Fresh articles from Holistic Health Articleshttp://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:49:32 EDTHolisticHealthArticles.com http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10737/402/Teeth-Whitening-Tips.html
Having a sparkling set of teeth can definitely be of advantage to all of us Healthy white teeth make us look more attractive, healthier, and younger Most people in the public eye know this, which is why they invest heavily in teeth whitening

Most people are not aware that teeth are never naturally completely white They are usually a light yellow that tend to darken with age This is because the surface enamel cracks and erodes, which exposes the dentine The dentine is more porous and absorbs more food colours and pigmentation The stains can then grip onto the plaque, causing a build-up of tartar

The internet is packed with 'advice' about how to have whiter teeth Much of this advice is to be avoided, or at least given careful consideration, as many of them can cause damage to the teeth in the long term Here's a quick run through some of the most common pieces of 'advice',

One of the most common forms of advice is to rinse the mouth with hydrogen peroxide every day Please do not do this Whilst you may see some positive results, Hydrogen peroxide has been found to cause tissue hyperplasias, which are precancerous tissue changes, if used for more than 5 days

Lemon juice is a natural bleach and whitener, and a very good general purpose stain-remover However it should never be used on teeth as the high Vitamin C content will strip the teeth of calcium and damage it faster than anything else In fact avoid using any acids, even it is from relatively harmless ingredients such as strawberry's or other fruit You do not know what quantity of acid you are applying, so it is difficult to calculate a safe level of usage If you must use these methods, then rinse the mouth thoroughly with water, then brush with a fluoride toothpaste about 20 minutes later, when the enamel has hardened

Brushing with salt and baking soda is also commonly recommended You may indeed see some whitening results, but the prolonged 'scrubbing' of your teeth will eventually wear down the enamel, causing far greater problems than simple staining If you do decide to go down this route, then limit its use to about once every two weeks

There are some effective and far safer methods to get those white teeth you dream of Here's a run down of some top tips,
Avoid or reduce your consumption of coffee, tea, cola, red wine, tobacco - anything that stains

If possible, try to brush your teeth after every meal - Ideally with an electric toothbrush These can remove 98 2 percent of plaque, which holds stains

Mouth washes with antibacterial action and plaque dissolvers also help in the prevention of stains Remember to be careful of brushing too hard as it will strip off the surface enamel, exposing the darker dentine, which is also more vulnerable to staining

If brushing your teeth after every meal is impractical, which it is sure to be at times, then try chewing gum
Chewing gum has two beneficial actions helps to clean the teeth in a by removing the debris, and it also stimulates the production of saliva (Drinking plenty of water also helps improve the function of the salivary glands )

This is important as saliva has the ability to neutralise acid and remineralise the enamel, strengthening the teeth Less damage to our enamel means fewer discolourations Gum that contains Sorbitol has a therapeutic anti-bacterial action which helps kill decay-causing bacteria However even gum with sugar is beneficial as the sugar quickly dissolves making it effectively into a sugar-free gum after a few minutes
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after every meal if brushing or chewing gum is not an option This is especially important if you do consume drinks that stain The water will wash away and dilute the damage If you can't get to a bathroom sink, swill some water around your mouth and swallow

Try to eat more crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples carrots, celery, radishes, and peppers Your teeth will benefit from the gentle rubbing actions that helps to keep the teeth clean without causing them any damage

Teeth grinding can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken This is usually caused by stress, so listening to relaxation sessions can actually help keep your teeth white!

You can also use 'tooth bleaching' to whiten the enamel of your teeth Dentists and tooth whitening kits use a form of hydrogen peroxide However this is far safer than simply rinsing your mouth out with it yourself The hydrogen peroxide in the whitening kits is buffered and there are devices in the kits, such as trays and strips, which minimise tissue exposure to the peroxide

If you have really serious stains, then your dentist might suggest you apply a veneer A Veneer is usually made of porcelain that is attached to the surface of your natural tooth with a type of durable cement Veneers are custom-made to the desired shape and colour of your tooth The application is painless and the veneer itself should last around 7-10 years
Bonding is also a process of applying a cover over a discoloured tooth surface Here a dentist applies a tooth-coloured plastic resin to the tooth that is then bonded and sculpted to the proper shape

There is also the process of lazer bleaching A dentist uses a laser along side a whitening gel The gel is applied to the teeth and a laser light is used to activate the crystals to absorb the energy from the light and penetrate the teeth enamel to increase the lightening effect on the teeth This is one of the most expensive remedies, but is usually the quickest

There are many ways to help you get a brighter whiter smile Use your head and make sure you are not actually doing more harm than good Look after your teeth in the traditional sense, with regular brushing and avoiding sweet, acidic foods, and staining foods If you have more serious stains, then visit a dentist, or buy products from a reputable dealer Be very careful when using the common household remedies, such as hydrogen peroxide, acids, baking soda and salt They could cause you more harm than good in the long term





Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10737/402/Teeth-Whitening-Tips.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10162/402/Choosing-a-General-Dentist.html
If you've relocated to a new area, you may find yourself pondering how to select a dentist who can meet your needs and the needs of your family Here are a few pointers that may help you What Type of General Dentistry Services Do You Need? It may surprise you to learn that not every dentist classified as a general dentist offers the same services And you may also be surprised to learn that some general dentists offer a wider range of services these days Many people are accustomed to going to see a separate specialty dentist for procedures such as root canals or braces While you re in the market for a new dentist, consider the types of services you and other members of your family might need Why not explore whether there is a general dentist who is well qualified to provide all of those services?

In addition to the convenience (not having to deal with getting records or supplying insurance information again) of using a single provider of services most of the time, there s another advantage Your care will be administered by someone who knows and regularly follows your dental and general health, as well as any personal preferences on how care is administered Cosmetic dentistry, comprehensive dentistry, implant dentistry, and sedation dentistry are types of services that you may want to consider and look for before making a decision How Do I Choose Among Providers of the Services I Want? One approach is to base your decision on referrals from friends That s not a bad idea; it may be a good indicator of the cordiality, office environment, wait times, and other aspects of the practice But how do you assess the actual quality of the dental care that will be provided? Here are a few ideas:

* Check with your state dental board Regulation of the practice of dentistry occurs at the state not a national level The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy of General Dentists (AGD) are professional associations not accrediting bodies If you re looking for a general dentist who provides some of the previously mentioned specialized services (e g , sedation dentistry), ask if there are special regulations for that practice in your state, and whether they can provide you a list of dentists who have those qualifications Some state boards provide searchable databases online

* Check the dentist s credentials Going to a top dental school isn t a guarantee, of course, but it can provide some level of assurance Learn about where the dentist served his or her residency as well as other places the dentist has practiced that would have provided extensive experience in the use of orthodontics, implants, or other cosmetic services if you plan to have your dentist provide those services

* Check out professional affiliations and awards Does your dentist make it a point to stay up on the latest advances by participating in national, state, and local professional organizations? Dentistry, like any aspect of the medical profession, can make some major leaps forward in just a few years It s important for dentists to stay informed after they leave dental school, and participation in the professional community is a great way to do that To evaluate awards, check out the criteria for selection, and consider how recent the award is

* Evaluate the use of technology To get the best dental health care, it s important that your dentist take advantage of technological advances This doesn t mean the dentist has to have every advanced technology available But falling too far behind means the dentist isn t investing in new advances that aid in prevention and early detection of dental health issues This information may or may not be available on the practice web site If not, then a call or visit to the office with a special request to understand the full range of services provided including an explanation of any recent technology upgrades can be helpful in your final decision making process



Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10162/402/Choosing-a-General-Dentist.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10117/402/Do-You-Have-Gum-Disease.html
As a starting point, most adults and very many children have gum disease, and whilst this sounds awful, and let's face it gum disease is very widespread; indeed were it chicken influenza it could rightly be called a disease of pandemic proportions

Having said that, and realising a comment like that is likely to panic some, it should be made very clear that a very large number of people have gum disease that is minor, and totally reversible with the correct care and attention So you can probably relax, but do not lower your guard for one second To help you understand; the vast majority of older people lose their natural teeth because the reversible early gum disease became advanced, and eventually became irreversible

With no apologies for perhaps being a little over dramatic, and you might argue overstating the case, let us take a look at gum disease, and how you might discover you are a sufferer By the way it isn't contagious, so you won't catch it from your partner, unless you have one of a very very few conditions in your mouth, and quite honestly you should not be worried at all about them

OK, so firstly if you are reading this article the first thing to know is whether or not you attend your dentist regularly This on its own is very important, and then ask yourself the question about whether or not your dentist gave you a scale and polish at your last visit, or did they send you to see a dental hygienist who cleaned your teeth If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then you probably do have gum disease, although at what stage it has reached you will need to ask your dental health professional, and then take their advice

As far as you are concerned, the question is this Do your gums bleed either when you brush your teeth, when you are chewing or just spontaneously?

If the answer is yes, then in all probability you have what is called gingivitis, and this is the first stage of gum disease, and it is totally reversible Why have you got it, well it isn't from kissing, or using someone else's spoon What it means is that you are not cleaning your teeth well enough As a result you are leaving plaque on your teeth, especially in the little nooks and crannies by your gum Plaque consists of food particles, millions of bacteria, and the debris from the cells that line your mouth that fall off all the time People who starve themselves with nil by mouth still make plaque, and plaque is public enemy number one

Fortunately there is a simple enough remedy, and that is to become a more effective mouth cleaner To do this there is a small item easily bought from the chemist called Disclosing tablets, or Plaqsearch They stain plaque either red or blue, and then your task is to clean it off until there is no more stain left You will need a new toothbrush with a small head, and something called dental floss, the string you pull between your teeth, to remove plaque where the toothbrush won't go, which is between your teeth, and under the gum line Be prepared for a lot of bleeding This is good, and you should redouble your efforts, and if you have caught your gingivitis early the bleeding will stop within a month

As a precaution you need to follow this up with a visit to your dentist or at the very least a dental hygienist just to get a fitness check



Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10117/402/Do-You-Have-Gum-Disease.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10118/402/Help-My-Teeth-Are-Loose.html
It is a recurring nightmare for many people, that they waken up one morning to find out their teeth are loose, and panic, visit their dentist, or more usually try to find a dentist because their last visit was several years ago, and then discover they have to have one or several teeth extracted and a denture fitted

If you are reading this, and you feel one or more teeth have become loose, you must see a dental professional without delay Please don't think that this is something that happens to everyone in your family because your parents and grandparents have false teeth It doesn't have to happen to you

The process of gum disease begins with bleeding gums, normally almost ignored, and tragically many people won't brush because they say it makes their gums bleed, and so it must be doing harm This is the moment to brush harder, to use floss, the string between your teeth, and to visit your dental professional Don't be silly and act ostrich like with your head stuck firmly in the sand, because you are at the start of a rock downward road that could end up in tooth loss

If this bleeding used to be the case and you didn't seek advice because you thought it was cured, then think again Your gum disease has gone under the gum, and it is burrowing away probably without you even noticing

There are tell tale signs if you can be bothered to look, and all you need is a well lit bathroom mirror Just look at the gums where they meet your teeth If your teeth look longer then it won't be your age, but a serious, or potentially tooth loss threatening problem Being long in the tooth isn't any more a reflection of your age, more an indication of the health of your teeth and gums

The gum should come up to a nice point between your teeth, and you shouldn't be able to see a gap above between your teeth Indeed if you can see a space, or the gum is now flat without the pointed bit, then you have a problem
Are you finding your teeth are sensitive when you brush, or eating fruit like pineapple or when you have a cold drink, the chances arte the roots of your teeth have been exposed by shrinking gums

If you aren't sure obviously consult your dentist if you have one, but any doubt can be cast aside if you can see a line where the colour of the tooth darkens and that is above the gum edge That is where your gum used to be in days gone by, before the slow steady sure progress of gum disease

Finally if at the gum edge you can see a white, creamy, hard coating which you can just about get off with a finger nail, but with difficulty, you have scale, and a problem If on the other hand the edge of your gum has a black line then this is almost certainly what dentists call sub gingival[under the gum] scale which needs removal by a dental professional hygienist

All of these signs indicate serious problems in store, and the worst case scenario then is pain and swelling, caused by a gum abscess because the spaces between gum and tooth are now so large and deep you impact food down there and you develop an infection

The tall and the short of it is this If you have any of the above problems go and see your dentist



Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10118/402/Help-My-Teeth-Are-Loose.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10119/402/What-Gives-Adults-Bad-Breath.html
There are a number of reasons why Adults have bad breath, and not all of them have causes directly related to neglecting their mouths

Let us look first at non dental, and non medical reasons for suffering from bad breath

The first and most obvious is in the morning, for the simple reason that the teeth weren't brushed!!

There are of course all the dietary reasons people have bad breath, and primarily there is eating onions and garlic particularly in their raw state The reason for this is the oils they contain which are taken into the lungs, and then of course breathing them out is unavoidable Another cause of bad breath through food could well be after eating a curry, but this of course might be offensive to an English person whilst completely normal to an Indian, so equally the garlic onion combination is probably not noticed in France or Italy as much as in England

Another cause of bad breath of course is smoking which lingers on the smoker's breath

Bad breath can be caused by a sinus infection which causes a post nasal drip When this lands on the tongue it is attacked by the oral bacteria which exists in healthy mouths The bacteria feed on the discharge and cause smelly breath Similarly tonsillitis or a throat infection can give people bad breath, and a lack of food, for example when one is dieting and effectively starving will cause bad breath For a time the Atkin's Diet, high protein low carbohydrate which caused the followers to go into a condition called ketosis also causes bad breath

In fact there are a number of bad breath causes related to medical conditions, so if none of the causes mentioned here are the reason, then it is important to see your doctor

Finally we come to dental causes of bad breath which can be caused by food stuck in tooth cavities, dental decay, and it is the sulphur compounds produced by the mouth bacteria that causes halitosis

Another dental cause is gum disease, and the presence of large amounts of plaque on the teeth, and again the associated bacteria There is a disease caused Acute Ulcerative Gingivitis [AUG] which used to be called Vincent's Disease, and in World War 1, was known as Trench Mouth This is caused by a lethal mixture of poor oral hygiene, very high stress, and smoking which all combine to reduce the blood supply in the mouth causing parts of the gum to literally die This halitosis is so bad you would smell the offending person as they entered a room several yards away, in other words possibly the most extreme of examples

So what can you do about adult halitosis There are five easy solutions for halitosis The first is proper toothbrushing at least three times a day, and the second is taking a toothbrush to work is sensible Thirdly using a mint flavoured ant plaque and tartar toothpaste with fluoride Fourthly a tongue scraper, because a coated tongue is often the source of bad breath, and finally dental floss to remove the 'hidden' remains of your last meal

If this doesn't work, and it isn't dietary or smoking, then go and seek the advice of your doctor



Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10119/402/What-Gives-Adults-Bad-Breath.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10116/402/Gingivitis-and-Beyond.html
So your gums used to bleed, and you worried about it a little, but thankfully it stopped, so you think everything must be alright You haven't seen your dentist for over a year, but that of course is what all the so called experts advise
Perhaps you need to think again, because what this could easily mean is that your gum disease, because that is what gingivitis is, has literally gone underground By this what we mean is that the condition you had, bleeding gums, was visible if you cared to look closely in the mirror If you did this, then what you would have seen wasn't the nice pink slightly stippled gums next to your teeth, but red slightly swollen gums which would bleed if you touched them
When the word underground is used, then exactly what is meant by that expression?

To answer that it is necessary to understand the structure of the tooth with the gum which is attached to it, at the join It also helps to understand and remember what happens when you get an infected cut on let us say your hand On your hand you end up with a scab which is surrounded by a red and inflamed area of skin, and catch it wrong, the scab will come off and it is difficult to stop the bleeding because the red inflamed bit of skin is swollen slightly as well Let us now take the parallel situation in the mouth The gum next to the tooth has been attacked by the bacteria in plaque which we have failed to remove, it becomes inflamed, this word is the equivalent of the infected cut by the way That inflamed bit of gum is swollen, and so it rises above the place where the gum was attached to the tooth, and forms a space which dental professionals know as a pocket, in this case a false pocket This pocket allows more food debris, plaque, and bacteria to congregate where they cannot be removed by toothbrushing alone, because they are protected by the swollen gum

Uncleared plaque reacts with calcium salts in our saliva and sets rather like a plaster of paris mould, and attaches to our teeth This happens mainly where our saliva glands pour out saliva when we eat, so that is behind our front teeth, and on the two sides of our lower jaw under the tongue, and the outsides of our top back teeth

We now have a rough, hard deposit known as tartar or scale which sits under and above the gum You can no longer remove it with a toothbrush, you require a process known as a scale and polish done by a dental professional to remove it At this stage you still have a false pocket, but unremoved this rough scale irritates the inside of the gum, and slowly causes the false pocket to deepen, and it then becomes a serious and potentially irreversible problem leading eventually to tooth loss

Everyone needs to be seen by a dental professional regularly to have this checked Never forget this is how most adults in the western world lose their teeth in later life, and it can be controlled so very easily



Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10116/402/Gingivitis-and-Beyond.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10112/402/Soft-Teeth-and-Dental-Decay.html
There are many people who believe they have soft teeth, and because of that they are always having fillings and extractions They will also tell anyone who will listen that they inherited their soft teeth from their parents Indeed further conversation will elicit the fact that their baby teeth came through with no enamel on them, and because of that they have always had decay

Some will even go further than that and tell you that their dentist told them it wasn't their fault, it was 'inherited '

The truth of the matter is rather different, and in over 40 years as a dental professional, admittedly in Western Europe there is not one single occasion when I have seen baby teeth badly formed It bears repeating that not once have I seen baby teeth badly formed I have seen many children with holes in their teeth caused by decay, and even during trips to very poor countries like Nepal, where the diet is at best poor, the same holds true

So what is the truth of the matter?

The truth is that bad teeth are not inherited in any shape or form, but what is inherited is what we eat and drink, which is a consequence of what our parents give us on a daily basis

In other words the state of our teeth particularly when we are small children is as inherited from our parents attitudes and beliefs, and how much importance they attach to tooth brushing

In far too many families toothbrushing isn't important, and it is significant that where parents and grandparents have false teeth, the children very often have decay The excuse is always, that 'soft teeth' runs in the family This is absolute rubbish, and if a diet sheet can be obtained, and if the reader has fillings every time they attend their dentist, then it is a worthwhile exercise to write down everything you have to eat and drink over a four day period including weekends

What you will almost always find is a combination of obvious sugars, such as sugar in tea or coffee, and sugar in the form of sweets or coca cola These are obvious, and it is a sobering thought if you have two spoonfuls of sugar in your tea or coffee and have six cups a day, how much sugar you are actually consuming Take a cup and put 12 spoonfuls of sugar into it, and take a look The added sadness is that you will always take the sweet option as opposed to the sour option, so the chances are you'd rather have a sweet biscuit than a dry biscuit, because you have developed a 'sweet tooth

Equally sad is the fact that many people don't realise that tomato ketchup is almost neat sugar How many children, and adults as well, take tomato ketchup as routine with their meals, whether it be French fries, or rice There is as much sugar as you can see TK on the side of the plate

Unfortunately that isn't the end of it by any means Hidden sugars, such as TK are only the tip of the iceberg Always check the packaging, or the tin Where you see the words Energy, or carbohydrate, then that means sugar!!

Finally, the chances are that parents' bad teeth came from the diet their parent's gave them, or allowed them when they were children You in turn have inherited this, and unless you are careful will hand it on to the next generation

The good news is you don't have to Just consult your dentist, they will be able to ensure you eat and drink the right things, and ensure your mouth cleaning habits are good and effective



Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/10112/402/Soft-Teeth-and-Dental-Decay.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/9691/402/Restorative-Dentistry-or-NYC-Cosmetic-Dentist-Stains.html
Restorative Dentistry or Cosmetic Dentist—Stains
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Judy Johnson, DDS
Monday, February 22, 2010 - 07:01 AM

Stains:

Why Do Teeth Stain?

Suffering from stains on the teeth is not inevitable and is very common What's worse, the causes of stains are notably high Let's take a look at just a few of the causes for teeth discoloration:
- Poor hygiene
- Diseases
- Aging
- Genetics
- Certain medications
The list doesn't end there Many people suffer from unattractive stains caused by one or maybe several reasons The good news is there are many ways to eradicate these stains revealing rows of beautiful white teeth It's important for patients to know the different avenues that will resolve their problems, as different causes need different solutions

For example, if a patient's teeth get stained due to excessive coffee drinking, then he or she should cut back on their caffeine intake to prevent further discoloration To bring back rows of fresh white teeth, all the patient may need is a pack of white strips easily found at a local pharmacy

Other alternatives are more drastic, not to mention more expensive One example would be to have a specialist whiten the teeth using a combination of blue-light technology and a form of hydrogen peroxide bleach

Restorative Dentistry or Cosmetic Dentistry?

People who unfortunately suffer from teeth stains can find a few alternatives to solve their problem However, when does a patient know which method will apply to him? Patients should talk to their dentist before making any steps in whitening their teeth After examining the patient's teeth, the dentist will know which direction to choose

To get the best teeth whitening results, patients find comfort in a dental specialist If the help of a dental specialist becomes the preferred, professional choice, patients will soon find out that there is more than one field to choose from Teeth whitening can fall under two dental practices:
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Restorative Dentistry
In the end, the patient will come out with the same satisfying results After choosing the appropriate dentist plan, the patient, with the advisement of his or her doctor, can decide where to go from there

Veneers for Stains

What may come as a surprise to some is the fact that veneers are a popular alternative for patients who wish to hide the stains on their teeth Veneers fall under the "restorative dentistry" field, as it restores a patient's teeth to their rightful shape or coloring The process of placing veneers on stained teeth is both safe, and in the end, very rewarding Many people would question whether this is a necessary alternative, as veneers are for chipped and damaged teeth, or teeth in need of re-shaping

This is in fact true about veneers, but that knowledge only scratches the surface of what veneers can do to restore a patient's teeth Nevertheless, patients should consult with their dentist to make sure veneers are the best method in getting rid of stained teeth

Caring for the Veneer

Not only should patients practice oral hygiene, but they should cut back on the foods that will cause their teeth to stain Veneers may not be genuine teeth, but they should be treated as such There is no guarantee how long veneers will last, but if patients take the proper steps in caring for their mouth, veneers can last a long time

Bleach for Stains

It is no surprise that a similar product that can whiten our clothes can also whiten our smile To restore a beautiful, white smile many dentists will initially recommend the patient have their teeth bleached Dentists recommend this treatment for a number of reasons First, it is an efficient approach to beautiful white teeth Second, it is a long lasting approach

At the patient's request, they can have the luxury of whitening their teeth at home, taking away the inconvenience of clearing their schedule to make an appointment with their dentist Unfortunately, using bleach to whiten teeth isn't as simple as it may appear at the dentists office Patients should know exactly how to whiten their teeth so no gum related problems will occur Although at home bleaching is an option, it's safer for the patient to have a professional who is skilled in restorative dentistry, such as a dentist, bleach their teeth

Keeping Stains Away

Now anyone who is interested in regaining their pearly whites know there are many avenues to choose from After picking the one that is best, proper maintenance is vital to avoiding stains and reducing the trips to the dentist office How can a patient maintain their white smile? Practicing oral hygiene, which is a fact that cannot be stressed enough

Daily oral hygiene to keep stains away includes:
- Brushing the teeth 3 times a day
- Brushing teeth for at least 2 minutes
- Brushing with a toothbrush that is no older than 2 months
- Flossing daily, as brushing will not suffice
A tip for patients who desire a permanent white smile after their restoration process is to buy toothpaste that contains the following ingredients:
- Silica
- Calcium phosphate
- Calcium carbonate
- Aluminum oxide

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Read doctor-produced health and medical information written for you to make informed decisions about your health concerns

Reference Articles for Dental Visits

Dental Visits
Read More About Tooth Health from These Restorative Dentistry Reference Links:

Dental Health and Tooth Discoloration
Via: http://www webmd com/oral-health/tooth-discoloration
"Foods/drinks Coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain fruits and vegetables (for example, apples and potatoes) can stain your teeth "

How to get rid of yellow teeth
Via: http://www howtogetridofstuff com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-yellow-teeth/
"First, you need to figure out what is causing your yellow teeth In some cases, your teeth might have a yellow tint to them as your natural color "

Dental Health and Veneers
Via: http://www webmd com/oral-health/veneers
"Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance "

Foods that Stain
Via: http://www peoples-health com/foods_stain htm
"Stain is an indelible mark or a hard to remove mark that is made on the object, this can be a piece of cloth or the skin or as would be discussed in this context, the teeth "

Slideshow: Ten secrets to brighter, whiter teeth
http://www webmd com/oral-health/slideshow-10-secrets-to-whiter-teeth
"Have your pearly whites lost their luster due to teeth stains? Stained teeth can occur naturally as we age, but some common foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can cause teeth stains "

Foods that Stain
Via: http://www mamashealth com/dental/stain asp
"Extremely hot or cold liquids are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth Temperature change causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth "

Foods that Stain Teeth
http://www healthyreader com/2008/06/19/foods-that-stain-teeth/
"Certain foods stain teeth more than others Dark colored drinks like coffee, cola and tea are some of the worst offenders "

Bad teeth-what do with crooked, chipped, rotten and stained teeth
Via: http://www bad-teeth net/
"Teeth whitening (bleaching) is the most popular treatment because it's fast and relatively cheap " For references and resourced information, go to http://www dentalvisits com/general-dentist/restorative-dentistry-or-cosmetic-dentist-stains aspx




Published By: Holistic Health Articles]]> http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/9691/402/Restorative-Dentistry-or-NYC-Cosmetic-Dentist-Stains.html http://www.holistichealtharticles.com/Art/8929/402/How-to-Care-For-Your-Teeth-Now.html
Start today on the path of better oral health your smile and your wallet will thank you! Practicing good oral hygiene does not have to be difficult, time consuming, or expensive, and it can save you from having to deal with any number of dental problems down the road Dental care providers such as Western dental services provide affordable dentistry The following are some simple things you can do each day to take care of your teeth If you haven t already been doing these things, starting tomorrow is simply not an option

- Eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables and limit sugar intake

- Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner at least once every day to clean between your teeth Toothbrush bristles can t reach between teeth where decay - causing bacteria still linger Flossing is important for removing plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gum line At minimum, the tasks of brushing twice and flossing once each and every day should take you less than ten minutes What s great, besides the fact that these two simple steps will account for the bulk of your dental care, is that the results are immediate! Your mouth will look AND feel cleaner and fresher right away

- Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA (American Dental Association) accepted fluoride toothpaste Replace your toothbrush every 3 months, sooner if the bristles are frayed or worn or if you have been sick

- Use an ADA accepted antimicrobial mouth rinse or fluoride to reduce bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease Mouth rinse provides a little extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by brushing and flossing alone

- Visit your dentist every six months for oral exams and professional cleanings

- Many Americans can t afford dental insurance and therefore relinquish professional dental services due to the expense Dental care providers such as Western Dental provide affordable dentistry to people who don t have dental insurance and have difficulty paying the rates of private dental practices This is why many people put their dental needs on the back burner, leading them to face expensive problems later on If you re concerned about budgeting for dental care, whether it be routine prevention or advanced treatment, financing for Western Dental services can be handled with a payment plan that meets your needs

- If you re looking in your area for Western Dental, services are available at over 200 clinics in California, Arizona and Nevada

- Take a daily multi vitamin that includes calcium and vitamins B12, C, D and K All of these are necessary for healthy teeth and gums and all you have to do to get them into your system, aside from eating a diet rich in these vitamins and getting plenty of sunshine, is swallow a pill! B12 is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth; vitamin C is essential for healing, maintenance and disease prevention; calcium is important for the formation of strong bones and teeth; vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium; and vitamin K reduces the rate of calcium loss



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As long as we have teeth - even if they might be replacement teeth - we will require expert and regular dental care That's why dental care for seniors is such a significant and vibrant area of the overall field of dentistry These days the senior population is the fastest growing demographic in America and the dental profession has responded to that historical rise in the number of seniors in the population by offering more services and procedures for older patients

Today there are many more geriatric specialists within the dental industry, for example, a phenomenon that has happened in reaction to the fact that many seniors - and the parents of those younger seniors - are now wanting and needing age specific dental care or will need it in the years to come Along with a rise in the number of dentists who are specially trained to work with the health concerns of older patients there has also been an astonishing change in terms of dental treatments and technologies Now the procedures your dentist does are more effective, they take less time to complete, they cause less discomfort, and they typically cost much less over time because they are so superior to the old fashioned methods of the past

If you need a crown placed on a damaged, cracked, or decayed tooth, for instance it can often be done within one single visit to the dentist It used to take weeks, because it took a long time to develop x rays, days or weeks to sculpt a new artificial tooth by hand, and then additional appointments in the dentist chair to complete each step in the long process Now you can get better and more vivid x rays done in a matter of minutes, they can be evaluated right away, and if you need to have a replacement tooth or crown made many dentists can accomplish that within 2 3 hours right there inside their own office They use robots, computers, lasers, and other futuristic tools to ensure your comfort and convenience while enhancing your dental health

Seniors have issues that are specific to their age group, too, like old amalgam fillings that need to be removed and replaced to avoid serious problems like cracked teeth or mercury poisoning As we age the gums tend to recede, which can lead to an increased risk of periodontal disease A loss of bone density can mean diminished tooth enamel strength, and thinning of the tooth enamel can mean more care must be taken when polishing the teeth to remove stains and protect from harmful bacteria Poor oral hygiene can even lead to cardiac problems, so that is yet another concern of older dental patients

But regardless of the issue, there are wonderful remedies and preventive measures that can be employed to ensure that no matter how old you are, your teeth and smile can remain youthful Ask your dentist about the kinds of oral health concerns that most seniors share, and he or she can explain to you all the various different approaches to enhancing your dental health and keeping your gums and teeth vibrant and healthy for years to come



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