With so many different shapes and sizes of toothbrushes available in the market these days, it has become difficult to decide the perfect one for you. We have long debated the pros and cons of soft versus hard bristles, and powered versus manual toothbrushes. Read on to find out which one is best for you. 1. Go Soft on Your Gums Hard bristles can damage gums and teeth enamel. When using a toothbrush vigorously, the very action of brushing or scrubbing is abrasive. The goal of brushing is to clean teeth of plaque and other deposits and not to tear gums or wear out teeth enamel. Damaged enamel results in sensitivity and painful discomfort so avoid aggressive brushing. Soft bristles when used properly, massage the gums and do not result in gum recession which exposes the teeth to infection and other dental complications. 2. Choose Comfort Over Everything While picking a toothbrush, remember that comfort is key. The toothbrush should fit properly in your hand and mouth for easy handling and effective cleaning. The stem of the brush should also be flexible to enable thorough reach and cleansing. 3. Heading the Right Way Carefully consider the shape of the toothbrush’s head when making a selection at the supermarket. Ensure that the bristles will reach the back molars, cover every tooth, and reach every area. Some heads are straight, some are tapered and some are diamond-shaped. Toothbrush heads come with cross action bristles, gum massagers and indicators or plague and tongue cleaners. Some come with a flexible head for better grip and cleansing. If possible, stand in front of the mirror and imitate a brushing action to gauge the toothbrush best suited for you. Once you find a brush that suits your purpose, stick to it. 4. Manual or Powered Toothbrush As long you stick to your dental regime and use the recommended technique, both manual or powered toothbrushes are okay to use. Powered toothbrushes are more expensive and need the heads changed as often as one would change a manual toothbrush. Those suffering from restriction of movement may find powered toothbrushes more suitable. Some believe they remove more plaque than manual brushes and are fun and easier to use. Manual as well as powered brush heads need to be replaced as soon as they show signs of wear and tear or every three months. 5. Break the Barrier with Sonic Toothbrushes Relatively new in the market, these toothbrushes were launched in the early 90’s and have become popular in the western world. Using two methods of cleaning—conventional or mechanical and sonic cleaning. The bristles of this toothbrush scrub the surface of the teeth for effective removal of plaque. A motor generates frequencies between 200-400 Hz (Hertz). All one needs to do is moisten the bristles and apply a bit of toothpaste. Place the bristles flat against the teeth and switch on the power. Apply light pressure to enable the brush to do the brushing while gently brushing the head in back and forth motions so that the bristles reach between the teeth. Do each side for thirty seconds and pay attention to chewing areas or areas with stains. 6. Rounding it Off Toothbrushes with rounded bristles reduce the chances of soft tissue damage and gums. Flat-trimmed brushes fray easily and when used with vigour cause bleeding gums that lead to a number of infections and gum-related problems. Keeping the above points in mind, choose the right kind of toothbrush suited for you and your teeth and follow a strict dental regime. Use the recommended toothpaste and brush your teeth properly so your trips to the dentist will be reduced drastically.
Flossing Flossing is an important part of taking care of your teeth and gums. Most dentists recommend flossing daily. It is just as important as brushing your teeth. It involves running a string, called floss, in between two teeth to clean this inter dental space. Floss is usually made with a waxed nylon thread. How was dental floss invented? Dental floss was invented in 1818 by Dr. Levi Spear Parmly, a dentist in New Orleans. He recommended running a waxen silk thread "through the interstices of the teeth, between their necks and the arches of the gum, to dislodge that irritating matter which no brush can remove and which is the real source of disease." The first commercial floss became available in 1882 by the Codman and Shurtleft company, when they started producing unwaxed silk floss. Today floss is made with waxed nylon thread. Dental Floss really took off after world war II & the great depression when companies were looking for a way to make more money and started aggressively marketing and promoting dental floss. Advantages of flossing: Flossing & brushing both play different, important functions in teeth cleaning. While brushing cleans the top and sides of your teeth, floss is an interdental cleaner – it cleans the tight spaces in between teeth, where food can get stuck & the brush can't reach. While mouthwash can kill the bacteria that form plaque, it can't remove tartar and bits of food that can get stuck in these places. The build-up of plaque between the teeth is the primary cause of dental disease, such as gingivitis and dental caries. These places can be cleaned with the help of a floss. Thus flossing proves to be a very important to remove the food debris, plaque etc. from internal dental spaces and from spaces where brush cannot reach. It helps in prevention of caries and gum diseases in future and helps maintain oral hygiene.
Thanks to advances in cosmetic dentistry, it is now possible to improve our teeth and smiles with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments. We shape, brighten, shade, align, and replace teeth with remarkable materials and innovative techniques. Are you confident that you’re teeth are white? According to a poll by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a revealing question was asked, “What satisfied you least about your smile?” The number one answer people gave was dissatisfaction with their tooth color. The most common cosmetic dentistry method, tooth whitening can give you a whiter and brighter presence, allowing you to smile with confidence. The combination of scientific advancements and modern cosmetic dentistry can produce amazing results that regularly exceed even the utmost of patient expectations. This article is to familiarize you with the materials and techniques available in cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. Touch Ups Yellow or brown stains, white spots, irregular gum contours and jagged edges can damage your smile. Simple curative cosmetic dentistry techniques can bring vivid results immediately. All of the following cosmetic dentistry procedures can typically be performed in one or two visits to the dentist office. A. Rough tooth edges can be re contoured and polished in one office visit. B. Irregular soft gum tissue contours can be corrected in a single office visit with a minimal procedure requiring only a local anesthetic. Your gums can account for as much as 50 percent of the overall cosmetic assessment of your front teeth. An Anterior soft-tissue re contour is a procedure accomplished in a single dental office visit. This procedure is accomplished with a laser and/or electro-surgery techniques. The results are dramatic, predictable and often last a lifetime. C. Yellow or brown stains can be reduced or eliminated by a simple “whitening” process which involves a using a patented peroxide gel and a blue curing light. The BriteSmile™ “whiter teeth in about an hour” treatment is a popular service for dentists. The BriteSmile™ procedure is much faster than laser whitening and the results can be dramatic and stunning. Unlike other teeth whitening procedures, BriteSmile™ can whiten teeth up to 9 shades in one visit. D. Dark spots or the opposite problem of super-white spots can be eliminated in one office visit by using an acidic-micro-abrasion scrub. These unappealing spots can safely and typically be removed in a single office visit with an “acidic-micro-abrasion technique” with no need for anesthesia. “Touch Up” Cosmetic Dentistry procedures are procedures which result in the biggest “bang for your buck”. These processes are proven to be simple, safe, quick, and non-invasive. They are procedures are inexpensive; the results are immediate, dramatic and typically long lasting. Cosmetic dentistry in Sacramento California continually advances, with the advent of newer more effective treatments to whiten your teeth, change the appearance your teeth. With new materials and special equipment with which to use them, cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of teeth using reshaping, bonding, porcelain veneers, or dental implants, and a variety of other industry procedures. Decayed, cracked and chipped teeth are common problems and have a negative effect on your smile. Despite poor habits or problems such as tooth-grinding, too-vigorous tooth brushing, decay, or just bad circumstances, many damaged or disfigured teeth can be restored. Cosmetic Dentists repair smiles by adhering restorative materials directly to teeth, using a technique called “direct adhesion” or “bonding”. Direct adhesion methods preserve the existing natural tooth structures with little to no damage. With proper cared, these cosmetic dentistry materials last years with very few instances of failure. Cosmetic dentistry techniques can improve the appearance of damaged, discolored, misshapen, or misaligned teeth with stress free and painless procedures. Take the time to find a good cosmetic dentist in your area to explain the process and the benefits of a beautiful new smile.
Crowns A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers a tooth or dental implant. The are required when a cavity threatens the health of the tooth, or to improve appearance of the tooth. Most crowns are made of a hard, white material, such as ceramic, to help them look natural, and are bonded with the tooth with dental cement. There are many reasons why a dentist may suggest a crown, some of them are: 1. To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down 2. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left 3. To hold a dental bridge in place 4. To cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? On average, dental crowns last between 10 to 15 years, and can last a lifetime with proper care. Does a Crowned Tooth Require Special Care? While a crowned tooth does not require any special care, remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the tooth is protected from decay or gum disease. Therefore, you should continue to follow good oral hygiene practices. Bridges A dental bridge is used to replace or “bridge” over a missing tooth by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth. After you lose a tooth, your dentist may suggest that you get a bridge. It can keep your other teeth from moving out of place. Once the bridge is placed, it works just like a normal tooth. How are Crowns and Bridges Made? Before a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth, or teeth, have to be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it properly. After reducing the tooth, your dentist will take a dental impression of a prepared tooth to get an exact mold for the crown or bridge, which is fabricated outside the mouth. Using the impression, a dental lab then makes your crown or bridge. A temporary crown or bridge may be placed while the permanent crown or bridge is being fabricated. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the temporary crown or bridge is removed, and the permanent crown or bridge is cemented over your tooth. Get more information at dental crowns and bridges
Individuals who experience the ill effects of these issues are continually looking for approaches to control or conceal these issues with the goal that they would have the capacity to smile once more. The presentation of porcelain veneers has empowered the patients with these conditions to reestablish their smiles once more. A lot of dentists use porcelain veneers as they reflect light simply like the natural teeth. When you visit a reputable practitioner of dental implants in Glasgow, the porcelain veneer you will have will be quite difficult to differentiate between the natural teeth and the porcelain finishes as they the polish to the shade of your current teeth. For these veneers to work, one needs to maintain regular dental checkup Porcelain veneers are broadly utilized by dentists since they convey such a large number of benefits with them, such as; You can hold your current teeth even after porcelain polish is connected.Porcelain is most appropriate for chipped or if there should be an occurrence of a hole, generally if your teeth are harmed severely, it is fitting to go for dental insert. If a veneer can make the tooth entire once more, there is no compelling reason to completely supplant a tooth. The appearance of the teeth is natural;one of the primary reasons why porcelain finish is prescribed for your teeth is that it reflects light simply like the natural teeth and since the veneer color matches the shade of the teeth, it's alongside difficult to recognize veneers from the natural teeth. You will have a better look;the aim of utilizing porcelain veneer to your uneven, chipped or recolored teeth is to restore your smile. This veneer makes your teeth look more aligned with a bright which covers any humiliating condition that you may have. There is a sentiment a superior you;your smile makes the initial introduction about you and if you made them humiliate mouth conditions, porcelain veneers prove to be useful. It will reestablish your great smile and certainty to meet anybody. Above are some of the major benefits of porcelain veneers, be that as it may, if planning to utilize it for your oral health, it is important to consult a reputable cosmetic dentist so asto assess your dental and all the body health. With the assessment, they will have the capacity to talk about if there are substitute cosmetic dentistry choices which would help your smile look better.
You can get the best treatment for all the oral and teeth problems. The teeth can have the many problems. Some problems, you can feel like sensitivity but there can be any invisible problem which can be serious in the future. The dentist can help you for the checkup and the best treatment. You can contact the Holden L. Correll, DDS in Topeka for the following dentist services: Cleanings and Exams: your teeth may have various problems due to the improper cleaning. You can get the services of the best dentists to clean your teeth in the best way. They will also examine the health of your teeth. Digital X-rays: they are providing the services of the Digital X-rays for your teeth. If the teeth have any damage or the problem then the Digital X-rays can be very helpful to find the damage or the problem in the teeth. Composite Restorations (Fillings): the composite restoration services are available for your teeth. You can get the best filling services and can get the healthy teeth again by getting the services of the dentist. Orthodontist: many people have the very straight teeth and can have the problems like improper bite or the overbite. If you have any problem about the improper shape of the teeth then you can use the braces for the teeth. The braces can be used in any age and these provide the perfect shape to teeth. Teeth whitening: if you have the bad looking teeth then the whitening will be the best option to restore your smile. You can get the white shinning teeth by visiting the dentist. These are the services which are provided by the Holden L. Correll, DDSin the Topeka. The dentists can help to give you shinning and attractive smile. You should make the regural visits for the checkup and to get the healthy teeth. Summary: The dentists are able to give you very attractive smile and strong and healthy teeth. You can get the various services at the genuine fees and can come to get treatment using the best technology.
I know a person who grinds his teeth during sleep. With grinding sounds loud enough to be heard over the next room! That person is me. The habitual act of teeth clenching and grinding is called bruxism. It is now one of the most vexing issues in dentistry today due to its implications. There are 2 types: awake bruxism, and sleep bruxism. One happens consciously or semi-voluntarily while you are awake. While the other occurs subconsciously during sleep. Many people are unaware of this condition, but it is a common problem, with a prevalence range from 8-31% of the general population. Those who brux are known as "bruxists" or "bruxers". Several symptoms are commonly associated with bruxism, including hypersensitive teeth, jaw ache, and in some cases, headache. A quick check: do you sometimes wake up having these symptoms? Why do people grind their teeth then? Glad you asked. There are 4 factors contributing to this condition. 1) Genetic Since there is a high percentage of people with sleep bruxism who have a direct family member also having sleep bruxism during childhood, there are suggestions of genetic factors at play. However, no genetic markers have yet been identified at the moment. Do any of your family members have the habit of teeth grinding? 2) Psychosocial Studies are showing that emotional stress is the key triggering factor for bruxism. This is often noticeable during the period of examinations, family bereavements and marriages. Though stress has a stronger relationship to awake bruxism, the role of stress in sleep bruxism is less obvious. 3) Medications Some drugs are known to trigger anxiety in certain individuals. Example includes dopamine agonists and antagonist, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and amphetamines. In addition, excessive consumption of caffeine may exacerbate the condition. Coffee and tea drinkers, should take note. 4) Occlusal An occlusal interference may refer to a problem that interferes with the normal path of the bite, and is usually used to describe a localized problem with the position or shape of a single tooth or group of teeth. How I managed bruxism: I tried to relax before sleeping but that did not work for me, though. Hence, I took the next practical step by wearing a dental guard (occlusal splint). This prevents the upper and lower teeth from contacting. It can be uncomfortable wearing the device initially and may cause some sleepless nights. However, you will soon get used to it. Tips for dental guard wearers: a) Wear it 30 minutes before going to bed so that the device is conditioned properly in your mouth. b) As an added measure for sensitive teeth, you can apply a layer of desensitizing toothpaste on the fitting surface of the dental guard before wearing it. c) Avoid sleeping sideways to prevent drooling. d) When you wake up, observe the condition of the dental guard for signs of wear. e) Do your previous symptoms, e.g. sensitive teeth, jaw ache, headache still persist? Consult your dentist if it still does. f) Stop wearing once there is a noticeable hole through the device and replace with a new one. There are also other treatment modalities such as relaxation therapies, bruxism biofeedback headbands, medications etc. What we have in Malaysia now currently is the occlusal splint as our commonest solution. Although this by itself does not actually stop the habit of excessive grinding, it works excellently to prevent tooth wear. Written & Contributed by Edward Tay Source: dentistsnearby.com Source: dentistsnearby.comSource: dentistsnearby.com
Many dental practices are still adjusting to the idea of using the Internet and social media platforms to reach out to their patient base. Apart from marketing and driving sales, these new generation platforms are indispensable in building a firm’s online reputation. A company’s online reputation is as important as its reputation on the money markets as research shows that 90% of consumers rely on online reviews to decide who to buy from. Patients, disgruntled employees and competitors are all responsible for bad reviews online. Unfortunately, one does not have to be a patient to post a review. Competitors leave the heaviest impact as bad reviews are a cheap and easy way to steal and dominate the particular market share. Sometimes, it is not the practice itself with bad reviews. When the names of top management officials are synonymous with the company or brand, their personal reviews and reputation online also affects the practice especially in the day and age of the paparazzi. Think that bad google review won't hurt your dental practice? Here's what it really does. Reduction in Sales Service oriented practices which rely on patient engagements are worst hit by fluctuations in their online reputation. Such practices include restaurants, dry cleaners, carpet cleaning among others. Research shows that when online ratings of a restaurant increase by a half-star, this translates to a 19% increase in reservations. A one-star increase in rating on Yelp increases the revenue by 5-9% and one negative review costs the practice at least 30 patients. As much as 90% of people believe online reviews of a practice which sadly there is not much accountability on the side of patients. However, taking proactive steps like utilizing dentist reputation management software does help as it gives patients a place to vent, before taking it online. Effect on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Results Practices invest a lot of money in SEO to reserve a spot on the first page of search results. However, SEO rank alone is not a guarantee of clicks, as rating is as important. For instance, a practice with a two star rating and another one with a four star, the latter will have more clicks regardless of its lower rank in the search results. Simply put, SEO is irrelevant if the reviews are bad. Human Resources Bad reviews affect the staff and sales people yourdental practice attracts. It is no secret that potential employees will check you up before applying for that job, same case to sales people. Your dental practice wants the best employees and the best employees will want to work with the companies with the best reputation, online or otherwise. Partnerships Practices have to stand together to thrive. When a company is deciding which company to work, they will check the reputation even before the financial figures. Low ratings and bad reviews will have a major bearing on ability to partner with respected firms in the industry. Bad reviews are everlasting It is difficult almost impossible to remove a bad review from the Web. Firstly, trying to remove the review triggers an investigation which involves getting hold of the user who posted it. Other attempts include ensuring more positive reviews which seek to push the bad reviews down to the bottom of the page or the next page. All these only make it less accessible and do not completely remove the review. Good patient service and good products are great ways to make the reviews better but unfortunately, they cannot shield against the effect of bad reviews. Family and Friends The effect of bad reviews on family and friends is probably subtle to the practice but it is still very significant. Although they will not be searching for your rating, they will always be reminded by Google and Yelp any time they are online. I do not think they will feel good about your practice being associated with negative reviews. Conclusion Bad reviews whether true or not jeopardize a brand that takes years, millions of dollars and effort to build. Worse still, they often appear on sites which rank high in search engines so that they are visible to everyone doing a search about the dental practice. The real damage of bad reviews is felt when the losses in sales, hiring ability and press coverage are beyond the point of return. How a company handles negative reviews could make it or break it. When used wisely and timely, negative reviews are opportunities to improve and grow the relationship with its patients.
People seem to be doing more and more to enhance their appearance at the same time cosmetic procedures are becoming more advanced and, in the case of dentistry, less painful. If you desire a perfect smile, but the thought of having veneers applied to your teeth makes you think it will be painful, you'll be happy to know there is a new, pain-free alternative to help you get wonderful looking teeth. This dental breakthrough is called Lumineers by Cerinate. These "smile shapers," are ultra-thin, translucent porcelain Veneers that are applied to teeth with a pain free procedure for a natural-looking smile that fits every individual. Anyone with a fear of the dentist can breathe easy; Lumineers, made from Cerinate porcelain, can be applied without the use of any shots of anesthesia to numb your mouth. But how does the Lumineers brand differ from other porcelain veneers that have been used by dentists for years? The big difference is that most veneers require that your dentist grind down your existing tooth structure for a good fit. Grinding or cutting down your teeth are not required with veneers in almost all cases. The procedure generally requires only two visits to your dentist. The first visit is to measure and create the molds so that veneers can be created. The second visit is when the porcelain veneers are applied to the teeth. There is virtually no post-procedure discomfort or sensitivity, which means veneers look and feel natural as soon as you step out of the dentist's chair. Porcelain Veneers can even be a more comfortable cost effective and time-saving solution for adults who are considering braces. If your bite problem isn't severe, Porcelain Veneers will change the shape and alignment of your teeth, helping them look straighter and nicely uniform. As an additional benefit, Porcelain Veneers will also help restore and strengthen teeth and aid in preventing wear over time. Porcelain Veneers have been clinically proven to last up to 20 years without discoloration. Lumineers can be placed over old crowns and other dental work to create a more uniform look to your smile. So now your dream of a new smile can become a reality - without any pain. And that's really something to smile about.
When teeth become severely damaged or decayed, there are a number of restorative treatments that can be used to save them. Due to this fact, far fewer consumers are electing to have tooth extractions performed than ever before. Unfortunately, however, there are times when damage and decay are so extensive that no preventative measure can prevent extraction or loss. In these instances, opting for dental implant could be your best choice. Following are several reasons why. Preserve The Integrity Of Your Bite With A Dental Implant A lost or missing tooth can upset the distribution of bite forces. When you bite into or chew foods, all of your remaining teeth will have to make up for the work that your missing tooth is no longer performing. This can cause an extraordinary amount of undue wear and tear that gradually breaks these structures down. Stress fractures or cracks can develop as the result of extra pressure and strain and that allow harmful bacteria in. Once this occurs, decay can become widespread and additional tooth loss is likely. Getting a dental implant installed can prevent this additional wear. It can also: Prevent your remaining teeth from migrating out their natural positions Complete and enhance your smile Improve the impressions that you make on others Build your confidence by making you feel good about your appearance. What A Dental Implant Is This is a durable structure that looks just like your own natural tooth. This comes attached to a titanium post that is embedded directly into your jaw bone. As time goes on, the bone will grow around the post, just as it would your tooth root. At the surface, the structure will hardly be discernible from a natural tooth given that it will have the same shape and coloration as well as the same level of functionality. Ultimately, these are designed to complete the smile both functionality and aesthetically after a loss has occurred or an extraction has been performed. Getting Ready For Your Treatment If your badly damaged or decayed tooth has not yet fallen out or been pulled, it will first need to be extracted. Your dentist will then need to clean the affected area and make sure that you have sufficient bone mass at the jaw for supporting the titanium post. It is also vital to ensure that the gum tissues are in good condition as well. Gingivitis and more advanced periodontal disease must be resolved before your implantation procedure can be performed. Gum scaling and planing procedures can be used to eliminate trapped plaque and bacteria to aid in the elimination of infection. In some instances, bone grafting could be necessary for ensuring a solid and sufficiently stable structure for supporting your implant. At this time, if you are a regular tobacco user, your provider may refer you to a smoking cessation program. This is necessary for ensuring that the treatment is a successful one. How To Care For And Preserve Your New Tooth You will need to care for your dental implant just like a natural tooth. It should be brushed and flossed regularly to prevent infection. Regular check-ups should be performed after your procedure to verify the stability of the post and the health of the surrounding tooth structures and tissues.