May 17, 2012

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Oral Hygiene and how to go about taking care of your teeth

April 15, 2010 By

Knowing about and practising good oral hygiene is essential for the health of your teeth, gums and mouth. A whole range of dentistry jobs can be avoided just by maintaining a high level of cleanliness in your mouth. The most basic advantages to a good standard of oral hygiene is that your teeth will look clean and you will have fresh breath, but brushing and flossing daily can also help prevent more serious problems.

What Problems can Good Oral Hygiene help Prevent?

Dentistry is notoriously expensive. If you want to avoid high cost treatments, the first place to start is oral hygiene. The main cause of numerous dental problems is plaque. Plaque is the bacteria which builds up on your teeth every time you eat, and it often makes teeth look yellow. Failing to brush plaque away can lead to various problems and diseases such as gingivitis, cavities and gum disease.

Other problems brushing twice daily will help prevent include bleeding gums and tartar. Gums should be hard and pink, and should not hurt to touch. If you do not brush them, however, they can become red and sore, start bleeding and cause foul breath. Tartar is a build up of yellow or brown deposits on you teeth.

How Can I Maintain Good Dental Hygiene?

Any dentist you visit should be able to give you personal advice on your dental health. There is also a range of dental courses that specialise in oral hygiene, and many dental practitioners will have taken these. However, here is some general advice:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day, taking extra care before you go to bed.
  • Use a fluoride based toothpaste to strengthen your teeth (though only very small amounts of this should be given to infants).
  • Use an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing/flossing to kill bacteria.
  • Floss regularly (you should expect some bleeding when flossing).
  • Have regular dental check ups and professional cleans.
  • Eat food which is good for your teeth such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and cheese, and avoid foods which are bad for your teeth such as sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks.
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All about teeth stains

April 12, 2010 By

There’s no doubt that teeth are of immense importance for your whole body and its health. Even a slight pain in your teeth can cause problems and aches in whole of the body. Furthermore, your teeth and smile are the greatest assets of your life. Therefore, you just cannot compromise on it. But unfortunately, many people have teeth stains due to which they feel really embarrassing in parties and get together. Teeth stains can be due to a number of reasons. There hundreds of types of teeth stains. Most common teeth stains are of yellowish, whitish and blackish color. Excessive consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol and chocolate can result in teeth stains.

White teeth stains are very common and are caused due to fluorosis. Fluorosis is a situation in which the amount of fluoride exceeds the normal level in your body. As a result, you get white stains on your teeth. Similarly, excessive smoking also results in black stains and excessive tea consumption results in yellowish teeth stains. Many people have hereditary teeth stains. They just inherit such properties from their parents and grandparents. Extrinsic teeth staining is that of teeth staining in which stains are on the upper layer of the teeth and hence the treatment of such type of stains is easy and approachable.

But since treatment is better than cure, therefore you should concentrate on regular brushing of teeth. Using a good and well known toothpaste will hardly make you see any doctor or dentist. You can also use various mouthwash products for having good and charming odor. Never forget to use an electric toothbrush while brushing your teeth. This is because electric toothbrushes can reach deeper and inside parts of your mouth where a normal toothbrush cannot reach. Always use a soft toothbrush so that it does not hurt your teeth and its infections.

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The versatility of mouthwash

April 8, 2010 By

Most of us have a bottle of mouthwash in our bathroom. That innocent looking bottle of liquid is used daily to keep our mouths fresh and to work in conjunction with toothpaste to make a good oral hygiene routine. What you probably didn’t realise is that how versatile this is, and, especially alcohol based ones, in how many ways you can use it around the house.

Have you run out of glass cleaner for your mirrors or computer screen? A small amount of mouthwash on a soft, damp cloth will give you sparkling glass once it is dried. It is the alcohol on it that makes it such a good cleaner, but never use in on LCD’s, only glass.

If you are troubled by dandruff, rinse with mouth wash after you have shampooed and soon you will be flake free. However big we are on hygiene there is one item that is loaded with bacteria but we never think of cleaning, and that is our toothbrush. The ones kept out in the air in holders are the worst culprits, so always rinsing it in mouthwash before you clean your teeth. If there some one has a cut or a graze that needs cleaning, use mouthwash to both clean the graze and prevent infection. It is also great for reducing, or removing completely, unsightly bruising.

Pour a cupful down your toilet to both clean and freshen it. After 30 minutes, use your toilet brush them flush and voila, a spotless toilet. Pop a cup of this wonderful liquid in with your laundry to destroy the bacteria that is often left on our clothes when we do a cooler wash. Having a few bottles in can save you a fortune, so never again think of mouthwash as just being a mouth freshener.

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What are these invisible braces I am hearing about?

April 4, 2010 By

Invisalign braces are one more aesthetically friendly orthodontic procedure. A large proportion of the population live with crooked teeth for fear of either unsightly orthodontic work or of high dental costs, and invisalign is a good half-way-point where you can correct minor tooth crookedness without having to wear chunk metallic braces on your teeth for years. The treatment is available in most areas, including at dentists in liverpool, where I received the braces. The big difference between normal and invisalign braces is that invisalign ones aren’t fixed and are made of clear plastic.

As a result of the invisalign being made of clear plastic, the braces are relatively unnoticeable, and certainly a great deal less noticeable than traditional train-track braces. You can also take out invisalign braces, another big advantage over other kinds of braces and straightening tools. My teeth are quite straight now, and I’m happy with them for the time being. Invisalign may not be for everyone, but it worked okay for me. Although I have to admit I didn’t enjoy the initial process of getting a cast of my teeth taken to use to make the invisalign brace, the dental clay tasted disgusting. Asides from that, I’d say invisalign is a great way to go.

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Don’t let dental phobia rule your life

April 4, 2010 By

It might surprise you to know that dental phobia, the fear of the dentist and of going to the dentist, is one of the most common phobias out there. Is there a reason for it? Years ago, dentists were undoubtedly less pleasant and qualified, and procedures were often painful for patients. All of that has changed over recent decades; the use of anaesthetics to numb the mouth before any painful procedure is undertaken has become commonplace, and visiting the dentist is a very important part of maintaining good oral hygiene.

It’s understandable where dental phobia stems from: the tools and implements used by dentists, often metallic, can look frightening. However, much like with a doctor, you just have to trust in the professionalism of who you’re dealing with. Dentists train for years upon years to qualify and practice, and are extremely experienced, so things very rarely go awry. If you suffer from dental phobia, try and get over it by talking to your dentist, or if it’s really serious perhaps you could see a psychiatrist.

Few people actually enjoy visiting the dentist, but it’s just a necessary part of life for all of us, and if you don’t do it then your teeth might bear the consequences. Perhaps, if you’re really having trouble going to your dentist, it might be solved by switching to another dental practice.  If you want to keep visits to the dentist to a minimum, make sure you brush your teeth properly, use mouthwash, floss and don’t eat much sugar.

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Braces, Inman aligners and invisalign; the invisible brace is here

April 1, 2010 By

An invisible brace is the latest innovation from the professional orthodontist, and it has become the most popular brace on the market. There are two types being marketed and they are both clear in colour, one type the Inman Aligner, is designed to straighten the front upper and bottom teeth, but not the back teeth. The Invisalign Brace has a clue to its main feature in the name; in that it is an invisible brace. The Inman Brace has a metal bar running along the front of it, but the Invisalign Brace is clear all through and takes care of misaligned back teeth as well as the front ones .

They also both have the unique feature of being mobile, not being fixed to the teeth allows them to be removed for eating, sleeping and cleaning of the teeth, although it is recommended that they are worn at least 20 hours a day.

The procedure is quite a scientific one and very 21st century, it starts off with digital photos and X-rays being taken, then a mould is made of your teeth. This information is all scanned into a computer, and the result is a program that give the orthodontist and the dentist all the information they need to make and fit the many braces you need. The fittings will come every two weeks, and will be done at the dentist. The computer also produces a 3D film of the whole procedure to allow you all to see how the teeth will be pulled into shape. As the braces are doing their pulling and pushing, the blood flow is also altered to allow bone to grow behind the tooth.

This will act as a buffer to make sure that the teeth don`t fall back into their old position. The time is a varied one; it all depends on the amount of movement required and the brace chosen. Some patients have said it only took three months, whereas others have reported the process to take around 8 months. The price is also varied depending on the amount of dental visits and the amount of braces that are made to do the job. It can be anywhere between £1,000 and £2,500, but the best one to advise you on all the F.A.Q.s is your dentist as they will know your teeth better than you do.

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Conventional drills and plasma drills for teeth

March 28, 2010 By

The drills used by the dentists have always been a cause of fear for a lot of individuals, include me as well. The buzzing sound just heightens up the anxiety and the level constantly marches up throughout the visit, unless we know that it is all done and we can go home now.

Well the good news is that the conventional drills are going to be replaced very soon with the plasma drills. Plasma drills, yes. I know it sounds strange, but there have been tests conducted with these drills, which have shown very promising results.

The plasma drills were tested on teeth that were infected with abscess. For this, the dentist has to make a hole in the teeth by drilling through the enamel into the dentin. It was noted that by using plasma beams triggered at lower temperatures were able to eliminate bacteria present in and on the tooth.

In another test, there were about four different kinds of bacteria that were grown on teeth and when the plasma laser was applied on them, it eliminated all these different kinds of bacteria. Though these bacteria also known as lactobacillus, mutans, etc., are ones that can cause tooth erosions or serious dental conditions.

In a recent study, researchers have introduced plasma lasers that are cold. They have the potential to kill the bacteria and preserve the teeth in all respects. The researchers added that the hot plasma beams can damage the blood vessels and nerves of the teeth, but cold plasma laser beams will preserve the entire structure.

Note: This technology is still under testing phase and over the passage of three to five years this will be owned by all the dentists as the most necessary tool. Most importantly, it will eliminate the fear linked to dental visits, especially the burr sound.

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Chronic Diseases and Other Problems that Can Stand in the Way of a Dental Implant

March 24, 2010 By

There are a few chronic diseases, systemic problems, and health treatments that can disqualify a patient from receiving a dental implant. Some of them are obvious, such as hemophilia and other blood clotting issues that could interfere with the healing process, but some might be surprising. A dentist must make the final decision on whether a patient is healthy enough for a dental implants, and these issues may make them decide against it.

People with high blood pressure are usually unable to get a dental implant, unless their blood pressure is under control and carefully monitored during the implant surgery. Diabetics also have some risk, but it depends on the severity of the condition and the general health of the patient. Patients with significant immune deficiencies need very special care and specific medication to avoid becoming seriously ill if an infection occurs. Many dental implant dentists will refuse to install a dental implant on these patients.

Hemophilia can also effect a patient’s ability to qualify for the surgery, but this is also dependent on how well the condition is being managed. Patients taking blood thinning medications have the same issues, but unlike hemophilia, if the patient’s doctor approves they can take a short hiatus from the medication for the surgery.

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How can I chew while waiting for dental implants tooth inlay?

March 24, 2010 By

Patients have to wait a while to receive their permanent tooth inlay that goes over dental implants. Since the wait can be a matter of weeks, patients will need to use something in the meantime that allows them to chew foods while waiting for the inlay that completes their dental implants.

Orthodontists understand this. That’s why they give their patients a temporary bridge to use while waiting for the permanent inlay. This temporary bridge protects nearby teeth and gums from wear and tear while the area of the dental implants is healing. It also gives patients something to chew with. This is important because patients have to wait awhile before finishing work on their dental implants. As a result, patients can lead a fairly normal life while waiting for work on their dental implants to finish up.

Patients should ask their orthodontists for more information about these temporary bridges. This will help them understand how the process works and it will also give them the peace of mind that they need to successfully complete work on the dental implants. Orthodontists understand this and that’s why they are happy to explain how the temporary bridges work to help finish installing a dental implant.

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Dental Health and Caring

March 23, 2010 By

Good dental health is very important to the overall health of anyone. This is especially true for seniors. With age, more and more responsibility is required to stay on top of dental care. With good dental hygiene, nowadays, it is very possible to keep natural teeth for life. The advice of your dentist about the proper care of teeth as well as overall dental health is vital in maintain a healthy smile. The most important steps a person can take to maintain the health of teeth and gums is to flossing regularly and brush twice a day.

However, even the most health continues individuals may face the day where dentures are needed to replace decaying of diseased teeth. People feel better about themselves when they take care of dental issues like missing teeth or damaged and discoloured teeth. You may be surprised to learn that false teeth can last more anywhere from 5 to 10 years and still look good with a natural look. The tissue in your mouth and around your gums will in fact shrink as you age.

This means that with or without dentures the ridges that support your teeth slowly recede. Many seniors as they get older are still full of life and they want their smile and teeth to shine naturally without worry. Self esteem can be a large hurdle for anyone regardless of age. As gums and tissue supporting the teeth recede, new wrinkles and laugh lines tend to appear as your chin closes in on your nose without the support of strong teeth.

Cleaning of dentures is just as essential as cleaning real teeth. False teeth should be detached and brushed at least once each day. Using denture cleanser and brush, it is recommended that you soak the dentures in cleansing fluid while sleeping. However, it’s a good idea to keep dentures in place overnight during the adjustment period. Doing this is better for the health of your gums.. In order to track of shifting conditions in your mouth, it is best to have a consistent schedule of appointments with your dentist. In case your teeth shift even the slightest amount, or if your jaw bones begin to alter shape over time, your dentist will be able to best spot when it is time for a new set of dentures.

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