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What You Should Know About Brushing Your Teeth Properly
Which toothbrush is best? Angled heads, raised bristles, oscillating tufts and handles that change colours with use: you name it; toothbrushes come in all shapes, colours and sizes, promising to perform better than the rest. However, no body of scientific evidence exists yet to show that anyone type of toothbrush design is better at removing plaque than another. Generally speaking, your toothbrush head should be small (1 inch X one-half inch) for easy access. It should also have soft nylon bristles with rounded ends so you won't injure your gums while brushing and it should have a long, wide handle allowing for a firm grip.
What matters most is that you brush your teeth effectively. Many people simply don't brush long enough. In fact, most people brush for about a minute or less, but to effectively reach all areas in your mouth and scrub off cavity-causing bacteria, it is ...
July 19, 2010Dental News0Continue reading
Canker Sores (a.k.a. Apthous Ulcers) Causes & Treatment Options
Let's face it, canker sores (also known as Apthous ulcers) can really hurt, and while there's no known cure for them; there are treatments available to help ease the pain until the sore heals.
A canker sore is similar to any ulceration in that it occurs in an area where the outer layer of mucosa (the lining of the inside of the mouth) is gone, leaving the tissue underneath bare with nerve-endings exposed. With the integrity of the mucosa broken, bacteria invade the area resulting in inflammation which makes the ulcer even more painful.
Unlike cold sores (which are extremely contagious and caused byavirus) canker sores often appear on the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, tongue, soft palate and the base of the gums making eating and talking very uncomfortable.
While their exact cause is uncertain, some clinicians believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses may be ...
July 12, 2010Dental News0Continue reading
Understanding Your Choices When It Comes To Restoring Your Teeth
Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, as dentists we have more ways to create pleasing, natural-looking smiles than ever before. With so many choices, how do you know what's right for you?
There are many types of restorative materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages and patients should discuss their options with the dentist in order to determine what's best for them, when choosing materials to repair decayed, damaged, deformed or worn teeth.
Tooth coloured (composite) fillings along with silver-amalgam fillings are the most widely used today. Composite fillings, formed from polymers that are combined with quartz, silica, barium or acrylics can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth enabling the finished restoration to virtually disappear. Composite fillings are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the ...
June 24, 2010Dental News0Continue reading
Take The Easy Route To a Better Smile With These Five Simple Steps
Ever wonder why some people possess beautiful smiles while others try but can never achieve the same result? Believe it or not, the secrets to a great smile are often simple steps that just about anyone can take. Here are 5 steps that can lead you to a brighter, better, healthier smile.
- Take a little extra time to give your teeth the care they deserve. It takes 2 to 3 minutes to adequately brush your teeth, but most people spend less than a minute brushing. Millions of bacteria live, work and play in our mouths. They feed on food left on our teeth after we eat, producing acid which destroys enamel, creating cavities. Proper brushing for 2 to 3 minutes can remove bacteria (so they can no longer make acid) from all tooth surfaces.
- Do a little flossing. It just might save your teeth. It all has to do with bacteria again. These crafty little critters like to hide between your teeth ...
June 24, 2010Dental News0Continue reading
The Importance Of Your Child’s 1st Dental Visits
It's important to get an early start on dental care so that children learn that visiting the dentist is a regular part of their health care.
It can be a good idea to schedule their first visit before any problems develop, in order to create a positive initial experience for the child. For small children today, a visit to the dentist can be a fun experience because dental care for children is aimed at prevention rather than reparation.
Your child's first visit to the dentist can be at around age 1, and your child needs to start seeing the dentist regularly by age 2or 3, when most if not all of the 20 baby (or primary) teeth have arrived. At that time the dentist may want to take x-rays which can reveal any decay between the teeth. These x-rays will also show if the child's teeth are coming in the way they should be. In most cases, acheck-up every 6 months will enable the dentist ...
June 23, 2010Dental News0Continue reading
