HealthyLife Articles

Tag: dental

  • Brace Yourself For Adult Orthodontics

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of adult women with braces.

    Each year, over four million people-many of them adults-are fitted for braces.  If you have any of the following dental problems, you may be a likely candidate for braces.

    *  Crowded or crooked teeth.

    *  Buckteeth, misaligned teeth, or lower teeth that protrude.

    *  Poor bite or wide spaces between teeth.

    It takes about two years for braces to realign teeth. In the meantime, you can avoid damage to the braces and decrease the risk of tooth decay and gum disease by practicing the following:

    *  Don’t chew gum.

    *  Don’t eat nuts or sticky candy or bite down hard on candy or ice.

    *  Don’t bite into whole apples, pears, or other crunchy fruit. Instead, cut them into bite-size pieces. Don’t eat corn from the cob.

    *  After eating, brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste. Some orthodontists also recommend cleaning your teeth with a water irrigation appliance after you brush.

    *  To guard against decay, rinse your mouth daily with a fluoride mouthwash.

    *  If sores develop in your mouth, or if your gums become red or swollen or bleed easily, contact your orthodontist for advice.

    *  If a wire from the braces becomes loose, don’t try to repair it yourself. See your orthodontist.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • All About Brushing And Flossing

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of toothbrush and toothpaste with floss.

    Whiter teeth, fresher breath, fewer cavities. Who could ask for more from toothpaste? Some dental products make additional claims. Here’s a short guide to ingredients and product claims to help you decide which toothpaste is best for your teeth. (Note: Choose products with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance on the labels. For more information on the ADA Seal of Acceptance and brand name products that have this seal, accesswww.ada.org.)

    Fluoride. To help prevent cavities, children and adults should use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. (Note: Many dentists prescribe fluoride supplements for people whose household drinking water contains little or no fluoride. If your drinking water is low in fluoride, you might want to ask your dentist about this option.)

    Desensitizing toothpaste. Some toothpastes are specially formulated for people whose teeth are sensitive to touch or temperature changes.

    Anti-plaque and tartar control toothpastes. Plaque is a sticky, bacteria-laden goo that clings to the surface of your teeth. Unless plaque is removed every 24 to 36 hours, it can turn into a cement-like substance called tartar. And tartar destroys your gums. Plaque- and tartar-control formula toothpastes, used along with flossing and regular dental visits, can help to prevent plaque buildup. Mouthwash can help, too.

    Whitening toothpastes. These remove stains on the surface of the teeth with gentle polishing, chemical agents, or other nonbleaching action. (Note: Consult your dentist before using over-the-counter peroxide-containing whiteners or bleaching agents.)

    Don’t Forget to Floss

    Waxed. Unwaxed. Fine. Regular. Plain or fancy, all dental floss does the job: It removes bacteria and plaque from between your teeth and above and below the gum line areas your toothbrush can’t reach. It also removes particles of food lodged between your teeth. Floss carefully at least once a day to help keep plaque from building up. (If plaque hardens into cement-like deposits called tartar, your teeth can start to decay or wobble due to loss of bone.)

    Here’s how to floss.

    1.  Cut a piece of floss about one-and-a-half feet long. Wrap the ends of the floss about your middle fingers.

    2.  Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and index finger, exposing about one inch of floss. Gently guide the floss between your teeth, being careful not to snap it into the gums.

    3.  With the floss at the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth and gently scrape the side of the tooth with the floss. Repeat on each of your teeth, top and bottom, using a fresh section of floss for each tooth.

    4.  After you’ve flossed, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to remove remaining debris. Your gums may be tender and bleed for the first week. That’s normal. But if the bleeding continues, see your dentist.

    Here are some additional hints.

    *  If you find flossing awkward and messy, try using a dental floss holder sold in drugstores. Instead of wrapping the floss around your fingers, you insert the floss in a small, plastic fork-like holder.

    *  To help you remember to floss daily, without fail, floss after you brush your teeth.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Bonding For A Beautiful Smile

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Bonding can correct certain dental problems effectively and inexpensively. By bonding plastic or porcelain to the tooth, a dentist can:

    *  Cover discoloration.

    *  Close small gaps between teeth.

    *  Repair fractured and chipped teeth.

    *  Protect exposed roots caused by receding gums.

    *  Seal out decay-causing bacteria on back teeth.

    If you’ve had your teeth bonded, take these steps to prevent chips, stains, or other problems.

    *  Don’t chew ice or bite down on hard foods or candy.

    *  Avoid smoking, drinking coffee or tea, or eating blueberries or other foods that easily stain.

    *  Have the bonded teeth checked every three to five years. They may need to be touched up or done over.

    Image of women smiling.
    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ways To Relieve Dental Anxiety

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of smiling dentist.

    If you dread going to the dentist, ask about anxiety-reducing techniques you can use to help stay calm and relaxed. Some effective strategies follow.

    *  Tell your dentist how you feel. Some dentists are trained in helping anxious patients overcome fear of dental procedures.

    *  Ask if you can listen to soothing music or relaxation CDs played on a stereo headset. Ask if the dentist offers a hand-held device that allows you to press a button to stop the dentist’s drill.

    *  If your dentist is skilled at hypnosis, consider being hypnotized.

    *  If your anxiety is more than you can handle, see a psychotherapist who specializes in treating dental anxiety and other phobias.

    Have a routine cleaning and checkup every six months. Preventive care will minimize the need for more painful and lengthy treatment.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dental Hygiene

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Dental hygiene products, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc.

    Taking care of your teeth and gums helps your teeth last a lifetime.

    Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Get a dental exam once or twice a year. If you have not seen a dentist in over a year, schedule a dental exam today.

    Dental problems affect more than your teeth and gums. Gum (periodontal) disease and other mouth infections may increase the risk for pneumonia, heart disease, and diabetes.

    Let your dentist know if you have tooth pain, red or swollen gums, bad breath that doesn’t go away or any other dental problem.

    Change toothbrushes at least every 3 to 4 months; sooner if the bristles are frayed.

    Rinse your toothbrush after each use to remove debris and leftover toothpaste. Store toothbrushes upright in a holder far enough apart that bristles don’t touch.

    Find out more from the American Dental Association atada.org.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Foods That Fight Cavities

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of a dish with food fighting items to fight cavities.

    Now you know how sticky sweets promote tooth decay. What you may not realize is that some foods prevent tooth decay. Research studies show that certain foods, like cheese and peanut butter, counteract the acids in the mouth that wear down the tooth enamel. (Be careful to buy plain, all-natural peanut butter, without added sugar of any kind.) Other tooth-saving foods include:

    *  Nuts and seeds.

    *  Meat, fish, poultry, and eggs.

    *  Olives and dill pickles.

    *  Milk, plain yogurt, and cheese.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Right Way To Use Mouthwash

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of blue mouthwash.

    Be it red, green, blue, or amber, consumers spend millions of dollars a year on mouthwash. Many mouthwashes are strictly cosmetic-they leave your mouth smelling fresh and feeling tingly for a few minutes but don’t appreciably affect oral health. If you want to fight plaque, look for mouthwash containing cetylpridinium chloride or domiphen bromide, ingredients that dissolve this troublesome film of bacterial goo. If you want to fight cavities (especially cavities that form between teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach), look for an anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis mouthrinse. Fluoride mouthrinses help prevent tooth decay, too, but should not be given to children age six and younger because they may swallow the mouthrinse.

    To get the best results from your mouthwash, follow this routine.

    *  Brush first, then rinse (unless the product label instructs otherwise).

    *  Swish mouthwash or mouthrinse around in your mouth as directed on the label, then spit it out. (Don’t swallow it.)

    *  Rinse with mouthwash or mouthrinse once a day, preferably at bedtime.

    *  Don’t eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after rinsing.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Safety Tips For Your Teeth

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Your teeth are vulnerable to nicks, chips, stains, and strains. To protect your teeth from damage and injury, take these precautions.

    *  Don’t chew ice, pens, or pencils.

    *  Don’t use your teeth to open paper clips or otherwise function as tools.

    *  If you smoke a pipe, don’t bite down on the stem.

    *  If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist if you should be fitted for a bite plate to prevent tooth grinding.

    *  If you play contact sports like football or hockey, wear a protective mouth guard.

    *  Always wear a seat belt when riding in a car.

    *  Avoid sucking on lemons or chewing aspirin or vitamin C tablets. The acid wears away tooth enamel.

    Image of man brushing teeth.
    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Sticky Snacks Spell Trouble

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of chewy candy.

    Sticky, chewy foods-like cough drops, hard candies, and sugary pastries-cling to the surface of your teeth, where they mix with bacteria in the mouth and produce acids that gradually wear away tooth enamel. Granola bars, many dried fruits, and foods or cereals sweetened with honey, corn syrup, or molasses are particularly troublesome. But starchy foods like bread, crackers, potato chips, or pretzels-which are turned into sugar by saliva-can also be a problem. To minimize this difficulty:

    *  If you eat fruit and other foods high in sugars, eat them with meals.  Finish a meal with foods that help buffer acid formation.

    *  Don’t eat sweets, fruit, or starchy foods before bedtime. Saliva production slows down overnight, enabling cavity-causing bacteria to feed on food particles more easily. Brushing your teeth doesn’t effectively prevent the problem.

    *  Avoid sugar-sweetened gum and beverages. Chew a sugar-free gum instead, especially one with the artificial sweetener xylitol.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Take A Good Look At Your Gums

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Image of man at the dentist office looking at xrays.

    Plaque buildup, crooked teeth, illness, poorly fitting dentures, trapped food particles, and certain medications can irritate or destroy your gums. With good oral hygiene, however, you can prevent gum (periodontal) disease. If caught in the early stages, gum disease is easily treated. If ignored, the gums and supporting tissues wither, and your teeth may loosen and fall out.

    Knowing the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease is important for early treatment. Pay attention to the following:

    *  Swollen red gums that bleed easily (a condition called gingivitis).

    *  Teeth that are exposed at the gum line (a sign that gums have pulled away from the teeth).

    *  Permanent teeth that are loose or separate from each other.

    *  Bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth.

    *  Pus around the gums and teeth.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine