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If you’re trying to instill the value of regular tooth brushing in your children, consider making it a requirement before fun activities. For instance, no bedtime story if the teeth aren’t brushed.
Your saliva is your best line of defense against tooth decay and bad breath. To stimulate your salivary glands, it’s important to drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol.
Do you know when to replace your toothbrush? You should invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electrical toothbrush every three to four months. Do this sooner if the bristles become frayed.
Many years ago, people used a variety of ingredients like soap, chalk, ginseng, ashes, and even eggshells to make toothpaste. It was in the year 1914 when fluoride was added to the formula.
There are several potential causes of receding gums, including poor oral hygiene, old age and certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Left untreated, the gums become increasingly susceptible to bacteria growth which leads to decay and tooth loss.
Should tongue cleaning be done before or after brushing? According to one website, studies show that order does not matter. As such, you're free to come up with a cleaning regimen which best suits your preferences.
Dental plaque does more than cover your teeth and make the look crummy. It can build up between the teeth and gums and create pockets that provide a home for bacteria to thrive and cause tooth decay and more serious dental problems.
Did you know that laser dentistry procedures are virtually pain-free? Since the laser light penetrates nerve fibers in and around your tooth, it produces a kind of drowsy feeling in the nerve tissue being treated (rather than pain and discomfort).
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Though experts are still on the fence, there seems to be a correlation between gum disease and heart health. Studies show that people with gum disease have a greater risk of developing heart conditions as gum inflammation along with bacterial action may narrow important arteries.
What is Optical Coherence Tomography? This is a technique that can be performed with laser dentistry that is used to actually view the inside of a tooth and surrounding gums. Optical Coherence Tomography is vital for assessing the current health of teeth and gums and pinpointing areas that need treatment.
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was opened in 1840 in Maryland. It was the first dental college.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can’t open or close your jaw completely.
What is prosthodontics? This is a dental specialty that diagnoses, treats and rehabilitates patients who have problems resulting from missing or damaged teeth as well as missing or deficient oral and maxillofacial structures.
It’s easy to dismiss bleeding gums as simply a result of brushing the teeth too hard. But there are instances when gum bleeding happens as a result of the buildup of dental plaque beneath the gums.
A dental hygienist has a number of important responsibilities when it comes to patient care. One of these responsibilities is helping to ensure that each patient knows the best way to take care of his or her teeth.
In the 1990s, the laser industry created the kinetic cavity preparation (KCP) that effectively replaced the need for dentist drills. It uses a microscopically fine powder through the method of ‘air abrasion’ to gently remove decay.
The hardest substance in the human body is the teeth. But despite being a strong material, enamel cannot heal itself or regrow. Proper dental hygiene and visits to the dentist are important to ensure it stays strong and healthy.
Dental restorations may break down or become loose over time. Maintaining great oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep those restorations in great condition.
In many cases, the fear of dentists is not connected to a painful experience, according to researchers studying dental fear. Many people are uncomfortable with the lack of control in a dentist’s office. They are asked to lie down and often do not know exactly what is going to happen.
Do you brush your tongue? One major cause of bad breath is bacteria buildup on the tongue. Removing plaque with a tongue scraper or even simply just brushing it with your toothbrush will help fight bad breath. Do this daily for maximum care.
You should always clean your dentures over a basin of water or a damp towel. Use only lukewarm water and avoid gritty pastes or powders. You should clean your dentures after every meal using lukewarm water, denture brush and cleaner.
Did you know that the number of patients who are afraid of the dentist is as high as 20 percent? One of the biggest benefits of sedation dentistry is that it can make critical oral care much easier to tolerate.
Brushing and flossing aren’t enough to get rid of the plaque underneath the gum line and other hard-to-reach areas between teeth. Your dentist can provide long-lasting treatments that protect the teeth from plaque.
Teeth are labeled according to position. From front to back, they are the: central incisor, lateral incisor, cuspid or canine, first bicuspid or first premolar, second premolar or second bicuspid, first molar, second molar, and finally, third molar or wisdom tooth.
Do you know that dental implants help prevent jaw bone loss? They preserve and stimulate the growth of the jaw bone and, therefore, are more preferred than dentures.
While a layman may regard teeth braces as a single appliance, the truth is, it isn't. Braces are actually composed of several parts which are: bands, brackets, arch wires, elastics, ligatures, coil springs and power chains.
It’s important to remember that proper oral hygiene is about so much more than just the health of your teeth and gums. Some conditions can actually cause more serious health concerns when left untreated.
Dentistry is a proud and ancient profession. The first known dentist was the Egyptian scribe Hesy-Re (circa 2600 BC), whose tomb bears the inscription “the greatest of those who deal with the teeth and of physicians.”
Your mouth can produce about 10,000 gallons of saliva during your lifetime, enough to fill two swimming pools. Your saliva helps break down food particles, fight tooth decay, and keep bacteria at bay.
Metal used to be used for tooth fillings, but since it was so noticeable, a material called amalgam is now used. This is more affordable, but needs to be replaced more often.
A study has found that people who drink 3 or more cans of soda daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings, and tooth loss than people who don't drink soda.
Did you know that the rat’s teeth are constantly growing? This is why you’ll often see them nibbling on anything they can get their paws on so they don't grow too long!
In colonial America, a variety of metals were used for fillings. In the 1760s, Boston dentist John Baker used either gold or lead to fill teeth that were “hollow (so as to render them useful) and prevent the Air getting into them, which aggravates the Pain.”
TMJ is an abbreviation for “temporormandicular joint,” and this painful condition is categorized within the broader TMD, or “temporomandibuar disorders.” One of the classic signs of TMJ is that jaw and face pain can come and go without warning.
If you need your cavities drilled out and filled or a rotten tooth extracted, a general dentist would be the person to see. However, if you have issues with jaw alignment or would like to have your crooked teeth fixed, then book an appointment with an orthodontist.
When flossing with braces, it is important to do so carefully to help ensure that the floss does not get caught on the braces themselves and that you are properly removing any food that was in between your teeth and the braces.
Did you know that the simple act of breathing can hurt when you have gingivitis? As softened bone and gums begin to pull away from the teeth, they leave your roots exposed and highly sensitive to air.
All prescribed drugs and medication have some degree of risk, including some of the more powerful barbiturates, which also have a risk of addiction. That's why many sedation dentists use benzodiazepines or similar drugs that are low risk and have few side effects.
In many cases, symptoms of TMJ syndrome are episodic and directly correlated to stress and lifestyle. Things you can do to prevent a recurrence of TMJ include eating soft foods, avoiding chewing gum, maintaining proper posture, and practicing stress reduction and relaxation techniques.
Which is better: manual or powered toothbrush? Both toothbrushes clean well, so it is up to you. If you prefer manual toothbrush, choose the one with mixed bristle heights or angled bristles than those with all flat, even bristles.
Keep your child’s baby teeth pearly white to help ensure his or her permanent teeth grow in healthily. Brush and floss your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear, and take your kids in for their first dental appointments before their first birthdays.
Do you often feel like you have a dry tongue or lips? Many modern medications can cause this, and unfortunately mouth dryness could cause cavities later on. Dentists recommend brushing thoroughly to prevent this, meaning brush on top, underneath, and as far back in your mouth as you can reach, including your tongue.
Though both bones and teeth are made of calcium, teeth cannot repair or regenerate themselves like bones. In fact, the tooth is the only part of the body that can’t heal itself. So, be sure to take good care of them.
Diode lasers are excellent for removing gingivitis (inflamed gum tissue) and other pathogens that can cause diseases.
While studying to become a dentist, taking business and business-related courses is also recommended if you plan to run your own dental office.
How often do you need to visit the dentist? Well, if you're consistently diagnosed with healthy teeth and gums, twice a year is fine. However, if you have oral or other health problems, more frequent visits are needed.
Procedures that are performed with laser dentistry rather than conventional dentistry might not require sutures or stitches. Also, certain procedures done with this method don’t require anesthesia.
Sometimes a dental splint (or occlusal splint) is recommended in the treatment of TMJ syndrome. This is a dental appliance placed in the mouth, usually at night, to keep the teeth in alignment and prevent tooth grinding.
In the past, animal hairs were used as bristles for toothbrushes. These however, tended to harbor bacteria and kept falling off the toothbrush heads. So, in 1938, a company remedied this situation by manufacturing a more effective toothbrush that had nylon bristles.
Sweets and foods with acid, like chocolate and soda, are really bad for your teeth. These things could stick to teeth and lead to cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause gum disease and even cancer.
Do you have a tooth that’s decayed to the point of being unstable? When this happens, a regular filling may no longer be an option. Instead, a crown may be a more permanent solution.
In the past, animal hairs were used as bristles for toothbrushes. These however, tended to harbor bacteria and kept falling off the toothbrush heads. So, in 1938, a company remedied this situation by manufacturing a more effective toothbrush that had nylon bristles.
While brushing your teeth is important, it is equally important that the proper technique is used (poor technique is almost as bad as not brushing). Use a soft brush and move it slowly in a gentle circular motion.
Did you know that, when it comes to filling cavities, unlike a drill, the laser will actually kill the bacteria that caused the tooth decay to begin with? Not only is this a more hygienic method of treatment, but it also results in a stronger bond between filling and tooth.
Do you have a tooth that’s decayed to the point of being unstable? When this happens, a regular filling may no longer be an option. Instead, a crown may be a more permanent solution.
In the past, animal hairs were used as bristles for toothbrushes. These however, tended to harbor bacteria and kept falling off the toothbrush heads. So, in 1938, a company remedied this situation by manufacturing a more effective toothbrush that had nylon bristles.
Dental x-rays are ideal when you are seeing a new dentist as they allow for an overall assessment of your dental condition. What's more is, these may be repeated every year, so the dentist can track changes that cannot be detected with a regular examination.
No matter how anxious you may be about a dental appointment, experts warn to never supplement any medication that has been prescribed by your dentist. Allow an anti-anxiety pill or other sedation medicine to work and do not combine any of these medications with alcohol.
While brushing your teeth is important, it is equally important that the proper technique is used (poor technique is almost as bad as not brushing). Use a soft brush and move it slowly in a gentle circular motion.
Did you know that, when it comes to filling cavities, unlike a drill, the laser will actually kill the bacteria that caused the tooth decay to begin with? Not only is this a more hygienic method of treatment, but it also results in a stronger bond between filling and tooth.
Do you have a tooth that’s decayed to the point of being unstable? When this happens, a regular filling may no longer be an option. Instead, a crown may be a more permanent solution.