Did you know that what your oral health provider sees as he peers into your mouth is often an indicator of your overall health? Good oral health is essential. It impacts the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions.In maintaining a healthy mouth it is important to brush and floss daily to remove food and plaque from your teeth. Plaque is the sticky bacteria containing substance that coats the teeth. After finishing a meal or snack that contains sugar, the bacteria can produce acids that break down the tooth enamel. Continued attacks on the enamel can lead to cavities; plaque that remains on the teeth can also harden into tartar, which makes it harder to keep teeth clean.The American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. Brushing the recommended two minutes is key to reducing plaque and preventing cavities, gingivitis and other plaque-related diseases. It is also important to floss daily as part of your dental hygiene. You should choose a soft-bristle toothbrush and replace it every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed and show wear.Flossing will remove plaque and food particles that the toothbrush won't reach that are under the gumline and between teeth. Failure to floss promotes plaque buildup which in turn can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It is also important to include rinsing with an anti-microbial mouthwash after flossing and brushing to help prevent gum disease or gingivitis.In addition to developing a consistent oral hygiene plan, consider the foods that you eat. The best foods to include in your diet are:
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables such as apples, broccoli, carrots, celery, cabbage, fresh cranberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
Dairy products such as hard cheese, milk, plain Greek yogurt.
Sugarless chewing gum helps stimulate saliva productions and can aid in removing food particles from your mouth.
Water aids in saliva production and can wash away acids that erode tooth enamel.
Lean red meat contains iron. Lack of enough iron in the body can lead to sores inside the mouth and an inflamed tongue. Some nuts and cereals also contain iron.
Chicken and fish contain niacin; low niacin stores can lead to bad breath and mouth sores.
Avoid:
Acidic foods which can be found in citrus fruits and tomato products including pizza, soup, and pasta sauce.
High sugar choices such as dried fruits, hard candies, and caramels. Carbohydrates such as cakes, cookies, pretzels, potato chips and crackers.
In addition to maintaining a good daily oral health plan, include regular visits to the dentist to ensure that your routine is keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. It is recommended that you see the dentist twice a year. It is easy to take the daily floss and brush tasks for granted- remember good oral health will give you plenty to smile about.Take Away: Avoid high acid and high sugar foods. Floss, brush and rinse daily to maintain a healthy mouth.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
The Isolite and Your Dental Exam
Going to the dentist these days isn't as stressful as it used to be. Modern technology allows dentists and hygienists to perform tasks faster and easier, while making the patient more comfortable in the process. One such technology that's helping dentists do their jobs more efficiently is the Isolite. The Isolite is an illumination tool that lights the oral cavity without casting shadows or inflicting strain on the dentist's eyes. This tool has a special mouthpiece designed to allow for all types of dentistry to be performed, and it also includes suctioning and rinsing features to make the process easier on both the dentist and the patient.Let's take a closer look at the Isolite.What Does the Isolite Do?As we stated earlier, the Isolite illuminates the mouth and provides suctioning and rinsing capabilities so that the dentist can work more efficiently. In fact, the Isolite allows doctors to treat patients up to 50 percent faster than with conventional dental methods.What are the Benefits of the Isolite?The Isolite benefits both the doctor and the patient. Here's how:· Patients: The biggest benefit of the Isolite is the time savings it gives patients. Patients spend less time in the dentist chair than ever before. The mouthpiece is hypoallergenic and comfortable to wear. The illuminating light is harmless and allows dentists to treat more specific issues quickly and easily so that the patient experiences less discomfort.
· Dentists: The Isolite increases visibility and allows for isolation of specific parts of the mouth. The tool is ergonomic, which decreases fatigue while working. The Isolite allows for faster treatment, which leads to happier patients.Isolite Sizing for AllThe Isolite comes in five different sizes designed to fit almost every mouth from child to senior citizen. It is patient-friendly so that teeth and gums do not get irritated during treatment.Another Cool Feature of the IsoliteThe tongue always gets in the way during dental procedures. It can be frustrating for both the doctor and the patient, so the Isolite addresses that problem with an isolation feature the keeps the tongue out of the way so the doctor can work and the patient can relax.How Safe is the Isolite?The Isolite is perfectly safe. The light emitted from the tool is harmless and the mouthpiece is hypoallergenic and single use. Since the mouthpiece is patient-friendly, the teeth and gums do not get irritated at all during cosmetic dentistry or other treatments.
· Dentists: The Isolite increases visibility and allows for isolation of specific parts of the mouth. The tool is ergonomic, which decreases fatigue while working. The Isolite allows for faster treatment, which leads to happier patients.Isolite Sizing for AllThe Isolite comes in five different sizes designed to fit almost every mouth from child to senior citizen. It is patient-friendly so that teeth and gums do not get irritated during treatment.Another Cool Feature of the IsoliteThe tongue always gets in the way during dental procedures. It can be frustrating for both the doctor and the patient, so the Isolite addresses that problem with an isolation feature the keeps the tongue out of the way so the doctor can work and the patient can relax.How Safe is the Isolite?The Isolite is perfectly safe. The light emitted from the tool is harmless and the mouthpiece is hypoallergenic and single use. Since the mouthpiece is patient-friendly, the teeth and gums do not get irritated at all during cosmetic dentistry or other treatments.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
5 Reasons To Whiten Your Teeth
Reason#5: If you are a smoker and want to stop, there's no better encouragement to do so than whitening your teeth. One look at your smile after you have undergone a teeth whitening procedure, and you will think twice before lighting up a cigarette again, in fear that they might stain your precious white teeth again!Reason#4: As you age, so do your teeth. Stains and discolorations are a natural effect of age on your teeth. Cleaning and whitening after a certain period of time is the perfect way to counteract the effects of aging to a great level. Whiter, cleaner teeth equals to a new, younger you!Reason#3: Any special occasion like a wedding, a job interview, or a family function would go so much better when your teeth are whitened and clean. Occasions where you will need to pose for pictures, or interact with a lot of people, or where you may need to talk and give a speech requires perfectly clean teeth.Reason#2: Yellowing and stained teeth are a big 'no-no' in romantic relationships. Believe it, no man or woman would want to be intimate with someone who obviously does not take care of his or her teeth. Would you kiss someone with yellow teeth that are unclean and stained? Discolored teeth are revolting and unattractive, and no one would really want to be involved with someone like that romantically.
And then there's the number one reason to whiten your teeth!Reason#1: You will need clean and whitened teeth to boost your self-confidence and your self-esteem at any moment in your life. Whether you are at a business meeting, on a first date with someone you genuinely like, hanging out with your friends, or just relaxing at home with your family - white teeth will give you the social confidence to perform in every role possible.Imagine having to smile with yellowish and stained teeth when you are posing for your first picture as 'man and wife'! Or, not being able to speak up openly and confidently at a job interview! Or, keeping quiet most of the time on a date or an outing because you are not confident of the impression your teeth would have on other people.You don't want that to be your life, do you? Of course not!Teeth whitening is a simple, painless procedure that would make your life easier and simpler!
And then there's the number one reason to whiten your teeth!Reason#1: You will need clean and whitened teeth to boost your self-confidence and your self-esteem at any moment in your life. Whether you are at a business meeting, on a first date with someone you genuinely like, hanging out with your friends, or just relaxing at home with your family - white teeth will give you the social confidence to perform in every role possible.Imagine having to smile with yellowish and stained teeth when you are posing for your first picture as 'man and wife'! Or, not being able to speak up openly and confidently at a job interview! Or, keeping quiet most of the time on a date or an outing because you are not confident of the impression your teeth would have on other people.You don't want that to be your life, do you? Of course not!Teeth whitening is a simple, painless procedure that would make your life easier and simpler!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Wisdom Teeth: Are You Wiser To Take Them Out?
They must have been dubbed "wisdom teeth" for a reason right? Some joke that they make a person wiser and therefore should be kept but, truth be told, most of the time it's better to take wisdom teeth out! Unless these 3rd molars are able to completely erupt (or poke through the gum tissue), being impacted (or stuck in the jaw bone) or only partially erupted can actually cause problems. Most Dentists would confirm that the younger a person is, the easier it is to take wisdom teeth out. In fact, taking them out early while their roots haven't quite developed all the way and people are able to heal more quickly after surgery is more ideal 100% of the time.Generally, wisdom teeth start to appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Whether they erupt or not, is another story. Depending on their depth in the jaw bone, the angle at which they are sitting, and by how much the tooth is covered by tissue and/or bone is how 3rd molars are classified.For example:1) A tooth may be covered partially by bone and leaning toward the front of the mouth2) Partially erupted and leaning towards the back of the mouth3) Or perhaps, completely covered by bone and laying completely horizontal in the jaw bone4) Lower wisdom teeth can also be more difficult because they become tangled in the nerve that runs along the mandible, the inferior alveolar nerve.Depending on where or how the teeth are positioned in the jaw bone determines the difficulty of their removal and how much the fee will be. In order for Dr. Dave to get an idea of what your wisdom look like, an x-ray is taken called a panoramic. It encircles your head and gets all of your teeth and jaw in one big x-ray.Why Do We Even Have Wisdom Teeth?If most people end up getting them taken out and they cause more problems than they do benefit our chewing ability, why do humans even have wisdom teeth? Though we don't have room for them in our mouths nowadays, our ancestors had larger jaw bones that held more teeth. Being more herbivorous than us modern day carnivores, our ancestors probably used their 3rd molars to help grind down vegetation. However, we don't necessarily grind as much plant-life, nor have the room anymore so more often than not, our 3rd molars are removed. Medically speaking, you could say that wisdom teeth are vestigial to the human body, or unnecessary, not unlike our appendix.
And What Happens If I Don't Take Them Out?If wisdom teeth are impacted, they can cause many issues that can affect your oral and overall health. Here are a few things that can happen if left untreated:1) Partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause a flap of gum tissue to get food impacted between the tooth and gums causing an inflammation called periocoronitis.2) Wisdom teeth that can't fully erupt or oftentimes very far back in the mouth, making them hard to clean as well. This can cause cavities to grow which can start to affect the teeth in front of the 3rd molar if not treated right away. But, constant food impaction around a wisdom tooth is the perfect place to harbor decay causing bacteria (which can also cause bad breath!)3) 3rd molars that are angled toward 2nd molars can start to dissolve away the 2nd molar's roots and therefore force them to need to be extracted.4) Forward tipping teeth can also cause bone loss around the tooth in front of it by a bacterial infection in the gums and surrounding tissues of the tooth called periodontal disease. Bone loss in the jaw is irreparable and can cause the tooth to be extracted as well.Though by definition 3rd molars should be pick of the litter to keep, they are often the brunt of most headaches (literally) and should be taken out by your dentist or oral surgeon of choice as soon as your Doctor recommends it.
And What Happens If I Don't Take Them Out?If wisdom teeth are impacted, they can cause many issues that can affect your oral and overall health. Here are a few things that can happen if left untreated:1) Partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause a flap of gum tissue to get food impacted between the tooth and gums causing an inflammation called periocoronitis.2) Wisdom teeth that can't fully erupt or oftentimes very far back in the mouth, making them hard to clean as well. This can cause cavities to grow which can start to affect the teeth in front of the 3rd molar if not treated right away. But, constant food impaction around a wisdom tooth is the perfect place to harbor decay causing bacteria (which can also cause bad breath!)3) 3rd molars that are angled toward 2nd molars can start to dissolve away the 2nd molar's roots and therefore force them to need to be extracted.4) Forward tipping teeth can also cause bone loss around the tooth in front of it by a bacterial infection in the gums and surrounding tissues of the tooth called periodontal disease. Bone loss in the jaw is irreparable and can cause the tooth to be extracted as well.Though by definition 3rd molars should be pick of the litter to keep, they are often the brunt of most headaches (literally) and should be taken out by your dentist or oral surgeon of choice as soon as your Doctor recommends it.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
The Invisalign Teen Program for Orthodontics
The Invisalign Teen program is today's perfect solution for the age-old pain of wearing braces while attending junior high and high school. This revolutionary orthodontic program solves many of the problems posed by traditional metal braces. No longer do teenagers have to be embarrassed when taking photos, attending dances, or giving class presentations. Gone are the days where kids had to endure teasing and taunting about "metal mouth." Invisalign Teen is effective, affordable, painless, and - most of all - easy for kids to deal with.What is the Invisalign Method of OrthodonticsInvisalign is a modern method of orthodontia that uses custom-fit aligner trays made from a high-tech plastic material. This approach can be used to correct the majority of kids' orthodontic issues, including crowding, spacing, overbites, and underbites. Invisalign is nearly invisible in the mouth, but this method offers many other advantages over traditional braces besides aesthetics. The cost is directly comparable to traditional metal braces, and Invisalign requires fewer office visits and no physical adjustments. You simply switch to a new aligner tray every two weeks or so, gradually making the necessary adjustments to teeth. There are no emergency orthodontist visits to repair a broken wire, and the Invisalign Teen program includes six free replacement aligners, in case your teen loses one.How Invisalign Teen Makes Orthodontia Virtually PainlessWhereas metal braces are painful with rough edges that can cause pain, sores and cuts in the mouth, the plastic aligners are smooth and pain-free. Traditional braces encourage tooth decay and make proper dental hygiene very difficult. With Invisalign, you simply remove the aligner, then brush and floss as normal. With metal braces teens have to give up fresh apples, carrots, popcorn, nuts and almost anything else that's hard, crunchy or sticky. With Invisalign, kids simply remove the aligner and eat normally. Metal braces also make playing many sports difficult or impossible. Now, kids can simply pop out their aligners during play and resume wearing them after the game or practice.
Is Invisalign Teen Right for Your Child?Being a teenager is hard enough, and the pressure on appearance is especially challenging during these formative years. Kids can feel that their look is defined by metal wires, time spent at the orthodontist, and the many hoops they have to jump through to keep braces clean. When they have to abstain from sports and the food and drink their friends enjoy, kids can feel even more alienated. If your teen has problems with her teeth she's already self-conscious and braces will only make the problem worse. When your dental insurance covers braces, they likely cover the Invisalign program as well. For parents who are worried their kids won't wear the aligners the requisite 20-22 hours per day, each set comes with blue indicators that fade with wear, allowing parents to watch and ensure the proper amount of use.To learn more about this revolutionary and affordable method of straightening teens' teeth, find a Certified Invisalign Teen Provider in your area. This certification assures you that the orthodontist has extensive experience with the Invisalign program, but especially in working with the unique needs of teenagers' teeth. A certified provider will make your child feel comfortable and successfully assess the needs of young mouths that are still growing and developing. If you think your teen needs a little help to achieve that all-important perfect smile, check out the Invisalign Teen program, the "Clear Alternative to Braces."
Is Invisalign Teen Right for Your Child?Being a teenager is hard enough, and the pressure on appearance is especially challenging during these formative years. Kids can feel that their look is defined by metal wires, time spent at the orthodontist, and the many hoops they have to jump through to keep braces clean. When they have to abstain from sports and the food and drink their friends enjoy, kids can feel even more alienated. If your teen has problems with her teeth she's already self-conscious and braces will only make the problem worse. When your dental insurance covers braces, they likely cover the Invisalign program as well. For parents who are worried their kids won't wear the aligners the requisite 20-22 hours per day, each set comes with blue indicators that fade with wear, allowing parents to watch and ensure the proper amount of use.To learn more about this revolutionary and affordable method of straightening teens' teeth, find a Certified Invisalign Teen Provider in your area. This certification assures you that the orthodontist has extensive experience with the Invisalign program, but especially in working with the unique needs of teenagers' teeth. A certified provider will make your child feel comfortable and successfully assess the needs of young mouths that are still growing and developing. If you think your teen needs a little help to achieve that all-important perfect smile, check out the Invisalign Teen program, the "Clear Alternative to Braces."
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Can Snoring Be Turned Into Sleeping Beauty?
Honey, could you stop snoring please? This innocent statement heralds trouble ahead,usually made by a desperate individual who cannot take your snoring anymore. If you are having problems sleeping or if your partner is always complaining about your loud snoring it is most likely that you are suffering from sleep apnea.There is no need to panic because advances in medicine have made treatment of this condition possible. Before you start seeking treatments, it is imperative to get some basics on this sleeping disorder. It will help you to make an informed choice while also reassuring you that your condition is treatable.Demystifying Sleep ApneaAccording to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), this medical condition causes involuntary cessation of breathing while a patient is sleeping. These breathing pauses can last for a few seconds to minutes and occur up to a hundred times in a night.During these pauses, you will snore loudly and the disruption of natural sleep means you only enjoy light sleep throughout the night. Consequently, you will have problems concentrating during the day, which can be dangerous in some work situations.It can be categorized into three categories. These are:•Obstructive sleep apnea: This takes place when the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxes thus blocking the airway. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), over 18 million people suffer from this category.•Central sleep apnea: It manifests when the central nervous system does not function properly. The brain fails to signal breathing control muscles leading to choking. It does not involve loud breathing and ASAA reckons it forms a large percentage of the 50% undiagnosed apnea cases in the US.
•Complex sleep apnea: This is a complicated combination of the central sleep and obstructive sleep apnea.To determine the type of condition afflicting you, a visit to the dentist is crucial.Why You Need Timely DiagnosisThe fact that 80-90% of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed should be a major worry. They say that a stitch in time saves nine, which is why you need to seek treatments if you have some of these symptoms:•Screaming morning headaches
•Hypersomnia characterized by excessive day time sleepiness
•Abrupt awakening due to cessation of breathing
•Insomnia
•Loud snoringIn short, if you have problems enjoying your night's sleep then a visit to your dentist to seek sleep apnea treatments is advisable.Some of the problems that may arise if you ignore your incessant snoring include depression, sexual dysfunction, high irritability, memory problems, cardiovascular disease and a host of other dangerous health conditions.There you have it - a visit to a sleep apnea dentist has never been this important. With advanced treatments such as CPAP devices or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices in full, Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) and OSA surgery, this condition should not debilitate you anymore. Why not consult today and turn your awful snoring into sleeping beauty?
•Complex sleep apnea: This is a complicated combination of the central sleep and obstructive sleep apnea.To determine the type of condition afflicting you, a visit to the dentist is crucial.Why You Need Timely DiagnosisThe fact that 80-90% of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed should be a major worry. They say that a stitch in time saves nine, which is why you need to seek treatments if you have some of these symptoms:•Screaming morning headaches
•Hypersomnia characterized by excessive day time sleepiness
•Abrupt awakening due to cessation of breathing
•Insomnia
•Loud snoringIn short, if you have problems enjoying your night's sleep then a visit to your dentist to seek sleep apnea treatments is advisable.Some of the problems that may arise if you ignore your incessant snoring include depression, sexual dysfunction, high irritability, memory problems, cardiovascular disease and a host of other dangerous health conditions.There you have it - a visit to a sleep apnea dentist has never been this important. With advanced treatments such as CPAP devices or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices in full, Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) and OSA surgery, this condition should not debilitate you anymore. Why not consult today and turn your awful snoring into sleeping beauty?
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Change Your Smile And Improve Life With Cosmetic Dentistry
A healthy beautiful smile is something that everyone longs to have and enjoy. It can however be hard for some people to like their smiles as a result of teeth issues which vary from one individual to another. It can be embarrassing when you can really smile and laugh with others just because you are too conscious about how your mouth, teeth and the smile look. With cosmetic dentistry however, you now can have all those embarrassing moments scrapped from your life. You can change your smile and improve your life greatly with cosmetic dentistry.There are professional dentists offering excellent services to change your life completely. The highly trained professionals will offer you a beautiful and healthy smile by taking care of all the issues that you are facing. The experience and advanced training and education make it possible for the dentists to handle all teeth related problems. Cosmetic dentistry treatments and procedures include tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, invisible orthodontics, crowns, metal free dentistry, gum contouring and dental implants among others. You can actually get help to stop snoring!The Cosmetic Dentistry Services With cosmetic dentistry procedures and treatments, you will:
Improve your smile using porcelain veneers:
The porcelain veneers are most suitable for individuals with chipped teeth, crooked teeth, discolored teeth and broken teeth. They will get you natural looking beautiful teeth.
Rejuvenate old dentals with porcelain crowns:
Old dental fillings can be unsightly and can lead to teeth breaking and fracturing. The porcelain crowns are designed to offer cover and protection to the tooth that is already weakened or damaged.
Smile brightly with teeth whitening:
A bright smile is without a doubt everyone's dream and it is now possible to enjoy this. The professionals offer different options for teeth whitening including laser whitening. You can now smile without hiding your discolored teeth.
Straighten teeth with Invisalign braces:
The Invisalign procedure offers a seamless way of aligning crooked teeth easily eliminating the traditional metal braces. You will have your teeth straightened comfortably and easily.
Permanently fix teeth with dental implants:
A professional dentist can also permanently fix using dental implants. They are most suitable for replacing missing teeth or those that are impossible to save. Adult teeth can't grow back once they are lost, but you can still enjoy a beautiful full mouth with the implants.
Get a permanent snoring solution:
The dentists have found out effective ways of dealing with sleep apnea which leads to snoring. Custom-made oral appliances will easily get rid of your snoring issues.
Enjoy regular checkups and cleaning:
Apart from going through procedures and treatments, the dentists offer routine teeth cleaning and checkups for the entire family. You will enjoy preventative care to keep dental problems at bay. It is a service that saves you money and time too since you can easily keep future emergencies.
Improve your smile using porcelain veneers:
The porcelain veneers are most suitable for individuals with chipped teeth, crooked teeth, discolored teeth and broken teeth. They will get you natural looking beautiful teeth.
Rejuvenate old dentals with porcelain crowns:
Old dental fillings can be unsightly and can lead to teeth breaking and fracturing. The porcelain crowns are designed to offer cover and protection to the tooth that is already weakened or damaged.
Smile brightly with teeth whitening:
A bright smile is without a doubt everyone's dream and it is now possible to enjoy this. The professionals offer different options for teeth whitening including laser whitening. You can now smile without hiding your discolored teeth.
Straighten teeth with Invisalign braces:
The Invisalign procedure offers a seamless way of aligning crooked teeth easily eliminating the traditional metal braces. You will have your teeth straightened comfortably and easily.
Permanently fix teeth with dental implants:
A professional dentist can also permanently fix using dental implants. They are most suitable for replacing missing teeth or those that are impossible to save. Adult teeth can't grow back once they are lost, but you can still enjoy a beautiful full mouth with the implants.
Get a permanent snoring solution:
The dentists have found out effective ways of dealing with sleep apnea which leads to snoring. Custom-made oral appliances will easily get rid of your snoring issues.
Enjoy regular checkups and cleaning:
Apart from going through procedures and treatments, the dentists offer routine teeth cleaning and checkups for the entire family. You will enjoy preventative care to keep dental problems at bay. It is a service that saves you money and time too since you can easily keep future emergencies.
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