dr tim verwest america’s best dentist

Here’s The Scoop On The Tooth Fairy

One of the most exciting things about losing baby teeth is placing each tooth under a pillow before going to bed for the tooth fairy to collect in exchange for a token of her appreciation to find when you wake up. Our classic American Fairy was introduced all the way back in 1927 from a book called “The Tooth Fairy” by Esther Watkins Arnold.

What did everyone do before the tooth fairy?

During the times of witches and dark magics, it was a common practice to burn baby teeth as they fell out. This was to protect the child from being exposed to any dark magic or “bad luck”.

“A token of her appreciation”

Almost a century later, the Tooth Fairy is still paying a visit to the youngins and replacing their lost teeth with money. Commonly, the amount of money is based upon the size of the tooth. The larger the tooth, the larger the reward. But what started out as a small silver token in the tale has evolved into children earning cash!

When would these rewards come to an end?

This all depends on age and, most importantly, when all your permanent teeth have grown in. It is most common to stop seeing visits from the tooth fairy when all baby teeth are gone. I mean, after all, she is there to collect them, isn’t she?

Which Toothbrush is Right For You?

Choosing the right toothbrush can be crucial for enhancing a happy, healthy set of chompers. We have a few ideas to keep in mind when shopping around for a new toothbrush:

Bristles

Ever debate on whether soft or medium bristles are better for you? We have the answer to choosing the right type for you. First, soft bristles promote a gentle cleaning to your teeth. If you have gingivitis or sensitive teeth, this can be the right choice for you. If you want more of a firm and deeper cleaning , medium bristles could do the trick- but beware! Heavy-handed brushing with medium bristles can provide harsh contact to your gums, which, in turn, can increase teeth sensitivity.

Toothbrush head size

It is always beneficial to take the size of the toothbrush head into consideration for optimal comfort when brushing. You want something that can easily fit into the mouth and brush one to two teeth at a time.

Handle

For maximum comfort when brushing, you want something that fits in the hand nicely to be able to maneuver the brush into as many nooks and crannies as you can to brush away the bacteria and germs.

Electric toothbrushes

As far as powered toothbrushes that do some of the work for you, make sure the desired characteristics above add up to the toothbrush you love cleaning with for optimal ease when staying germ-free.

Happy brushing!

Why Tongue Scrapers and Cleaners are Important

You may not always think of going the extra mile to clean your tongue but the benefits from doing so may be worth it.

  • The first advantage you get from keeping your tongue squeaky clean is a crisp, clean taste of every morsel you consume! Keeping your taste buds clean and clear can open up those pores ready to give you bursts of flavor in every bite.
  • It can also be advantageous for your immune system! The removal of bacteria keeps your and your mouth clean and away from any toxins from being reabsorbed back into your body.
  • The removal of bacteria and other toxins can also reduce the overall buildup of plaque, gum infections, tooth decay, and much more.

How to scrape your tongue

  • Stick your tongue out as far as you can
  • Place the scraper as far back on your tongue as you can
  • Work your way up by gently scraping the surface of your tongue
  • Rinse the scraper and repeat until you feel rid of its coating

Why is it Important to Repair Baby Teeth?

You may think that baby teeth eventually just fall out and may not need to be repaired if they have any problems, but they definitely play a huge role for eating and future development of permanent teeth. Your baby teeth, or primary teeth, fall out at different times depending on the type of tooth. For instance, primary molars don’t fall out by at least the age of ten. It’s possible that a cavity can develop during that time frame and cause a problem for the tooth before it falls out. Any sign of small decay can spread and cause the premature loss of a primary tooth. The more primary teeth that are in good shape, the better! Preserving the health of primary teeth is important is because it holds the space for permanent teeth. Keeping them around is the best way to avoid unnecessary crowding in the future caused by other teeth drifting into any spaces left by an extracted primary tooth.

 

 

Dr. Verwest Named America’s Best Dentist for 2017

 

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The National Consumer Advisory Board has named Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim M. Verwest, DMD one of America’s Best Dentist for 2017. Dr. Verwest selection is based on a proprietary assessment of a dentists experience, training, continuing education, and commitment to excellence to ensure the most impartial unbiased review of all applicants.

Dr. Verwest is a board certified Diplomat of the National Board of Pediatric Dentistry with professional interests in the areas of pediatric pharmacology, biomaterials, and pediatric anesthesia.  He believes in lifelong learning and continues his education by taking courses in pediatric sedation, pediatric oncology, sealants, prosthetics, pediatric cosmetic dentistry, pediatric materials, childhood growth and development, and more.

Pediatric Dentistry of Ft Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for the last 26 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.