The do’s and don’ts of smart flossing

A critical part of optimal oral care is dental flossing, which eliminates plaque that can build up in between teeth and cause tooth decay or gum disease. It helps clean the dark, tight spaces in between teeth, places that are normally out of your toothbrush’s reach. Here are some tips from dentist and author Dr. Kami Hoss when it comes to smart flossing.

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Do it gently and at least once a day According to the American Dental Association, you should floss your teeth once every day, a habit you can get into before you go to bed every night. Beware harsh and excessive flossing, as it won’t deliver further benefit and can even damage and irritate sensitive gum tissue.


Bleeding gums? Don’t give up on the floss What you should realize is that the bleeding isn’t really caused by flossing, but instead by gum inflammation or disease. If you find your gums bleeding often, it’s about time to check with your dentist and ask about the overall well-being of your gums and teeth.

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Explore different floss props You can choose from waxed or unwaxed string, tape, holders, braided floss, threaders, and power flossers, to name a few. Dr. Kami Hoss says that as long as you’re gentle while you floss, you can experiment with what works for you best. Ask your dentist, too, for sound advice!


Apply the right technique Use some 18 inches of floss, and hold a short amount of it between your thumb and fingers. Insert the floss between your teeth. Gently move it in a slow back-and-forth motion as well as up and down. Avoid applying too much pressure and re-using string that’s been previously used and could already be harboring germs.


Kami Hoss, MS, DDS is the CEO and co-founder of The Super Dentists. He is also the CEO of Acceledontics, and Howard Healthcare Academy. He holds a master’s degree in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. Read more about his practice on this site.

Dental tips to guarantee a bride’s gleaming wedding-day smile

One’s wedding day is definitely one of the most important life events, and it’s equally important that one look as radiant as possible on this day as all eyes will be on them. The bride, in particular, should stand out, and not for the wrong reasons such as stained, yellowed, or crooked teeth. After all, it’s an occasion for flashing her smile for the many event-immortalizing cameras.

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The good news is that gaining that gleaming smile for our special day is but a few steps away, says Dr. Kami Hoss of the Super Dentists. It begins with a routine dental checkup a couple of weeks prior to the wedding. Consider this as mandatory; you need not be actually experiencing any tooth pain to schedule this important visit to the dentist. Your dentist should be able to ensure that you won’t have any dental discomfort in the days leading to the wedding, as he or she will check for any tooth distress or decay.

Aside from conducting a thorough cleaning of your teeth, a dentist from a good dental practice like the Super Dentists can offer key services like teeth straightening to correct unsightly misaligned and crooked teeth. It is recommended to visit such an orthodontic clinic months before the wedding to ensure that your teeth are straight and perfectly aligned come your wedding day.

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Many people settle for over-the-counter products to whiten their teeth, but nothing beats professional treatment. If you want a truly beaming and sparkling smile, don’t rely on home remedies. Let the dentist do the work. Dr. Kami Hoss adds that the important thing to remember here is that the process may require several visits, so don’t wait until the wedding date is near before discussing teeth whitening with a dentist.

Dr. Kami Hoss holds a master’s in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. He is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego, California. For similar posts on dental health, go to this blog. c

Seven tips in teaching dental hygiene to kids

For many children, practicing dental hygiene is fun. However, for some, it can be daunting or boring. Helping kids have a healthy smile through brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups is a job for parents and teachers.

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Parents and kids should brush and floss together. This encourages children to follow what their parents do. A parent must show their kid the proper technique to brush and floss so that the latter can mimic the best method in keeping teeth healthy.

Give the child a special brush to keep their interest in brushing. Pick ones that have the child’s favorite cartoon character as the design. Keep track of time in order to teach the child to brush their teeth for a good couple of minutes. Use a sand timer and ask the kid to flip it to begin, and brush until all the sand is at the bottom.

Partner the special toothbrush with a special toothpaste to instill love and pleasure for the activity. While a kid may like the minty flavor of regular toothpaste, reward them for their obedience with a fruity-flavored toothpaste.

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Show content that display good oral health to encourage the child to do the same. Make brushing and flossing twice a day an opportunity to follow a reward system. When a child agrees to visit the dentist for a check-up, be sure to surprise him or her with a fun family activity afterwards. This lets them know that they are appreciated for their obedience, and that taking good care of their teeth reaps rewards.




Kami Hoss MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. For more updates from Dr. Kami Hoss, subscribe to this blog.

Smart ways to choose a local dentist

Choosing a dentist might seem like a fairly easy decision to make. But not when you consider how radically important this specialist’s role is in maintaining your dental health in the long term, or in correcting the alignment of your teeth through metal braces. Here are several things to consider when choosing a dentist in your area.

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Cover the basics

Answer some crucial questions: Is the dentist’s office easy to get to from your home or office? Does it have convenient office hours? If dental benefits are covered by your insurance plan, is the dentist in that network? Is the dentist a member of the ADA? You will do regular visits to this dentist, so it’s a must to cover these basics.

Gauge your personal comfort

Determine if you’re comfortable with the person. Are you able to ask questions freely and explain your symptoms? Does the dentist hear you out and understand your concerns, or do they merely shrug them off? Are you confident discussing important dental procedures with the dentist?

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Look at professional qualifications

Obtain information about the person’s qualifications from the local dental society as well as your insurance carrier. Organizations of specialty dentists list their members as well as qualifications. The dentist’s office, too, should reflect cleanliness and an ongoing policy on infection control.

Launch your search

Use the ADA’s Find-a-Dentist tool, research your local dental society, or seek referral from a trust friend or relative. Local health departments or dental schools can also assist in finding affordable dental services for you.

Meet and greet the dentist

Call or visit the dentist before choosing. See if the office is neat and welcoming and if you think you can work with the dentist for a long time. It’s your oral health at stake after all, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the right fit for your needs.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists and the chief executive of Acceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. For similar reads, visit this page.

Top mouth rinsing tips from dentists

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 Mouth rinsing is serious business. It’s not just a way to freshen your breath, but also a technique to keep your teeth and gums healthy in the long term. Here are some tips on using mouthwash and swishing the bad stuff away. Use the best techniques: It doesn’t matter if mouth rinsing comes before brushing and flossing or after. Do it for 30 to 60 seconds – more than a minute is likely more than enough. Remember that it might take a couple of weeks to see results, whether your mouthwash promises teeth whitening or help against bleeding gums.

It’s not a magic bullet for bad breath: Some mouthwashes only provide a fresh feeling instead of actually curing bad breath. If you are having serious bad breath issues, try to determine the cause rather than simply mask it. Discuss the problem with your dentist.

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Look at the ingredient list: A high alcohol content can lead to a burning sensation in your gums, mouth, and cheeks so you might want to try an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid this. Mouthwash with fluoride also helps in the fight against cavities. Mouthwashes claiming to kill plaque and gingivitis, too, should have anti-microbial properties that temporarily slash the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

Read the label: Look for a product with an American Dental Association (ADA) seal on the label. Some organic or natural mouth rinses also have the ADA seal.

Don’t give it to kids younger than 6: These children might not have a good grasp of “swish and spit” and could suffer an upset stomach if they swallow too much mouthwash.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is also a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. For similar reads, click here.

Does brushing your teeth with activated charcoal work?

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One of the more popular alternative methods of teeth whitening in recent years is brushing using activated charcoal. It is an ingredient being bannered in various dental products lately. But is it really effective?

Most dentists worldwide are still divided on its effectiveness. Some say that it depends on finding the right product, while others outright insist that activated charcoal is not good for your dental hygiene. It this sense, and assuming you really want to try it out, the best recourse is to ask your dentist to distinguish which toothpaste and whitening products that have it really work.

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Even the American Dental Association (ADA) is cautioning the public that excessive formulations can damage the teeth’s enamel, which will eventually lead to tooth decay. It’s important then to note that products using activated charcoal must pass the abrasiveness test protocol called Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA).

In the first place, buying DIY teeth-whitening products is not recommended. The effects may be quick and the application easy, but, again, the long-term damage to your teeth should be kept in mind. Also, remember that at the moment, not one charcoal product is being recommended by the ADA.

In short, there simply isn’t enough and conclusive research available to provide sufficient evidence of the effectiveness and safety of using activated charcoal.

Dr. Kami Hossis a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. Dr. Hoss has written articles in numerous professional and community journals and publications and has appeared on various TV segments to discuss topics related to dentistry. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Craniofacial biology, in layman’s terms

In canopy or general terms, the science of craniofacial biology refers to a wide range of disciplines that are related to the practice of modern dentistry. 

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With the evolution of molecular biology came craniofacial biology’s distinction as basic science; this is based on a more recent understanding that factors in both biology and dentistry like radiology, gene identification, dental materials, and digital imaging are intrinsic in the prevention, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of orofacial disorders.

To get a better sense of this science, you should first understand what the craniofacial complex is.  It essentially covers the brain and all the organs within it that are key for the body to function: including hearing, sight, smell, taste, as well as respiration and balance.  Craniofacial biology stemmed from the need for a new and more attuned field that can better adhere to the needs of the dental profession today.

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In other words, the science of craniofacial biology exists because it is a more unitary discipline that addresses, investigates, and works on new and emerging technologies related to dentistry.  This is seen as a widening of the first concept of oral biology introduced in the 1960s.  The advancement and future of clinical dental practice are thus now rooted in craniofacial biology’s recognition as an important—and much-needed—health science and discipline.

Dr. Kami Hoss holds a master’s degree in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. He co-founded The Super Dentists with his business partner and wife, Dr. Nazli Keri. More info on Dr. Hoss and his work here.