How Often Should You Brush And Floss Your Teeth?

how_often_brushYour teeth play a very  important role in your life, and they are one of the most important parts of our body. Good dental health is important to your overall good health.

The most important part of life, which comes from having healthy teeth and gums, is the ability to enjoy different foods and tastes. Your teeth are essential to eating, and to enjoying various foods, and that is one very good reason why you must take good care of your teeth. If you find a problem with your teeth, you should not waste any time, and you should hurry to the dentist for proper treatment. A slight dental problem, left untreated, can become an enormous problem.

Every six months, you really should go to the dentist for check-ups, just  in case any cavities have developed, or any other dental problem which you may not be aware of. If you have professional teeth cleaning every six to eight months, there is much less chance of getting a cavity or other dental problems.

To maintain healthy and clean teeth, it is very important to thoroughly brush the surfaces of the teeth very carefully including the inside surfaces, as well as the front side and every inner part of your mouth. This should be done after every meal, but if you cannot do it after every meal, you should strive to do it before bed, and again when you awaken in the morning.

Always brush your teeth slowly and gently so you don’t hurt your gums. It is very important to keep your brush new and clean and replace your brush with a new one after two or three months. According to most dentists, one must brush the teeth, at least twice a day and before going to sleep.

If you find any wear showing on the bristles of your tooth brush, then you should immediately change your tooth brush. Flossing is also critically important for the health of your teeth. Flossing helps you to clean the surface of your teeth where the tooth brush may not reach. Most dentists say that a person must floss once a day and this will help you to keep your teeth healthy for a long time.

When using dental floss, you need to be careful and make sure it is long enough. To slide the floss in between your teeth, wrap the ends of the piece of floss tightly on your fingers. If the floss is tight, you will be able to clean the teeth more effectively. Be sure that you don’t use the floss more than once.

The doctors always recommend brushing your teeth after eating sugary food or rinsing your mouth with good mouth wash or warm water, rinsing is an alternative to brushing, when you’re unable to brush. Rinsing will help you get rid of some excess sugar from your mouth and can help you maintain a healthier mouth for your teeth.

After completing the brushing and flossing process, you should rinse your teeth properly and also check them. It is a great idea to examine your teeth in the mirror and always keep an eye on your teeth.

If your teeth are shining, sparkling and looking clean then they will help you have a better smile, a better appearance, and they will help with your personal life, as well as your business life, especially when dealing face-to-face with other people!

In business situations, and in social situations, people will judge you by the way your mouth looks. If you have food stuck in your teeth, it could prevent you from getting a date, if you’re single, and can prevent you from getting a job, if you’re interviewing for one. Good dental health affects your life in many ways.

Dental Veneers

dreamstime_xs_29381847While most of the world’s population only visits their dentist for problems or pain they are having, many are beginning to see the advantages of cosmetic dentistry. A person’s overall smile and tooth health may be incredibly good but they may not have the look or appeal of beautiful teeth. Healthy teeth do not always look as good as they could. So, many patients are choosing Dental Veneers Fairfield CT.

Also known as porcelain veneers, dental veneers are very thin shells that are designed to fit over a person’s teeth. They are always custom made so they are perfectly suited to the actual patient’s teeth. The veneers are gently bonded to the front of the teeth and will make the teeth look more attractive. Many patients see an enormous improvement in the color, size, and shape of their teeth with dental veneers.

The majority of dentists use veneers that are made out of porcelain. Porcelain veneers offer a more realistic look for the teeth. Porcelain also is more resistant to stains so it is a great material for smokers or coffee drinkers. Dental veneers can also be made using a resin material. Resin offers a much thinner veneer and are actually easier to apply to the tooth’s surface. The type of veneer will depend on the specific patient and what the dentist recommends.

Many people worry about the cost of Dental Veneers Fairfield CT but most dental providers offer amazing discounts and even payment plan options. The benefits are truly priceless and many patients have stated they are incredibly pleased with the look and feel of their new smiles.

When Should a Child First See the Dentist?

dreamstime_xs_26653547-300x262Parents of newborn babies have a lot to deal with, from diapers to doctor appointments. Worrying about taking your baby to a dentist doesn’t have to happen until after the baby gets his or her first tooth – but how soon after that?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should visit a dentist by the time they are one year old. A good time to make the first appointment is when your baby gets his first tooth. If that seems a little early, consider that one in four preschoolers have cavities before they are four years old, with many kids getting their first cavity by the age of two.

You child’s first dental visit is usually a short one designed to acquaint the child with the dentist and dentist’s office, and to let you talk to the dentist about your child’s oral health. The dentist can tell you about fluoride, answer any concerns you have about thumb sucking or pacifier use and tell you what to expect as far as teething is concerned. Take the time to ask the dentist any questions you have, because this first visit is for you as well as your child.

When choosing a dentist, you may want to use your own dentist if they accept young children as patients. If not, you should seek a dentist who either specializes in pediatric dentistry or who has many young patients. You may want to get recommendations from friends or family. Seeing a dentist can be scary for young children, so you want to be sure that the dentist and staff are friendly and know how to communicate with young children in a non-threatening manner. One advantage to choosing a pediatric dental office is that you can be sure this will be the case, as pediatric dentists have extra training beyond that of a regular dentist, with the extra training including child behavior and the special needs of children’s dentistry. On the other hand, a family dentist who treats everyone else in your family may be the best choice because you have already established a relationship with that dentist and office staff.

Proper nutrition and its relationship to oral health is also something that your child’s dentist can discuss with you. The earlier you get your baby to a dentist for the first checkup, even if he or she only has one tooth, the better informed you will be to make decisions about nutrition, fluoride and all aspects of your child’s oral health.

How to Manage Fear and Anxiety at the Dentist

Sedation dentistry new yorkUnfortunately, there is no getting past proper dental care by a specialist. However, what is not noticed by many is that a great deal of individuals suffer from anxiety and fear when visiting the dentist. What is usually a simple procedure for most people is regarded as a nightmare to others. Luckily, there are strategies that both the patient and the dentist can undertake to create a more relaxing environment to ease the patient’s fear and anxiety.

 

Environment

 

The environment that one finds themselves in influences feelings and expectations. When walking into a dental office for the first time, assess whether or not you feel comfortable, because if you aren’t comfortable in your environment, there is no chance you will feel comfortable during a dental procedure. Therefore, the first step in reducing your anxiety is to ensure that you like the environment you are in.

 

Communicate

 

As expected, a dental professional and dental staff has little to no way of knowing what you are thinking and how you are feeling. The solution is to communicate with your dentist and staff and let them know how you feel. When there is an understanding that anxiety is an issue, your dentist and staff will do what they can to keep you in a comfortable and safe state. Both you and your dentist need to establish that a foundation on what exactly causes your fear and anxiety and how such issues can be mitigated. Perhaps performing a procedure a certain way or not showing you possible dental tools involved in the procedure will make you feel more comfortable.

 

Psychology

 

Along with environment and communication, it is also important to help you psychologically. If it makes you feel more comfortable, the dentist should go over the tools used during the procedure, explain to you exactly what they are for, and how they effectively help you. It is also beneficial for your dentist to review the procedures with you, explain what will be done, and what you should expect. These techniques will not only build a relationship between you and your dentist, but it will allow you to feel safer in a dental environment.

 

Sedation

 

If the anxiety and fear is extremely severe, or if certain procedures are just too much to handle, the final option is sedation. Your dental specialist can use either laughing gas (inhalation sedation) or an IV (intravenous sedation) to relax you. Both of these will help you get through the procedure smoothly and without fear.

 

Overall, there are a great number of techniques to controlling your fear and anxiety at the dentist. You just need to find the right professional that suits your needs and helps you feel as comfortable as possible, and luckily there are many professional dentists out there who care about their patients.

What Is the Difference Between Cavities, Decay & Caries?

dreamstime_xs_7607537Good dental hygiene is important to keep teeth whole and healthy. The idea is to prevent dental caries. Caries is the disease that leads to tooth decay and cavities. That is simple enough to say, but what are caries, tooth decay, and cavities? What do they do to your teeth, and how are they prevented? Here is a look at what they are and how they are related.

What Is Caries

Caries is a disease process. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar in the food you eat and produce acids that leach minerals from your teeth. As the mineral levels in the tooth decrease, a white patch appears where the tooth enamel is getting weaker. This is the beginning of tooth decay. At this point the damage might be reversible with fluoride.

What Is Tooth Decay

Tooth Decay is the breakdown of the structure of the tooth. As the decay progresses tooth enamel is compromised and the dentin exposed to air and bacteria. At this point a filling may be the only way to prevent more damage to the tooth. You want to stop decay as soon as possible to prevent more serious problems.

What Is a Cavity

A cavity is the last step before the tooth decays completely. When a white patch forms on a tooth it is on the way to forming a cavity – which is simply a hole in the tooth. Once the white patch begins to form a depression in the tooth, a cavity is forming. Eventually the cavity will reach the pulp in the center of the tooth and begin to damage the nerve. The nerve damage is what causes a toothache. Eventually the nerve will die and the tooth will begin to rot and an abscess may form. Once the tooth begins to hurt a root canal may be necessary.

Is Caries Preventable

Caries is easy to prevent:

• Brush at least twice a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste.
• Avoid sugary drinks and foods. Eat nutritious snacks.
• Visit the dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.

If you already have a dentist and get visit regularly, that is awesome. If you do not have a dentist, or your last visit was a year or more ago, call a dentist and make an appointment. Have a family member, friend, or your doctor recommend a dentist if you don’t have one.