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Posts Tagged ‘Dental Health’

Love Your Mouth! Tips On Taking Care Of Your Teeth And Gums

January 8th, 2010

Did you know that not taking proper care of your teeth and gums can actually have a harmful affect on the rest of your body? Having healthy teeth and gums will help to keep your bones strong, your immune system running at top-notch capacity, and can actually help to prevent certain forms of tongue and gum cancers! Here are a few tips on how you can ensure you keep your teeth and gums healthy and fully functional, well into your older years!
1) Brush Twice a Day!
Don’t let busyness get in the way of clean teeth! Brush after breakfast in the morning, and then before you go to bed at night. Take a portable music player into the bathroom with you, and brush for the duration of about one song, which tends to be around three minutes. Make sure you also gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to get rid of any potential bacteria that may be trying to lurk there!
2) Floss Once a Day!
The best time to do this is probably before you head to sleep at night, since you’ll be less rushed for time. Push the floss gently into place between each set of teeth, and move it back and forth a few times. Then, make a curve with the floss and slide it up and down the edge of each tooth, ensuring that all surfaces get cleaned.
3) Make Healthy Choices
When it comes to personal nutrition, the health of your teeth is effected by the things you put in your mouth. Since cutting out all sugars is an unreasonable goal, try eating more fruits and snacks with natural sugars, or decide to only consume processed sugars at mealtimes. Snacking on things like veggies and yogurt between meals is a better choice for your all around health anyway, so making it a part of your daily dental regimen will do double health duty!
4) Visit Your Dentist
This should be a given! As a certified professional, your dentist can make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy for years to come, and he’ll be able to catch any issues that arise between visits. To avoid painful dental procedures like root canals down the line, follow these simple guidelines for healthy teeth and gums, and visit your dentist just to make sure no additional complications have the chance to develop!
You’ll only ever get one set of teeth in this world, so take care of the teeth you have!

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Children & teeth … teeth and children

January 7th, 2010

I have several fillings in my teeth and my husband has none! What a lucky man! Of course, I hate going to the dentist and always try to avoid the experience. The mere sound of the drill makes my skin crawl and my ears ring as I’m sure is the case with many moms. Just thinking about it makes me more determined to avoid the place more than ever.

Like all children, my children nag for sweets and tit-bits that they see other children eat. As a conscientious mum I try to avoid those things altogether. It is not that easy. Whenever we socialize they get sweets from someone. That’s life and we all know it.

My daughters – being women – are particularly fond of chocolate. Although they may choose other sweets off the shelves because they look colorful and fun, they always end up eating MY chocolate instead! In a recent survey women voted chocolate to be their ‘first love’. With statistics like that how can I possibly deprive my two little girls from this pleasure?

Of course I end up allowing them chocolate on a regular basis … followed by guilt and concern. I spend thousands on different types of healthy tit-bits in my effort to try and get them to like something healthier. It doesn’t work. For almost 4 years it didn’t work … how long does one bang your head against a brick wall?

But dental health is a real concern in the short and long term!

Just read this! “Chronic periodontal disease affects about 85% of the adult population!” (Dr Steven J. Smith D.D.S., P.C). This disease can affect the entire body through bacteria that is absorbed into the body via the mouth. In fact – any disease in the mouth can affect the whole body because it has a direct pathway into the bloodstream through inflamed tissue supporting the teeth. It was discovered that disease spread through the body in this way can even cause clotting in the blood increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. The fact is … the mouth must be healthy or else a compromised systemic body health will result.

Recent studies have shown that people with healthy gums have shown to have higher levels of an antioxidant called ‘glutathione’ in their saliva. Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally produced by the body however supplementation will facilitate dental health and reduce the incidence of gum disease.

My eyes and ears were open when I came across articles and information on a product that contains an array of antioxidants, including natural bioavailable glutathione that supports the healthy functioning of the body … providing a long list of other benefits!

It was just the right product for us! Chocolate! It is crucial to know one thing though – not all chocolate is created equal … you need the right kind of chocolate.

My first question was: “What does it taste like?” and the second questions was: “Will my children like it?” Children do love good things and it turns out, my children love it! They can have chocolate every day now! No more guilt, no more fear, no more worries! The other benefits are amazing too.

My conclusion? God does love the world … he gave us chocolate.www.healthychocolate.co.za

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Home Teeth Whitening Hydrogen Peroxide – Everbright Smile

January 5th, 2010

People really tend to do home remedy endeavors just to whiten teeth at the same time save money. Well, that could be reasonable enough but, not all home remedy techniques are effective. You have to make sure that it will help whiten teeth and won’t harm it. Most of the home remedies techniques use fruits, or acid containing subjects for they think that the acid will clearly whiten teeth. Well, what will surely be effective is the Home teeth whitening Hydrogen Peroxide.Click Here For Everbright Smile Limited Free Trial!Studies show that using a mouth wash with Hydrogen peroxide could be as effective as a natural whitener and could improve the gum lines as well as the tongue and can even improve mouth health significantly. However, one study reported discoloration of the inner lining of the mouth and the tongue when used 4 times daily for 5 weeks. Adults who brushed with toothpaste containing 0.87% hydrogen peroxide twice a day for 6 months showed no differences in gum health. There are some who rinses containing 3% hydrogen peroxide used 3 to 5 times per day can cause irritation in people with a previous mouth injury; and rinsing and brushing 2 to 3 times daily with products containing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide can affect the tongue and gums in some healthy people. Never swallow Home teeth whitening Hydrogen peroxide. It is not advisable to swallow. You have to be extra careful with these kinds of home remedies. it doesn’t mean that if it’s a home remedy strat then it is that considered as a natural one and could never harm.So, better grab the one that you could really get extra benefit and could be worth all your money, time spent and effort. Remember to consider this tip for you to be able to see the differences, the advantages as well as the disadvantages. See for yourself.Click Here For Everbright Smile Limited Free Trial!

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Teeth Whitening Gel Kits – Everbright Smile

January 1st, 2010

Teeth play a very big role in our body. It is used to tear, scrape, and chew food. Without the teeth it would really be very difficult for us to munch on the food that we eat. So because it is very useful, we also have to take good care of it. Like brushing and cleaning it, as well as spending time to go to the dentist for it to be fixed. If you try to observe, the teeth also plays a big role on the expression that we portray. There is this Teeth whitening Gel kits for you to be able to maintain a beautiful and white teeth.Click Here For Everbright Smile Limited Free Trial!Aside from the eyes, it is one of the main focus of a person when a person looks at another one. So you should always care for your teeth. The teeth whitening gel kits will help you maintain the beauty and the presentation of your teeth. It whitens teeth in few minutes time. You just have to apply it then you’ll be surprised of the outcome.The benefits are really worth all your effort and money. It has no side effect or any bad effects that might cause the thinning of the tooth enamel. Incase you don’t know an enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body and is one of the four major tissues which make up the tooth, along with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp. See, it has a significant role as you can see. It is the outer cover so we have to protect it.So it is also important to use a product that would never affect the tooth enamel. Always put in mind the products that you would be using, you have to give it a double check. Don’t just grab it and immediately pay. We also need to know it first and the benefits that it can give us. We have to make sure that we are using the right product that would really suit our needs.With these, tooth whitening gel kits everything is of free in worries. For it already is the solution for your problems. It could cater even newly restored tooth with no side effects and wouldn’t cause any harm. The duty of this gel is to restore as well as maintain for you to be able to attain a nice and healthy teeth. This could be a good start for you. So grab it now and see what are the benefits stored for you.Click Here For Everbright Smile Limited Free Trial!

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Facts About Safety and Effectiveness of Teeth Whitening Products

December 21st, 2009

There is no doubt that whiteners are one of the most increasing numbers of oral hygiene products and while manufacturers are busy meeting market demands, the ADA Council of Scientific Affairs continuous to monitor its development and the need for standardizing the term “whitening” or “whiteners”.

In a layman’s term, whitening is the process of making the teeth to appear whiter. Although whitening is commonly administered by dentists in their clinics, there are also teeth whitening products available for home use like whitening toothpastes. A whitening product can bleach (this product contains peroxide) the tooth by removing surface and deep stains while non-bleaching formula like whitening toothpaste only works by physical or chemical reaction that helps remove surface stains.

Consider bleaching products or peroxide-containing whiteners, these available products either dentist-dispensed or over-the-counter (OTC) for home use are bearing ADA Seal of Acceptance. It contains 10% carbamide peroxide just like the other products in this category. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea in a water-based solution.

Hydrogen peroxide becomes the active bleaching agent. There are other peroxide ingredients that contain tooth whiteners and the list includes glycerin, carbopol, sodium hydroxide, and flavoring agents. According to clinical studies, 10% carbamide peroxide is safe and effective tooth-whitening agent. However, there are temporary side effects that may occur during treatment process like tooth sensitivity (often occurs during early stages of bleaching) and occasional irritation of oral mucosa or soft tissues in the mouth (often caused by ill-fitting tray). Both of these side effects may stop after treatment. The bleaching product for home use treatment procedure usually lasts for two to four weeks.

There is also this professionally applied bleaching agent that contains 15-35% hydrogen peroxide and is sometimes being applied with a light or laser to activate the whitening process. Before the application of such product, gum tissues are being protected using a protective gel or a rubber dam. Unlike home use products, the professionally applied whitener is faster to apply. Usually, the procedure lasts for only an hour. The most common side effects observed for this product are similar to the side effects of carbamide peroxide: temporary tooth sensitivity and occasional irritation of oral tissues. Irreversible tooth damage has been reported also although this is a very rare case. Professionally applied whiteners are not eligible for the ADA Seal due to the fact that on December 31, 2007, the professional component of the Seal Program was discontinued.

On the other hand, another tooth-whitening product available is called dentifrice or the most common form is toothpaste. Most whitening toothpastes available OTC has received ADA Seal of Acceptance. They contain polishing or chemical agents to remove certain stains. These non-bleaching agents aid to whiten teeth gradually. Just like any other medications or health products, it is advisable to consult a dentist before trying any teeth whitening product whether at home or under professional supervision. ADA recommends patients, especially those who have many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains, to submit to dental consultations and thorough oral examinations to determine the most appropriate treatment.

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How To Care For Your Teeth

December 2nd, 2009

With more people taking better care of their teeth at home and with advanced dental treatments, more people are keeping their natural teeth for a lifetime. Two of the most important things you can do at home is to: Brush your teeth and floss your teeth properly every day.
That sticky substance called plaque causes most dental problems that occur in the mouth. A bacterium in plaque produces acids that attack the enamel of the tooth and can cause decay. Plaque can also cause gum disease. If untreated gum disease can lead to a serious infection that can destroy gum tissue and surrounding bone. If the bone is infected, teeth can be lost.
The best thing you can do to have healthy teeth and gums is to remove the plaque that build up on your teeth daily, before it has a chance to cause any damage to your teeth and gums. The brushing is done to remove the plaque from the tooth surfaces and if your brush correctly you can also remove the plaque from under the gums. Flossing removes plaque from in between two teeth.
We learn how to brush when we are kids and sometimes we can get sloppy or we hurry through the task and do not brush all of our teeth or even all of the surfaces of our teeth. We can damage our gums if we brush too hard. Believe it or not, there are different ways to brush your teeth correctly and your hygienist or dentist can show you the way that is best for you.
Parents should brush their kids teeth through age 5 and supervise kids from age 6 through 10. Teeth should be brushed a minimum of twice a day, but ideally after each meal. Even if you do not eat breakfast, you should brush your teeth early in the morning to remove plaque build up during the night. At night you have less saliva to protect your teeth against plaque so it is really important to brush your teeth.
Most people tend to brush their teeth too hard, you really only need to brush lightly. Once plaque has hardened into tartar, you cannot brush it away the hygienist must remove it. To remember to brush lightly, hold your toothbrush like you would hold a pen.
You should brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes each time you brush. Set a timer if you have to, to be sure that you brush for a full two minutes. Longer is fine, but two minutes is a minimum because it is what is required to brush all of your teeth and their surfaces. Sometimes brushing your teeth in the same order each time will help you to brush every tooth. Use a soft bristled brush; anything harder might cause gum damage. It is important to change your toothbrush regularly when it looks like it is getting worn or every 3 months whichever comes sooner.
It is important to choose the right toothpaste for you. Ask your dentist for advise. It is important to choose one that has fluoride.
Your dentist or hygienist can demonstrate the proper way to brush your teeth.
Floss once a day and in between each tooth. Take your time flossing, there is no hurry and doing a through job of getting in between each tooth is important. Do not skimp on the floss. There are many different types of floss, so ask your dentist for the best type for you.
Your dentist or hygienist can demonstrate the proper way to floss your teeth.

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Dental Health Care and Teeth Protection

November 22nd, 2009

Smile is the beauty of Face. Healthy teeth compliments healthy smile. For keeping teeth healthy proper care is very necessary. Nowadays because of unhealthy food and due to not taking proper care many dental problems are arising like bruxism,canker sore, teeth cavities, gum diseases, Periodontitis, Dysphagia, Gingivitis, Halitosis, dry mouth and many more.

There are many dental solutions available with the dentists like:

• Dental fillings are a requirement when you face dental problems like broken or chipped of dentures, tooth with cavities etc. Dental fillings are done with certain non-reactive and stable metals and inorganic compounds.

• Dental sealants otherwise also known as tooth sealants are a thin coat of resin that is applied on the surface of the teeth to prevent tooth decay.

• Dentures are the most helpful thing that has brought out for the people without teeth. They act as a substitute for the teeth and are easily removable when required. Dentures can be used for single tooth replacements, a few teeth replacements or replacement of a whole set of teeth.

• Dental insurance – Here in dental insurance, you will get covered for all dental procedures that are carried out on your teeth either during the course of normal dental care or in case you suffer from an accident and damages has taken place to your teeth.

• Braces have been in place not just to ensure the beauty of a person or guarantee his / her smile. They are able to rectify health problems and help one to maintain better oral hygiene. Teeth that have been overcrowded in the mouth are distributed evenly and thy can be cleaned effectively by brushing and flossing. Other dental problems like tooth decay and cavities can also be cleared over time with proper braces for your teeth

But as we know that Precaution is better than cure. So it is better to keep good care of our teeth to keep smiling always.

Tips for Dental Care:

• Brush your teeth correctly at least twice a day.

• Use your teeth for what they are intended for

• Avoid smoking, drugs, tobacco etc.

• Avoid clinching or grinding teeth

• Floss your teeth to remove food particles and bits that are trapped under the gums.

• Consume foods that will not damage your teeth

• Know what you are taking and update your knowledge about the side effects of the se medications.

• Perform Exercises for your teeth like gum massage.

Visit the dentist once in every six months

Clean the mouth after having the food to maintain good oral hygiene.

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Learn How Teeth Whitening at the Dentist Office Works

November 13th, 2009

It is true that our teeth affect our self-esteem. It is a part of our appearance. Whitening directly changes one’s appearance, and in an indirect way, it affects our confidence.

With the number of products and services that results in whiter teeth, people become confused with what to choose. These products and dental procedures differ in cost and pace in providing results. While the products used to be strictly classified with professional and home use, nowadays, products that are of the ‘professional use’ quality are now in the market. These products provide results closer to the professional dental treatment compared with the ‘home use’ products like toothpastes.

If you are more into fast results, the advised dental procedure is chairside teeth whitening. It is usually performed at a dentist’s office. Also called teeth bleaching, this provides results in about an hour. The difference that can be seen in the result within an hour is four to six shades lighter, which depends on every individual.

Below are some facts that describe how it works.

– Bleaching is performed with the use of a product that contains 15% to 35% of hydrogen peroxide in gel formula. Before this treatment is started, the gums are protected with a gel (some use a dental dam) that shields the soft gum tissues.  After this, the dentist will apply to the teeth the hydrogen peroxide gel. To increase the whitening effect, a laser or a special light (of the same purpose as a laser) can be used. After a while, the gel is rinsed off. The application of protective gel and whitening agent is repeated several times. Right after the treatment, you will notice the impact of your teeth’s new shade to your appearance. This treatment provides a ‘natural white teeth’ result, in just about an hour.

– In case you have white fillings, it is advised that you replace them with a shade that does not go against the shade of your teeth after bleaching.After the procedure, you might notice that your teeth sensitivity has increased. This is to be expected and is a natural reaction of your teeth after the treatment. The degree of teeth sensitivity however varies from one person to another. Nonetheless, the sensitivity will disappear within 24 hours after the treatment.

The advantage of an in-office whitening treatment is that you, as the patient, are sure that only your teeth will get in contact with the hydrogen peroxide. Also, with the dentist performing the treatment, he or she will know if the teeth in contact with the agent can still take another round of the treatment.

Before deciding, it is important that you consult with your dentist. Also, visit your dentist for check up and cleaning. It is only after these two procedures that your dentist can decide and advise you if you need a teeth whitening treatment. Your dentist will also advise you with what type of treatment is going to work best for you considering your current oral health.

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Teeth Whitening – Can Home Remedies Be The Answer?

November 9th, 2009

In fact, it’s possible that you might incur no real costs at all in whitening your teeth, because of the home remedies for teeth whitening readily available to you right now.
This way, the biggest challenge you are going to have to face is the rinsing out of the funny taste that you might have when you’ve finished.
It can be as simple as that, because teeth whitening is a small and simple procedure that can make a very big difference to you, in the right way.
Many people complain about less than stunning white teeth. For some, it m ight be the products that pass through their mouths. Key culprits here are cigarette smoke and/or drinks like tea and coffee especially when strong or in excess.
For others the fading and discoloration of teeth can be caused by over exposure to fluoride, aging, nerve damage and even some antibiotics (thankfully rarely used nowadays).
You may be one of those who’d like to brighten their smile, but do not wish to cough up the hundreds of dollars at the dentist’s office.
Of course, there are some teeth whitening treatments that can be bought at your local pharmacy or supermarket for far less that the professionals charge.
If the idea of using tricky chemicals on your teeth puts you off, there are alternatives. Many people just use home remedies for teeth whitening, often proving to be just what the doctor did not need to order and still giving useful results.
Some Ideas To Try At Home
Whilst some ideas might come out of a fairy story and be founded on urban myth and folklore, there are some real possibilities that you might care to try out. It’s important to say here that these will work with varying degrees of success with different people.
You would be wise to try anything with caution and test out small inconspicuous areas first, just to be on the safe side.
Remember, whatever you try is at your own risk, not ours – these are possibilities that have been tried down the ages and are not based on clear scientific fact, nor are there any guarantees!
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is probably the most common and popular natural lightening agent. It can be combined with lemon juice, baking soda, baking powder, or almost a dozen other ingredients.
Different home remedies for teeth whitening you might come across will call for different amounts of peroxide. And be careful to precisely check the strength of hydrogen peroxide is appropriate for this use. ‘Google’ it and see what you can find out.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice by itself may not be the best home remedy for teeth whitening as the acidity can weaken teeth. In fact, you can taste the acidity so clearly that it will come as no surprise that it is acidic!
3. Strawberries
Oddly enough, strawberries fall into the same acidic category as lemon juice. They are both natural whiteners. How to use? Well, simply rub them directly on your teeth or mash into a paste and apply.
4. Wood Ash
Wood ash is known for being a natural bleaching additive, but too much usage can erode the enamel of your teeth gradually. Typically, even wood ash has a bitter taste,not dissimilar to lemon juice as well as the vinegars
5. Vinegar
Apple cider and white vinegar are also used in a few home remedy recipes for teeth whitening.
So, you see, there is a whole range of possibility just sitting around your place. Home remedies for teeth whitening are out there and are as cheap as it gets.
Just ensure that you please seek the right advice before you start experimenting, or you could end up wishing that you’d waited and spent a bit more to do it properly.

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Healthy Teeth, Health Heart

November 4th, 2009

It is frequently said that one part of your body is related to other parts.  Reflexology specialists have always said that pressure points in the feet can relate to head aches, migraines and other pains in the body.  Research has now found that your teeth are connected to your heart.

People that regularly visit their local dental practice and take good care of their teeth are less likely to have heart problems like cardiovascular disease.  The discovery was made by Professor Howard Jenkinson from the University of Bristol, with support from the Royal College of Surgeons.  The research was looking into how blood cells are affected by bacteria when they stumbled upon the discovery. 

Around 700 different types of bacteria can be found in the mouth.  If you fail to use your electric toothbrush enough then you may suffer from poor dental hygiene.  If you have bad dental hygiene you could end up with bleeding gums, gingivitis and other oral diseases which are attacked by the bacteria in your mouth.  The bacteria then go into the blood stream and are known to be independent factors in causing heart disease.  These independent risk factors for heart disease are a result of oral bacterial infections caused by bacteria like Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis.

These findings now explain why some antibiotics fail to work in the treatment of heart disease.  Professor Jenkinson and his team are collaborating with Dr Steve Kerringan in order to develop a solution to the problem.  Until a cure is found it is recommended you take care of your teeth by brushing them regularly using an electric toothbrush.  You will find tooth care products are widely available from tooth whitening products like crest white strips to traditional dental care like an electric toothbrush or dental floss.

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