Retainers after braces are prescribed to patients as the aftercare of orthodontics treatment. They keep the changed position of teeth intact. The duration of wearing teeth retainer will vary for every patient. It depends on the patient’s age and kind of treatment. But if you are on retainers, you should keep patience. Wearing retainers is final and a critical stage of your orthodontics treatment.

Below mentioned are some tips for you about how to clean retainers and different ways to take care of them –

1. Handle Teeth Retainer with Care:
   The stand should be on while wearing retainers. And remove them in one motion. Twisting them with tongue or putting them on one side is risky. Do not leave any gap between the teeth and retainers. Loose different ends of the retainers while taking them off. Always keep retainers in the box assigned for them.
2. Keep Them Cool:
   Store them in a normal room temperature. Don’t carry them in the places with high temperature. The heat can melt the plastic on retainers. Remove them before drinking hot beverages like tea, coffee and soup. Use normal water only to clean retainers. Don’t wash them with hot or boiling water.
3. Keep Your Retainers Safe
   You don’t want your kids and pets to get access to your teeth retainer. Keep your retainers safe and away from their reach. Don’t put retainers loosely in your pant or coat pocket. There are chances of them falling out. Don’t keep them next to the dishes while dining.
4. Clean Them after Eating
   Retainers are in touch with your teeth all the time. Do not put teeth retainer on without cleaning them thoroughly. Otherwise, bacteria and calculus will grow in your mouth. You can clean them with a toothbrush or denture cleaner available in the market. Remember not to use any harsh material as it can damage their PVC surface.
5. Keep Retainers Extra Clean
   Do you think about how to clean retainers more apart from washing them? Soaking them for 5-10 minutes before washing is a good idea. Soaking retainers will make them extra clean and sparkle. Retainer cleaner capsules are readily available in the market. You can also mix 1 part sodium hypochlorite in 10 parts of water to soak retainers.
6. Remember Not to Lose Them
   You should not lose your teeth retainer as the replacement is costly and tiresome. Thus keep it in a dedicated case only when you are not using them. And it will be helpful if your contact details are mentioned on the box of your retainers. Someone can return them to you in case you lost them. Don’t keep your retainers in a paper bag or poly bag which you can easily forget somewhere.

Wrapping Up!

You might feel after some time that retainers are done with their job. But there is a reason for the duration prescribed by your orthodontist for you to wear retainers after braces. Follow that timeline for wearing teeth retainers strictly.

It is going to end soon, mate! The day is not far when you are ready to flash your bright smile to the world.

Author: Sharon Williams – Head of Digital Marketing for Koch Orthodontics in Loganville, GA.

6 Reasons Why Premium Oral Care Is Important

Here are some reasons why premium oral care is essential for your oral health and overall wellbeing:

1. Maintains healthy teeth

Diseased, broken, or missing teeth can make chewing difficult and painful, interfere with your speech, and will require expensive corrective procedures. Instead, maintain good dental health by brushing and flossing regularly with premium tooth care products. However, that’s not all. Regular visits to the dentist for routine care and checkup are just as important to protect your teeth against damage.

2. Early detection of cavities

Cavities are painful spots on your teeth where the enamel has decayed, and a portion of the tooth root is exposed. Hot and cold liquids or food can trigger throbbing pain. You may not experience any symptoms until the problem has progressed to its advanced stages. Again, other than the best regular oral care, you should have your oral health checked regularly by a dentist because early stages of tooth decay are much simpler to treat than advanced cases.

3. Prevents periodontal diseases

Periodontal or gum diseases are a typical consequence of poor oral health. Gum diseases start mild but turn into severe complications if left untreated. Other than the loss of teeth and infections, periodontal diseases have also been linked to other health problems like stroke, diabetes, and respiratory problems.

4. Personalized oral treatment for a perfect, bright smile

Dental conditions and tooth and jaw structures vary from person to person. With regular appointments with a dentist, your dentist can understand your oral health well enough to give you the best advice and formulate an effective treatment plan for you. Patients with misaligned jaws and other problems can benefit from orthodontic procedures, including braces and other treatments. Dental plans are unique for each patient, targeted to achieving personalized dental goals.

5. Protects your oral environment from oxidative stress

Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance of free radicals and can cause some severe health issues. Periodontal infections, alcohol and nicotine consumption, and hydrogen peroxide in whitening products can cause oxidative stress inside your mouth. Your oral cavity is even more sensitive to damage by an excess of free radicals caused by oxidative stress than the rest of your body. Oxidative stress in the oral cavity results in the reduction of antioxidant capacity, ultimately leading to periodontal tissue damage.

This is where the role of premium oral care through the line of products by PerioSciences can help you. Through the topical application of antioxidants, there is a reduction in oxidation stress.

6. Ensures overall health

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that your mouth and teeth are the window to your overall health. Research at Harvard shows that patients with poor oral hygiene are at a greater risk of developing heart problems. Poor oral health is also linked to pregnancy complications, low birth weight, bacterial pneumonia, and cancer.

What Should Good Oral Hygiene Include?

Now you know why oral care is important. Regular brushing and flossing, together with a complete oral care routine customized for you by your dentist, can save you from severe oral problems, complicated procedures, and various diseases and conditions linked to your overall health. Specifically concerning CoVid; a new study linked poor oral hygiene to increased severe CoVid complications.

So what does the best oral care routine include?

1. Use the right brush

Though medium to hard toothbrushes create more prominent immediate results, leaving your teeth appear cleaner, they are abrasive and can damage the enamel over time. If you are not already using a soft-bristled toothbrush, switch to one now. Remember to change your toothbrush timely, every 2 to 3 months at least. Depending on the condition of the bristles, you may have to change it sooner.

2. Effective brushing

You have been told to brush teeth time and again, but are you aware of the correct procedure? To maximize the effectiveness of brushing here is what you should do:

• Brush twice a day.
• Brush for at least 2 minutes, spending a minute on each jaw. Dedicate equal time on each side of the upper and lower jar. In short, each quadrant of your mouth should get 30 seconds of brushing.
• Brush all surfaces of your teeth – most people brush the top but miss the sides of the back teeth.
• Don’t brush too vigorously, as it may damage the enamel over time.
• Tilt the brush at 45 degrees, pointed towards your gums, and brush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque.

3. Toothpaste choice

Unless the correct brushing technique is accompanied by a premium antioxidant toothpaste, your best oral care routine is not complete. Perioscience offers AO ProToothpaste line, with products targeted at attaining different oral hygiene goals. All the toothpaste varieties are antioxidant-rich formulas sourced from natural ingredients, including apples and citrus, to remove stains and plaque, leaving a sparkling smile on your face.

AO ProToothpaste Natural is a specialized formula sourced from oxidants, including perilla seed extract and sea buckthorn oil, free from fluoride, alcohol, and other artificial components to clean the teeth naturally.

4. Floss once a day

Flossing is as important as brushing. Many people brush their teeth regularly but don’t consider flossing a necessity. Other than reaching the nooks and crannies that a toothbrush fails to access, it also lowers inflammation, stimulates gums, and reduces plaque. Use a standard 45cm floss, lower it between the teeth, following your teeth’ frame, and avoid damage to the gums. Repeat the procedure for each tooth and floss once each day.

5. Use a mouthwash

PerioSciences mouthwash includes ferulic acid, green tea catechin, curcuminoids, and essential oils. Citrus extracts are also a part of the formula and help freshen breath, soothe oral tissues, and boost the effects of whitening procedures.

Rinse your teeth with the mouthwash after flossing or brushing your teeth. Just take a small amount of the liquid in your mouth, move it around your oral cavity for half a minute before spitting it out.

6. Dental gel for stronger teeth

Premium oral care is not complete without antioxidant dental gels, such as AO ProVantage Gel. It offers topical application of some very useful antioxidants, including ferulic acid and phloretin, derived from leafy green plants and fruit trees.

Apply it at least twice each day, after brushing, as part of your complete dental care routine. Take a pea-sized portion of the gel into your mouth, applying it to the lower and upper gums with the help of your tongue. Spit out the excess. Visit your dentist regularly

Even if you maintain the best oral care routine at home, schedule regular appointments with your dentist. Visit your dentist at least twice each year for checkups and cleaning. Other than keeping your teeth clean, the dentist will also detect potential problems in their early stages and propose suitable treatment plans.

7. Complement with a teeth-friendly diet

A healthy diet goes a long way in ensuring your oral and overall health. Keep sugary and acidic foods, like tea, coffee, and acidic fruits to a minimum since they erode the enamel from your teeth. Even when you do consume sweet liquids, use a straw to prevent the harmful substances from lingering in your oral cavity.

Other than that, add fresh, crunchy fruits and vegetables to your diet to stimulate your gums and keep your jaws healthy – not to mention, they are a natural source of antioxidants. Fibrous foods such as apples, pears, and carrots also help scrub off some of the plaque from the surface of your teeth.

Conclusion

So now you understand why oral care is important. Perioscience offers an extensive line of premium oral care products produced after years of research by biochemists, dentists, and medical health professionals. Follow the best oral care routine at home, coupled with regular visits to the dentist to keep a bright, healthy smile.

Author: This article was provided by our friends at Perioscience.

Men, women and children have been chewing gum in one form or another for a lot longer than you might think. The first instance in recorded history of people chewing gum goes all the way back to the time of Plato and Sophocles in ancient Greece. Greek men and women favored mastic gum as a way to freshen their breath and keep their teeth clean. This early form of gum was derived from the resin that could be found in the bark of the mastic tree. These trees dotted the Grecian landscape and were quite common.

During the Colonial era in America, settlers in New England picked up the “chewing gum” habit from the Native Americans that they interacted with. The Indians enjoyed chewing on spruce sap, which has a gum-like consistency. The resin forms on spruce trees when the bark is cut open. So there are some similarities here with the Greek “tradition” of forming chewing gum.

During the 1800’s, the act of chewing various gum-like substances increased in popularity. However, the first person to receive a patent for inventing a formula for chewing gum was an Ohio dentist named, William Semple. A talented dentist and savvy businessman, Doctor Semple manufactured and sold his gum across the Midwest. The stated purpose of his gum was to clean the user’s teeth and strengthen the jaw. Dr. Semple’s gum was not intended as a treat for kids. In fact, reports are that it did not taste very good.

Would-be entrepreneurs, even in modern times, are always trying to come up with dazzling new flavors and uses for chewing gum. One of the most popular and ingenious brands of gum to come along in a while was Big League chew, which was invented by major league Baseball pitchers Jim Bouton and Rob Nelson. Big League Chew was supposed to be an alternative to chewing tobacco. Jim and Rob were disgusted with the habit that their fellow team-mates had of dipping into pouches of tobacco, chewing it and then spitting the juice out onto the dugout floor. This just wasn’t healthy and a lot of players at the time were contracting all sorts of oral health problems from their use of tobacco. Jim and Rob came up with the idea of shredding bubble gum, putting it in a pouch and marketing it to their fellow players and fans in the stadiums across America. Big League chew quickly caught on and the rest is history.

Oral Hygiene and chewing gum

If you love gum, then you’ll be happy to know that chewing gum (the sugar-free or organic variety) is actually good for your oral health.  Chewing gum helps to stimulate the flow of saliva, which is imperative to your oral health.  A steady flow of saliva helps to defeat that nasty villain, Dry Mouth, who we talk about all the time on dental.net. Chewing sugar-free gum also neutralizes the acids that contribute to plaque, remineralizes your tooth’s enamel and cleans away food particles. That’s a lot of good work being done by a skinny little stick of gum. Some sugar-free brands of gum contain Fluoride, which is celebrated by dentists worldwide for its’ cavity fighting prowess. They also contain Calcium (which contributes to the overall health and maintenance of your teeth) and Vitamin C. Moreover, gum that has been sweetened with Xylitol has been shown in studies and test groups to reduce plaque.

What is this magic ingredient called Xylitol?

Thankfully, it is no magic trick. Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener that is found in fruits and plants. You will usually find it in toothpaste, mints and sugarless chewing gum. Xylitol tastes like sugar, but that is not why you want this ingredient in your gum. Xylitol actually prevents the bacteria that causes cavities. Bacteria that turns into that dreaded oral nuisance, plaque, eats away at your tooth enamel, until there’s next to nothing of that protective coating left. When Xylitol goes to work, the bacteria loses its’ ability to stick to the teeth, thereby interrupting the growth of cavities. Over time, much less plaque will form on your teeth and the acid content in your mouth will go way down.

Other non-cavity causing sweeteners that you will find in gum and other products are aspartame, sorbitol and mannitol. But at this point in time, experts feel that Xylitol, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a food additive in the eighties, seems to be the most powerful of the bunch.

The American Dental Association Seal – Your assurance that a product is safe.

Many of the sugar-free chewing gum brands have earned the coveted American Dental Association seal of approval. Earning their ADA stripes is a lengthy and detailed process. The manufacturer must submit scientific proof concerning the safety and effectiveness of their sugar-free gum. They must prove that the gum is safe for oral tissues (your gums and palate), it has to reduce plaque acids, promote renewal of your tooth’s enamel and reduce cavities and/or gum diseases such as Gingivitis.

OK! It’s cool that your favorite brand of gum has the ADA seal of Approval. Now what?

First, when you are in your local candy store or big box Pharmacy, check the ingredients to make sure that you have sugar-free gum in your hand and look for the ADA logo. Second; do not think for a second that you can now skip brushing and flossing if you are too tired or pressed for time. As nice as it is, sugarless gum was never meant to be a substitute for proper oral hygiene. If you haven’t got toothpaste and a toothbrush or floss stick on you, then chewing some sugar-free gum, after meals for about 15 to 20 minutes, will help to increase your saliva flow and help prevent tooth decay.

Just in case you’re curious; Here’s how gum gets to your neighborhood store.

The basic ingredients that make up what will eventually be chewing gum, are melted all together. Gradually, a few other ingredients (sweeteners, flavorings) are added to the mix until it forms a fairly thick dough-like consistency. A machine called an extruder smooths out the mix and shapes it into a flat stick or a tiny coated oval shape. Once the gum is cooled in a temperature controlled room for up to forty-eight hours, the gum is packaged and ready for delivery and your mouth. FYI; chewing gum, like sausages, is one of those things that you would rather not see just how it is made. Totally not appetizing!

No matter what the brand is, most gum consists of the following elements, a gum base with some kind of natural or artificial sweetener, glycerin or a vegetable oil derived softener as well as flavorings and food coloring. Some better for your teeth gum options include the Orbit Sugarless brand, which is made by the Wrigley company (who do know a thing or two about chewing gum; love that Juicy Fruit and Double mint). Both Orbit and the Extra brand chewing gum have received the ADA seal of acceptance. Orbit has quite an interesting history. Orbit came into being during the Second World War. The Wrigley executives decided to send all of their popular brands like Spearmint and Juicy Fruit overseas to our troops. Orbit gum was introduced to the civilian market as a temporary substitute for the company’s other gums. Once Spearmint and Juicy Fruit returned stateside, at the war’s end; the Orbit brand was discontinued. Orbit was the first sugar free gum to be marketed under the Wrigley banner. Orbit made its’ triumphant return to America in 2001, at the height of the ‘You are what you eat movement”. Sugarless flavors include Spearmint, Winter mint and Peppermint. At that time, America was becoming more nutrition and health conscious, so it was the perfect time for Wrigley to give Orbit another try

You might also want to discuss organic chewing gum options with your dentist. By and large, most of the organic and natural gum varieties are better for you than the big name commercial brands (yes, even the sugarless choices). The drawback is that organic chewing gum tends to be extremely bland or not taste very good. Making great inroads on the market is the Chicza organic rainforest gum. Chicza markets itself as a more natural alternative to the mostly artificial commercial gum selections that you will find on your supermarket and candy store shelves. Chicza has an organic gum base of forty percent. Chicle (which the ancient Mayans used to chew as a form of gum), is melted together with natural waxes to form a gum base. The gum base is then mixed and molded with organic sweeteners such as agave syrup, evaporated cane juice and natural flavors. It is then pressed and shaped into chewing gum strips. The flavors range from wild mint, lime, berry to tropical fruits and herbs. Chicle is a natural sap that is harvested from trees in Central America’s rainforest. Chicza is good for our environment, as well.  The gum is biodegradable and dissolves into dust after a few weeks.

Another gum that bears looking into is Glee Gum. Glee chewing gum has no artificial flavors or sweeteners like Acesulfame K or preservatives that we can all do without. Classic Glee Gum is sweetened with fair-trade cane sugar and brown rise syrup. The sugar-free option is made with one hundred percent Xylitol, our old friend from earlier in the article. Xylitol is harvested from American Birch and Beech trees. The Glee line up of sugar free flavors includes Refresh Mint and Lemon-Lime.

Hopefully, this article has got you thinking about your daily oral health and how chewing sugarless gum can supplement your brushing and flossing routine. Now, break out that pack of gum and chew guilt-free!

Inevitably, most cavities end up with a trip to the dentist. Once you are seated in the chair, your dentist will deal with the cavity. He or she will use a drill to clean out the debris and accumulated decay in the tooth and then will proceed to place a filling inside the now empty space.

Along with things like Acne, sinusitis and the common cold; cavities are an all too common affliction that the majority of us have to deal with, at one time or another. Yet, it does not have to be this way. There is no need to resign yourself to dealing with a lifetime of cavities. As annoying and damaging as cavities are, they are also highly preventable, in most cases. In America today, cavities and tooth decay have gotten out of hand, big-time. A lot of the blame goes to the diet of fast food, snack chips and cookies and candy that our kids (and those who are kids at heart) subsist on. The result of poor eating habits and even worse oral hygiene; cavities can develop almost anywhere on your teeth. But they thrive on the surface areas of your molars as well as between your teeth, close to the gum line. Poor oral hygiene leads to food particles and bacteria building up on your teeth. Plaque then develops and the acids that are produced attack the enamel (the hard outer surface) that acts as a shield on your teeth. Once the decay reaches the inside portion of the affected tooth, then trouble begins. As the enamel gradually dissolves, your tooth will, in all probability, start to hurt. Sometimes you’ll feel a dull, annoying ache while other times, the throbbing mushrooms into a sharp pain, that is hard to take.

Even if you do brush and floss regularly, you still might not be doing enough to prevent the growth of cavities. Always use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, an ingredient which is vitally important to the health of your teeth. Your dentist can also give you fluoride treatments, which will help strengthen your enamel and fight tooth decay at the same time.

We may not want to admit it, but improving our diet and nutritional habits is something that we all could probably use some work on. It is always smart to limit your intake of high carb foods and beverages and be aware that the usual suspects in criminal abuse of our bodies (snacks and candy etc.) are far from the only culprits to avoid. Many foods and beverages that you would not ordinarily think have a high sugar or carbohydrate content, in fact do contain these things. Always remember to carefully read the labels of products that you buy at the supermarket. Carbohydrates contain a variety of sugars and starches. When these carbs are assimilated or eaten by bacteria (Plaque), they produce acids that run all over your teeth, destroying them, like molten lava from a volcano.

If you are feeling a little guilty about your daily oral health routine, please consider that many of the factors that because cavities are beyond your control. Just remember to continue brushing and flossing regularly and always consult a dentist, if cavities seem to be getting out of control.

Defects on the surface of your teeth, such as grooves, crevices and cracks act as a receptacle for plaque and food debris. Odds are that these irregularities developed over time after your permanent teeth came in. Inherent tooth decay could also run in your family. Active decay-causing bacteria can easily be passed along from parent to child through normal everyday contact.  Even an innocent kiss could contaminate your child. It is not uncommon for tooth decay to be a multi-generational problem within the same family.

Also Moms and Dads please, whatever you do, make sure that your child does not eat food out of their friends’ plate or share any utensils. Even the smallest bit of saliva can transfer bacteria to your son or daughter’s teeth. Drinking from another child’s sippy cup is also frowned upon. If your child is not prone to cavities, don’t let them contract cavity causing bacteria from their friends or kids at school.

Tooth decay (cavities) occurs in stages. If the decay is only in the enamel and is treated in a timely manner, then there should be no long-term cavity issues. However, once the decay reaches the softer, dentin area of your tooth, the second layer; all bets are off. The innermost part of your tooth is the pulp; an area that contains the nerves and blood supply. When decay reaches the dentin or pulp area of your tooth, the likelihood is that things are getting much worse and you are going to start to feel some pain. Your tooth will become more sensitive to outside stimuli, like extremely hot or cold food and beverages. Even the feather-like, gentle touch from the tip of your tongue on the affected tooth, can set off waves of pain. Once a cavity reaches all the way to your pulp, the damage can be irreversible. Very serious infections, which produce pus and abscesses, can also develop inside your mouth, as a result of tooth decay.

There are several different types of cavities that you may have to deal with, during your lifetime. Here’s a quick look at them…

The most common type is CORONAL or SMOOTH SURFACE cavities Coronal tooth decay is preventable by practicing good oral hygiene, dedicated brushing and flossing. The slowest-growing and least serious of all cavities is Smooth surface decay, which can be reversed by your dentist if you catch it on time. Fluoride treatment will be your dentist’s first line of defense. Located on the chewing surfaces of your teeth and sometimes near the gum line, smooth surface cavities start off as a tiny white spot. It is here that the bacteria begin to attack the calcium in your tooth’s enamel. Coronal cavities affect both youngsters and adults.

PIT and FISSURE cavities are in some ways similar to their smooth surface counterparts. They are located on the surfaces that you chew with, but these cavities tend to affect only the back teeth, mostly on the cheek side of your mouth.  Here’s why; the grooves that are located on the surface of your rear or back molars, are very, very narrow. It is difficult for your toothbrushes’ bristles to really get in there and clean the area adequately. PIT and FISSURE decay is a major cause for concern among teenagers. You can get these cavities in your twenties and thirties, but they usually start to develop during one’s teenage years.

“ROOT DECAY ” is a serious issue for senior citizens, as well as for men and women who have dry mouth and saliva flow problems or people who are suffering from Periodontal Disease.

ROOT CAVITIES key in on older folks with naturally receding gums or those whose gum tissue has been severely damaged by infection. Root decay occurs on the exposed surface of the root. It is exceedingly difficult to prevent and treat. When their protective enamel has been destroyed, the roots of your teeth are particularly prone to decay. Once the exposed root becomes inflamed, the pain from a cavity can be fairly intense. Cavities can be stubborn and even if treated, keep coming back. This is what is known as Recurrent tooth decay. Certain areas of your teeth are more likely to attract bacteria and food particles. Even if there is a crown or filling present, decay can and will form around them. Your dentist will then have to address the problem by treating the affected tooth or doing another filling, depending on the extent of the damage. Fillings are the “magic formula” that dentists use to rid your mouth of cavities. A companion piece on the wide variety of  dental fillings  that are available to fight cavities will be featured on dental.net in the near future.

One of the most common problems that seniors experience is poor dental health. There are so many dental problems that aging people might encounter. These include dry mouth, uneven jawbone, darkened teeth, tooth decay, cavities, and teeth loss. There are plenty of reasons why this happen. One reason can be attributed to the changes in the bone tissues. As we age, a lot of changes happen in our body from our brain to the tip of our toes and our teeth are no exception. Another reason is the loss of teeth enamel, which is an important substance that protects the teeth. Medications, radiations due to treatment, and diseases can also affect the dental health of an old person.

Seniors may find it hard to maintain their oral health. At age 40 and above, many people start to suffer from arthritis (a problem related to the joints), making it hard for them to brush their teeth using their time. Some oldies are already bed ridden that they may find it such a painful and terrible experience to even move their hands and gargle. Flossing may also be hard to perform.

It must be understood that age is not a sole factor that affects oral health. There are many things that can be done to resolve dental problems and protect the teeth from any factor that can be detrimental to your oral health.

Dental care tips for seniors

1. Seniors must be given adequate dental attention. They must receive checkups and treatments (if necessary) every now and then to prevent severe problems. Tooth extraction can cause a lot of stress to these people so their teeth must be well taken care of to prevent any need for surgery and extraction.

• Brushing the teeth at least twice a day is necessary. They must also prefer the toothpaste that contains fluoride. Not all brands contain sufficient amount of fluoride.
• If you’re a senior and having dental problems, don’t wait until they get worse. Call your dentist right away to secure an appointment with them.
• Eat foods that improve dental health. Celery and onions are among the foods that help remove the acid in our teeth. They also stimulate salivation, which is essential in protecting the teeth form cavities.
• Many people think that regular checkup must be done at least twice a year. But this should not be followed all the time especially in the case of seniors. They should consult their doctors especially when suffering from any oral health illness.

Dental problems in seniors can greatly affect their overall health. A person who is experiencing such problems may find it hard to speak, chew, and swallow. That is why it is important to receive sufficient care from dentists.

Visit The Dentist Regularly
One of the best things you can do for your teeth and gums is to visit your dentist twice a year. Most people are so busy with their lives, or perhaps they think brushing and flossing daily is enough, However, the dentist, being a knowledgeable professional will be able to see thing you can’t see, like cavities or gum diseases. If they do find something, they can give you advice or even treatments.

Floss Regularly and Properly
Flossing is an essential part of good dental health, and as many dentists may tell you, people don’t do it enough or properly. Flossing should be done before brushing your teeth, to help lift out and loosen particles in your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. These particles don’t only cause tooth decay, but they can contribute to other periodontal disease and gingivitis (the inflammation of the gums.)

Use Mouthwash
Instead of using water to wash out your mouth after brushing your teeth, consider using mouthwash. The mouth contains a lot of bacteria – actually, the it has the most bacteria in our bodies. While brushing can help get rid of the bacteria, you might miss some of them. Using mouthwash can help kill all the bacteria in your teeth, even the ones your toothbrush may have missed. If you think mouthwash is too expensive or if you don’t like the sting of mouthwash, you can make your own mouthwash by mixing some salt into a glass of lukewarm water.

Brushing Properly
Many of us get so enthusiastic about brushing that we brush a little too hard. The bristles in your toothbrush head help remove the particles in our teeth, but it can also harm our gums. These bristles can scrape and wound our gums, and leave them open to diseases and infection. So, first, choose the right type of toothbrush, one with soft bristles and the right size of head. Next, don’t press down too hard when you’re brushing near the gums. Gently brush your toothbrush head against your gums to clean it, using about half the width of your brush head.

Eat the Right Foods
Avoiding candy and starches can help your teeth stay healthy, as well as your gums. Also, eating fibrous fruits and vegetables, like celery, apples, lettuce, carrots, etc. can help your gums stay healthy. As you chew on these foods, the fibers can help massage your gums increase blood flow.

So, make sure you follow these tips, to ensure your gums stay healthy.

How it’s done:
“Flossing” is actually easy to understand method of cleaning our teeth. It is easy to do and requires minimal effort.

Choose your floss – The very first thing you need is dental floss. There are different types of floss and choosing the ideal one will depend on the gap size between your teeth. If you have larger spaces then it might be best for you to use an un-waxed ribbon or a filament type of floss. On the other hand, if the spaces between your teeth are small and difficult to penetrate, waxed or string floss might be ideal. There are also a lot of flavored dental floss that some might find appealing.

Take out a small amount – Pull out about 15 inches, more or less, of floss. The length will depend on the amount of flossing that needs to be done but this much is usually enough.

Wrap around your fingers – Wrap the floss around your dominant fingers. This is normally the index finger but if you are more comfortable using another finger you can use that as well. Use your thumb to get a firm grip on the floss so that it doesn’t slide when you are flossing.

Insert in between your teeth – The goal when flossing is to clean the areas in between your teeth so you will insert the string or ribbon here. The first time you do this, you will get an idea about the correctness of your floss choice from how easy or difficult it is to do.

Use a forward and backward motion – The next step is fairly straight forward. You rub the floss on the surface of the tooth you are cleaning in a forward and backward motion. This removes the plaque and particle buildup in between your teeth which will be visible on the string/ribbon. Make sure that you clean down to the bottom part of the gap but don’t force the floss deep into the gums.

Move on to a cleaner part of the string – After flossing one gap, adjust your grip on the dental floss in order to use a clean section for the next set of teeth.

Occasionally wash your mouth with water – In order to fully clean your teeth it is best to occasionally clean your mouth with water. This helps remove the particles that have been unhinged from the teeth.

Fluoride

How Does Fluoride Work?
Fluoride works during the demineralization and remineralization processes that naturally occur in your mouth, helping repair the early stages of tooth decay. After you eat, your saliva contains acids that cause demineralization, a dissolving of the calcium and phosphorous under the tooth’s surface. Other times, saliva is less acidic, working to replenish the calcium and phosphorous that helps keep teeth strong and healthy. When fluoride is present during this process, mineral deposits become harder than usual, helping to strengthen teeth and prevent future decay.

Fluoride helps prevent cavities in several ways. It concentrates in the growing bones and the developing teeth of young children, helping to harden baby teeth before they surface. The mineral also helps harden the enamel on adult teeth that have already emerged. In addition to these benefits, Fluoride also bonds with existing tooth enamel, making it more cavity-resistant by helping prevent bacterial plaque’s ability to produce acid by-products that promote tooth decay, as well as helping repair the early stages of tooth decay.

Tooth decay occurs when plaque—sticky bacteria that accumulates on the teeth—breaks down sugars in food. The acids produced by these bacteria dissolve the hard enamel surface of the teeth. If the damage goes untreated, the bacteria can penetrate the enamel causing tooth decay, and cavities. Cavities weaken teeth and can lead to pain, tooth loss, or even widespread infection in severe cases.

Fluoride also works to help prevent sensitivity due to gum recession and natural wear by helping protect the area from acid-producing bacteria. Fluoride can be used to restrain bleeding and sustain treatment for many forms of gum disease.

Are you getting enough Fluoride? If your community’s drinking water is fluoridated and you are brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste, you are most likely receiving a sufficient amount of fluoride. However, if you live an area where the water is not pumped with an adequate amount of fluoride, your dentist can prescribe fluoride tablets or drops as a daily supplement. Your dentist can tell you how much fluoride is right for you and your family.

Overexposure to Fluoride:
As with most medications, including vitamins and mineral supplements, it is possible to take in a harmful amount of fluoride. Too much fluoride at an early age can lead to enamel fluorosis, a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth. Most cases are due to inappropriate use of fluoride-containing dental products, including toothpaste and mouth rinses.

Additional Resources:
• Colgate
• IN.gov
• Kids Health

Dr. McHenry “Mac” Lee, a third-generation dentist in Edna, Texas, says he’s heard countless stories from patients whom have undergone traumatic dental work during when their jaws weren’t fully numb. Patients state they complain about the pain, but the dentist often does not believe them and keeps working. An experience like that stays with you, says Lee. He says it is not uncommon for these people to go another 20 years without stepping into a dentist’s office. If you are a dental phobic, the first step is to admit that it’s time to see a dentist; making sure that the professional is one who will listen and acknowledge the need for special care. After all, your teeth are crucial to your overall health.

Lee says half the battle of overcoming fear of the dentist is finding someone you feel comfortable with. “Because of their past, most (high anxiety) patients have an extreme fear of being out of control. Once they know they can be in control and they will be numb, that is all the assurance they need,” he says. “We let our patients first know we care and they will always be in control. All they have to do is raise their hand and we will stop whatever we are doing.”

Lee, who is the author of “Nothing Personal, Doc, But I Hate Dentists!” and a founder of the group “Dentists Who Care,” says it’s the lower jaw, or mandible that can be difficult to numb. This bone is very thick, and the numbing agent won’t penetrate to the tooth the way it does on the upper jaw. It must be injected at the back of the jaw, where the nerve enters. (This is why your lip lower gets numb, even thought the shot was nowhere near it.)

The theory is that some people have extra nerves in their lower jaw that come from the floor of the mouth. In these cases, dental patients need an additional injection, either down the side of the tooth or inside the jaw, according to Lee. He says neither of these two techniques is painful if the jaw itself is already numb.

If a patient needs extra help, the dentist can always use sedation. The most moderate form is laughing gas, which works by the patient placing a small mask over his or her nose and simply breathing in a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide. If this isn’t enough to calm a patient’s fears, the dentist may offer a form of oral sedation. The most common oral sedative used is Trasilam. It is basically a short-acting sleeping pill that also produces an amnesiac state.

The final recourse would be general anesthesia. Administration of these drugs does require special training. However, none of them replaces local anesthesia, so it is still important the patient’s mouth be numb when worked on.

Your fear of going to the dentist is very real as you know, but it doesn’t have to hold you back any longer. Avoidance of the thing that you fear is common to avoid uncomfortable situations such as panic attacks and other anxious responses, but deterring from your regular dentist visit will result in even bigger work that might have to be done. This avoidable consequence and the knowledge that there are very caring dentists out there should put you at ease. There’s no much information out there about different offices, individuals dentists, procedures and sedatives that you should be at ease with your choices.

For more information about tackling dental phobia we recommend:
• Dental Fear Central
• Oral Care Page at Dental.net

1. Early diagnosis for tooth decay:
The very first reason to visit the dentist regularly is so you can avoid certain dental issues such as tooth decay and gum swelling. These problems seem minor at very first, but they can gradually become overwhelming with the time and may lead to other major dental problems. Hence, regular visits to your dentist can help you in the diagnosis and cure of these ailments.

2. Clean teeth:
Most of us work hard to remember to brush during the day and night and flossing twice a day, but even that might not be enough. For proper oral hygiene, you must do it in the right way. Your dentist can show you the right way to brush to ensure a more effective method to maintain your dental health and overall hygiene. A healthy set of teeth is an important part of enhancing your look and personality. Thus maintaining dental health is another reason to visit dentist. He will not only clean up your teeth by removing dental plaque or tarter but also give suggestions to make your teeth healthy.

3. Timely diagnosis of severe dental diseases:
According to National Institute of Health, more than 30,000 people in America suffer from oral cancer every year. Early diagnosis of severe dental diseases such as oral cancer should be enough reason to see your dentist for it could save your life. Oral cancer is known to spread quickly, but it can be easily countered if detected at in its budding stage.

4. Diagnosis of gum disease:
Improper food habits may lead to several gum diseases, which can expose healthy teeth to tooth loss and other serious health ailments. By visiting your dentist regularly, the gum problems can be diagnosed at an early stage and can be cured with proper treatment.

You should never give your dental problems a chance to spread. If you take good care of your teeth and gums, they will stay healthier throughout the span of your lifetime. So, schedule a dentist appointment now. Regular dental check ups are essential not only for your oral health, but it also helps to maintain an overall good health. Some major diseases such as heart diseases, pancreatic cancer and strokes are connected with gum diseases. If not diagnosed in time, dental issues can become more than oral problems and will lead to serious health issues. Prevention is always better than cure. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year will not only make your teeth healthy, but also save you money and time in the long run.