Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
Dental Sealants
Should dental sealants be put on baby teeth? Your Dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your child's baby teeth have deep pits and grooves. Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth. It is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don't fall out early. Sealants are also commonly prescribed for deep grooves on the first and second adult molar. Ask us about sealants at your child's next visit.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
Toothpaste For Children. Less Is More.
This is the amount of toothpaste suggested for a child under 2 years old (Left) and a child at 2-6 years old (Right).
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Why we take x-rays.
This is why your dentist takes x-rays. You can see by the photo that the teeth look fine. But when the radiograph is taken you can see an interproximal cavity in-between the teeth on the right side of this upper bicuspid tooth. The bacteria that eat your teeth Streptococcus mutans are facultative gram negative anaerobic bacteria that cannot live in oxygen which is why they grow best in-between the teeth where there is no air containing oxygen and can only be cleaned with dental floss. Did you floss today? When was the last time you had a dental exam that included x-rays?
Monday, June 8, 2015
Bad Breath: What Causes It?
What Causes My Bad Breath? Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is breath that has an unpleasant odor. This odor can strike periodically or be persistent, depending on the cause. In many people, the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth (particularly on the back of the tongue) are the primary causes of bad breath. The mouth's warm, moist conditions make an ideal environment for these bacteria to grow. Most bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.
Some types of bad breath, such as "morning mouth," are considered to be fairly normal, and they usually are not health concerns. The "morning mouth" type of bad breath occurs because the saliva that regularly washes away decaying food and odors during the daytime diminishes at night while you sleep. Your mouth becomes dry, and dead cells adhere to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. Bacteria use these cells for food and expel compounds that have a foul odor.
In addition, bad breath can be caused by the following:
Poor dental hygiene — Infrequent or improper brushing and flossing can leave food particles to decay inside the mouth.
Infections in the mouth — Periodontal (gum) disease
Respiratory tract infections — Throat infections, sinus infections, lung infections
External agents — Garlic, onions, coffee, cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco
Dry mouth (xerostomia) — This can be caused by salivary gland problems, medications or by "mouth breathing."
Systemic illnesses — Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others
Psychiatric illness — Some people may perceive that they have bad breath, but it is not noticed by oral-health-care professionals or others. This is referred to as "pseudohalitosis."
Symptoms
A person may not always know that he or she has bad breath. This phenomenon is because odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually become accustomed to the constant flow of bad smells from the mouth. Others may notice and react by recoiling as you speak.
Other associated symptoms depend on the underlying cause of bad breath:
Poor dental hygiene — Teeth are coated with film or plaque, food debris trapped between teeth, pale or swollen gums
Infections in the mouth — Gums may be red, swollen and bleed easily, especially after brushing or flossing; pus may drain from between teeth; a pocket of pus (abscess) at the base of a tooth; loose teeth or a change in "fit" of a denture; painful, open sores on the tongue or gums
Respiratory tract infections — Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands") in the neck, fever, stuffy nose, a greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, a mucus-producing cough
External agents — Cigarette stains on fingers and teeth, a uniform yellow "coffee stain" on teeth
Dry mouth — Difficulty swallowing dry foods, difficulty speaking for a prolonged period because of mouth dryness, a burning sensation in the mouth, an unusually high number of dental caries, dry eyes (in Sjögren's syndrome)
Systemic (body wide) illnesses — Symptoms of diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure or liver disease
Diagnosis
A dentist or physician may notice the patient's bad breath while the patient is discussing his or her medical history and symptoms. In some cases, depending on the smell of the patient's breath, the dentist or physician may suspect a likely cause for the problem. For example, "fruity" breath may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. A urine-like smell, especially in a person who is at high risk of kidney disease, can sometimes indicate kidney failure.
Your dentist will review your medical history for medical conditions that can cause bad breath and for medications that can cause dry mouth. Your dentist also will ask you about your diet, personal habits (smoking, chewing tobacco) and any symptoms, including when the bad breath was noticed and by whom.
Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, oral tissues and salivary glands. He or she also will feel your head and neck and will evaluate your breath when you exhale from your nose and from your mouth. Once the physical examination is finished, your dentist may refer you to your family physician if systemic problems are the most likely cause. In severe cases of gum disease, your dentist may recommend that you be seen by a periodontist (dentist who specializes in gum problems).
You will need diagnostic tests if the doctor suspects a lung infection, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or Sjögren's syndrome. Depending on the suspected illness, these tests may include blood tests, urine tests, X-rays of the chest or sinuses, or other specialized testing.
Expected Duration
How long bad breath lasts depends on its cause. For example, when the problem results from poor dental hygiene, proper dental care will begin to freshen the mouth immediately, with even more impressive results after a few days of regular brushing and flossing. Periodontal disease and tooth abscess also respond quickly to proper dental treatment. Bad breath resulting from chronic sinusitis may be a recurring problem, especially if it is caused by a structural abnormality of the sinuses.
Bad breath the results from a systemic illness may be a long-term problem that can often be controlled with proper medical care.
Prevention
Bad breath caused by dental problems can be prevented easily. Daily maintenance calls for brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwashes approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Regular visits to the dentist (at least twice a year) should be made for dental examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning.
Bad breath also can be combated by drinking plenty of water every day to encourage saliva production. An occasional swish of the mouth with water can loosen food particles. Other products that keep breath fresh and prevent plaque from forming include sugar-free gum, sugarless lozenges, raw carrots and celery.
Treatment
The treatment of bad breath depends on its cause.
When To Call A Professional
Call your dentist promptly if you have bad breath with painful, swollen gums that bleed easily or loose teeth. Also, call your doctor if you have bad breath along with a fever, sore throat, a postnasal drip, a discolored nasal discharge or a mucus-producing cough. Even if you have none of these associated symptoms, call your dentist or physician if your bad breath continues despite a good diet and proper dental hygiene.
If you have diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic liver or kidney disease, ask your doctor how bad breath can be a sign that your underlying medical condition needs immediate medical attention.
Prognosis
Once bad breath has been diagnosed, the outlook for fresh breath is usually excellent as long as you stick to your dentist's or physician's treatment plan.
Dental Hygiene and Pregnancy
It is of utmost importance for you and your baby to maintain excellent dental hygiene when pregnant. Keep those teeth and gums healthy with regular checkups.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Imapcted Wisdom Teeth And The Damage They Can Cause!
Impacted wisdom teeth have to be removed because you cannot keep them clean with brushing and flossing.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Quick Facts About Baby Teeth!
The first baby teeth to fall out are typically the two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) and the two top front teeth (upper central incisors), followed by the lateral incisors, molars and canines. Molars typically fall out between ages 9 and 12 and are replaced by permanent teeth by about age 13. Baby teeth usually stay in place until they are pushed out by permanent teeth. If a child loses a baby tooth early as a result of tooth decay or an accident, the teeth besi...de it might drift into the empty space. Teeth in the opposite jaw might also move up or down to fill the gap. This can crowd permanent teeth and cause them to come in crooked. Some children are excited to lose their baby teeth, while others are nervous about this childhood milestone. If your child wants you to pull out a loose tooth, grasp it firmly with a tissue or piece of gauze and remove it with a quick twist. If the tooth is resistant, wait a few days and try again. If you're concerned about a baby tooth that doesn't seem to loosen sufficiently on its own, check with your child's dentist. He or she might recommend a wait-and-see approach or an extraction in the dental office. When your child starts to lose his or her baby teeth, reinforce the importance of proper dental care. For example:
Remind your child to brush his or her teeth at least twice a day. Supervise and offer assistance as needed. Help your child floss his or her teeth daily. Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks. Schedule regular dental visits for your child, either with your family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Ask the dentist about use of fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help prevent tooth decay. Do not neglect the dentist's advice concerning your child’s teeth. Instead of thinking and assuming stuff about your child’s teeth consult a dentist and get proper guidance. http://rahulshindeblog.blogspot.com/…/04/children-teeth.html.
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Remind your child to brush his or her teeth at least twice a day. Supervise and offer assistance as needed. Help your child floss his or her teeth daily. Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks. Schedule regular dental visits for your child, either with your family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Ask the dentist about use of fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help prevent tooth decay. Do not neglect the dentist's advice concerning your child’s teeth. Instead of thinking and assuming stuff about your child’s teeth consult a dentist and get proper guidance. http://rahulshindeblog.blogspot.com/…/04/children-teeth.html.
See More
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Why Do We Get Sensitive Teeth?
Sensitive teeth are primarily caused by gum recession. Gums recede for many reasons, like brushing too hard, age, and periodontal disease. When gums recede, small openings in the root of the tooth called dentine tubules are exposed and may be opened by acidic foods and drinks. These open tubules lead directly to the nerve of the tooth and can cause pain
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Dental Cleaning = Healthy Teeth , Gums And Body
If you haven't had your teeth cleaned in the last 3 to 6 months you could be spreading infection to the rest of your body. Please prevent oral systemic health issues by getting your teeth cleaned regularly from your dentist or hygienist.
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