DENTiCOM

Bad breath

2008-10-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

Bad breath

Definition

Store shelves are overflowing with mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to help people combat and prevent bad breath. Yet these products help control bad breath (halitosis) only temporarily.

Certain foods, health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. But, if simple self-care techniques don't solve the problem, you may want to see your dentist to be sure a more serious condition isn't causing your bad breath.

Symptoms

The precise kind of bad breath odor varies depending on the source or the underlying cause of the bad breath.

When to see a doctor
See your dentist if you have tried self-care techniques and have not had good results, and to be sure that you don't have a more serious condition that's causing your bad breath.

Causes

Most bad breath originates in your mouth. The causes of bad breath are numerous. They include:
Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can cause a foul odor. Eating foods containing volatile oils is another source of bad breath. Onions and garlic are the best-known examples, but other vegetables and spices also can cause bad breath. After these foods are digested and the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they're carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath until the food is eliminated from your body. Onions and garlic can cause bad breath for as long as 72 hours after you've eaten them.

Dental problems. Poor dental hygiene and periodontal disease can be a source of bad breath. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, collecting bacteria and emitting hydrogen sulfide vapors. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth.

If not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums (gingivitis) and cause tooth decay. Eventually, plaque-filled pockets can form between your teeth and gums (periodontitis), worsening this problem — and your breath. Dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly also can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.
Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse and moisten your mouth. A dry mouth enables dead cells to accumulate on your tongue, gums and cheeks. These cells then decompose and cause odor. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep. It's what causes "morning breath." Dry mouth is even more of a problem if you sleep with your mouth open. Some medications as well as smoking can lead to a chronic dry mouth, as can a problem with your salivary glands.
Diseases. Chronic lung infections and lung abscesses can produce very foul-smelling breath. Other illnesses, such as some cancers and certain metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor. Kidney failure can cause a urine-like odor, and liver failure may cause an odor described as "fishy." People with uncontrolled diabetes often have a fruity breath odor. Chronic reflux of stomach acids from your stomach (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) also has been associated with bad breath.
Mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath is also associated with sinus infections because nasal discharge from your sinuses into the back of your throat can cause mouth odor. A child with bad breath may have a foreign object lodged in his or her nose. A bean or small item stuck in the nose can cause persistent nasal discharge and a foul odor. Throat infections can cause bad breath until they clear. Bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections in which you cough up odorous sputum are other sources of bad breath.
Tobacco products. Smoking dries out your mouth and causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Tobacco users are also more likely to have periodontal disease, an additional source of bad breath.
Severe dieting. Dieters may develop unpleasant "fruity" breath from ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting.

Preparing for your appointment

Because it's difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask someone close to you to confirm your breath problem. Once your bad breath has been confirmed, try making lifestyle changes and reviewing your oral hygiene habits.

If, despite practicing proper dental hygiene, your bad breath persists, see your dentist. If the cause isn't dental, see your doctor to rule out a possible medical cause. You may need a physical examination and testing to pinpoint the underlying cause.

What you can do
Don't eat, drink, chew gum, smoke or brush your teeth for three hours before your appointment. Also, don't wear perfume, scented lotions, or scented lipstick or lip gloss to your appointment, as these products could mask any odors. If you've taken antibiotics within the last month, check with your doctor or dentist to see if your appointment needs to be rescheduled. Antibiotics can sometimes temporarily reduce the number of odor-causing bacteria.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor or dentist is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
When did you first begin to experience symptoms?
Are your symptoms occasional or continuous?
How often do you brush your teeth or clean your dentures?
How often do you floss?
What kinds of foods do you eat?
What medications do you take?
Do you breathe through your mouth?
Do you snore?
Do you have allergies or sinus problems?
What do you suspect might be causing your bad breath?
Have other people noticed and commented on your bad breath?

Your doctor or dentist will likely smell both the breath from your mouth and the breath from your nose, and he or she will rate the odor on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 being no odor. He or she may also scrape the back of your tongue with a plastic spoon, and rate its odor. Researchers are currently trying to develop a machine that could more objectively assess odors, but none are currently sufficiently reliable.

Lifestyle and home remedies for Bad breath

2008-10-13T04:13:00.000-07:00

Lifestyle and home remedies

Try the following steps to improve or prevent bad breath:
Brush your teeth after you eat. Keep a toothbrush at work to brush after eating. Be sure to brush at least twice a day, for two to three minutes at a time.
Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth.
Brush your tongue. Giving your tongue a gentle brushing removes dead cells, bacteria and food debris. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a flexible tongue scraper. Try to clean as far back as you can without gagging because the bacteria tend to collect toward the back.
Clean your dentures well. If you wear a bridge or a partial or complete denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist.
Drink plenty of water. To keep your mouth moist, be sure to consume plenty of water — not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates saliva, washing away food particles and bacteria. If you have chronic dry mouth, your dentist or doctor may additionally prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
Use a fairly new toothbrush. Change your toothbrush every three to four months, and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Schedule regular dental checkups. At least twice a year, see your dentist to have your teeth or dentures examined and cleaned.
Chew fresh parsley or suck on a sugarless mint. Doing so may temporarily improve bad breath.

You can teach your school-age children to brush and floss their teeth regularly and to brush their tongues to prevent bad breath. But, don't let children use mouthwash, because many mouthwash products contain alcohol and can pose a risk for children if swallowed.

Oral health: Tips for proper dental care 3

2008-10-13T04:11:00.000-07:00

Oral health: Tips for proper dental care
Get daily dental care tips and learn ways to protect your oral health. See which symptoms should prompt a call to your dentist.

Other oral health care tips

Brushing and flossing are the mainstays of good dental care and oral health. In addition to those, you may also want to consider these oral health tips:
Use an interdental cleaner, such as a dental pick or dental stick specially designed to clean between your teeth.
Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth.
Use oral irrigators, or devices that aim a stream of water at your teeth, to remove food particles.
Don't use toothpicks or other objects that aren't made to clean your teeth.
Oral health problems to report to your dentist

Call your dentist promptly if you develop any of the following signs and symptoms that may suggest oral health problems:
Red, tender or swollen gums
Gums that bleed when you're regularly brushing and flossing
Gums that are pulling away from your teeth, which may make your teeth seem longer
Pus around your teeth and gums when you press on the gums
A bad taste in your mouth
Loose teeth
Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth touch
Changes in the feel of your dentures
Sensitivity to hot and cold

Oral health: Tips for proper dental care 2

2008-10-10T07:27:00.001-07:00

Oral health: Tips for proper dental care
Get daily dental care tips and learn ways to protect your oral health. See which symptoms should prompt a call to your dentist.

Follow these tips on how to floss your teeth:
When you floss, gently ease the floss between your teeth.
Pull the ends of the floss against the front and back surface of a tooth so that the floss forms a "C" as it wraps around the tooth.
Gently pull the floss from the gumline to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque.
Floss the backs of your teeth.
Use fresh floss as you progress through your teeth.
If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, try waxed floss.
If it's hard to manipulate the floss, try using a floss holder.

Oral health: Tips for proper dental care 1

2008-10-10T07:18:00.001-07:00

Oral health: Tips for proper dental care
Get daily dental care tips and learn ways to protect your oral health. See which symptoms should prompt a call to your dentist.

Don't take your smile for granted. Maintain good oral health by practicing regular dental care habits and reporting problems to your dentist promptly. Clean your teeth daily and see your dentist one to two times a year to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems.
Brushing for oral health

Follow these tips on how to brush your teeth:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush — it's gentler on your gums.
To brush properly, hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and use short back-and-forth motions.
Brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Brush your teeth for about two minutes each time you brush.
Brush your tongue.
Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if it becomes frayed.
Consider using an electric toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush well.
Flossing for oral health

A toothbrush can't reach all the tight spaces between your teeth or the areas under your gumline. That can allow plaque to build up, threatening your oral health. Flossing, though, removes those particles and improves oral health.

Foods that destroy Your white smile

2008-07-11T01:34:00.000-07:00

We're all born with naturally white smiles. Unfortunately, over time these white smiles fade. Making matters worse, the foods we eat attack our white smiles on a daily basis.

Normally, our mouths cover tooth enamel with a clear colorless layer of protein known as the pellicle. Like flies to flypaper, food stains stick to this protein pellicle, blotching our beautiful, white smiles.

Especially damaging are:

Foods like soy sauce, berries, curry, coffee, red wine, and tea. These foods easily stain teeth.
Extremely hot or cold liquids. These are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth. This temperature change (hot and cold cycling) causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth.

Try cutting down on these types of drinks (including coffee and tea) or try drinking them with a straw to reduce the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth.
Foods that are slightly acidic. These foods open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to more easily move into your teeth.
Tobacco. This is one of the biggest culprits in ruining white smiles. Tobacca quickly stains teeth yellow.

Sinus infection caused by Dental problem

2008-07-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

Sinus infection caused by Dental problem
by: Marlon D. Ludovice

Everyone has a sinus on each side of their nose called the maxillary sinus. Wherein, the roots of the upper back teeth go into the right and left maxillary sinuses. This can cause a problem during sinus season. If a sinus has an infection, it can fill up with fluid and cause the entire sinus lining to become inflamed. If encountered by patients they will feel pain in their upper back teeth along with a metallic taste in the mouth. Threatening a major dental problem if continuously endure.

Both of the maxillary sinuses drain into the nose. Nothing much really happens in the sinus except when the exit into the nose is blocked. Swelling in the nose can cause blockage of the sinus outlet and fluid builds up in the sinus. And when the sinus fills up with fluid, bacteria can grow in the fluid because the sinus is warm, dark, and moist. The problem started with the nose blocking up and this is usually caused by nasal and breathing allergies.

This concerns the dentists. Because continued nasal and sinus problems can lead to poor dental development. Wherein, if problems transpire longer can make doing orthodontics very difficult. It is necessary to consult dentist if symptoms persist. Regular check up will help you monitor your status about the disease.

But for the short term, a patient can spray their nose with sea salt spray. This moistens the nasal area and can loosen the snot blocking the sinus exit. Take hot showers and breathe in the hot spray to moisten your nose. Finally, fill up your tub and just let the water evaporate so that the air will stay moist. Lots of sinus problems happen when the heating or cooling systems dry out the air because this dries out your nose.

Caring for your nose and your teeth is the most helpful thing to do in order to prevent at least the effect and occurrence of a sinus infection. So if you are afraid to encounter such terrible sicknesslove your whole body that is the least thing to do!

About the author:

For additional information and comments about the article you may log on to http://www.sinusinfectionproblems.com

Dental Care: A Surefire Killer Smile

2008-07-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

Dental Care: A Surefire Killer Smile
by: Charlene J. Nuble

A smile freshens up the face better than any make-up can do. A killer smile will make everyone look and stare. You do not have to have a perfect set of teeth but keeping your pearly whites clean and your breath smelling fresh will definitely be life changing.

Brushing your teeth twice a day is an essential dental care. This helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The size and shape of your toothbrush should fit the mouth to enable the brush to reach all areas easily. Using a toothpaste containing fluoride is also another tip in dental care for fluoride helps protect your teeth from decay. It is also a vital dental care if you clean between the teeth using floss or interdental cleaners which remove plaque from the in between areas the toothbrush can't reach. This also prevents gum disease.

Brushing the teeth is not as easy as you thought it is. You might not believe this but brushing the teeth is more than brushing the teeth, spitting out the water, and gargling. The following are tips in brushing that will definitely vamp your personal dental care.

Brush at a 45 degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide strokes against the gumline
In brushing chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat and brush back and forth
Tilt brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with toe of brush in brushing inside surfaces of front teeth
Brush the tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and freshen the mouth.

As mentioned earlier, flossing is a vital part in dental care and similar with brushing, there is a proper way in doing it. The following will teach you how to floss properly and get that great smile.

Wrap an 18-inch strand around your middle fingers and hold a one inch section tightly.
Ease floss between teeth and clean up and down several times while curving around the tooth at the gumline.
Always floss behind the last tooth and unwind clean floss as your proceed.
Floss around the abutment teeth of a bridge and under artificial teeth with a floss threader.

It has been said that a person should visit the dentist at least twice a year and that saying is not just a maxim passed from a parent to a child for the sake of passing but in fact is a type of dental care that we all should be responsive. Brushing and flossing will never be enough to keep your pearly whites unbelievably clean and your mouth smelling fresh. Visiting your dentist at least once in six months will ensure that killer smile you thought only existed in commercials.

When you go to the dentist, you get more than cleaning. If cleaning is all you can get from the dentist as dental care, your dentist might be getting more than your money's worth. When you visit the dentist, you actually get a full spectrum of dental care. The full spectrum includes diagnostic, preventive, and educational services specifically and individually designed to help you keep the best possible smile.

The diagnostic part of dental care spectrum includes:

1. A review and update of your medical history
2. A recording of any changes in your prescribed medications and physical condition
3. X-rays for detecting decay, bone loss, and oral diseases
4. An examination of your teeth to detect decay
5. Evaluation of your gum tissues
6. Checking your biting patterns
7. Evaluation of possible cosmetic alterations which may help improve your smile

The preventive service of the spectrum of dental care includes:

1. blood pressure screening
2. Head and neck oral cancer screening
3. Scaling of the teeth to remove all plaque and tartar
4. Polishing of the teeth to remove all stains
5. Polishing of the silver crowns
6. Polishing all silver restorations
7. Flossing
8. Application of fluoride if necessary
9. Referral to a specialist for specific treatment if necessary

The educational service of the spectrum of dental care includes:

1. A tour of the mouth and discussion of the findings
2. Tooth brushing and flossing instructions
3. Dietary discussion
4. Presentation of prescribed dental treatment
5. Updates on what is new in home care products and latest advances in dentistry

Dental care is more than brushing the teeth as you have learned as you read this article. Good oral hygiene is a habit we all should get into to keep that smile a killer that will make you attractive and not scary.

About the author:
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about dental care, please go to: http://dental.besthealthlink.net/or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://www.besthealthlink.net/

Dental Abscess

2008-03-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

What is an ABSCESS?

An abscess is the collection of pus following any infection, occurring within the body. When pus accumulates in relation to a tooth it is known as dental abscess. It can occur following an infection around the root of a tooth, in the gums or within the jawbone.

Causes
The most common cause is tooth decay. Tooth decay is a slowly progressing infection destroying the tooth and its contents. This infection descends down from the pulp to the tip of the roots and spreads into the surrounding bone. The pus formed is a result of this infection.

Injury to a tooth from a fall or blow can also result in a dental abscess.

Bacteria or food particles trapped within the gums or between the tooth and the gum can cause an infection resulting in an abscess.
Medical problems such as diabetes can result in frequent occurrence of dental abscess.

Symptoms
Pain associated with or without chewing

Redness and swelling in relation to the concerned area

Difficulty in swallowing

Foul tasting discharge within the mouth

Foul breath

Fever
What happerns if the Abscess is not treated?

If left untreated the bag of pus break's open into the mouth or the face causing recurrent discharge of pus. This can result in foul breath, foul taste or an ugly scar on the face.

At times the infection spreads within the face and the neck region resulting in certain life threatening conditions.

How is the Dental Abscess treated?

The main principle of treatment is to drain the accumulated pus and remove the source of infection. This can either be done through the tooth by doing a Root canal treatment or via the gums by incising and draining the abscess. This is followed by a complete course of antibiotics and pain relievers. If the infection still persists the patient is referred to an oral surgeon for the surgical removal of the infected area.
What can be done to prevent the spread of Dental Abscess?

The best way to prevent an abscess is to visit your dentist twice a year. At these appointments, your dentist will:
X-ray your teeth once a year to check for decay between
the teeth and to evaluate the health of your jaw bone.

Examine your teeth and mouth.

Remove any plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth.

Teach you how to care for your teeth and maintain good oral health.

Alert you to any problem areas.

Recommend any needed treatments

Use the Right Brush

2008-02-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

"You have to use the right kind of brush. A lot of people are brushing with a cheap brush. You can go to the drugstore and pick up a brush for 25 cents. A cheapie. A good brush these days is going to cost you at least a dollar. The reason a lot of people are not cleaning their teeth better is that they're using an inferior instrument. We start off by giving them a fairly soft brush, with rounded tips."
Finally, Dr. Knapp told us a little more about keeping the teeth clean: "If you brush your teeth and you feel a tingling afterwards on the gums, that doesn't mean that you've gotten them extra clean. It means you may have damaged some cells. When you wash your arm, it doesn't tingle afterwards, does it? This is the sort of common sense thing that people don't think about. If you start to floss, you should do it correctly. Use unwaxed floss so the floss will spread out. Use the floss like a shoeshine rag across the teeth. Flossing and brushing should control plaque.
"Also, a lot of toothpaste has chemicals in it. I tell my patients, if you can't pronounce it, don't put it in your body. If you look at a tube of toothpaste, you'll sometimes see artificial sugars listed, too. These artificial sugars have been shown in some studies to cause changes in the tissue cells, and to slow down healing as much as sugar can and possibly more. We tell them to avoid toothpaste - to use baking soda, salt or just plain water."
By far, that was probably the most pleasant visit with a dentist any of us has ever had, not to mention the most pleasant visit with three dentists! Of course, these are three dentists practicing what appears to be a dentistry of the future, a dentistry that is concerned with healing rather than drilling. Naturally, you don't have to wait until your dentist becomes more interested in preventing tooth decay than treating it. They're your teeth! Take care of them and the dentistry of the future will be yours. Today.

Do It Yourself!!!

2007-09-04T04:39:00.000-07:00

Or: How to Become Dentally Self Sufficient

Instead of always fill, fill, fill, "cavities can be arrested by remineralization." Please think of a cavity in a tooth, or inflamed bleeding gums. . . no way for them to heal, right? But suppose that no infection existed in the saliva, or in and around the gums, then what? They heal without benefit of an expensive dentist.
This new knowledge of stopping the cause of cavities is actually quite simple. One just needs to lower the acid production within the mouth and take advantage of the natural calcium and phosphorus deposition that can take place when conditions are right.
Gum tissue problems also go away at the same time since the right conditions necessary to heal cavities also cause the gums to be perfectly healthy. When proper conditions are created the gum tissue heals. As the gum tissue heals, it also reattaches and can grow back over areas of severe recession. The underlying bone also grows back so teeth that are severely loosened can be made to tighten up and become firm and healthy again. It's all a matter of giving the body a chance to rejuvenate itself. Lowering the acid production in the mouth eliminates the causes of all these problems.
Cavities and gum problems are caused by acid and toxins trapped in and around the teeth and gums. These acids and toxins are produced by harmful bacteria along with the residue of various foods that we eat. It's very important that we have excellent nutrition to begin with, a very wholesome diet containing all of the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Then we must set out on a program to get rid of the harmful bacteria that cause all of the problems. The methods necessary to do this vary from person to person depending on age and prior conditions.
Newborn babies, for example, should have their mouths "wiped out" either with a gauze square wrapped around a finger, or a "toothette." It's at this early age that all of the problems get started. The most critical year regarding dental health in one's lifetime is the first year-- birth to age one. This is the year that the decay producing bacteria develop and grow to large numbers in the mouth.
Methods that keep the dental disease process from beginning in the first year of life are as follows:
Feed baby a balanced diet. Restrict sweets.
Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle.
Clean baby's mouth with a 2"x 2" gauze square each day-after meals and before bed.
As teeth appear, clean teeth with a soft tooth brush (without any toothpaste) before bedtime each day.
Use Clean Between daily. (Clean Between is a newly designed product similar to dental floss).
Examine your child's teeth very carefully with a good light. If any holes can be seen, fill them with Cavit, a home filling material.
Find a dentist to whom Oramedics is the most important phase of his practice.
While cleaning your child's teeth keep a constant lookout for anything that looks like decay (brown areas of defects In the enamel). If you detect anything that looks like early decay have the child's saliva tested.
Continue at least daily cleaning of your child's teeth until the child can begin to partly take over. Children are able to assume responsibility earlier than others. Those who have been exposed to this method from birth will be better able to begin taking care of themselves at an earlier age. When the child begins to use the brush and Clean Between himself, he will need careful supervision for quite some time. When the child is old enough to begin helping with his own cleaning, he should also be old enough to take a saliva test. This is important to establish a basis of good oral ecology.
The basic approach is supervision with the major ingredient being a whole lot of loving patience. Keeping a mouth clean is not an easy job and that is the main reason why most people do it so poorly. However, if taught at a young age in the right way, the apparent difficulties are readily over come. There is probably no other basic health message that can he taught at this age that has more lifetime importance and significance. The correct efforts on the part of the parents during these years can mean a lifetime of freedom from dental disease.
By about the age of nine years, most children should be able to assume the day-to-day responsibilities of seeing to it that his or her mouth is scrupulously cleaned at least once every day. Routine cleaning alter every meal is highly advisable. But a thorough cleaning once each day is essential. If good oral ecology is to be maintained it is probably still advisable for the parent to spot-check the thoroughness of the child's cleaning habits on a weekly basis.
>From ages four - twelve it is probably advisable to continue a program of periodic saliva testing. If the conditions of the oral ecology are favorable, yearly saliva testing is probably adequate. If conditions are not A-1, saliva testing on a more frequent basis is highly recommended.
If you and your child have been working together using the right concepts and techniques, dental disease should be non-existent. We have strongly emphasized the importance of ideal oral hygiene. We have not overlooked the importance of nutrition and would like to emphasize here that throughout life, good nutrition is an extremely important factor in achieving dental and oral health, in general. Now is the time for you and your family to start enjoying the benefits of oral health.

Also visit: >>> HealthyLonger.Life<<<
Natural herbs and remedies that help us prolong our life.

Cosmetic Dentistry

2007-08-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic dentistry is defined as any dental work performed on the teeth to improve their appearance. It's not at all surprising that cosmetic dentistry is big business because very few are really ever satisfied with their original set of pearly whites. Ever see any of those image makeover programs on TV? Isn't it true that one of the first things always tackled on the image makeover process is the improvement on one's set of teeth?

Now, some may need just a touch of whitening due to eating, drinking and smoking habits, while others require more drastic cosmetic dentistry measures such as almost always the case when you have chipped, misaligned or missing teeth. So which one applies to you? Maybe a look at today's leading cosmetic dentistry procedures will help you decide.

Cosmetic Dentistry Type No. 1 - What is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth whitening is perhaps the easiest and cheapest type of cosmetic dentistry you can tap to simply make a good first impression. People opt for this cosmetic dentistry solution if they are only after improving the color of their teeth and nothing more. The tooth whitening process is very easy. For instance, with at-home tooth whitening solutions, you get a 'whitening kit'. This will include instructions and materials for you to make your own teeth impressions, which you then send off to an approved dental lab. The impressions are used to create a customized tray for you, which you then use to put the whitening gel on (also provided in the whitening kit). From here, it's simply a matter of using the whitening tray and gel as often as you like till you get the level of whiteness you desire.

Main Pros: inexpensive; easy to perform, convenient to apply.
Main Cons: requires maintenance.

Cosmetic Dentistry Type No. 2 - What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin sheets of porcelain that are bonded or molded to the front side of your teeth using a curing light. Although considered a tooth whitening solution (and that indeed they are), this cosmetic dentistry option offers so much more than just whitening your teeth. Porcelain dental veneers can be used to remove gaps between your teeth, fill out any chips on your teeth, and others. In short, they change the outline of your teeth, enabling you to flash a 'perfect set' of pearly whites.

This cosmetic dentistry procedure entails an initial visit to your cosmetic dentist where you both discuss what you want changed in your teeth's appearance. If all's well, a second visit is scheduled and on this session your teeth will be reduced (by about .5mm) and a mold for the porcelain veneers created. The actual manufacture of the porcelain veneers will take about a week. Once ready, you need to go to the dentist again for a fitting (hopefully, it is the first and final fitting as well).

Main Pros: looks very natural; stain-resistant.
Main Cons: irreversible procedure; can be quire expensive.

Cosmetic Dentistry Type No. 3 - What is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a form of cosmetic dentistry where a dental composite filling is applied on your teeth. It basically uses the same procedure as applying porcelain veneers but the material used is different. So what IS dental composite? To put it simply, it's mainly plastic plus fillers and modifiers that serve to enhance the general characteristics of this plastic. As such, there is no one, single recipe for dental composite because its composition depends on what is required. For example, if you want dental bonding done on your front teeth, the need for a better, more natural color is needed (compared to, say, dental bonding for your molars). As such, the fillers and modifiers added to the plastic will be those that improve the composites' color.

The dental bonding procedure calls for an initial consultation with your dentist, followed by a 'reduction session' (don't forget, your teeth need to be reduced a bit because the dental composite needs to be added to your teeth). On the same visit, the dental bonding treatment can take place.

Main Pro: inexpensive; can be accomplished in one dental visit.
Main Con: only good for minor teeth imperfections.

Cosmetic Dentistry Type No. 4 - What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are for those beyond just wanting to make a good first impression. This restorative cosmetic dentistry procedure is chosen by people who want to replace a whole tooth (or several missing teeth). A dental implant procedure often calls for the insertion of a titanium screw into your jaw bone.(Titanium is used because it is believed that the mononucleate cells that are responsible for bone formation actually 'connect' to this element.) Once the dental implant is in place, a few months as 'recovery time' (or integration time) are needed. After this, a temporary crown is fitted so that your gums get to grow around the crown and form a natural shape. After this, the permanent crown is placed.

Main Pro: nearest possible replacement to natural teeth
Main Con: extremely expensive; success rates largely dependent on oral surgeon skill.

Cosmetic dentistry is many things for different people. As always, your personal needs and budget will help you decide which option to choose

Bad Breath

2007-08-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

Many people worry about bad breath, either their own or someone else’s. The advertising media have made much of the social stigma arising from ‘offensive breath’ to their own advantage. Bad breath or halitosis may indicate a dental problem, but this may not always be the case.

CAUSES

The odor may be caused by factors in the mouth or by changes occurring in other parts of the body.

Local factors:

Decaying food particles on or between the teeth

A coated tongue covered by growing microorganism.

Unclean dentures

Smell of tobacco

Alcohol

Gum diseases with pus production involved

Healing wounds after a surgery or extraction

Causes arising away from the mouth:

Head cold with infected nasal air passages

Acute inflammation of air spaces present within the facial bones (often filled with a great deal of pus )

Tonsillitis.

Many waste products are broken down from food and drink are excreted through the lungs and this applies to alcoholic drinks as well as pungent foods like onion, garlic etc.

Diabetes in which the patient has a sweet acetone breath.

Bad breath is not a disease; it is rather a symptom, which indicates the presence of disease either within the mouth or away from the mouth. Odors, which may appear unpleasant to many, may not be the same to some e.g. People in the Mediterranean area are accustomed to the scent of garlic ,a scent which many people around the world find obnoxious.

How to take care of your Teeth

2007-08-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

Dentists say that the most important part of tooth care happens at home. Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If you're like most people, you don't exactly look forward to facing a dentist's drill. So wouldn't it be better to prevent cavities before they begin?

Giving Plaque the Brush-Off

To prevent cavities, you need to remove plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth. The best way to do this is by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Brushing also stimulates the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease. Brushing and flossing are the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Toothpastes contain abrasives, detergents, and foaming agents. Fluoride, the most common active ingredient in toothpaste, is what prevents cavities. So you should always be sure your toothpaste contains fluoride.

About one person in 10 has a tendency to accumulate tartar quickly. Tartar is plaque in a hardened form that is more damaging and difficult to remove. Using antitartar toothpastes and mouthwashes, as well as spending extra time brushing the teeth near the salivary glands (the inside of the lower front teeth and the outside of the upper back teeth), may slow the development of new tartar.

If you have teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure, you may want to try a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. But you'll still need to talk to your dentist about your sensitivity because it may indicate a more serious problem, such as a cavity or nerve inflammation (irritation).

Tips on Proper Brushing

Dentists say that the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:

Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.

Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.

To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices.

To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.

Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.

Use an egg timer or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get used to brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are up.
Facts on Flossing

Brushing is important but it won't remove the plaque and particles of food between your teeth, under the gumline, or under braces. You'll need to floss these spaces at least once a day.

The type of floss you choose depends on how much space you have between your teeth. Dentists usually recommend unwaxed floss because it's thinner and easier to slide through small spaces. However, studies have shown that there is no major difference in the effectiveness based on the type of floss used.

With any floss, you should be careful to avoid injuring your gums. Follow these instructions:

Carefully insert the floss between two teeth, using a back and forth motion. Gently bring the floss to the gumline, but don't force it under the gums. Curve the floss around the edge of your tooth in the shape of the letter "C" and slide it up and down the side of each tooth.

Repeat this process between all your teeth, and remember to floss the back sides of your back teeth.

Types of Dental Disease

2007-08-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

Dental diseases are linked to microorganisms that produce toxic chemicals to destroy dental tissue. The oral cavity is full of different kinds of bacteria that use the resources in the mouth to survive. The bacteria have three classifications. They are either pathogenic, beneficial or neutral. When the oral cavity is dominated by pathogenic bacteria, there is dental disease. When the oral cavity is dominated by beneficial bacteria, there is good dental health.

The neutrals, which make up over 90% of the bacteria, follow whichever kind of bacteria dominates the environment. When there are no dominant bacteria, the oral cavity is ecologically balanced, which means that pathogens can not do damage. The two bacteria neutralize each other. When the balance is shifted or ecologically shifted toward the side of pathogenic bacteria, there becomes a good chance of dental disease. Treatment of dental disease includes reversing the balance to shift the environment to favor beneficial bacteria.

Different kinds of dental disease

   1. Tooth decay: Tooth decay is due to an Acid Base Chemistry that has excess amount of acid. The disease is associated with bacteria called Streptocoocus mutans. Streptocoocus mutans are adult bacteria that thrive on white refined sugar. Remains of sticky candy and other white sugar sweets attach in between the teeth and in the grooves of the teeth. The sugar bugs attack the remaining particles because they have the enzymes to digest the white sugar to use for energy.

      Streptocoocus mutans bacterias release byproducts of strong acids that eat through the enamel of the teeth. Streptocoocus mutans dominates the environment and influences other remaining bacteria to become allies in decaying the teeth. The strong acids are not the right environment for enteric bacteria and they seem to disappear. They either die or they go back to being spores.

      The obvious trick is to not eat white refined sugar.T his is impossible since the food manufacturers know that white refined sugar is addicting. Also white refined sugar is a good source of instant energy. The public will buy more food if there is white refined sugar. Apparently brown sugar does not have the addicting properties as that of white refined sugar. Children need lots of energy and become addicted to the sugar taste. As a result, children are prone to tooth decay. Good brushing habits and dental floss may remove some of the food particles but many of the particles still remain. Strong antibacterial toothpastes may destroy the bacterias, but they hide inside the teeth, under the gums and under the tongue to escape the toxic chemicals.

      The best solution to tooth decay is to remove existing decay by going to the dentist, then stay away from white refined sugar. Balance the diet with alkaline foods. If there are children, teach good oral hygiene, keep them away from white refined sugar, keep your fingers crossed and pray. Pure water may keep children from drinking too much soda pop but sometimes that is wishful thinking. There is a connection of foul tasting water and a higher incidence of tooth decay.

2. Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a dental disease that exhibits symptoms of bleeding, swelling and some pain of dental gums . Gingivitis occurs in a mild alkaline to mild acid environment. The cause is improper oral hygiene and lack of enzymes to digest certain food substances. The main bacteria linked to the disease are pathogenic enteric bacteria. Pathogenic enteric bacteria are gram negative bacilli that are the main food pathogens. The pathogens are scavengers that take left over food particles that have started to decay and digest them for nutrients and energy. They release as byproducts toxic fumes that destroy epithelial cells in the oral cavity. Enteric bacteria have thin cell walls so that the toxins cause acid bacteria to disappear.

      Acid bacteria have thick cell walls and the toxins of enteric bacteria either cause them to die or revert back to a spore form. The spores of bacteria are found in all food substances. Enteric bacteria start to grow when the food starts to spoil. The symptoms of gingivitis show that the immune system is at work. The swelling and bleeding are due to the immune system sending the body scavengers to destroy the bacteria.

      Instead of letting the body scavengers do their job, dentists suppress the disease by giving their patients antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and telling their patients to use strong antibacterial toothpaste, mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide. The acute disease is pushed deeper into the body where it can turn into a chronic disease called periodontal disease. The Chinese believe that acute diseases can be cured if the symptoms run their natural course, but chronic disease may have no cure. Treatment is to use probiotics to control the enteric bacteria and produce acids to make the enteric bacteria disappear.
   2. Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is due to the suppression of gingivitis. The Acid Base Chemistry is alkaline. The bacteria begin with the same bacteria that are associated with gingivitis, the enteric bacteria. As the environment becomes more alkaline, the enteric bacteria die or go back to their spore form. The new bacteria that grows may be a primitive spore form of what may be called plaque bacteria. Plaque bacteria grow to form crystals that attach to the teeth.

      The crystals destroy the ligaments that attach the bone to the teeth. This destruction process results in pockets. The pockets trap more food particles to keep the disease progressing. Eventually all the available minerals are used up and the plaque bacteria start to use the minerals from bone. The combination of pockets and loss of bone may end up in loose teeth that are finally extracted by dentists. Periodontal disease may end up in loss of all teeth. Treatment for periodontal disease is scaling by the dentist and changing the Acid Base Chemistry to become more acid. For more information about dental plaque and periodontal disease go to link Biotechnology.

      Dental plaque is a calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate crystal formation that occurs when the pH of saliva and blood in the oral cavity becomes too alkaline. The alkaline environment produces an electromagnetic field around plaque bacteria that attracts calcium to its surface. Calcium continues to build until the plaque bacteria become a magnet to attract other plaque bacteria to its cell wall. The plaque bacteria continue to pile on top of each other until they form a colony.

      The colony becomes a large magnet to deplete all the calcium and phosphate in saliva and blood in the oral cavity. The body replenishes the lost calcium and phosphate by removing them from the underlying bone that supports the teeth. The calcium and phosphate that attaches to the colony of plaque bacteria form a shell of calcium apatite crystal. The crystal is what is called dental plaque. Dental plaque are attracted to fibroblasts that repair and regenerate fibrous connective tissue. The combination of destroying fibrous connective tissue and bone loss is what is called periodontal disease.
   3. Mouth odor: Mouth odor, better known as bad breath or halitosis is due to enteric bacteria. The Acid Base Chemistry is mild alkaline to mild acid. The bacteria are found on the tongue, under the tongue and hiding in crevices under the gums. Food particles lodge under the gums and in between teeth where enteric bacteria digest the particles to release odors. The food particles contain nitrogen and sulfur. That means that the food particles are proteins, mostly animal and poultry products.

      The toxins are some form of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide gas. The odor may be ammonia or hydrogen sulfide from the stomach and gut. The gases have been sent back to the oral cavity when the proteins rot in the stomach and gut. The same enteric bacteria found in the gut digest the rotten proteins and send the gases back to the mouth. Treatment is to use protein enzyme supplements that include vitamins and minerals. Also use plant aromatic acids to make the environment more acid to neutralize the toxic fumes. Another supplement is to use probiotics to use bacteria to control the enteric bacteria and neutralize the toxic fumes by using their own enzymes to digest the gases.

      Dental disease is an Acid Base Chemistry imbalance that lets certain potential bacteria grow. The true solution may be to keep a clean and toxic free oral cavity to prevent dental disease. Toxic free means not to use products that release toxins that attract potential pathogenic bacteria. It is like a room in your house. Keep it clean and free of toxic chemicals and the room will not make you sick. Keep it dirty with rotten food particles and sprays that are toxic and you will most likely get sick. It all depends on the condition of the room. In a clean room with no toxic chemicals, even the pathogens become harmless .