Your first and easiest line of defense is good oral care. Cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease can all be underlying causes of odor. https://images.plurk.com/NOXaDnpUklguIFf2bKFSc.jpg

Daily dental care is part of a healthy lifestyle

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Remember neglect is expensive! Get your teeth regularly checked!

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Teeth Whitening and Sensitive Teeth

Tooth whitening to achieve that "perfect" smile has recently become extremely popular. However, there is a price to be paid for that beautiful smile. One of the side effects of tooth whitening is temporarily increased sensitivity to heat or cold. This increase in sensitivity is seen by most people as being a minor side effect of treatment, plus it usually goes away after treatment is over. However, if your teeth are already overly sensitive to temperature, then you may need to be more careful in choosing and using a tooth whitening method.

There are several different methods available for applying the whitening agent to your teeth. One is the tray type system, which uses a carrier tray to hold the whitening agent next to your teeth. Another method is the popular whitening "strips", which are made of very thin plastic impregnated with the whitening agent. These strips are designed to adhere to your teeth when pressed onto them firmly. Also available are gels which contain the whitening agent. They have a thick consistency which allows them to be applied to your teeth and stay until wiped off.

The increased sensitivity is caused by the main ingredient used in most tooth whitening products, either carbomide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These two compounds are actually forms of bleach, hence you may see the terms "tooth whitening" and "tooth bleaching" used interchangeably. If you are using a product that contains either of these compounds, there are a few steps you can take to lessen the increase in thermal sensitivity.

One way to reduce the sensitivity is to reduce the time that the tooth whitening product remains on your teeth. For example, if the instructions call for 2 hours per treatment, then reduce this to only 1 hour. Another way would be to increase the time between treatments. If the usual frequency is once per day, then try doing the treatments every other day. If you still experience discomfort you could do both - decrease the treatment time to 1 hour and perform the treatments every other day.

Remember, even people who do not initially have sensitive teeth usually experience a temporary increase in sensitivity during treatment, so you will probably still experience some discomfort. Another suggestion is to brush your teeth before and after treatment with a toothpaste especially designed for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes usually use a flouride compound to de-sensitize your teeth. There are several different ones on the market Also, if you discuss your plans with your dentist, they may able to provide you with a professional flouride treatment that can be applied at home.

One other option is available if you have tried the tooth whiteners and find that they are too uncomfortable. You can use one of the available tooth whitening toothpastes, which will clean your teeth with a mild abrasive rather than bleach them. These tooth whitening toothpastes do not use bleach, so you should not experience any added sensitivity, but they will not whiten your teeth as much as bleaching.

As your can see, if you have sensitive teeth, the tooth whitening process may take longer and require a little extra effort, but you should be able to achieve the same results in the end: a whiter, brighter smile.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/251730

When children get their #teeth

Top 10 Oral Health Tips For Children

There's no need to wait until your baby actually has teeth to lay the foundations for good oral or general health. In fact, good nutrition and oral hygiene can start right away. It is up to you to develop the routines that will help protect your child from tooth decay and other oral health problems. So let's get started!

1) Start Proper Oral Hygiene Habits ASAP

Gently clean your infant's gums and newly erupting first teeth after each feeding with a water-soaked gauze pad to clean around the teeth and gums.
2) Brush With Care

When your baby's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using no more than a thin smear of fluoridated toothpaste.
3) Teach Your Children

When your child turns 2, you can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques with no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. You should follow up their efforts by gently brushing the teeth again. Modeling correct technique is important. When your child is about 6 years old, he/she should be developing the dexterity to do it alone. You can then introduce flossing.
4) Check Your Water

Determine if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated. If it is not, discuss supplement options with your dentist. Keep in mind that toothpastes and various foods may also contain fluoride.
5) Fight Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Don't let your child go to sleep with a pacifier or bottle filled with anything but water. When teeth are frequently exposed to sugar-containing fluids (including breast milk and formula) for long periods, the potential for decay increases dramatically.
6) Avoid Sugar

Understand that if your child ingests sugars, it will take the saliva a minimum of 30 minutes to neutralize the acidity that is created by decay-producing bacteria. A sugary snack every hour can mean your child's mouth is always acid, increasing the chances for tooth decay.

7) Make a Dental Appointment

Your child should see a dentist around the time of his/her first birthday and then regularly thereafter. It is important to establish a dental home. Your pediatric or general dentist will teach you how to prevent dental disease, check for cavities in the primary teeth and watch for developmental problems, and set a positive precedent for future visits.
8) Prevent Cavities

Ask your dentist about dental sealants and fluoride applications to protect your child's teeth. Sealants can prevent food from getting stuck in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces and topical fluoride will strengthen the enamel against decay.
9) Keep Your Cool

If you feel anxious about a visit to a dental professional, try not to convey these feelings to your child. This is very important for emotional well-being. Encourage your child to discuss any fears he/she might have about visiting a dentist, but don't put any new fears into his/her head. It is a good rule of thumb not to mention the words “hurt” or “pain” as it raises a possibility he/she might not have thought of.
10) Childproof Your Home

Research has shown that children under age 7 sustain over half of the dental injuries to their primary (baby) teeth playing in close proximity to home furniture.

- See more at: http://www.deardoctor.com/articles/top-10-oral-health-tips-for-children/#sthash.dp0Esrp4.dpuf

Tooth Friday fact

Take it easy! Be happy!

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

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Dads’ dental fear may be passed on to their children

A father who is afraid to go to the dentist is likely to pass on his fear to his children, say Spanish researchers.

Although the researchers at Rey Juan Carolos University of Madrid say that previous studies have identified an association between fear levels of parents and children, no study has focused on the different roles of mothers and fathers in passing dental fear to children.

In a study published in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, scientists surveyed 183 Madrid schoolchildren ranging in age from 7 to 12 years old, as well as their parents. Families received anonymous questionnaires that asked participants rated their level of fear on 15 items related to dentistry and other medical issues.

Scientists had two hypotheses: the greater dental fear is for one family member, the greater it would be for the other family members; and fathers will have more influence on their child’s fear level.
The data showed that mothers reported the highest levels of dental fear and researchers also said the data confirmed their first hypothesis.

They also concluded that the father’s feelings about going to the dentist play a key role in whether a mother's fear of the dentist will be passed on to their children.

“Although the results should be interpreted with due caution, children seem to mainly pay attention to the emotional reactions of the fathers when deciding if situations at the dentist are potentially stressful,” said study co-author Professor America Lara-Sacido.

Prof. Lara-Sacido said the results point to a need for dentists to reduce father’s dental fear levels by providing them with accurate information on dental treatments, simple relaxation techniques or addressing negative thoughts to prevent passing dental fears on to their children.

“With regard to assistance in the dental clinic, the work with parents is key,” Prof. Lara-Sacido said. "They should appear relaxed as a way of directly ensuring that the child is relaxed too. Through the positive emotional contagion route in the family, the right attitude can be achieved in the child so that attending the dentist is not a problem,” she said.

MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website, offers advice for parents taking their child for a first dental visit (http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/healthy-habits/)

The ADA recommends that a child’s first dental visit should be scheduled within six months after the first tooth appears, but no later than a child’s first birthday.

“Don’t wait for them to start school or until there’s an emergency. Get your child comfortable today with good mouth healthy habits,” the website advises.

Although the first visit is mainly for the dentist to examine your child’s mouth and to check growth and development, it’s also about your child being comfortable. To make the visit positive, parents should:

• Consider making a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative.
• Keep any anxiety or concerns you have to yourself. Children can pick up on your emotions, so emphasize the positive.
• Never use a dental visit as a punishment or threat.
• Never bribe your child.
• Talk with your child about visiting the dentist.

Please do wear your retainers!

Teeth Grinding: Treatment Options and Tips for Protection

Every night, while many people reach for their memory foam pillow or a good book to help them sleep, I reach for a small, green case on my bedside table. Inside is a custom-made, acrylic mouth guard, which fits over my teeth perfectly. I wear it to bed without fail.
This nightly ritual is not sexy, but necessary to protect my teeth. Like many other Americans, I grind my teeth at night, a condition called nocturnal bruxism. With the bite guard, I go to sleep looking like a prizefighter ready to spar, but wake up feeling relatively normal, and my teeth are— for the most part—unscathed. Without it, I wake up with a splitting headache and new damage to my teeth.
In severe cases like mine, the damage can be intense. But most people who grind their teeth have no idea they are even doing so, says Shawn Adibi, DDS, an assistant professor in the Department of General Practice and Public Health at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Dentistry. He says many people find out they are grinding from their spouse or partner who hears it at night or from their dentist. “When we tell them they are grinding their teeth at night, they are adamant that they don’t,” he says. “But we see the wear and tear, the shiny spots on the teeth that are indicative of grinding.”
With continued grinding, damage quickly becomes evident. The constant friction from the top and bottom teeth sliding against each other wears down tooth enamel—weakening the teeth and making them more vulnerable to cavities and breakage. The relentless grinding also has potential to stress the joints surrounding the jaw, causing severe and sometimes chronic headache, and in serious cases, lasting jaw damage.

The daily (or nightly) grind

Teeth grinding is an increasingly common condition, probably because we pay more attention to our dental health than in times past, Adibi says. But why do we do it?
A combination of stress and the structure of the teeth contribute to teeth grinding. People who have teeth spaced closely together are more likely to grind, as are, according to Adibi, people who suffer from emotional disturbances.
Adibi suggests patients who grind primarily because of stress work with mental health professionals to develop coping strategies, adding that both anti-anxiety medications and therapy help. “Once it (the stress) is controlled, the dentist has a better chance of managing the bruxism,” he says.
Most often, Adibi prescribes a bite guard, also called a bruxism appliance or night guard, to protect further destruction of the teeth. The goal is to stop the damage from progressing, he says.

Botox your bite

Damage control is the name of the game when treating bruxism. But little progress has been made to stop teeth grinding at its source, says neurologist William Ondo, MD, a visiting professor of neurology at UTHealth Medical School. Ondo has studied the use of botulinum toxin, sold commercially as Botox, to treat bruxism. He helped pioneer the use of Botox as a treatment for patients with movement disorders and has used it off-label on patients with bruxism for more than 20 years. “It (Botox) seemed like an intuitive and obvious way to relax the jaw closing muscles,” he says, adding that Botox has more than 200 medical uses in addition to reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It is used most frequently to control involuntary movements, reduce glandular secretions and reduce the transmission of pain.
Ondo’s study was a placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 23 participants with bruxism—13 were injected with Botox, 10 with a placebo. The injections weakened the study participants’ jaw muscles and temporarily prevented them from grinding their teeth at night.
Results presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in April show Botox’s potential as a treatment for teeth grinding, Ondo says. Patients in the study who received the Botox injections ground their teeth less, according to reports from study participants and feedback from their spouses or bed partners. The effects of Botox lasted three to four months and cost an average of $1,000 per treatment, depending on insurance coverage.
Ondo says the next step is to test out Botox for bruxism in a multicenter trial, with the goal of getting the Food and Drug Administration’s approval for the usage.
Using Botox to treat bruxism “relieves the pain caused by teeth grinding for a while and, in some cases, it is helpful if the patient has chronic pain,” says Adibi of the study. However, he recommends a treatment program that also addresses the underlying causes of the teeth grinding and a more long-term solution to protecting the teeth. “Hopefully more research can be done on new treatments such as this,” he says.

Teeth grinding tips

Until a cure for bruxism is found, wearing a bite guard at night and reducing stress is the best strategy to stem the damage from teeth grinding, Adibi says. He also offers the following tips:

• For day grinders (diurnal bruxism): keep your teeth apart at least 2 millimeters at all times. This will be hard, at first, because you may be totally unaware of when you are grinding or clenching your teeth, says Adibi. “The only time your teeth should touch is when you bite something to eat.”
• Try this relaxation technique for occasional pain: Put your fist under your chin. Open and close it. Press your chin down against the opposing force of your fist as it pushes up. “Muscle relaxation exercises like these help relieve pain and the muscle tightness in the jaw,” Adibi says.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers to treat pain and headaches caused by teeth grinding. Stronger medications such as muscle relaxants do little to help teeth grinding. Anti-anxiety medications may indirectly help reduce bruxism, since they help alleviate the stress and anxiety that may have been the cause of teeth grinding. “We have seen correlation between emotional stress and bruxism, but not a cause and effect relationship, yet,” Adibi says. “Will medication help emotional stress? You bet. We are not sure about bruxism.”
• Be sure to get a custom-made, acrylic bite guard from your dentist. Over-the-counter bite guards are typically made of softer materials, which don’t restrict jaw motion as much as acrylic bite guards and “may do more harm than good,” Adibi says.

http://www.uthealthleader.org/index/article.htm?id=9eae1006-e8e6-4e6e-8fbc-277862d19ebf

Have you noticed symptoms of swelling gums?