often makes gum disease worse.

The above article is from: WebMD.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Friday 21 July 2017

Diabetes and Your Mouth # 3: See Your Dentist Regularly

People with diabetes are prone to oral infections. You should get dental checkups at least twice a year. Let your dentist know you have diabetes and what medicines you take. Regular checkups and professional cleanings can help keep a mouth healthy. And a dentist can teach you the best ways to care for your teeth and gums at home.

The above article is from: WebMD.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Wednesday 19 July 2017

Are You Flossing Or Just Lying About Flossing? The Dentist Knows

There's nothing like jamming a waxed piece of string between your tightest molars and sliding it back and forth. And who doesn't do that once a day, just as the dentist prescribes?

Well, a lot of us. Twenty-seven percent of adults lie to their dentists about how often they floss their teeth, a survey released Tuesday found. Not only that, but more than a third of people surveyed would rather be doing unpleasant chores than flossing their teeth daily. Fourteen percent would rather clean the toilet. Nine percent would rather sit in gridlock traffic for an hour. And 7 percent would rather listen to small children crying on a plane.

Actually, that 27 percent sounds awfully low. When we called up Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a periodontist and president of the American Academy of Periodontology, which conducted the survey, she said: "Is that all?"
More than a third of Americans would rather do an unpleasant activity than floss.
American Academy of Periodontology

She's not the only oral health professional who thinks many patients are fibbing when they say they're flossing. "I am shocked," says Dr. Sally Cram, a periodontist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association, via email. "Given my experience with patients in my practice I thought it would be higher!"

To read the entire article written by Jessie Rack, please visit NPR.org

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Monday 17 July 2017

20 Mistakes You're Making With Your Teeth

Taking care of your pearly whites isn't rocket science, but it's easy to slip into habits that could cause heartache -- er, toothache -- in the long run. We got the latest on giving your teeth the TLC they need from two New York City pros: Alice Lee, DDS, an assistant professor in the Department of Dentistry for Montefiore Health System, and Alison Newgard, DDS, an assistant professor of clinical dentistry at Columbia University College of Dentistry, will clue you in on where you could be going wrong.

Multitasking while you brush
Every minute in the morning feels precious, so it's tempting to brush your teeth in the shower or while scrolling through your Twitter feed. "To each his own," says Dr. Newgard, "but I prefer patients to be in front of a mirror, over the sink; you can be sure to hit all the surfaces of your teeth, and you'll do a more thorough job when you're not distracted." Better to leave the bathroom a few minutes later having given proper attention to each step of your prep.

Overcleaning your toothbrush
Thinking about running your brush through the dishwasher or zapping it in the microwave to disinfect it? Think again: While we've all seen those stories about toothbrushes harboring gross bacteria, the CDC says there's no evidence that anyone has ever gotten sick from their own toothbrush. Just give your brush a good rinse with regular old tap water, let it air-dry, and store it upright where it's not touching anyone else's brush. More drastic cleaning measures may damage your brush, the CDC notes, which defeats its purpose.

Using social media as your dentist
The web is full of weird and (seemingly) wonderful DIY dental tips that can hurt much more than they'll help. Read our lips: Don't even go there. "I've heard of patients who go on Pinterest and find ways to whiten their teeth there--by swishing with straight peroxide, for example--which are not good for their teeth," Dr. Newgard says. "Use ADA-approved products that have been tested." (Another online tip to skip: trying to close up a gap in your teeth with DIY rubber band braces.) 

To read the entire article written by Lauren Oster, please visit HuffingtonPost.com 

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Sunday 16 July 2017

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'My Child Lost a Tooth! Now What?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'My Child Lost a Tooth! Now What?'


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS 
208 N. Locust Street 
Reedsburg, WI 53959 
(608) 844-8023 
HatchDental.com

Saturday 15 July 2017

More Than a Quarter of Americans Have This Untreated Disease

Let's just say, it might be time to get your pearly whites checked.

It's time for Americans to get over their fear of the dentist. According to new data published from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, more than 25% of U.S. adults aged 20 to 64 have untreated tooth decay. Additionally, 1 in 5 adults aged 65 and older may have it as well.

And if that's not motivation enough to take a seat in the dental chair, 91% have one tooth (or more) that has been treated for tooth decay or needs to be.

To read the entire article written by Samantha Toscano, please visit GoodHouseKeeping.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Friday 14 July 2017

Diabetes and Your Mouth # 2: Control Diabetes to Keep Your Smile

Well-controlled diabetes contributes to a healthy mouth. If you have poorly controlled or high blood sugar, your risk increases for dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, and fungal infections like thrush. Since infections can also make blood sugar rise, your diabetes may become even harder to control. Keeping your mouth healthy can help you manage your blood sugar.

The above article is from: WebMD.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Wednesday 12 July 2017

When Should My Child First See a Dentist?

our child's first visit to the dentist should happen before his or her first birthday. The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay, and can help parents learn how to clean their child's teeth and identify his or her fluoride needs. After all, decay can occur as soon as teeth appear. Bringing your child to the dentist early often leads to a lifetime of good oral care habits and acclimates your child to the dental office, thereby reducing anxiety and fear, which will make for plenty of stress-free visits in the future. 

To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Fight Tooth Decay with Xylitol

How Does Xylitol Help Reduce Cavities?

Xylitol is a natural substance produced in the fibrous portions of fruits, berries, mushrooms, and other vegetables. Even your body generates 5 to 10 grams of xylitol daily. This sweetener is highly effective in reducing the tooth decay caused by eating foods high in sugars and starches. Over 25 years of clinical testing bears out this claim. It has been endorsed by dental associations worldwide, including in Sweden, Norway, England, Estonia, and many others. Available in a number of forms, xylitol not only fights tooth decay but has proven beneficial to those inflicted with allergies and other respiratory problems. We offer and encourage our patients to use xylitol products. Ask us about it today!

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS
208 N. Locust Street
Reedsburg, WI 53959
(608) 844-8023
HatchDental.com

Monday 10 July 2017

Dentists Are the First Line of Defense for Elder Abuse

With the American population living longer, seniors' oral health has become an important issue, as has the widespread problem of elder abuse. Every year more than 2.5 million older Americans may be victims of elder abuse, and in some cases dentists serve as the first line of defense, according to a report in the May/June 2005 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Sunday 9 July 2017

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'What Kind of Toothpaste Should I Use?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'What Kind of Toothpaste Should I Use?'


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS 
208 N. Locust Street 
Reedsburg, WI 53959 
(608) 844-8023 
HatchDental.com

Friday 7 July 2017

Diabetes and Your Mouth # 1 : 4 Signs You May Have a Problem

Diabetes puts you at risk for dental problems. It impairs the ability to fight bacteria in your mouth. Having high blood sugar encourages bacteria to grow and contributes to gum disease. You may have gum disease if you have:
  • Gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or swollen, or that pull away from your teeth
  • Loose teeth
  • Chronic bad breath
  • An irregular bite or dentures that don't fit well

The above article is from: WebMD.com

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS  
208 N. Locust Street  
Reedsburg, WI 53959  
(608) 844-8023  
HatchDental.com

Wednesday 5 July 2017

Clear Correct Orthodontic Aligners

A Great Confidence Booster

The best part of using ClearCorrect is that no one can tell you're in the process of straightening your teeth. That's because the aligners are so clear, it renders them practically invisible. People would have to know the aligners are there, or look extremely closely, to detect them. This allows you to have much more confidence in your smile while you are in active treatment.

Comfort is another benefit of ClearCorrect. The aligners are all in one piece, with no metal or wires to be checked and adjusted, so you get to spend less time in the dentist's chair. The lack of braces, wires, or headgear eliminates any temporary mouth irritation. The convenience factor tops it all off. You wear the aligners all day and even while you sleep, but you can remove them very easily to eat meals and brush your teeth. There are no restrictions on what you eat or drink while in treatment, and keeping your teeth clean and free of plaque is just as easy, because there are no braces to get in the way of brushing and flossing.

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS
208 N. Locust Street
Reedsburg, WI 53959
(608) 844-8023
HatchDental.com

Sunday 2 July 2017

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'My Child Has a Toothache. Should I Call the Dentist?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'My Child Has a Toothache. Should I Call the Dentist?'


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Hatch Dental  
Thomas Hatch, DDS 
208 N. Locust Street 
Reedsburg, WI 53959 
(608) 844-8023 
HatchDental.com