Invisalign® Teeth Straightening System

Invisalign® is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment system that works to straighten teeth through the use of a series of virtually unperceivable aligners. Invisalign® clear braces eliminate the metallic smile that is characteristic of traditional orthodontic braces.
Treatment consists of a series of aligners, switched out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign® system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist, you know you’ll end up with a smile that truly fits.

Benefits of Invisalign®

The most obvious benefit of orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® is that patients can straighten their teeth without anyone knowing. Most adults would rather live with crooked teeth than spend two or more years with unsightly metal braces.
The Invisalign® system also boasts improved hygiene over traditional braces. Because the aligners are removable, patients can brush and floss as they normally would. Food and drink choices are less restrictive, as well. If patients wish to eat sticky candy or drink soda, they can simply remove their aligners and enjoy.

Is Invisalign® for Me?

Invisalign® treatment can help to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues. Several common issues below that an experienced Invisalign® doctor can work with you to correct include:

• Overly crowded teeth
• Widely spaced teeth
• Crossbite
• Overbite
• Underbite

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Smile More, Feel More Confident

A white smile doesn’t just indicate healthy teeth and gums; your dental health also plays a significant role in how confident you feel. Think about it -- if you’re self conscious about your smile you’re not going to feel very good about interacting with others. With that in mind, we turned to psychologist Ann Demarais, Ph.D., and dental hygienist Kristy Menage Bernie, to get the scoop on why having a great smile matters – and how to get your pearly whites looking their brightest.

Great smile = confidence

Research shows that the better you feel about your looks, the better you feel about yourself, explains Demarais. "When your teeth look white and sparkly, you can relax, be in the moment and laugh. You are more confident and radiant," she says, adding that the mere act of putting your mouth in the shape of a smile changes the blood flow to the brain and actually makes you feel happier. The fact that smiling itself boosts your mood has a further positive impact because smiling has a contagious effect. "When you smile, others are more likely to smile back, and are more drawn to you, thereby increasing your confidence and happiness even more."

Smiles and perception

You might not realize it but whether or not you're smiling can have a significant impact how others perceive you. Having a radiant smile sends a huge positive message to those around you, Demarais explains. It tells people that you are happy to be in their presence, and it creates an optimistic feeling in others. When you smile, people are more likely to assume you have positive qualities -- they perceive you as more sociable, trustworthy and intelligent, compared to when you aren't smiling. So whether you're at a party, in a job interview or simply walking down the street, the fact that you're smiling will work to your advantage.

Poor smile confidence

Being unhappy with your smile usually means you don't do it very often – which means you aren't reaping the benefits outlined above. People who avoid smiling usually do so because they are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth. They may feel that their teeth aren't as white as they'd like, or that their teeth have lost their youthful sheen, which can make them feel ashamed about the appearance of their smile. When this happens people fall out of the habit of smiling or they do a closed-lip grin, which comes across as awkward or not genuine. "Most people are not aware of how important a smile is in how others perceive them or in how they feel about themselves," says Demarais.

Best whitening options

There are really only two options for optimal, long-lasting tooth whitening – and both are achieved by seeing a dental professional, explains Bernie. The two options are in-office whitening with a light (such as Zoom!) or laser treatment, or professionally dispensed whitening gels for use in custom trays. It is critical to consult a dental professional before any whitening process, for a few reasons. Whitening agents can only work when external stains, plaque and tartar have been thoroughly removed (which your hygienist can do), and a visit to your dental hygienist and an examination by your dentist will assure that your teeth and gums are healthy, as well as provide you the best options to whiten your smile.

Daily smile care

Research has shown that using sonic power toothbrushes can maintain whitening results and keep surface staining from forming, Bernie says. And it turns out we need all the help we can get. Studies have confirmed that we tend to spend 24 to 60 seconds on our oral hygiene and a mere 10 to 20 percent of us floss regularly and effectively. "With those statistics, it is clear that power brushes will dramatically improve daily plaque removal," she says.
It's also important to avoid habits that will stain your teeth such as tobacco use and consumption of coffee, cola or other foods and liquids that cause the teeth to pick up stain. Bernie also stresses the importance of routine visits to your dental hygienist to remove hard tartar or stains, which will ensure that you not only have a white smile but also a healthy smile. Your hygienist will also be able to recommend an optimal whitening option for you.
http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/838185/a-healthy-smile-means-healthy-self-esteem

The teeth tell the tale!

Take it easy! Be happy!

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How much FLUORIDE should your child get?

3-Minute Cure For Food And Nicotine Cravings

If you’re longing for cookies, French fries—or a cigarette—there’s a fun, and surprisingly effective, way to quickly block that urge, according to a new study published in the journal Appetite.
Researchers from Plymouth University found that playing the video game Tetris for three minutes significantly reduced the strength, frequency, and vividness of cravings for food, drinks, nicotine, and caffeine.
The study included 119 young men and women, 80 of whom reported cravings for food or drink (58), caffeine (10), or nicotine (12). One group played the block-building game for three minutes, while the other sat in front of a screen that claimed to be loading the game (but didn’t, thus preventing them from playing it). After three minutes, the second group was shown a “load error” message.
The gamers experienced a 24 percent reduction in their cravings, compared to a 5.5 percent drop for those who never got to play the game.
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Why Does a Video Game Help Combat Cravings?

The scientists theorize that playing Tetris quells yearnings by distracting the brain with an engrossing visual activity that blocks craving-inducing imagery (such as picturing a luscious chocolate cake and imagining how delicious it would taste).
"Episodes of craving normally only last a few minutes, during which time an individual is visualising what they want and the reward it will bring," study researcher Jackie Andrade, PhD, a professor at Plymouth University, reported in a statement.
“Often those feelings result in the person giving in and consuming the very thing they are trying to resist,” the professor added. “But by playing Tetris, just in short bursts, you are preventing your brain creating those enticing images and without them the craving fades.”
The researchers suggest that other engrossing visual activities may have a similar effect. And since the study only looked at the immediate effect of the game, there is no evidence that playing it would lead to weight loss or increased success with quitting smoking.
It is also unknown if there is anything specific about Tetris that curbs craving, as opposed to other distracting activities, such as playing other games, doing Sudoku, or surfing the Web.
13 Health Myths Busted

Other Surprising Benefits of Gaming

Intriguingly, earlier research has also reported potential health perks to Tetris, with a 2012 study linking playing it to decreases in flashbacks and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as irritability, poor sleep, rage, and difficulty concentrating.
A small study in 2013 published in Current Biology also found that the block-building game may be helpful to adults with lazy eye (amblyopia). In the study, patients “treated” with Tetris had four times greater improvement in vision than those who were treated with an eye patch.
Playing the popular video puzzle game may help strengthen the weak eye by providing an enjoyable way to train both eyes to work together to overcome the disorder, the researchers told CTV News.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/3-minute-cure-food-and-nicotine-cravings

The Truth about Tooth Decay or Dental Caries

Tooth decay, or dental caries, is caused by prolonged exposure to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. We cannot avoid bacteria in the air. When we breathe it enters the mouth and attaches itself to everything, including the teeth. In fact, there are more microcosms in one mouth than there are people on the earth.

Sugar is the main culprit in tooth decay, because that is what the bacteria eat. Bacteria then produce acids as a byproduct. Those acids eat at the enamel of our teeth, until hole or cavity in the tooth appears.

Our story begins in the 17th century, when sugar plantations developed in the "new world." Until then food was produced and prepared with much less added sugar. Then the 18th century saw sugar beets being harvested in England. Now, virtually everything we consume, from cereal in the morning to steak and eggs at night contains extra sugar. Bacteria on our teeth count themselves lucky to live in the 21st century, where there is an almost unlimited supply of free food for them to thrive on.
We are in cahoots with sugar and bacteria when we do not brush and clean our teeth. Leaving the bacteria to feed upon sugar and produce acids in our mouths allows the bacteria time to form a visibly organized colony between the gums and the tooth that we call plaque. Plaque actually acts as a cover for the acids that sit on the surface of our enamel. Without cleaning, acids will eat at out enamel almost at will, creating tooth decay and dental caries.

Decay is demineralization. In other words, the outer tissue of the tooth is so hard because it is 95% mineral. The inner tissue of the tooth, dentin, is a little softer because it is only 66% mineral. Normally, saliva is a natural remineralizer when acids have begun demineralizing, but when plaque is involved saliva is almost powerless to repair the damage. Acids will begin with a little hole in the enamel, and once it makes it through to the dentin, it eats the tooth tissue from the inside out. This means serious dental action: fillings, or even a root canal.

With plaque the acid concentration is also higher (Ph 4 or lower), packing a more potent punch through the outer enamel tissue of the tooth. Saliva could take two or more hours to even penetrate the plaque and begin the healing process.

There are a variety of preventative measures to take. I know people who have taken to a no-sweets diet to cut down on their sugar intake. There are many who bring toothpaste and a toothbrush to school or work with them in order to clean after each time they eat. Many more carry floss with them.
May I caution against two things? Please do not depend too heavily on fluoride. Little children who take in too much fluoride, even by swallowing toothpaste accidentally or unwittingly, develop dental flourosis, or yellow and white stains on their teeth in later childhood. Take it in healthy doses.
The second caution is to avoid too much brushing. People who brush excessively or applying too much pressure tear away the gums and expose the roots directly to the acids.

Now, may I suggest two things? Clean frequently and softly by brushing and by flossing. If you can hear the brushing sound as much as the other noise around the house, you are brushing too loudly. With brushing and floss, you don't need to try too hard to eliminate the plaque or the bacteria.
My next suggestion is to carry around gum that is not only sugarless but also supplemented by a natural element called xylitol. Be careful that you choose a gum where xylitol is the leading ingredient. Xylitol fights against the habit bacteria has of settling into tissue to live. Xylitol is a natural bouncer, making cleaning throughout the day easier and cleaning in the morning or at night more thorough.

One transcendent element is sugar. It is almost impossible to escape, and it is not healthy to escape altogether. Though we cannot and should not escape it completely, we can control it and prevent its decaying effects on our teeth.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/35686

One-Third of Americans Haven't Visited Dentist in Past Year

About one in three U.S. adults say they did not visit the dentist at some point in the past 12 months. The 64.7% in 2013 who said they did visit the dentist at least once in the previous year is essentially unchanged from the rate found in 2008. Women are more likely than men to report visiting the dentist annually.

These findings are based on interviews with 178,072 American adults conducted during 2013 and with 354,645 adults conducted during 2008 as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Respondents were asked whether they had visited the dentist in the previous 12 months. Results for all years between 2008 and 2013 are similar.
The American Dental Association recommends that adults develop a plan for dental visits with their dentist, but say even those at low risk of oral disease benefit from at least annual cleanings. Thus, one in three American adults do not meet this minimum level of dental care.
Blacks, Hispanics, and Young Adults Least Likely to Visit Dentist
Among racial and ethnic groups, 55% of both blacks and Hispanics report visiting the dentist in the past year. Whites and Asians, in contrast, each are at about 70%, demonstrating that there is a notable racial and ethnic divide. Dental visit rates across most groups are similar to levels found in 2008, although there has been a small decline among blacks since that time.
In contrast, there are much smaller differences across age groups in reported dental behaviors. Young adults aged 18 to 29 are the least likely to have visited the dentist, but only marginally less so than those who are middle aged or older. An improved rate among seniors since 2008 is offset by a similarly sized decline among those 30 to 44.

Dental Habits Improve With Income
The most pronounced differences in dental habits are those across income groups. Those who earn $120,000 or more annually in household income are about twice as likely as those who earn less than $12,000 to say they visited the dentist in the past 12 months, 82.3% vs. 42.7%, respectively. Dental visit rates have held steady since 2008 for top earners, while they have declined for all other groups, particularly for low- and middle-income households with incomes between $24,000 and $60,000 per year.

Annual Dental Visits Least Common in the South
Dental visit rates are essentially unchanged in all regions compared with 2008. As was the case in 2008, 2013 rates are lowest in the South (60.0%) and highest in the East (68.9%).

Married Adults Much More Likely Than Nonmarried to Visit Dentist
Marital status also influences dental decisions, with those who are married much more likely to report visiting the dentist annually than those who are not married. Those who are separated are the least likely to report visiting the dentist, and rates have dropped the most among this group -- nearly six percentage points -- since 2008.

Implications
Poor oral care can lead to many potential negative health outcomes. Recent medical research has indicated that when combined with other risk factors, poor oral health may be linked to both heart disease and stroke, possibly due to dislodged oral bacteria entering into the bloodstream. Maternal periodontal disease, too, has been linked to preterm births, and may increase risks for other diseases such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, among others.
The percentage of adults visiting a dentist in the past year varies widely across the major U.S. racial/ethnic boundaries, and may reflect several factors, including household income. Having health insurance coverage -- which is related to income -- also appears to be a meaningful factor in dental visits, although the Affordable Care Act may help minimize the disparities in professional dental care among income groups. According to the American Dental Association's Health Policy Resources Center, as many as 17 million adults could gain some form of dental coverage via the ACA over the next several years.
Regardless of income or insurance status, however, poor oral health is preventable. Health literacy, access, and motivation can all increase the likelihood of routine dental visits and help reduce the negative health outcomes associated with not visiting the dentist.
About the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index tracks well-being in the U.S. and provides best-in-class solutions for a healthier world. To learn more, please visit well-beingindex.com.
Survey Methods Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Jan. 2-Dec. 29, 2013, with a random sample of 178,072 adults, and Jan. 2-Dec. 30, 2008, with a random sample of 354,645 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage point at the 95% confidence level.
The margin of sampling error for most demographic groups is less than ±1 percentage point, but is as high as ±2 points for groups with smaller populations, such Asians or those who are separated from their spouse.
Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones and cellular phones, with interviews conducted in Spanish for respondents who are primarily Spanish-speaking. Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 50% cellphone respondents and 50% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods. Landline respondents are chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member had the most recent birthday.
Samples are weighted to correct for unequal selection probability, nonresponse, and double coverage of landline and cell users in the two sampling frames. They are also weighted to match the national demographics of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, region, population density, and phone status (cellphone only/landline only/both, and cellphone mostly). Demographic weighting targets are based on the most recent Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older U.S. population. Phone status targets are based on the most recent National Health Interview Survey. Population density targets are based on the most recent U.S. census. All reported margins of sampling error include the computed design effects for weighting.

Tooth Friendly Drinks

Most kids can’t resist a cold can of sparkling drink; and the occasional one isn’t going to do too much harm. However, most kids drink more than the occasional can of soft drink and what’s more, they drink it throughout the day, which makes it more damaging.

Drinking soft drinks, sports drinks and even fruit juice coats your mouth with sugar for bacteria to feed on and produce acid that attacks tooth enamel.

Limiting these acid plaque attacks during the day is a great way to give your teeth a break. This means only drinking these drinks at meal times when your saliva is working at its hardest to wash away food particles and bacteria. Or, better still, drinking tap water which not only rinses out your mouth, but doesn’t contain any acid and, in many parts of Australia, has the added benefit of containing fluoride.
Teach Your Child Tooth-Friendly Eating and Drinking

Remember these simple guidelines and maybe even choose a day to devote to tooth-friendly eating and drinking.

•     Cut out all snack foods between meals. If your child has to have a snack to keep them going before dinner, make sure they eat only foods that will be kind to their teeth like cheese, nuts or fruit and get them to wash it down with a glass of water immediately after eating. Acid plaque attacks can last up to 20 minutes after you’ve eaten (even if you’ve just had a nibble). The more times you eat during the day the longer your teeth are going to be exposed to acid plaque.
•     Also try and cut out all fizzy, sugary and sports drinks, at least between meals during the day. Even better, try and cut them out completely and drink tap water instead.
•     Only eat sweet things at the end of a meal when your saliva is working at its best to wash away food particles and bacteria. Better still, stick to cheese or fruit after a meal.
•     After every meal wash food down with water (not sugary carbonated or sports drinks) and chew sugar free gum for 10 minutes to stimulate saliva flow. All this will help to quickly get rid of food particles and bacteria instead of allowing them to sit there causing damage to teeth.

- See more at: http://www.dentalhealthweek.com.au/Parents/Kids/tooth-friendly-drinks.html#sthash.Ejv3edZS.dpuf

Most kids can’t resist a cold can of sparkling drink; and the occasional one isn’t going to do too much harm. However, most kids drink more than the occasional can of soft drink and what’s more, they drink it throughout the day, which makes it more damaging.
Drinking soft drinks, sports drinks and even fruit juice coats your mouth with sugar for bacteria to feed on and produce acid that attacks tooth enamel.
Limiting these acid plaque attacks during the day is a great way to give your teeth a break. This means only drinking these drinks at meal times when your saliva is working at its hardest to wash away food particles and bacteria. Or, better still, drinking tap water which not only rinses out your mouth, but doesn’t contain any acid and, in many parts of Australia, has the added benefit of containing fluoride.

Teach Your Child Tooth-Friendly Eating and Drinking

Remember these simple guidelines and maybe even choose a day to devote to tooth-friendly eating and drinking.

• Cut out all snack foods between meals. If your child has to have a snack to keep them going before dinner, make sure they eat only foods that will be kind to their teeth like cheese, nuts or fruit and get them to wash it down with a glass of water immediately after eating. Acid plaque attacks can last up to 20 minutes after you’ve eaten (even if you’ve just had a nibble). The more times you eat during the day the longer your teeth are going to be exposed to acid plaque.
• Also try and cut out all fizzy, sugary and sports drinks, at least between meals during the day. Even better, try and cut them out completely and drink tap water instead.
• Only eat sweet things at the end of a meal when your saliva is working at its best to wash away food particles and bacteria. Better still, stick to cheese or fruit after a meal.
• After every meal wash food down with water (not sugary carbonated or sports drinks) and chew sugar free gum for 10 minutes to stimulate saliva flow. All this will help to quickly get rid of food particles and bacteria instead of allowing them to sit there causing damage to teeth.

- See more at: http://www.dentalhealthweek.com.au/Parents/Kids/tooth-friendly-drinks.html#sthash.Ejv3edZS.dpuf

Bad Breath and Gingivitis

Does this sound familiar to you? My dentist and hygienist mentioned that I had irritated gums as they cleaned my teeth. This is a symptom of gingivitis. Gingivitis can be a stepping stone to major problems in the mouth and gum line. It can lead to periodontal disease, which is a much more serious problem with the potential for actual bone loss.

Halitosis (bad breath) could be related to a gingivitis infection as both are caused by bacteria. Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums characterize gingivitis. These symptoms are most evident upon flossing and sometimes from brushing.

Bacteria cause gingivitis. And bacteria are considered to be responsible for bad breath.
Sometimes, I could even see the bloodstains that the hygienist quietly wiped away with a towel. It was embarrassing enough to know that I wasn't controlling my gingivitis problem, but to know that she was actually trying not to make a big deal out of it was troubling.

I knew my dentist was concerned because she gave me a bottle of alcohol based mouthwash to try and mentioned that she wanted to see how I looked next time. I don't like using it; there is too much alcohol and the taste is not very pleasant. Alcohol may also dry the mucous membranes in the mouth.

The Problem
Bacteria can stick to your teeth and secrete acid onto them contributing to cavity formation. They can also infect the gums, particularly around the gum line, causing gingivitis. This can manifest initially as bleeding and irritated gums.

Having a lot of uncontrolled bacteria multiplying in the mouth may also lead to bad breath, but there is a natural and normal amount of bacteria in the mouth, and you will never completely get rid of them all, nor would you want to.

Theory has it that it is actually the anaerobic bacteria that live in the tongue and throat that produce sulfur that in turn produce hard to get rid of bad breath. These anaerobes create VSCs or volatile sulfur compounds. One type is the familiar rotten egg smell. There are other odors coming from VSCs as well. These sulfur-producing bacteria may feed on certain foods, like coffee, alcohol and meats.

A gingivitis problem can offer a way for bacteria to easily enter your blood stream and that can lead to additional problems. Systemic infections could come from this. Gingivitis can be something that makes your gums bleed easily in a mild case or it can be the root of deep gum recession, leading to bone loss in the worse case scenarios. (Periodontal disease)

Loss of gum line can be discouraging. A friend of mind once described the process as, "getting long in the tooth". Sometimes, people experience this problem by brushing too hard. TIP: Using a soft bristled toothbrush with the type of motion that your hygienist recommends may help prevent eroded gum lines.

Treatment and Prevention
Had you ever heard of under-the-gum cleanings? This could be part of the protocol your dentist might invoke, should you develop periodontal disease. If you know people that have had an under-the-gum cleaning; they may tell you that it is not very pleasant.

Your dentist can deal with this problem in a variety of ways. However, prevention probably is the best option. Include good flossing and brushing habits - see your dentist for details. And you could add a non-alcohol based mouthwash alternative to your regimen.

I'm currently using a special toothbrush that uses vibration to clean the teeth. This device does a better job than a regular toothbrush in keeping my teeth clean. It does take a little while to get used to because of the vibration. It makes many, many vibrations per second. This helps to give it such wonderful cleaning abilities.

Don't feel sad if you have excellent oral health habits but you still have bad breath. This is common and many people experience this same situation. Oral health products that don't contain sodium lauryl sulfates or artificial flavors that can still kill the bacteria that cause bad breath without using harsh alcohol or tough chemicals may be helpful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/19096

What a fun and healthy snack for the young and the young at heart!

Let's keep our teeth happy!

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