Discover How to Prevents Tooth Decay (Dental Caries) in Children
In contrast, the back teeth have been developed with the aim of different functions. The tip of these teeth resemble miniature hills, valleys and ravines are very efficient in the "grind" of food.
Valley and ravine is what creates a challenge to dental health care. They are very potential to be damaged because they are a trap food scraps, feathers somewhat difficult to reach by a toothbrush, and a layer of protective enamel in this section is usually much thinner. Nearly 60% cavities in children occur in the teeth behind them.
To prevent bacteria and food residue, a special cover (sealant) can be given to protect the surface of the back teeth used for chewing, so it will reducing the risk of damage. Giving sealant is a simple procedure and takes a short time and does not require local anesthesia.
A sealant can last up to 10 years, but require periodic inspections to ensure that the cover is not torn or damaged due to usage.
Children should be given sealants on their molar teeth once appeared-before the hole was formed. The first permanent molars usually appear between in the ages of 5-7 years, while the second permanent molars appear between the ages of 11 and 14 years. Others such as milk molar teeth, permanent teeth other than molars, and a few front teeth may be given a sealant, depending on how the "gap" or "valley" on her teeth. A simple check by your dentist can show which ones need dental sealants.
Preventing tooth decay at an early stage will save your expenses because you have to avoid having to dental filling of each tooth that is damaged. When associated with dental sealants, a little prevention is tantamount to a large number of treatments.
Tips How to Keep Shining Your Smiles
It is very easy. Everyone knows usefulness caring your oral health: you will get stronger teeth, healthier gum (gingiva) and the dentist bill is lower. It means, if you care for your oral health then you need not more visit to the dentist.
In addition, the evidence also shows that oral disease can cause other general health problems, like headaches. "The combination of a healthy diet and proper dental care can help maintain the brilliance of a smile," said Miles Hall, National Director of Dental Health in Dental Health CIGNA. Hall suggests the following tips:
- Limit sugar and starch. Sugar produce acids that attach to the plaque, a sticky coating that forms on your teeth, destroy tooth enamel and cause damage. To neutralize this acid, try eating a little cheese, Cheddar, Monterey Jack or Swiss, which will stimulate saliva production.
- Prepare your self, you must eat fresh fruits, vegetables and grain products (whole-grain).
- Avoid sweet and mint candy that must you consume long in the mouth.
- Make sure you drink water in significant amounts to break down and avoid acid attacks.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush your teeth for 3 minutes at least twice a day and always before bed because while you sleep, your mouth produces less saliva is only useful to destroy bacteria.
- Use a fluffy tooth brush and replace every three to four months - more quickly when the brush has begun to damage.
- Clean your teeth every day. Toothbrush can not clean between the teeth, so after the last piece of the pie, use floss or toothpicks special.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Schedule a visit twice a year to your dentist will reduce levels of damage caused by the accumulation of tartar.
- Identification of minor problems at an early stage will prevent the hole or gum disease.
- Protect your teeth. Do not chew ice cubes or popcorn seeds. Do not use your teeth as tools.
- Avoid tobacco - it can cause gum disease.
Clean Your Teeth From Staining
Tartar or in medical specialty is called plaque and calculus derived in from calcium in saliva. Plaque itself comprises of layers of nodes in the tooth (pellicle) and microbes. Within your mouth that there are 350 types of microbes that make cavity. If there are a lot of foods on teeth that are not cleaned, the bacteria will support the food that finally led to calculus. Hard substantion embedded in the tooth and could only be picked with scaler. So, you cannot do it by yourself, you must get in to the dentist.
Many preventive way that can be done to reduce calculus forming. Brushing your teeth regularly using a toothpaste that containing an abrasive material. So that the tooth staining due to food, drinks or cigarettes can be reduced effectively.
Consume Chocolate Makes Your Teeth More Healthy
Japanese scientists get found chocolate which is not lower bad than a lot other sugared foods, as antibacterial factors in cocoa beans offset high levels of sugar. Subsequently three months, this subject found out that the ranks with a high sugar dieting had 14 holes on the average, equated with just 6 tooth decay* for those who experienced skin cocoa beans in their diet. The investigators now program to examine their findings in persons. Talking to New Scientist magazine, Takashi Ooshima, from Osaka University, state their determinations may direct to new handlings for dental caries. "It is potential to use mouthwash CBH extracts, or supplements for a toothpaste products."
Can even be put back into chocolate to make improve for the teeth, he said "They surely have an outcome but better oral hygiene, besides consuming lots of chocolate, is the method to effective healthy teeth." British Dental Association spokesman said: "If it is real that chocolate doesn't assist keep down dental caries and cavities that can only be a good thing, simply you must remember that chocolate carries sugar. "Our advice stays the equal: if the person would like to eat on sugar candy and drinks in they should bound it, and visit the dental practitioner on a regular basis."
Keep Your Gums Healthy
The primary causal agent of gum disease is dental plaque. Plaque can be swamped by daily brushing and cleaning (flossing) regularly. If not, the plaque will indurate on the teeth, into a content called calculus. Toxins acquired by bacteria in dental plaque will interfere with the gums and killings the layers that protect it. Gums will withdraw from the teeth, making pockets controlling plaque. If not treated quickly, the bone supporting of dentition will be damaged and you may get tooth loss.
Because gum disease is painless, it often is not felt by those who experience it. That's why it is important to check teeth on a regular basis. If known at the early stages, gum disease could be easily handled. This detection covers dental check periodically to make sure the color and strength of the gums, how each teeth stand and may be taking x-rays to evaluate the bone supporting the teeth. These preventive measures should be part of every complete dental examination. Eat nutritious foods and not smoking is also a good preventive tactics. Make sure you have healthy teeth in the future. Treat them well, now.
Teeth Brushing Guide For You
There are many sizes and shapes of toothbrushes available in the market. Toothbrush that you can hold comfortably and shaped in such a way so as to reach all parts of your mouth, can be used for brushing teeth. Toothbrush that has soft brush is the most effective.It can facilitate brush on space to reach between teeth where plaque and food scraps collected. If you choose best toothbrush, then it is wolud not hurts your teeth and gums. With the availability of many choices of toothbrush shape and size, specially for children, they will be helped to get used to caring their teeth properly for the benefit of their lifetime. Usually, a toothbrush should be replaced approximately three to four months.
Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day using toothpaste that containing fluoride. Brush gently with short movements and enough pressure so that you can feel the pressure of feathers on the gums. Pick toothbrush that have tip that could cleans your teeth, so do not be pressed too strong. Remember to change positions slowly past brushes with the movement of each tooth surface.
So, here as the detail about guide to brush your teeth :
- Hold the brush so that the bristles in contact with the tooth surface right adjacent to the gums.
- Move the brush gently from front to rear. Use short movements.
- Rub gently all over the surface of the tooth above and below the outside.
- By using short movement forward and back, brush the inside surface of the tooth.
- Brush the surface of the teeth used for chewing, especially the parts that might keep leftovers.
- Use the tip of a toothbrush to clean the front teeth with a movement upward and downward.
- Finally, brush your tongue to make the mouth feel clean and fresh breath.
Long-Term Use of Mouthwash Related to Mouth Cancer
Using mouthwash without clear rules according to some studies can lead to increased risk for oral cancer or mouth cancer. Therefore, use of mouthwash should follow the rules and regulations recommended by your doctor or dentist.
Some indication of use of mouthwash that has been known to is to prevent infections or disorders in the oral cavity like inflammation, but it was found that in addition to the beneficial use of this turned out it also has negative effect of the occurrence of carcinoma oral cavity.
Some research supports the claim that mouthwash is used in the long term may increase the risk of oral cancer. This can happen if you use a lot of mouthwash that contains material from alcohol. You can have up to nine times the risk if you use it in the long term. Therefore, if you want to use mouthwash, you should use not in long term even though we had known the health benefits of mouthwash like prevent formation of dental plaque and gum inflammation.
Therefore, the health practitioners (doctor, dentist) suggest recommendations for using mouthwash as an additional function or as a complement to perform perfect oral health care. Not too often to be used. The main action oral and dental health care major, such as brushing teeth and using dental floss should be a priority. You can only count mouthwash as a complement for excellent teeth and mouth health.
Pain Sensation in Mouth Sores
Have you ever felt pain sensation in your mouth, if yes maybe you suffering mouth sores, wound that can appear on outside or inside of mouth. It feels very pain, and sometimes its filled with fluid, in terms of dentistry oral lesions with the presence of fluid called a vesicle, it can also namely as a bulla. Differences names are present on how large the size. If the size of the so-called bull and if small is called vesicles.
So what was the cause? Typically this oral lesions are associated with the normal flow of saliva which helps protect the mouth tissue, if there are sores in mouth it means there has been interference with the normal flow of saliva. Where is known that one of the salivary function is to regularly wet the soft tissues of the oral cavity including the lips and other soft tissues.
Mouth sores are also commonly referred to fever blisters. If you hear the term fever,then you will be connecting with cold, meaning fever blisters caused by fever or cold. If you take a conclusion like that then you are wrong. Although indeed fevers or cold can trigger fever blisters, but it is not a cause, indirectly.
Fever blisters have relationships with several types of viruses that are transmitted through kissing, shared utensils, or another contacts. Usually more people use OTC creams to relieve pain caused by fever blisters, and is believed to accelerate healing process.
If you find a mouth sores problem and after you try to treat it does not recover, then you should consult with a health practitioner such as a dentist. They will help you overcome the problem, because it was more likely lead to oral cancer.
Eating Tips For New Dentures
Having dentures may be yearning for those of you who no longer have teeth. It is quite reasonable if all your teeth have been exhausted and you are not likely to chew food. How is it possible to chew if only the soft tissue of the remaining alveolar bone (ordinary lay people still call it the gum). Just imagine chewing food with gums meet the gums, it is impossible.
Currently, there are so many types of dentures used . Kind vary depending on treatment indication. You'll often see the variety of dentures. Just try to see and observe what kind you have. A variety of denture is certainly need a good way to use.
Maybe one of your colleagues, friends, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother wear dentures. If there was, perhaps they were confused after wearing the new dentures, they have to eat what and how it would be. For those of you who wear dentures or have a colleague who uses dentures there are easy tips that can be done for those who just use dentures, among which :
Eat soft foods
Why is eating soft foods that are important, yes because you have new dentures and you would need adaptation or adjustment period. Avoid eating foods that are hard, because it can make your gums feel uncomfortable.
Cut food into small pieces
Cutting food into small parts handy for your chewing process and can facilitate to swallowing process.
Bite slowly
Rush in to eat food not a good thing because it can make your jaw become stiff and tense, and maybe your dentures can be skewed.
Avoid hot foods, hard foods, or sharp
It is intended that you must pass enough time to adapt with your new dentures. Food is hot, hard and sharp just make you feel uncomfortable and can make you no longer want to wear dentures.
Dentist Keep Your Teeth Health
Tooth is a tool which we need to chew food. Without having teeth we can not eat properly. Suppose you are toothless and you have to chew a lot of food, of course it is extremely hard for you to chew it. So if you’d like to keep your teeth healthy you should brush them up regularly at least twice a day. The times for brushing the teeth are after breakfast and before going to bed.
It is good enough to maintain your teeth. The doctor recommend you to have your teeth checked every 6 six months. It means that you suppose to have your teeth checked twice a year.Let’s suppose that your teeth are destroyer machine. The machine needs maintaining and fixing so does the teeth. You know if you don’t maintain your machine it will be rusty and later broken. The doctor who checks your teeth is called a dentist. A dentist is someone who gives us a hand in checking the teeth. Most people are afraid of the dentist because they always think that the dentist will screw their teeth and also their mouth with his little machine which puts into a hole of a mouth. The main role of a dentist are preventing and treating the health of mouth and teeth.
There are some dental problems occur, such as; bad breath, gum disease, and cavities. To keep them away from your teeth all you have to do is to go to see the dentist regularly, at least twice a year. For further information about your mouth and teeth treatment you can write down on your own note book so that you can get a lot of important information about them. Later with this note book you can remind your self if you forget what the dentist says and then you are able to inform to your friends, family and everyone who needs this information.
Pay Attention to Your Oral Health
One of the important things that people should concern is about the oral health. Oral is including all part in the mouth, such as teeth and tongue. Oral health becomes the essential and the most important component.
Teeth Health Tips for Kids
Caring for teeth requires your children brush their teeth twice a day, no matter if they eat chocolate candy or just other types of foods during the day. A Candy cane is not a tool to clean their teeth, as many kids believe playing with it in their mouth. Anyone who eats foods high in sugar is required to brush daily.Sweet candy plays a part in tooth decay. The best way to keep smiling is using fluoride toothpastes. Help children develop a teeth brushing routine, limiting candy bars and hard candy intake during the day, and never after brushing their teeth at bedtime to avoid microorganisms working on their mouth by night.
The American Dental Association has animations and games online aimed to teach children how to brush and other fundamentals of oral health care. They teach kids to be aware of the damage that chocolate candy, candy cane, candy bar, hard candy and other sweet candy may cause in the long run if cleaning regularly is practiced. The best way to encourage kids' dental hygiene is by providing them with flavored fluoride toothpaste to make brushing a more enjoyable experience. In fact, many dentists recommend changing the taste and appearance of toothpaste on a regular basis for better results.
Research has found children who like to brush twice each day, do it for longer periods of time when the toothpaste is flavored because they associate the taste with sweet candy. Appropriate brushing prevents gum disease, cavities and other dental health issues caused by the consumption of a candy bar or chewable hard candy. Kid’s age 6 or less should brush using no more than a pea-sized dab of toothpaste to remove plaque. This simple action is enough to provide the necessary fluoride protection against chocolate candy, candy cane and regular food that is stuck to teeth during the day.
Healthy eating habits contribute to healthy teeth, because the snacks that kids eat are basically made of sweet candy, the more they eat the more risk of leading to formation of cavities. Limit your children's snacks is not a good idea because they need food for energy, but substituting candies for nutritious foods such as vegetables sticks are best.
Sweet candy plays a part in tooth decay. The best way to keep smiling is using fluoride toothpastes. Help children develop a teeth brushing routine, limiting candy bars and hard candy intake during the day, and never after brushing their teeth at bedtime to avoid microorganisms working on their mouth by night.
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Sugar - Teeth Health and Eating Habits
When it comes to choosing the food for your kids, consider sweet candy as part of their diet and teach them to keep healthy teeth by not eating excessive amount of candy. Sweet candy plays a part in tooth decay. It is recommended to limiting candy bars and hard candy intake during the day, and never after brushing their teeth at bedtime to avoid microorganisms working on their mouth by night. Effective teeth caring requires children brush their teeth twice a day - one in the morning and one before the bed.
Consuming sweets with sugar free substitute is also good for the teeth. Xylitol is a sugar free substance that can be found in almost anything, from berries to corn and mushrooms. Due to its natural consistency, it also is used to prevent dental problems, heal cavities, and reduce plaque. Xylitol stops the acid attack that occurs inside your mouth. Xylitol also protects the enamel of the teeth. If kids were to take Xylitol instead of actual sugar, their teeth would be much healthier. Xylitol gum is a natural remedy product for preventing cavities and healing other teeth diseases. It tastes good and won‘t cost you’re a arm and leg either. Many people have tried out Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Tooth and Gum Powder.
The American Dental Association has been very actively involved in educating both parents and children for healthy eating habits. Its official website hosts animations and games aimed to teach children how to brush teeth and other fundamentals of oral health care. The damage from eating chocolate candy, candy cane, hard candy and other sweet is significant in the long run if teeth brushing routine and cleaning is not practiced regularly. Many dentists recommend changing the taste and appearance of toothpaste on a regular basis to encourage kids to brush teeth often and longer. With flavored toothpaste, children like to brush twice every day and do it for longer periods of time because of association of the taste with sweet candy. Appropriate brushing prevents gum disease, cavities and other dental health issues caused by the consumption of a candy bar or chewable hard candy. Healthy eating habits contribute to healthy teeth, because the snacks that kids eat are basically made of sweet candy. The more they eat the more risk of leading to formation of cavities.
Parents are very concerned about the cavities resulting from eating candies. Medical researches have shown that teeth health begins with proper eating habits and not necessarily with the avoidance of sweets. The clue is getting the balance right. Xylitol [http://www.worldhealthdepot.com] is a sugar free substance that can be found in almost anything, from berries to corn and mushrooms. Due to its natural consistency, it also is used to prevent dental problems, heal cavities, and reduce plaque.
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Toothache - A Small Problem With a Big Effect
What exactly is a toothache? It would seem a simple question. It's a tooth that hurts. And certainly that's correct. However that doesn't accurately describe the intensity of the pain that a sufferer can feel and it doesn't describe exactly how much a simple pain in the tooth can impact on just about every aspect of your life.Some of the simplest things like a meal or settling down to sleep at night can be severely disrupted.
And it can describe different things. For example there is tooth "sensitivity" that feels pretty much like pain in the teeth. Sensitivity can be caused by a number of factors like excessive wear on the teeth from grinding the teeth at night. Or by recession of the gum that exposes more of the outer layer of the tooth to the effects of hot and cold food particularly.
Or toothache can be caused by factors like a cracked tooth, or sinus problems, or flu, or gingivitis. Gingivitis is a condition where the gum starts to recede around the edges of the teeth as a result of excess build up of tartar, often from inadequate brushing.Poor gum health is a major cause of a wide range of dental problems, including pain. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in the population in the US.And it's not just dental conditions that can cause that debilitating pain. Medical conditions can also do that, and that includes some you may never have thought of. Did you know, for example, that angina can cause toothache? Or even a heart attach can manifest itself as pain in the jaw?
If you're a sufferer you ought be aware that some serious medical and dental conditions can cause jaw and tooth pain, and these ought to be diagnosed and treated speedily by a dental or medical professional.However it is still possible to reduce the pain, or even eliminate it, if you're in need of doing so, by use of some simple home remedies. This may not be a permanent solution in many cases but may well provide some much needed relief while you're waiting for the condition to be diagnosed.
You'd be surprised at how simple, fast and inexpensive some of the simple home remedies for toothache can be.So remember, if you have a problem with aching teeth you ought to find out why by consulting a professional. However remember as well that there are some very simple, inexpensive and effective remedies that will provide you with fast relief.
If you need to perform at your optimum you may just need these simple home remedies for toothache.Peter has offers a book which you can get at his website http://thejourneypastpain.com full of tips and tricks and Home Remedies for Toothache
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Toothache? Try Our Home Remedies
The primary cause of toothache is a cavity. Dental cavities form when plaque sticks to the tooth. Plaque comes from the food we eat and contains a lot of bacteria. Plaque and acids eat through the tooth enamel causing a cavity to form. The pain usually magnifies whenever you eat hot or cold food. Other causes of toothache include tooth abscess, cracked tooth, irritated tooth root, and a condition called temporomandibular joint, which affects the jaw.
Toothache home remedies are fast and very useful especially when you don't have the time to go to the dentist yet. Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to alleviate pain from a toothache is to wrap ice in a towel and to hold it near your jaw. This method usually works well especially if the pain is manageable.
Alternatively, 2-3 drops of clove oil mixed with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil can do the trick. This home remedy can be applied by soaking a cotton ball and placing it on the affected area. A pinch of pepper powder and common salt mixed together is also a natural way of getting some temporary relief. It can soothe inflamed areas and prevent dental cavities and bad breath if used regularly.
Believe it or not, garlic and onion also help alleviate toothaches. A clove of garlic with a pinch of salt applied to your aching tooth helps the pain go away. An onion a day also helps keep the dentist away. These two are notorious for causing bad breath but they can help prevent cavities. Chewing a clove of garlic or a raw onion everyday is recommended. It can also strengthen teeth and improve overall dental health. Both garlic and onion have very good bacteria fighting properties which make them very effective toothache home remedies.
If pain comes and goes or feels like spurts then you probably have a cavity and the pain is caused by air entering your mouth. A very good home remedy would be to stuff your ears with cotton to prevent air from entering or by gargling with warm water and some salt. This is very effective and it will help lessen pain immediately.
Bay berry bark mixed with some vinegar can also help soothe toothaches. So will chewing on some guava leaves with some vanilla added to improve the taste. Rinsing your mouth with whiskey works well too because the acid from the liquid acts as a disinfectant which kills bacteria in the mouth helping you get rid of the pain faster.
A hydrogen peroxide mix will not only help whiten teeth but also helps with toothaches as the bubbles from the solution will help kill bacteria Mouth ulcers or sores can be cured by eating yogurt. The good bacteria in the yogurt will the bad bacteria in your mouth and relieve pain.
Diet also plays a huge part in treating and in the prevention of toothache. When a tooth aches, eating hot or cold food merely aggravates the pain. And so will eating food that requires a lot of chewing such as beef and other meat. Eat soft foods to decrease the chances of food particles getting stuck in between teeth.
Prevention is always better than cure or home remedies for toothaches. So make sure that you get a lot of Vitamin C and D. Lessen sugar intake as well as snacks in between meals. Eat a lot of vegetables and whole foods and make sure brush your teeth at least 3 times a day. A twice yearly visit to the dentist is also recommended.
Why spend another day in pain? Fast and Easy toothache home remedies are just a mouse click away! Visit here now to know how.
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Choosing the Best Toothpaste
Most dental decay is caused by plaque, a sticky, colorless bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth. Saliva, food (especially sugar) and fluids combine to produce plaque, which collects on teeth and where teeth and gums meet. Plaque that is not removed by regular brushing and flossing can harden into tartar, a crusty deposit that can only be removed by a dentist. Plaque also leads to gum disease, a potentially serious infection that can erode bone and destroy the tissues surrounding teeth. Flossing removes plaque between teeth, and brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and, if done correctly, from just under the gums.
With brushing being such an important factor in your oral health, you can see why your choice of a toothpaste is important, but with so many brands and types - plaque control, tartar control, whitening, gum care, sensitive teeth, polish, smoker's - from which to choose, picking the right toothpaste can be a daunting task. Your dentist or dental hygienist can help narrow the field by discussing what your special brushing needs are.
If you tend to build up plaque or tartar quickly, you'll want a plaque or tartar-control toothpaste. Anti-plaque/tartar toothpastes will have ingredients such as fluoride and/or antibacterial agents to limit plaque and tartar formation. (Check with your dentist before choosing fluoride toothpaste for your young children. Excessive fluoride ingestion by pre-school age children can lead to discoloration of the permanent teeth. If your child uses fluoride toothpaste, make sure s/he does not swallow toothpaste while brushing.)
If you smoke or drink tea or coffee, a whitening toothpaste may help with stains. However, whitening toothpastes only remove adherent stain. The ingredients necessary to actually bleach your teeth are not chemically stable enough to be included in toothpaste. Use caution with those toothpastes made to remove heavy stains, frequently referred to as "smoker's toothpaste" or "tooth polish". These toothpastes may be excessively abrasive and may cause progressive wearing away of the tooth and supporting tissues. (Also, if you smoke, be sure to see your dentist regularly, as smokers are at increased risk of gum disease, early tooth loss and also soft tissue conditions including oral cancer.)
Temperature sensitive teeth will benefit from a toothpaste made to desensitize your teeth. Your needs may change as you age, so don't be surprised if your hygienist recommends a type of toothpaste you haven't used before.
Once you've determined which type of toothpaste is best, choose the one that tastes and feels best and doesn't cause irritation or sensitivity problems. If you like the flavor and texture of your toothpaste, you'll brush more and longer. And brushing well and regularly means you'll be smiling with your natural teeth well into your mature years.© Copyright 2007 Avis Ward of AWard Consulting, LLC
Avis E. Ward is a visonary called to unite the personal, spiritual and political through Love. She is an Ambassador of Love and Certified Seminar Leader. Avis is also a Dental Marketing Consultant specializing in Orthodontics. Avis invites you to view her blog. http://aviswardconsulting.com/ or Avis Ward
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What You Should Know About Oral Health
(1) The primary reason for brushing is to remove food debris. (daily brushing and flossing also minimize the formation of plaque which over time can irritate the gums)
(2) Bleeding gums are normal. (they should serve as a warning sign of gum disease)
(3) Oral health doesn't affect overall health. (when the gums are infected, bacterial byproducts can enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs triggering other problems such as heart disease)
(4) Bad breath is caused by a lack of oral hygiene. (some people forget to brush their tongue where much of the bad breath bacteria reside)
(5) Cavities are the number one cause of tooth loss. (it's actually cavities and gum disease combined)
(6) Pregnant women should skip professional dental checkups. (the woman's periodontal health can affect the unborn baby's health)
(7) Stress does not cause problems in the mouth. (high levels of personal stress and poor coping skills have been shown to increase the chances of developing gum disease)
According to WebMD and the Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry, there are nine steps you can take to ensure good oral health. As you will see, there is more to oral health than just brushing and flossing. Here are the steps to consider:
1. Understand your own oral health needs. (cancer treatments, pregnancy, heart diseases, diabetes, and dentures/braces can all affect your oral health; let your dentist know these conditions if any)
2. Develop, then follow, a daily oral health routine. (depending on what your dentist discusses with you, develop and follow a daily oral health routine that works for you)
3. Use fluoride. (important because it strengthens developing teeth in children and prevents tooth decay in both children and adults)
4. Brush and floss daily. (while you need to brush in the morning and before bedtime, you also need to floss once a day in order to remove plaque)
5. Eat a balanced diet and limit snacking. (it is especially important to limit your intake of sugars and starches which can cause acids in the mouth leading to the development of tooth decay; brushing teeth or chewing sugarless gum afterwards can help prevent tooth decay)
6. If you use tobacco products, quit. (increases your risk for oral cancer as well as other general health concerns)
7. Examine your mouth regularly. (if you notice anything unusual in your mouth such as spots, cuts, or swellings on the gums/tongue/inside cheeks as well as tooth chipping/cracking/discoloration then see your dentist immediately)
8. Visit your dentist regularly. (the standard recommendation is twice a year for checkups and cleanings)
9. Develop a partnership with your dentist. (maintain open communication with your dentist and remember that you are responsible for your own oral health)
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Effects of Tobacco on Oral Health
Tobacco use is also linked to other types of oral health problems, ranging from serious (increased risk of periodontal disease) to social (bad breath) including:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease
- Increased severity of periodontal disease
- Gum recession
- Sticky tar deposits on teeth
- Brown staining on teeth
- "Smoker's palate" (a red inflammation on the roof of the mouth)
- Delayed wound healing
- Tooth decay (possibly a secondary effect due to large amounts of sugar in smokeless products or less frequent dental check-ups)
- Tooth abrasion (possibly due to the sand and grit in processed tobacco; also seen in pipe smokers, from clenching the pipe between teeth)
- Diminished blood flow to oral area
- Candidasis
- Sinusitis
- Altered taste
- Black hairy tongue oral lesions
- Precancerous changes in soft tissue
Tobacco use is also related to many other problems, including cancers of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas and bladder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, gastric ulcers, low birth weight babies and spontaneous abortions. All tobacco products, cigarettes, smokeless/spit tobacco, cigars, and pipes, are associated with oral cancer.
Logic alone indicates that tobacco use has effects on teeth, gums, tissues and bones. Cigarettes and other types of tobacco products contain many irritants, toxins, and carcinogens. Pipe and cigar tobacco contain sulfur. More than one-fifth of the content of some brands of smokeless tobacco is sugar. Smokeless tobacco also contains over 2,000 chemicals, many of which have been directly related to causing cancer.
The most significant preventive measure used to prevent the health problems caused by tobacco use is to stop using tobacco products. The risk of developing oral cancer drops rapidly when a smoker ceases tobacco use. After ten years of not using tobacco, an ex-smoker/user's risk of oral cancers is about the same as that for someone who has never smoked.
To stop smoking, or using tobacco products, is much more easily said than done. The nicotine found in substantial amounts in tobacco products is widely considered to be a powerfully addicting drug. But it's important to remember that, while it will be difficult, ceasing to use tobacco has immediate health benefits, including increased life expectancy and reduced risk of tobacco related diseases and conditions.© 2007 Avis Ward of AWard Consulting, LLC
Avis Ward is a Dental Marketing Consulting specializing in Orthodontics. More information about Avis can be found here: http://aviswardconsulting.com/ or Avis Ward Avis invites you to view her blog.
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5 Important Tips For Great Dental Health
The following are five important tips for great dental health that will keep your smile healthy and bright:
1. Brush regularly. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease. Experts recommend you brush teeth at least twice daily with an American Dental Association-approved toothpaste. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. Proper brushing technique is to brush for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom) in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line.
2. Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes the plaque and food particles in between the teeth that brushing can’t reach. Not flossing can lead to cavities in between the teeth as well as gum disease, so daily flossing between all the teeth is very important for dental health. Experts recommend you floss before you brush your teeth.
3. Get regular check-ups. Most adults and children don’t visit the dentist nearly enough. Whether it’s because they don’t feel like they need it or because they’re scared, many people don’t get check-ups at least once a year, which is what is recommended. Annual check-ups should include a cleaning, which removes tartar and plaque build-up from the teeth, preventing decay and gum disease. Your check-up should also include an x-ray, which will look for any existing cavities that will need to be filled. Regular check-ups are the best way to prevent more serious, costly procedures by taking care of them before they escalate.
4. Limit sugar and certain drinks. Sugar is one of the main perpetrators behind tooth decay, so limiting sugary snacks and drinks like soda, juice, and candies is a good way to promote great dental health. In addition, these sugary beverages, along with alcohol, have high levels of phosphorus, which drain the body’s level of calcium, leading to weaker teeth. Drinks like coffee and red wine should be consumed in moderation as well, as they can stain the teeth. Beverages like water and milk, which is high in calcium, are optimal for proper dental health.
5. Increase your vitamins. Calcium and Vitamins C and D are particularly important for dental health. Bone density starts to decrease as you get older, so increased calcium can help retain bone density. Vitamins C and D help in the absorption of minerals that aid in the health of the mouth, teeth, and gums. Get plenty of calcium through leafy green vegetables and milk, and take a supplement if you don’t get the minimum requirements of Vitamin C and D.
Dr. Benjamin Kim, DDS, is a leader in Avon cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Kim is highly experienced in Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants and Sedation Dentistry. To get more information on how Dr. Kim can give you a brilliant smile visit the West Cleveland Smile Center or call (216) 251-8826.
Source: EzineArticles