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May 18, 2012
Viva el Vino VIP Ticket Winner
Another patient benefit!
Throughout the year Dr. Gillis and her team donate to various community activities and we often share some of the benefits of these donations with our patients. Earlier this summer, we held a drawing for two VIP tickets to the Viva el Vino Celebration which were part of Dr. Gillis’ sponsorship. The winner, Milo, was excited to attend this year’s event.
Organized by the Grand Junction Junior Service League, last year’s Viva el Vino event raised over $27,000 which was distributed to 10 organizations in our community. Over the past year, Dr. Gillis and her team have also contributed to events held by Girls on the Run, Crime Stoppers, Mesa Land Trust, Marillac Clinic, Donated Dental Care for the Dental Lifeline Network, and of course our own Free Dental Day.
In order to contact our patients about these special opportunities, we post specials on our facebook page, send e-mails and text messages, and notify patients who are being seen in the office. Please make sure we have your current contact information on file the next time you are in the office including: home phone, cell phone, and e-mail address. We want to ensure that we are contacting you in the form most convenient to you with appointment reminders, continuing care reminders, and any special offers. If you are active on facebook, we would love to have you find us and like us at: www.facebook.com/juliegillisddspc
April 23, 2012
Cosmetic Dentistry including porcelain veneers and an all-porcelain bridge brings healthy beauty to this smile.
 This lateral incisor tips into the lip and has almost no root left! Our patient was unhappy with her smile. Her right lateral incisor tipped towards her lip and she was not happy with the color and shape of the other front teeth. Additionally, the tipped incisor was loose and had almost no root remaining – see adjacent xray. We were able to restore her smile with a conservative two-unit all-porcelain cantilever bridge and porcelain veneers. When a tooth is lost due to decay or gum disease, or as in this case, a problem with the root of the tooth, a fixed dental bridge is a good way to restore the missing tooth. A dental bridge can be thought of as a false tooth, and can be used to repace a single missing tooth, or several adjacent teeth. Fixed bridge means this type of all-porcelain bridge does not come out, and if done correctly, feels like your natural teeth.
A porcelain veneer is a thin, translucent shell of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. Porcelain Veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth.
Dental implants are another way to replace missing teeth and we will review these in future blogs!
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
 Note the tipped incisor and slightly crooked teeth  The restored teeth have better alignment, and a natural color!
Types of dental bridges: In general, there are 3 types of dental bridges used today: all metal, porcelain fused to metal, and all-porcelain bridges. All metal bridges have fallen out of favor due to the poor esthetics. Porcelain fused to metal bridges are strong and esthetically pleasing, but they do have drawbacks. Over time the gums may recede, exposing the little metal gray line that you may have seen in a person’s mouth. A tell-tale sign that the teeth are false!
The third type of bridge is an all porcelain bridge. These bridges are the most esthetically pleasing of the three. All-Porcelain bridges can be made to look almost identical to your natural teeth. Today, with new techniques and improved porcelain, the all porcelain bridge has become a very good choice for replacing a missing tooth.
Replacing a missing tooth with a fixed bridge involves two appointments:
At the first appointment, the tooth or teeth that are supporting the bridge are shaped and an impression is taken to make a working stone model for the dental laboratory. During the time that the laboratory is creating your new all-porcelain bridge, you will have a temporary bridge in your mouth.
At the next appointment, the temporary bridge is removed, and the new all porcelain bridge is tried on to make sure that both you and Dr. Gillis are happy with the fit, the color and the shape. Dr. Gillis will check your bite, make sure that you can floss adequately, and be sure that the color is a good match to your adjacent teeth. If you and Dr. Gillis are completely happy with the bridge, your new all-porcelain dental bridge will be bonded into place.
For our patient shown here, we created an all porcelain cantilever bridge using support from the adjacent canine tooth to replace the missing lateral incisor and we fabricated custom porcelain veneers for the other anterior teeth. Our patient can easily floss between the lateral and central incisor and floss below the missing tooth.
The result! A lovely, healthy smile that will last for years!
Please contact our office if you have questions about porcelain veneers, all-porcelain bridges or any other dental question. We would be happy to help you! Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Our phone number is (970) 242-3635.
Restoring health, restoring smiles!
Dr. Julie Gillis
April 11, 2012
This information submitted by Julie, a treatment assistant for Dr. Julie Gillis.
Tongue Scraping - Yes, it really IS necessary!
Our office recommends the daily use of a Tongue Scraper or Tongue Cleaner!
 Thick coating of bacteria and food products on the tongue
The use of a tongue scraper or tongue cleaner will keep the mouth clean and reduce odor. We have learned that bad breath, also known as halitosis, comes from bacteria in our mouthes. An abundant amount of bacteria live in the rough surfaces on the tongue. The bacteria build-up, and often leave a white film on the tongue – this film can also be yellow, brown, or even black! This film harbors millions of sulfur-producing bacteria that cause bad breath. This film will also cause your taste buds not to function as well.
While a toothbrush can be used to clean the tongue, this tends to stir up the bacteria, rather than removing it from your mouth. Also, the moist brush is more likely to harbor the bacteria from your tongue in your brush. Some people will gag when they try to brush their tongue with a toothbrush, whereas the use of a tongue scraper or tongue cleaner will generally cause less gagging.
 A bendable tongue cleaner placed as far back as comfortable on the tongue  Note debris collecting on the tongue scraper As indicated in the photos, simply stick your tongue out, and place the tongue scraper or tongue cleaner as far back as possible, and gently scrape forward. You will see the white, yellow, and/or brown film being removed! It’s important to get the back of the tongue which may create a gag reflex, but will lesson with practice. Rinse the tongue scraper off and repeat until the tongue is clean. Rinse and spit with water when finished. Our office recommends cleaning the tongue (and the cheeks and palate!) DAILY as part of your oral hygiene regimen.
The function of your taste buds will be improved with a clean tongue surface. Also, medical professionals say tongue cleaning revitalizes the throat and keeps the sinuses cleaner by reducing bacteria that can travel into the respiratory system. People who have struggled with sinus infections, sore throats, throat infections, and chronic bad breath, may find added relief through regular tongue scraping or tongue cleaning. If you have any questions regarding tongue scraping or tongue cleaning please call the office of Dr. Julie Gillis at (970) 242-3635. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Thick coating of bacteria and food products on the tongue  The tongue is considerably cleaner after use of a tongue scraper
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC and her wonderful treatment assistant, Julie. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
April 5, 2012
Achieving Your Perfect Smile . . .
Combining Orthodontics and Restorative Dentistry
We can usually correct slightly crooked, misaligned, or missing anterior teeth with porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, or porcelain bridges. But for larger corrections, it is sometimes necessary to combine orthodontic treatment with a specialist, an Orthodontist, and restorative dentistry in our office. We work closely with several local specialists to combine our talents to help you achieve the best results! In the case shown here, we were able to be very conservative and restore our patient’s smile with tooth whitening (bleaching), a single porcelain crown and an all-porcelain bridge. Our office will review all your options to create an ideal result that fits your schedule and your budget!
 Note false tooth in the position of the missing tooth and very small lateral incisor  One lateral incisor is very small, one is missing!
Orthodontists deal with straightening teeth and altering bone growth. They carefully assess each case, and use special tools (bands, wires, elastics, and appliances) to guide the teeth into their proper positions.
Braces aren’t just for kids: about one orthodontic patient in five is between twenty and sixty years of age. Combining orthodontics and restorative dentistry will require a larger investment and additional time, but the results will be a beautiful and healthy smile which you will enjoy for years to come.. Often we can be more conservative with your restorative treatment when we have the option to add orthodontic treatment to the overall plan!
 Note the beautiful blend of the natural central incisors with the porcelain lateral incisors!
In this situation, the teeth were moved into the proper position to allow for the restoration of a missing tooth with an all-porcelain bridge and we used an all-porcelain crown to restore the small lateral incisor. Color matching was very critical so that the artificial restorations blend seamlessly with the natural dentition. Notice how well the porcelain teeth match the unrestored central incisors! Dr. Gillis uses her artistry along with the latest in dental materials to help assure you receive a beautiful result!
Would combining orthodontics and restorative dentistry help you to smile more? Give us a call at (970) 242-3635 and schedule a consultation. It’s never too late to achieve your perfect smile.
The end result is a dazzling smile!
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
March 29, 2012
F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal
Don’t Be Fooled by White, Shiny Teeth
 Bleach evaluation
A gleaming, white smile is a sign of a healthy mouth, right? Not necessarily.
“Whiteness and the health of your teeth are totally unrelated,” says Mark Wolff, an associate dean at New York University College of Dentistry.
In fact, many dentists worry that people who whiten their teeth may have a false sense of complacency, since their teeth can still be harboring tooth decay and serious gum disease.
Even people who have no cavities can still have inflamed and infected gums. It could be that their saliva is particularly protective of their tooth enamel, while their brushing and flossing habits, needed to keep gum tissues healthy, could be lax.
“I get these patients in their mid-30s who don’t have cavities, so they haven’t been to a dentist in 10 years. But they have full-blown periodontal disease,” says George Kivowitz, a restorative dentist in Manhattan. “They are losing all the supporting structure, and I have to tell them that these gorgeous teeth will fall out of your head if we don’t turn this around.”
Using whitening products more often than recommended can erode some of the enamel and cause teeth to appear translucent. But whether that actually harms teeth is controversial. “No one has really shown that it’s damaging, but no one knows the long-term results,” says Dr. Marcus, the periodontist in Yardley, Pa.
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
March 7, 2012
 If only the gums shown here could talk!
 Tissue is much healthier following treatment! The adjacent photos were taken at the office of Dr. Julie Gillis in Grand Junction, Colorado. Our phone number is (970) 242-3635. This patient had no idea of the extent of gum disease and periodontal disease present in her mouth!
The treatment in our office consisted of periodontal debridement (a specialized cleaning) and diode laser treatment combined with instruction in oral health care – brushing and flossing – by the patient. The tissues are not yet perfect but getting there! and the entire mouth is healthier!
We would like to share this information from the Wall Street Journal/ Health Journal December 27th 2011
If Your Teeth Could Talk …
The Mouth Offers Clues to Disorders and Disease; Dentists Could Play Larger Role in Patient Care
There’s also growing evidence that the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular problems isn’t a coincidence either. Inflammation in the gums raises C-reactive protein, thought to be a culprit in heart disease.
“They’ve found oral bacteria in the plaques that block arteries. It’s moved from a casual relationship to a risk factor,” says Mark Wolff, chairman of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry.
Bacteria from the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and cause problems elsewhere, which is why people contemplating elective surgery are advised to have any needed dental work performed first.
The American Heart Association no longer recommends that people with mitral valve prolapse (in which heart values close abnormally between beats) routinely take antibiotics before dental procedures, since it’s now believed that oral bacteria enter the bloodstream all the time, from routine washing, brushing and chewing food.
But the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association and the American Orthopedic Association all urge people who have had a full joint replacement to take an antibiotic one hour before any dental visit for the rest of their lives to reduce the risk of post-surgical infections. “I have my guidelines taped to the door in my hygienists’ room,” Dr. Kivowitz says.
Dentists say they also need to stay up to date with all medications, supplements and over-the-counter drugs their patients are taking. Blood thinners can create excess bleeding in the mouth. Bisphosphonates, often prescribed for osteoporosis, can severely weaken jaw bones. Both should be stopped temporarily before oral surgery.
Antihypertensive drugs, calcium-channel blockers and some anti-inflammatory drugs can cause painful ulcerations of the gums. Many medications, from antidepressants to chemotherapy drugs, cause dry mouth, which can cause cavities to skyrocket, since saliva typically acts as a protective coating for teeth. Additional fluoride treatments can help.
Write to Melinda Beck at HealthJournal@wsj.com
Dr. Gillis and her hygienists and treatment assistants like to tell people that gums are just like skin, and it is not healthy to have skin with open sores, ulcerations, areas that bleed, or any infections. Healthy skin and healthy gums protect our bodies from the bacteria all around us that cause diseases. Open sores and infected gums allow bacteria to enter our bloodstreams and cause further problems. Our biggest problem is that gum disease doesn’t really hurt like infections elsewhere, so people tend to think it is normal for their gums to bleed when they brush, floss, or eat certain foods.
Our office is locatetd in Grand Junction, Colorado. We will thoroughly evaluate your gum tissues for any signs of infection or inflammation and show you what should be done to eliminate this for a healthier mouth and a healthier body! Our phone number is (970) 242-3635.
February 28, 2012
 Gross Periodontal Disease
 Periodontal health much improved!
Please see the photographs here: Is this you?
This is a before and after of the same patient. The treatment consisted of oral hygiene instruction, periodontal debridement, laser assisted periodontal therapy, and improved brushing and flossing by the patient. The time elapsed bnetween these photographs is a few months. It doesn’t take long to get healthy and you will achieve a lifetime of benefits!
Look closely at your own gums - about 90% of the population has some amount of gingivitis – do your gums look pink? Are they inflamed? Do they bleed when you brush or floss? (They shouldn’t! Not at all!)
From the Wall Street Journal/ Health Journal December 27th 2011
If Your Teeth Could Talk …
The Mouth Offers Clues to Disorders and Disease; Dentists Could Play Larger Role in Patient Care
The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the mouth provides an even better view of the body as a whole.
Some of the earliest signs of diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, immune disorders, hormone imbalances and drug issues show up in the gums, teeth and tongue—sometimes long before a patient knows anything is wrong.
WSJ ‘Personal Journal’ Senior Editor Melinda Beck explains that one’s teeth and gums hold a lot of details about the body’s overall health. Also, don’t be fooled by a bright set of pearly whites. Tom Gannam/AP Images for Crest and Oral-B
There’s also growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient’s general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.
“We have lots of data showing a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body,” says Anthony Iacopino, director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health, which opened at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry in Canada in 2008. Recent studies also show that treating gum disease improves circulation, reduces inflammation and can even reduce the need for insulin in people with diabetes.
Such findings are fueling a push for dentists to play a greater role in patients’ overall health. Some 20 million Americans—including 6% of children and 9% of adults—saw a dentist but not a doctor in 2008, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health this month.
“It’s an opportunity to tell a patient, ‘You know, I’m concerned. I think you really need to see a primary care provider,’ so you are moving in the direction of better health,” says the study’s lead researcher Shiela Strauss, co-director of statistics and data management for New York University’s Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.
George Kivowitz, a restorative dentist with offices in Manhattan and Newtown, Pa., says he has spotted seven cases of cancer in 32 years of practice, as well as cases of bulimia, due to the telltale erosion of enamel on the back of the upper front teeth, and methamphetamine addiction. “We call it ‘meth mouth,’ ” he says. “The outer surface of teeth just rot in a way that’s like nothing else.”
Some of the most distinctive problems come from uncontrolled diabetes, Dr. Kivowitz adds. “The gum tissue has a glistening, shiny look where it meets the teeth. It bleeds easily and pulls away from the bone—and it’s all throughout the mouth.”
An estimated six million Americans have diabetes but don’t know it—and several studies suggest that dentists could help alert them. A 2009 study from New York University found that 93% of people who have periodontal disease are at risk for diabetes, according to the criteria established by American Diabetes Association.
It’s not just that the same lifestyle habits contribute to both gum disease and high blood sugar; the two conditions exacerbate each other, experts say. Inflammation from infected gums makes it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood-sugar level, and high blood sugar accelerates tooth decay and gum disease, creating more inflammation.
In our office, we like to tell people that gums are just like skin, and it is not healthy to have skin with open sores, ulcerations, areas that bleed, or any infections. Healthy skin and healthy gums protect our bodies from the bacteria all around us that cause diseases. Open sores and infected gums allow bacteria to enter our bloodstreams and cause further problems.
Our biggest problem is that gum disease doesn’t really hurt like infections elsewhere, so people tend to think it is normal for their gums to bleed when they brush, floss, or eat certain foods. Our office will thoroughly evaluate your gum tissues for any signs of infection or inflammation and show you what should be done to eliminate this for a healthier mouth and a healthier body!
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
February 21, 2012
What is a porcelain veneer?
 Short, severely worn teeth  Porcelain veneers restore the lost length! A porcelain veneer is a thin, translucent shell of tooth colored porcelain that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. Porcelain veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. A porcelain veneer is created – custom made just for your teeth – by a well-trained laboratory technician. Dr. Gillis has advanced training in esthetic dentistry and is accredited by the internationally recognized American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Our office works very closely with a laboratory technician who is also accredited with the AACD to create ideal, long-lasting porcelain veneer restorations for you. We also specialize in restoring missing teeth with dental implants, and/or esthetic porcelain bridges as well as restoring severely damaged dentitions with a full mouth reconstruction.
How do we restore teeth with porcelain veneers?
It usually takes two appointments to restore teeth with porcelain veneers. During the first appointment, we shape the teeth as necessary. Porcelain veneers can be very thin, so sometimes very little or no preparation is needed! Then we take impressions of your teeth, which we use to make precise working models of your mouth. It’s on these models that we artistically craft your porcelain veneers to fit the prepared teeth. During the second appointment, we use a light cured adhesive to bond the porcelain veneers to your teeth. Once in place, porcelain veneers virtually become part of your teeth. You can use them like you would your own teeth, because the bond is extremely strong. The final result is beautiful and natural looking teeth!
What are you waiting for?
Call today to schedule your consultation with our office located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Our phone number is: 970 242-3635.
We’ll show you how cosmetic dentistry can allow you to have the kind of attractive, healthy smile you’ve always wanted.
Our office would love to answer your questions about porcelain veneers or any dental questions! Invest in your health and enjoy the benefits for years to come.
February 8, 2012
Toothpaste
Includes information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush as an accessory to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the dental plaque and food from the teeth, assists in suppressing halitosis, and delivers active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to help prevent tooth and gum disease ( gingivitis). [1] Most of the cleaning is achieved by the mechanical action of the toothbrush, and not by the toothpaste. Salt and Baking soda are among materials that can be substituted for commercial toothpaste. Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, and a small amount (about the size of a pea) is usually sufficient.
Ingredients
In addition to 20-42% water, toothpastes are derived from a variety of components, including three main ones: abrasives, fluoride, and detergents.
Abrasives
Abrasives constitute at least 50% of a typical toothpaste. These insoluble particles help remove plaque from the teeth. The removal of plaque and calculus prevents cavities and periodontal disease.[citation needed] Representative abrasives include particles of aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), various calcium hydrogen phosphates, various silicas and zeolites, and hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3OH).
Abrasives, like the dental polishing agents used in dentists’ offices, also cause a small amount of enamel erosion which is termed “polishing” action. Some brands contain powdered white mica which acts as a mild abrasive, and also adds a cosmetically-pleasing glittery shimmer to the paste. The polishing of teeth removes stains from tooth surfaces, but has not been shown to improve dental health over and above the effects of the removal of plaque and calculus.[2]
Fluorides
Fluoride in various forms is the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste to prevent cavities. Fluoride occurs in small amounts in plants, animals, and some natural water sources. The additional fluoride in toothpaste has beneficial effects on the formation of dental enamel and bones. Sodium fluoride (NaF) is the most common source of fluoride but stannous fluoride (SnF2), olaflur (an organic salt of fluoride), and sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F) are also used. Much of the toothpaste sold in the United States has 1000 to 1100 parts per million fluoride. In the UK, the fluoride content is often higher; a NaF of 0.32% w/w (1,450 ppm fluoride) is not uncommon.
 Surfactants
Many, although not all, toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or related surfactants (detergents). SLS is found in many other personal care products as well, such as shampoo, and is mainly a foaming agent, which enables uniform distribution of toothpaste, improving its cleansing power.[2]
Other components
Antibacterial agents
Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, is a common toothpaste ingredient in the UK. Triclosan or zinc chloride prevents gingivitis and, according to the American Dental Association, helps reduce tartar and bad breath.[1][3]
Flavorants
Toothpaste comes in a variety of colorings, and flavors intended to encourage use of the product. Three most common flavorants are peppermint, spearmint, and wintergreen. Toothpaste flavored with peppermint-anise oil is popular in the Mediterranean region. These flavors are provided by the respective oils, e.g. peppermint oil.[2]
More exotic flavors include anise, apricot, bubblegum, cinnamon, fennel, lavender, neem, ginger, vanilla, lemon, orange, and pine. More unusual flavors have been used, e.g. peanut butter, iced tea, and even whisky. Unflavored toothpastes exist for people who prefer this.
Remineralizers
Hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and calcium phosphate are included in some formulations for remineralization,[4] i.e. the reformation of enamel.
Miscellaneous components
Agents are added to suppress the tendency of toothpaste to dry into a powder. Included are various sugar alcohols such as glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, or related derivatives, such as 1,2-propylene glycol and polyethyleneglycol.[5] Strontium chloride or potassium nitrate are included in some toothpastes to reduce sensitivity. Sodium polyphosphate is added to minimize the formation of tartar.
Our office would be happy to answer any of your toothpaste concerns!
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
February 3, 2012
So, how do you floss correctly?
Dental floss is made of either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (Teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque (see below!) from teeth. Correct flossing pulls harmful bacteria and food particles out from below the gums and massages the tissue. Bacteria are constantly accumulating on your teeth and gums. It takes a few hours for the bacteria to get ‘clingy’ enough to cause harm. The clingy film of bacteria and food is called plaque. So, brushing correctly a couple times a day plus flossing at least once a day seems to be enough to manage routine plaque build up.
Gum disease begins at the gum line and between teeth. Daily flossing is an important part of your oral health care routine to help remove the plaque from these areas where a toothbrush doesn’t completely reach. But to truly reap the benefits, you need to use proper flossing technique.
 Ease the floss between the teeth Four Key Elements Of Proper Flossing
- Wind: Wind 18 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one- to two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.
- Guide: Keep a one- to two-inch length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.
- Glide: Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. Contour floss around the side of the tooth.
- Slide: Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.
 Slide floss below the gums as far as it will gently go in a "C" shape
This technique applies to any type of floss: waxed, unwaxed, spongy floss or dental tape. It doesn’t matter whether you start with your upper or lower teeth, or whether you start in the front or the back. Just make sure that you floss all your teeth, including the back side of the very last tooth on the left, right, top and bottom of your mouth. And don’t forget to floss under the gum line and along the sides of teeth that border any spaces where teeth are missing — food particles can become trapped in these spaces, too.
Our office would be happy to demonstrate proper flossing techniques ar assist you to achieve the best results with dental floss or the many other alternatives available! Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.
 Make a "C" shape with floss to clean the tooth below the gums Yours for better dental health,
Julie Gillis, DDS
This information shared with you by Julie Gillis, DDS PC. Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. We feel that your dental health is the top priority. and if we can make your smile more attractive while improving your health that is wonderful! Dr. Gillis practices restorative and cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, implants, crowns, bridges and periodontal care. Our office website is www.juliegillisds.com. For further information, please contact us at (970) 242-3635.
Yours for better health,
Julie Gillis, DDS, “Restoring Smiles, Restoring Health”
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