Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles

We at Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff, Inc. want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting us at Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff, Inc. regularly.

Toothbrush Trivia with Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff

People have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years! In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced and people quickly became aware of practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush and toothpaste:

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Your toothbrush should be replaced every two months
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873

Drs. Rubinstein and Ducoff, protecting you from cavities this Halloween!

As Halloween is only two weeks away, Drs. Rubinstein and Ducoff know that there will soon be many tricks and treats! While this festive holiday is full of costumes and fun community activities, it can also be a harmful time for the teeth of young trick-or-treaters in our Providence, Rhode Island neighborhoods.

With all of the sugary, sticky, and chewy treats that are often shared with trick-or-treaters, it is important that you take the necessary steps to prevent cavities this Halloween. Be sure to visit our "Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff, helping our patients understand cavities" blog to learn more about cavities.

For more information on cavities and good oral hygiene habits, don’t hesitate to ask our doctors or staff at Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff, Inc during your next appointment.

What do you love about Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff?

At the practice of Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff, Inc., we strive to create and maintain beautiful and healthy smiles, while building long-lasting relationships with our patients. Today, we would love to hear about your experience at our office.

Whether you’ve just been visiting our office for a week, a month, or even years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review here on our Google Places page. Or, you can tell us by posting on our Facebook page or by giving us a call!

Thank you,

Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff, Inc.

Is it time for your Smile Makeover at Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff?

Drs. Rubinstein and Ducoff know that your smile is one of the most important, and most noticed, aspects of your appearance. There is no need to suffer from missing, chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth, when we are able to use cutting-edge treatments to enhance and restore your smile. Drs. Michael Rubinstein, Robert Ducoff, and Mahra Rubinstein specialize in cosmetic dentistry, and they have years of experience using the most advanced and effective dental techniques to ensure the health of your smile. Today, we ask, are you ready for your Smile Makeover? Before you answer, ask yourself the following questions:

•Do you hesitate when you smile?
•Would you like to increase your self-confidence?
•Do you want to look your best in social or professional situations?
•Are you ready to reverse dental imperfections caused by Mother Nature or an accident?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, call us today to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Drs. Rubinstein & Ducoff.