Saturday, September 28, 2013

Why Should You Use Fluoride?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoride, when used correctly, is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. The CDC has supported the inclusion of fluoride in water and toothpaste to promote dental health.

Why is Fluoride Important to Dental Health?

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. It replaces minerals lost in tooth enamel due to plaque, bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It helps people of all ages prevent and even reverse early decay. However, it is particularly important for certain age groups.

Fluoride is especially important for infants and children from six months to 16 years old because this is the time when primary (baby) teeth and permanent molars grow in. However, children under the age of six should use only dab of toothpaste that contains fluoride. Check with your dentist before choosing toothpaste for a young child and make sure you are supervising the tooth-brushing process.

Adults with certain conditions may also need added fluoride. These conditions include gum disease (gingivitis), frequent cavities and dental work such as crowns, bridges or braces that increase their risk of tooth decay. If you have any of these, ask your dentist if a fluoride supplement or treatment is warranted.


What are the Sources of Fluoride?

Close to two-thirds of the U.S. population has a water supply with adequate levels of fluoride and 43 of the 50 largest U.S. cities have water fluoridation systems. If you are not certain about the fluoride levels in your drinking water, check with the water supplier or your local dentist. If you get your water from a well, have a sample tested. Wherever your water comes from, if it does not contain fluoride, your dentist may recommend fluoride tablets or drops.

Most bottled water does not contain the recommended levels of fluoride. To find out how much fluoride bottled water contains, check the label or contact the manufacturer. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million.

Toothpaste is generally an excellent source of fluoride. Some brands of mouthwash also contain fluoride, so rinsing regularly with one of those will help your teeth. There are also prescription mouthwashes with higher concentrations of fluoride.

Fluoride supplements and treatments are available, but only through a prescription from your dentist.

Is Too Much Fluoride Dangerous?

It is difficult for adults to ingest a hazardous level of fluoride from fluoridated water, toothpaste and mouthwash. However, because children are smaller, their use of fluoridated products should be monitored, as noted previously. If you have a little one in the house, keep all products with fluoride out of their reach.

Too much fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis. This can damage tooth enamel by causing white specks and brown discoloration. This generally occurs in young children. The discoloration can be removed by a dentist with professional-strength abrasives or bleaches.

The CDC agrees with experts in the field of dentistry about the importance of fluoride. It has stated that "frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride each day" reduces the risk of tooth decay. It recommends that people drink fluoridated water and brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

Norcross Dental Associates is a comprehensive family dental practice. Their team of highly trained and experienced professionals provide general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. The goal of Ken Tralongo, CEO of Tralongo Management, and each Norcross dentist specialist in his practice is to deliver top-quality care in a warm and compassionate environment.
Learn more at http://www.norcrossdentalassociates.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Tralongo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8002600

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wisdom Teeth



While healthy wisdom teeth are an asset to your mouth, wisdom teeth that don't fully erupt or that grow in sideways can lead to tooth decay, infection or pain. Discover what your dentist can do to help you decide whether your wisdom teeth should be removed.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Why Do Gums Recede?



Gum recession is a serious condition that needs the close supervision of a dental professional. Because gum recession can lead to root cavities or even tooth loss, prevention is key. Hear how you can prevent gum recession, as well as ways your dentist can provide effective treatment.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Is It Worth Seeing a Cosmetic Dentist?

There are many reasons to seek out a cosmetic dentist. These professionals are skilled not just in helping you to have a healthy smile, but also in helping you to ensure your smile impresses others. Though some people view these types of procedures and professionals as less important, they may be far more valuable to you than you realize. The right pros can help you to get the smile you want and that means they can help you to change your life. How does improving your teeth's appearance really matter?

Make the Right First Impression

One of the reasons to seek out a cosmetic dentist is so that you can make the right first impression with anyone you meet. For example, you may be looking for that new special someone in your life. A white smile shows that you care about the way you look and that you value your health. If you are going in for a job interview, the hiring manager wants to see that you are a good representation of the company. This can only happen if you have an attractive looking grin. The way your teeth look really does matter.

Boost Your Confidence

Another reason to turn to these dental professionals is because they can help you to transform not just your teeth, but also your overall attitude about yourself. You can feel confident about yourself again and you can get the self-esteem boost that helps you to feel good. Some people hate the way they look so much so that they simply do not smile. They feel bad when they do. You do not have to live like that. With the right level of care, you can transform your attitude about yourself and improve your overall quality of life as a result.

Handling Tough Problems

Missing teeth, sharp edges, and problems with gaps can be more than just a bad look. In some cases, these instances can also lead to difficulty with eating and talking. It may not be a health risk, but it is something that can improve far more about your life than just the way you look. If you have problems like this, it is worth exploring options with a cosmetic dentist that can help you.

Sometimes, you really can get the help you need. A cosmetic dentist can transform the way you look and feel about your teeth and about your overall health. Take the time necessary to find a professional in your area you feel comfortable working with and discuss what he or she can do for you.

Feel more confident about your smile. Read more about cosmetic dentist Port Hueneme at: http://www.porthuenemefamilydentistry.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Woodward

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8009736

Monday, September 16, 2013

Brushing and Flossing is Important



Maintaining a regular oral health care routine that includes brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are great ways to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Hear more about what other things you can do to ensure a lifetime of beautiful and healthy smiles.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Treatment of Abscessed Teeth



If you have an abscessed tooth, that means the pulp of tooth is infected and you need root canal therapy. Fortunately, with proper care, a restored tooth can last a lifetime. Find out more about what causes an abscessed tooth and how your dentist can provide effective treatment.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Tooth Loss, Health Loss



People who have lost their teeth may be at greater risk for other health problems. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people with full or partial dentures ate fewer fruits and vegetables—foods that are high in vitamins and help prevent cancer and heart disease. Discover what you can do to maintain your dentures—and your overall health.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

7 Reasons to See a Dentist

No one enjoys going to the dentist, but it's a necessary part of modern life if you want to stay healthy. Here are some great reasons to pay your dental care provider a visit.

1. A visit to your hygienist helps you to maintain your oral health by keeping your teeth clean. Ongoing, at-home care is important, but a qualified dental hygienist can give you a much more thorough cleaning with the use of specialized tools and equipment. Getting a routine cleaning every six months will keep your teeth and gums in great shape throughout your life.

2. Scheduling regular appointments helps you to maintain previous work you've had done on your teeth. If you've had numerous cavities in the past, your fillings may need some touching up. Or maybe you have a permanent retainer that's been feeling off lately, ever since you bit into that hard pretzel. Whatever the case, a dental care provider can offer you reliable upkeep so that the money you've invested in the past doesn't go to waste.

3. Regular check ups help you to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If gingivitis is caught early on by a professional, it can be prevented, but if it progresses to severe periodontal disease, it will be irreversible. Gum disease is incredibly time-sensitive, so it's important to get medical treatment as soon as possible to avoid the need for false teeth such as dental implants or dentures. And because gum disease has been linked to increased rates of heart attacks, strokes, and pancreatic cancer, maintaining your oral health will improve your overall wellbeing.

4. Visits with your oral care provider also helps you to prevent oral cancer. Oral cancer is extremely treatable in its early stages, but it can be lethal later on; someone in the United States dies of the disease every hour, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Dentists screen for oral cancer during routine checkups and cleanings in an effort to catch the signs of it early.

5. You can also detect dental problems before they become emergencies by having regular appointments scheduled. Many dental problems don't make themselves known until they're full-on catastrophes, and if it turns out that you have an advanced issue, such as tooth decay, it may be irreversible. Therefore, you can save yourself time, pain, and costly care by seeing a qualified dentist on a regular basis. In some cases, patients are forced to undergo root canals, tooth removal, or gum surgery when a simple procedure such as a small restoration or filling could have fixed the problem earlier on.

6. Your oral care provider can also help you to get a brighter, more attractive smile. Health benefits aside, a visit to the dentist will help you keep your pearly whites looking great. Regular cleanings will remove surface staining, and if you'd like to go the extra mile, you can always receive whitening treatments. Recent advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry have made way for easy, affordable whitening options.

7. And lastly, regular visits will also help you to educate yourself. Most dentists take pride in instructing their patients on how to properly care for their teeth at home. They can give you helpful tips on brushing, flossing, and other maintenance activities with your individual needs in mind.

Looking for a dentist Westlake Ohio practice? Visit http://www.drsikora.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aloysius_Aucoin

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7978906

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Is There a Difference Between a Family, General, and a Dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends you visit a dentist twice a year for a checkup. During these visits your dentist will not only clean your teeth, but also take regular x-rays, check for cavities and provide instruction on how to better care for your teeth if they encounter any issues while examining the patient.

Is there a difference between a family dentist, general dentist, and a dentist? These three terms seem to be used interchangeably. They generally are one and the same.

In name, a "family dentist" should be open to looking after the overall dental health of your entire family, regardless of age of the family members. Each age range has its own dental issues and obstacles, which well-versed family dentists will be able to help prevent, or diagnose and address. There are also pediatric dentists who specialize in the dental health of children, but most likely if you see a family dentist your children will be welcome there as well. Starting around age 3, children should begin regular dental check-ups. Some dentists do not take children on as patients, so check first to see if your dentist is open to this or not. Then, it is up to you if you would rather your child see a pediatric dentist, or if you would rather stay with your dentist who most likely has a good family history with you and has built trust with you over the years.

Dentists also perform a number of daily tasks other than general teeth cleaning. While their main task is to diagnose and treat issues involving teeth, gums and mouth; they also give advice related to diet and tooth brushing, preventative maintenance, fill cavities, straighten teeth, extract teeth, perform root canals, and make crowns, dentures, and partials.

The family dentist has the ability and training to consider proper care of most fundamental needs of people of any age from childhood well into their later years.

There are nine dental specialties available if a dentist chooses to focus on a specific area of study. These specialty areas include:

· Orthodontics
· Oral and maxillofacial surgery
· Periodontics
· Prosthodontics
· Public health dentistry
· Oral and maxillofacial pathology
· Endodontic
· Pediatric dentistry
· Oral and maxillofacial radiology

Educational requirements to become a dentist include an undergraduate study focusing on science and math followed by 4 years of graduate work in dentistry. After graduation, dentists must pass a national examination and clinical boards to practice as a family dentist.

By Renee Maikon DDS
http://www.familycedarrapidsdentist.com/

https://plus.Google.com/117185531496915882486

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Maikon_DDS

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7962571

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Dental Teeth Whitening Options

The old adage goes, "If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours." Wouldn't you want that smile to be as bright as possible? Bright, white teeth are considered to be one way to emphasize health and beauty in our culture.

The problem is teeth are easily discolored by smoking, colas, coffees, foods and simply by aging. Luckily, in recent years tooth whitening systems have gotten much more affordable and more convenient.

Tooth whitening is not for everyone. Teeth discolored yellow, brown or orange respond the best to cosmetic tooth whitening. Grey stains due to tetracycline or heredity are harder to whiten. Sensitive teeth, periodontal disease or worn enamel are situations where people may not be a candidate for dentist teeth whitening.

Whitening systems have either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. Teeth lighten when the peroxide comes in contact with the surface of the tooth. Systems vary in how it is applied to your teeth and for how long. The best teeth bleaching system is one that is custom-made for you by a professional dentist.

There are other things you can try besides professional tooth whitening. Many over-the-counter products are offered for bleaching teeth. These include:

· Whitening strips

· Whitening gels

· Tray-based tooth whiteners

Many of these may be also obtained from a dentist as well.

Whitening strips

Whitening strips are very thin, almost invisible strips that are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. Most strips are applied twice daily for 30 minutes for two weeks. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for roughly four months. Most people prefer to wear whitening strips in private, and you cannot eat or drink while wearing them.

Whitening gels

Whitening gels are peroxide-based, clear gels that are applied with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth. The gel is typically applied twice a day for two weeks and has the same results as whitening strips.

Tray-based tooth whiteners

Tray-based tooth whitening systems are most effective when they are shaped to your individual mouth, most likely by a dental professional. However, there are products that are offered over-the-counter with trays as well. These trays work by filling a mouth guard-like tray with a gel whitening solution that contains a peroxide bleaching agent. The tray is then worn for a fairly long length of time (generally from a couple hours a day to overnight) every day for up to four weeks or longer. The length of time the tray is used is based upon the desired level of whitening.

http://www.familycedarrapidsdentist.com/ask-the-expert-questions.php
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Maikon_DDS

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7748198