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Most Mouthwashes Just Don’t Wash
Whether it's to mask bad breath, fight cavities or prevent the buildup of plaque, mouth washes or rinses serve a variety of purposes. Or so we think!
Though they may leave your mouth with a clean, fresh taste, some rinses can be harmful, concealing bad breath and unpleasant taste that may be signs of serious periodontal diseases which cause inflammation and degeneration of the supporting structures of the teeth, and tooth decay.
Most over-the-counter (OTC) mouth washes, while they may be effective oral antiseptics that freshen the mouth and curb bad breath for a few hours; have limited success in helping prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease. Many of these OTC mouth rinses aren't much more effective against plaque and periodontal disease than rinsing with plain water.
What's more, there can be side effects to using mouth washes. Most OTC mouth washes contain ...
April 14, 2008Dental News0Continue reading
Daily Flossing A Vital Part Of Oral Hygiene
Effective dental hygiene takes more than just brushing your teeth! Next to brushing, daily flossing is the most important thing you can do to protect your oral health. Daily flossing is an essential part of the tooth cleaning process because it breaks up and removes plaque trapped between your teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins.
Proper brushing and flossing will minimize the number of bacteria that inhabit our mouths. Without daily flossing, millions of these microscopic monsters can call your mouth home, feeding on the food particles left between the teeth. These bacteria produce an acid as a result of their feasting that can eat into the tooth enamel creating cavities. Moreover, these bacteria also generate volatile sulfur compounds that create embarrassing bad breath.
Cavities often start between the teeth. This is because while brushing cleans ...
April 3, 2008Dental News0Continue reading
Change Your Smile; Change Your Life With Dental Implants
Dental dysfunction can be much more than a physiological concern, Missing teeth can adversely affect nutrition. Missing teeth can also be an esthetic problem affecting a person's ability to talk and smile without restrictions.
Are you or someone you know missing one or more teeth? Perhaps you suffer from ill-fitting dentures? Would you like to be able to laugh spontaneously, speak clearly and enjoy the foods you now only dream of, once again?
Here's some good news! Today's dental implants look, feel and function like real teeth. Simply put, dental implants are a solution to tooth loss that offers comfort, confidence and security.
A titanium dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth, bridge, or even a denture securely in place. They feel so much like natural teeth, many patients may actually forget that they're ...
March 26, 2008Dental News0Continue reading
Panoramic Dental X-Rays May Detect Risk Of Stroke
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, but a visit to the dentist could be a lifesaver for some people at risk of this disease.
Panoramic radiographs (xrays) can sometimes turn up a key sign of vulnerability to stroke by detecting calcium deposits in the carotid arteries in the neck. Calcification of these arteries, which supply blood to the brain, may be asign of advanced atherosclerosis, a major cause of stroke.
If Canadian dental professionals can find yet another way to detect patients who may be at risk of experiencing a stroke through these dental panoramic radiographs (x-rays), then these patients can be referred to their own physician to develop strategies on how to prevent the disease from progressing.
Emerging research conducted at the State University of NewYork's Buffalo School of Dental Medicine suggests that dentists should look for evidence ...
February 15, 2008Dental News3Continue reading
Mouth Guards - They’re not just a hockey thing
Traumas to the mouth are always difficult, and not always necessarily because of the actual injury, but because it also means a visit to the dentist. One of the most upsetting things to a parent (and to the child) is an accidental injury in which achild's tooth is chipped or knocked loose.
Such injuries are often preventable if a properly fined mouth guard is worn. Although mouth guards are not mandatory equipment in all sports, their worth is indisputable.
As dentists we see too many oral and facial injuries to children and adolescents that might have been prevented by the use of a mouth guard. Even adults are not immune to the dangers of mouth injuries. Dentists treat many trauma injuries in weekend athletes. Fact is, facial injuries in nearly every sport can result in damage to your teeth, lips, cheeks or tongue.
So, whatever your age or sporting interests, mouth ...
February 10, 2008Dental News0Continue reading
