Saturday, July 7, 2012

Pediatric Dentistry: Caring for Baby's Teeth

Many people like to think that baby teeth don’t require any attention since they’re going to fall out anyway. The fact of the matter is that a child’s initial set of teeth are just as important as their permanent set. Primary teeth save spaces for permanent teeth to grow into, as well as helping kids to speak and chew properly.

It is recommended that a dental professional inspect a newly grown tooth within six months of its arrival and before the first birthday. A visit to the dentist this early can show you whether or not your child’s teeth are being cleaned properly and how to deal with any portentially harmful activities such as thumbsucking.

Teething

When primary teeth first come in, gums can become tender and sore. Gently massaging your baby’s gums with a small spoon, wet gauze, or even a clean finger can be relieving. If still in pain, your child can be brought in to see a dentist. By the age of three, many children have a complete set of 20 primary teeth.

Keeping baby teeth healthy

The process of cleaning a baby’s mouth should begin a few days after birth. Wipe the gums with a sterile gauze pad after every meal. This gets rid of plaque which can harm erupting teeth.

Tooth decay becomes a possibility as soon as that first tooth emerges, so it is crucial that they are brushed gently with water. By the age of two, children’s teeth can be brushed with a pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure they spit the toothpaste out and rinse their mouths with water. If you are deliberating the use of toothpaste before the two year mark, ask your dentist about it first.

Infants need to finish their baby bottle before going to sleep. Pacifiers need to be clean before use; never give a child one that has been dipped in sugar or honey.

All of these tips are important and should be followed at home but, they still cannot replace a trip to the dentist’s office as that can give you a chance to catch any little issues before they progress to real problems for your child’s dental health.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Why the Bad Breath?

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are many causes for bad breath, also known as Halitosis. Bad breath can be resolved by changes in your hygiene routine, and with the help of a dentist. Bad breath can be caused commonly by not brushing and flossing regularly, and this often leads to tooth decay. When adequate dental hygiene is not sustained, bacteria grows in the mouth when food gets stuck in between teeth. This bacteria causes painless inflammation and releases an undesirable odor. Medical conditions such as Diabetes, Liver Disease, Chronic Bronchitis, and Respiratory Tract Infections are also causes of bad breath. Habits such as smoking and chewing tobacco are also factors which contribute to bad breath.

Whatever the cause, bad breath should be discussed with your dentist at your next appointment.

What Can be Done to Fix Bad Breath?

After consulting with your dentist, you may be advised to be more vigilant about keeping up with your oral hygiene. Oral hygiene begins with consistent appointments with your dentist at a minimum of every six months (ideally three months), and brushing and flossing after every meal.

Foods such as garlic and coffee contribute to bad breath. Food is digested and absorbed in the bloodstream, and then exhaled by your lungs. Staying hydrated and cutting back on alcohol also helps curtail bad breath.

Mints are excellent shot-term fixes for bad breath, but they do not address the underlying cause. Using mouth wash with bacteria fighting ingredients can also help maintain fresh breath.

The best way to keep your breath fresh is by making sure to regularly visit the dentist, and remedying all the underlying causes for bad breath.

Sticking it to Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection which affects the tooth’s support system, primarily (as the name suggests) the gums. Your gums are not enveloping the teeth as they seem to be; in fact, there is a shallow cranny between the gums and tooth called a sulcus. Gum disease assaults here in the sulcus, just underneath the gum line, damaging supporting tissues of the tooth.

Periodontal diseases are grouped based on intensity. Of the two major stages, gingivitis is more common than its periodontitis counterpart. Gingivitis is less harsh, as well as reversible. It only affects the gums, which become inflamed and bleed easily, usually when brushing.

Periodontitis, unfortunately, is not as forgiving. In this situation, the gums will recede away from the teeth, forming “pockets”. Bacteria collect in these newfound havens, bringing infection with them. The immune system will attempt to fight off these unwelcome guests, but the resulting feud can lead to permanent bone destruction in the jaw. When this key structural element becomes compromised, teeth can loosen and need removal.

Are some people more likely to get gum disease?

• Smoking

  If you need that extra motivation to quit smoking, this is it. Smoking is perhaps the most compelling risk factor identified with developing periodontal disease.

• Diabetes

  Those with diabetes have a greater chance of getting gum disease.

• Hormonal changes in women

  These changes make gums sensitive and increasingly susceptible.

• Medications

  A common side effect in many over-the-counter medications is curtailed saliva production. Without this protective saliva, the mouth becomes at risk for many ailments, including (you said it!) gum disease.

So, do I have gum disease?

There are a numbers of symptoms to look for when it comes to gum disease, including red and swollen gums, bleeding gums, pain when chewing, loose and sensitive teeth, receding gums, and persistent bad breath.

Any of these are key markers indicating the possibility of a serious problem, so it is important to schedule regular checkups with your dentist. During a visit, a good dentist should:

• Inquire about your medical history to ascertain whether any genetic or previous conditions are causing your gum disease.
• Look for gum inflammation or any other symptoms.
• Use a probe to check for “pockets” (gaps between the gum and tooth). Healthy pocket depths are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.

Treating gum disease

If your dentist has just informed you that you have gum disease, know that you are not alone. A large number of adults in the United States have some type of this disease right now! But, the important part is that gum disease is treatable. Your dentist may also propose a change in behavior, such as shift in diet, to promote a speedy recovery.

The main objective is to regulate infection and depending on its extent, treatments vary. Keep in mind that with any of these solutions, the patient must maintain daily oral care at home.

Deep cleaning

Your dental hygienist may remove plaque from the teeth by scaling and root planing. Scaling is the process of scraping tartar buildup off of enamel and below the gum line, while root planing removes rough spots on the root of the tooth where bacteria that can contribute to gum disease can gather.

Compared to traditional deep cleaning methods, this process can yield less swelling and bleeding in the gums.

Medication

Medications, such as antiseptic chips, enzyme suppressants, and oral antibiotics, are often used to augment deep cleanings to control the bacteria that can take up residence in pockets. However, sometimes surgeries are required where deep cleanings and medications fall short.

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Surgical treatments

• Flap surgery

  Surgery may be required should any deep pockets or inflammation remain after treatment and medication. To perform flap surgery, tartar deposits are removed from deep pockets.

• Bone and Tissue Grafts

  This surgery is performed after the previous procedure to help restore and tissue and bone lost due to periodontitis.

How to avoid gum disease!

It’s not fun at all when gum disease progresses to the point of surgery. The good news is that there is a lot that you can do to avoid all of this unneeded stress and discomfort. First off, brushing twice a day is crucial, as well as flossing regularly to remove the plaque that a toothbrush cannot reach. Second, refrain from smoking. The positive correlation between smoking and the inception of gum disease is staggering. And finally, routine visits to your dentist for a checkup and cleaning are incredibly important.

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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Flossing Your Teeth

Why Do I Need to Floss?

There are some places in your mouth where the toothbrush cannot reach, for example: in between your teeth. Flossing is very important because when food gets stuck in between teeth, flossing can remove the film of bacteria that forms there before it hardens into plaque. Plaque is difficult to remove; it can only be removed by dental professionals. It causes gums to become swollen and start to bleed, also known as gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Flossing also keeps teeth from tooth decay, making it a very important part of daily dental hygiene.

Why Do Children Need to Floss their Teeth?

Even though baby teeth eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth, they are just as important and perform the same tasks. Children need to floss their because if the baby teeth collect plaque and get cavities, it not only can inflict pain, but also cause an infection, which will later affect the permanent teeth.

What Do Dental Experts Recommend?

Dental experts suggest flossing at least once a day, before or after brushing. Floss, like many other dental hygiene products, should be checked for the ADA seal of approval.

According to the ADA,

“Using the floss with tooth brushing is more effective than brushing alone at reducing plaque and gingivitis, the product components are safe for use in the mouth, and that unsupervised use of the product by the average patient will not harm hard or soft oral tissues or restorations.”

Despite Regular Flossing Professional Cleaning is Still Recommended

Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during treatment of dental and other oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least every year. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays. See also dental plaque identification procedure and removal.

Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene helps to prevent cavities, tartar build-up, and gum disease.

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatments

If everyday culinary activities are something that make you grimace, it is possible that you have sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth are incredibly common, affecting millions of people all over the world. It can be triggered by a variety of reasons, ranging from cracked teeth to exposed tooth roots caused by overzealous brushing.

Symptoms of Your Sensitive Teeth

The Makeup of Your Teeth

Before jumping into symptoms of sensitive teeth, it is important to understand the makeup of a tooth. The surface is composed of two materials, enamel and cementum. The crown of a tooth is protected by the enamel, the most durable substance in your body. The cementum protects the root surface, and is embedded within the gum.

Underneath the surface of both of these substances lies dentin. Dentin is not very dense; it has tiny tubules running throughout. When enamel wears down or the dentin becomes exposed in any way, these microscopic canals become susceptible to extreme temperature and acidic or sticky foods. This exposure stimulates cells and nerves within the tooth, causing hypersensitivity and overall unpleasantness.

Tooth decay, pain and even periodontal disease can all be stopped through correct and consistent oral hygiene. Brushing too often and too roughly can result in root exposure and gum injury. Periodontal disease is an ailment, afflicting gums and the jaw bone. If left left untreated, the condition can progress to gums separating themselves from teeth. These newly formed pockets are ideal for bacterial growth that can destroy bone, making the roots of teeth visible. Routine dental appointments are necessary so that periodontal disease and other problems may be caught early and treated.

Treatments

Sensitive teeth are very treatable. Desensitizing toothpaste is recommended to patients to help alleviate pain. It contains ingredients designed to obstruct outer sensation from getting to the nerve. This method usually necessitates multiple applications in order to decrease sensitivity. When looking for any dental care product, make sure that it bears the American Dental Association's Seal of Approval to ensure that it is effective, as well as safe, and also look for the FDA Seal of Approval for proof that all the marketing claims on the product's packaging are true.

Using a desensitizing toothpaste should not replace a professional dental examination by your dentist. In-office treatments with a special fluoride gel may be necessary. Persistently sensitive teeth may require other solutions which only your Dentist can provide: a filling, a crown, a bonding or an inlay. The specific method will depend completely on what it is causing your sensitive teeth.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Whitening Yellow Teeth

What causes teeth yellowing?

Teeth become yellow over time because of wear associated with aging. Poor hygiene, eating highly pigmented foods, consuming certain dark beverages (sodas or coffee), and smoking are all culprits for yellowing teeth. Some causes of teeth yellowing are not in our control, these causes include medications, genetics, and normal aging.

How can yellow teeth be whitened?

The term “whitening” specifically refers to restoring a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (such as toothpaste) is considered a whitener.

The ADA suggests,

“You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you.”

What professionally administered teeth whitening treatments are available at the Dentist’s Office?

Any in-office or take home bleaching treatments managed by your dentist can result in up to twelve shades of improvement. Remember to have your teeth cleaned by your dental hygienist every six months.

What can be done at home in addition to professionally administered teeth whitening?

Whitening toothpastes remove stains by mild abrasion. When using these whitening toothpastes, be sure to use products with the ADA seal of acceptance to assure they are safe for tooth structure, and the FDA seal to ensure that the products’ marketing claims are accurate.

Over the counter gels and strips are not as effective as professionally administered teeth whitening procedures, but can still result in slight shades of improvement in tooth color.