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When it comes to dental hygiene, “going green” is not the first phrase that comes to mind. But if you are brushing properly, you are also replacing your toothbrush every three to four months as the bristles become frayed and wear down. Sure, that’s a tiny amount of plastic from each of us going to our landfills, yet it adds up to millions of brushes a year nationally. If you are concerned about reducing your carbon footprint while reducing your risk of cavities, there are several new toothbrushes designed to make brushing more eco-friendly.

Biodegradable Toothbrushes

Some brushes claim to be completely compostable. These models generally have heads fitted with boar bristles and handles manufactured from sustainable woods or bamboo. Boar bristles aren’t for everyone. Some users complain of the taste of the bristles, and boar bristles might be harsher than the soft bristles we recommend to protect both enamel and gums. There is also some concern about bacteria growth on organic bristles.

Earth-friendly Handles and Bristles

If you prefer the consistency and texture of regular synthetic bristles, you can still opt for a brush with a handle of sustainable wood or bamboo. You can also select PBA-free bristles, bristles made primarily of castor oil, or bristles that use natural ingredients in combination with synthetics.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

If these exotic brushes aren’t for you, there are more conventional choices that will save energy and cut down on waste.

• Reduce the amount of electricity you use for your electric toothbrush with a model that requires less charging time.
• Reuse your toothbrush by buying one with a handle made of metal, natural materials or plastic and replace the detachable head every three months.
• Recycled plastics can be found in the handles of some toothbrushes, and many brushes come in recyclable packaging. Every bit helps!

If you decide to use one of these green products, remember that your dental health is still the primary goal. Be sure the bristles of your brush are soft enough to protect your gums and enamel and can reach all the places you need to brush. The handle should be easy to grip and the head should be a comfortable fit for your mouth. It’s always best to choose products with a seal of acceptance from your local dental association, or talk to us about greener alternatives during your next visit to our Dallas office. Luckily, there are several workable options to protect the health of your family's teeth while still being mindful of the health of our planet.

“My dentist is better than yours!!! Dr. Allen and the Dallas Dental Arts team are top notch. Professional, responsive and caring. Dr. Allen always makes decisions based on what's best for the patient versus what's most profitable. Thanks guys!!”

Kanitra

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on the highlights and challenges our practice experienced.

One of our most exciting highlights that happened this year was welcoming Jiye, our new hygienist, to the team in June. She's been a wonderful addition and rounds out our hygiene team along with Ana.

We are also celebrating the arrival of Ana's beautiful baby girl in November. During her time off, we are fortunate to have Cynthia step in and take care of Ana's patients until she returns full time in May. Cynthia has been a wonderful addition to our team, and we are lucky to have her.

Another highlight of ours was sharing in the joyful moments of our patients, from weddings and graduations to engagements and anniversaries. We are grateful to be a part of your lives and to help maintain your beautiful smiles.

To better serve you, we expanded our hygiene days to accommodate more patients for routine cleanings and exams. Hopefully, you've noticed a more efficient scheduling system and more available appointments. For everyone with a milestone event coming up, feel free to give us a call so we can give you the perfect smile!

But this year wasn’t always full of exciting updates, we also faced a few challenges including the hallway renovations. The renovations are finally complete, and as we plan to begin further improvements inside our office, we promise to make the transition as smooth as possible. Thank you to everyone for their continued patience during these renovations!

Our goal for the year was to face any challenges with grace and laughter, and we are proud to say we achieved it.

As the year ends, we want to express our gratitude for choosing us as your dental home. We are honored to continue caring for you and your family. If you wish to schedule an appointment during this busy time, please let us know. While end of year appointments are difficult to come by with everyone attempting to schedule, this time of the year we tend to see the highest level of cancellations. So if you want an appointment but are concerned we don't currently have anything available, please ask to be called in the event that something opens up.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in us. We look forward to another year of providing you with exceptional care.

A solid oral health routine begins with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Without a consistent oral health regimen, you may begin to experience tooth decay and bacterial infections. Few patients ask Drs. Sheena Allen, Mark Margolin, and Moein Sadrkhani about different mouthwash options, so we’ve put together a list of the conditions that mouthwashes can treat. This should help you decide which oral rinse would be best for you.

Gum Health

Antiseptic mouthwashes reduce large amounts of bacteria on and near the gum line and generally help to decrease your chances of developing gingivitis. The key ingredients of antiseptic mouthwashes are antibacterial and antimicrobial items. Antiseptic mouthwash is a preferable option if you are concerned about the general gum health of your mouth.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a great tool for preventive tooth decay treatment. It prevents tooth decay and is great for oral health in general because it kills germs that can live in your mouth. Fluoride also builds stronger teeth. If you’re a bottled water drinker, Drs. Sheena Allen, Mark Margolin, and Moein Sadrkhani may recommend that you purchase a simple fluoride rinse to use after brushing.

Bad Breath

Fluoride mouthwash can be used to fight any bad breath issues you may be facing. It’s designed to combat any bacteria that might be building up in your mouth. Most mouthwashes will help eliminate bad breath, but some are specifically designed to address this difficult problem. If you feel as though this might be turning into a chronic problem, please contact Drs. Sheena Allen, Mark Margolin, and Moein Sadrkhani to discuss other options that would be effective for treating your symptoms.

American Dental Association (ADA Approval)

The ADA reviews all mouth rinses for safety measures and to prove effectiveness. Any mouthwash approved by the ADA has met strict guidelines according to whether the manufacturer’s claims are supported with scientific evidence. If you’re looking for a quality mouthwash, look for one that has the ADA seal of approval to ensure you have a great rinse for your mouth.

Considerations

When you’re trying to decide which mouthwash to pick, contact our Dallas or ask Drs. Sheena Allen, Mark Margolin, and Moein Sadrkhani during your next appointment. If you experience a burning sensation in the soft tissues of your mouth, be sure to discontinue use immediately. Avoid letting children under age six use a mouth rinse, and be sure to keep all mouthwashes out of the reach of children, because they contain alcohol and other substances that could be harmful.

We’ve all learned a lot about keeping healthy lately. Thorough hand washing, disinfecting cell phones and keyboards, wiping down shopping carts and door handles—all these low-maintenance cleaning habits can have a high impact on our health.

So, in that spirit, let’s talk about low maintenance cleaning routines for something you put in your mouth at least twice a day—your toothbrush.

Brushing Habits

Don’t let germs hitch a ride on your toothbrush before you even begin! Make sure your hands are clean before brushing, and rinse off your toothbrush before you put it in your mouth.

After brushing, be sure to rinse your brush carefully to get rid of leftover toothpaste, food particles, and other debris. And don’t forget to clean your toothbrush holder regularly. Talk to Drs. Sheena Allen, Mark Margolin, and Moein Sadrkhani or your hygienist when you visit our Dallas office for suggestions for deep cleaning brushes to eliminate bacteria if that’s a concern.

And while we’re talking about germs, how about…

• Flushing Habits

Most toothbrushes share their living space with another bathroom essential—the toilet. Every time we flush, microscopic particles are propelled through the air. And while no definitive relationship has been shown between flushing and disease transmission, closing the toilet lid before flushing is an easy way to reduce unpleasant particle transmission—and reduce the possible risk of toothbrush contamination.

• Airing? Yes!

Keeping a toothbrush in a dark, moist environment is the perfect setting for bacterial growth. Instead, let your toothbrush air dry after use in an upright position. Give it a shake first for a head start on the drying process.

• Sharing? No

We’re not talking about sharing a brush, which you would never do. We’re talking about sharing toothbrush holders. If your brush touches other brushes, you’re probably sharing germs as well as space, which can be especially problematic if someone in the house has immune concerns. Toothbrushes shouldn’t be too close to other toothbrushes, no matter how close you are to the other brush’s owner!

Finally, no matter how well you take care of your toothbrush, there comes a time when you must part with even the cleanest and best-maintained of brushes. After three or four months, bristles become frayed. This means you’re not getting the most effective plaque-removal from your brush. And to be on the safe side, consider retiring your toothbrush if you’ve been ill.

Dental self-care is a vital part of keeping yourself healthy, and a clean toothbrush is a simple way to support your oral health. High impact/low maintenance—win/win.