Tag Archives: Teeth

April 20, 2021 · 6:44 pm

Dental Health 101: Everything You Need To Know

Oral or dental health pertains to the condition of your gums, teeth, and mouth. The goal is to prevent issues and complications such as gum disease and tooth decay as well as maintaining the overall health of your mouth.

Good oral hygiene ensures a bright smile. But a poor one can result in dental and gum disease which can affect your overall health. While basic oral care can be maintained through daily brushing and flossing, proactively seeing a dentist at least once or twice a year can make a huge difference.

Consulting a dentist regularly can help prevent worsening tooth and gum problems. The good thing nowadays is that booking a schedule with a licensed dentist is easier because it can be done online. Many dental clinics run official websites which cater to prospective clients online.

Dental problems and diseases are very common. According to the World Health Organization:

Oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people around the globe.
Over 530 million kids suffer from tooth decay on their primary teeth.
Severe periodontal diseases affect almost 10% of the world population.

Oral Health To General Health: The Link

Dental health has risen in importance in the past years, as new studies and research discovered a connection between poor oral health and underlying systematic diseases. As it turns out, a healthy mouth and teeth can help maintain a healthy body.

According to a study, periodontal diseases have been associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, respiratory diseases, and dementia, among others.

Types of Oral and Dental Diseases

The mouth and teeth are used a lot. So, it is not surprising how many things can go wrong over time, particularly if you do not take proper care of them. Without proper dental hygiene, here are the kinds of dental and oral problems you might encounter.

Cavities

More commonly known as tooth decay or caries, cavities refer to areas of the tooth that are damaged or may even have holes in them. This is the most common dental problem with an estimated 2.3 billion people suffering caries on permanent teeth.

Cavities occur when food, bacteria, and acid cover your teeth and form plaque. The acid starts to eat away your teeth at the enamel and the underlying connective tissue. Over time, this can result in permanent damage.

Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is exactly what it sounds like—discomfort or pain in the teeth as a response to specific stimuli such as cold or hot temperature. It can temporarily occur after having a filling or root canal. However, it is often the result of receding gums, gum disease, worn-down crowns or fillings, or a cracked tooth. Also, some individuals naturally have sensitive teeth due to thinner enamels.

Broken or Cracked Teeth

A tooth or teeth can break or crack from chewing hard foods, sudden changes in mouth temperature, injury to the mouth, or bruxism—the habit of grinding your teeth at night. A cracked tooth can be quite painful and it is recommended that you visit your dentist right away after you get one.

Gingivitis

Simply called gum disease, gingivitis is the inflammation of your gums. In general, this is the result of plaque buildup on your teeth due to poor dental hygiene. It can make your gums bleed and swell when you floss or brush. Untreated gingivitis can result in a more serious infection as would be described below.

Periodontitis

This severe gum infection can result in tooth loss and other serious complications. It inflicts damage to your soft tissue, and if left untreated, can destroy the bone that supports the teeth. It can also cause an inflammatory response throughout your body.

Mouth Sores

Mouth sores are bothersome and pesky. Generally, it’s usually nothing to worry about and should disappear on its own. However, if the mouth sore lasts for more than two weeks, then a dental check-up is necessary.

There are several kinds of mouth sores. The common mouth sore is known as a canker sore which occurs inside the mouth. These are not contagious and are triggered by several causes. Meanwhile, cold sores or fever blisters are caused by a virus, which occurs on the edge of your outer lips. These are contagious and, in some cases, the condition would come and go.

Mouth sores also occur in oral thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth that can be seen in people wearing dentures, diabetics, infants, and people undergoing cancer treatments.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer develops in the tissues of the throat or mouth. This belongs to a larger group of cancers called neck and head cancers. Most cancer cells develop in the squamous cells found in the tongue, mouth, and lips.

According to stats, oral cancer is 1 of the 3 most common cancers in some countries of the Pacific and Asia. Meanwhile, in the US, over 50,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually, occurring mostly in people over 40 years old.

Treatments of Oral and Dental Diseases

The above-mentioned oral and dental problems are often treated by several methods. Your dentist is the only one who can recommend the best treatments for your oral problems.

Cleanings

Even if you brush and floss 3 times a day, you will still need to visit your dentist for professional cleaning. This helps get rid of any tartar that you might have missed while flossing and brushing.

A dental hygienist uses a high-powered toothbrush to clean your teeth, followed by flossing and rinsing to take out any debris.

There’s another kind of cleaning known as deep cleaning. This removes tartar and cavities from below and above the gumline which can’t be reached during regular, routine cleaning.

Fluoride

After a dental cleaning, the dentist can apply a fluoride treatment in order to fight off cavities. Fluoride can help strengthen the tooth enamel and make it more resilient to acid and bacteria.

Dental Sealants

These are thin, protective coatings placed on molars or back teeth, in order to help prevent cavities. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces by covering them with a protective shield, blocking out food and germs that can cause cavities.

Dentists usually recommend a sealant for kids as soon as they get their first molar and when they get their second set of molars.

Fillings

Fillings are used to repair a crack, cavity, or hole in your tooth. Your dentist will first use a dental drill in order to remove the damaged (black) area of the tooth and then fill the hole with some material, including composite, cast gold, or amalgam. It is also used to repair worn-down teeth from misuses such as tooth grinding or nail-biting.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is basically a cap for a severely damaged tooth. It is used if a large part of your tooth has broken off due to injury or needs to be removed due to cavities.

There are two kinds of dental crowns—a regular crown that fits over your natural tooth, and an implant crown that fits over an implant. Both crowns fill in the gap where the natural tooth appeared.

There are several materials used to make dental crowns including metal, ceramic, porcelain, zirconia, composite resin, or a combination of these materials.

Root Canal

A root canal is a dental procedure that involves the removal of the tooth’s soft center known as pulp. This pulp is made up of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels which help the tooth grow.

If tooth decay reaches all the way inside the tooth to this pulp, a root canal can help save the tooth. During a root canal, the pulp is removed and then replaced with a filling made of biocompatible material which is usually a combination of adhesive cement and a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha.

It is often performed while you are under local anesthesia.

Tooth Extraction

If the dentist can’t save your tooth with a root canal or other dental procedure, then it will likely be extracted.

In addition, you may also need a tooth or surgical extraction if your third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are impacted. A dentist will usually recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted if they cause inflammation, pain, or other issues.

Also, crowding can require tooth extraction. Oftentimes, those who get braces will need one to two teeth removed in order to provide room for other teeth as they shift into place.

Dental Implants

These are used to replace a missing or extracted tooth caused by tooth decay, injury, or periodontal disease. Specifically, dental implants are a replacement for teeth roots. It offers a sturdy foundation for removable or permanent replacement teeth made to look like your natural teeth.

A dental implant is surgically drilled and placed into your jawbone. You’ll need to wait for the bones to naturally grow around the implant. After that, the dentist will customize a new artificial tooth that matches your other teeth, known as a dental crown. If replacing more than one tooth, the dentist may customize a dental bridge to fit into your mouth. The bridge consists of two abutment crowns on either side of the gap, holding the artificial teeth in place.

Your Oral Health Care Plan

In order to prevent dental and oral health issues and skipping the expensive, and often painful dental treatment methods, you need to keep your teeth and mouth clean and fresh. With that said, here are general tips you need to consider.

Proper Brushing

Everyone knows that brushing at least twice a day is one of the most important dental hygiene practices to keep teeth and mouth clean. Better yet, it is recommended to brush after every snack or meal. However, it can only be effective if people are using the proper technique.

Proper brushing means using small circular motions, not the sawing back and forth motions. You need to brush the front, top, and back of each and every tooth. This process should take two to three minutes.

In addition, using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing too hard can damage the tooth enamel and injure your gums. This can cause tooth sensitivity, gum erosion, and permanent damage to the protective enamel of your teeth.

Experts recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles and to change your toothbrush every three months or when the ends look frayed, whichever comes first.

Don’t Neglect Flossing

Most people are too lazy to floss their teeth. But it is beneficial for your overall dental health in the long run.

Flossing removes bacteria and plaque from between your teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Not only that, but it also helps in preventing bad breath by removing food debris that has become trapped between teeth.

Experts recommend gently pushing the floss all the way to the gumline before doing an up and down motion on the side of the tooth. Avoid snapping the floss up and down between teeth since it can cause pain and does not remove plaque effectively.

Consider a Mouthwash

According to some studies, mouthwash can benefit oral and dental health. One

revealed that mouthwash with chlorhexidine can help control gingivitis and plaque. Mouthwash can also help with bad breath.

You can ask your dentist which is the best mouthwash for your needs. It is important to note, however, that mouthwash can’t substitute flossing or brushing. It can only complement these practices.

Use Fluoride

Fluoride is a common ingredient in mouthwash and toothpaste and helps in preventing cavities. It also helps in strengthening developing teeth in kids while protecting the teeth enamel in both adults and kids.

Eat A Balanced Diet

You need to eat a variety of foods but limiting those that contain starches and sugars including cakes, cookies, ice cream potato chips, and soft drinks. Such foods produce the most acids that can hasten the decay process. If you love eating snacks, it is recommended to brush your teeth afterward.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can harm the immune system, making it difficult for the body to heal tissues, including tissues in the mouth. Smoking also increases your risk of oral cancer and cancers of the pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. It can also cause bad breath, gum disease, tooth discoloration, and other dental and general health problems.

Visit The Dentist Regularly

Experts recommend visiting your dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups. You can speak with your dentist about the frequency that’s best for you.

Conclusion

Your oral health affects more than just your teeth. It can contribute to issues in your general health as well as your comfort and overall quality of life. While you can’t always prevent every cavity that occurs, you can help prevent tooth loss or severe oral diseases if you take good care of your oral health and see a dentist often.

dental visit

This is a collaborative post, the opinions and views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.

The Worst 6 Foods For Your Teeth

Emergency Dental Care

Do you know that tooth decay leading to cavities is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the world? The World Health Organization noted in their 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study that oral diseases like cavities affected almost half of the world’s population.

Moreover, when it comes to global incidence, cavities rank as the most prevalent of all conditions evaluated. In fact, the agency estimated that 2.4 billion individuals have developed tooth decay or cavities of their permanent teeth, while some 486 million children have developed cavities/tooth decay of the primary teeth. That’s a pretty sobering finding to be sure, considering that cavities lead not only to constant bouts of toothaches, but also to tooth damage and loss, as well as other serious oral conditions like periodontal disease, which attacks the gums.

The fact that cavities are so common also means that they’re quite easy to acquire. Chances are, you’ve already had them more than once in the past. However, it’s also quite easy to protect yourself against dental caries. Simply brush your teeth after every meal, floss every day, visit your dentist in Anaheim or in your local area every six months, and limit your intake of food items that make you prone to cavities. In this short guide, we’ll fill you in on some of the foods you need to careful of if you want to avoid developing tooth decay and cavities.

Bread

Bread may be a quintessential lunch staple, especially when it comes to making scrumptious sandwiches, but eating bread can also lead to cavities if you’re not careful. That is because bread is made mainly of starchy white flour, a simple carbohydrate that can easily break down into simple sugars—the favorite food of plaque bacteria. As you chew bread, it turns into a gummy paste that can then get stuck in all the nooks and crannies of your teeth, creating an ideal environment for the growth of plaque bacteria that synthesize acidic by-products. Over many months, these substances can wear away the enamel of your teeth, eventually creating the telltale holes that characterize dental cavities. If you really can’t stop eating bread, stick to the whole wheat variety, and be sure to brush and floss after every meal.

Chewy sour-flavored candies

Everybody loves candy, but even as kids, we are taught that too much could give us cavities. However, there’s one type of candy in particular that really increases the chances of tooth decay, and that’s the chewy, sour-flavored sort. This type of candy contains the kind of acids that can really have a corrosive effect on your teeth enamel. The fact that they’re chewy also results in them sticking in the corners, sides, and gaps between your teeth, making them harder to brush off. All this can eventually result in a bad case of tooth decay.

Soda pop or carbonated drinks

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional glass of soda pop or carbonated drink, but you should know that sugary, fizzy drinks are also among the biggest culprits of tooth decay. This is because the ingredients in many types of soda encourage the bacteria in plaque to produce more acidic substances. As you may know, these acidic by-products are strong enough to slowly eat away at the enamel of your teeth, thus causing cavities eventually. To prevent this, skip sodas entirely or clean your teeth right away after enjoying the occasional glass of your favorite soft drink.

Potato chips

There’s nothing like snacking on potato chips. Not only are they tasty, but they also give you a delightfully satisfying crunch that just makes you reach for more. Unfortunately, they’re also known to cause tooth decay due to their starch content, which breaks down into simple sugars when exposed to saliva. Then, as with the pasty material that results from chewing bread, this sugary substance can stick to the crannies and gaps between the teeth, enabling plaque bacteria to feed on them and cause cavities to form in the long run.

Dried fruits

Dried fruit products may seem like a very healthy snack. While they do have many of the same vitamins and minerals that their fresh counterparts do, that doesn’t change the fact that they’re processed and still loaded with sugar. The drying process also makes dried fruit chewy and sticky, and just like many types of candies, once it’s chewed up, it’s likely to stick in the small spaces between your teeth, creating an ideal environment for plaque bacteria to proliferate in.

Ice

Finally, if you’ve got a habit of chewing the ice that usually comes along with your chilled drinks, you might want to stop doing that. While it’s true that ice doesn’t have any sugar in it, it is a hard enough that regularly chewing it can cause your teeth to chip, crack, break, or loosen. Chewing ice when you already have cavities may also cause your teeth to split where the cavities are.

Protect your smile by preventing cavities

Cavities may seem like a normal part of growing up, but you shouldn’t have to deal with the pain, the tooth damage, and the gum disease that they usually come as a package. By brushing your teeth, flossing regularly, visiting your dentist twice a year, and avoiding the above-listed foods, you can enjoy a life free of dental cavities.

This is a guest post by Dr. Douglas Kim of First Dental Care, a trusted dentist in Anaheim and surrounding areas. Dr. Kim believes that good oral health starts at home, that’s why he is committed to teaching parents on how to properly care for their kids’ teeth in between office visits. Outside of the office, Dr. Kim enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and their 2 adorable sons.

dental visit

This is a collaborative guest post that may or may not reflect the ideas or views of Mommy Ramblings.

Your Smile Health = You Body Health – Oral-B Giveaway #SmileHealth

Your smile says so much about your personality, but do you know it speaks volumes about your health? It’s not only what we put in our mouth that matters, but how we take care of it, that leads to a healthy heart, mind and body. Good oral health can limit your exposure to heart disease, stroke and memory loss. This is why it’s so important to start taking care of your oral health early, a healthy mouth equals a healthy you!

From a young child the importance of not eating too many sweets, making sure to brush and floss morning and night, see the dentist twice a year for cleanings and take care of any problems immediately. I remember when I had braces, that the importance of brushing effectively was stressed by my orthodontist.

The people at Smile Health Dental Plans know this and they have come up with one of the most simple and affordable Dental plans on the market today! Smile Health Dental Plans would like to know how you take care of your oral health and what you do to ensure a healthy smile! Check out their website at https://smilehealth.com.

About Smile Health Dental Plans:
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We tossed our conventional toothbrushes years ago. Instead we replaced them with electronic versions from Oral-B. Our teeth and gums feel so much cleaner and healthier, we have never looked back.

Giveaway:

Exciting news, you can enter for your chance to win a “Your Smile Health = Your Body Health” Care Kit. Check out below for all it includes and then enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Your Smile Health = Your Body Health” Care Kit for you and one to giveaway to a lucky reader that includes:

1 – Oral B Vitality Electric Toothbrush
1 – Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste Travel Size
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You can see our video unboxing below:

Your Smile Health = Your Body Health” Care Kit Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Each household is only eligible to win “Your Smile Health = Your Body Health” Care Kit via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

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May 10, 2019 · 5:15 am

What Can I Expect from an Emergency Dentist?

Emergency Dental Care

While your first instinct would be to call a dentist if you encounter a dental emergency, this option may not always be available during holidays, weekends, or after hours. In these cases, an emergency dentist or a visit to an emergency room may be your only recourse. There are some key differences between standard dental problems and those considered a dental emergency. For example, a standard dental issue is one that over-the-counter medications can relieve until a dentist can see you. A dental emergency is one that might jeopardize your physical health and may lead to tooth loss if not resolved quickly. In this article, we inspect what makes up a dental emergency and what you can expect when visiting an emergency dentist.

Well, what exactly is a dental emergency?

If you have experienced a dental emergency in the last six months, you can take solace in knowing that you are not alone. According to the American Family Physician, over 22 percent of Americans have reported experiencing severe oral pain or a dental emergency within the last 6 months. However, the difference between a standard dental problem and a dental emergency is not always clear. If your dental problem meets any of the following criteria, contact an emergency dentist sooner rather than later:

Severe pain coupled with bleeding or swelling
Teeth that have become loose
If you have an abscess or serious infection
A severely chipped or cracked tooth

Any dental problem that requires immediate attention to prevent tooth loss or to resolve an infection, pain, or bleeding is one that makes up a dental emergency. More common dental emergencies include:

Knocked-out teeth—Any physical trauma that results in the tooth being knocked out requires immediate attention. Believe it or not, most times, it is possible to have the tooth reinserted back into the socket as long as the problem is addressed quickly, according to the American Association of Endodontists.

Severely chipped or cracked teeth—Similar to knocked-out teeth, severely chipped or cracked teeth are often the result of physical trauma and are issues an emergency dentist can fix. In the interim, however, there are things you can do for temporary pain relief and swelling that may be associated with a chipped or cracked tooth, including using a cold compress to minimize swelling and by swishing warm salt water in your mouth to prevent infection.

Tooth abscess—Similar to gum disease, an abscessed tooth can cause severe pain and can jeopardize your physical health. An abscessed tooth contains pockets of pus that can infect the oral cavity and also the body if the infection leaches into the bloodstream. Symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include tooth sensitivity, facial swelling, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and much more.

These are not the only dental problems that make up an emergency; however, they are the ones that are most common and require immediate attention in preventing additional oral and physical health problems.

Emergency Dental Care

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN EMERGENCY DENTIST

Dental emergencies can be anxiety-inducing; however, not promptly addressing them can make matters worse. The best way to soothe stressful feelings associated with an emergency dental visit is by choosing a dentist who is well-versed in a variety of dental emergencies. These practitioners have seen just about every variation of a dental emergency imaginable and work well under pressure. The exact protocol that your dentist will follow depends on your specific dental emergency. In most cases, however, you can expect the following:

Once you have arrived at the emergency dental office, you can expect your practitioner to ask you questions relative to your medical history and whether you’re allergic to certain medications. The next step in the process will be to have X-rays done, which will offer some insights regarding the extent of the dental problem. They also allow the dental practitioner to come up with a treatment plan that will work best for you. Last, your practitioner will explain the extent of the injury and the necessary treatment to resolve the problem.

Emergency Dental Care

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM?

Emergency dentists can treat most dental problems; however, depending on the dental emergency, you may be better off going to an emergency room instead. Dental emergencies that may require a visit to a hospital include:

Broken or dislocated jaw
Severe lacerations to the face or oral cavity
An abscess that impedes your ability to chew or swallow

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER VISITING A PROFESSIONAL?

Aside from physical trauma, many dental emergencies stem from gum disease, which can lead to severe pain and infection. Although most dentists can perfectly treat gum problems, such issues may require a visit to a professional emergency dentist. In most cases, gum disease can cause the pulp of the tooth to become infected and inflamed. Emergency dentists are well-versed in removing the damaged pulp from the tooth and performing a root canal, which is needed after they have removed the pulp from the tooth.

You have several options available to you for treating a dental emergency. According to Dr. Val Daniyar D.M.D., a Naples emergency dentist, the worst thing you can do is ignore the pain and hope that the problem takes care of itself. In doing so, you risk developing a severe infection that can worsen your dental problem and jeopardize your physical health.

Emergency Dental Care

This is a collaborative guest post, the ideas and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.

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January 5, 2019 · 1:32 am

When You Need A Dentist Right Now

Dentist Teeth

There may be nothing to smile about if you have an accident with your teeth. Tooth pain or the accidental cracking or loss of a tooth can be an uncomfortable, embarrassing and potentially harmful situation. Your smile says a lot about you, so when you are having trouble with your teeth it can affect your entire outlook.

If you or your kids are involved in sports, you run the risk of tooth and mouth damage from the activities, and children are always banging themselves around during play.

It’s good to know the name and location of a 24-hour clinic just in case of any tooth emergency. How do you know that you need to see a dentist? We are going to take a look at some of the more common examples of needing to see a dentist right away. If you are having issues with your artificial teeth you may need to do an online search for “Denture Repair Near Me” to find a clinic that is open when you need it.

dentist office

Toothache

Most people experience a toothache at least once in their life. Tooth pain can be caused by many things including sensitivity, a thinning of the tooth enamel or cavities that need repair. If you are experiencing uncomfortable toothache pain for more than 48 hours it’s a good idea to see a dentist for a check-up.

Broken Tooth

If you are lucky enough to find the part of a tooth that has broken off, keep it clean and dry until you can see a dentist. Don’t wait. Rinse your mouth with a saline (salt) solution, clean the tooth fragment without soap and keep it in a damp towel or kleenex until you can get to a clinic. In come cases the tooth can be repaired if the fragment is saved in good condition once you reach a dentist.

dentist teeth

Lost Tooth

If a full tooth has come out of your mouth from trauma or an accident, do your best to find and preserve the tooth before visiting the dentist. Once you locate the tooth, only touch the enamel end of the tooth and never the root. Rinse the tooth with saline solution and allow it to dry naturally. If possible, it is recommended to try and reinsert the tooth until you get to the clinic. If it’s not possible to reinsert, soak the tooth in a bit of regular milk and take it with you
to have put back in.

dentist

Infection

If you notice any unusual swelling, bleeding or irritation in your teeth and gums, you should see your dentist right away. There could be an abscessed infection under your gums that is filled with pus. A ruptured abscess can cause severe illness and even death if not treated right away. Never leave an infection longer than 24 hours before you seek dental treatment. If over the counter medications are not working on your infection or if you have a fever, you
should not delay in getting help.

dental visit

This is a collaborative post, The views and ideas expressed are not necessarily those of Mommy Ramblings.

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Tagged as Dentist, Emergency, Teeth