Know the Tooth

For some people, flossing is the best part of their daily oral healthcare routine. They just love getting in there and clearing out the debris. But for most of us? Flossing is a necessity, but nothing we look forward to. Are you struggling to gather the motivation to floss each day? Well, they say knowledge is power. Perhaps these five surprising facts about flossing will give you the strength to ensure it is part of your day—and maybe even get you to start looking forward to it! #1: Floss Goes Where Your Brush Can’t A great toothbrush should dig into the crevices between your teeth—and the right brushing technique can help at the gumline. However, it cannot fully get between the teeth. Flossing gets rid of the debris and plaque stuck in the spots your brush can’t reach. #2: Your Floss Ribbon Has an Ideal Length How much floss is too little—or too much? You might think that it doesn’t matter as long as you can hold it, but the truth is that the ideal length for your floss ribbon is 18 to 20 inches. This gives you enough to wrap around your fingers for a firm grip while still leaving enough to really move around the teeth and along the gumline. #3: If Flossing Makes Your Gums Bleed, You Need to Floss More In general, if something is making you bleed, it’s a sign to stop what you’re doing. This isn’t necessarily the case with flossing. While you absolutely could be using the wrong techniques and harming your gums, usually bleeding is a sign that your gums are inflamed due to a lack of flossing. Floss regularly and this should go away. #4: Orthodontic Appliances Aren’t an Excuse to Skip Flossing Flossing with braces and fixed retainers is harder than it would be without them. However, this is not a reason to skip flossing. Floss threaders and new techniques allow you to floss around fixed appliances, keeping your teeth healthy while improving alignment. #5: There Is More Than One Type of Floss Think you are stuck with that plastic-textured wax floss? Nope! There are plenty of alternatives, including natural silk floss. Not only do these feel better to use in most cases, but they are also biodegradable and safer for your teeth! Looking for the ideal floss for you? Check out Dr. Jen's All-Natural Silk Floss!  

You’ve been brushing your teeth since you were a toddler. With decades of experience under your belt, you’re no doubt a real pro at it. Right? Well... Maybe not. You see, brushing your teeth isn’t as intuitive as you might think. In fact, most people are making at least a few mistakes when polishing their smiles. Here are the most common ones and some tips on improving your technique. #1: You Aren’t Using the Right Brush To most people, all the brushes in the dental care aisle look more or less the same. However, there are key differences to pay attention to. The most important feature your brush should have? Soft bristles. These are flexible enough to get between the teeth and gentle enough not to damage the gums. You also should look for a larger brush head. #2: You Brush Too Hard Instinct says that the best way to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth is to apply plenty of pressure and brush rigorously. Unfortunately, this will damage the gums and even wear down your teeth. Instead, use gentle motions and don’t go too fast. This will still remove everything you need to get rid of, but without the damage. #3: You’re in a Hurry Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential, but many people find themselves rushing through it to get to work or to bed. You shouldn’t. For brushing to be effective, you need to spend at least two minutes on the activity, giving equal time to all your tooth surfaces. #4: You Use the Wrong Motions Most people brush their teeth using a back-and-forth motion. And it’s no wonder; most toothpaste commercials show exactly that. But doing this doesn’t properly remove debris. Instead, use circular up-and-down motions starting at the gumline and finishing at the bottom of the tooth. #5: You Brush Right After a Meal It’s logical to brush your teeth right eating since they are certainly going to have food particles on them. However, this can damage the enamel. Brushing too soon pushes acids into the enamel, eroding it. Instead, give yourself 15-30 minutes before your brush. Are you in need of a better toothbrush or toothpaste that strengthens the enamel? Check out some of our products, including... Dr. Jen All-Natural Super Paste Natural Remineralizing Toothpaste All-Natural Toothpaste with Fluoride All-Natural Toothpaste for Kids

Everyone deserves a healthy smile. However, not everyone has access to the support and care they need to have one. We back initiatives that help bring oral healthcare to the masses, including Eisentoothers.  Common Barriers to Oral Healthcare The first step in improving accessibility is knowing what barriers people are facing when they try to care for their smiles. Here are some of the most common: Financial hardship No dental coverage Limited providers accepting Medicaid Lack of oral health education Language and cultural barriers Limited transportation No childcare While much of this focuses on the roadblocks between people and dental healthcare, the truth is that good oral health always starts at home. And even there, financial hardship can stand between people and essential dental hygiene.  The Eisentoothers Mission Founded by Gabe and Sebastian Eisenhuth, Eisentoothers aims to help those in need access an essential oral healthcare product: a toothbrush. Seemingly so small, for a shocking number of people, this is a purchase they simply cannot afford on a regular basis. Instead, they use their brushes until they are too worn to be useful, and in some cases, they don’t use a toothbrush at all.  Seabass, a sophomore in high school, and Gabe, a junior at Saint John’s University, are looking to fill in this gap. They became inspired while traveling on mission trips, where they realized how many people simply cannot access even the most basic of toothbrushes. Growing up with an orthodontist for a mother, they understood the importance of healthy teeth and wanted to help others improve their health, no matter their circumstances.  How We’re Supporting Eisentoothers’ Goals We firmly believe in taking steps to bridge the gap between individuals and the healthcare they need. That’s why we are partnering with Eisentoothers. For every purchase made, we are donating a toothbrush, boosting their supplies and helping them help those in need. For more information about Eisentoothers, check out their website.

Your day is busy, and if you are like most of us, you look to cut corners where you can to buy even just a few extra seconds in your day. So it’s no surprise that you might have found yourself standing in front of the mirror in the morning wondering, “Is flossing really all that important?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” But why is that? That’s what we’ll be talking about today. The Importance of Flossing Brushing your teeth is vital, and it goes a long way towards keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But it also has its limitations. When it comes to the nooks and crannies of the teeth, even the best toothbrush is going to struggle to get in there and knock the build-up and food particles loose. Dental floss gets between the teeth and up around the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. This helps reduce the likelihood of gum irritation, which eventually progresses into gum disease. It also stops acids from eating away at the enamel, weakening the teeth and leading to tooth decay—or even tooth loss. The effects don’t end with your oral health, either. Bacteria that gets into the gums then enters the bloodstream, allowing them to reach other parts of the body. We now know that there is a connection between gum disease and heart conditions, and between it and diabetes, too.  How Often Should You Floss? The American Dental Association suggests you floss your teeth once per day. However, this can vary between individuals. For example, if you use aligners or retainers, you might want to floss every time you put them in, even if this means flossing 2-3 times per day. Just remember to be gentle around your gums if this is the case.  Key Benefits of Flossing Not quite convinced that you need to be strict about flossing as part of your daily routine? Maybe these benefits will convince you! Flossing improves the appearance of your teeth. By removing tartar and plaque, it helps stop stains from developing along the edges of the teeth. Flossing keeps the gums healthy, reducing the likelihood of gum disease and the associated bone loss from developing. This positions you to keep your natural teeth even as you age.  Flossing supports your overall health, lowering your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.  Flossing eliminates smelly bacteria, which makes it easier to keep your breath fresh all day long. 

We all intuitively understand that a toothbrush cannot last forever; sooner or later, it has to be replaced. What you might not realize is just how frequent those replacements should be. Here’s a quick guide to how often you should replace your toothbrush. Routine Replacement A well-made toothbrush can look practically brand new even after many months of use. This might sound great, but don’t let the appearance of your brush fool you; no matter how pristine it looks, you need to replace it about every three months.  This isn’t just a silly rule, either. It is standard advice from many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  At the same time, this schedule isn’t perfect. You might need to replace your toothbrush even sooner. Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Toothbrush Whether or not those three months have passed, if you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to make the switch to a new brush: The bristles are bent, falling out, feel strange to the touch, or are starting to fray. You’ve been sick with a contagious illness. The brush was stored in a travel container recently. Someone else touched your toothbrush. You dropped your toothbrush. Your teeth don’t feel perfectly clean after brushing. Your brush has a funky smell. In addition to these, if you cannot remember when you last replaced your brush, go ahead and buy a new one.  Keeping to Your Toothbrush Replacement Schedule Brushing your teeth is so routine, it pretty much becomes part of the background noise of your daily life. This can make it hard to remember when those three months have passed. So, what are some ways you can make it easier to stick to your replacement schedule? Always replace all the brushes in your house on the first day of the new season. This guarantees you’ll replace your brush every three months. Use a smart device to set a reminder. This way, you don’t have to keep anything specific in mind.  Establish a recurring toothbrush order. Amazon has a plan-and-save feature that can help with this.  Keep extra toothbrushes around. If you set a reminder but don’t have a new brush on hand, it is easy to just forget and not end up replacing yours.  Remember: healthy teeth start with the right supplies. Make sure you have a fresh brush and a quality, enamel-restoring toothpaste on hand at all times!

We’ve all heard it before: flossing is essential to oral health. The problem? Not all of us are fitting this essential activity into our routine. In fact, only 30% of Americans floss on a daily basis. How can this barrier to oral health be overcome? While I know there are a lot of roadblocks between individuals and their ideal dental hygiene routine, the one we are going to talk about today is which type of floss is best to use. Flossing: You Have Options In fact, you probably have more options than you realize. Ask most people to name two types of flossing products, and they’ll probably name two: traditional spooled floss and floss picks. But there is more to consider, including: Silk floss Water picks Sonic flossers Toothpicks Each of these products has its pros and cons and will help to enhance your oral health—though I’d suggest you save the toothpicks for restaurants and BBQs. But is there one that stands above the rest? For Me, It’s Silk Spooled Floss As a dentist, I have worked with all types of flossing products, and there are some I prefer over others. At the top of my list is silk spooled floss. It’s what I use myself and give to my kids, and I recommend it to my patients on a regular basis.  Most dental floss is made from petroleum. It’s not biodegradable, it’s not renewable, and the safety of putting petroleum in your mouth on a daily basis and swallowing those microparticles is questionable.  Natural silk spooled floss, on the other hand, is 100% natural, breaks down over time, and is safe to use.  Why spooled floss over floss picks? In my opinion, it gives you better control as you move it between the teeth. However, I am not against the idea of silk floss picks.  No Matter What You Choose, Floss Daily Whether you buy silk floss, a water flosser, or another product entirely, know that the act of flossing is essential. Brushing alone cannot get into all the nooks and crannies, and avoiding flossing increases your risk for many oral health conditions. Of course, before you start using a new product, take the time to consult with your dentist, who knows your oral health needs best.  -- Dr. Jen, DDS, MS

Every so many years, a new boogeyman comes along to haunt the medical community. A long-used product or chemical will suddenly be cast with suspicion, and people abandon it in droves. Sometimes, this is legit. Just take a look at mercury. Once upon a time, we ingested it as an aphrodisiac and medicinal cure; now, we know that it can kill you. When you know better, you do better. But sometimes, these boogeymen are innocent, victims of misinterpreted research or a misunderstanding about dosages or methods of use. Fluoride: Victim or Culprit? Fluoride has been the en-vogue boogeyman for a while now. Word got out about some negative effects associated with it and suddenly, fluoride-free toothpastes crowded the market and people began campaigning to get the chemical removed from their municipal water supplies. Here's the thing about any enduring myth: there's a grain of truth inside it. Fluoride can be incredibly harmful, causing damage to the skeletal system and increasing the risk of developing certain kinds of cancers—if you ingest too much of it. The amount in your water supply? It isn't enough to cause damage. As for you your toothpaste, just don't swallow it. That's why children's training toothpastes don't contain fluoride.  So, victim or culprit? We think fluoride is just misunderstood. Why Fluoride Is Used You might be wondering why we keep using fluoride if it worries so many people. To understand, let's dig into its history a bit.  Fluoride is a relatively new discovery, with research on it not starting until 1901. At this time, scientists realized that it was part of the natural water supply in certain communities and made an interesting connection: people living in communities where fluoride was naturally present in their water experienced significantly less tooth decay than those in communities without it.  Once these observations were made, scientists began studying it in earnest, realizing that it remineralizes the enamel of the teeth. Soon after, it was added to toothpastes, used in dental treatments, and added to water supplies.  Should You Embrace Fluoride? I believe that when used at safe levels, fluoride has an important role to play in our oral healthcare routines. However, if the idea of using it makes you uncomfortable, you can bypass it as long as you use products that remineralize the enamel.  What are the alternatives? My suggestion is real nano-hydroxyapatite. It has been clinically proven to remineralize tooth enamel at the same level as fluoride while being safe to use. While it isn't as easy to find in toothpaste as fluoride, it offers the same benefits with additional peace of mind. Remember: take care of your teeth, and your teeth will take care of you. --Dr. Jen, DDS, MS

Charcoal is having a moment. Over the last few years, it has been everywhere: in our food, our skin treatments, and even our toothpaste. But is this actually a good thing, or is this a trend that has gone off the rails?

Before you purchase Dr. Jen’s Natural Toothpaste, you no doubt have a few questions you need answered. And one of those most likely is: Who exactly is Dr. Jen?  This is a great question to ask—and today, we’re going to answer it. So, let’s meet Dr. Jen! More Than a Brand Name Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth isn’t just someone who got an idea and made a toothpaste—she is a highly trained and experienced dental professional. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1994 at the top of her class and earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award. She then began her residency in orthodontics at the University of Minnesota, where she earned both a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree. Since 1996, she has led her own practice, Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth Orthodontics, where she offers both orthodontic and general dentistry care.  Genuine Passion for Oral Healthcare While it is now her life’s work, Dr. Jen wasn’t always on a path to be a dentist and orthodontist. Originally, she studied engineering! But in the end, this just wasn’t her calling.  Her passion for orthodontics and dentistry led her to develop one of the most welcoming and innovative practices in Minnesota. And it’s why she launched Dr. Jen’s Natural Toothpaste. Her goal is to help people across the country access the building blocks they need for healthier teeth.  Always Learning and Evolving University teaches a lot, but every year, new research emerges and best practices change. That’s why Dr. Jen is focused on continuing education. In addition to reading journals in her field and relying on her own experiences and observations, she is also an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontics, the Midwest Society of Orthodontists, the Minnesota Association of Orthodontists, the Minnesota Dental Association, the Dakota County Dental Society, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Through these organizations, she stays on top of emerging ideas and technology—then puts that knowledge to work for you.  A Loving Mother and Wife While her professional achievements play into the products she develops, so do her personal ones. As a wife and mother of three, Dr. Jen understands how important it is to you to make sure you are giving yourself and your family the very best. As such, she crafted her toothpaste to make certain you can feel confident in its use.  Ready to learn more? Check out Dr. Jen’s products!