Category: Dental care

Sedation Dentistry: A Gateway to Stress-Free Oral Health

The fear of dental procedures is a common barrier preventing individuals from seeking necessary dental care, potentially compromising their oral health. Sedation dentistry emerges as a revolutionary solution, offering a pathway to undergo dental treatments in a relaxed, anxiety-free environment. This article delves into the nuances of sedation dentistry and its pivotal role in enhancing patient comfort and ensuring the maintenance of optimal oral health.

Understanding the Essence of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry utilizes various forms of sedatives to help patients achieve a state of calm and relaxation during dental procedures. Tailored to meet the specific needs and concerns of each patient, sedation levels can range from mild to deep, enabling a customizable approach to dental care that addresses everything from mild anxiety to more profound dental phobias.

Exploring the Spectrum of Sedation Options

Sedation dentistry offers multiple methods to suit diverse patient needs, including:

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): This mild sedative is administered through a mask, inducing a state of relaxation without significant downtime, allowing patients to resume their daily activities post-appointment.
• Oral Sedation: Taken in pill or liquid form before the procedure, oral sedation provides a deeper level of calm, suitable for patients with moderate anxiety, though it may require someone to escort the patient home.
• Intravenous (IV) Sedation: For a more profound sedation effect, IV sedation delivers sedatives directly into the bloodstream, ideal for complex dental procedures or patients with severe dental anxiety, under strict professional monitoring.

The Advantages of Opting for Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is not merely about alleviating anxiety; it offers tangible benefits that extend to various aspects of dental care:

• Anxiety Reduction: Sedation is instrumental in diminishing fears, transforming dental visits from stressful to manageable experiences.
• Enhanced Pain Management: By dulling discomfort, sedation contributes to a more comfortable procedure and recovery period.
• Facilitated Dental Work: Relaxed patients enable dentists to perform treatments with greater efficiency and precision, often allowing for multiple issues to be addressed in a single visit.
• Promotion of Regular Dental Care: The positive experiences facilitated by sedation dentistry encourage patients to maintain regular dental visits, crucial for long-term oral health.

Is Sedation Dentistry Suitable for You?

Sedation dentistry may be an excellent option for individuals who:

• Experience dental anxiety or phobia
• Have difficulty remaining still for extended periods
• Possess a sensitive gag reflex
• Require extensive dental procedures
• Have had negative dental experiences in the past

If considering sedation dentistry, it’s essential to consult with a dental professional who can evaluate your specific needs and recommend the most appropriate sedation method.

Conclusion

Sedation dentistry stands as a beacon for individuals struggling with dental anxiety, offering a stress-free route to achieving and maintaining optimal oral health. By alleviating fears and discomfort, this approach not only improves the dental experience but also ensures patients no longer delay necessary treatments due to anxiety. Embrace the benefits of sedation dentistry and step into a future where dental care is synonymous with comfort and tranquility.

Impacted wisdom teeth are a common dental issue that many people face. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what impacted wisdom teeth are, why they may need to be removed, and the treatment options available to address them. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions about your oral health and well-being.

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to emerge in the back of the mouth. In some cases, these teeth may become impacted, meaning they are unable to fully erupt through the gum line and properly align with the rest of the teeth. This can occur due to a lack of space in the jaw or the teeth growing in at an angle.

Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

• Pain or Discomfort: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain or discomfort, especially when chewing or biting down.
• Swelling: Swelling of the gums around the impacted teeth may occur, along with redness and tenderness.
• Difficulty Opening the Mouth: Impacted wisdom teeth can make it challenging to open the mouth fully due to pressure and inflammation.
• Jaw Stiffness: Some individuals may experience jaw stiffness or soreness, particularly in the morning.

Why Remove Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

While not all impacted wisdom teeth require removal, there are several reasons why extraction may be recommended:

• Pain Relief: Removing impacted wisdom teeth can alleviate discomfort and prevent future pain and complications.
• Prevention of Damage: Impacted wisdom teeth can push against adjacent teeth, causing crowding, misalignment, and potential damage to nearby structures.
• Infection Prevention: Impacted wisdom teeth are more prone to infection due to difficulty in cleaning around them. Removing them can reduce the risk of oral infections and inflammation.
• Cyst Formation: Impacted wisdom teeth may lead to the development of cysts or tumors in the jawbone, which can cause further complications if left untreated.

Treatment Options for Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

• Extraction: The most common treatment for impacted wisdom teeth is surgical extraction. This procedure is typically performed by an oral surgeon under local anesthesia or sedation to ensure the patient’s comfort.
• Monitoring: In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may be monitored closely by a dentist or oral surgeon to assess their growth and potential impact on oral health. If they remain asymptomatic and do not pose a risk, they may not require immediate removal.

Conclusion:

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause discomfort and pose risks to oral health if left untreated. By understanding the signs, symptoms, and potential complications associated with impacted wisdom teeth, individuals can make informed decisions about their treatment options. Consulting with a dentist or oral surgeon can help determine the best course of action for addressing impacted wisdom teeth and maintaining optimal oral health.

Embarking on a journey with Allon4 dental implants is a transformative experience, and proper postoperative care, including a well-thought-out diet, is crucial for successful recovery. Cypress Dentist TX offers comprehensive insights into what you can eat after getting Allon4 dental implants. From soft foods to nutritionally rich choices, this guide aims to provide valuable information to support your healing journey and ensure the longevity of your new smile.

What Can You Eat After Getting Allon4 Dental Implants?

Immediate Post-Operative Period

• First 24 Hours: Focus on consuming soft, easy-to-chew foods and liquids. Opt for smoothies, pureed soups, yogurt, pudding, and lukewarm broth to nourish the healing implants without causing strain.
• Avoid Hot Foods: Steer clear of hot foods or beverages during the initial days. Prefer lukewarm or room temperature options to prevent irritation and discomfort.
• Stay Hydrated: Adequate hydration is crucial for recovery. Drink plenty of water, and consider sipping on electrolytes to maintain hydration levels.

Soft Foods for Comfortable Chewing

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a soft and comforting option. Add butter or gravy for added flavor.
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce is a gentle and tasty choice, offering a smooth texture that is easy to consume.
• Smoothies: Blend fruits, yogurt, milk, or a dairy-free alternative to create nutrient-rich smoothies. Add protein powder for an extra boost.
• Oatmeal: Softened oatmeal offers a warm and filling option. Customize with honey, mashed bananas, or stewed fruits.
• Yogurt and Soft Cheese: Choose soft and easily spreadable options. These provide protein and can be enjoyed with minimal chewing.
• Pureed Soups: Opt for soups with a smooth consistency, ensuring they are cool enough to eat.
• Ice Cream or Sorbet: Soft and cold treats like ice cream or sorbet are indulgent yet gentle on the mouth. Avoid options with crunchy mixins.

Protein-Rich Options for Healing

• Soft Scrambled Eggs: Provide a protein-rich option that can be easily chewed.
• Protein Shakes: Contribute to healing and offer necessary nutrients.

Vegetables and Fruits

• Avocado: Mashed or puréed avocado provides healthy fats and a creamy texture.
• Bananas: Soft and easily digestible, making them an ideal choice for postoperative consumption.

Considerations for Long-Term Healing

• Gradual Introduction of Solid Foods: As healing progresses, gradually introduce semi-solid and then solid foods, based on guidance from Cypress Dentist TX.
• Chew on the Opposite Side: When reintroducing solid foods, chew on the side opposite the dental implants to minimize pressure.

Beverage Choices for Healing

• Water: Vital to recovery; drink plenty to support overall health and healing.
• Herbal Tea: Lukewarm or room temperature herbal teas can be soothing.

Nutritional Supplements

Consult with Cypress Dentist TX: Discuss the inclusion of nutritional supplements to support healing, as recommended.

Conclusion

Cypress Dentist TX encourages a thoughtful and nutritious postoperative diet for individuals with Allon4 dental implants. This comprehensive guide provides a roadmap for a nourishing and healing diet. Adhering to these guidelines, consulting for personalized advice, and maintaining excellent oral hygiene practices contribute to the success and longevity of your implants. Remember, this healing period is crucial in your journey to a restored smile, and the right dietary choices play a significant role in that process.

The history of braces is fascinating. They have changed a lot over the ages, from simple dental tools for straightening teeth to fashion statements that show off your style. A critical change in braces is the addition of red and black patterns, also known as red and black braces, turning them from plain tools to stylish ornaments. This piece goes into great detail about the long history of braces evolution.

It talks about how they were first used for practical reasons, how styles changed over time, and how red and black braces became a popular way to show who you are.

The First Orthodontic Tools:

There are records of orthodontics and braces being used in ancient times. Archaeological evidence shows that the Etruscans were the first people to try to fix their teeth. They used gold bands to hold their teeth together. In ancient Rome, Aulus Cornelius Celsus wrote about straightening teeth by pressing on them with your fingers.

These early methods, on the other hand, were less precise and effective than modern orthodontics.

The Rise of Modern Braces:

The natural rise of braces started in the 18th century, when Pierre Fauchard, a French dentist often called the “father of modern dentistry,” created a device called the bandeau. There were evenly placed holes in the horseshoe-shaped bandeau that could hold a piece of thread and keep the teeth in place.

There were more improvements in the 19th century when gum elastics and wires were made to help move teeth. But these early braces were unlike the sleek and discreet ones we use today.

From the beginning to the middle of the 20th century, braces were mainly made to work, not look good. Stainless steel or other metals were often used for bands, wires, and clamps. The main goal was to fix misalignments and malocclusions. People thought orthodontic treatment was a practical necessity rather than a choice because braces were usually big and easy to see.

The Addition Of Coloured Bands:

In the last few years of the 20th century, dental offices started using colored bands on braces, which was a significant change. Patients, especially younger ones, could make their dental devices more unique with this new invention. With the help of colorful bands, people could show off their personalities and make having braces a little more fun.

• Patterns in red and black:

As the trend of colored bands grew, people who liked the look of red and black patterns started to choose them, and the red and black braces became famous. Red and black, often worn together in stripes, checks, or alternating designs, were a bold and stylish alternative to solid colors. People used to think of braces only as a practical accessory, but this change in orthodontic fashion added a way to express oneself.

• Now that braces are in style:

There are even more ways to customize braces today than in the past. People can now get braces in different colors, patterns, and unique designs. But red and black patterns are still a standard and popular choice because they show that you are both sophisticated and unique.

• The Influence of Pop Culture:

The popularity of red and black patterns on braces is partly due to how often they appear in pop culture. Movies, TV shows, and famous people have helped make braces a fashion item instead of something that makes people feel self-conscious. Because of this, people are jumping at the chance to make their dental journey a fashion statement.

• Improvements in Braces Technology:

The development of braces isn’t just about how they look; significant improvements in orthodontic technology have also played a part. Today’s braces look better, are more comfy, and work better than the ones that came before. Clear aligners, a more discrete option to traditional braces, are becoming more popular because they look almost like nothing.

• Giving People More Power:

The popularity of red and black patterns on braces shows a more significant societal shift towards valuing individuality and accepting different ways of expressing oneself. Patients, especially teens and young adults, see their time in orthodontics as a chance to show off their style and personality.

Wrapping Up

Braces have changed from simple orthodontic tools to fashionable ornaments. This shows how fashion, technology, and personal expression have come together. These days, red and black braces have made them more than just tools for fixing problems; they’re also a way for people to show themselves.

As dental techniques keep changing, it’s clear that a celebration of differences and uniqueness has replaced the shame once attached to braces. People getting orthodontic treatment can now wear their braces with pride owing to patterns in red and black, among other colors and styles. What used to be a necessity has become a fashion statement.

Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure known for their ability to change smiles. Understanding the lifespan of veneers and practicing adequate maintenance is critical for ensuring their longevity. This article looks at the elements that influence the durability of dental veneers, care advice to help them last longer, and realistic expectations for anyone contemplating this cosmetic dental modification.

Veneer Lifespan: Factors at Play

1. Material Quality:
Porcelain vs. Composite: Porcelain veneers are durable and stain-resistant, providing a longer lifespan than composite veneers.

• High-Quality Materials: Using high-quality materials during the veneer creation process helps to improve lifespan.

2. Professional installation ensures precise placement. Veneers are securely glued to the teeth when fitted adequately by a professional cosmetic dentist.

• Minimizing Wear and Tear: Precise positioning reduces the risk of premature wear and tear, allowing the veneers to last longer.

3. Personal oral habits:

• Oral care practices: Regular and comprehensive oral hygiene measures, such as brushing, flossing, and scheduling routine dental check-ups, improve veneer longevity.
• Avoiding Harmful Habits: People who avoid grinding their teeth, nail-biting, and using their teeth as tools help their veneers last longer.

4. Dietary Tips: Avoiding staining substances like coffee, red wine, and smoke will help maintain the aesthetic appeal of veneers.

• Limiting Acidic Foods: Acidic foods and beverages can shorten the lifespan of veneers; thus, moderation is essential.

Maintenance Tips to Extend Veneer Life:

1. Maintain Regular Oral Hygiene:
Gently brush the veneers with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

• Flossing Between Teeth: Regular flossing promotes oral health and prevents problems near veneer edges.

2. Preserve against tooth grinding:

• Custom-fitted sleep guards help preserve natural teeth and veneers from biting.
• Stress Management: Eliminating stress-related tooth grinding can help to preserve veneers.

3. Avoid bad habits:

• Biting and chewing ice with your nails: Avoid nail-biting and chewing on hard things like ice, as these behaviors can cause veneers to chip or crack.
• Using Teeth as Tools: Avoid using your teeth to open things or execute jobs they were not designed for.

4. Schedule regular dental check-ups and professional assessments:

• Regular dental check-ups enable a competent examination of veneers and the detection of any potential problems.
• Polishing and Maintenance: Dentists can polish and maintain veneers to keep them looking their best.

5. Stain Management:

• To minimize staining, consume staining foods and beverages in moderation and practice proper dental hygiene.
• Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening procedures can be used to keep the color of natural teeth consistent with veneers.

Realistic Expectations:

1. Longevity with Proper Care

• Average Lifespan: Porcelain veneers can endure 10 to 15 years with adequate maintenance. However, composite veneers may last only 5 to 7 years.
• Individual Variability: Lifespan varies depending on personal oral habits, maintenance techniques, and the conditions of each instance.

2. Potential Replacements:

• Veneers may need to be replaced owing to natural wear, changes in dental health, or cosmetic preferences.
• Material advances may provide better possibilities for replacement veneers in the future.

3. Responsive to lifestyle choices:

• Adaptation to Lifestyle Adjustments: Individuals who undertake lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking or addressing tooth grinding, ca improve the durability of their veneers.
• Cosmetic dentistry allows for changes or replacements as needed.

Conclusion

Dental veneers, whether porcelain or composite, can significantly improve a smile. Their longevity is affected by various factors, including material quality, skilled installation, personal behaviors, and adequate maintenance. Individuals can extend the life of their veneers by practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding harmful habits, and getting professional dental care.

Realistic expectations include realizing that, while veneers are durable, they may eventually need to be replaced, and advances in dental technology continue to provide better possibilities. Dental veneers can last for years with the proper maintenance and attention.

Teeth play an essential role in our daily lives, not just in our capacity to chew food but also in our overall health and beauty. This thorough guide enables individuals to prioritize their dental well-being by providing insights into teeth anatomy, effective teeth cleaning practices, and prevalent concerns.

I. Teeth Anatomy:

a. Tooth Structure: Several layers that include enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum.

• Enamel: The most rigid substance in the body, enamel is the outermost layer and protects against degradation.
• Dentin is a sensitive layer that connects to the pulp beneath the enamel.
• The pulp comprises nerves and blood vessels that aid in tooth development and sensitivity.
• The cementum covers the tooth roots and secures the tooth to the jawbone.

b. Teeth Types:

• Incisors are the front teeth that are used for cutting.
• Canines are pointed teeth used for ripping.
• Premolars and molars are back teeth with flat tops that are used for grinding and crushing.

II. Good Oral Health Practices:

a. Use a circular motion to clean thoroughly without causing harm.

b. Floss at least once daily to eliminate plaque and food particles between teeth. Proper flossing techniques aid in the prevention of gum disease and cavities.

c. Schedule biannual dental exams for professional cleanings and early diagnosis of dental problems. Dental practitioners can address individual oral health needs through personalized recommendations.

d. Eat a well-balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, dairy, and lean proteins. To avoid tooth decay, limit your intake of sugary snacks and acidic liquids.

e.To reduce your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer, stop smoking and using tobacco products.

f. Moderate alcohol consumption benefits general oral health and lowers the risk of gum disease.

g. Wear mouthguards during sports to protect your teeth from harm. Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the best protection.

III. Common Dental Issues:

a. Tooth decay: Caused by plaque buildup, tooth decay can progress to cavities and necessitates immediate treatment. Proper oral hygiene, regular check-ups, and a balanced diet are all part of prevention.

b. Gum Disease (Periodontitis): If left untreated, gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, can proceed to periodontitis.

c. Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet triggers: Sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweet stimuli may suggest enamel degradation or exposed dentin. Sensitivity can be managed with desensitizing toothpaste and professional advice.

d. Bruxism (Tooth Grinding): Grinding or clenching your teeth can cause enamel wear, jaw pain, and migraines. Customized nightguards help safeguard your teeth while you sleep.

e. Orthodontic Problems: Malocclusion (misalignment) can result in problems such as overcrowded or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatments, such as braces or clear aligners, aid in alignment correction.

f. Mouth Cancer: Regular dental check-ups help discover mouth cancers early. Lifestyle choices, such as abstaining from smoking and alcohol, minimize the risk.

g. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Low saliva production can be caused by drugs or certain medical disorders. Dry mouth symptoms can be relieved by staying hydrated and utilizing saliva substitutes.

IV. Specialised Dental Care:

a. Paediatric Dentistry: Early dental appointments help youngsters develop appropriate oral hygiene practices. Pediatric dentists cater to the specific dental needs of children.

b. Cosmetic Dentistry: Cosmetic procedures improve the appearance of the teeth. Popular procedures include veneers, tooth whitening, and cosmetic bonding.

c. Restorative Dentistry: Restorative procedures repair or replace lost or damaged teeth. Therapeutic options include fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants.

d. Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy): Root canal therapy treats tooth pulp infection or injury. The fundamental purpose of endodontic procedures is to preserve the natural tooth.

e. Periodontics: Periodontists treat gum problems and do gum surgery. Periodontal treatments such as scaling and root planing are popular.

Conclusion:

Prioritizing complete dental care entails understanding tooth anatomy and teeth cleaning, implementing good oral care routines, and addressing common dental issues as soon as possible. Individuals can retain healthy and brilliant smiles for the rest of their lives by incorporating basic hygiene practices, receiving regular professional dental treatment, and being aware of any risks. Remember that dental health is essential to general health; preventive treatment such as teeth cleaning adds to a confident and bright smile.

Maintaining good oral health goes beyond daily brushing and flossing; regular oral exams play a crucial role in cavity prevention and promoting overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll delve into the significance of oral exams, exploring how these routine check-ups can be the key to early detection, prevention, and a lifetime of healthy smiles.

The Basics of Oral Exams

Oral exams conducted by dental professionals involve a comprehensive assessment of your oral health. During these routine check-ups, dentists examine your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues to identify any signs of problems or potential issues. X-rays may also be taken to get a more in-depth view of your oral structures.

Early Detection of Dental Issues

One of the primary benefits of regular oral exams is the early detection of dental issues, including cavity prevention. Many oral health problems, such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancers, may not exhibit noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Dentists can identify these issues through a thorough examination before they escalate, allowing prompt intervention and treatment.

Cavity Prevention and Tooth Decay:

Cavities and tooth decay are common dental problems that, when left untreated, can lead to more significant issues. Regular oral exams enable dentists to identify the early signs of cavities and decay, often before they cause discomfort or affect the tooth’s structural integrity. Preventive measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants can be recommended to protect the teeth from further damage.

Monitoring Gum Health

An important aspect of overall oral health is gum health. If left unchecked, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and impact systemic health. Oral exams include a thorough gum health assessment, with dentists checking for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. Early detection allows for timely intervention, including professional cleanings and personalized oral hygiene recommendations.

Assessing Oral Hygiene Practices

Oral exams provide an opportunity for dentists to evaluate your oral hygiene practices. They can offer guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques and recommend specific oral care products tailored to your needs. Education on effective oral hygiene practices empowers individuals to actively maintain their oral health between dental visits.

X-Rays and Diagnostic Tools

In addition to visual examinations, oral exams may involve X-rays and other diagnostic tools to get a comprehensive view of your oral structures. X-rays can reveal issues such as hidden cavities, impacted teeth, and jawbone abnormalities. These diagnostic tools aid in the early detection and precise diagnosis of dental problems.

Customized Treatment Plans

If issues are identified during an oral exam, dentists can create customized treatment plans based on individual needs. Whether it’s addressing cavities, cavity prevention, gum disease, or other concerns, having a personalized plan ensures that each patient receives targeted and effective care. This approach is essential for preventing the progression of dental issues and maintaining optimal oral health.

Promoting Overall Well-Being

The benefits of oral exams extend beyond preventing dental problems—they contribute to overall well-being. Oral health is interconnected with systemic health; conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues can be linked to oral health issues. Regular oral exams play a role in identifying potential systemic health concerns, allowing for early referral and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

With regard to oral health, preventive care is essential, and regular oral exams are a cornerstone of preventive care. By undergoing routine check-ups, individuals can benefit from early detection, personalized treatment plans, and a proactive approach to oral hygiene. Remember, a healthy smile is not just about the absence of cavities; it’s about overall well-being. Schedule your next oral exam today and invest in a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Benefits Of Dental Bonding For Improving Your Smile

Dental bonding is a convenient and effective option for fixing chipped teeth, and it is often recommended as an alternative to more invasive treatments. This procedure involves using a composite resin for tooth restoration, which is shaped, molded, and then hardened with a special curing light directly on the patient’s tooth.

How Does Dental Bonding Work?

Typically, dental bonding can be completed in a single appointment. During your initial consultation, the dentist will discuss your treatment goals and expectations. You will then select a composite resin shade that matches your natural teeth.

The treatment area is thoroughly cleaned before the procedure. In some cases, the dentist might lightly etch your enamel to enhance the bond between the composite resin and your tooth’s surface. The dentist then shapes the dental bonding material to fit the treatment area and makes necessary adjustments before hardening it with a specific type of UV light.

Top 4 Benefits of Dental Bonding

• Enhancing Your Smile’s Appearance: Dental bonding has several applications in cosmetic dentistry. It can cover old stains or discolorations that professional whitening treatments can’t remove and is used to correct the shape or appearance of abnormally shaped teeth. Dental bonding can balance and symmetrize your smile and is also effective for closing gaps between teeth.
• Restoring Dental Health: Dental bonding is durable and can be used for tooth restoration, enhancing a patient’s smile. It’s suitable for filling cavities, sealing cracks, and repairing chipped or damaged teeth. Additionally, it can protect sensitive dentin exposed along the gum line due to gum recession and safeguard teeth where enamel is fragile.
• Non-Damaging Dental Treatment: One of the main advantages of dental bonding is that it does not require drilling or extraction. Unlike dental crowns and veneers, which require grinding down the tooth enamel, dental bonding is a non-invasive and non-permanent option that is applied to the natural surface of the tooth. The procedure is quick, with the bonding material being applied, shaped, sculpted, and set in a single appointment.
• Preservation of Tooth Enamel: Dental bonding does not affect tooth enamel as it only bonds to the tooth’s surface. In contrast, treatments like dental crowns and veneers are permanent and significantly alter the natural teeth. Cosmetic dental bonding for tooth restoration offers temporary solutions, allowing you to revert to your natural smile if desired.

Is Bonding the Best Option for Tooth Restoration?

Dental bonding is a great, non-invasive, and cost-effective therapy option for many restorative and cosmetic dental issues. However, whether dental bonding is the right choice depends on your treatment objectives, personal preferences, and budget.
Various tooth restoration services are available at dental offices, including caps, crowns, implants, bridges, veneers, professional teeth whitening, and more. Dental bonding is just one of these options. Choose according to your needs and preferences.

Maintaining a balanced diet is an essential element of recovery after dental surgery. Choosing the right foods can aid healing, prevent complications, and speed up recovery. In this detailed guide, we analyze the post-dental surgery diet, providing a roadmap to support your recovery and encourage maximum healing.

Factors Influencing Food Choices Following Dental Surgery:

Before delving into post-dental surgery diet suggestions, it’s critical to explore the factors influencing food choices during the post-operative period:

• Avoiding Irritation:

Oral tissues may be sensitive or prone to irritation following dental surgery. Soft, non-abrasive foods can help reduce discomfort during eating.

• Promoting Healing:

Certain nutrients are essential in the healing process. Foods high in vitamins, minerals, and protein can aid tissue healing and minimize the chance of infection.

• Maintaining Hydration:

Adequate hydration is critical for recovery. However, some beverages, such as those high in acidity or carbonation, may aggravate surgical areas. Choosing hydrating and non-irritating options is crucial.

• Preventing Complications:

Post-operative care often includes preventing complications such as infection or surgical site damage. Food choices that lower the likelihood of complications contribute to a more successful recovery.

Best Foods to Eat After Dental Surgery:

Soft Foods:

• Yogurt: High in probiotics and protein, aiding in maintaining a healthy balance of microorganisms in the mouth.
• Applesauce: A natural source of vitamins and antioxidants.
• Mashed Potatoes: Soft, easily digestible, and a rich source of carbohydrates for energy.

Smooth Soups and Broths:

• Chicken Broth: Provides warmth, hydration, and some protein.
• Vegetable Soup: Blended vegetable soups offer critical nutrients and are easily digestible.

Protein-Rich Foods:

• Scrambled Eggs: A versatile and easy-to-eat protein-rich option.
• Greek Yogurt: Contains more protein than regular yogurt, aiding in muscle repair and immune function.

Hydrating Foods:

• Bananas: High in potassium and provide energy.
• Avocado: Smooth and nutrient-dense, a good source of healthy fats.
• Cooked Vegetables: Soft and vitamin-rich, like cooked carrots.
• Mashed Butternut Squash: Soft and flavorful, high in vitamins and antioxidants.

Water and Other Hydrants:

• Water: Essential for recovery and overall health.
• Herbal Tea: Non-caffeinated herbal teas, like chamomile or peppermint, offer relief and hydration.

Whole Grains and Dairy Alternatives:

• Muesli: Soft and nutritious, can be flavored with soft fruits.
• Quinoa: Contains protein and can be cooked to a softer consistency.
• Almond Milk or Coconut Milk: Non-dairy milk alternatives for added nutrition.

Avoid Irritants:

• Acidic and Spicy Foods: Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and spicy foods may irritate sensitive areas.
• Crunchy Snacks: Chips, pretzels, and other crunchy snacks can be rough and irritating.

Soft Treats:

• Ice Cream or Gelato: Cold and soothing, can provide relief if the surgery site is still sore.

Tips for Post-Operative Eating:

• Adhere to the Dentist’s Advice:

Follow any dietary recommendations provided by your dentist or oral surgeon.

• Chew Slowly:

Take smaller, softer bites if chewing is painful. Chew on the unaffected side to reduce stress on the surgery area.

• Maintain Hygiene:

Follow your dentist’s oral hygiene recommendations. A gentle rinse with a saltwater solution may be advised.

Wrapping Up:

Choosing the right foods to eat after dental surgery is an essential part of post-operative care. Appropriate foods can provide critical nutrients, aid in healing, and reduce the chance of complications. Remember to follow your dentist’s suggestions, stay hydrated, and listen to your body’s cues for a more comfortable recovery. By making informed and healthy choices, you can assist your body’s healing processes and return to optimal dental health.

Gum boils, also known as dental or gum abscesses, are dental conditions characterized by localized collections of pus within the gums. While not everyone with a gum boil experiences severe pain, it is a common symptom of this condition. This article explores the causes of gum boils, their symptoms, and the varying levels of pain that individuals may experience.

Causes of Gum Boils:

Gum boils typically result from bacterial infections originating in a tooth’s root (tooth abscess) or within the gum tissue (gingival abscess). Common causes include:

• Tooth Abscess: An infection in the pulp of a tooth can spread to surrounding tissues, causing a gum boil.
• Gingival Abscess: Infections in the gum tissue, often due to trapped food particles or foreign objects, can lead to gum boils.

Symptoms of Gum Boils:

• Pain: Varies from mild discomfort to severe, throbbing pain, which may be constant or exacerbated by actions like chewing.
• Swelling: The affected gum area may appear swollen and tender, often accompanied by redness.
• Drainage of Pus: A noticeable bump or pimple-like elevation on the gum, indicating pus or a fluid-filled sac.
• Bad Taste or Odor: If the gum boil ruptures and drains, it may cause an unpleasant taste or odor in the mouth.
• Fever and Malaise: In more severe cases, systemic symptoms like fever and a general feeling of unwellness may indicate a widespread infection.

Different Levels of Pain:

The degree of pain experienced can vary based on several factors:

• Severity of Infection: More severe infections tend to cause more intense pain.
• Individual Pain Tolerance: Pain perception varies from person to person.
• Location of the Abscess: Pain intensity can be influenced by the abscess’s proximity to nerves or pressure-sensitive areas.

When Pain Indicates a Problem:

Pain associated with a gum boil can indicate several issues:

• Infection: Pain often signals a bacterial infection, which can spread and lead to complications if untreated.
• Inflammation: Pain is exacerbated by inflammation in the surrounding gum tissue.
• Pressure on Surrounding Tissues: Accumulating pus in the gum boil can exert pressure on nearby tissues, causing pain, especially during actions like chewing.

Seeking Dental Assistance:

Regardless of pain severity, individuals with symptoms of a gum boil should seek dental care promptly. Common treatments include:

• Drainage: Draining the pus can alleviate pain and facilitate healing.
• Antibiotics: Used to treat bacterial infections, especially important if systemic symptoms like fever are present.
• Dental Procedures: Depending on the underlying cause, treatments like root canal therapy, tooth extraction, or incision and drainage may be necessary.
• Pain Management: Pain relief may be provided through over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Conclusion:

Preventing gum boils involves maintaining proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Early treatment of dental issues such as decay or trauma can help prevent abscess formation.

Dental implants offer an effective solution for individuals with missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics to their mouths. These small devices are surgically implanted into your jawbone to provide support for artificial teeth like crowns, dentures, or bridges. 

If you’re scheduled for dental implant surgery, it’s crucial to prepare adequately for the procedure to ensure a successful outcome and a smooth recovery.

In this article, we’ll provide you with valuable tips on how to prepare for dental implant surgery, making the process more manageable and helping your body heal effectively post-surgery.

Key Steps for Successful Dental Implant Surgery Preparation

To enhance your overall experience during dental implant surgery, consider the following essential steps in your preparation:

• Consultation and Planning: Schedule a consultation with your implant dentist before the surgery. During this visit, your dentist will perform thorough examinations, including X-rays, scans, and a comprehensive dental check-up. This information is crucial for determining your suitability for dental implant surgery. Additionally, the consultation provides an opportunity for you to clarify any doubts, understand the process, and discuss your concerns.
• Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene: It’s vital to maintain impeccable oral hygiene leading up to the surgery to prevent any dental issues such as cavities or gingivitis. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and daily flossing, consider using an antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate oral bacteria. Address any existing dental problems, as a healthy mouth is essential for a successful procedure and the longevity of the implants.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Lifestyle changes can contribute to a smoother recovery and healing process. Avoiding smoking is highly recommended, as smoking can delay bone integration, hindering healing and affecting the success of dental implant surgery. Incorporate foods rich in minerals and vitamins, such as vegetables and fruits, into your diet to boost your immune system, a crucial element for proper healing. Refrain from consuming sticky and hard foods that could cause discomfort and disrupt the implant site.
• Meal Preparation for Post-Surgery: After dental implant surgery, you may experience fatigue, so it’s a wise idea to prepare easily consumable meals in advance. Stock up on ingredients for nutritious smoothies and consider options like brothy soups, applesauce, or ice cream, which are gentle on the mouth and easy to eat post-surgery.
• Antibiotics If Needed: In some cases, individuals may require immunosuppressant drugs before the surgery to prevent the body from rejecting the implants. Antibiotics can act as a substitute for the immune system, which is necessary for certain chronic patients. Your dental implant surgeon will discuss your medical history and guide you on the appropriate antibiotic if needed.
• Jaw Preparation: If your jaw isn’t suitable for anchoring the implant, your dentist may need to enhance its structure through specific procedures. These procedures, such as bone grafts or reshaping, may be necessary before the dental implant surgery, and the implant procedure will be performed once the jaw heals.
• Recovery Planning: Post-surgery recovery planning is crucial to ensure a comfortable healing process. Dental implant surgery can leave you feeling drowsy and groggy due to anesthesia. Essential preparations include obtaining pain medication, requesting at least two days’ leave from work or social engagements, arranging for child care, and getting assistance with household chores for the first two days after surgery.

Successful dental implant surgery hinges on thorough preparation. By following these tips and seeking guidance from your dentist, you can adequately prepare for the procedure and facilitate a smooth recovery period, ensuring the long-term success of your implants.

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option for improving the appearance of your smile. They can conceal imperfections like discoloration, chips, and misalignment, giving you a natural and healthy-looking smile.

However, to ensure your porcelain veneers last and maintain their appearance, proper care is essential. In this article, you’ll find valuable tips to prevent staining and extend the lifespan of your porcelain veneers.

Maintain Good Dental Hygiene:

Regular brushing and flossing are key to keeping your veneers bright and white. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride-free, non-abrasive toothpaste. Daily flossing helps keep both your veneers and natural teeth clean and free from stains.

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks:

Certain foods and beverages can stain your veneers over time. Consume these items in moderation or consider eliminating them from your diet to protect your veneers:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Berries
• Tomato sauce
• Curry

If you choose to consume these staining items, drinking water alongside them or using a straw can help minimize contact with your veneers.

Quit Smoking:

Tobacco use, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco, can lead to staining of your teeth, including those with porcelain veneers. Quitting smoking not only improves your overall dental health but also helps your veneers maintain their appearance over time.

Be Cautious with Acidic and Carbonated Drinks:

In addition to staining, acidic and carbonated drinks can weaken the bonding adhesive of your veneers, making them more susceptible to stains. Reduce your consumption of these drinks and consider using a straw when you do indulge.

Use a Mouthguard for Teeth Grinding:

If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, using a mouthguard at night is crucial. Teeth grinding can wear down the enamel on your veneers and lead to staining. A mouthguard protects your veneers and keeps them looking great.

Regular Dental Exams:

Routine dental checkups are essential to maintaining the condition of your veneers. Your dentist can identify any developing issues, remove surface stains, and provide guidance on caring for your veneers.

Use Whitening Toothpaste with Caution:

While it’s important to keep your teeth clean, be cautious when using whitening toothpaste. Some whitening toothpaste can be abrasive and may scratch the glaze of your veneers, making them more prone to stains. Consult your dentist for toothpaste recommendations that won’t harm your veneers.

Post-Meal Rinse:

After eating, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to remove leftover food particles and acidic substances that could potentially damage your veneers. This simple routine can help maintain the integrity of your veneers.

Handle Your Veneers with Care:

Even though veneers are durable, avoid using them for tasks like opening packages or biting into hard items to prevent damage and potential staining.

Consider Professional Teeth Whitening:

If you have natural teeth with stains that contrast with your veneers, professional teeth whitening can help achieve a consistent and bright smile. Consult your dentist to explore options for whitening your natural teeth without affecting your veneers.

Conclusion:

Porcelain veneers can enhance your smile, but proper care is essential to ensure they remain stain-free and beautiful. By following these tips and maintaining good oral hygiene practices, you can enjoy the benefits of your porcelain veneers for years to come while preserving their appearance.

Losing a tooth due to injury, decay, or other dental issues can be distressing. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers numerous solutions to help you regain your smile and oral health. If you’re missing several teeth, partial dentures are an excellent option. In this article, we’ll explore various types of partial dentures that can fill the gaps left by missing teeth, focusing on their aesthetic and practical aspects.

This guide aims to assist you in choosing the most suitable partial denture option for your dental needs by comparing popular solutions and highlighting their key features, benefits, and drawbacks.

Partial Denture Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Partial dentures are a valuable choice for individuals missing multiple teeth who wish to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. These removable dental appliances are a flexible and aesthetically pleasing solution for tooth loss resulting from injury, decay, or other dental challenges. In addition to filling the gap left by one or more missing teeth, partial dentures help prevent adjacent teeth from shifting position. They offer a non-invasive and cost-effective way to restore oral health and quality of life by replacing missing teeth.

Partial Dentures That Can Be Removed:

Replace multiple missing teeth at once with removable partial dentures. These dentures feature false teeth attached to a gum-colored acrylic or metal base. Thanks to their design, which clasps onto your natural teeth for stability, these removable dentures can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance.

Dentures that Bend and Flex:

Flexible partial dentures enhance comfort and aesthetics. Crafted from gum-colored, flexible materials, these dentures are nearly invisible next to your natural gums. Due to their lightweight and ability to conform to your mouth’s shape, these dentures are comfortable and easy to wear. They are often recommended for single-tooth or multiple-tooth replacement.

Partial Dentures Supported by a Metal Frame:

Replacement teeth supported by a metal framework offer durability and longevity. The metal framework provides additional stability, and it clasps onto adjacent teeth to prevent any shifting. These dentures are an excellent choice for replacing a single missing tooth when the surrounding teeth are in good condition.

Partial Dentures Made of Acrylic:

Acrylic partial dentures are a more affordable option, often used as a temporary or interim solution for a missing tooth. These dentures, made from acrylic resin, are less durable than other options but can cosmetically cover the gap left by a single missing tooth until a more permanent solution is sought.

Partial Dentures Supported by Implants:

Partial dentures secured to dental implants mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth and gums, resulting in a lifelike outcome. Because they are affixed to dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone, these dentures offer superior stability and performance. Dentures of this kind are an excellent choice for replacing one or more missing teeth without the concern of jaw bone degeneration.

Partially Replaced Dentures for Improved Aesthetics:

Partial dentures not only restore functionality for chewing and speaking but also make a significant difference in appearance. They are designed to closely match your natural teeth in color, shape, and size. Whether you opt for removable partial dentures made of flexible plastic, metal, acrylic, or implant support, they can effectively restore your smile and boost your confidence.

Maintenance and Care:

To ensure the longevity of your partial dentures, proper care is essential. Regular cleaning and soaking are necessary to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup. Additionally, schedule regular dental checkups to maintain the best possible fit and overall health of your dentures.

Conclusion:

Whether you aim to improve your smile’s aesthetics or seek a functional solution, partial dentures can be a valuable choice. There are cosmetic and functional benefits to selecting removable partial dentures, flexible partial dentures, metal framework partial dentures, acrylic partial dentures, or implant-supported partial dentures. 

Consult with your dentist to explore your options and make the best decision based on your specific circumstances. The right partial denture can restore your smile and oral health, providing you with the freedom and confidence that come with a complete set of teeth.

When you smile, do you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your gums? Do you believe your gums overshadow your teeth, making them seem smaller than they are? You’re not alone. Many individuals are concerned about the shape and size of their gums and seek a solution to enhance their smile.

Laser gum contouring has become a popular option in recent years. In this article, we’ll delve into what laser gum contouring entails, its benefits, and what to anticipate if you opt for this procedure.

Understanding Laser Gum Contouring

Laser gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping or laser gum lift, is a cosmetic dental procedure aimed at enhancing the appearance of your gums. This minimally invasive technique employs laser technology to reshape and sculpt the gum line. 

During the process, a dentist or periodontist uses a laser to meticulously remove excess gum tissue, achieving a more balanced and aesthetically appealing gum line. This adjustment can make your teeth look longer, and more symmetrical, and elevate your overall smile.

The Benefits of Laser Gum Contouring

Here are the advantages of this procedure:

• Enhanced Smile: The primary benefit is a more captivating smile. Reshaping the gums brings your teeth into better proportion, making them the highlight of your smile.
• Boosted Confidence: A beautiful smile can significantly elevate your confidence. Laser gum contouring can enhance your appearance, leading to heightened self-esteem.
• Minimal Discomfort: This procedure is less painful than traditional gum surgery. The laser cauterizes as it works, resulting in reduced bleeding and a quicker recovery.
• Quick Procedure: Typically, the process can be finished in one visit to your dentist, allowing you to appreciate your enhanced smile sooner.
• Long-Lasting Results: The results of laser gum contouring are enduring. Once the surplus gum tissue is eliminated, it doesn’t regenerate, ensuring your new smile remains.

What to Expect During the Procedure

If you’re contemplating laser gum contouring, here’s a brief overview of the process:

• Consultation: It starts with a consultation with a qualified dentist or periodontist. They’ll evaluate your gum line and discuss your objectives to ascertain if you’re a good fit for the procedure.
• The Procedure: On the day, after administering a local anesthetic for comfort, the dentist will use a laser to carefully eliminate excess gum tissue and sculpt your gum line.
• Recovery: Post-procedure, you might experience slight discomfort and swelling, which usually diminishes in a few days. You’ll receive post-operative guidelines to manage any pain and ensure proper healing.
• Enjoy Your New Smile: As your gums recover, you’ll observe a significant change in your smile, ready to flaunt your revamped appearance.

Is Laser Gum Contouring Right for You?

This procedure can be transformative for those unhappy with their gum appearance. However, it’s vital to note that it’s not suitable for everyone. Eligibility depends on factors like your current gum condition and overall oral health. Hence, consulting a qualified dentist or periodontist for a comprehensive assessment and recommendation is essential.

Conclusion

If laser gum contouring is on your mind, you’re on the verge of achieving a more confident and radiant smile. This procedure, with its myriad benefits, offers an enhanced smile, heightened self-confidence, and minimal discomfort. While it’s pivotal to engage with a dental expert to determine if you’re an ideal candidate, many have found laser gum contouring to be the perfect solution for their gum concerns.

A child’s smile brings immense joy to parents, making it essential to ensure their teeth remain healthy. Dental care encompasses more than just brushing and flossing. Dental sealants, along with other preventive measures, play a pivotal role in children’s oral health. Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

They excel at preventing tooth decay. However, a common question arises: “When should you consider dental sealants for your child?” In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the significance of dental sealants for children, the optimal time to apply them, and their role in preserving a radiant smile.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Before delving into the ideal timing for tooth sealants, it’s crucial to understand what they entail. Dental sealants for children are thin plastic coatings applied to the molars and premolars, the back teeth responsible for most of the chewing. These sealants act as barriers, preventing bacteria and food particles from settling into the deep grooves and crevices on the tooth’s surface.

The decision to get a dental sealant largely depends on the individual’s oral structure and their susceptibility to cavities. Dental sealants are typically most beneficial for children and teenagers who have recently had their permanent molars and premolars emerge. These teeth often have profound crevices and are more prone to cavities.

Adults can also benefit from this treatment if their teeth surfaces are vulnerable. However, those with existing fillings or extensive tooth decay might require alternative solutions. Ultimately, a dentist will assess a child’s oral health and, if sealants are deemed beneficial, recommend them as part of a comprehensive preventive dental care strategy.

Sealants As Preventive Measures

Sealants serve as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of tooth decay. By covering the vulnerable areas of the teeth, they create a smooth surface that’s easier to clean during routine dental care.

Minimal Discomfort:

Applying dental sealants is a painless procedure. The process involves placing the sealant on the teeth and then using a specialized light to solidify it. There’s no need for anesthesia or incisions, ensuring children remain comfortable throughout.

Ideal Age for Sealants:

The right age is paramount when considering protective measures for your child’s teeth. Typically, when permanent teeth and premolars emerge, it’s time to contemplate sealants. The first set of these teeth, known as the first molars, usually appear around age 6, while the second set, comprising the second molars and premolars, emerge between ages 11 and 14.

1. First Permanent Teeth Set:

Most individuals get their first set of permanent molars, often referred to as “6-year molars,” around the age of 6. This period is optimal for considering tooth sealants, as they can safeguard teeth as soon as they emerge.

2. Second Set of Permanent Teeth:

The second set of permanent molars and premolars, colloquially termed “12-year molars” and “premolars,” typically emerge between the ages of 11 and 14. As these teeth appear, it’s essential to assess if they require sealants.

It’s imperative to apply sealants to these permanent teeth as soon as they emerge. This proactive approach ensures they’re protected during their most susceptible early stages, shielding them from acids and bacteria that can lead to cavities.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

Sealants offer numerous advantages for children’s oral health:

1. Decay Prevention:

The primary advantage of sealants is their ability to prevent cavities. They form a protective barrier, preventing food particles and bacteria from settling in the teeth’s crevices, thereby reducing the risk of cavities.

2. Cost-Effective:

Dental sealants are an economical method to prevent cavities. When compared to the expenses associated with treating cavities and other oral issues, the initial cost of sealants is relatively low.

3. Long-Term Protection:

Dental sealants can safeguard your child’s teeth for several years, making them a valuable investment in their oral health. With proper care and maintenance, they can last up to a decade.

4. Preservation of Natural Teeth:

Sealants help maintain the original structure of teeth and promote children’s oral health. Unlike fillings, which require the removal of tooth tissue, sealants preserve the tooth’s integrity.

5. Enhanced Self-Esteem:

Children are more likely to appreciate their smiles if their teeth are healthy and pain-free. Dental sealants contribute to this by preserving the health of their teeth.

In Conclusion:

When contemplating dental sealants for children, timing is of the essence. The emergence of the first and second sets of permanent teeth and premolars, typically around ages 6 and 11-14 respectively, marks the ideal period for sealant consideration. 

Dental sealants are a valuable preventive measure, offering numerous benefits, including cavity prevention, cost-effectiveness, long-term protection, preservation of natural teeth, and bolstering self-confidence.

Dental implants are the most lifelike, durable, and cost-effective solution for replacing one or multiple missing teeth. However, to qualify for dental implants, certain criteria must be met. Some conditions might temporarily prevent you from being a suitable candidate until they are addressed.

After reviewing your medical history and evaluating the state of your remaining teeth and gums, the dentist will determine if these conditions apply to you or affect your eligibility for dental implants. Furthermore, your dental X-rays will be examined before finalizing your suitability.

Here are some factors that can influence one’s candidacy for dental implants:

Tobacco Use and Smoking: If you smoke or use tobacco, dental implants might not be the best choice. Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of implant complications. Smoking can delay healing and elevate the risk of infections. For successful implantation, smokers should ideally quit for at least two months.

Advanced Gum Disease: Dental implants aren’t recommended for those with severe, untreated gum disease. This condition can damage the gums, teeth, and jawbone. However, with proper gum disease treatment, dental implants might become a viable option.

Diabetes: Poorly managed diabetes can impede healing and heighten the risks associated with dental implants. However, with well-regulated blood sugar and a healthy lifestyle, individuals with diabetes can still qualify.

Certain Medications and Autoimmune Conditions: Drugs like blood thinners and steroids can complicate the dental implant process. Some autoimmune diseases also increase the risk of implant complications. Always discuss your medical history and medications with your dentist.

Radiation Treatment History: Those who have undergone radiation therapy to the face or neck might not be ideal candidates for dental implants. It’s crucial to consult with your oncologist about this.

Physical Fitness: Dental implant surgery requires the body’s ability to heal. If you have persistent health issues affecting your overall well-being, you might need to wait until your health stabilizes.

Jaw Bone Development: Age plays a role in dental implant candidacy. Young adults and teenagers usually need to wait until their jawbones are fully developed, typically by their early 20s.

Pregnancy: Pregnant women might not be ideal candidates due to potential risks. While dental X-rays are generally safe with precautions, they’re best avoided during pregnancy.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Heavy drinking can affect blood clotting, posing surgical risks. If you consume alcohol excessively, your dentist might advise you to reduce or abstain.

Regardless of age, dental implants can be a viable option if you meet the necessary criteria and are looking for a lasting solution for missing teeth. A qualified dentist will evaluate these factors, inform you about potential risks, and determine your eligibility.

Who’s an Ideal Candidate for Dental Implants?

You’re likely a good fit if you’re an adult with:

• Healthy teeth and gums.
• Sufficient jawbone density.
• No smoking habits.
• Overall good health.

In Conclusion

Missing teeth can impact your oral health, overall well-being, and quality of life. Dental implants offer a transformative solution. By considering the factors mentioned above and consulting with a dentist, you can determine if you’re a suitable candidate for this procedure.

What is Tooth Eruption? 

Tooth eruption refers to the natural process where a developing tooth moves from its original position within the jawbone to its final position in the mouth. This positioning enables the tooth to function correctly for biting and chewing purposes. 

Humans are diphyodont, which implies that we have two sets of teeth in our lifetime. The initial or primary set, known as deciduous or baby teeth, starts growing around six months of age. These teeth are replaced by a group of permanent teeth around the age of six, which last a lifetime.

Here are some essential details about the eruption of primary teeth: 

• Babies generally start getting their first teeth at around six months of age.
• Girls usually get their teeth before boys.
• Bottom teeth usually appear before top teeth.
• Teeth on both sides of the mouth usually come out in pairs.
• All baby teeth should be present when a child is 2-3.
• Their jaw and facial bones expand as children grow, creating gaps between their baby teeth. This natural process makes room for adult teeth, which usually start around age six and continue until age 12.

Stages of Tooth Eruption

For a tooth to come out, two things are essential: the removal of bone, primary roots, and soft tissues and a force that pushes the tooth along the path of eruption. Teeth come out in three stages: primary, mixed, and permanent phase. 

1. The first set of teeth, known as the Primary Dentition Stage, emerges around 6-8 months old and continues until 2-3 years of age. This phenomenon is often known as the emergence of baby teeth. These baby teeth remain in the child’s mouth until they age six.
2. The mixed dentition stage refers to a period when both baby and adult teeth coexist. At around six years old, the first permanent tooth, commonly known as ‘six-year molars’, appeared. This marks the beginning of the mixed stage, which ends when the last baby tooth falls out at about 10-12 years of age.
3. As children grow, they eventually lose all their baby teeth, marking the beginning of the permanent dentition stage. This usually happens between the ages of 10 to 12, when 28 teeth will be present in their mouth. By the time they reach 21, the last teeth, also known as “wisdom teeth” or third molars, will emerge, bringing the total number of teeth in the mouth to 32. 

It’s unclear what causes teeth to emerge, but a few factors are believed to contribute. The dental follicle produces signals that may play a role, and the tooth’s root grows and extends, helping to create space in the jaw. The periodontal ligament (PDL) also forms and provides a force that helps push the tooth up and out. 

There are various theories on how teeth come out, but some researchers have proposed essential factors that any theory should meet to be valid:

1. Teeth are moved in a straight line and at different angles.
2. Teeth erupt differently and at varying speeds depending on their stage of development.
3. The position of teeth in our mouths is often inherited from our parents.

Harmful Habits That Affect Teeth Growth

• Finger or Thumb Sucking: Sucking on fingers or thumbs can negatively impact the growth of upper front teeth, causing them to stick out due to the imbalance between the outward force of the tongue on the roof of the mouth and the inward pressure of the cheek muscles.
• Tongue Pushing: Children who push their tongue forward habitually exert too much pressure on their upper front teeth, leading to changes in their growth patterns.
• Lip Biting or Sucking: Regularly biting or sucking on the lips, especially the lower lip, can cause excessive pressure from the lips on the lower front teeth, altering their growth trajectory.

Maintaining healthy primary teeth is essential for creating adequate space for permanent teeth to emerge, enabling proper chewing, biting, speech, and an attractive appearance. Sustaining a nutritious diet and practicing daily dental hygiene is crucial to ensure healthy tooth eruption. 

Your dentist might suggest that you get your teeth scaled. The process also includes root planning for deep dental care. In common terms, it is known as deep cleaning.

Teeth scaling and root planning help to treat gum diseases and infections. The process requires more in-depth cleaning than regular teeth cleaning. Teeth scaling and root planing frequently take more than one dental visit and could require anesthesia according to your dental condition or if you have receding gums. 

When do you want teeth scaling?

The dentist will suggest teeth scaling and root planing if you have severe gum disease or infection. These processes are used for proper oral hygiene and to avoid any harmful issues that can occur in the future.

Receding gums happens when the germs in plaque pull your gums away from your teeth, making enormous pockets between your teeth and gums, and more germs can develop where properly cleaning your teeth can not occur at home.

That is why floss is necessary daily as it reaches problematic areas. Some other issues can be caused if precautions are not taken.

• Loss of bone and tissues
• Tooth decaying
• Loosen teeth
• Weaken teeth enamel

What is the process of teeth scaling?

Teeth scaling and root planing is a short-term process performed by the dentist. Consultation with the dentist is an essential step as it helps to understand the condition of your teeth. 

Your dentist will initially start teeth scaling, and it begins with removing plaque from the teeth using the scratching technique and removing it from the pockets or areas developed between the teeth.

Then, do the root planning in which, with the help of the scaling tool, a smoothing process starts, which smoothens the gums and helps them reattach to the gums.

What are the advantages of this process?

Decreasing the pockets between your teeth and gums through teeth scaling and root planing will remove all the infections or diseases caused by the plaque in the gums and teeth. The advantages are:

• It helps to get rid of bleeding gums
• Remove bad breath
• Cure red and inflamed gums
• Changes the biting intensity
• Strengthen the teeth and gums
• Heal swollen gums

What are the cons of Teeth Scaling?

The dangers of teeth scaling are negligible. You may have an infection; in that case, your dentist may recommend an anti-infection or a special mouthwash for a couple of days or weeks.

It is essential to contact your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Unbearable pain
• The area doesn’t heal properly
• High fever
• Bleeding from gums
• Swelling in the affected area

You may experience sensitivity or slight discomfort after the procedure, and there are chances you can have tender gums. 

What are the after-effects of teeth scaling?

In some cases scaling teeth requires more than one visit. In that case, the dentist recommends a follow-up appointment to check the procedure worked well and that you haven’t developed any complications. After scaling and root planing, you can start brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing. 

Lastly, Teeth scaling and root planing are normal techniques to treat gums and teeth sickness. Your dentist can provide you with the best advice that helps you to get relief, and this is the best option the dentist recommends, offering overall oral hygiene. 

To avoid the issue of receding gums, taking precautions prior can help avoid any harmful situation. However, these teeth scaling and root planing techniques offer deep and thorough cleaning of the mouth, which is usually recommended by the dentist, promoting overall mouth care.

Retainers play a crucial role in dental hygiene and in maintaining the alignment of your teeth. If neglected, they can harbor bacteria, potentially leading to infections and tooth decay. While regular brushing and flossing are essential for oral health, it’s equally important to ensure that retainers are kept clean to prevent complications.

In this article, we’ll guide you on how to clean retainers and discuss the best practices. Proper care of your retainers not only ensures oral hygiene but also extends their lifespan.

How to Clean a Dental Retainer?

Permanent retainers are an excellent solution for maintaining teeth alignment post-braces. However, they demand meticulous care. By taking precautions, you can ensure both a healthy mouth and a long-lasting retainer.

Which Ingredients Are Best for Cleaning Dental Retainers?

The most recommended solution for cleaning retainers is plain or distilled water, which helps keep them moist. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are effective cleaning agents due to their antibacterial properties, which combat plaque buildup.

Dipping retainers in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and warm water for 15 minutes can effectively reduce germs. However, always rinse your retainers thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residual chemicals that might damage tooth enamel.

Tips for Cleaning Your Retainer

Here are some guidelines for proper retainer care:

• Soak your retainer in a non-abrasive solution, such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or a denture cleanser, every other day. Avoid using excessively hot water as it might warp the retainer.
• Refrain from using abrasive tools like toothpicks or metal brushes. These can scratch the retainer’s plastic material, compromising its integrity and appearance.
• Soft-bristled brushes with mild toothpaste can be used for cleaning. However, avoid using harsh toothpaste or hard-bristled brushes as they can discolor or scratch the retainer.

Do’s and Don’ts of Retainer Cleaning

Do’s:

• Use lukewarm or cool water.
• Consider a paste made of baking powder and baking soda for cleaning.
• Use a diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning.
• A diluted vinegar solution can help remove plaque.
• Consider purchasing a premade retainer cleaner.
• Always rinse your retainer with water before wearing it to ensure no harmful residues remain.

Don’ts:

• Avoid disinfectant cleaning wipes.
• Don’t soak in hot water.
• Refrain from using mouthwash containing alcohol.
• Always store your retainer in its case.

Final Thoughts

Retainers are essential for preserving your beautiful smile and protecting your teeth. A clean retainer is vital for oral health. If not maintained properly, it can lead to infections and damage to your enamel and gums.

It’s best to clean retainers with mild solutions or specialized denture solutions. Soft-bristled brushes help maintain the retainer’s shine, while harsh brushes or chemicals can damage its surface. For comprehensive guidance on retainer care, always consult your dentist.

Good dental hygiene is essential for the health of your mouth and teeth. Cavities, gum disease, and poor breath are dental problems resulting from unhealthy oral flora. Natural therapies can help destroy harmful germs in the mouth in addition to regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. This piece discusses some of the best, all-natural approaches to maintaining a clean, bacteria-free mouth.

Natural Ways To Kill Harmful Bacteria

• The Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling entails swishing oil in one’s mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. Common oils for oil pulling include coconut, sesame, and sunflower. The oil has antibacterial properties and can help lessen the amount of microorganisms in the mouth. Oil pulling has been demonstrated to drastically lower the amount of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Rinses made of saltwater have been used to improve dental health for ages. Warm salt water gargling can help eliminate bad breath odors and reduce painful gum irritation. The salt in the water makes it difficult for germs to thrive. Moreover, saltwater rinses can alleviate gum pain and treat other mild mouth irritations.
• Curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities and is used in a mouthwash made from turmeric. Turmeric and water used as mouthwash can inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria. Its antimicrobial characteristics help maintain healthy gums and teeth.
• The antibacterial effects of tea tree oil are well-known. A mouthwash that adds a few drops of tea tree oil to water can combat bad breath. However, tea tree oil should always be diluted before usage because its concentrated form can be irritating.
• Green Tea: Antioxidants and catechins found in green tea can reduce swelling and fight infection. Green tea has been shown to reduce bad breath and promote oral health by reducing the growth of dangerous bacteria in the mouth.
• Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an effective acid neutralizer with natural antimicrobial properties. Using baking soda as a part of your regular oral hygiene routine helps kill off harmful bacteria and keep plaque at bay.
• Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory effects and can help soothe sore gums. Oral health can also benefit from its antibacterial properties. Aloe vera gel applied to the gums or used as a mouthwash can eliminate bacteria and stimulate healing in the mouth.

Other Tips to Keep Bacteria at Bay

1. The oral microbiome can be kept in check with probiotics and good microorganisms. Yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables are all great sources of probiotics that can aid in maintaining a balanced bacterial population in the mouth.
2. Cranberries: Compounds in cranberries prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to your teeth and gums. Cranberries and cranberry juice without added sugars have been shown to improve dental health by decreasing germs’ likelihood of binding to tooth surfaces.
3. Neem, also known as Indian lilac, has traditionally been used for therapeutic benefits. You can use neem oil or neem leaves as a mouthwash to kill off bacteria and protect your gums from disease.
4. Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits have natural acids that can combat oral germs. Citrus fruits are delicious, but their strong acidity can slowly wear away dental enamel, so moderation is key.

Conclusion:

Promoting optimal oral health requires maintaining good oral hygiene and eliminating dangerous microorganisms. Oil pulling, salt water rinses, turmeric mouthwash, tea tree oil, green tea, baking soda, aloe vera gel, probiotics, cranberries, neem, and citrus fruits are some natural therapies that can help promote better dental health. Natural cures are great, but remember that nothing can replace twice-daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups. 

See a dentist or other oral healthcare professional if you have any specific dental issues or conditions, as they can provide you with individualized recommendations and care. You can protect your oral health and eliminate harmful microorganisms with these natural remedies and regular dental hygiene.

The nutritional benefits of milk and other dairy products have made them a staple of healthy eating plans for centuries. Many people are curious about milk and dairy’s effect on their teeth and gums, in addition to their effect on the body as a whole. In this piece, we’ll investigate the link between milk and dairy products and dental health, looking at the evidence for and against their use in helping to keep teeth strong and healthy.

Benefits of Dairy Products for Teeth

Milk and other dairy products are high in mineral calcium, essential for healthy teeth and bones. Tooth enamel, the hard outer coating of teeth, is composed mainly of calcium. Milk and other dairy products are a good source of calcium, which is essential for the growth and maintenance of strong teeth.

• Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yoghurt, include a protein called casein, which has been shown to protect tooth enamel. Researchers have discovered that casein can help keep tooth enamel healthy. Coating the teeth with a thin layer protects the enamel from the demineralisation resulting from eating acidic foods or having oral germs. Casein’s protective barrier helps maintain teeth’s structural and mechanical integrity, lowering the probability of tooth decay and caries.
• Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is essential for healthy teeth and bones because it facilitates the body’s use of calcium. Milk and other dairy products are typically fortified with vitamin D because they do not contain enough of it naturally. Maintaining healthy teeth and bones requires sufficient vitamin D levels because vitamin D aids in the body’s calcium absorption from food. Consuming milk and other dairy products can help you maintain healthy vitamin D levels, which benefits your teeth and body.
• Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect teeth from decay, and it is naturally present in trim levels in milk and other dairy products. By fortifying the enamel, fluoride makes teeth less vulnerable to the acid attacks of bacteria and acidic foods. In addition to using fluoride toothpaste and drinking water, a healthy diet that includes milk and other dairy products can help provide enough exposure to fluoride and prevention against dental caries.
• Consuming milk and other dairy products has been shown to increase saliva production and maintain a healthy oral pH. Saliva helps rinse away food particles, neutralises acids, and promotes a regulated pH level in the mouth, all of which are important for maintaining oral health. Maintaining a neutral pH level is critical for protecting teeth from acidic conditions that can cause decay and erosion. Consuming dairy products, such as milk, can help promote a favourable oral climate by increasing saliva production.
• Protein and Tissue Maintenance and Growth: Protein, found in abundance in dairy products, is crucial for the development, repair, and maintenance of all body tissues, including oral tissues. The gums and other oral soft tissues benefit from protein because it strengthens their immune system and speeds recovery. Milk and other dairy products contain the protein your oral tissues need to thrive.

Conclusion:

Milk and other dairy products have been linked to improved tooth health. Strong dental enamel, reduced risk of cavities, and defence against tooth decay are all benefits of the calcium, casein, and fluoride found in these goods. Vitamin D also aids calcium absorption, which is essential for healthy teeth and bone growth. Milk and dairy products maintain a healthy mouth environment and tissue health by stimulating saliva production and including protein.

Milk and other dairy products can benefit dental health, but only if consumed in moderation and good oral hygiene habits are followed. Good oral hygiene requires brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups. When making dietary changes, checking in with a doctor or dentist is wise to determine what’s best for you. You may maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile for life by eating a balanced diet that includes milk and dairy products and by regularly visiting your dentist.

It can be quite painful and upsetting to have a mouth abscess. Typically, a bacterial infection that results in a buildup of pus in the tissues is the cause. Severe toothache, edema, and a lingering foul taste or odor are typical symptoms. An oral abscess might cause more problems if it is not treated. To assist you in getting rid of a mouth abscess and restoring dental health, we’ve come up with this blog that sheds light on some efficient treatment options and preventive measures for mouth abscess.

Understanding the Symptoms: 

Early treatment of a mouth abscess depends on recognizing the symptoms. Typical symptoms include:

a) A severe toothache: This pain is frequently excruciating and can spread to the jaw, ear, or neck.

b) Swelling: The affected area could look red and swollen.

c) Unpleasant taste or odor: A bad taste or odor may linger in the

d) Difficulty swallowing or speaking: Abscesses may make it difficult to swallow or speak.

Seeking Professional Dental Care: 

It’s critical to seek dental care when you feel you may have an oral abscess. The best course of treatment will be chosen after a comprehensive examination by a dentist. The following actions are typically part of the healing process:

1. a) Drainage: The abscess must be drained to remove the pus. The dentist may make a small incision in the afflicted area to relieve the pressure and encourage healing.
2. b) Antibiotics: Your dentist may advise taking antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria and stop the infection from spreading, depending on the severity of the infection.
3. c) Root Canal Treatment: If an infected tooth is the source of the abscess, a root canal procedure may be required to clean the tooth’s pulp of the infection and seal the tooth to avoid reinfection.
4. d) Tooth Extraction: Sometimes, tooth extraction may be advised if the tooth is highly infected and cannot be salvaged.

Home Treatments for Pain: 

Several home treatments can help reduce the pain and suffering brought on by an oral abscess while you wait for dental care from a professional:

1. a) Saltwater rinses: Several times a day, rinse your mouth with a solution by combining half a teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water. It promotes healing and helps to minimize inflammation.
2. b) Over-the-counter painkillers: Non-prescription painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can temporarily lessen pain.
3. c) Cold compress: To minimize swelling and numb the area, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area for 15 minutes.

Prevention and Good Oral Hygiene: 

To maintain good oral hygiene, it is crucial to prevent oral abscesses here is how you can reduce the risk:

1. a) Regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing at least twice a day, help to remove plaque and germs that can cause abscesses and tooth decay.
2. b) Routine dental examinations: To catch any dental problems early on, schedule regular examinations and cleanings at your dentist’s office.
3. c) Limit alcohol intake and abstain from tobacco use: Tobacco products and excessive alcohol use might impair immunity and increase disease susceptibility.
4. d) Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Reduce your intake of sugary and acidic meals and drinks because they can cause tooth decay.

Conclusion

It is essential to seek medical attention for a mouth abscess since it can be very uncomfortable. Immediate dental care is necessary for successful treatment. Depending on the severity of the infection, draining the abscess, medications, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction may be required. Home cures can offer momentary alleviation in the interim. 

Appropriate oral hygiene habits and preventative measures can decrease the likelihood of recurring spots. To keep your mouth healthy and free from oral abscesses, prioritize frequent dental checkups and healthy oral habits.

When someone smokes, not only is their general health in jeopardy but also their oral health. Tobacco use increases the risk of developing oral cancer, gum disease, tooth discoloration, foul breath, and bad breath. Smokers face increased hazards to their oral health, but they can reduce these risks by taking good care of their teeth and gums. 

In this blog post, we’ll go over five vital dental care advice tailored to smokers to help them safeguard their grins and lessen the impact of smoking on their oral health.

Top Oral Care Tips For Smokers

Due to the mouth’s exposure to cigarette poisons, it suffers the most damage from smoking. It’s no secret that smokers have a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and poor breath. Do you realize the nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes might have serious health consequences long after you give up the habit?

In particular, current and former smokers should care better for their oral health than the average person.

• Reduce or eliminate your tobacco use.

Quitting smoking is the single most effective thing smokers can do for their oral health. When you quit smoking, you improve your dental health, general health, and quality of life. If giving up tobacco seems impossible, cutting back might still have a significant effect. 

The adverse effects of smoking on dental health can be lessened through gradual reduction and the use of nicotine replacement medications or quitting programs.

• Keep up a routine of good oral hygiene.

Regular, thorough dental hygiene is essential for smokers who want to lessen the health risks associated with their habit. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth at least twice daily. Plaque and debris can accumulate in the spaces between teeth and along the gumline if you don’t floss every day. A fresh mouth and less bacterial development are two additional benefits of using an antibacterial mouthwash regularly.

• Maintaining Frequent Dental Appointments

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential for smokers because they increase the likelihood of developing dental problems. Dentists are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat any oral health problems. 

Tobacco stains and tartar buildup are no match for their excellent cleaning services. See the dentist twice a year, or more often if necessary, to monitor your oral health and catch any problems early.

• Caffeine and alcohol use should be reduced.

Smoking raises the risk of tooth decay and gum disease because it causes dry mouth. Water helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing acids and stimulating saliva production, which helps prevent dry mouth. Additionally, it is helpful for oral health to restrict alcohol and caffeine use as they might increase dry mouth symptoms.

• Keep an Eye on Dental Health

Regular checkups for changes in dental health are essential for smokers. Constant poor breath, tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, and the appearance of lumps or sores are all warning symptoms. 

These symptoms may point to more severe problems with your oral health, such as gum disease or even oral cancer. Seek dental care immediately if you experience any symptoms that concern you so that you can get checked out and treated as soon as possible.

The Bottom Line 

Although quitting smoking is optimal for general and dental health, smokers can still take measures to safeguard their smiles and lessen the hazards involved. Maintaining a consistent brushing routine, flossing, and seeing the dentist for checkups and cleanings is crucial. It is also essential to drink enough water, cut back on alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, and monitor any changes in your oral health. 

Smokers can improve their health and maintain their beautiful smiles for a lifetime by following these five simple steps to take care of their oral health and combat the negative consequences of smoking. Remember that putting your oral health first as a smoker is an investment in a better future for your teeth and gums.

Veneers are the best tool to improve your smile and are built to last long. Once they are in place, you will feel your teeth are ready for decades. Veneers have the potential to fail like any dental restoration. While there is a slight chance of this, If your veneers get damaged or fall out, you should get them fixed as soon as possible.

Why Do The Veneers Fall off?

There are many causes to make veneers fall off. Some reasons have been listed below:

• Age: The main reason for the fall of the veneers is how worn out they are—the porcelain ones last for ten years and more in most cases. However, they get detached from the teeth with time because the adhesive bonding weakens over time, making them lose and fall off. 
• Tooth decay: A common reason for the fall of the veneers is when the teeth on which they are placed get decayed. There are various reasons for tooth decay, and it happens because of bad oral hygiene or prescription drugs that individuals cannot escape.
• Teeth grinding: One common reason is the habit of the patients grinding their teeth. Some people grind their teeth during sleep because of physical or psychological reasons. If bruxing occurs frequently, the force on veneers is high, and they cannot hold up the pressure and may get damaged.
• Poor adhesive: If the bonding agent used for the veneers to stick on teeth is not good quality, they might fall off. In this case, it is a fault on the dentist’s side.
• Lack of care: The common reason veneers break off is not taking care of them. They are delicate and require maintenance. If they receive harsh treatment like chewing hard foods or grinding teeth, they might fall off easily from the mouth.

How To Treat The Damaged Veneers?

When your veneers fall off or get damaged, do not put them back yourself. If you try to fix them  yourself, you will cause further damage. If they fall off, put them in a container and call your dentist for an appointment.

If you have used the veneers for over ten years, they might have dislodged due to their wear and tear. In such a case, keep the damaged veneer in a small box and get an appointment with the dentist. 

The dentist will look at the damaged veneer and decide whether it can be repaired or if new ones are required. Depending on the state, the dentist will put them back momentarily and see if they fit. If the veneer does fit, he will clean off the adhesive and see the inside surface. The surface is treated chemically, and rebonding is done. This repair will last for years.

If your dentist has not used the right bonding agent to attach the veneers and they have fallen off, you should see another dentist. If your dentist declares that the problem is with the bonding, you should seek a second opinion.

When your teeth decay, the adhesive loosens, and the veneer may fall off. It is essential to take care of your lifestyle to stop tooth decay. Tooth decay is harmful not only to veneers but also to your health. If you are on life-saving drugs that hasten your tooth decay, consult your doctor about the side effects of the drug.

If you grind your teeth regularly in your sleep, you should wear a teeth guard, and this will prevent the veneer from getting stressed out and chipped. The most important rule to prevent your veneer from falling off and getting damaged is to look after them properly. 

Avoid chewing on candies very often. Chewing on hard foods like ice and toffee should be avoided. The veneer cannot bear so much pressure and will wear out quickly. Therefore, handling them with care is very vital.

The surface of our tongue has numerous papillae, which are finger-like projections. When these projections swell up due to overgrowth, it results in a white tongue. Your tongue appears bleached because bacteria, debris, and dead cells are lodged between your inflamed and enlarged papillae. 

Along with the paleness of your tongue, you may also experience bad breath, irritation, and a hairy appearance on this organ. White tongue looks bad and unappealing but is usually temporary and harmless. You need to see a healthcare provider only when the bleached look lasts for more than a week, or you also develop pain and issues while talking or eating.

Papillae hypertrophy could develop for various reasons, including poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, mouth breathing, usage of oral tobacco, smoking, fever, irritation due to sharp edges of teeth or other dental appliances, etc. 

There could be a multitude of other health conditions associated with a white tongue, such as oral thrush, geographic tongue, mouth cancer, leukoplakia, tongue cancer, etc.

We will look closely into what causes white tongue, its symptoms, and what treatment options are available for this condition.

Why Is My Tongue White?

It whitens when food and bacteria get caught between tiny bumps or papillae on your tongue’s surface. 

• When the papillae are inflamed or raised, they create a larger surface area for debris to accumulate inside your mouth.
• Due to this build-up, you may often have bad breath.
• A greyish-white coating could cover your entire organ, or the layer might appear in patches.
• A white tongue is usually harmless, but in rare cases, it might indicate a severe underlying illness.

Causes Of White Tongue

Some of the common reasons for developing a bleached tongue are described below:

• Poor oral hygiene – If you do not brush, floss, and scrape your tongue as per your dentist’s recommendations, then you have a high chance of developing Papillae hypertrophy.
• Antibiotics – Antibiotics can cause yeast infections inside your mouth.
• Lifestyle and habits – If you smoke, vape, or chew tobacco, you have a high chance of getting Papillae hypertrophy.
• Dentures – If you wear dentures, it could damage your tongue with its sharp edges.
• Mouth breathing
• Eating a low-fiber diet – If you do not consume sufficient vegetables and fruits and consume lots of soft foods which lack roughage, you can have a white tongue.
• Excessive alcohol consumption – If you drink more than one drink daily, it leads to dehydration and can give rise to Papillae hypertrophy.
• Dry mouth due to medical conditions – If you use certain medicines such as muscle relaxants or certain medications used in cancer treatment, you could develop a dry mouth, which might lead to a white tongue condition.

What Does Having White Tongue Mean?

Papillae hypertrophy denotes you might have several other health conditions including:

• Leukoplakia – This is caused when there is an overgrowth of cells in your mouth’s inner lining. Keratin protein (which is present in our hair) combines with these cells forming white patches or spots within your mouth. This is mostly caused by irritation in your mouth due to heavy smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol consumption. Leukoplakia is, in general, not a serious condition, but at times, it could lead to oral cancer after years (or even decades).
• Geographic Tongue – Your tongue will have patches of redness having white borders when you suffer from this condition. This appearance is because a portion of the top layer of your tongue falls off too quickly, leaving tender red areas that usually are infected. This condition is more prevalent in people with eczema (skin disorder), Type I diabetes, psoriasis, or reactive arthritis.
• Oral thrush – This infection is caused by fungus or candida yeast. Candida is present in our mouths usually also, but when it overgrows, it can create problems.
• Oral lichen planus – This is a chronic inflammatory mouth condition where white patches would appear on your gums, inner cheeks, and tongue. This is most likely a disorder of the immune system.
• Syphilis – This is a bacterial infection and a type of SIT (Sexually Transmitted Disease) which has many symptoms, and one of them is Papillae hypertrophy.

How Is Papillae Hypertrophy Diagnosed

To diagnose Papillae hypertrophy, the dentist would scrape off a portion of white matter from your throat or mouth to look at it under a microscope.

• To confirm the diagnosis, the dentist would look for fungi or yeast in the scraped portion.
• If candidiasis is in the esophagus or lowers down the throat, then an endoscopy is performed where the doctor passes a small camera toward the back of the throat to view the tissues and collect samples. A gastroenterologist usually performs an endoscopy.
• If there are white lesions, the doctor will perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment For Papillae Hypertrophy

Most people might not need treatment for Papillae hypertrophy. This condition usually goes off within a few weeks, but if it persists, you would need to see your doctor, who would look at the following course of treatments based on symptoms:

• Hairy tongue – For this condition, your doctor would not directly treat the organ but instead focus on treating your immune system, which has become weak. In some rare cases, they may prescribe antiviral medicines or topical ointments such as retinoic acid.
• Tongue rash – This condition does not require any treatment, but if it lasts too long, your doctor might prescribe you steroid-based mouthwashes (you prepare this by dissolving steroids in water) or steroid sprays, which may reduce discomfort caused due to sore or burning gums.
• Mouth fungus – If you have oral thrush, you will be given anti-fungal medicines.
• White patches – This has no specific treatment, but you might be advised to avoid foods and drinks that cause pain or discomfort. You could also apply topical ointments that treat mouth fungus.
• Syphilis – Papillae hypertrophy will not go away if it is due to syphilis. Syphilis needs to be treated else it could damage your nervous system and create severe long-term health issues. To treat syphilis, you might be given a single injection or antibiotics.
• Oral cancer – This might require surgery where the doctor would use a scalpel or a laser to remove the white patches. Removing them ensures they will not become cancerous.

You can develop a white tongue due to a hoard of underlying health conditions. On its own, Papillae hypertrophy is not dangerous and can be managed easily, but it is necessary to get it checked if the bleached appearance does not go away within weeks.

We all wish to have white teeth which enhance our smile, our overall appearance, and of course, our self-confidence. But like most parts of our body, our teeth also go through wear, tear, and damage as we age and can turn yellow.

One of the popular ways of achieving that dazzling smile is through whitening strips. These strips can be bought at any store and are an easy, effective, cheap alternative to brighten your pearly whites. These patches can be applied directly to your dentition at home, and for desired results, you might have to repeat this process several times.

But before you buy this whitening product, you must be aware of whether the product actually works, what the strip contains, and whether it can cause more harm than good. To answer all your questions about the teeth whitening strips, we have jotted down all the information you need to decide if you wish to use this product and how to select it.

What Are Whitening Strips?

The brightening patches comprise a thin plastic film with a whitening gel. 

• The gel often has hydrogen peroxide in it, having a concentration between five to fifteen percent. Hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient that whitens the tooth’s enamel.
• Other active or inactive ingredients of a brightening strip are:
  • Sodium hydroxide – It is a stain remover.
  • PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) – It acts as a shield for enamel against new stains.
  • Hydroxypropylcellulose & glycerine – Aids in holding the patch in place on your tooth. 
• You need to wear them for thirty minutes a day (the time could vary based on the brand you choose.)
• The treatment time with this product is usually very short (maximum of two weeks.) 
• It can effectively remove extrinsic stains from your tooth’s enamel. Extrinsic here denotes stains present on your tooth’s surface.
• These strips can not remove stains that are intrinsic, i.e. stains present underneath the enamel (in the dentin) or deeper.

How Does Dentition Brightening Patches Work?

These patches are thin with a rectangular shape and have whitening gel on one side with some adhesive ingredients. The other side is smooth.

• The strips have a plastic backing, just like other stickers.
• Patches for top teeth and bottom teeth are usually different. The top strips are generally longer.
• You need to peel the backing off from the patch and place them on your pearl whites and press them gently. Some manufacturers might instruct you to avoid brushing your teeth before you apply the strips. You should read the instruction manual that comes along with the product to know exactly how to use them.
• The white patches can be worn anywhere between ten minutes to an hour, based on the brand you get. You need to follow the product instructions to know the amount of time the patches need to be on your teeth.
• After the stipulated wearing time is over, you take the strips out and discard them. You should rinse your mouth as many strips leave a gooey gel behind your pearly whites.
• The product manufacturer’s instructions would tell you how frequently you should apply the patches, but the most common frequency of white strips is every day for two weeks.

Do The Brightening Strips Damage Our Teeth?

In general brightening strips are safe to use for most people. Its safety depends on how properly you follow the instructions while using the patches.

• If the strips are left on your teeth for too long or you use them too often, you can develop dentition issues. 
• Our teeth have three layers; enamel, dentin, and the connecting tissues. The dentin layer contains high protein levels that include several collagen proteins. Dentin is a critical component of our pearly whites that strengthens and supports our enamel. Hydrogen peroxide in the whitening patches shrinks the protein and weakens the dentin layer.
• You must also look for another ingredient in the product which is chlorine dioxide. This agent not just removes stains but also enamel which can be dangerous and have side effects.
• One of the common side effects of using teeth whitening patches is increased teeth sensitivity due to its effect on the enamel.
• One of the salient features of the teeth whitening process is the bleaching action of the patches. This bleaching action has the potential to damage your soft gum tissue, so it is vital that you place the patches on the teeth, avoiding the gum area. To be precise with the placement, consider cutting the patches to match your smile.

Do Over The Counter Whitening Products Work?

ADA (American Dental Association) states that teeth whitening patches are capable of effectively removing both intrinsic and extrinsic stains from your dentition. But OTC products generally have a low concentration of brightening ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide; hence, they might be unable to remove adamant or intrinsic stains. The strips do not work on fake pearly whites like crowns, veneers, fillings, bridges, etc.

Rules of Thumb For Using Brightening Patches

When you are using OTC products at home to whiten your teeth, there are certain rules of thumb you must follow:

• Unless the instruction says do not brush your teeth immediately after taking off the whitening patches.
• Use the patches as frequently as mentioned in the package instructions; never overuse them.
• Do not leave the patches longer than what is written in the instructions, as it will not make your pearly whites brighter but only damage them.
• Do not use patches that have chlorine dioxide in them.
• Do not use patches having more than fourteen percent hydrogen peroxide in them.

You can easily and effectively brighten your teeth with whitening strips you get over the counter. But you must follow their instruction manual and also be aware that these patches can only remove extrinsic stains. Not following the packaging instructions can result in damage to your tooth enamel and cause sensitivity.

Your smile is the most beautiful thing you wear, but if your teeth have decayed or you have massive gaps in your teeth, you might be reluctant to smile so often. Missing teeth hampers our social interactions and hits our confidence when talking to others.

With advancements in dentistry, thankfully, traditional dentures are not the only option if you want to get a beautiful smile but have missing teeth. You can now have a more natural-looking, safer, and durable option to dentures in the form of dental implants.

The longevity of these fixtures depends greatly on how you care for them and keep them clean. Let us learn in this article a little more about these oral appliances and how to maintain them in the best possible way.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth that consist of metal posts surgically fitted to the jawbone to replace a missing or broken tooth or a set of teeth.
⦁ They are made of high-grade titanium and look and function like natural teeth.
⦁ After the fixture is placed at the desired position in your mouth, the body initiates a fusion process known as osseointegration, which ensures that the appliance is secured in the gums, just like a natural tooth root.
⦁ For the final restoration (dentures, bridge, or crown) process, an abutment is added later, allowing secure attachment.

Keeping Your Dental Implants Clean
The gums around your oral appliance must be healthy for the implant to stay in place. Peri-implantitis is the biggest risk associated with these fixtures, a gum disease associated with implants. When the bones and gums surrounding your artificial teeth get infected, the attachment tissue around your appliance will weaken its hold. So, it is highly essential to keep your implants clean, and here are some things you must follow to keep your mouth free of infection while wearing this oral appliance:

⦁ Brush them – Though these fixtures do not develop cavities, they are still prone to tartar buildup and stains. Brush them for two minutes twice a day to keep them clean. For brushing, you must use non-abrasive toothpaste along with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Harsh products can get too rough for any kind of tooth restoration. You should brush your implant in the same way as you would brush your natural teeth.
⦁ Floss around the appliance – You can use unwaxed tape or buy floss designed specifically for dental implants to clean between your teeth. Flossing around these fixtures is similar to normal flossing around natural teeth. Make a “C” shape with the floss around the fixture, then rub it up and down a couple of times to thoroughly eradicate food debris. A water flosser is an excellent alternative to traditional flossers. Water flossers, also called oral irrigators, use a steady flow of water to eradicate microorganisms from pockets as deep as six millimeters. All you have to do is trace the water flosser around your fixtures and other teeth to reach under the gumline, where normal flossers cannot reach.
⦁ Use gum stimulators for removing plaque buildup – A gum stimulator is another way to ensure the longevity of your artificial teeth and protect your gums. A gum stimulator consists of a tool having a rubber tip that can get inside your gum pockets and remove hidden food particles and plaque, which could gather inside them over time.
⦁ Visit your dentist regularly – Visiting your dentist regularly is of utmost importance if you have got dental implants fixed. Through regular checkups and professional cleanings, any lingering plaque or tartar can be removed by your doctor before it can lead to a more severe gum disease called periodontitis.

Recovery Time After Dental Implants

After your surgery for fixing artificial teeth, you would take two days to recover fully. There could be slight pain and discomfort, disappearing within one to two days. Some important post-surgery suggestions are listed below:

⦁ On the day of getting these fixtures, you should have someone with you to drive you back because you might be sedated during the procedure, and it is not safe to drive immediately after that.
⦁ In the first eight to twelve hours, do not move around excessively, and try to sit with your head in an elevated position as much as possible.
⦁ Repeat the ice application on your face all through the day. Apply it on the site for fifteen minutes, remove it for fifteen minutes, and repeat the process.
⦁ You should eat and drink only soft foods for the first forty-eight hours after the surgery.
⦁ Do not forget to take all the medications prescribed by your dentist.
⦁ Avoid rinsing your mouth for the first twenty-four hours, and after that, gently rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water after every meal.

Dental implants are a fantastic way to replace missing or broken teeth. But like every good thing, certain precautions, and regimes must be followed. You must follow the tips in this article to keep your fixtures clean and your mouth free from gum diseases. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth is necessary for healthy oral health post-artificial teeth.

If misaligned teeth are an issue for you and you are considering getting an orthodontic treatment done, then you have come to the right place to gain all the information needed to make a decision on the type of braces. 

Today the shape of orthodontic treatment has changed many folds from the old time when metal braces used to be the only option. Now apart from metal brackets, you have ceramic or clear braces as well as Invisalign which are clear trays. All these options can fix a range of cosmetic issues with your smile, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Invisalign can fix most dental alignment issues ranging from crooked teeth to gapped and crowded teeth. But for severe and more complicated cases dentists recommend braces that have the capacity of moving teeth a longer distance than Invisalign. 

When it comes to braces, there are primarily two choices available to you: metal and ceramic. Which one to choose depends entirely on you, your desire for more aesthetically appealing brackets, your budget, etc. So, let us touch upon some of the major differences between these two types of braces and help you decide between them.

What Are Ceramic Braces?

Ceramic braces are also known as clear braces as they use brackets made of tooth-colored polycrystalline alumina that blend relay well with your teeth color.

• These brackets are less noticeable and subtler than alloy brackets.
• The wire that connects these clear brackets could also be made of tooth-colored material which further decreases the visibility of these brackets.
• Working professionals and teens prefer these brackets as they can straighten their teeth without making them feel awkward in social setups.
• Since these brackets are of light shade, they can easily get colored or stained if you have beverages like wine or coffee. 
• They are in general more expensive than metal brackets.

What are Metal Braces

Metal braces are made up of medical-grade stainless steel material and have alloy wires strung through these brackets. The wires are typically made of durable stainless steel.

• These brackets use rubber bands to make additional corrections to the teeth.
• These brackets are very visible to others.
• These brackets are also highly durable and completely resistant to stains.

Comparison Between Metal and Ceramic Brackets

Both these braces use a similar design to give you straight teeth and a dazzling smile, the difference lies in the materials used. Let us see a comparison of both of them on various parameters:

Both metal and ceramic brackets can effectively straighten your teeth. Which one you choose depends on your priorities and likes. If being less visible is more important to you than durability and strength then you should go for ceramic brackets. On the other hand, if budget is an issue for you, metal orthodontic appliances will be a better fit for you as they are cheaper than ceramic ones. Maintaining both brackets properly is important during the course of your treatment. Food can get stuck and hide easily within these brackets, which needs careful removal else you might develop swollen gums and cavities.

To achieve solid oral well-being and a splendid smile, your upper and lower jaws need to meet even-handedly, and this licenses you to eat and swallow effectively and avoid extreme health threats to your jaw, mouth, and teeth.

There is a specific point that causes the event of overbites and underbites. Being a standard issue, it requires intensive orthodontic therapy. In this condition, it might have an upward cross-over or level hole in the base and the front teeth.

Various inquiries about the methodology, fixing, and treatment must be addressed. Even though it probably won’t need treatment. In severe cases, it can influence speech, and it is expected to have intense orthodontic treatment.

What Causes An Overbite?

In dentistry, the solution for overbite issues is effectively accessible as dental specialists know how to fix this issue effortlessly. However, to avoid this issue, understanding the causes that lead to this condition is significant.

Genetic characteristics

Facial features like jaw shape and gauge can be procured and passed down to ages. A couple of individuals are carried into the world with just enough upper or lower jaw, while others are brought with a disproportionate jaw.

Thumb-Sucking

Sucking the thumb can cause buck teeth. When a youngster continues to suck past age 3 or 4, when the dependable teeth are built, the strain molded by sucking will cause the teeth to arise at a weird point.

Pacifiers

Sucking on a pacifier can cause overbite like sucking the thumb does. Studies have shown using pacifiers with a higher bet of malocclusions than sucking the fingers or thumb.

Tongue-Pushing

Tongue push causes overbite, which happens when the tongue presses exorbitantly far forward in the mouth. This is ordinary in kids, but it might be conveyed into adulthood.

Why Fix An Overbite?

There are many reasons to fix an overbite, and one of such reasons is the health-issues related to this condition. The issues that come with an overbite depend upon the seriousness of the situation. Problems caused by overbite include:

• The deformed appearance of the face
• Trouble biting or chewing
• Torment while biting or gnawing
• Discourse issues and obstructions
• Troublesome breathing and other breathing issues
• Harm to the teeth and gums

The course of treatment, for example, getting support, medical procedure, and the drawn-out utilization of retainers can be scary. However, the advantages of these therapies are more helpful than the short-term inconvenience brought by the treatment.

How To Cure An Overbite?

The main thing you need to know when you have an overbite is that you don’t need to fix a typical overbite which ranges from 2-4mm. For those with profound gaps and severe overbites, your dental specialist will inform you about the various approaches to remedying it and pick a reasonable strategy.

The technique for treatment utilized will rely upon the overbite’s reason and seriousness. Some of the commonly used treatments are as follows.

• Overbite Braces
• Transparent Braces
• Surgery
• Retrainer Treatment

Before getting the overbite issue fixed, you probably noticed a few upsetting circumstances like deformed facial appearance, migraine, facial pain, and more.

Additionally, your teeth will wear out quicker because of more burden on them. After correction, your facial appearance will be adjusted. At this point, when you will compare your picture, you will see the distinction. The discomfort and distress you’ve felt will disappear after treatment.

Lastly, it all depends upon the treatment and care that has to be taken care of. As with advanced technologies, with the proper consultation, you can quickly increase the life span of your healthy smile.

Dental bonding, also known as teeth bonding, is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that uses tooth-colored composite resin to restore or enhance the appearance of teeth. The procedure is commonly used to fix chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth, fill gaps between teeth, and improve the shape and size of teeth. It is imperative to take steps to ensure that teeth bonding lasts as long as possible, even though it is a relatively simple and affordable procedure.

Here are some ways to help you with the same:

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your dental bonding lasts. It includes brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and using an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents plaque and tartar from accumulating on your teeth, thus keeping the bonding material in place.

• Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods

Dental bonding is firm but less strong than your natural teeth. To help prevent damage, avoiding hard or sticky foods is essential, including things like hard candy, ice, and chewing gum. Make sure you chew on the opposite side of your mouth if you eat these foods.

• Wear a Mouthguard

It is essential to wear a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth during the night. A mouthguard is a custom-fitted appliance that covers your teeth and helps to absorb the shock of impact, which can help prevent damage to your oral or teeth restorations.

• Avoid Teeth Whitening Treatments

Bonding is resistant to staining, but teeth whitening treatments cannot be used on it. It is possible for dental bonding to become discolored after undergoing teeth whitening treatments. In order to avoid this, you should whiten your teeth before you get the tooth restoration device. 

• Schedule Regular Oral Checkups

Regular oral checkups are essential for maintaining your teeth bonding and other oral restorations. If your bonding needs to be repaired, your dentist can do so during your checkup. Taking action can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones.

• Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption

You could have problems with your tooth bonding if you smoke or drink too much alcohol. Smoking can cause the bonding material to become discolored and weaken the bond between the material and your tooth. In addition to drying out your mouth, excessive alcohol consumption can cause plaque and bacteria to build up on your teeth. You can also develop gum disease from smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, which can weaken the bond between your oral restoration material and your teeth.

• Address Any Bite Issues

It is important to address bite issues, such as overbites and underbites, as soon as possible. Bite issues can put extra pressure on your teeth bonding and cause them to fail. In addition to orthodontic treatment, your dentist may recommend other oral procedures to treat your bite issues.

Lastly, dental bonding can be a great way to restore or enhance the appearance of your teeth. Following these tips can help your oral bonding last as long as possible.

Keep your mouth healthy by avoiding hard or sticky foods, wearing a mouthguard, prophylactic tooth whitening, scheduling regular dental examinations, and addressing any bite issues. With proper care, your teeth bonding can last for many years, giving you a beautiful and confident smile.

Most toddlers clamp down at the site of a toothbrush and refuse to let you anywhere near their pearly whites. Kids are not born with the knowledge of how to wield a toothbrush; hence, this new experience initially seems scary to them. If cleaning is treated as a chore, it will not be enjoyable for kids, and you will not be able to get their cooperation. 

But there is good news for you if you are a toddler’s parent. The easiest way to deal with this problem is to try and make it fun and remove the stigma attached to cleaning teeth. Many fun ways, such as “sugar bugs” or “clean the teddy’s mouth,” will appeal to the kids, who will get excited when brushing their teeth.

Let us go through some ways you can make cleaning teeth a learning and enjoyable activity for your toddlers.

Why Do Toddlers Not Like The Idea of Brushing?

You might feel like everything is a fight with toddlers, from mealtime to getting dressed, traveling, and cleaning their pearly whites. You will get into many conflicts with the young ones, such as what to eat when to sleep, what to wear, and so on. 

• The act of rebellion is natural in tiny tots as they seek autonomy and control.
• By refusing to let you clean his mouth, your little one tells you, “This is my mouth, so my wish!”
• The look and feel of something as foreign as a toothbrush inside their mouth might be outrageous for toddlers who are still trying to make sense of the world around them.

How To Encourage And Teach Teeth Brushing To Toddlers?

We must start cleaning our infants’ mouths with a little bit of gauze right from six months of age and use toothbrushes for infants as their teeth erupt. It is essential to start early as it will not just prevent tooth decay but also prepare your kid for the act of cleaning their mouth. Here are a few tips you could use to develop the habit of brushing for your tiny tots and make it exciting too:

• Play Dr. Teddy – You could use your kid’s toy to introduce the idea of toothbrushes to your child. Let them clean their toy’s mouth, and then gradually, you could try cleaning your kid’s mouth. Make this activity fun by adding funny voices and silly expressions. Kids are great learners, and they can imitate pretty quickly. Having their favorite toy to play with while cleaning their mouth is a safe way to teach them the concept.
• Demonstrate the activity on yourself – Children emulate whatever their parents do, so brushing yourself in front of them will make the kids learn faster. Use a good technique to clean your mouth in front of your kids. You could keep explaining to them what you are doing and why, and it would be more effective if you kept the demonstration fun and upbeat. Showing enthusiasm during the activity is key to success as it can rub off on your toddler and excite them about oral hygiene.
• Let the child take the lead – Never try to force your way into your child’s mouth. Allow your kid to hold the toothbrush and gently guide them. You must be on the lookout for how much toothpaste is going on the bristles. The AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) says that only a rice-sized dollop is required for kids under the age of three. You can give pea-sized toothpaste to your child of three to six years. If your kid uses too much toothpaste, it will lead to permanent tooth stains due to its fluoride. Once the child is done, you could check with your child if you can do a final check.  You might feel your child is not using the optimum technique to clean his mouth, but giving them control, more practice, and lots of praise goes a long way in establishing this habit. Kids usually get proficient at brushing by seven or eight years of age. 
• Do not make toothpaste a reason to fight – If your child does not like the taste of toothpaste, do not hassle over it. The AAP says that brushing is much more essential than the amount of toothpaste on the bristles.
• Sing songs – Singing along helps immensely in the brushing activity for kids. Choose a song your toddler likes, like “This is the way we brush our teeth.” or any of their favorite songs, and give it a go with a dry toothbrush first. Singing songs also makes toddlers realize how long they need to clean their mouths, so make the song last a couple of minutes and let them use their brushes for that duration.
• Use the right tools – You should use a children’s brush and tasty toothpaste specially made for kids so that your child looks forward to mouth cleaning time. If the tool is too big, it would be difficult for toddlers to maneuver and will not fit into their mouths properly.
• Give reinforcements – When you visit your family dentist next time, ask your doctor to explain the significance of daily brushing to your kid. Sometimes you need a third party or an authority (or expert) to communicate the idea to your children. 

Teaching your toddlers how to clean their mouth can be tedious and stressful, but with the many tips and ideas illustrated above, you can make brushing fun and cheerful for you and your kids.

Your teeth are significant in overall appearance, and having well-aligned pearly whites boosts your confidence. On the other hand, if we are ashamed of our dental setup, it makes us self-conscious, lowers our self-esteem, and we are embarrassed to smile or engage in conversations with others. 

Misalignment of teeth is known as malocclusion in clinical terms, and this condition can lead to many oral complications if left untreated. An ideal bite is when your upper dentition is a little forward with respect to your bottom teeth, and the valleys and peaks of both lower and upper molars meet perfectly. 

But not all of us have that perfect setup. A study says that as much as seventy-five percent of the world’s population has some alignment issues. Apart from cosmetic or aesthetic issues, misaligned dentition also causes many dental problems leading to premature wear and tear, weakening of teeth, and several other issues. 

As you go through this article, you will understand the various types of malocclusion and their impact on our oral health.

Types of Malocclusion 

In the mid-80s, Dr. Edward Angle (also known as the father of modern orthodontics) first categorized dental misalignments into three main classes based on the position of the first upper molar:

1. Class 1-Neutrocclusion- The upper teeth overlap the lower teeth in this malocclusion.
2. Class 2-Distoclusion- When there is a discrepancy in jaw growth, it falls into this category of malocclusion.
3. Class 3-Mesioclusion- When you have prominent lower front dentitions, you suffer from this misalignment category.

Almost all oral alignment issues fall under one of the classes of malocclusion.

Different Ways Your Teeth Can Be Misaligned

Malocclusions can be by birth or genetic, or they could also be caused by certain oral habits such as thumb sucking, tooth loss, prolonged bottle feeding, injuries, lack of oral care, etc. Some of the most common dental alignment issues are outlined below:

• Crowded teeth – When there is a lack of space in the oral cavity for teeth, you end up with this issue of overcrowding of teeth. Due to this, your dentitions grow to have crooked contours or could overlap with each other, which creates an overcrowded environment within the inside of your mouth. Your teeth are forced to press against each other in this situation, and it is difficult to brush or floss appropriately as there are many tricky nooks and corners in your dentures to clean around. This issue is mostly fixed with orthodontic braces or aligners like Invisalign.
• Excess Overjet – When the upper dentitions protrude past the lower teeth horizontally, it causes the extra overjet issue. You can have speech problems and trouble chewing and eating since your bite aligns well. It is also aesthetically unpleasant. This condition is primarily due to skeletal issues when the patient’s lower jaw has deficient growth. Another reason for this issue is a problem with the inclination of upper dentition. This problem can again be easily rectified with orthodontics.
• Deep overbite – We usually have a slight overlap between upper and lower dentures, which is normal. But when the upper jaw protrudes beyond normal and it bites down on the bottom teeth’ gums, it results in an overbite. This issue is mainly because the patient has a recessive chin that affects the shape of their jaw and face. Patients with this malocclusion tend to clench their jaws or grind their dentitions often, which could lead to chronic headaches and other discomforts. Genetic issues and thumb-sucking are the primary reasons, and orthodontic treatment can address this issue.
• Underbite – An underbite occurs when the lower teeth extend past the upper ones. If you have used a pacifier or sucked your thumb as a kid, you are likely to develop this condition. Genetics is also one of the reasons for this type of malocclusion. Apart from being an aesthetic issue, an underbite also poses chewing problems. In severe cases of underbite, patients might experience speech problems, tremendous pain, and more. Orthodontics like Invisalign and braces can help in fixing underbites.
• Crossbite – Crossbite looks similar to overbite or underbite but is a less common issue than either. In a crossbite, your upper pearly whites bite down on your lower ones. Your top and bottom plates are not aligned well, and your teeth crisscross when you eat. Crossbite is also called a negative overjet. Abnormal growth of adult teeth and a small mouth that cannot accommodate adult teeth adequately are some of the reasons for crossbites. Crossbites can significantly damage your dentitions as you bite down, resulting in chipped and cracked teeth or even bleeding and painful gums. In children, a palate expander is often used to correct a crossbite. The crossbite corrects itself in around nine percent of kids as they grow. Invisalign is also known to restore crossbites in adults.
• Diastema or gaps in pearly whites- Compared to crowded teeth, diastema occurs when your mouth is too large for the number of dentitions you have. Small gaps form between your teeth to fill the space, mainly between the front two upper or lower dentitions. The gaps make more food stuck between your pearly whites, which could result in more cavities, gum diseases, and tooth decay. Braces and Invisalign are two common solutions for diastema.

Misaligned teeth can make us feel awkward and cause various oral and speech difficulties. But the good news is that any malocclusion is treatable through orthodontic treatments like traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners, or retainers. You can meet up with your dentist to find the best solution for the type of oral misalignment you have.

Decay, infection, or crowding can all lead to the need for a tooth extraction. Removing teeth is a complex process and is always done by a dentist or an oral surgeon. It is a quick outpatient procedure that can be done with local, general, intravenous, or a combination of these types of anesthesia.

To learn more about how it happens, you need to know about the various kinds of tooth extractions that are done today. In dentistry, there are three main types of dental extractions, which are:

• Simple Tooth Extraction- A simple extraction is when a dentist needs to remove teeth that can be seen in the mouth. Most of the time, they have tools that help lift or raise the teeth and others that hold them in place.

These are fairly simple procedures that can be done in a dentist’s office with local anesthesia. For pain after a procedure, the dentist may give you over-the-counter painkillers.

• Surgical Tooth Extraction- This is done when the teeth that need to be removed can’t be reached easily or are still under the gums. The dentist may have to cut through the gum tissue to get to the tooth and pull it out.

This procedure is more complex than just pulling out teeth, so it takes more time and tools to get ready. This process takes longer to heal afterward than a simple extraction.

• Wisdom Tooth Extraction– Wisdom tooth extraction is the last type of teeth removal. Even though it is a form of surgical extraction, it is in its own category because of how often it is done.

Wisdom teeth are no longer useful because of evolution. If they grow in at the wrong angle, they can be painful for many people. But of all the extractions that have been mentioned so far, this is one of the most common.

Prevalent risks factors of a tooth extraction

There are a few risks to getting a tooth pulled, but if your dentist recommends it, the benefits are likely to be greater than the small chance of problems.

When you take out teeth the normal way, a blood clot forms around the wound in the shape of a “socket,” which looks like a hole where the teeth used to be. If this happens, the dentist will put a sedative dressing over the area for a few days to protect it. It is noticed that there occurs a new clot that gets develops over a period of time. Some of the most important risks that come with getting a tooth pulled are:

• Bleeding that lasts longer than 12 hours
• Cough
• Swelling and redness at the surgical site
• Severe fever and chills, signaling an infection
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the chest and trouble breathing

You should call your dentist immediately if you have any of these signs.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare 

You may have jaw and joint discomfort due to your mouth opening during the operation. You might have a dry socket if the pain lasts longer than 3 days or worsens.

• When the blood clot in the periodontal pocket doesn’t form or fall out, the bone of the socket walls is exposed. This is called a “dry socket.”
• A dry socket is usually treated with a medicated gel that the dentist puts in the socket to cover it.

Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you have pain that doesn’t go away after a few days or signs of an infection, such as fever, pain, pus, or drainage from the cut. Even though getting a tooth pulled hurts, your dentist or oral surgeon can remove that pain by giving you local anesthesia and sedatives.

The desire to have a bright, white smile is common among many people. However, teeth discoloration is a common problem that can detract from the appearance of your smile. Many factors can cause tooth staining, from poor oral hygiene to certain foods and drinks. To prevent or treat tooth discoloration, you should understand the most common causes.

• Poor Oral Hygiene

One of the most common causes of teeth discoloration is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque and bacteria can build up in your mouth, leading to stains. In addition, poor oral hygiene can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay, which can also cause staining or spots.

• Foods and Drinks

Certain foods and drinks can also cause tooth discoloration. Common culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, cola, and tomato sauce. These foods and beverages contain chromogens, pigment molecules that can stick to your mouth and cause stains over time. In addition, acidic foods and drinks can erode dental enamel, which makes them more stain-prone.

• Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is another common cause of tooth stains. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause stains on your teeth and increase your risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, can also cause your tooth to turn yellow over time.

• Aging

As we age, our teeth naturally become more discolored. It is because the enamel on the tooth wears down over time, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath. In addition, the enamel layer on the tooth becomes thinner as we age, making it more susceptible to staining from foods, drinks, and other factors.

• Medications

Certain medications can also cause tooth staining as a side effect. For example, some antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline, can cause yellow or gray stains on the teeth, especially in children under 8. Other medications, such as antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high-blood pressure drugs, can also cause discoloration.

• Genetics

Some people are more prone to tooth discoloration than others due to genetics. If your parents or grandparents have discolored teeth, there is a greater chance that you will also suffer from staining issues.

• Trauma

Trauma to the teeth, such as from a fall or sports injury, can also cause discoloration. If the tooth’s nerve is damaged, it may turn gray or black over time. In addition, if the tooth is chipped or cracked, it may be more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks.

• Fluorosis

The condition of fluorosis results from too much fluoride exposure in childhood, and it can cause white or brown stains on the teeth and pits or grooves in the enamel. Fluorosis is usually caused by drinking water that contains high levels of fluoride, but it can also be caused by swallowing toothpaste or other fluoride-containing products.

Prevention and Treatment

You can prevent tooth staining by taking several steps. These include:

• Keeping your mouth clean with regular brushing and flossing
• Limiting your consumption of foods and drinks that can cause staining
• Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco
• Keeping your mouth moist and washing away food particles by drinking plenty of water can also help.
• Seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups

If you already have a discolored tooth, several treatments are available to help restore your smile. These include:

• Whitening Treatment 

Whitening treatment is a popular and effective treatment. This procedure involves applying a bleaching agent to the teeth to remove stains and discoloration. Several whitening kits are available, including in-office treatments and at-home kits.

• Dental Bonding

The process of dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the teeth to improve their appearance. This treatment is often used to repair a chipped or cracked tooth but can also cover up tooth stains. 

• Porcelain Veneers

The porcelain veneers cover the front surface of the teeth with thin, custom-made shells of porcelain. They are used to improve the appearance of your smile, including discoloration and misalignment.

Tooth staining is a common problem that can detract from the appearance of your smile. The most common causes of discoloration include poor oral hygiene, foods and drinks, tobacco use, aging, medications, genetics, trauma, and fluorosis. If you are suffering from the same issue, talk to your dentist to determine the best treatment for your needs and budget.

Natural aging, injury, or accidents can cause us to lose our natural teeth. This is when dentures come to our rescue to restore the functioning of our mouths, give us back our smiles, and enhance our appearance. They could be an investment for some of us; hence maintaining it could be crucial for many denture users.

But there are many mistakes that you might unknowingly commit while handling your dentures and affect their longevity. Things like using abrasive cleaning materials, whitening toothpaste, hot water, etc., can hamper its condition. 

If you want to know detailed information on some of the common mistakes that denture owners might make (so that you can avoid them), read on, as this article will fill you with all the required information.

Things to Keep in Mind Regarding Dentures

Technology has improved over the years in leaps and bounds, yet we must not forget that our dentures need protection. Even if they are far more durable these days, you can still do many things which can damage or ruin your denture. 

Here are a few common mistakes one can make with regard to their dentures:

• Using abrasive cleaning material – Dentures are constructed from manmade materials; hence you can not treat them the way you treat your natural teeth. That is why using whitening toothpaste, stiff-bristled brushes, hot water, products that have bleach in them, etc., can damage them irrevocably. 
  • Whitening toothpaste has peroxide in them which can weaken them. 
  • If you soak them in chlorine solutions, it will corrode and tarnish them. You must always use solutions made specifically for dentures. 
  • Extremely hot or boiling water can change the shape of your denture.
• Not wearing dentures regularly – This might surprise you, but not wearing them can also damage them. They are meant to be worn regularly, and if you do not wear them, they could dry out and eventually deform. A word of caution here; wear them all the time but do not wear them 24X7 (take them off while going to bed.) 
• Not taking off dentures at bedtime – Your gum and mouth need a break from them daily. It is best to take them off when you sleep because you do not need to meet and interact with people at night. They also need to be cleaned daily; taking them out to clean and soak in solution is a necessary step in maintaining the denture. 
• Not brushing often – When it comes to brushing, you should treat your dentures like your natural teeth. Having partial or full dentures does not mean you do not need to take care of your natural teeth, cheeks, tongue, and gums. Just like brushing your natural teeth twice a day, do the same with them using a soft-bristled toothbrush. For your natural teeth, you can use toothpaste with fluoride in it. They would harbor germs and deteriorate quickly if not brushed regularly.
• Brushing harshly – You would need to modify your brushing style for them as they need to be brushed differently from your natural teeth. Before brushing them, you should rinse them thoroughly with water and use a soft-bristled toothbrush along with a non-abrasive cleaner. You would also need to remove dental adhesive (if you use them to connect your dentures to your mouth) so that it does not build up. 
• Incorrect removal or insertion of dentures – You can break your dentures if you insert or take them out incorrectly. You must learn the proper method of inserting and removing them from your dentist to prolong its life.
• Drying out dentures – If you remove your dentures and leave them out without soaking them in proper dental solutions, your dentures will dry out. When they dry, they can easily get damaged due to warping and result in ill-fitting dentures. Your dentist is the best person to ask what kind of solution you should keep them in after removing them.

You have just seen some of the most common mistakes that can damage your dentures, but the biggest mistake would be not visiting your dentist regularly. You must meet your dentist at least once in six months as your gums, and the rest of your mouth still need regular examination by the expert.

There have been many questions about whether mouthwash is necessary for the oral care routine or not. The market today is flooded with different options from different brands combating various oral concerns. 

Choosing one that’s right for you can be challenging. You might be wondering if mouthwash is actually beneficial. Whether you already use it or are planning to incorporate one into your regular teeth cleaning routine there are a few things you should know. 

In this article, we will discuss if it actually does anything and whether it is really essential to use it to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Why should you use one? 

There are some specific mouthwashes that target some common dental issues like bad breath, gingivitis, decay, etc. So, it is vital to know which problem you are targeting and then decide whether it is actually necessary to buy one or not. 

Commonly dentists recommend mouthwashes that contain fluoride. It aids in the treatment of tooth decay and helps give protection to your teeth. On the other hand, bacteria that cause bad breath can be removed with antiseptic mouthwashes.

In addition to removing bacteria, antiseptic mouthwashes can help prevent germs from accumulating in the mouth before and after surgery. In order to treat dental infections, many people use antiseptic ones.

A fluoridated option can reduce cavities when properly used and prevent periodontal disease if used regularly. In addition, they create a feeling of freshness in your mouth. 

Is using mouthwash necessary in your dental routine?

Using mouthwash every time you brush and floss might not be necessary if you brush twice a day. Although most dental professionals advise using fluoride mouthwash in the morning as well as at night. 

The use of this solution provides extra rinse for your teeth and prevents your teeth from getting infected. But the usage of the same also depends on the problem you are tackling. 

Furthermore, it should be noted that mouthwash does not replace flossing and brushing. Moreover, you won’t notice a big difference if you brush twice a day for one minute followed by flossing once a day.

You are more likely to prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing your teeth instead of using mouthwash. Having said that, it is also true that a good fluoride rinse can be helpful for your oral health as it controls bacteria and strengthens teeth. 

What is the correct way to use one? 

As stated above, using mouthwashes in your oral care routine totally depends on you and you can even consult your dentist before buying one. 

If you want to use one as well, the tips mentioned below will help you understand how to use them effectively to up your oral care game:

After brushing, wait at least 30 minutes – It is common for people to clean their mouths with mouthwash instantly after brushing. However, it is not the most effective way. The reason for that is that toothpaste contains fluoride, a mineral that must remain on your teeth for some time so that it can strengthen them. 

Use it after you eat or snack- Though brushing after meals is recommended, it isn’t always feasible, therefore mouthwash can be used as an alternative. This kills bacteria and removes food particles, which prevents plaque and acids from building up.

Follow flossing with mouthwash – After you floss, you should rinse your mouth with mouthwash in order to flush away the food particles loosened by flossing. As a result, your mouth will be free of germs.

To get the full benefits, make sure you follow all instructions written on the pack. Additionally, it is also vital to remember that mouthwash alone won’t remove plaque or bacteria without the help of dental floss and good toothpaste.

Dental care for toddlers may seem unnecessary, but it has several important benefits for children. A healthy mouth can improve their appearance, make eating more comfortable and improve their speech.

Even though keeping a child’s mouth healthy is especially challenging at a young age, your efforts are likely to pay off in the long run. As a result of brushing, permanent teeth can develop properly and emerge in the right position, making them more likely to erupt in the correct location.

But at what age should your child start using toothpaste for brushing? And what is the importance of using toothpaste for kids? Well, if you are seeking answers to the same question, keep reading the article to know more!

Why should your toddlers or children use toothpaste?

Before jumping onto anything else, let us see why your child should use toothpaste in the first place. Toddler toothpaste makes routine brushing more enjoyable for parents and children alike. As soon as you see your child developing a few teeth, you must consider using good-quality toothpaste.

It is essential to introduce dental products into your child’s oral care routine because it will help prevent tooth decay and promote healthy gums. Apart from these, there are many other advantages, like the prevention of plaque build-up, infections, and bacteria, if you introduce oral care products into your child’s daily routine as early as possible.

At what age should your child use toothpaste?

It is impossible to tell the exact age at which your kid should use dental products. However, it is recommended that for your child to use toothpaste, you should wait until he or she is at least 18 months old. 

If your kids are under four years old, you can give them a pea-sized amount of product to brush their teeth from. Brushing twice daily is essential for instilling healthy dental habits in your kids right from the start. 

Keeping an eye on them while they brush will prevent them from swallowing the toothpaste. It is also important to monitor them in order to ensure they are brushing properly.

What to do if your child does not brush or use toothpaste?

It is likely to happen that your toddler makes it a challenge for you to get their teeth brushed. So, here are some tips which might help you: 

• Reward your kid: Parents often reward their children after a great brushing routine. Alternatively, you could praise them or give them a high-five for brushing their teeth nicely.
• Find creative ways to make the time go fast: Children have trouble staying focused for more than two minutes, so try setting a video or music to make the process fun. They can even brush while you read to them.
• You can all go toothbrush shopping together: Give your kid the opportunity to pick out a toothbrush with a fun character design or a color they love.
• Establish a family brushing routine: The best way to teach children to brush with them is to establish a family brushing routine. Kids will learn to brush properly while seeing their parents do the same.

As a final step, your kid will need to visit the dentist six months after implementing all these practices. A major milestone of your parenting role is to ensure your children’s dental health. So, don’t forget to have fun with your little ones and encourage them to follow good oral care habits from the beginning. 

Lastly, we hope after reading this article, you have gotten all the information regarding when to introduce toothpaste in your kid’s dental routine. 

When you lose a tooth, you may experience difficulty smiling, eating, talking, and changing your face shape. Additionally, the cost of treatments may seem exorbitant and overwhelming. Though getting dentures is a convenient, non-invasive, and affordable way to restore your smile after tooth loss. The following are some advantages and disadvantages for those seeking a tooth replacement solution.

In fact, the key advantages and disadvantages of dentures will help you decide whether this is the right option for you.

Advantages Of Dentures

• Dentures Can Be Installed Without Surgery

The process of getting dentures is easy, simple, and fast due to the fact that there is no need for surgery. Unlike dental implants, dentures do not require hours of surgery at the clinic. The process of claiming your new smile is made simple by professionals. 

• A Full Set Of Dentures Is Less Expensive Upfront Than Dental Implants.

A further reason for choosing dentures is their relative affordability. It is less time-consuming and requires less material, which reduces the cost. Ensure to consider your budget when discussing denture solutions with your denture specialist.

• Easily Modified If Something Seems Wrong

Dentures are made from highly durable, high-quality materials that are designed to function with your natural teeth in harmony. It is possible to modify your existing dentures if additional teeth are lost in the future. Most importantly, dentures can be easily replaced or repaired if they are accidentally broken or damaged by scheduling an emergency service appointment with your denture clinic.

Disadvantages Of Dentures 

• Have A Habit Of Moving A Lot

The removable nature of dentures makes them prone to moving in your mouth when you are eating or speaking. The first time you wear them, you’ll have to speak or chew slowly to keep them in place.

• Can Be Difficult To Maintain

The most effective way to maintain your dentures is to brush them religiously, store them in a glass of water before bed, and avoid letting them fall on hard surfaces. However, you’ll soon get used to them once you get a complete set of teeth.

Things To Consider When Choosing Dentures

• Regular Cleaning And Maintenance Are A Must 

Bits of food and drink can be retained in dentures, allowing germs and bacteria to thrive between them and your gums. In order to maintain a healthy and comfortable fit with your dentures, regular removal and cleaning are essential to preventing the growth of bacteria and keeping your gums healthy and disease-free.

• Increasing the frequency of professional maintenance or denture repair services 

Generally, denture rebasing or a similar service should be performed every five years. The reason for this is that over time, your gums may recede, resulting in discomfort and poor fit. The replacement of dental implants only requires surgery once every 20 years, making dentures less durable.

• There Are Other Options For Natural-looking Teeth

A full set of dentures can be a suitable solution for improving the appearance of missing teeth. It can be difficult to distinguish between real and fake teeth because the denture base usually matches the color of your natural gums. Despite these limitations, dentures are not completely inconspicuous, especially when compared to dental implants, which are difficult to detect. For dental implants to look more natural, surgically inserted posts are used to secure them to keep them parallel to the contours of your face and smile.

Although dentures are a convenient method of replacing missing teeth, weighing both pros and cons is imperative. One of the most essential benefits of having a complete set of dentures is that it restores your smile and improves your self-esteem. For more information about dentures, get in touch with your trusted dentist. 

In most cases, children and adults suffer from tooth decay, also referred to as dental caries. But what is the reason behind it? Or how can you stop it from happening? Do you need to do more than just brush your teeth and avoid sugar?

Well, there are many things that are related to dental cavities, and it is imperative to prevent them. Our oral health is directly related to our overall health, and if we do not pay enough attention to our dental health, we will put our bodily health in danger. 

There are multiple tips and tricks all over the internet that show how you can keep cavities or decay away. But people always need help understanding the scientific reason behind it and why it actually happens. 

Therefore, if you are interested in knowing what are some of the common diseases that cause cavities then keep on reading. 

Why does a cavity happen?

Before jumping into the details let us see why cavities happen in the first palace. Anyone can develop cavities in their teeth. A dental cavity can be referred to as small holes on the hard surface of the tooth. 

There are a variety of factors that can cause cavities, which are also called caries or dental cavities.  There are various factors that play a role in the development of caries, and it is more than just your poor oral health. 

In many cases, tooth decay is the result of something larger and potentially more risky, occurring in the body. Poor oral hygiene is a part of what can cause cavities but on a larger scale, there are many common diseases that contribute to the same. 

What are some diseases that cause dental cavities?

We all know our mouth is home to thousands of bacteria, and when not taken care of properly, it can harm our oral health as well as our bodily health. Therefore, let us see some of the common diseases that occur from the bacteria in our mouth which in turn cause tooth decay: 

• Diabetes: Well, we all know the obvious reason why diabetes is at the top of the list. Diabetic patients often experience dry mouth because they lack saliva. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes the saliva in your mouth creates a barrier between bacteria and your teeth. Therefore, less saliva makes the teeth easily prone to dental cavities. 

• Inflammation: Next is any inflammation or heartburn. There are many reasons why people suffer from inflammation. Bodily inflammation can greatly impact the stomach acids and when they flow into your mouth they wear off the teeth’s enamel layer causing your teeth to become more sensitive to cavities. 

• Autoimmune Disease: When the body attacks itself, it is said to be autoimmune. From the kidneys to the salivary glands, everything can get affected by autoimmune disease. Some autoimmune diseases impact the mouth which can cause Sjögren’s syndrome leading to dry mouth, and dry mouth is one of many reasons for a dental cavity.
• Eating disorders: Eating disorders such as anorexia and others can lead to significant cavities and erosion of the teeth. Repetitive vomiting in eating disorders can dissolve enamel by washing stomach acid over it. In addition to interfering with saliva production, eating disorders can also affect digestion. All these problems can collectively lead to dental cavities. 

These were some health issues that can lead to tooth erosion or decay. In order to maintain your dental health, you must take your overall health seriously and visit your dentist often if you suffer from any of the above-mentioned health problems.

You can get a toothache for a variety of reasons, such as a hulk of popcorn getting stuck in your gum or a bacterial infection, or it could also be a broken tooth. But whatever the reason, tooth pain is something none of us can ignore. Whether it is a dull pain or a severe sharp one, a toothache can give us sleepless nights if not attended to in due time.

You experience tooth pain when any nerve in the tooth’s root or in the surrounding area is irritated. Some of the most common causes of toothache are dental infection, tooth injury, tooth decay, or loss of a tooth. Sometimes the pain could also emanate from a different area but radiate towards the jaws and make it appear like tooth pain. Some of the common areas are TMJ (Temporomandibular joint), sinuses, ear infections, and in rare cases, it could also be heart problems.

What Does Tooth Pain Look Like?

Toothache appears in or around a tooth, and it could range from mild to severe depending on the reason for tooth pain. You might feel any or all of the following things:

• Swelling in or around your gum or tooth and throbbing pain.
• Shooting pain when you bite down your teeth or touch them.
• Fever.
• Pain or tenderness in and around your tooth.
• Shock-like or burning sensation (rare.)
• Sensitivity in your teeth while drinking extremely hot or cold beverages.

Most Common Underlying Reasons for Toothaches

You might think that something noticeable needs to happen before you get tooth pain, but many times you might not see it coming. Reasons for toothache are varied, it could be bruxism (teeth grinding), gingivitis, impacted wisdom teeth, excess bacteria, etc. Here are some of the most common reasons for tooth pain:

• Tooth decay or cavity – A dental cavity is the most common reason for toothaches. Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing properly or flossing regularly, is the most significant source of cavities in teeth. As bacteria eats away at your tooth, it creates a hole that keeps getting deeper with time. If you eat lots of sugary food, that could also give you cavities pretty quickly because your saliva mixes with the sugary food and eats away at your teeth. Cavities are hard to catch early, so it is vital to keep a check on them and visit your dentist regularly.
• Dental abscess – When the pulp chamber of your tooth is infected, it results in an abscessed tooth. The infection has reached the root tip of your tooth, resulting in swollen gums, severe pain, infected root, and possibly loss of bone at the infection site.
• Gum disease – Also called gingivitis, gum disease is also caused by not maintaining proper dental hygiene. Due to plaque build-up over time, your gum might become red and start to swell and bleed. In its mild form, gingivitis might not be so painful, but if left unattended, it can lead to something called periodontal disease, which is a more severe form of gingivitis. You could lose your teeth if you do not get treated for gum disease in time.
• Trauma or injury – A dental injury could result in a broken or knocked-off tooth which could cause tooth pain. If your tooth gets broken, cover its jagged edges with tape or gum so that they do not cut your cheeks, gum, or tongue till your appointment.
• Teeth grinding – Bad dental habits such as grinding teeth or biting down hard on it can result in toothaches. This is also called bruxism. Pain due to grinding teeth is generally associated with TMJ or temporomandibular joint.
• Wisdom teeth – If you have pain in the bottom or upper molar areas then it is time to have your wisdom teeth removed. The pain would continue to grow as your wisdom teeth grow, and they can also affect bones and nerves in the surrounding areas if they grow sideways or misaligned. 

Causes for Referred Tooth Pains

• If your sinuses get inflamed due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, it can result in a condition called sinusitis. Since your sinuses are close to the roots of the upper teeth, you can get pain in the upper teeth region due to sinusitis.
• Lung cancer or heart disease can also give tooth pains. This is due to the location of the vagus nerve in our bodies which runs from our brains to different organs inside our bodies. This nerve also runs through the heart and lungs and through the jaw.
• Some rare causes of referred tooth pain could be occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia. These two are neurological conditions that cause inflammation of occipital and trigeminal nerves. These nerves run through your skull, face, and teeth, so when they are irritated, the pain could seem to come from teeth.

It is essential that you go for regular dental checkups and do not ignore toothaches since they could lead to tooth loss or they might even be warning signs of heart or lung disease. You can take preventive measures if you can catch these diseases before they get worse.

Getting Invisalign or aligners is a straightforward process and mostly painless. But not everyone is the same; hence, getting aligners is a cakewalk for some people, and for others, it is a complex and complicated process. So, to tell whether they are painful or not totally depends on your tooth condition and your pain tolerance. 

Though the pain or sensation you feel from Invisalign can be because of the soreness, getting aligners are like getting traditional metal braces, but it is less painful. Getting plastic braces or aligners at the start can make you feel uncomfortable or want to take them off. But it is entirely normal, and your teeth will adjust with time. 

Before jumping into the details of how you can handle the pain from Invisalign or why it is painful, let us first read about it more. An aligner is a plastic transparent tooth straightening tool that works like metal braces. 

The main advantage of aligners is that they are not visible, are easily removed, and will make your teeth straightening process much easier and quicker. With these orthodontics devices, you do not have to follow many restrictions compared to traditional braces. 

Now that you know the basics of Invisalign let’s jump straight into how you can handle the pain and discomfort that comes with it! 

Why does Invisalign pain?

Commonly aligners don’t cause pain, but if you are experiencing pain, it could be because of the shift in position. The main job of this orthodontic tool is to push your misaligned teeth to a better position. And when you get these modern braces, in the beginning, it is normal to feel a little pain and discomfort because your mouth is not accustomed to them. 

In addition, when you insert the new Invisalign tray, it can also cause pain for some people or can cause sore or sensitive gums, but it will go away in some weeks. However, you must consult your dentist if the pain doesn’t go away quickly or within a few days.

How can you manage Invisalign pain? 

If you are someone who is currently taking the aligner treatment, then these tips can help you manage the little pain or discomfort if there is any: 

• Eat less chewy or hard food: Foods such as hard nuts, candies, lollipops, popcorn, etc., can cause pain and disturb the process of Invisalign and can cause pain. So, if you have recently undergone the aligner treatment, it is best to avoid such foods. In addition, you must stay away from too-cold or too-hot food.

• Use ice packs: Keeping ice cubes in your mouth or using ice packs where you have soreness can help with the pain and discomfort. Ice cubes or cold ice packs work well in combating the pain. Hence, using them at least twice a day is recommended to see effective results. 

• Brush and floss your teeth properly: Brushing & flossing your teeth is essential if you do not want any pain or further discomfort. Sometimes patients do not focus on their brushing routine, which can accumulate food build-up inside the plastic tray, leading to pain and sore gums. Hence, it is vital to floss and brush your teeth. 
• Wear your Invisalign as much as possible: It is essential to wear your aligners daily because it will make your teeth accustomed to the aligners. Your teeth will not only get to use the aligners but wearing your aligners daily will also reduce pain and discomfort and help speed up the teeth straightening process. 

All in all, getting Invisalign is a painless procedure, but if you suffer from any discomfort, you must go to your dentist and follow the tips mentioned above to help you. 

As the name suggests, family dentistry is a dental care service that you choose to take care of the dental concerns of members in your household. 

Family dentistry is an ideal option to take care of the oral needs of your household members, including your kids, parents, partners, and basically everyone in your household. 

A family dentistry service provider is someone who treats patients of every age. Starting from kids to adults. With a dedicated dentist, you do not have to go from one place to another to get different types of oral care treatment done. 

We all know how important it is to take care of your teeth, and when it comes to your household members, you have to be extra careful because you can not trust just anyone with their oral health. 

But with a family dentist, you can leave this worry behind and get all the members treated in one place without going from one dentist to another. 

A family dentist offers all kinds of oral care services like dental x-rays, tooth extraction, root canal, teeth whitening, dental fillings, sealant treatment, and many more things. Therefore, in this article, we will be going to see what are the benefits of having a dedicated dentist. 

Some advantages of having a family dentist.

Below listed are some of the most common yet important advantages of a dedicated dentist for your household that everyone must know:

• Treats patients of all ages: A family dentist is someone who treats patients of every age group. Starting from kids to adults, every member can get themselves treated by this dentist.

• Getting treated by a family dentist is convenient: Having one assigned dentist is a very convenient option for getting multiple dental care services. You can be frank about your dental concerns with your dentist, and he will give you an ideal treatment for all your oral care issues under one roof.

• No dental anxiety: We all face dental anxiety at least once in our lives, especially kids, but having a familiar dentist to whom you can talk to tell your concern will help reduce the dental anxiety, and you and your household members can easily get their dental treatments done without any issue. 

• Family dentists are aware of your dental habits: Having a dedicated dentist means getting top-class services for all your oral health issues because they know everything about your dental habits, which makes it easier for them to treat the issue from its core. Knowing your respective dental history and concerns is the best part about any family dentist.

• Long-lasting relationship: Having a family dentist means having a long-lasting relationship with your dentist. These dentists usually treat patients from different generations for long periods, and they have a familial relationship with each member, making it more comfortable to get the treatment done. 
• Easily accessible: Dental treatments with family dentists are easily accessible because you can call them in an emergency without thinking much, and they will give you optimum treatment. In many cases, your dentist is usually just a call away and can even come to your place for a regular check-up or in case of an emergency. 

Though there are many other advantages of a family dentist, we hope with this article, we have cleared all your doubts regarding a family dentist and all benefits you can obtain if you have one. However, the services provided by a family dentist are similar to any general dentist, but a family dentist has some added advantages which you will not get anywhere else.

What do you understand from the word comprehensive? Well, don’t worry; we are here to tell you. Comprehensive means dealing with all aspects or elements of something. And in the case of dentistry, comprehensive dental care means getting all kinds of dental care services under one roof.

Getting comprehensive dental care is one of the efficient ways to receive dental care. If you are receiving complete dental care, you can go from one place to another to find various dentists that offer different treatments.

It is important to find a dentist who offers thorough dental care because it has many benefits. If you are unaware of what a comprehensive dental care service is, then keep on reading to know more about it.

What kind of services are offered under comprehensive dental care?

Comprehensive dental care means receiving full-suite dental care services, including cosmetic care, preventive care, and restorative care. Starting complex cosmetic dentistry services to preventive care, you receive all kinds of treatments from one dentist. All your concerns regarding your oral health will be addressed in one place. Whether it’s getting tooth cleaning done or a root canal, or dental fillings, extensive dental care is ideal for giving you the smile of your dreams.

Benefits of comprehensive dental care

Below given are some of the benefits of complete dental care:

• All complex services under one roof: One of the main advantages of total dental care is you receive a wide range of complex and simple oral care services under one roof.

• Pocket-friendly: When you get complete dental care, you do not have to go from one dentist to another to receive different types of oral care, saving you time and money.
• Family dental care: Comprehensive dental care is ideal for families because you and your family members can have a complete dental check-up from start to finish in one place.

Types of services offered under comprehensive dental care
Here is a list of services that are offered under complete dental care to give you a better idea about this dental care:

• Dental exams: A dental examination is one of the standard services offered at exhaustive dental care. Dental exams are used to identify any oral health abnormalities and prevent them before it gets out of hand.

• Teeth cleaning: Teeth cleaning is another essential service offered at a comprehensive dental care place. Teeth cleaning is used to clean up plaque build-up from the gum line and is used for teeth whitening.

• Tooth extraction: Tooth extraction is also a comprehensive dental care service. In tooth extraction, the dentist removes a decayed tooth or a tooth that has a cavity to stop its spread to the whole mouth.

• Provides mouth guard: Mouth guard is another essential service offered under complete dental care. Dentists generally offer mouth guards to protect your teeth, gums, and tongue; therefore, the whole mouth is protected from the trauma caused by any physical injury or grinding.

• Aligners: One of the main advantages of getting services from complete dental care is getting your aligners or braces from the same place. Aligners are transparent teeth straightening device that gradually shifts the teeth to an ideal position.
• Dental fillings: With thorough dental care services, you will also receive dental fillings. If you are suffering from a broken or chipped tooth, you can easily get it repaired with the help of dental fillings.

Apart from these, there are many services that a complete dental care clinic offers. You can easily receive multiple services and benefits from a comprehensive dental care dentist. Therefore, if you are looking for complete dental care for you and your family, you must get in touch with an all-around dental care provider.

Taking care of our teeth is vital because who doesn’t like to flaunt that beautiful smile? But there are many when we forget to follow the basic oral hygiene routine or ignore our brushing or flossing routine, which can impact oral health.

Daily activities like chewing, grinding, and clenching complex objects or food items can make our teeth weak and vulnerable, causing them to break or chip easily. If we ignore such small habits, the enamel layer that covers the teeth can rip off.

You have brittle teeth mainly because of continuous friction and stress from grinding them. The more you take the stress and clench your teeth, the more weak or brittle they will be. In addition, your food choices also play a significant role in affecting the condition of your choppers. 

However, other causes of chipped or brittle teeth can be accidents, malocclusion, exposure to extreme temperatures, cavities, etc. However, no matter the reason behind your brittle teeth, you must visit your dentist if the condition worsens. 

How to care for brittle teeth?

There are a few ways in which you can take care of your brittle teeth, and some of them: 

• Firstly, you need medical care if your tooth breaks suddenly. But if it is not that serious, you can rinse your mouth with warm water and take some pain reliever for quick comfort.
• The treatment of brittle teeth varies depending on how big or small the crack is. Minor cracks don’t cause pain compared to bigger ones and don’t need treatment.
• If you have a highly brittle tooth, the dentist can polish it, which will help to even out the area. 
• It would help to avoid sugary snacks and drinks; you can chew sugarless chewing gum.
• You should follow a good dental care routine and brush daily.
• Adding more calcium to your diet will help make your teeth strong. 

These are some tips you can follow, but you must visit your dentist if you feel the problem is not going away.

One of the most frequent dental procedures is the removal of wisdom teeth, which many individuals associate with unpleasant recollections. Everyone seems to have a tale to tell about their experience, whether it be about the insane thing they said while the anesthesia was kicking in or what they wish they had known about recuperation before the procedure. We’ve put together a brief outline of what to anticipate following wisdom teeth removal and how to make your recovery as painless as possible to help keep recovery stories on the lighter side.

Large teeth, known as wisdom teeth, develop at the very back of the mouth. Between the ages of 17 and 21, most wisdom teeth break the skin’s surface. Some individuals could not have any wisdom teeth erupt at all.

Sometimes the mouth does not have enough space for the wisdom teeth to erupt into the proper place. They might only partially or at an angle penetrate the gums. When this happens, the wisdom teeth are referred to as impacted and can lead to issues including pain or an infection.

How to Recover Fast After Surgery?

Retainers are used for keeping the teeth in the correct position. If you want your teeth to always stay straight and prominent you have to wear retainers.

Retainers are either made from plastic, metal, or acrylic. There are different types of retainers in the market and the dentist will give you one according to your teeth condition. Mainly there are two types of retainers: permanent and removable. Permanent retainers are also called fixed retainers and removable retainers are also called temporary retainers.

The purpose of both the retainers is the same: they prevent your teeth from any dental relapse and help you secure a healthy and beautiful smile for life.

However, it is important to know how both the retainers work so you can make an easy choice. Various factors make both these retainers different from each other; therefore, it is important to take help from your dentist to select the right one.

Some features of permanent and removable retainers

Permanent retainers:

Removable retainers:

Retainers are very important to wear; they protect your teeth from shifting back and ensure you have a straight and prominent-looking smile all your life. Once you are done with your retainers, your dentist will give you retainers to wear to prevent any dental relapse.

Retainers are custom-made, similar to your aligners. Retainers fit your teeth and apply pressure to keep teeth in their new position. There are permanent and temporary retainers no matter which one you wear; you must wear them as directed by your dentist.

Generally, retainers are made from either plastic, metal, or acrylic. They sit on your upper and lower teeth to hold them in position until new bones fill the gap that occurred during Invisalign or the teeth straightening process. The main job of your retainers is to apply gentle pressure for the new position for your teeth to become permanent. Your retainers can take around 4-6 months to show results.

What happens when you do not wear your retainers?

Retainers are not ideally made for shifting your teeth back, so they will not work as promptly as Invisalign, but they can move your teeth to some extent. Retainers do not allow precise control to move your teeth back. Therefore, you can not depend solely on retainers to move your teeth back. You have to go through the teeth straightening process; therefore, the Invisalign aligners.

Retainers are meant to stop any dental relapse; you must wear them continuously for the first 3-6 months to ensure your teeth stay in the right position. However, if you have less severe dental issues and your Invisalign treatment is done, your retainers can help move back your teeth slightly.

On the other hand, you can expect your retainers to directly move back your teeth even without going under the Invisalign process. Invisalign aligners are a prerequisite to ensure your retainers work on your teeth and shift them back. Ideally, retainers start showing results within 3-4 months, and you can see a slight difference in your smile.

In addition, for the first 3 months, your dentist will tell you to wear your retainers all the time and just remove them when you are eating, brushing, or flossing; this is to ensure that your retainers work effectively. After that, you can weather them only at night or as your dentist recommends.

Different types of retainers are available in the market; you can visit your dentist to give you the one that best suits your condition. You can be prescribed a temporary or plastic retainer if you have slight or less prominent dental issues. In addition, if you suffer from a severe dental problem, your dentist can give you permanent or wire-bound retainers.

Lastly, make sure to visit your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment if you have any issues with your Invisalign.

After removing their braces, people must wear a retainer full-time because teeth are not set in a rigid environment. Even after braces have been used to correct them and move them into a better position, they can shift over time.

You may wonder how to care for your retainer if you wear one. Because your retainer is inside your mouth and against your teeth, bacteria, plaque, and tartar quickly accumulate. Cleaning your retainer regularly is just as mandatory as brushing your teeth.

Here is a simple guide to cleaning retainers easily:

While wearing retainers, maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine is vital, just like with your Invisalign. If you have completed your Invisalign process, you must wear retainers to keep a straight-looking smile for the rest of your life. There are two types of retainers, temporary and permanent; with each of them, it is necessary to have a proper brushing and flossing routine. 

Retainers are meant to hold your teeth and provide minor shifts in the position after Invisalign treatment. Generally, with retainers, most patients complain about bad breath or stinky teeth, but apart from retainers, various factors contribute to bad breath during the teeth straightening process.

There are multiple bacterias that can harm your teeth; one of them is halitosis-inducing bacteria. Halitosis bacteria live in your teeth and can deposit plaque on your retainers if you do not brush your teeth properly. Without correct daily oral care, your permanent retainers are a perfect place for these bacteria to accumulate in large numbers.

How to avoid stinky breath during permanent retainers?

Dental hygiene is important to take care of with any teeth straightening treatment. Dental hygiene plays an important role in determining how effectively your teeth straightening treatment will work. Invisalign treatment has no restrictions on what toothpaste you should use; however, it is vital to consult your dentist before opting for any toothpaste or dental hygiene products. Before selecting toothpaste or oral hygiene products, follow some precautions while wearing your Invisalign aligners.

To maintain proper dental hygiene while on teeth straightening treatment, you should always floss your teeth at least twice a day; brush your teeth every time you eat something; wash your aligners or rinse them with lukewarm water to avoid cavities, etc. There are some important precautionary measures that you must take care of to have smooth teeth straightening treatment.

There is various toothpaste that you can go for while being on the Invisalign treatment, and you should look for a toothpaste that creates a lot of bubbles, has antibacterial properties, works on tooth sensitivity, and help clear the enamel as well because it can cause tooth decay and other problems while you are on your Invisalign treatment.

What type of toothpaste should you use while you are on your Invisalign treatment?

The plus sign on Invisalign indicates or means over correction. The plus sign Invisalign tray is an overcorrection tray worn when your teeth have not moved properly after using all the Invisalign trays in your teeth straightening process. In addition, depending upon your treatment and well your teeth have moved, you may not need to wear an overcorrection tray afterward. The plus sign Invisalign correction tray is necessary to wear after your treatment to give your teeth a proper push which couldn’t happen at the time of the treatment for some reason.

Overcorrection Invisalign aligners are also called refinement aligners. The overcorrection aligners are designed to adjust to your specific teeth needs in your mouth sets into a perfect position. Patients often wonder why they must wear a plus one or overcorrect aligners after their Invisalign treatment. It is because sometimes your teeth tend to move back to their original position even after the teeth straightening treatment. Overcorrection aligners ensure that your teeth are in a better position or alignment if they begin to get to their original place.

Plus, sign aligners or overcorrection aligners help to give you a straight and beautiful smile. However, unlike the retainers, the plus sign aligners are not meant to hold your teeth in the proper place after the Invisalign treatment. Overcorrection aligners are intended to give your troublesome or rigid teeth a perfect position or placement when they are not properly aligned and cause dental relapse. However, dental deterioration after the teeth straightening treatment is normal, and it can happen to anyone. But following your dentist’s advice can help you manage the relapse easily.

How does plus sign or overcorrection aligners work?

One of the common misconceptions that patients have is that when teeth are fixed with orthodontic treatment, they are fixed for life. That is not true. Once your braces are off, doctors are going to suggest retainers.

When your treatment with braces or Invisalign is complete, there is sometimes an immediate tendency for the teeth to drift back to their original position. It is possible to minimize this tendency, but this is often a primary issue for up to eighteen months after treatment.

What are retainers, and how will they help?

Can my retainer damage my teeth?

Invisalign is a reliable source of teeth straightening over time without causing much pain and trouble like the traditional braces. Invisalign aligners have various benefits when worn properly and as directed by the dentist. Your teeth tend to shift back to their previous position after the treatment. But if you wear your Invisalign aligners for more than 20 hours and take care of your oral hygiene during the treatment the Invisalign will provide you with the permanent solution and you can live with your beautifully straight smile forever.

How Invisalign can give your teeth a permanent fix?

Your Invisalign aligners alone can not whiten your teeth. Invisalign treatment is only meant to move your teeth to a better position and make them look less compact for a broader and better smile. However, if you want to whiten your teeth during your Invisalign treatment, you can use various products and gels with your Invisalign to make your teeth appear white and bright. But before applying or buying any whitening gel or teeth product, always consult your dentist as it can interfere with your teeth straightening process.

Why do your teeth get yellow during your Invisalign treatment?

Sometimes Invisalign treatment hurts more than expected, and people often wonder when their Invisalign stops hurting. The answer is different for everyone. The pain during your Invisalign treatment depends on the severity of your case. Some people experience pain at the start of the treatment, some after 3 weeks, and some towards the end. The good news is that most Invisalign pain is easily curable, and there is nothing to worry about. 

Invisalign are Invisible braces used to move teeth to give you a better and more prominent smile. Like all traditional braces, Invisalign causes discomfort and pain while moving teeth into a better position. Moreover, tooth movement pain is a sign that your Invisalign treatment works properly.

Invisalign can cause some pain or discomfort. It can also hurt more in the end in some cases, but this pain is not to be concerned about. In most cases, the pain is always mild and temporary. In addition, over 54% of people can experience mild to moderate discomfort during Invisalign treatment, which goes away quickly. However, if your Invisalign hurts more by the end of the treatment, identify the severity of the pain and consult your dentist for a proper diagnosis because Invisalign treatment can cause severe pain for various reasons. 

What type of Invisalign pain can you experience during your treatment?

How to deal with the discomfort caused by Invisalign treatment?

The full form of Dental DMO is Dental Maintenance Organization. It is a type of dental coverage insurance. Dental Maintenance Organization is a network of specialist dentists who provide various dental care services at a fixed cost. DMO offers affordable dental coverage and allows you to choose a plan with a dental preferred provider organization or a dental maintenance organization.

The Dental Maintenance Organization plan lists dentists in your area who have contracted to provide dental services at discounted or low rates. In the DMO insurance plan, you have to choose one of the primary care dentists in your area who will look after your general dental health problems. However, if your dentist determines that you need to see a specialist, he can refer you to one, and you don’t have to pay any extra cost for that. In addition, in a Dental Maintenance Organization, you can see an orthodontist without a referral as long as your plan covers it.

Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) is also known as HMO Dental Insurance Plan. In addition, most HMO or DMO plans work on a capitation basis. Moreover, the insurance plan will pay the dentist a certain amount of money per member every month, whether or not the member sees the dentist.

Benefits of a Dental Maintenance Organization plan

Coverage of a Dental DMO plan

Yes, Invisalign can intrude on teeth. Intrusion is the process of moving teeth up (or down for bottom teeth). Invisalign intrudes teeth by placing “attachments” or “buttons” on adjacent teeth. These attachments provide something for the aligner to grip while applying upward pressure to intrude teeth into your jawbone.

How Long Does Invisalign Take To Work? 

Will Invisalign prove to be an effective solution? 

Why Choose Invisalign? 

Invisalign are transparent and removable braces that let you align your teeth without having to deal with braces that are not so appealing. This state-of-the-art alternative to braces is custom-made for every patient and can be worn by teenagers and adults alike. With Invisalign, you can go out and party or play sports with friends without anyone noticing that you have braces on your teeth.

But every good thing comes with a cost, and the same is with Invisalign. You are required to wear Invisalign for no less than 22 hours in a day, and you can not eat or drink with Invisalign on you. Food and drinks, except water, can stain our braces, damage our aligners, etc.

People find it uncomfortable to keep removing their braces whenever they have to drink anything; hence a lot of people ask the question, “can I drink through a straw with Invisalign?” We will answer this question in this article.

Drinking Liquid Through Straw While Wearing Invisalign

Yes, colored braces are more expensive. Ceramic braces or colored braces typically cost between $4,000 and $7,500 when all costs are considered, including pre-treatment x-rays, clinic visits, and retainers. Traditional metal braces cost between $1,700 and $6,000, so ceramic braces are more expensive.

Why Do People Turn to Colorful Braces? 

How Frequently Can I Change the Colors of My Braces?

What to Think About When Choosing Braces Colors

• Consider your diet! If you drink a lot of coffee or eat a lot of berries, your band’s hues may be stained.

• Consider the color of your teeth (they aren’t likely to be completely white): Certain hues might make your teeth appear discolored. Darker colors will make your teeth appear whiter.
• When it comes to braces, your appearance is just as important as what you wear. If you don’t like the way you appear in a particular hue, you might not want it on your teeth.

What to consider while choosing the right color for braces? 

Did you notice that your child’s front teeth seem crowded? Do you worry about your preschooler’s thumb-sucking habit? Is your child’s underbite a cause for concern? Getting orthodontic treatment improves not just teeth but also self-esteem and confidence. The age of a child does not completely determine when they should get braces. However, there are specific guidelines that are generally followed in most cases.

Getting braces to work best requires a child to have most of their permanent teeth. The majority of orthodontists recommend braces for children between 10 and 14 years of age. It is ideal for getting braces at a young age so that braces can shift teeth and adjust the bite. A child at this age will generally have all of his or her permanent teeth, which is a factor that affects when the time is right for braces.

Another major factor is the condition of the jawbone. A child at this age does not yet have a fully developed jawbone. It is still forming and growing. Moreover, a child with a growing jawbone is a good candidate for braces. Having an underdeveloped jawbone allows teeth to shift more easily and enables braces to correct most types of bite issues.

Furthermore, it is vital to note that most orthodontists believe that a child’s first orthodontic evaluation should be scheduled around the age of seven. Therefore, even though your child won’t likely need braces until he or she is ten to fourteen, it is a smart idea to get an initial evaluation by the age of seven.

Beginning this process early will help you understand the challenges your child might face with braces and the time frame to consider. Additionally, braces are not limited to a single type. There are several options, including traditional braces and Invisalign. Both options are fantastic, but one might work better than the other for your child.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Rubber bands or elastics are used for a variety of orthodontic treatments. Read further to know what they are, how they are used, and some adverse outcomes of wearing the wrong size rubber band on braces.

What are rubber bands?

How are rubber bands used?

What happens if you wear the wrong size rubber bands on your braces?

Braces stay with us for months, and sometimes years, depending on the duration of treatment. Hence, choosing the right brace color type becomes essential for your personality. Yes, the red color can also be ideal for your braces. Continue reading to learn how to select the best style for you.

Options for colors

How to choose the right color for braces

What does your favorite color say about you?

Braces are among the most effective treatments for teeth-related problems. When you wear braces to correct your overbite, you may wonder what happens to your lips. That’s a good thought, as most people think their lips tend to appear thinner after getting braces.

The Way Braces Affect The Lips

Will Your Lips Get Thinner After Braces?

While manufacturers are working to improve the stain resistance of the brackets, all sections of the braces are still prone to staining. 

Some simple procedures and tweaks, on the other hand, can help keep braces white and clean: 

• Practicing Good Dental Hygiene: Brushing your teeth while wearing braces is equally as vital as brushing your teeth without braces. It should be a constant component of one’s everyday routine. Brushing and rinsing teeth after meals will remove any food colorants that may stain the braces, as well as any food particles caught in the brackets. Flossing will also assist to prevent discoloration by cleaning the hard-to-reach areas that a brush might miss. Cleaning and flossing also provide an opportunity to inspect your teeth for any loose brackets that may require treatment from your dentist.
• Regular Check-ups: If you have white braces, you will need to visit the dentist regularly because the elastic ligatures will need to be changed frequently. Apart from providing new, stain-free ligatures, the dentist will examine the brackets for any alignment or staining difficulties. It’s critical to make these appointments since they’ll help keep the white braces clean, and the replacement ligatures will give the braces a new feel and look.
• Be careful about eating and drinking: Changing your eating habits while wearing white braces will help prevent stains. Foods with strong colors, like tomato or mustard, might stain braces. Another food that can stain braces is coffee. It’s preferable to avoid them. Other easy precautions, such as sipping dark-colored beverages via a straw, can help keep braces clean and white.

The effectiveness of keeping braces clean and white is dependent on the dentist and the patient’s understanding. By adhering to these basic guidelines, you may keep a healthy, confident smile without your white braces. You can schedule an appointment with a dentist for more information. 
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Braces are a convenient way to straighten your teeth or shift them, improving their appearance and function. By breaking up your biting pressure across all your teeth, fixed braces are also beneficial to your long-term dental and gum health and make eating easier.

The soft tissues that lay over your teeth – your cheeks and lips – will conform to the new alignment of your bite if you choose braces or Invisalign to adjust their alignment. Losing teeth sometimes causes a person’s face to look “sunken in.” The change in the shape of your face will be gradual with braces, and among adults whose bones are already fully developed, it is less noticeable. An orthodontist will be able to tell you if there will be any changes in your teeth, if any, as a result of adequately aligning them. They can then give you an appropriate answer if you ask, “do braces alter the shape of your face?” based on your specific situation

How do braces affect your face shape?
Once orthodontic treatment is completed, there may be a slight change in the appearance of your face. However, this will be very gradual. A slight change in facial features may occur after an overbite treatment.

Does Invisalign change the shape of your face, nose, lips, or jawline?
If you have Invisalign, you can also move your lips in certain situations. As opposed to Invisalign, where your teeth are aligned with your lips, there isn’t a “buffer” between them. You don’t see a significant change in the size or shape of your lips during this process. Although Invisalign cannot straighten your upper teeth, it can still affect your lips and side profile by bringing your upper teeth into proper alignment. 

Our patients prefer clear aligners over traditional braces because they have the most negligible impact on appearance and daily activities. 

Do you want braces or Invisalign? What to Do Next
Orthodontic therapy is complex because it relies on an in-depth understanding of how your facial features, jaw, and teeth align. The orthodontist will plan your treatment based on your physical characteristics, including your front and side profiles. 
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

It is high time that you boost your dental hygiene routine. Maybe you should consider adding a mouthwash to your daily dental hygiene ritual.

If done correctly following the instructions on the label, mouthwash can be greatly beneficial for your oral health. 

The following are some of the reasons to use mouthwash. 

Provides complete cleaning 
The toothbrush is an effective way to clean the surfaces of the teeth, but it’s not as effective when it comes to cleaning the tight spaces in the mouth. Flossing is a better way to clean those hard-to-reach places, but there are still many places in the mouth that even the thinnest dental floss cannot reach.

Since mouthwash is a liquid, it can reach the smallest spaces between the teeth. It dislodges food particles, plaque, and bacteria when it’s swished around in the mouth.

Kills germs 
Bacteria in the mouth release acids that cause severe damage to the teeth. An antibacterial mouthwash can be utilized to kill these microbes. 

When choosing a mouthwash, it is advised to look for a rinse that contains chlorhexidine rather than alcohol since the latter is known to dry up the mouth.

Promotes healthy gums
The acid released by bacteria in the mouth can lead to the gums becoming inflamed. If not addressed immediately, this inflammation can progress into a severe case of gum disease. 

When you use an antibacterial mouthwash, you lower the amount of teeth-destroying bacteria in the mouth, reducing the high risk of getting gum disease and other infections.

Freshen breath 
Most mouthwashes come with a fresh, minty fragrance such as peppermint or cinnamon which freshen the breath.

The antibacterial ingredients in mouthwash attack bad-breath-causing bacteria in the mouth, especially on the surface of the tongue. These bacteria bring sulfuric substances, which leads to foul-smelling breath.

Would you like a little extra assistance in boosting your oral health? If you wish to, then it is best to consider scheduling your routine dental cleaning from the dental experts.
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

DDS and DMD are acronyms for the degrees that dentists earn after completing their dental training.

• DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery,
• DMD means Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Despite the different names, the American Dental Association (ADA) explains that they represent the same formation. Some universities can also additionally provide dental graduates a DDS, and others a DMD, however, each level has equal requirements.

History
As per the ADA, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery set up the primary Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees during the year 1840. When Harvard University began its dental faculty in 1867, their degrees were referred to as Dentariae Medicinae Doctorate i.e Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry).

Educational Journey
Today, many universities award a DMD degree. Dentists with both a DDS and a DMD are knowledgeable to exercise preferred dentistry. All dentists get hold of a rigorous education. First, dental faculties normally require a 4-12 months undergraduate education. Afterward, graduates visit dental faculty for any other 4 years of lecture room training, medical training, and dental laboratory training.

Dental college students spend the primary years of dental college studying biomedical sciences courses like biochemistry, pathology, anatomy, and pharmacology. The closing years are centered on scientific and laboratory training. After graduating from dental college, dentists need to clear a countrywide written exam known as the National Board Dental Examination, observed through a regional clinical board exam.

Education After a DDS or DMD
Most dentists practice dentistry. However, a few select to concentrate on a specific vicinity of dentistry after grabbing their degree. packages variety from to 6 years, relying upon their area of specialization. There are numerous dental specialties, which include endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and pediatric dentistry. The ADA assists you to discover a dentist with a forte that suits you best.

Whether they have a DDS or DMD degree, you have to pick a dentist primarily based totally on their skills, forms of services provided, communication, and professionalism.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Good oral care is essential to maintain the health of the teeth and gums. It involves practices like brushing twice a day and including routine dental checkups. Poor oral hygiene induces the risk of cavities and gum disease. Research shows there is a linkage between the healthiness of a person’s mouth and their overall fitness.

With a combination of proper dental care at home and routine visits to the dentist, people can prevent these problems. The following are some best approaches that can keep your overall oral hygiene healthy.

Use fluoride supplemental based on your doctor’s recommendation:
Certain dental by-products do not include fluoride, and some people do not involve it at all.

A report suggests that even brushing, mouth rinse, and flossing do not prevent cavities and other gum-related diseases if the by-products and the water supply lacks fluoride.

Floss your teeth once a day:
Flossing removes plaque that sticks on the surface of the teeth and bacteria found between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. It even controls bad breath by pulling out the debris and foodstuffs entrapped between the gaps of the teeth.

Say no to smoking:
Smoking affects the impression of the mouth, developing yellow stains on the teeth and tongue. Also, it can give your mouth bad breath.

Use mouthwash to rinse off help with bad breath and other oral diseases:
Certain mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, a type of antibacterial ingredient greatly help oral health and control plaque and other gum-related diseases.

Avoid aerated and sugary drinks:
Sipping on sweetened drinks is the main source of added sugars which can lead to cavities.

Adopting good oral care from babyhood to adulthood can help people own healthy teeth and gums. It also helps in maintaining overall wellness. Make sure that you visit your dentist for professional cleanings and oral examinations to avoid an attack from various teeth and gum-related diseases.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Dentures that can be removed for cleaning and oral hygiene are removable partial dentures that contain a pink or gum-colored base with replacement teeth attached. Metal frameworks often hold these dentures in place in the mouth.

An individual tooth or a few teeth can be replaced with partial dentures, but all the teeth in a jaw will be replaced by full dentures.

Types of Removable Partial Dentures
A cast metal partial denture and an acrylic flipper are the two most common types of removable partial dentures. You can also opt to wear flexible dentures instead. Read on to learn more about these devices.

• Cast Metal Partial Dentures: Alloys such as cobalt-chromium form the base of cast-metal partial dentures. By connecting to your natural teeth, the metal base stays in place. Alternatively, the framework could integrate less noticeable precision attachments. Metal attachments may or may not be visible, depending on the type of attachment.

• Acrylic Flippers: Acrylic flippers, on the other hand, come in a pink color and rest against the soft tissues of your mouth. These removable acrylic flippers can be worn by patients with progressive periodontitis who lose more teeth over time and need custom-made partial dentures as they age.

• Flexible Denture: Flexible dentures, made from a material called Valplast, are another option that is lightweight and attractive. Injection molding of this soft nylon compound fits each patient’s mouth precisely. 

In addition to dental implants and bridges, there are other options to replace a missing tooth. Both procedures are, however, more invasive and more expensive than partial denture fabrication.

Removable Partial Dentures: How to Care for Them
Take good care of your removable partial denture in order to maintain your oral health. Don’t brush Valplast partials as they may scratch the material. For conventional partials, rinse them and soak them in a denture solution overnight. Keep track of your dental appointments, and ensure you visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups.
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

You may wonder if a root canal treatment is necessary if you experience discomfort or severe pain in your tooth. If you experience swelling, gum infection, tenderness, gum swelling, severe pain, sensitivity to hot and cold substances, or gumballs, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment. In certain cases, the nerve of the tooth starts to die or gets infected. If an infection occurs, root canal treatment may be necessary, which may or may not cause pain. 

There can be several causes for a dead nerve, including:

• Damage to the nerve caused by decay
• a deep filling
• Broken or cracked teeth
• Damage caused by mechanical or thermal forces.

Such cases require root canal treatment in order to save the tooth. In this case, the infected nerve is removed from the tooth, the canals are disinfected, and an inert filling is inserted. 

Three stages are involved in root canal treatment:

1. Stage 1: the dead nerve and gross infection are removed. The bacteria in the canal are reduced with an antibiotic. Symptoms usually subside afterward. You must, however, continue to treat yourself lest the infection recur.
2. Stage 2: the canals will be shaped and further cleaned. The inert filling is received in a sterile environment created by the use of certain medications to flush out the debris. 
3. Stage 3: this is the final step in completing the treatment, which includes filling the canals with an inert material. After a permanent filling restores the tooth, a crown can be placed on it.

Although the myths and rumors surround root canal procedures, they are effective in restoring your infected tooth’s function and saving it. We recommend reading the root canal treatment step-by-step guide above if you are curious about booking a root canal. It is a painless treatment.
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Root canal therapy is a common procedure performed in dentistry, and anyone who needs to have it must learn what it entails. Dentists can provide accurate information about root canals and answer any questions patients may have. Root canal procedures are one of the more common dental questions.

Dental patients may try to avoid root canals because they believe they will be painful, but sometimes root canal therapy is necessary.

Is root canal therapy a multi-dental visit procedure?
Typically, two visits. On the first visit, the patient will undergo the actual procedure and on the second visit, they have teeth restored. Dentists usually place a dental crown over their treated teeth, but inlays and onlays are also options.

First Visit
An oral examination will be performed during the first dental visit. The dentist will also take X-rays to determine the exact condition of the tooth. During the procedure, the patient will be given a local anesthetic, so they will not feel anything. An infected nerve tissue will be removed by making a small opening in the tooth. In order to remove infected nerve tissue, the dentist will then make a small opening in the tooth. To make it easier to place temporary dental material inside the tooth, the pulp chamber will be thoroughly cleaned.

Second Visit
The dentist will remove the temporary materials from the treated tooth on the next visit. In order to prevent further damage, a restoration must now be placed on the tooth. There are several types of dental restorations, including dental crowns, dental inlays, and dental onlays. Overall, the purpose is to restore the tooth’s function to its previous state and to prevent it from becoming infected again.

What Is The Best Approach?
You and your dentist should discuss and agree on the best treatment plan. Getting it done within one long visit is harder than making multiple trips for shorter visits. It’s best to choose the one that leaves your mouth the healthiest long-term. The key to maintaining a healthy mouth is to brush and floss twice a day.
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

A root canal is an endodontic treatment that an expert performs when the soft tissue inside a tooth becomes infected. The pulp of a tooth comprises nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels that may be infected due to injuries, trauma, abscess, or untreated dental decay. Although many dental procedures are available to deal with minor decays and cavities, a root canal becomes imperative when the infection seeps into the pulp. 

In case you are wondering whether or not a tooth that needs a root canal can heal itself, the straightforward answer is no. The infected tissue inside the tooth cannot heal independently and will only get worse with time. Moreover, the infection can spread to other body parts, such as the jaw and eyes, and complicate the situation. Consequently, it is essential to remember that the absence of toothache does not mean that the tooth has healed itself naturally. Instead, the lack of pain means that the tooth is dead, and the condition of your tooth is even more volatile now. 

Signs That You Need a Root Canal

• Swollen mouth area
• Sensitive gums
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Severe dental decay
• Loose tooth or tooth mobility
• Drainage resulting in an abscess in the gum area

Opting for immediate treatment is the key to handling any severe dental issue effectively. Likewise, it is noteworthy to remember that leaving an infected tooth untreated can do more harm than good. The infection could spread from the pulp to other body parts such as the jaw, eyes, and even your brain and blood. Unlike other human body parts, our teeth cannot heal themselves after being damaged. The sole feasible course of action is to remove the infected parts to save the natural tooth. 
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

A root canal is a treatment devised to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent further re-infection, and save the natural tooth. In other words, a root canal procedure entails removing the infected or inflamed pulp and finally cleaning and sealing the insides of the infected tooth. 

A root canal treatment does not annihilate the tooth but instead removes the nerves inside the tooth. Now that we have talked about the rudimentary aspects of a root canal let us answer whether nerves grow back after the procedure or not.

Do Nerves Grow Back After a Root Canal?
A root canal therapy removes the nerves and other organic matter from inside a tooth’s root canal system, which is then filled with a material known as gutta-percha and sealed. Thus, nerves do not come back after a root canal. 

At times, bacteria can enter the sealed system of the root canal therapy, and you might require retreatment. 

What is Root Canal Retreatment?
Although root canal procedures are incredibly safe, some therapies may fail, and the area around the treated tooth may become infected. This is when a root canal retreatment comes into the picture. 

The procedure involves numbing the tooth so that you will not feel any discomfort. After that, the dentist removes the crown and reopens the tooth. The canal filling is removed, and another infection is treated. The dentist thoroughly examines the root canals to ensure that all vulnerable areas are attended to. After everything looks good, the tooth is disinfected, and the dentist puts a filling inside the canal again. Lastly, the endodontist places a temporary cover over the root canal, replaced with a crown after a few days. 

Thus, a re-infection after root canal therapy does not occur due to the redoing of nerves. It can result from other factors associated with the root canal procedure. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

A root canal is a tunnel chamber that typically holds the tooth’s nerves, blood, and connective tissue. People normally refer to needing a root canal when they need root canal treatment. This treatment requires a dentist to clear out infected tooth roots and seal off the canal to prevent reoccurring infection throughout the tooth. At times, however, a root canal treatment fails and tooth infection progresses.

How does a root canal treatment fail?
Under normal situations, the long-term success rate for root canal treatment ranges between 80-90% and there is a failure percentage of 10-20%. Although success rates are high, the following are some of the most common causes of root canal treatment failure: 

• Coronal leakage
• Root perforation 
• Additional tooth roots
• Crack in the tooth

How do you know if your root canal treatment failed?
It is typical for patients who have received successful root canal treatments to experience some sensitivity in the gums close to the treated site. Patients whose treatments have failed experience pain and swelling in the affected area longer than about fourteen days, if discomfort persists it is advised to consult your dentist. An x-ray is used to determine if bacteria are still present in the tooth. 

A root canal is viewed as a failure if it ever has to be re-treated or if the tooth ultimately has to be extracted. This can happen many years down the road if the dental restoration does not hold up or under any circumstance, bacteria re-enters the tooth. Patients who keep on seeing their dentist regularly for preventive check-ups have a better chance of catching a failed root canal treatment before experiencing recurring discomfort.
Schedule your appointment with Cypress dentist today and get the treatment on time!

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus triggered by a bacterial infection. It forms around the root of an infected tooth and can affect anyone from children to senior citizens. It is noteworthy to highlight that underneath the hard enamel of a tooth lies the soft pulp that is composed of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Bacterial infection can sometimes penetrate beyond the enamel and reach the pulp. Such deep-seated infection may occur due to cavities, periodontal diseases, cracked teeth, and so forth.

There are two primary types of dental abscesses, and they are:

• The periapical abscess that forms at the top of a tooth’s root
• A periodontal abscess that influences the bone next to the tooth

Now that we have deliberated on the basics of a dental abscess let us dovetail into its typical time span.

Time Span of an Untreated Abscess 
Before attempting to answer how long an untreated abscess lasts, we must try to navigate through the viability of keeping the abscess untreated in the first place. To begin with, a tooth abscess does not go or die down on its own, and professional intervention is crucial to treat a dental abscess. In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more. Moreover, if no treatment is meted out to the condition, the precious dental pulp will die away and may get another abscess. Likewise, an abscess may travel through the bone and appear in several spots. 

In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more. But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death. 
Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Cases of tooth loss are prevalent today as it tends to become more common after middle age. Moreover, by the age of 50, an average adult has lost at least 12 permanent teeth, according to expert’s recent studies. In fact, some of the common causes of tooth loss include injury, gum disease, and tooth decay. Replacing a pulled-out tooth is a vital part of restoring your confidence in your smile and also the key to maintaining good dental health along with a well-functioning bite.

Importance of Replacing a Missing Tooth 
All your teeth serve a purpose, and they have a more significant role than what you possibly think. Apart from serving a functional objective, which is aiding in proper chewing and word pronunciation, your teeth also highly influence your appearance. It’s challenging to show off your beautiful smile when your teeth are missing. 

Or maybe you lost a few posterior teeth, and you’re wondering, ‘Nobody even knows my teeth are pulled out, so it won’t affect my smile or my looks.’ But think again. Your remaining teeth and jaw bone can undergo severe consequences if you replace your pulled-out tooth, leaving you with more complications than you expected.

Still, if you decide to leave a space between your teeth, you’d put yourself at high risk of the following: your other teeth will start to move and shift with time. It will result in bite alignment problems, uneven wear from chewing, and TMJ issues. 

Get Your Teeth Replaced By a Trusted Dentist  
All in all, if you get any missing tooth, ensure to get it thoroughly checked by your trusted dentist as quickly as possible. They will discuss both surgical and non-surgical tooth replacement options with you to help you determine the suitable treatment, so you can be proud to smile in front of others. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

A tooth implant is a prosthetic appliance used to fix anomalies caused by severe dental decay, periodontal diseases, facial injuries, and so forth. Dental implants are one of the most phenomenal innovations of modern dentistry as they have helped millions of people smile, eat, and speak better. The entire process of opting for a dental plant may take several months and is accompanied by several appointments, diagnostic tests, and surgeries.

Normalcy After Getting an Implant: The Time Frame
According to experts, you can continue with your complete and regular diet after one week of dental implant surgery. When it comes to solid foods, you should wait for two weeks before consuming any hard foods. It would help if you also abstained from eating sticky or too spicy foods in the first few weeks after the surgery. After four to five days of dental implant surgery, you can seamlessly eat foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, cheese, soft bread, and likewise for quick recovery. It is noteworthy that your mouth might feel uncomfortable after the surgery and that feeling might sustain for a week or two. 

In the first 24 hours after the dental implant operation, your teeth and jaw are in an intensely fragile situation, and you should consume liquids and very soft foods at this time. Protein shakes, broths, soups, smoothies, juices, and shakes are the ideal dietary options for the initial 24 hours after a dental implant operation. Likewise, you should also avoid hot and cold foods and beverages in the 24-48 hour period after the procedure. 

We can safely assert that attaining normal after getting dental implants is easy and happens within a short time frame. The only thing to consider is vigilance and care, and avoiding harmful foods. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Dental implants are a practical choice and are not supposed to fail or fall at least up to 25 years.  Failing to get a dental implant can cause rather serious complications, and there could be several reasons due to no fault of your own.

What are the reasons for dental Implants to fall out? 

• Dental implants fuse with bone through a titanium base, and if that prevents connection to the bone, that causes dental implants to fall out. That is known as osseointegration. It happens when people lose bone density around the base of an implant due to illnesses or trauma to the mouth. 
• At times wrong surgical techniques inhibit bone growth around an implant and stop connecting to the bone.  
• Some implant designs are not bone-friendly and do not provide a suitable environment for connection. As soon as undue pressure during eating and chewing, it prevents stability. • Sometimes poor oral hygiene is responsible for the implant getting loose. You would feel inflammation or pain if the area around the dental implant gets infected. 

What to do if the dental implant falls out? 
Avoid chewing food from the side of the implant and rinse with a non-alcoholic mouthwash two to three times a day. Book an urgent appointment and have your dentist examined. By the time follow the recovery diet comprising of soft food. There would be chances that the crown has fallen out. If  

even though the actual implant has fallen out, peri-implantitis diagnosis and treatment get performed promptly to reverse the situation and avoid any further complications in the jaw, mouth,  neck, blood, and brain. 

Symptoms of Peri-Implantitis 

• Bleeding 
• Swelling 
• Pus 
• Redness 
• Pain 
• The feeling of instability in the implant 

Ensure your provider uses good materials and does not try to lower costs by using lower-quality fixtures. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA)  approve the quality of the material used in dental implants for safe results.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Missing or damaged teeth can affect people’s smiles and overall dental health, particularly assuming the impacted teeth cause pain or become infected, yet dental implants can replace these teeth and eliminate certain oral health issues. Before patients seek out this procedure, it can be significant to understand how anesthesia may be used to avoid any complications and make sure patients are as comfortable as possible during the implantation.

Understanding anesthesia 
Patients who have worries about experiencing pain during the implantation process can converse with the dental professional performing the procedure during the initial consultation. This can enjoy a couple of advantages, including:

• Decrease of anxiety
• A better understanding of the procedure
• Brought down feelings of dread with respect to the implant

Contingent upon people’s needs, patients may opt for anesthesia or the dental professional may recommend it based on the consultation interview. Whenever this is chosen, patients can learn more about what specific type of anesthesia may be used during the procedure, as there are several different types available.

Local anesthesia
A few patients who choose dental implants receive local anesthesia, which permits them to remain conscious and aware during the process. This sort of anesthetic is injected into the area where the implants will go, numbing the gums and surrounding tissue. The amount of local agent usually relies upon whether a tooth requires extraction before the implant can be put into place.

Dental patients who require implants normally do well with this type of anesthetic, regardless of whether more than one is required. Dental professionals typically check how numb the area is before the work starts, and while patients may experience pulling or other mild sensations, a local anesthetic is generally effective at blocking out the pain.

General anesthesia
In the event that bone grafting is fundamental during dental implant surgery, general anesthesia may be recommended. This kind of anesthetic puts patients to sleep so they will have no memory of the procedure afterward. General anesthesia may likewise be used for patients who are extremely anxious or frightened about having implants put in or who fear dental procedures in general, as this makes it simpler for all involved. The decision to use this option is typically up to the dental clinic and the limits of services the dental clinic can provide.

Twilight anesthesia
This sort of anesthesia is at times known as conscious sedation, where patients stay alert while getting the dental implants and can react to questions yet are otherwise extremely relaxed. 

Twilight anesthesia can assist patients with tension who might experience difficulty with general anesthesia or certain allergies that make the administration of such an agent risky. Not all dental clinics offer this type of sedation, but it may assist patients to inquire about it during an initial consultation.

Dentures can boost your confidence so much that you might be tempted to keep them in permanently. Here are some reasons why you need to take them out at night. It is not a good idea to wear dentures at night, regardless of the type you are using. This will result in many health problems down the road. Make sure to remove your dentures every night before you go to sleep. This will keep your mouth free of bacteria, your gums healthy, and your bones strong.

Maintain the Life Of Your Dentures
You can develop bad breath if you leave your dentures in overnight. You should always rest your mouth while sleeping, even if your dentures are comfortable. You can keep your dentures looking clean and feeling fresh by removing your dentures at night and adopting a daily cleaning routine. 

Daily Cleaning Routine for Dentures
Let’s take a look at how to clean your dentures well, so they stay in great shape.

• Pour warm water into a glass, but not boiling or hot, which can distort the dentures.
• In a warm bowl of water, drop a denture-cleaning tablet, such as Polident.
• Dentures should be soaked for the time specified on the pack and covered completely with water. It will soften debris if you soak them for a long time.
• By brushing your dentures gently with a soft-bristle brush and the cleanser tablet solution, you can remove any remaining debris.
• Let your dentures completely dry under running water before discarding any remaining cleaning solution.

It is possible to harm your oral health if you leave your dentures in for a long time. Plaque is more likely to accumulate on dentures and tongues of people who wear dentures all night long. You are more prone to gum disease, oral thrush, and bone loss if you wear your dentures for a long period without removing them.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Dentures are restorative appliances that can fix anomalies of the teeth and gum that arise out of dental decay, teeth loss, facial injury, and other associated problems. Although not a permanent solution, dentures can be pretty long-lasting. Despite all their advantages, it may take a while for people to get used to their dentures. If you are looking for ways to be more amenable to your dentures, we are here to help you.

How to Get Used to Dentures More Easily: Tips and Tricks
It is an undeniable fact that getting used to dentures takes time. It is absolutely normal for your new dentures to feel uncanny and alien in the beginning. But, a little patience goes a long way, and you will feel at ease in due course of time. Let us look at a few tips and tricks to make your journey even smoother.

• After getting your new dentures, the first and foremost thing that you should do is practice speaking out loud. It is a great way to be more comfortable and learn how to deal with your new friend.
• It would be best if you also learned to eat while wearing your dentures. Your dentures become part and parcel of your life after you put them, so grasping the art of eating normally after getting dentures is crucial.
• Taking care of your dentures is an essential pillar of making them part of your body and mouth. If you want your dentures to look as normal as possible, you should clean them and maintain a proper dental hygiene regimen.

We can safely conclude that getting used to dentures happens naturally with time, but certain factors that we mentioned above are integral in making the process more seamless.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Many questions arise when you get new dentures, so this article answers some of those questions about sleeping with dentures. Here you will get the explanation and answer to some of the questions regarding dentures, such as whether or not you should sleep with them so you can rest easily at night.

Can you sleep with dentures in?
Even though you feel more confident and comfortable with your dentures, you should avoid wearing them to bed.

To give your gums the rest they require at night; you should take out your dentures when you sleep. It’s best to take your partial dentures out while you sleep, even if you wonder if you can sleep with them. Any type of denture can pose problems, so you should always err on the side of caution. In addition, if you do not take out your dentures at night and care for your gums properly, you create a breeding ground for oral bacteria and fungi, which can cause odors and irritation. 

Dentures and Bedtime Care
The question of whether you can wear dentures to bed has been answered, but what should you do while sleeping with them? Bacteria can build up on dentures overnight, which can cause infections. Nevertheless, you still need to take care of your dentures overnight, even though you won’t be sleeping with them.

It is very important to have a good routine for the daily cleaning of dentures in place. Ideally, you should remove the plaque or bacteria from your dentures overnight so that when you put them back in the morning, they are fresh and clean.

Following are the steps you should take when cleaning:

• Cleaning your dentures with a toothbrush
• Soaking your dentures in warm (but not hot) water overnight
• Before putting your dentures back in, rinse them in the morning

Studies have shown that wearing dentures while sleeping results in a higher risk of illnesses such as pneumonia and oral health issues such as gum and tongue plaque and gum inflammation. Therefore, your best bet is to avoid wearing dentures to bed if you can.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Dental implants have become so popular these days, not only because they look so natural but also because they are so versatile. They replace the whole tooth structure, including the root, so they are as close to natural teeth as possible in form, function, and appearance. Dentures that are conventionally made are not ideal for real teeth, which is why dental implants are a blessing for denture wearers.  

Benefits
In comparison to conventional dentures, implant-supported dentures have many advantages, including:

1. Stability: Traditionally, dentures move out of place. On the other hand, implant-retained dentures are firmly anchored onto the jaw by a small titanium post. These posts or implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone and therefore provide a level of stability and security that cannot be matched with adhesives or clasps.
2. Easier to bite, chew, and speak: Since dentures are held in place tightly, patients can bite, chew, and speak with ease as they did when they had their natural teeth. 
3. Look like real teeth: Implant retained dentures give a more natural look than conventional dentures because they are secured beneath the gum line instead of on top.
4. Halt bone loss: When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone and soft tissue begin to wither because they are not being used. A conventional denture cannot prevent this from occurring. In contrast, dentists use techniques to halt bone loss in the same way as a natural tooth root to stop bone loss and stimulate the growth of new bone and soft tissues.

Overdentures, also called implant-retained dentures, is the closest you can come to having real teeth in your mouth. As a result, patients are more confident and can smile and speak with more ease. Additionally, they can eat whatever they like and enjoy a more diverse diet.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

In simple terms, we can define dental aesthetics as a procedure to enhance the overall appearance of the teeth. The primary purpose of dental aesthetics is to keep the teeth aligned, improve their structure, and beautify their color and shape so that you can smile confidently. Dental aesthetics is both a preventive and a restorative measure as it can be utilized to correct missing teeth and other similar problems. But, it is noteworthy to highlight that aesthetic dentistry is not the same as cosmetic dentistry. 

The former is any method used for enhancing your smile through treatments that would be necessary. On the contrary, the latter entails correcting the existing or old dental works such as veneers, crowns, bridges, and so forth, which may not be particularly pleasant to the eyes. Now that we have discussed the basics of dental aesthetics let us observe the various procedures for dental aesthetics.

Dental Aesthetics Procedures

Dental aesthetics include a throng of procedures, and the most common ones are:

• Whitening: It is a widely used dental aesthetic procedure. The method entails bleaching your teeth for removing external teeth stains. Some teeth yellowing is a consequence of internal problems such as a dying tooth or enamel erosion, and aesthetic dentistry corrects such anomalies. Laser teeth whitening is a modern dental whitening procedure in which gums are covered with rubber, and hydrogen peroxide bleach is applied to the teeth. Thereafter, a flash of the argon laser is projected onto the teeth to hasten the whitening process. Laser teeth whitening is six times more effective than conventional teeth whitening.

• Reshaping: It is related to the reshaping of a misaligned tooth that requires the removal of some part of the enamel. Reshaping can be used to correct chips and cracks on the teeth. It can also tweak the position, shape, or length of the teeth. Another crucial usage of teeth is the correction of an overbite or underbite.

• Gum Lifts: It is an aesthetic dental procedure that entails raising and then sculpting the gum line so that your smile does not look either too gummy or toothy. The process reshapes the gingival tissue and the underlying bones to fashion a more symmetrical and seamless smile. 

• Teeth Straightening: It is a standard dental aesthetic procedure in which teeth are gradually straightened with retainers or braces. Straightening helps in fixing overlapping, crowded, or widely-spaced teeth. Nowadays, Invisalign is also preferred by many people as they are invisible to the naked eye.  

• Bonding: It is an aesthetic dental procedure that is usually performed after other dental treatments. The composite resin bonding process is when enamel-like dental composite materials are applied to the teeth’ surface and then sculpted into shape, hardened, and polished. 

Therefore, we can assert that dental aesthetics is necessary to make people more confident and infuse self-esteem. It has made the lives of many people easier by enabling them to smile broader and brighter. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Similar to teeth, the gum lines of human beings are diverse and variegated. Some gum lines are high, some are low, and some may even be uneven. The cosmetic dental procedure of reshaping the gum line is known as gum contouring or crown lengthening. The method entails removing any excess gum tissue that may be covering a tooth or teeth. On the contrary, in cases of gum recession, the gum tissue is restored. The procedure of crown lengthening or gingival sculpting is performed by a dental expert who reshapes and re-sculptures the gum line. It is noteworthy to highlight that many a time, gum contouring is an elective and a cosmetic procedure, but there may be situations wherein it becomes an absolute necessity. Now that we have talked about the fundamentals of gum contouring let us dive further into the medical contextualization of the procedure.  

When Does Gum Contouring Become Necessary?
As mentioned earlier, gum contouring or gingival sculpting is mainly motivated by cosmetic or aesthetic reasons. But, there may be times when it becomes mandatory and vital for the overall oral health of a person. In cases of periodontal diseases like periodontitis, gum contouring may emerge as a viable treatment. But, the first option that dental experts take to is non-invasive or non-surgical techniques such as medications, dental cleanings, and likewise. The various steps included in gum contouring are:

• Numbing of the gum area by using local anesthesia
• An expert removes the excess gum tissue by using a soft tissue laser or a scalpel. The reasoning is to re-sculpt or re-fashion the gum line so that more of the tooth is exposed.
• In cases of gum recession, the dental expert adds more gum tissue in the target area by extracting tissue from other parts of the mouth. A surgical procedure secures the tissues.
• Gum contouring or crown lengthening usually takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.

Let us move forward toward the post-surgical care associated with gum contouring.

Aftermath of Gum Contouring
Although gum contouring is a minimally invasive dental procedure, the healing time may extend from days to even weeks. Therefore, you might have to limit or restrict some of your daily activities depending on how you feel. You should consume soft and tender foods for at least 2 to 3 days after the procedure. Food items like soup, protein shakes, juices, etc., should be your go-to. Similarly, you should keep monitoring your gums and rush to the doctor if there is even a minuscule sign of infection. At times, your dentist may suggest antibiotic mouth rinses or mouthwashes for alleviating the risks of disease. Make sure that you rigorously follow the instructions given by your dentist. The common signs of infection after gum contouring include intense pain, swelling, and discharge from the gums.

We can safely say that gum contouring or gingival sculpting is usually a cosmetic dental procedure that may become a necessity in cases of periodontal conditions. 

Schedule your appointment with Cypress dentist today and get the treatment on time!

We all desire to possess teeth that are white and sparkling. For the same, we are also willing to go through any extent to keep them in an immaculate condition. Research reveals that Americans spend nearly USD 11 million per year on teeth whitening. So, the whopping figures are lucid evidence of the generic population’s whiter and brighter teeth. But, it is a challenging feat to keep teeth white. The process can be expensive and laborious. In case you are looking for tips to help you whiten your teeth, you are at the right place. We have curated a list that will offer some insights into keeping teeth healthy, solid, and white.

Top 3 tips to keep teeth white

There may be several reasons for the yellowing of teeth. Consumption of specific types of food can stain the enamel, and the consequent plaque accumulation can result in the teeth looking dull and tinted. Moreover, aging also plays a crucial role because our teeth naturally lose their brightness with time. It is also essential to highlight that teeth may appear yellow because of enamel erosion and the dentin getting revealed. As the dentin underneath our enamel has a natural yellow color, the teeth get a yellow appearance. Now, moving ahead, let us examine the top three tips that can help to keep our pearly whites glistening.

1. At home teeth whitening kits: Instead of opting for a professional teeth whitening procedure that can burn a hole in your pocket, you can opt for an at-home teeth whitening kit. These kits have concentrations of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide – types of bleaches that can assist in the removal of wretched extrinsic teeth stains. You can use a peroxide-based gel on your teeth’ surface or go for a tray system wherein the gel molds to your teeth.
2. Brush with baking soda: For those who are unaware, baking soda is a multi-faceted ingredient that has benefits for teeth whitening, as well. The mildly abrasive properties of baking soda can help in the removal of external teeth stains. Furthermore, as baking soda is an alkaline, it prevents the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. It is noteworthy that using baking soda to brush your teeth will not show you overnight results. But, with some weeks of usage, you will start seeing the difference.
3. Discarding specific food items: It is common knowledge that tea, coffee, red wine, soda, and dark berries are the antithesis of teeth whitening. But, you don’t have to avoid them altogether. All you need to do is limit their intake and avoid contact with teeth. To drink beverages like soda, you can opt for a straw so that there is no direct interaction of the drink with your teeth. Also, you should brush your teeth after 30 minutes of consuming such staining food items. You should also limit your sugar intake to prevent the build-up of bacteria. 

Therefore, we can safely assert that keeping our teeth white and sparkly is not very difficult. A little effort goes a long way. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!

Seeing how and why people have anxiety about dentistry is easy to understand when you remember your childhood fears about dentistry.

Therefore, providing calmness strategies to children for their dental visits is important. 

The presence of a relative stranger and being separated from their parent(s) cause children to be anxious. In addition, there is the fear associated with certain procedures (such as injections and drilling). In the case of dental appointments, anxiety can also be heightened by well-meaning adults or parents talking about them to a child. Combining these factors with other concerns can make a child anxious about visiting a dentist. By teaching calming strategies to use when they feel anxious, you can equip them with the confidence they will need to manage their healthcare throughout their lives.

How to calm children whose dental and medical appointments cause them anxiety?

Feelings and Emotions Management

Naturally, we wish to keep fear at a distance. Whenever possible, avoid actions or situations that may seem threatening or painful to a child, especially in early development.

A child isn’t able to handle fear, anxiety, or anything else they consider harmful the way an adult does. Instead of making them feel as if fear isn’t real or acceptable, help them accept fear as a normal reaction. Let them express their feelings related to the approaching appointment or current situation.

Don’t promise them a perfect experience; ask them questions in a way that does not inflame anxiety. Instead of asking, “Are you feeling nervous about going to the dentist or doctor?’ Ask them ‘What are your thoughts on visiting the doctor or the dentist?

Prepare in advance (instead of lowering expectations)

By describing what it’s like to go to a dentist, a child and its family can enjoy the experience. Be careful not to lower their expectations to a negative level by creating unrealistic scenarios. After an appointment, reward them for their courage in a meaningful way.

For example, promising them that a dental visit will not be painful, might  lead to an easily broken promise – resulting in the loss of trust.

Keep Consistent with a Trusted Dentist

After a period of time, a child will become familiar with and trust the person they are working with. You should also assure that your child sees your own trust in the dentist.

Play at home with role-playing

On occasion, kids will pretend to be doctors. Dental appointments can be made less traumatic with role-play scenarios. Check your child’s teeth, look into their ears, and listen to their heart by using play instruments. Encourage your child to carry out a check-up on a doll. Anxiety-producing experiences can be normalized with fun routines.

Be calm and patient with yourself.

Prepare them for an upcoming medical or dental appointment with a positive attitude. If you are nervous or anxious about the visit, don’t let your child see that. By using breathing techniques and providing reassurance, you’ll help your child ease their anxiety.

Make your new dental team aware of previous traumas they experienced with a dentist. It’s possible that they will try another approach or sedation type to assist your child in easing his or her anxiety. Make sure your child feels secure and confident with the family dentist.

Book your appointment now and get your dental issues resolved!

Bruxism is a condition wherein a person unconsciously grinds, gnash, or clenches their teeth. There are two types of Bruxism – Awake Bruxism or Diurnal Bruxism entails clenching and grinding the teeth while awake. On the other hand, Sleep Bruxism means clenching the teeth while asleep. It is possible to treat the former via biofeedback therapy. But, Sleep Bruxism is deemed as a sleep-related movement disorder and presents numerous challenges. People who clench their teeth during sleep are more susceptible to other conditions like snoring, pauses in breathing known as sleep apnea, and so forth. Although Bruxism is not usually associated with severe complications, it may sometimes have severe repercussions. Some of them are –

• Damage to teeth and jaw
• Wearing down of restorations, crowns, and jaws
• Headaches
• Disorders in the Temporomandibular Joints
• Severe facial or jaw pain

Treatment of Teeth Grinding at Sleep

Treating teeth grinding at night is problematic because it is hard to catch in the first place. The sleeping partners of some people witness Sleep Bruxism, thereby facilitating quick treatment. Moreover, the typical symptoms of Bruxism like headaches, jaw pain, and damage to teeth are non-specific. The condition is also difficult to pin down unless observed by a sleeping partner or consciously realized by the person via some means. But, it is noteworthy to understand that treatment of Sleep Bruxism is available.

1. There are few at-home ways to treat Sleep Bruxism. Holding a warm, moist compress against the jaw before going to bed can help relax the muscles. A warm bath or shower prior to bed may also help in easing the jaw muscles.
2. Eating soft foods so that the jaw doesn’t tense up is an easy and efficacious way to keep sleep Bruxism at bay. It is advisable to avoid crunchy, chewy, and hard foods. 
3. Simple jaw stretching exercises can help in cutting down teeth grinding at night. A joint yet valuable exercise is to close the lips, keep the teeth apart, and press the tongue against the mouth’s roof without touching the teeth. The key is to hold the position for as long as possible. 
4. Wearing a mouthguard at night may not stop you from grinding your teeth, but it will help protect the teeth and jaw. Dentists also recommend mouth guards during sleep bruxism as a protective measure.
5. An appointment with a physical therapist or massage therapist can loosen up the tense muscles causing the sleep bruxism. Likewise, muscle relaxing medications that doctors prescribe may also help. 

Although, at first glance, Sleep Bruxism may seem harmless, you must always take the severe consequences of the condition into account. One of the most crucial causative factors of teeth grinding at night is anxiety. The degeneration of teeth and jaw via grinding at night can further start a chain of dental problems and deteriorate your overall health further. So, consulting a mental health professional to deal with the root cause of sleep bruxism is crucial. 

Book your appointment now and get your dental issues resolved!

Your oral health is vital not just to protect your teeth from decay but also for your appearance. That is why so many different procedures are available in the dental world to clean, brighten, and whiten your teeth.

Your dentist will have various options to keep your teeth free from germs, prevent discoloration of teeth, and maintain healthy gums. Amongst the many options, two prevalent ones are dental cleaning and dental polishing. These two treatments are often used interchangeably by people, but there is a slight difference between the two procedures.

In this article, we will get to know what each of them is about and the difference between them.

What Does Dental Cleaning Mean?

Dental cleaning means a thorough cleaning of gums and teeth by a dental hygienist. The main purpose of dental cleaning is to remove plaque or tartar that might have built up in your teeth and below the gum line. 

• Dental professionals might use various tools to clean your teeth; including motorized tools.
• Dental cleaning is not an invasive process. In general, you would not need a numbing agent to go through the dental cleaning process.
• If you have not got your teeth cleaned by a dentist in years, then you might need more than one sitting of teeth cleaning to get rid of all the tartar and plaque buildup.

What Does Dental Polishing Mean?

Dental polishing treatment helps bring out the natural shine of your teeth and makes them look more glossy and smooth. It is the last step in the process of teeth cleaning.

• Teeth are inspected for decay and tartar buildup, and the same is scraped if present.
• A gentle buffer (motorized tool) is used on the surface of your teeth to polish them.
• Teeth polishing does not involve any chemicals to whiten your teeth but gives it a natural sparkle.
• Dental polishing will give you noticeable results in terms of brighter and whiter teeth.

How is Dental Cleaning Different From Dental Polishing?

Dental cleaning and polishing are two integral processes for your oral health. 

• Dental cleaning is done by ultrasonic devices, which could cause mild pain, while dental polishing is relatively less painful and feels smoother. Some patients even like the dental polishing process as it is done with a rubber cup.
• Dental polishing has both health and cosmetic benefits as it also involves the removal of biofilm and unwanted plaque. Hence we can say that dental cleaning is a subset of dental polishing.
• Teeth polishing and scaling go hand in hand, but it is not the same with teeth cleaning. Teeth cleaning is a stand-alone process.

It is essential to know the difference between the two before you decide on which treatment you would like to go for. To avoid complicated dental cleaning procedures, the best thing to do is to visit your dentist regularly and get your teeth cleaned frequently. 

It is essential that your dentures fit you snugly and do not hamper any activity of your daily life. Most denture wearers feel that their upper dentures fit more securely than lower ones. Despite the fact that upper dentures have to work against gravity, they gain better suction and stick to the palate.

On the contrary, lower dentures are notorious for their loose-fitting. It’s mainly because, unlike upper dentures, lower dentures do not have the luxury of fitting to stationary anatomy of large surface area. Lower dentures also combat your tongue moving in all directions (up, down, sideways), which further dislodges them. Lower dentures have just a narrow ridge of bone to adhere to. So with all these problems, how does one manage to keep the lower dentures in place? 

Read on to learn the ways to fix loose lower dentures.

Remedies for a Loose Lower Denture

Loose dentures can worsen your speech, create issues while eating, and also pain if you get infected. Here are some of the ways to avoid this problem and fix your bottom dentures:

• Practice and give it time – Muscles of your tongue and face need some time and patience to get used to dentures instead of natural teeth. You will need to change your speaking and eating habits to accommodate your dentures. Also, you’ll have to chew on both sides of your mouth evenly to avoid putting excessive pressure on any one side of the denture. You may also try resting your tongue inside your mouth in different positions so as not to dislodge the denture.
• Use denture adhesive – Denture adhesives surely have a place in helping you adapt to dentures. You would usually need just three small dots to keep the dentures in place. Putting more adhesive is not going to make it better. If your denture is actually ill-fitted or poorly made, then no amount of denture fixative can help your dentures stay in place. If your lower dentures do not fit in place even after dental adhesive, you must seek help from your dentist to reline them. Probably your gums have changed a bit, but if there’s a different issue, then it is time to consider getting new dentures made.
• Get a hard reline done – A reline helps in readapting your denture base to the current anatomy of your ridge. It usually takes a day or two to get completed at the dentist. You will have to go without your dentures for that amount of time while your dentist relines your dentures in the lab.
• Dental implants for extra security – Dental implants are the best way to secure your lower dentures in place. If your jawbone is in good health and you have a reasonable amount of jawbone, then you should go for an implant-secured dental implant. Dentures secured by dental implants can be life-changing. Dental implants also help in reserving bone and avoid any long-term bone resorption that naturally occurs over time.

Dentures can get loose also because of wear and tear over time or bone resorption. It is important to report any pain or ill-fitted denture to your dentist as s/he can quickly assess the reason and give you the most appropriate solution.

If you have missing teeth, then your dental professional might need you to put on dentures. But dentures can be inconvenient to people as they can fall out, slide around, or shift from their place as they are removable. That is where dental crowns and bridges come to your rescue.

Dental crowns and bridges are used quite commonly in the dental industry, and they help restore a person’s smile if their teeth got chipped or broken and protect the teeth from further damage. The crowns and bridges have evolved a lot in their design from the time they came into existence. They are different from dentures since they are fixed into your mouth and not removable by the patient. It makes them practical and comfortable.

What are Dental Crowns?

Crowns are like royal treatments for damaged teeth. Crown covers broken teeth from top till bottom. The treated tooth should have had a root canal performed on it. Crowns are dental prosthetics made out of porcelain that look pretty much like teeth and mimic their functionality perfectly. With a crown, you can restore the state of a damaged tooth to its previous level of health. One can wear several crowns inside their mouth, but one crown covers only one tooth.

Apart from protecting teeth, crowns also improve their shape, fix alignment, and improve their overall appearance. By wearing crowns, chewing can get easier too. Teeth that are weak and might require filling or break in the future get good protection through crowns. When a crown is done by the dentist they:

• Match the color and appearance of the crown with your existing teeth.
• Ensure that the crown fits seamlessly and is appropriately positioned so that it lasts longer.

What are Dental Bridges?

A crown is meant to protect a damaged tooth. The purpose of a dental bridge is to replace a set of missing teeth. They create a row of teeth to span the area left vacant due to missing teeth. Bridges are also porcelain (or ceramic) prosthetics and match your teeth in color and appearance. They are attached to a tooth (at the back and front of where it is positioned) or dental implants.

One would need bridges due to loss of teeth due to extraction or some injury. One bridge can have three or more connected crowns, and the dentist might need to remove a part of the enamel of a nearby tooth (or reshape it) so that space is created for new crowns.

Caring for Dental Crowns and Bridges

You would need to clean your devices daily to take proper care of your implants. Some of the ways to keep them clean and hygienic are:

• You can opt for a toothbrush with a little bit of toothpaste to brush the dental bridge or crown.
• You could floss between the teeth on your bridge to remove any stuck food particles.
• If you are removing your dental bridges, ensure you place them in the container that has been given to you by your dentist so that it is protected while not in use. Not doing so may result in chipping and cracking of your implant.

If you want to restore your confidence in your smile and your appearance, then dental crowns and bridges are an apt option to explore. With technology development, both these implants appear like your original teeth, and more and more people are enjoying a perfect smile with these devices.

Book an Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

The significance of a good bit goes way beyond physical appearance, as a sound bite has crucial health benefits. Maintaining a good bite becomes necessary for prolonged dental health as it promotes overall oral health and prevents problems related to chewing, gum disease, and even tooth decay. Taking care of a child’s dental routine is tedious and challenging. Still, regular visits to the dentist and daily brushing and flossing habits are imperative to keep oral problems at bay. But, irrespective of an optimal dental routine, a child may suffer from a poor bite or malocclusion.

A dental bite refers to the process wherein the upper and lower teeth fit together. In a good bite, the teeth have a straight alignment. The upper teeth slightly extend in front of and over the lower teeth when the jaws are closed. At times, permanent teeth erupting out of position or a jaw abnormality can lead to a poor bite or malocclusion.

Although the complete effects of malocclusion may not reveal themselves until later stages of life, a child can show signs of developing a poor bite as early as six.

Signals that your child is developing a poor bite

1. Overbite is a condition wherein the upper teeth hide the lower teeth when a child attempts to close their mouth. Another manifestation of overbite is biting the roof of the mouth with the lower teeth. An overbite is a common sign that tour child is developing malocclusion.
2. An underbite – a situation when the lower teeth conceal the upper when the child is trying to close their mouth – is another typical symptom of malocclusion,
3. An open bite is another sign of malocclusion. It is a phenomenon when the upper and lower sets of teeth do not preciously meet in front of the mouth when the child closes their mouth.
4. Excessive space is another red signal that your child may be developing a poor bite. The problem is graver when the permanent teeth have already erupted, and there are sizeable gaps in the child’s front teeth.
5. Buck teeth overjet is a symptom of malocclusion in your child. It is a condition wherein the front incisors protrude or stick out over the lower set.
6. At times, an improper bite may cause a shift in the child’s facial bones or chin to one side. Facial imbalance can be detected when observing the child from a distance.

If a poor bite or malocclusion is identified at a nascent stage, the chances of successful interception increase manifold.

Solutions to malocclusion or poor bite
X-rays and teeth impressions can determine the extent of your child’s bite. They reveal the areas of misalignment in lucid detail. If your child needs advanced treatment, the dentist may suggest mouth implements, teeth removal, or jaw surgery.

Mouth implements like braces are a viable solution to correct several bite problems. Teeth removal is applicable mainly when the child still has their baby teeth. In older children, a dentist deems it essential to remove some of the permanent teeth to rectify an improper bite. Lastly, jaw surgery is vital when the child’s bite issues are detrimental to their oral bone structure.

In case of discomfort in teeth or jaw, please visit your nearest dentist at the earliest.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

A veneer is a unique layer of material placed over the tooth’s surface. Dentists utilise veneers to enhance the aesthetics of a smile and safeguard the tooth’s surface from any damage. There are two kinds of veneers in dentistry – one made from dental porcelain, and the other is the composite veneer. 

A composite veneer is one that is either directly placed or indirectly made by a dental expert or technician in a laboratory. It is later attached to the tooth, generally using a block of resin cement. They are usually used to treat you people who will need a more permanent design after growing up. The composite veneer can last up to four years.

In contrast, the fabrication of a porcelain veneer may only be indirect. There is a famous saying in dentistry that a full veneer is a restoration that encapsulates all the coronal surfaces of the tooth, that is, Mesial, Distal, Facial, Lingual and Occlusal surfaces.

Furthermore, a Laminate veneer is a thin layer that covers only the tooth’s surface and is typically used for beautification purposes. They are more picturesque and are less resistive to dental plaque.

Can veneers give you a radiant smile?

At times, teeth that are hale and healthy may have an off-putting appearance. The slight contortion is hardly noticeable, but it is still present; a tiny chip, heavy staining or a gap between the front teeth are examples. But, it is a fact that such slight deformities bother people to a large degree. During such situations, veneers come to the rescue as they are an affordable method of improving one’s smile without undergoing any major dental procedure. 

Porcelain veneers are thin coats of dental porcelain attached to the outside of the teeth to hide blemishes. So, all that is visible are your pearly whites as veneers seamlessly blend with your natural set of teeth. 

So, we can say that veneers do give you a radiant smile.

The process of getting veneers

To attach veneers, you must consult your cosmetic and regular dentist. It is helpful if you take pictures of how you want your teeth to look like. After the consultation, the dentist takes the necessary measurements, and he may also be able to show you the new veneers. Computer software is often used when the veneers are superimposed on your original set in the computer.

Once your measurements are on the way to the dental lab to custom create your veneers, your dentist must prepare your teeth for bonding. Although veneers are pretty thin, they may still appear bulky when bonded to the teeth. To create a more natural look, you’ll probably need some of the enamel layer of your teeth removed to accommodate the extra width. Even though the removal is minuscule, it will permanently alter your teeth and require some form of restoration from then on.

In case of discomfort or pain in the teeth or gums, kindly visit your nearest dentist at the earliest.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

We all are aware of the omnipresence of tooth implants in modern dentistry. But, the fact remains that an implant will never surpass the functions and capabilities of your natural teeth. Implants can be your best friend, provided that the tooth or teeth damage is beyond repair. So, we can conclude that an implant should always be the last resort, and we should focus on saving our existing tooth first.

Alternatives For Tooth Extraction

• It is imperative to know where the problem within your dental routine lies. Hence, finding out the type of disease inflicting your tooth and the reason behind the disease is the first step at protecting your precious pearly whites.
• Bacteria inside the mouth are common, harmless and natural. But certain strains of bacteria live in dental plaque, which is a thin biofilm on the teeth, can lead to diseases. As these bacteria proliferate, feeding on leftover sugar, they produce an acid that can erode the protective enamel of the teeth. This erosion can create cavities that must be professionally eradicated and filled.
• At times, the tooth decay reaches the pulp through the root canals, and the entire tooth is in grave danger then. The solution for such a problem is a root canal treatment wherein the dentist accesses the pulp chamber and cleans out all the diseased and dead tissue. After that, the dentist fills the empty root chamber and the root canal with a gutta-percha filling and seals the tooth. Lastly, the tooth is capped with a crown to protect it further.
• Dental plague can also foster gum infections that trigger chronic inflammation. The inflammation can cause gums to emaciate and detach from the teeth to form massive, infection-filled voids called periodontal pockets. This inflamed condition may result in bone deterioration, further weakening the tooth’s hold. A dentist can effectively treat gum disease by removing the plaque that is fuelling the infection. Dentists may use advanced surgical methods for graver cases. After plague removal, the inflammation subsides, and the tissues can finally heal and strengthen. At times, the tissues may need further aid through the gum or bone grafting.

As such, the substitutes for tooth extraction are common and highly recommended by professionals. Prevention is better than cure, and dental hygiene exemplifies this phrase. Your teeth could get another lease on life through proper care.

Taking Care Of Teeth – Tips And Tricks

• The statement may seem clichéd, but brushing teeth thoroughly twice a day is of paramount significance. Any negligence on this daily affair can allow harmful bacteria to attack your teeth quickly.
• You can use mouthwash, dental floss and oil pulling methods to maintain a healthy and happy dental care routine.
• You should choose a toothpaste tube with a significant amount of fluoride and avoid using gritty tubes of toothpaste in the long run.
• You should avoid poor habits like excessive sugar, candies and soft drinks.

In case of any discomfort in the teeth or gums, please visit your nearest dentist at the earliest.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

A dry mouth is caused when the salivary glands are not able to produce enough saliva. This may be a result of stress, nervousness, medication or may be associated with certain medical conditions. While it may be slightly irritating for people who experience it occasionally, it is a bothersome condition for people who experience dry mouth chronically.

A dry mouth or a cottony feeling in your mouth may result in bad breath, having trouble swallowing food or speaking. It may also affect the taste of food and lead to a sore throat. Inadequate production of saliva can also put the safety of your teeth and gums due to the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. If you experience these problems, following are some effective ways to get rid of dry mouth.

Drink enough water
Although this one goes without saying, you should make sure that your dry mouth is not a result of dehydration. Make sure to drink adequate water throughout the day.

Sugar-free candies or chewing gum
A temporary measure for relieving the symptoms of dry mouth is chewing gum or sugar-free candies. This will help the production of saliva, but make sure you go for the sugar-free variants to avoid any damage to your teeth.

Pay attention to your caffeine intake
Caffeine can worsen the symptoms of dry mouth by causing further dehydration. Go for the decaf type of beverages to avoid this.

Do not breathe with an open mouth
This is another reason that causes dryness of the mouth. Breathe through your nose and if you have trouble doing so, contact a doctor immediately.

Quit smoking
Cigarettes are known to have a significant effect on saliva production. By quitting smoking altogether, you may get relief from the symptoms of a dry mouth. Limiting alcohol consumption may also help relieve the symptoms of a dry mouth.

Use a humidifier
Breathing in a better quality of air can help prevent your mouth from getting dry. This can especially help you while sleeping and ensure that you do not experience the symptoms of dry mouth.

Stimulate salivary glands
Dry mouth may be a result of inadequate functioning of the salivary glands. This can be improved by using items such as ginger tea that may stimulate the production of saliva from these glands. Over the counter medications prescribed by a doctor can also help improve the condition of your dry mouth.

Other steps that you can take to improve the condition is to make sure you maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss properly to keep your mouth clean. If these remedies do not work for you or you have a persistent condition that has become troublesome,  contact a medical practitioner to find out the best possible treatment. They can help you identify the cause of the problem whether it’s a specific medication that you take or habits like smoking or too much intake of caffeine that is causing the dryness of the mouth.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

A beautiful smile begins with pearly white teeth. But, taking care of those pearly whites can be quite the task. It can be challenging to keep teeth immaculate. Some whitening toothpaste claim to remove stains and grant everyone’s desire to flaunt sparkly white teeth. But do they work, or are we being manipulated by strategic marketing?

Whitening toothpaste – do they work?

There are two types of teeth stains – extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains. Extrinsic stains are surface-level stains on the teeth enamel caused mainly due to eating habits and lifestyles like drinking too much coffee or wine, smoking cigarettes, overeating sour candy, and so forth. Intrinsic stains, on the contrary, are staining below the surface of the teeth. They can occur because of certain medications, tooth decay, genetics, etc.

Whitening toothpaste can remove extrinsic teeth stains to a certain degree. Toothpaste having silicates and abrasives sand down particles on the surface and remove the teeth stains. Some whitening toothpaste tubes also contain the blue chemical Coverine that attaches to the surface teeth and creates an illusion of whiter teeth. When used twice a day, whitening toothpaste may take two to six weeks to show visible results. But, prolonged use of whitening toothpaste can do more harm than good. The harsh and reckless use of abrasive toothpaste can wear the enamel down and expose the dentin, making the teeth appear more yellow. Also, some charcoal-based whitening toothpaste has lesser quantities of fluoride than required. So, while purchasing whitening toothpaste, you must look for a brand with the seal of approval from a recognized dental organization. Also, fluoride content of 1000 PPM is prudent. Furthermore, the optimal Relative Dentin Abrasive (RDA) score for any abrasive toothpaste is 70-100.

Lastly, brushing teeth with gentle strokes and light are powerful techniques while using whitening toothpaste. These methods ensure that the toothpaste does its job without harming your precious enamel.

Ways to get whiter teeth

An excellent dental regimen is a key to maintain and achieve whiter teeth. Giving up on certain habits like drinking wine and coffee, chewing tobacco, etc., can help in the gradual and natural removal of exterior stains.  If you have naturally yellow teeth, then the toothpaste will not be of any help. You can buy a bleaching gel or opt for professional bleaching by a dentist. It is noteworthy to mention that purchasable bleaching gels are not very effective as they are permitted to contain very concentrations amounts of the ingredients necessary for whitening teeth. Hence, they are effective in cases of mild discoloration. Regular visits to the dentist, proper brushing of teeth twice a day, oil pulling, using mouthwash, etc., are rituals that you should religiously follow for impeccable dental hygiene.

In a nutshell, whitening toothpaste can help you get whiter teeth provided the stains are new, temporary, and superficial. But, excessive focus on whitening teeth is unwarranted as the need is to keep them healthy, strong, and cavity-free. If you follow a holistic oral hygiene routine, then beautiful and sparkly teeth are sure to come your way.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

A provisional, temporary, or interim prosthesis is a widely known fixed or removable dental prosthesis, created to improve stabilization, aesthetics, and function for a limited period (mostly 2 to 6 months, depending on the usage). Later, it is replaced by a definitive dental prosthesis.

What is Provisional Prosthesis?

A provisional prosthesis comprises the treatment agreement for an all on 4, all on 5, all on 6, and all on 8 processes. After the placement of dental implants, a short-term ‘bridge’ which has artificial acrylic teeth, will be fixed to the implant formation with special elements. Especially for utilization during the minimum four to the six-month interim time frame before the permanent bridge can be employed.

The time is required for new dental implants to mix with the bone of the jaw where they were placed, a procedure known as osseointegration. During this period, a provisional should be employed to restore function. In most cases, you can have some or no other natural teeth present to permit the right way of chewing, speaking, or looking ‘normal.’

Process of Provisional Prosthesis

The provisional ‘bridge’ is built in a trusted lab employing numerous similar methods used for attaining a permanent prosthesis. However, these prostheses are formed from a preliminary impression and before implant placement. The prosthodontist will make some adjustments to enhance the bite, comfort, and position as needed.

Most patients should know that this temporary prosthesis is only a short-term solution until the permanent bridge(s) are ready for placement. They are motivated to be extra careful with a provisional prosthesis. Some problems happen when patients accidentally cause damage to their provisional prosthesis.

Key Benefits

For several patients, the benefit of an instant, a temporary prosthesis is like night and day. Patients without functional teeth will now get a conventional set of teeth loaded instantly after the placement of dental implants. There will be no loss of self-confidence, embarrassment, and no need to hide from others. After the process, you will leave the clinic with a gorgeous smile.

Provisionals ensure to protect the integrating implants and gum tissue and assist in controlling swelling and bleeding. They also help first-time denture wearers adjust to the differences between dentures and natural teeth. Most importantly, they help in restoring some chewing ability and speech.

When patients get their permanent bridges, they are more regular to speaking and eating with this kind of restoration, which appears and feels similar to the natural teeth.

Be Accustomed to Provisional Prosthesis

Such provisional prostheses are fixed right after new dental implants are placed. The impression for their built was made before the implant placements. The bite and position can’t be totally correct. So, patients are suggested to schedule a visit to a trusted dental clinic for regular necessary adjustment for at least three to four days following the surgical day. Patients need to schedule this time to ensure proper fit and occlusion.

Ensure to visit your trusted doctor even if you face trouble adjusting or any problems, which may happen post-surgery and placement of the provincial prosthesis.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

If you have a chipped tooth, you’d wish to get it taken care of as quickly as possible. The amazing news is that there are a few options available for doing so. Veneers and crowns are two of the significant options. But what puts you in a dilemma is which is best for you? Veneers or crowns. However, the answer depends on multiple aspects like the condition of your natural tooth, dental record, and your budget.
So, before you make a decision, it’s essential to know about both veneers and crowns to make the right choice and avoid more dental work down the process. Veneers and crowns may seem similar, but they are different in multiple ways, from application to rate to durability.
Veneer Vs Crown
Before diving into what is better when it comes to veneers or crowns, know what both these procedures are all about. A slim layer of porcelain or any other material about 1 millimetre in thickness that is bonded to the front of your teeth is called a veneer. At the same time, a crown is about 2 millimetres in thickness that is used to cover the whole tooth. It can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused with a metal alloy or an all-metal alloy.
Whether you should choose a veneer or a crown, it depends on the condition of your teeth and what you’re aiming to fix. Typical conditions for restoration are as follows:

• discoloured teeth
• chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
• decayed or weakened teeth
• crooked teeth

Difference Between Veneer & Crown
Veneers and crowns both are meant for dental restoration procedures that can enhance the appearance and functionality of your teeth. The prime difference is that a veneer is known to cover only the front of your teeth, while a crown covers the overall tooth. Moreover, a dental restoration process is expensive, so you need to do thorough research before you choose a procedure.
Both veneers and crowns are colour matched as per your teeth, except the ones with all-metal crowns. Even though these procedures are different, both have excellent success rates.
Pros of Veneers

• They are a lot more aesthetically pleasing compared to crowns in the long-run, as they don’t reveal a gum margin after numerous years as crowns sometimes do.
• Teeth with veneers have less movement.
• A few veneers don’t need too much trimming, so more of your healthy natural tooth stays.

Pros of Crowns

• As your entire tooth is covered, it is more protected from being decayed.
• Crowns are comparatively permanent and don’t need to be removed for cleaning as dentures do.
• Porcelain crowns look and feel a lot like your natural teeth.
• Most of the dental insurance covers a section of the cost for a crown.

In conclusion, to know which type of option is right for you, ensure to visit your trusted dentist for an evaluation of your chipped or broken teeth. He or she will assess your condition and offer you with options that best fit your needs.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Interdental cleaners are an essential part of taking care of your teeth. Floss is the most popular form of interdental cleaner. It is important to clean the space between your teeth as residual food particles get stuck here to initiate dental decay and plaque. When it comes to oral health care of kids, flossing is as important as brushing. Introducing them to proper techniques of flossing as well as its benefits is essential.

Here are some of the things you can do to help your kids get the hang of flossing faster and take a liking to it too.

• Let Your Child Choose the Floss: Helping your child be an active part of their flossing routine is the best when they are involved in it too. A desirable way to do so is by letting them choose the floss they want to select. Each floss can help them differently in their practicality and usability. So when they decide on the floss they wish to use themselves, they are able to follow their routine religiously.
• Teach Them by Example: Children will learn faster when they emulate their parents. The best way to do so is to floss next to them. You will be next to them when they need your help and can adjust their hand if their technique is not right. This also helps them to understand whether they are taking the right amount of time to complete their flossing or are they just rushing through it.
• Make Flossing a Game: This is the right time to make flossing a fun activity for your kids. Whether it is like your kids competing with each other, or let them see who can floss better than the other. Another game could be to set the timer for flossing and make sure that your kids floss until the timer’s complete duration. The end of this all could be to give them rewards. So that the next time they are thrilled and motivated to floss.
• Provide Your Kids the Motivation They Need: Ensuring that flossing becomes a part of their daily oral health care routine involves continuously motivating your kids. Here are some of the things you can do to make sure they like flossing:
  • They choose the color of the floss they want to use.
  • You can make a sticker chart for flossing correctly for your kids.
  • Considering flossing takes time, you can use it to make it interesting with their favorite story or video.
  • Children can count their teeth while flossing; this not only helps them in learning to count but also makes sure that flossing can be done perfectly.

Some Things to Keep in Mind While Teaching Your Kids How to Floss:

• Always make your kids use a soft-bristled brush.
• The length of the floss should be equal to that of your finger to the elbow.
• Now, take your child’s fingers and wrap equal amounts of floss on both their right and left fingers. Here, one side will be used for cleaning whereas the other will collect the dirty floss.
• Show your child how to glide the floss gently.

Flossing is essential to maintain the health of your mouth just as brushing and tongue cleaning. Introducing your kids to the right techniques at an early stage can make them habitual to this great habit for the rest of their lives. You can also visit your nearest dentist to get tips on flossing and adequate oral care.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

As a parent, you are always on your toes about your child’s health. It is imperative for parents to pay enough attention to their children’s dental health. Sometimes neglect during childhood leads to a lifetime of dental issues since your childhood dental condition is a determinant of your adult teeth. Visiting a pediatric dental office before your child turns one is crucial.
Ideally, you need to take your child to the dentist for a regular check-up twice every year. But why does your child require a dental check-up every six months?

• Keep a check on their dental health: To check if the extra candies your child has been eating are not impacting his oral health and no cavities are developing in their teeth, take them for a check-up regularly. Oral health plays a significant role in the overall health of the body. To make sure that your child is developing properly, keep track of their oral health.
• Early diagnosis: If there are some early symptoms of decay or any disease, a dentist can figure it out and provide the required assistance. They can take care of cavity-prone teeth and also help in ensuring the proper transformation of milk teeth into permanent ones. Timely diagnosis and intervention can help prevent your child from a lifetime of troubled oral health. They can also suggest if your ward requires to wear any orthodontic treatment.
• Asses dental habits: If you wish to know that your child’s dental habits are working for them or not, there’s no better way to do it than have the input of a medical professional. Their suggestions can keep your child’s health up to the mark. . If your child learns the proper way of taking care of their teeth in their early years, they wouldn’t have to struggle with any problems in the future. Dental habits formed in childhood are impactful even later in life. Teach your children to floss every day to keep cavities away.

To save your child’s beautiful smile from various oral diseases, you need to be extremely vigilant about the state of their dental health. Dental procedures can be painful and discomforting even for adults. Preventing the development of any disease thus becomes so important to save your child from the ordeal. Take your child for regular check-ups every six months even if you cannot see any apparent tooth decay symptoms. wait for them to complain about a toothache before you book a dental appointment. Take counsel about the current condition of your child’s oral health as soon as possible.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

You might have seen a lot of brands of toothpaste boasting of having fluoride as an ingredient. It might have left you wondering what fluoride is and why is it used as a constituent of toothpaste. Well, fluoride is a mineral with excellent benefits to your health. Commonly found in soil, water and many food items, it is now being incorporated in toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc. Its main job is to provide strength to the enamel, which in turn prevents the development of cavities in teeth.

Fluoride comes from fluorine element and is found naturally in the earth’s crust. Its ability to prevent the process of demineralization of teeth makes it a safe ingredient to be present in mouth cleaning substances. Some countries also add fluoride to their drinking water to prevent tooth decay in the population.

Benefits of fluoride:

Fluoride not only strengthens the outer layer or enamel of the teeth but also reverses the damage that has already been caused to the teeth. Some benefits of using fluoride are:

• Prevents the deposition of harmful plaque on the surface of the teeth
• Used for strengthening bone loss due to diseases like osteoporosis
• Helps prevent gum swelling and tooth decay
• Instrumental in preventing cavities
• Significantly decreases the amount of tooth decay in people when added to water
• Used in imaging tests like PET scan
• Used as a cleaning agent

Sources:

Fluoride is derived naturally from water, air and soil. Supplements of fluoride are also prescribed by healthcare professionals in case of its deficiency. Consuming water added with fluoride can prevent and reverse many signs of tooth decay in both children and adults.

Associated side effects:

Just like any other substance, the consumption of too much fluoride can cause damage to your health. The safety risks associated with a high dosage of fluoride are:

• The weakening of your bones, muscles and even some problems of the nervous system.
• Dental fluorosis- This occurs in children. Usage of high doses of fluoride during tooth formation inside the gum can lead to discoloration. This can be seen as several white spots on the teeth. To prevent this, ensure that the children do not swallow the toothpaste and only use minute quantities while brushing.
• Skeletal fluorosis- The symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include stiffness and pain in the joints. Long term exposure to fluoride in an unregulated amount can be harmful to your overall well being. 
• High amount of fluoride should be avoided during pregnancy as some people might even be allergic to fluoride. 

To sum up, fluoride plays a key role in maintaining your dental health. To ensure that your teeth are getting enough fluoride to prevent any decay or cavities, regularly get them checked by your dentist. They can help you figure out the right way to get the necessary mineral to keep your teeth healthy.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

The surface of a tongue consists of various papillae which are the small bumps located on the top and sides of your tongue. When the pattern of growth of these papillae changes, they can alter the appearance of the tongue. This leads to conditions like fissured tongue, which appear as deep grooves or crevices on the surface. These grooves can vary in size, number and depth. This is a quite common condition these days. This condition isn’t painful in most cases.

A large fissure in the center may commonly be visible in a condition like this. If numerous deep grooves are present, it may make the tongue look separated into distinct segments. This can occur at any age but is more commonly observed in people above the age of 40.

Causes:

Even though no definite reason is known for causing fissured tongue, it is believed to be hereditary. The development of fissures may also be a part of the body’s degenerative process, which explains its prevalence in older people. Certain disorders that may also cause this ailment are:

• Down’s syndrome
• Cowden’s syndrome
• Geographic tongue
• Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome
• Pustular psoriasis

It is also believed that malnutrition or deficiency of vitamins like B2 may be the reason for the fissured appearance of the tongue. Though the main cause is known to be genetic, age and other environmental factors are also known to play a key role in the development of this condition. 

Symptoms:

Most people with fissured tongues do not have any major physiological effects. Some people may experience a burning sting or soreness in these grooves. The condition can be easily diagnosed due to its characteristic appearance. It may also lead to facial swelling in some people. 

All of these symptoms become more pronounced with the increase in the age of an individual. 

Treatment:

There is no need for treatment if the condition is painless and non-contagious. The only case where the fissured tongue can be problematic is when the food particles remain stuck in the crevices leading to the development of bacteria and other microbes. To prevent this microbial attack and any infection, people with fissured tongues are advised to carefully clean their tongue every day. Maintaining proper dental hygiene is necessary for avoiding situations like bad breath or any bacterial infections. This is why proper brushing and flossing becomes even more essential in the case of a fissured tongue.

The condition may give your tongue an unpleasant look, but there is no particular cure for this. Having a proper cleaning routine and devoting time to your oral health can go a long way in the prevention of any major disease. 

If you notice some grooves developing on your tongue, you needn’t panic as it is a very common condition. Visit a dentist regularly to ensure that the grooves on your tongue are properly cleaned, and no infection is developing due to the leftover food in these crevices. 

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Tooth whitening is a general dental procedure. While some people prefer getting this done professionally, others resort to at-home whitening products. Whatever the method may be, whitening helps people in getting their bright smile back. Apart from removing the tough stains from your teeth, whitening may also bring out the craze lines.

Craze lines should not be confused with cracked teeth. These lines are always present but only become visible after a whitening session.

If you are wondering what are vertical lines on teeth after whitening, you should first try to understand its causes:

• Thinning tooth enamel: The most common cause of craze lines in the thinning of enamel or the outer covering of teeth. Excessive force, pressure, biting nails or grinding teeth can cause white lines to appear. Whitening brings out these light lines, which can show which part of the tooth enamel is thinner.
• Hypocalcification: Hypocalcification precedes the formation of cavities. It is the demineralization of the teeth due to unkempt dental hygiene. The acid produced by the bacteria that survive on the leftover food in your mouth may cause the teeth to weaken. Whitening can bring out the lines caused due to demineralization which appear as white craze lines. Cutting down on sugary food can help solve this issue.
• Dehydration: The bleach that is used for whitening teeth contains hydrogen peroxide. This is a dehydrating agent which may leave some white lines on your teeth. This is just a temporary issue and doesn’t cause any harm to your oral health.

The appearance of white lines may be unsettling for many. The lines stand out from the rest of the teeth, making them look bad.

Treatment:
If the cause of craze lines is dehydration of teeth, you do not have to be concerned. They will automatically fade in with the new shade of the teeth. If the lines persist, you should consult a dentist as the cause may be hypo calcification or thinning enamel. White lines also increase the risk of staining or decolourisation of teeth.

Demineralization or thin enamel may prove to be harmful to your teeth. It significantly increases the chances of developing cavities as the protective layer of the teeth is destroyed gradually. This can be avoided by following a proper routine for keeping up with your dental health. Avoiding any activity that puts undue pressure like opening a soda can using teeth can also help you stay away from these craze lines.

Vertical lines on your teeth after whitening may either be an indication of a potential dental problem or maybe a temporary side effect. Smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products may also be a cause for these lines. It is highly probable that the lines were always present but were not noticeable due to the yellowing of the teeth.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Do you ever feel pain or discomfort in your teeth and gums while having ice cream or a hot soup? Everyone experiences some sensitivity in teeth at one or another point of time. However, some face it often, and others face that persistently. Whichever be the case, it’s always painful and annoying.

What is sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity occurs mostly when the enamel gets thinner or when the gums start receding. As enamel is the protecting layer of the teeth, its thinning exposes the underlying surface and causes a problem in eating hot and cold food.

Now, how will you get to know that a person is suffering from sensitivity? So, it’s the pain while having some hot, cold, sweet, or very acidic food that makes you aware of the sensitivity. Not only the food, but an acidic or cold drink can also cause this sensation. However, most of the time, the sensitivity comes and goes, without creating any worries. But if it persists longer, you must visit the dentist.

Leading causes of sensitivity
So, it’s clear that many people face-sensitivity due to the thinning of the enamel. This happens at the trigger of hot and cold food. There may be various reasons behind it. A few of them are:

• Excessively hard brushing of the teeth
• Grinding the teeth during sleep
• Eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages frequently

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, there can be few other factors that may lead to sensitivity. One of those is “Gastroesophageal reflux” that causes acid to come up from the stomach. Plus, those conditions that lead to vomitings like Gastroparesis and Bulimia also lead to wearing of enamel. Tooth decay, gum recession, chipped teeth, or the crowns are another set of reasons for the sensitivity.

Treatment options
If you ever experience sensitivity for the very first time, connect to your dentist. He may also diagnose the symptoms during routine dental cleaning. But you need to understand that it is nothing to ignore. The dentist will analyze the potential reasons for the pain or the discomfort and prepare a proper report to inform you.

The primary method to treat sensitivity includes a toothpaste, which is explicitly meant for it. With this, you may need to make some changes in your eating habits and lifestyle. Using sober toothbrushes and alcohol-free mouthwash are some of those.

So, teeth sensitivity is a pain or discomfort experienced while eating some hot or cold food. It may have several reasons behind including improper brush and toothpaste. Therefore, when it comes to solutions, you may try the change of these dental equipment. Also, the way you brush too makes an impact. Try to brush softly with a toothpaste having fluoride.

Reaching out to an expert for the solutions is always a better option as they are well known to the situation. They will guide you well and also assess the growth and improvements in the conditions.

Thus, diagnose it at the earliest and get the best results!

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As early you teach your kids the necessary steps to maintaining dental hygiene, the more you, and your kid, are benefited. This is so because then the child knows to take care of the teeth and can do his best to keep away the cavities and infections. Moreover, dental hygiene is a vast concept and has many components in it. It includes brushing and flossing as the primary activities and also the dental visits as the precautionary measure.

What habits have to be incorporated into them?
As already said, there is a lot to be done to make your kids responsible for the aspect of dental hygiene. They not only need to be told but also made to practice together so that they perform well.

Following are the activities to be taught:

• Brushing and flossing twice a day: Brushing sounds like an easy thing to do. However, you not only have to tell the kids to brush their teeth but also help them do it for at least 2 minutes and in the right manner. This will be easily achieved if you make the activity a necessary part of their morning and evening. Along with the brushing, floss their teeth once a day to ensure complete cleaning.
• Tell them not to chew everything: Children have this urge to chew things as soon as the first tooth erupts and even before that. But you need to tell them that neither thumb sucking nor the chewing will lead to healthy teeth. Hence, for their healthy teeth, make them understand that chewing hard objects like ice and candies can lead to damaged and chipped teeth.
• Intake of a healthy diet: Parents need to discuss the importance of a healthy diet with the kids. Let them know the necessity of healthy food not only for the teeth but for their overall health. Make them accustomed to having healthy food from childhood so that they stay away from the sugary drinks and sticky food in their adulthood.

Ways to promote dental hygiene among kids
Teaching the desired dental hygiene habits to the kids at a young age is of paramount importance. This is the best time to naturally instill the habits in them so that they carry them forward. Below are a few exciting ways to do the same:

• Let them learn by watching you– Children learn best when they see and listen to the things. So, initially, you can brush the teeth together and help them teach the habit forever.
• Offer rewards and play music– You can make the brushing and flossing activities fun for the children by playing some good music or announcing a prize or gift on the completion of 2 minutes of brushing.
• Frequent dental visits– Start Taking them to the dentist as soon as they have their first tooth. It will let them know the importance of taking early measures at the time of any damage to the teeth.

So, the kids are ready to adapt to almost anything when they are young. Utilize their zeal to encourage oral dental hygienic habits in them.

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Braces are fixed on the patient’s teeth by the dentists in order to straighten the teeth, close the gaps, and bring uniformity in the smile and chewing and biting pattern. Like the other medical procedure, braces also need proper preparation and a few adjustments in lifestyle for a successful treatment.

Now, anything done with your body needs lots of thinking and consultation. Likewise, braces also need a fair discussion. Follow these steps sincerely so that you rightfully make the right decision:

• Fix a meeting with a reputed dentist: The dentist will assess the teeth and probably recommend you to go to an orthodontist. You can also make online appointments.
• Remove wisdom teeth: The orthodontist will tell you why you need braces and all the related information. Then, he may ask you to allow the removal of the wisdom teeth, if there is not enough space in the mouth.
• Prepare yourself mentally: These braces will be there for quite some time, you need to mentally and emotionally prepared for the change. If you are somehow not able to accept the change, tell yourself the profound consequences you will be receiving after the braces are removed after the treatment.
• Read about the braces and choose the one: You can make this journey enjoyable by researching much about different types of braces available and select the one you like most.
• Prepare a playlist: Putting braces would take longer than you expect. So, a dentist often asks you to listen to your favorite music to divert your mind. So, you can create a playlist a few days before while preparing for the session.
• Create a shopping and food list: Along with the playlist, you can make the list of the food you will have with the braces.

Things to do on the last day before getting braces
The above-mentioned is a list of things that has to be done from a few days before getting the braces. Also, go through the particular things one must do on the day before getting the braces-

• Eat some good ‘can’t have’ food: As you cannot eat some of your favorite foods from the next day because of the braces, it’s a great idea to have them the day before.
• Click a picture: You can click some ‘before’ photos and save them for the future ‘before-after’ frame. This will help you have an excellent analysis of the change.
• Anticipate a straighter row of teet: With all the preparations done, what you are left with now is to anticipate that changed and more beautiful smile on your face. Imagine the results to inspire you for the changed lifestyle.

Thus, as you are about to have a significant change in your looks and your smile, be glad for the same. Enjoy your day even the day before getting braces. Have your favorite food and get your teeth cleaned before you get the braces.

At last, you are suggested to ask as many questions as you want to the dentist and have a clear head before the braces are fitted.

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Bone Graft, also known as transplantation of bone tissue, is a surgical process that is used to fix the issues with the bones or joints. The procedure is useful for repairing the damaged bones. Not only this, but bone grafting is also helpful for the growth of bones around the implanted device like total knee replacement had a bone loss or fracture or for the dental implants.

About Bones
To know bone grafting in detail, one needs to know about bones. So, the bones mainly consist of a matrix made up of a protein called collagen and are strengthened by calcium deposits and Phosphate salts, which are known as hydroxyapatite. Around this matrix, are situated the cells of the bones. The cells can be primarily categorized into three types- Osteoblasts, Osteocytes, and Osteoclasts.

Have a look about them:
Osteoblast– These are responsible for producing bone matrices and for manufacturing hormones like prostaglandins. Moreover, these are the immature bone cells and eventually get trapped in the matrix to become osteocytes.

Osteocytes– Unlike Osteoblasts, these are the mature cells originating from the osteoblasts. The space occupied by them is called lacunae. They are responsible for the maintenance of the matrix and Ca’s homeostasis.

Osteoclasts– These cells are responsible for remodeling and resorption of the bones. They are large and are located on the surfaces of bone.

Bone Graft in Detail
Bone grafting can fix the defect in three different ways, namely, Osteoinduction, osteoconduction, and osteogenesis. But overall, the method focuses on repairing the imperfections in the bones. The notable point is that the novel bone for grafting can be taken from the other fit bones from the patient’s body( known as an autograft) or from the stored bones of other people( known as an allograft). Sometimes, the concoction of collagen and other natural and synthetic materials are also used in place of bone.

Below are the steps to bone grafting:
Step1- Surgeon takes the bone from another area of your body and makes it in the same shape of the defect to fit correctly.

Step2- Surgeon makes the incision in the defective part.

Step3- Surgeon places the graft carefully. The incision is stitched, and a splint is used to restrict movements.

Aftercare associated with bone grafts:
Bone grafts have a commendable healing rate. However, the exact healing rate may vary depending upon the size of the defect and the condition of surrounding bones. You must know that severe grafts may need deep attention after the grafts are placed. The average recovery time varies from 2 weeks to 2 months.

However, difficult the situation of the treated area, one must be careful regarding the aftercare. A proper healthy diet should be taken to heal the stitched area quickly. Plus, the patients need to know that in case of any pains in the treated area, they need to contact the surgeon and avoid taking any medicines themselves. The same is the suggestion in the case of a drain in their wounds.

The bone graft is a surgical procedure, so you need to be careful during the entire process. Also, you must make sure to get it done from trusted and experienced hands.

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People are often mistaken when it comes to the issues regarding baby teeth. These teeth are supposed to be cavity and decay-free. However, this is not the reality. Baby teeth are more sensitive than permanent teeth which is why they need to be dealt with utmost care. Parents need to know that their child will have his first tooth at the age of 6 months, followed by the complete set by the age of 12, whereas these teeth will start falling by age 6.

Now the question arises that if these baby teeth last for such a short span, why do they need intensive care? Well, to support the question, you need to consider the fact that these baby teeth are the base for the health of permanent teeth. They are the ones who will create proper spacing for permanent teeth.

Are baby teeth prone to cavities?
Yes, baby teeth are equally prone to decay and cavities. This is so, because of their habit of sleeping with the milk bottle in their mouth. Many such moments lead to the accumulation of bacterias and then the formation of Plague. This Plague causes harmful bacterias to produce the acid that weakens the enamel. When the outer covering gets damaged, the teeth lose their guards and thus become the battleground for the harmful bacterias. The symptoms of the cavities in baby teeth are listed below:

• Mild or intense toothache which makes the child cry for long hours.
• Brown or black patches in the teeth.
• Visible holes and pits.
• Inconvenience or pain in chewing food.
• Feeling of pain and anxiety in the cheeks.

Causes of decay in baby teeth
Though there is much discomfort when the teeth of your baby start decaying, there are some signs that will let you know of that pain and inconvenience. No doubt, all the grief will end up in long hours of crying and craving for love and care. Have a look at the prominent causes:

• Plaque buildup: Too much accumulation of bacteria is the prime cause of decay and cavities in the teeth. Now though there are many reasons for this accumulation, you can take care of this by regular dental checkup.
• Poor and unhealthy diet: Lots of candies, sugary drinks, and sticky food to the babies can cause their teeth to become vulnerable to the cavities.
• Absence of Fluoride: Though in many places, the tap water has natural Fluoride in it, you can still ask your community water management team about the content of Fluoride in the water to be sure of the presence of minerals for healthy teeth.
• Improper dental hygiene: Brushing and flossing, is the necessary step to maintaining proper dental health; hence it should be followed with sincerity. Parents need to teach this habit to their kids from the beginning. Otherwise, the baby teeth will gradually be eaten up by the bacterias.

Now to have timely treatment, you need to have an early diagnosis of the cavity and decay. Thus the parents at the first stage of tooth eruption need to be careful and keenly supervise the hygienic dental practices of their kids. Besides, they must take the child for the regular dental checkup to be on the safe side.

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The cavities and gum diseases are the results of plaque formation, and this plaque is formed due to the leftover food between the teeth. The leftover food is not cleaned even after the brushing, tempting us to support our dental hygiene with some other element along with brushing.

So, here comes the requirement to floss our teeth. The plaque stays for longer on our teeth and gums; it is hardened by the minerals present in our saliva and a substance named calculus is formed. This calculus is home to various bacteria’s, further leading to gum diseases and is not easily removed by only brushing or flossing.

Why floss

Now, no doubt brushing is an excellent way to clean your teeth, but brushing alone is not enough to keep them in the best condition. This is because brush can’t reach in every corner of your mouth, making flossing necessary for deep cleaning. Besides, flossing has many other hidden benefits-

• For preventive care- No matter how much you care for your teeth, there are always hidden dangers of bacteria’s getting trapped between the teeth.
• Especially when you do not adhere to a proper diet and proper dental hygiene, when you practice flossing correctly, you can remove the hidden debris and reduce the chances of accumulation of bacteria’s.
• Prevent tartar buildup- Flossing removes plaque formation, thus preventing the building of Tartar on the gum line.
• Prevents lousy breath- Flossing daily helps you fight the bad breath by killing the bacteria’s that create bad odour.

How should you floss?

Now the critical question is, what is the right time and method to floss? Well, many people are accustomed to brushing and then flossing, but it is not that effective as with this procedure, the debris released by flossing remains in the mouth only. Whereas when you first floss and then brush, you can easily remove the released particles. For further clarity on the procedure have a look on the flossing instructions given below-

• Step1-Break off around 18 to 24 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of your both hands. Leave 1-2 inches of floss for the teeth.
• Step2- Grip the floss between your thumb and forefinger.
• Step3- Gently rub the floss between your teeth. (Note- Do not snap it into gums)
• Step4- When the floss reaches your gums; bend it from the base to form a C so that it enters between the teeth and gum.
• Step5- Hold the floss tightly and rub it against the side of the tooth. Repeat the same procedure for every tooth and use a new section of floss for each tooth.

It is imperative to follow these steps sincerely. Keep in mind that the flossing should not be too hard or too gentle. In both cases, you will not get the desired results. Plus, there are various types of dental floss. So, you need to analyze your requirements and get the right one for you. Lastly, it may seem to be time taking as compared to brushing, but still, you need to understand that it is a necessary tool to keep your teeth and gums in the best state.

Thus, even if you brush regularly, you need to floss.

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You may suddenly notice some foul odor coming across your way, and then you realize it was your kid who just spoke something. Its prime time you must have a concern regarding this stinky breath of your child, which is unpleasant and embarrassing. But, before you feel too bad about it, you need to know that your child is not alone to face this. It is a common problem and happens to everyone at some point in time.

What is bad breath and what are the causes to it

Well, this bad breath problem is known as halitosis in medical terms. There can be various reasons behind it, and the best thing is that it can be treated and prevented. Thus before we proceed to anything, let us explore some common causes of bad baby breath:

• Poor oral hygiene- Dental hygiene is something you have to take care of, even when the teeth have not started to come. It is essential to keep the gums clean and have a regular inspection. Otherwise, the food taken by the baby can accumulate in the mouth and cause to smell.
• Smelly food- If the kid has started consuming food, few foods like onion and garlic can be prominent ingredients for bad breath as the food starts breaking in the mouth only. Thus, limiting such things in your child’s diet can lessen the issue.
• Dry mouth- Your saliva is the best cleanser for your mouth, which resists the persistence of bacteria’s and thus keeps foul odor at bay. However, few habits of your kid like breathing through the mouth, less water intake, etc. can cause the mouth to dry, thereby inviting halitosis.
• Ailing’s and infections- There are a few ailing’s like sinus infections, tonsillitis, etc. in which the mucus from the sinuses is introduced in the mouth, causing a foul odor.

How to get rid of bad breath

Bad breath can be annoying and distressing but is not permanent, provided you take the right steps at the earliest. All you have to do is analyze the cause and further follow the required steps to bring some improvement. Below are few such actions you can take:

• Follow proper oral hygiene- Half the dental issues are solved by proper brushing and flossing two times daily as this habit can help you fight the existing bacteria and prevent further diseases.
• Mouthwash- Both the types of mouthwashes: cosmetic and therapeutic are recommended to deal with the bad breath problem. These will not only give a pleasant smell but also keep the child fresh.
• Clean the tongue- Your coated tongue can also be a reason for the foul smell. Thus, make sure you clean the tongue thoroughly.
• See your dentist- If the smell persists after following good oral hygiene, you should see your dentist and talk to him about the issue in detail.

No longer feel shy if you have this problem of bad breath as it can happen to anyone. Make sure to follow the right dental hygiene and visit the dentist to identify the right cause and practice the measures.

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It’s a fantastic feeling to encounter the first tooth of your baby. Isn’t it? With this great feeling, comes the greater responsibility; to keep it and other ‘yet to arrive’ teeth healthy. Experts suggest that you should start taking care of your baby’s teeth and gums even before you notice the first tooth. After all, in the coming years, the gummy smile of your baby will be replaced by two full-fledged rows of teeth.

Why is the cleaning of teeth necessary?
You always need to keep the foundation secure, so that you can have a withstanding building. The same is the case with the teeth. Though the baby teeth are the primary teeth, they have to be strong enough to invite healthy permanent teeth. Moreover, the baby teeth are very weak with tender gums, which makes it vulnerable to infections and decays.

You might also have noticed your child sucking his thumb and the fingers very often, which adds to your responsibilities. You must know that this habit of your child can invite a lot of problems for the thumb and the teeth. It may lead to misalignment, cracks, or even call infections. That is why intensive care becomes so crucial at a young age of 0-4.

What is the ideal process for cleaning a baby’s teeth?
Before your child has his first tooth, the cleaning of gums is the necessary chore to perform. For that, you need a damp cloth, which should be made from a soft fabric. Use the cloth to rub on his gums after he is done with the milk or any drink. This will prevent any accumulation of the bacteria and also make them open to hygienic habits like rinsing the mouth after the meals.

After the first tooth appears, you should make sure that your child brushes his teeth twice a day. Are you wondering why this strictness is required? The thing is, whatever you will present to the child at this age, he will accept it wholeheartedly. Thus, it becomes essential to show him a right way to maintain hygiene and make him accustomed to brushing two times a day.

Not only the regular brushing habit but also the selection of the right toothbrush and toothpaste is also essential. For the effective cleaning of your child’s teeth, you need to get a toothpaste having Fluoride. Moreover, as the gums and teeth are very soft at infancy, make sure to select a brush with soft bristles. Otherwise, it will hurt the child and may even bleed.

Till the age of 7, your baby might not be able to brush by himself; that is why you need to assist him and even brush with him. It will not only back his procedure but also make it interesting for him. Put some good music to him and brush for the ideal time of 2 minutes, to get the effective results. Hence, practice a perfect brushing and flossing process to clean the baby’s teeth. Consult with the surgeon periodically to avoid any dental issues.

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