Best Preventative Dental Tips

preventative_dental_careMost dentists agree, the best way to maintain good oral health is preventative care. Maintaining a program of preventative oral care will ensure that teeth and gums stay healthy for a lifetime. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize what they need to be doing to protect their teeth. Below are some common sense oral health best practices that everyone should adopt.

Daily Brushing And Flossing

Brushing twice a day is the best preventative measure anyone can adopt. The teeth should be brushed for a minimum of 2-3 minutes. The best toothbrush to use is a soft-bristle toothbrush with a small head and a long handle.

Flossing is important because it removes plaque in areas that can’t be reached with a toothbrush. Teeth should be flossed gently with an ADA approved floss.

Prevent Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a serious condition that can significantly reduce the mouths natural ability to fight off bacteria. That’s because human saliva contains compounds that slow the growth of bacteria. If that saliva isn’t present, then bacteria is allowed to run free.

If a person has a problem with dry mouth, they should consider using a rinse specifically designed for this problem or chew gum that contains the sugar-less sweetener xylitol. Both of these increase the amount of saliva the person’s mouth produces.

Tongue Scraping

Few people pay attention to their tongue when taking care of their oral health, but it is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. The tongue can have thousands of bacteria on it that aren’t removed by brushing. To remove them, all a person has to do is buy a tongue scraper and use it on a daily basis.

Use An Antiseptic Mouth Rinse

Using an antiseptic mouth wash on a daily basis can slow or eliminate many forms of mouth bacteria. However, caution should be exercised when using them because many of them contain alcohol and that can cause the mouth to dry out. Fortunately, there are many great mouth washes on the market that don’t contain alcohol at all.

Visit Your Dentist

Getting preventive dental care El Paso is as simple as visiting the dentist. Dentists are the first line of defense against the progression of gingivitis and other oral health problems. Dentist not only clean the teeth, but they also check for potential problems that may just be developing.

Following the above guidelines will allow anyone to enjoy healthy teeth and gums for their entire life. These are steps that are not only easy to perform but also only take a few minutes of time. Not a high price to pay for good overall oral health.

Replacing A Broken Tooth

tooth_repairNobody wants to be happily smacking along on a nice big slice of pecan pie, or crunching on some peanut brittle, and realize that they are really munching on a piece of their own precious tooth that just broke off. Sadly, it’s going to happen to many people sooner or later, and when it does, it helps to know your options.

Getting a tooth restoration.

By far the easiest method to handle a broken tooth is to have the dentist rebuild it with filling material. Gone is the days of only silver fillings. Now you can have a perfectly white filling that will make your broken tooth almost unnoticeable. If the tooth is broke too short, or it is a front tooth, then you may have to consider another option, as the rate of repairing your tooth with a filling may not be that good.

Getting a crown for your tooth.

This would be a great second option for folks who can’t getting a filling for their broken tooth. Crowns come in many different styles and materials, which will range in prices dependent on what you choose. Most people go with a ceramic crown because of its’ remarkable similarity to real teeth. The dentist will match the hue of your teeth and send it to a lab with your tooth mold. They will then make the crown to be an identical match to the rest of your mouth. Be warned. A crown cannot be whitened, so if you have been considering getting a whitening done, then now would be a good time to do it, as getting it done later will result in your teeth being noticeably whiter than the crown. Many times, when people have crowns in their mouth that have been done by skilled dentists, people don’t even realize that they have a crown. This is a true testament to beauty from dentistry.

Can’t get a filling or crown? It’s time for an implant or partial

Sometimes there just isn’t enough of a tooth to save. In this instance, the dentist will either have to do an implant or a partial, with the latter being much less invasive. An implant is a process where the dentist will put a metal rod into the gum where the tooth should be. Next they will fit you a new ceramic tooth on the peg, and your good to go. A partial consists of a metal brace that is installed in the mouth, and kept in place with friction against your gums and existing teeth. The brace will have a ceramic tooth installed on it, so that it appears to be your own. Both are highly preferable over not having your tooth.

What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?

cosmetic dentist 4There are any number of things that can go wrong with someone’s teeth. They can grow weak, develop cavities, grow in crooked, discolor, and develop a huge variety of other problems. While a general dentist can take care of many issues from cleaning to drilling, there are some issues that require special training. For issues that aren’t actually threatening the teeth or the person’s dental hygiene, but which are simply unpleasant looking, the client needs the services of a cosmetic dentist.

What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?

As the name suggests, this variety of dental professional focuses on procedures that affect the way teeth look, rather than how they function. Similar to a cosmetic surgeon, who performs procedures to alter the way someone looks even if there is nothing physically wrong with them, this kind of dentist specializes in making someone’s mouth look different. This requires a great deal of additional training over and above what the individual needs to be a dentist in the first place, and it also requires training in each of the unique cosmetic procedures that he or she will be performing on patients.

What Dental Procedures Qualify as Cosmetic?

Any dental procedure which has no effect on the actual strength or health of the teeth, but only changes the way they look, qualifies as a cosmetic dental procedure. Procedures like putting in teeth caps, whitening teeth, attaching veneers or crowns are all cosmetic procedures for which one should seek out a dentist with experience in providing a quality, cosmetic experience. There are other procedures, but these are some of the most common ones performed on a regular basis.

Why Would Someone Go To a Cosmetic Dentist?

The reasons someone would go to this kind of dentist are at least as varied as the number of procedures that these dentists can perform in the first place. Someone who is embarrassed that his or her teeth have been stained by a lifetime love of coffee, or a smoking habit, might want to try and get their teeth whitened so they can smile without feeling self conscious about it. People with an alternative lifestyle might want to get gold or silver crowns over their teeth, and some people might even want to have caps that are shaped like vampire fangs. People who might feel their teeth are ugly because of chips or cracks might want them shaved and a veneer put over them.

Whatever the reason, everyone wants a smile that they can be proud of. That is what these dentists specialize in, and it’s why so many different patients with so many different needs come to them. No matter the canvas, these dentists can make them beautiful.

5 Things An Oral Surgeon Can Do

oral_surgeonOral surgeons are like a specialized dentist. They are able to do things that dentists are not allowed to do like performing surgery and invasive procedures. When you visit an oral surgeon in San Antonio they will be able to perform many things that dentists cannot, including: cleft lip correction, implants, impacted tooth removal (like with wisdom teeth), treatment of infections and relief of sleep apnea.

When a person is born with a cleft lip or palette, their lip and nose area has not been completely formed and can cause many problems. An oral surgeon is able to correct this by performing several surgeries throughout the patient’s childhood and, sometimes, life. Although it does take more than one surgery to correct this problem, if handled by a good surgeons, it can look almost completely normal by the time adulthood is reached.

After a tooth is lost, the mouth is left with a space where their tooth was. This can be embarrassing to a person and can sometimes cause discomfort when eating or talking. If the mouth is strong enough and the bone able to withstand it, an oral surgeon can fit and place a dental implant that looks like an actual tooth.

Impacted teeth are teeth that are unable to cut through the gums and develop normally. They can be extremely uncomfortable and are often removed before they can even start creating problems. The most popular teeth to be removed this way are wisdom teeth. An oral surgeon will remove these in teens and young adults so they will not have problems with them later on in life.

An infection of the face can become a serious problem that causes health issues along with discomfort performing everyday activities. If your dentist sees one of these problems, he can refer you to an oral surgeon that can diagnose, treat and prevent it from happening again. It is important you see an oral surgeon if you are having any difficulty eating or talking because these could be signs of dangerous infections.

Sleep apnea is a disorder which can cause a person to stop breathing while sleeping. This problem can usually be corrected with medicine, therapy or breathing treatments. If the problem becomes severe, an oral surgeon is able to cut out parts of the mouth palette that will leave the patient’s airways completely open while sleeping.

A dentist will help you take care of your mouth for routine things and help treat them, but an oral surgeon is able to address more serious problems. They are highly trained, medical professionals who can treat or repair almost any oral disease or problem a patient has. Look today for oral surgeons in San Antonio.

The Advantages of Braces and Invisalign

braces and invisalignA person can receive many advantages of braces that will help their overall health. The main advantage is they will receive a smile with straight teeth, and they will correct their dental problems at the same time. Braces are used to align their teeth and to prevent decaying in teeth that are crooked or overlapping.

What Are Some Advantages of Braces?

The people who have their teeth aligned with braces tend to have better teeth health, and this helps their teeth from tearing and wearing in the long term. Teeth that are aligned also prevent gum disease, cavities, and many other health concerns.

If a person has a hard time brushing and flossing their teeth, then they should really consider getting braces. Braces can help people clean their teeth in a more effective manner since the teeth are going to be aligned. When a person’s teeth are so crooked, they can’t floss and brush properly and that makes them prone to disease and various infections.

The advantages of braces include a perfect smile, higher self-esteem, and higher overall health.
Braces also help people take care of their teeth in a more efficient manner and have a more healthy lifestyle.

What is Invisalign?

One of the most popular braces out there is Invisalign. These type of braces are made with aligners that are transparent and overtime they straighten out the teeth. Invisalign braces are really popular among people who want straight teeth without the traditional metal braces. In addition, the aligners are very comfortable to wear, and food can be consumed easily since they can be removed.

Invisalign also prevents many side effects that traditional braces get. Almost all other orthodontic treatments will cause the roots of teeth to shorten and tooth decay occurs up to 50 percent of patients since the traditional braces can’t be removed for cleaning or eating. Patients who use Invisalign receive a new aligner every two weeks, and the aligners give less force and pain that traditional braces.

Aligners should be removed to drink, eat, to clean the teeth, or to have them checked by a dentist. Patients who have Invisalign have no restrictions on the food that they can it since the aligners are removable. The use of computer planning is also used for patients with Invisalign. As with other orthodontic treatments that use computer planning, this allows the patient to review the project smile, compare different plants, learn how long the treatment will take, and make a better decision if they want Invisalign in the first place.

Receiving invisible braces in Baton Rouge or anywhere is an easy task and whoever receives them will be happy with the results.

Creating A Beautiful Smile

great_smileWhat’s the first thing people might notice about another person? Is it that certain clothing style, or beautiful hair, or the perfect shape?
To tell the truth, it’s often the smile. The teeth.

Teeth have a way of biting back, however. They are supposed to grow in even rows, but they frequently refuse. They need strong, white enamel, but they often give up and decay. Sometimes the gums around them give way. Teeth do, indeed, have a way of becoming troublesome.

What’s to be done with difficult teeth? Oral Surgery San Antonio performs surgical procedures for troublesome teeth. Sometimes, oral surgery is required before a person can obtain the beautiful smile and healthy mouth tissue that is optimal.
Here are some of the ways in which an oral surgeon might assist a person to gain a beautiful smile.

1. Extractions
Wisdom teeth are teeth that arrive after all the other permanent teeth are in place. They sometimes create pressure on the other teeth, causing them to crowd and decay. Oral surgery can remove them.

2. Treatment of dental infections
Teeth decay, and if unattended, a dental infection may result. An oral surgeon will extract the infected tooth and clear the mouth of infection.

3. Periodontal surgery
Infected gums cause loss of teeth. Oral surgery is sometimes needed to clear infection from gum tissue.

4. Pre-prosthetic surgery.
If teeth are badly decayed, pre-prosthetic surgery is done to fit dentures in place of the former teeth. Multiple extractions and bone modification may need to be done.

5. Implants
Implants are permanent replacements for lost or extracted teeth. An oral surgeon may be required to seat them or modify surrounding gum tissue to accommodate them.

Preparing for oral surgery involves X-rays of the mouth. These will be reviewed by the surgeon and a medical history will be recorded. The patient will be informed of the risks of oral surgery, including information about the type of anesthetic to be used. When well-administered anesthetic is utilized, oral surgery need not be stressful. If a person is anxious, conscious sedation with medications can be given to calm jumpy nerves.

After oral surgery is performed, a detailed instruction sheet is given to the patient about how to care for post-surgical trauma and what medications to take.

Oral surgery can be the prelude to a beautiful smile. For instance, when the crowding of wisdom teeth is relieved, teeth are easier to floss and clean. When infected gum tissue is cleared up, teeth become firm and healthy.
Dentures look very natural and beautiful today, and the pain and health problems of decayed teeth are gone.
Implants look and feel like beautiful, perfectly natural teeth.

Oral surgery may be the first step to what people will notice first about you, that wonderful smile!

How to Floss Your Teeth

woman-flossing-close-upWhile it is common for most people to brush their teeth at least once a day as part of their oral hygiene regimen, many people fail to realize that flossing their teeth is just as important as brushing. Flossing is the process of using a thin, floss silk thread to remove food particles and plaque from the spaces between one’s teeth. Flossing helps prevent plaque build-up, gum disease and tooth loss. When a person visits the General Dentists in St Louis for a routine dental checkup, they will typically receive a gift bag containing dental floss, along with toothpaste and a new toothbrush.

However, just because a patient receives free dental floss from a General Dentist in St Louis, it does not mean they will ask the dentist for a tutorial on how to use it! In the event, however, a patient suddenly becomes curious about how to use that “wax-covered string” in their complimentary gift bag, they won’t have to wait until their next checkup with the General Dentists in St Louis to learn how; instead, they can implement the following flossing technique as part of their daily oral care routine.

To begin, the patient will pull approximately 18 inches of dental floss from its dispenser, and wind each end of the floss around the middle finger of each hand. There should be two to three inches of clean floss for him to start with. The patient must pinch the two to three inch string between his index finger and thumb, gliding it back and forth between his teeth toward the gum line. Once at the gum line, the patient must curve the floss around the tooth and gently glide it back and forth slightly below the gum line.

Before proceeding to the next set of teeth, the patient must unwind two to three inches of floss from his middle fingers to release a clean piece of floss. Using clean floss in each space prevents bacteria, food particles, and plaque residue from being redeposited into the mouth. The patient will floss all upper and lower teeth working in a clockwise direction, taking care not to rip the floss as this could scratch his gums.

It is best for the patient to floss before brushing to ensure that plaque and food particles have been thoroughly removed from between his teeth and along the gum line. This will ensure that these particles are completely brushed away and rinsed out of the patient’s mouth. As the patient combines flossing with brushing on a daily basis, he can significantly reduce the incidence of periodontal disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

These tips were brought to you buy a general dentist St. Louis.

Great Ways To Get Whiter Teeth

whiter teethA bright, white smile is one of the first things that people notice about each other. When people don’t feel confident about their smiles, they tend to do it less often. An attractive smile portrays confidence and approachability, and can make a huge difference in a person’s social life and even their career.

There are a number of factors that can cause teeth to become discolored, and many of them can be prevented to an extent. Over time, even healthy teeth will become less bright. Exposure to certain foods and beverages can stain teeth, and eventually they will become permanently discolored. Coffee and tea are probably the two biggest and most common culprits, but pretty much anything consumed that is dark in color, such as cola, red wine or grape juice, will stain the teeth over time. Cigarette smoking is another frequent cause of yellowing teeth.

There are daily measures that can be taken to prevent the discoloration of the teeth. Good oral hygiene is the first line of defense. Brushing in the morning, before bed, and after meals may seem rather obvious, but it is one way to prevent staining. Cutting down on beverages that can stain teeth is another tip; sipping those drinks with a straw to minimize contact with the teeth can help as well.

There are a variety of tooth whitening kits and treatments that can be found in local drugstores. These home treatments can provide varying results. It is advisable to consult a dentist before using these due to the fact that some of the ingredients can be harsh and cause tooth pain. Brushing teeth with a whitening toothpaste or plain baking soda can help remove some of the stains and prevent new discoloration, but for severely stained teeth, or more dramatic results, professional tooth whitening is the best option. When searching for tooth whitening in Visalia, for example, there are many options available.

In-office bleaching can be done in one or more office visits and has several advantages over home bleaching kits. The bleach gel that is used by professionals is thicker and less likely to seep into the porous enamel of the teeth, reducing the likelihood of pain and sensitivity. Professional whitening often makes use of intense lights in conjunction with the bleaching gel to intensify its effects.

After the procedure, it may be recommended to use home whitening kits or other whitening methods in addition to excellent oral hygiene to keep the results lasting as long as possible. Professional tooth whitening is not a permanent solution. The staining and discoloration process begins again immediately after tooth whitening is finished, so consistent upkeep of the teeth is necessary to keep the smile its best.

Going To The Dentist Regularly

Dental visitThe condition of a person’s oral health may be an indicator of their overall well-being. With regular dental checkups, the seasoned experts at San Antonio Teeth Cleaning help protect against disorders associated with dental problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, for example.
Lack of oral health may also adversely affect a person’s sense of smell, ability to taste and swallow, along with their smile and other facial expressions. In addition, for pregnant women, diseased gums may cause below normal birth weight for the baby, or possible premature birth.
In ancient times, so the story goes, witch-doctors believed tooth worms caused toothaches. They believed a worm drilled its way into a tooth and pain came when the worm squirmed inside the tooth. For treatment, they would spread honey over the patient’s teeth and wait for the worm to come out of the tooth to eat the honey, and then grab it. Suppose they’re still waiting?
Over the centuries, though, a steady stream of medical knowledge allowed dental care to emerge from fiction to fact. Today, dentists are aware that plaque is the primary cause of cavities and gum disease.
Plaque is a sticky film made up of mucus and bacteria that adheres to teeth. If not removed, the bacterium infects the gums and penetrates the blood vessels. Once it gets into the bloodstream, it’s transported throughout the body. The only way to stop the flow of bacteria is to have the plaque removed from the person’s teeth.
The professionals at San Antonio Teeth Cleaning remove plaque from patient’s teeth, at every regularly scheduled check-up.
Dental care is important for tobacco users. Tobacco accelerates the onset of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss, along with other complications such as oral cancer, which spreads quickly.
Likewise, regular dental checkups help curtail tooth problems that occur with age. A common malady is that gums recede from the teeth, which exposes the roots of teeth to bacteria. Also, seniors tend to produce less saliva and are more susceptible to tooth decay, as saliva helps neutralize the bacterium that causes cavities.
The grounds for regular dental checkups at San Antonio Teeth Cleaning continue: Treatment for tooth decay and gum disease is more effective when discovered early. Along with gums, periodontal disease attacks the bones that support teeth, and early treatment is more productive. Cavities may be a sign of vitamin and mineral deficiency, and sensitive teeth can mean the erosion of enamel. The fluoride treatments dentists give helps prevent decay, which is preventive maintenance.
Dental appointments make some people nervous, so don’t drink coffee or eat sweets beforehand, as they may bring on anxiety.

Helping Your Kids Keep Their Teeth Clean

kids_brushingThere are several reasons for children’s dental care. One, it is important to keep one’s teeth healthy and clean from the start. Second, it keeps bad breath and odor down. Third, having a dentist for one’s children helps keep their children healthy. Dental problems that are left unchecked for a long period of time can make a person physically sick and in a lot pain. Using a dentist for one’s children on a regular basis can stop these problems before they get worse. A dentist can also give recommendations on any dental procedures such as braces, retainers, or extracting a tooth to create space that might be needed as a child grows.
Children’s dental health is an important part of being a good parent. Children can get the same dental diseases that adults can get. When children get sick from dental issues it makes them not want to brush their teeth even more. This is the wrong message for children to receive. It is vital to oral and physical health that a person keeps their teeth and mouth clean. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing for cavities is not enough for protection. Children need to visit a dentist on a regular basis to make sure that cleaning is working properly.
Parents do not want their children to have bad breath, cavity ridden teeth, or oral gum disease. Problems like these can occur when children do not clean their teeth properly, often enough, or do not see a dentist on a regular basis. Smelly breath or bad mouth odors from cavities and tooth decay can be really embarrassing for children and adults. Keeping kid’s teeth and mouths clean and healthy is a good way to prevent embarrassing episodes from happening in the first place.
Unclean teeth and improperly cleaned teeth can breed bacteria and cause oral mouth disease. These oral mouth diseases, when left untreated, can become physically harmful and even deadly. There are certain bacteria that when left untreated, can move into the blood stream through dental decay and reach other parts of the body. These bacteria can lead to heart problems, breathing issues, stomach ulcers, and blood infections. In a worse case scenario, improper dental care can lead to death.
Children’s dental care is an important part of keeping a child safe and healthy. Teaching them how to properly take care of teeth is as important as seeing a dentist on a regular basis. A dentist can find problems before they get bad and can offer suggestions to help kids clean their teeth better or easier. A regular cleaning by a dental hygienist is important as well. Each cleaning lets the dentist do a good check for cavities and oral health problems.