At Thanksgiving, we all take time to reflect on what’s truly important to us- family, friends, and health. While you’re reflecting, as well as while you’re eating your delicious Thanksgiving meal, you should take a moment to be thankful for the state of modern dentistry and your overall oral health. Southfield Family Dental Center is proud to be at the cutting edge of modern dental techniques.
5 Things to Be Thankful for in Modern Dental Care
Toothbrushes: The first celebrants of Thanksgiving, the pilgrims, were not known for amazing oral health. They had to use twigs, animal bones, and animal hair to clean their teeth via a crude toothbrush. Additionally, it’s believed that pilgrims used salt as makeshift toothpaste to clean the grime off their teeth. These primitive teeth cleaning devices weren’t very effective or sanitary, and the pilgrims 
suffered tooth decay and loss despite their best efforts. Toothbrushes today are constantly being redesigned to increase their effectiveness, and electronic toothbrushes like the professional grade Sonicare are exceptionally good at keeping teeth pearly white and healthy. Keep in mind, though- dental cleanings and exams are still necessary, no matter how well you brush!
Floss: Dental floss has been around since ancient times, with primitive floss and toothpicks being found in prehistoric caves. However, the floss of today functions far better & is safer. Use of floss wasn’t widely acknowledged as advantageous until 1819 when New Orleans dentist Levi Spear Parmly published a book called A Practical Guide to the Management of Teeth, in which he advised people use waxed silk thread to dislodge matter between teeth that could cause disease. Today, our dental floss glides smoothly between teeth, removing debris and preventing plaque and gum disease.
Fluoride: Research in the 1940’s showed a connection between fluoride and dental health. Over time, fluoride was introduced into the water supply in the U.S. and fluoridated toothpastes were developed. The introduction of fluoride has helped to battle tooth decay and the formation of cavities.In recent years, fluoridation has been reducing the incidence of cavities 20% to 40% in children and 15% to 35% in adults. The reduction is less than it used to be, probably due to improved dental hygiene and widespread use of fluoride toothpaste. Currently, more than 200 million Americans live in fluoridated communities.
Qualified Dentists: In 1840, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery became the first dental college, not just in the U.S. but in the world. Since then, training and expertise in the dental field has grown vastly and improved greatly. Today’s dental professionals can receive state-of-the-art training in general dentistry and in various specialty areas. Dr. Levi and Dr. Oleg, 48034 family dentists, are experts at dental hygiene, dental emergencies, periodontal care, oral cancer screening, and more. Call 248-569-6304 to make an appointment for a dental checkup, preventative care, or dental emergency services. This Thanksgiving and always, we’re thankful for our wonderful patients and your continued oral health!
