Dental Association - Near You in

Looking for a Dental Hygentist? Good Luck!

Trying to find a dental hygentist? How about a dental hygenist or dental hygeinist? Oh dear... is it dental hygene or dental hygeine or dental hygine? All you have to remember is "I before E," and in no time you'll be spelling "hygiene" and "dental hygienist" like a pro.

But spelling skills aren't required for good oral health! When it comes to oral hygiene, all that really matters is you keeping your teeth clean, and you visiting the dentist and hygienist for regular dental exams and teeth cleaning.

Step one is practicing proper dental hygiene at home. By now you must know what you're supposed to be doing, but here's a quick review:

• Brush gently for 2 minutes each morning and night, moving a soft-bristled brush in circular strokes.
• Brush your gums and tongue as well.
• Floss daily.
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing if you've had something acidic (like orange juice), as the acid temporarily softens your tooth enamel.
• Contact your dentist if you discover any dental problems.

You should also see your dental hygienist twice a year for dental cleaning. If you have gum disease, you may need more frequent hygiene visits with periodontal cleaning.

At these visits, the dentist will also examine your teeth and gums to look for signs of any problems or gum disease. Dental issues are much easier to fix if they're caught early.

In the end, taking care of your teeth is one of the wisest investments you can make. After all, does it really matter if you're looking for a denist or dental hygenists or hygentists? Well, maybe it matters in spelling class…

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Xylitol: Chew Your Way To Healthier Teeth and Gums?

Are you crazy about gum, but not so much about its affect on your teeth? (Good for you!) Researchers presenting at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual Session in Cincinnati found a natural sweetener may not only improve the taste of gum, juice and candy, it may also reduce tooth decay and increase dental hygiene.

Their study observed children of Belize over the course of several years, some of whom chewed gum with sugar, others with artificial sweeteners. Results showed that those who chewed gum artificially sweetened with Xylitol, a natural sweetener found in trees and fruit that does not cause cavities, suffered from less tooth decay over the duration of the study.

Another study done in Finland found fewer mothers transmitted cavity-causing bacteria to their children when they chewed gum with xylitol. The bacteria transmission occurs when mother and children share eating utensils.

Xylitol is widely available in most supermarkets, but know that it's difficult to achieve the correct dosing. To see results, you'd have to chew gum with a high dose of Xylitol frequently and for prolonged durations. Products containing this natural sweetener may also cost more than those artificially sweetened with other additives.

So, the next time you're dying for a piece of chewy goodness, consider grabbing a brand containing Xylitol. While it can be difficult to obtain optimum results through its use, it is certainly better for your dental health to chew than gum containing sugar.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.