Causes of tooth ache

Any kind of pain is always a bad thing, but tooth ache is special because it affects our teeth, the organs we eat everyday with.

Anyone who has experienced it knows how terrible it is, especially when you have a work where you have to talk or have direct contact with people, or it just paralyzes you. It sucks big time.



But, what are the causes of our dental mishap?

• Tooth root’s exposure. This may happen due to gum receding or untreated cavities. If there is a deep cavity in the untreated tooth, then it is possible that the dental pulp causes an intense pain that doesn’t leave you sleep.

• Tooth decomposition and decay. Again, this is related to the presence of cavities, which means you have to go ASAP to the dentist.

• Cavities close to the nerve. When teeth are so close together, if one has a cavity it can pass it to other teeth. This usually happens to wisdom teeth.

Other reasons for teeth pain are:

• Gum disease.
• Bruxism or teeth grinding.
• Abnormal teeth bite.
• Dental trauma.
• Poor dental ergonomy.

Although you can always take a painkiller and ease your immediate pain, you MUST visit the dentist for a full checkup, once you notice sensibility to hot and/or cold foods, constant tooth ache, inflamed gums, strong pain when biting, more pain in that area after a dental procedure or teeth discoloration.

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Cosmetic dentistry: debunking top dental myths

Before you turn 60 your teeth will have performed chewing for over 32 million times. Gees, that’s’ a hell of a job for your pearly white, isn’t it? Then, don’t you think they deserve some good cosmetic dentistry pampering?

Therefore you should consider a soon visit to the dentist, but it is better if you go with a calm mind, free of prejudices and fears. And for that, we want to debunk for you three common myths about cosmetic dentistry treatments.

Myth # 1: Braces are only for kids

Absolutely not. Adults of different ages need braces as much as children do.

In fact, there are adult-specialized orthodontists (lingual orthodontics) that put braces on the back of your teeth to avoid the ugly “can opener” look, these are called: lingual braces. There is also the alternative of Invisalign, invisible braces as retainers.

Myth # 2: Teeth bleaching can weaken your teeth

When you get your teeth bleached they do not lose strength, they just become more translucent. However, after the application of teeth bleaching products with hydrogen peroxide there might be sensitivity and irritation of dental tissues. Rarely, there have been reported cases of irreversible tooth damage due to dental bleaching.

Myth # 3: They have to trim down your teeth for veneers placement

Not necessarily. Depending on the position and shape of your teeth, the dentist would just put the veneer over the tooth with no need of shaving it down. It can also be possible to reshape the enamel to put the tooth in the right position, and just place the veneer on.

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The impact of white teeth makes on your image

Even though pearly whites are not necessarily synonym of health teeth (yellow and grey looking teeth may be healthy and strong anyway), they do have an effect in a person’s self-image. It makes people look and feel more attractive, and opens many doors for them.

People with whiter teeth feel more confident smiling than people with not so white teeth, and they also seem more attractive, at least that’s is what 9% of Canadians (3 million people, most of them women) think according to an Angus Reid Poll.

This image people have about their teeth has been highly reinforced by Hollywood movies where bright white teeth are a must among celebrities. However, let’s keep realistic, too white looks too fake, and we have mentioned above, white teeth not necessarily mean healthy strong teeth since an excess of whitening and bleaching products can cause hypersensitivity and the quick deterioration of tooth enamel.

Despite that a professional teeth whitening can cost a minimum of $400 per session (it is not covered by dental plans because it is a cosmetic procedure), people are willing to pay for it.

However, teeth whitening will not work for everyone (black teeth), so in that case veneers placement would be a better solution.

But in case, for any reason you can not undergo a whitening procedure you can always take care of your smile by natural home remedies, that is by dropping noxious habits as drinking alcohol and too much coffee, smoking, cutting on staining foods and keeping a constant and proper dental care (brushing, flossing and mouth rinses).

Source: Northern News Service

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Meet Power Swabs, the teeth whitening enhancer

A teeth whitening enhancer? Yes, and its name is Power Swabs.

This recently released product is a professional enhancer of teeth whitening and dental bleaching products thanks to the patented FACT Technology ™ that uses detergents, solvents and other agents that enhances and fastens the stain removal action of bleaching products.


Power Swabs benefits

• Gets rid of the sensitivity effect of dental bleaching.
• You can see results 50% faster.
• Effective stain removal action.
• More long-lasting whitening results.
• It’s a great invest for your money.

How it works?

First of all, this product has to be handled by a professional dentist or dental hygienist. It has a special dispenser mechanism. The liquid is applied onto the teeth with a collapsible liquid-filled foam swab. Power Swabs is meant to be a standard product before every teeth whitening procedure.

What makes this product stand out among other tooth whitening and bleaching products is that it actually removes the stains –at least that what their manufacturers state-, not only masks or lightens stain as dental bleachers.

In addition to this, Power Swabs can be used for other cosmetic dental procedures as prep cleaning prior to crown insertion and stain softening prior to dental prophylaxis.

Source: eMediaWire

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Home remedies for natural teeth whitening

If for any reason you do not want or can not get a teeth whitening treatment, you can still get your pearls white by means of the following side-effects free natural remedies:

• Hydrogen peroxide is a very popular natural whitening agent that can be combines to increase its properties with lemon juice, baking soda, baking powder, etc.

• Drinking a lot of water is one of the best natural remedies against teeth stains. It also helps promote healthy gums and prevent you from drinking staining drinks such as coffee, teas, colas, etc.

• Using toothpaste with whitening properties. Although they can not produce quick results, but still they can produce noticeable effects in the long time.

• Other good teeth whiteners are: silica, apple cider, white vinegar, bamboo powder, calcium carbonate and sodium chloride.

Please note that lemon juice and strawberry juice are not the best teeth whitening home remedies very frequently because their strong acids can weaken your teeth. For better results, just rub them directly on your teeth or mash them into a paste.

Source: Los Angeles Chronicle

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Dos and donts for keeping healthy white teeth

First of all, we have to face the fact we can not stop eating and drinking (and smoking), so it is natural they get yellow due to this daily use.

However, as naturally stains come, as naturally they can go too thanks to these natural solutions:

Do’s

• Eat foods that act as detergents as apples, carrots, pears, guavas, cauliflower and cucumbers that produce great saliva flow and act as natural staining bacteria removers.
  

• Eat dark greens as broccoli, lettuce and spinach that create a protective film on your teeth that prevent/brush away stains.

• Eat high fiber and wholemeal foods as they act as natural cleansers.

• Mash strawberries and spread them all over your teeth. Leave them for 1 or 2 minutes, then rinse and brush it off.

Don’ts

• Reduce stainy food and drinks red wine, tea, coffee, soy sauce, berries and many others. But since it is almost impossible to get rid of all them, just rinse your mouth, brush your teeth or chew gum.
  

• Keep it low with sports and energy drinks that contain organic acids that break down calcium and erode teeth. They are even more harmful than sodas.

• Do not consume in excess citric fruits due to the fact they contain acids that deteriorate the tooth enamel over time.

• Reduce your intake of vinegar and other acid foods that open up the pores of tooth enamel.
  

Finally, stains on the surface can be removed with whitening toothpastes and home/office whitening kits. However, with deep old stains you would have to get them removed by a professional dental care professional.

Source: Cayman Net News

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Dental care tips for older adults

Dental care for older adults is particularly special due to their higher tendency to have yellow teeth, dental cavities, teeth decay, among others.

So here we share some tips for seniors and people taking care of them to take into account to keep their healthy teeth and prevent dental problems:

- Use an electric toothbrush. These devices count with built-in timers that make sure you have spent at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth, and they also provide a through cleaning.

- Visit regularly your dentist to rule out any dental problem, and discuss with your dentist any inconvenience you have with your teeth.

- Get a dental cleaning 3 or 4 times a year.

- From time to time you can chew sugar-free gum (with an ingredient called xylitol) after meals to stimulate saliva and protect your teeth.

Source: RGJ.com

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Older Adults Teeth - Taking care of your teeth today will pay-off tomorrow

Everything we do with our bodies now will take its toll over the years, and the best example of this is teeth. The less care we give to our teeth will make them go worse faster.

The two biggest problems of aging teeth are by far a bad oral hygiene and the neglect on doing it. The result: senior people have higher tendency to suffer from tooth decay and recurrent decay under old dental restorations. Moreover, many senior adults do not count with dental insurance.

Another aging dental problem is related to diabetes. Around 10 million Americans over 60 years old have it. Diabetics are highly prone to gum inflammation which can spread to the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.

In addition, diabetic patients may have some healing problems after a dental procedure; and dry mouth that leads to the formation of bacteria that cause cavities, plaque and gum infections, is more severe in the elderly due to pharmaceutical side effects.

As you can see, paying more attention and care to your teeth in your younger years can save you many problems and money in the years to come.

Source: RGJ.com

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How energy and sports drinks damage teeth

Teeth erosion is at its height among people in their 20’s in the U.S. And one great contributor to this according to dentists is the increase of sodas, sports and energy drinks consumption.

And how come energy and sports drinks can cause tooth decay?

We can get some answer from a General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s clinical journal, the damage by non-cola and sports drinks is 11 more severe than the damage produced by cola drinks, being energy and bottled lemonades the most harmful.
There was also identified enamel harm produced by fitness water and canned ice tea.

Cola drinks contain one or more acids as phosphoric and citric acids, whilst energy drinks contain other additives and organic acids than can seep up dental erosion. Organic acids are particularly damaging because they can breakdown calcium, the prime element to strengthen teeth and prevent gum disease.

Sources: Ecanadanow.com – Medical News Today

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List of America’s best teeth cities

If Lubbock, Texas, won the Razzie for worst teeth in America, then the Oscar goes to Madison, Wisconsin.

Men’s Health magazine realized a study based on data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention n number of annual dentist visits, canceled appointments, regular flossers households using fluoride and oral hygiene routines.

Here, the rest of the top ten of America’s best chompers:

2. Nashville
3. Raleigh, N.C.
4. St. Paul, Minn.
5. Auroro, Colo.
6. Charlotte, N.C.
7. Yonkers, N.Y.
8. Grand Rapids, Mich.
9. Fargo, N.D.
10. Minneapolis

At the bottom of the list, along with Lubbock are:

99. Philadelphia
98. Spokane, Wash.
97. Salt Lake City
96. Jackson, Miss.
95. El Paso, Texas
94. Portland, Ore.
93. Tulsa, Okla.
92. Tucson, Ariz.
91. Baton Rouge, La.

Source: Wxii12.com

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Lubbock, Texas ranked as city with worst teeth in America

According to a study of Men's Health magazine, this West Texas city has the worst teeth among 100 large U.S. cities. Other cities that don’t take the best honors either are El Paso (Nº 95), San Antonio (89) and Dallas (87).

On the other side, the queen cities of best teeth are Madison, Wis.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Raleigh, N.C.

And why does Lubbock have this bad teeth problem? Some blame the high level of fluoride in the water, which may cause the teeth enamel go rough and leaving brown and yellow stains. And others blame financial factors as the high cost of dental care that leaves poor people without dental assistance.

What do you think is the cause of Lubbock’s lousy dental health? Do you agree with the study?

You can check the entire ran king at: Men’s Health

Source: AP

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Cool Light Technology gives you a whiter smile in just 30 minutes

Quick, easy and painless are the words that better define this teeth whitening technology. Oh yeah, we also have to add “durable” since it can last up to 2 years, if maintained properly.

In 30 minutes your teeth can get back their lost whiteness, unlike conventional treatments that take long time because it took one tooth at the time to be whitened.

This technology that works through an advanced light filtration system that filters high-intensity blue light released from a powerful 150 watt halogen bulb through a coated optical lens, then through over 12 000 optical fibers.

The filters remove harmful ultraviolet light and prevent potential damage to the soft dental tissues, and produce a tailored beam of light.

You can have cool light whitening as many times you need it and you can see the results immediately. However, the duration of the results depend only on the maintenance you give to your teeth.

Source: Khaleej Times

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Teeth whitening might help you quit smoking

How many programs, products and what have you can find online to help your quit smoking? Millions of course, and how many of them do they really work? Who knows?

The thing is tooth whitening is not the “new” panacea anti-nicotine, but it has been reported that smokers who have had laser teeth whitening and see how wonderfully white and nice look their teeth, they think it TWICE before ruing them again with cigarettes. Makes sense, doesn't it?

Laser teeth whitening or zoom whitening as they know it also in the U.S., consists of applying gum dam on your gums –oops a pun!- to protect them, and then it is applied a stain removing gel before proceeding with the laser.

The process takes no more than 1 hour, it can remove from 6 to 8 shades of stains and last for an average of 18 months, depending on the maintenance you give to your teeth, and that means minimizing the cause of what caused the teeth staining, and that is, smoking!

Source: Pr-usa.net

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Home Kits or In-office whitening treatments, which is the winner

Which actually works better a do-it-yourself kit for teeth whitening at home or getting the visit of a dental professional wherever you need him?

Both treatments are practical, affordable and much more efficient than regular over-the-counter whitening products that have a lower concentration of whitening material and non-fitting whitening trays.


But now, which of the two is the winner?

Let’s see their pros and cons so you can choose your very own winner:

Home Whitening Kits

Best for: People who want to lighten one or two shades

Pros

• Less expensive
• Can be applied in the comfort of your home

Cons

• More labor-intensive
• Require more frequent treatments
• Trays aren’t tailored to fit your individual mouth

In-office whitening treatments

Best for: People who want to lighten more than two shed and have severe teeth discolorations

Pros

• More expensive
• Whitening done by a trained professional
• Lasts longer
• Uses personalized trays to fit your teeth exactly (the better the tray fits; the better your results because you teeth will be in constant contact with the whitening gel).

Cons

• More expensive
• Requires additional trip to dentist’s office
• If you have strongly-stained frontal teeth, the best way to get a bright smile might be either porcelain veneers or dental bonding, which conceal your stained teeth and simultaneously correct gaps or crookedness.

Source: Best Syndication

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Nutritional tips for white teeth

Are we what we eat? Every time I discover more about dental care, the more I’m convinced it is true.

Coffee, tea, sodas, candy plus some drinking and the smoking there you have your yellow teeth. But it can also be due to the intake of medications. And on top of that you don’t get a three-time-a-day thorough dental brush, no surprise you not only have white teeth but also healthy teeth.However, you prevent your teeth from going yellow at home by eating food that cleanse and whiten your teeth as apples and pears which remove tartar or carrots and cucumber which eliminate acids.

Here, some cleansing foods for teeth:

Vegetables and fresh fruits: orange, melon, pineapple, pear, tangerine, grapefruit, canned fruits, natural fruit and vegetable juices, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, celery and tomatoes.

Grains and some bakery: sugar free cereals, butter free popcorn, bread and cookies.

Milk and milk products: skimmed milk, skimmed yogurt and fat free cheese.

Meat and seeds: chicken, turkey, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and nuts.

Others: tacos and pizza.

Other tips for white teeth:

• Use white vinegar instead of the red vinegar.
• Drink white wine and light spirits as vodka, instead of red wine, rum or whisky.
• Eat white meat instead of red meat.
• Prepare white sauces instead of dark sauces.
• Drink white grape fruit instead of purple grapefruit.
• And, have vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate ice cream.

Last by not least, you can still keep eating some candy as far as you eat them right away, since the more you keep them in your mouth (gums, lollipops, etc.).

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