The importance of flossing, from Dr. Michael Long

Dr. Michael Long and our staff hope you're not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss daily. Or worse, we hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Our staff (as well as Dr. Long) will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes everyday is recommended, but it's important to know that even a minute of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your last visit with Dr. Long? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment by calling 559-432-4850!

We hope you're enjoying your summer! Have a great Friday.

Tell us about your summer plans!

It’s summertime here at Michael G. Long DDS, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is here to stay for a couple more months. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, taking in a camping trip, hitting California’s open roads or just having fun around Fresno, we want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook page and tell us about your summer!

We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures to our Facebook wall!

Happy & safe travels everyone!

Patient question: "What's the deal with nail biting? Is it all that harmful?"

OK, so you know that biting your nails is a bad habit, but many people still wonder: what’s so awful about biting your nails once in a while? Recently, Dr. Michael Long and staff came across an interesting article on biting nails and the effect it has on your teeth and oral health.

Not only is nail biting unsanitary, it's also unattractive, unhealthy for your teeth and expensive!

Look at it this way:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.

• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good those pearly whites. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth, contributing to teeth misalignment.

• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your that pesky habit of biting your nails. Have any questions about nail biting? We encourage you to ask Dr. Long next time you're in for a visit!

Ask Dr. Long: Can I swallow my chewing gum?

Dr. Michael Long and team know about all the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing everyone!

Featured patient reviews for Dr. Michael Long

Once in a while, Fresno dentist Dr. Michael Long and team get patient reviews that make us really proud to do the work we do at our convenient Fresno office: creating beautiful smiles. Check out these two reviews we received from two longtime patients and please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

"I've been going to Dr. Long for 20 years and will not go anywhere else, ever. He gives the most painless shots possible. He is soft spoken and kind. His front office is professional and most helpful. His hygienist staff mirrors his personality: kind, helpful and professional. I cannot say enough about the experience there. I highly recommend Dr. Michael Long."

"He and his staff are fun and friendly and willing to go out of their way to help you and your family. I have gone to him for 15 years and trust him and his staff. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the staff knows your name and who you are. I highly recommend."

Dr. Michael Long, protecting you from oral cancer

In our continuing efforts at Michael G. Long DDS to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality dental care available to our patients, we screen our patients for oral cancer. The fact is, every hour of every day in the United States, someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the deadly disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved with time.

Fresno dentist Dr. Michael Long will tell you early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. Ask Dr. Long about a screening at your next appointment and have a great weekend!!

Smile! June is National Smile Month!

The American Dental Association discovered a while back that a person's smile was important than their eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature. After all, there's a big reason why Americans spend as much as they do on general and cosmetic dentistry each year: folks want to look (and feel) great.

That brings us to June, also known as National Smile Month. It's a great time for Dr. Long to remind all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our office.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so you can celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
* Visit Dr. Long regularly (usually every six months or sooner).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at 559-432-4850. We hope you have a great weekend! Get out there and share your smiles with the rest of Fresno!