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.
June 16, 2008
Cosmetic dentistry: debunking top dental myths
April 15, 2008
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
April 14, 2008
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
Read More!
April 09, 2008
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.
Source: Los Angeles Chronicle Read More!
April 07, 2008
Dos and donts for keeping healthy white teeth
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.
- 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.
Source: Cayman Net News
March 25, 2008
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.- 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 Read More!
March 20, 2008
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
March 17, 2008
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
March 15, 2008
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
March 14, 2008
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
March 08, 2008
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
Read More!
March 07, 2008
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
March 01, 2008
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
- More labor-intensive
- Require more frequent treatments
- Trays aren’t tailored to fit your individual mouth
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).
- 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.
February 28, 2008
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.
December 31, 2007
Dental problems in people with Diabetes - Part II
In the first part of this post, we mentioned that diabetes patients have a higher tendency for teeth loss. But besides this major dental problem, there are other hazards diabetic people ought to look after as gum cuts that take time to heal.
They usually happen because of dental dryness, which triggers the appearance of fungi. Therefore, you have to perform a very careful and patient dental brushing with the aid of a soft bristle dental brush. In addition, using mouthwash helps to fight the bacteria that form fungi in gums.
Moreover, it is indispensable that if you have diabetes to visit the dentist because of the lack of sensitivity, you may just realize you have a dental problem after a dental check-up.
Tips
- Plaque formed around teeth can be controlled with a diet that includes the daily consumption of carrots, apples, dried seeds, celery and fresh cucumber.
- For promoting saliva segregation, that helps prevent caries and mouth fungi, drink a lot of water and chew sugar free gum.
December 15, 2007
Dental problems in people with Diabetes
Generally, diabetic people tend to focus more on the care of their levels of sugar, blood pressure and feet, but they forgot about a very important thing: Their teeth.
Some people with diabetic might “surprisingly” find they have lost their upper and/or lower frontal teeth, and they have to use dentures. This teeth loss in diabetics is actually no strange.
In fact, diabetic people are more likely to have severe teeth problems than non-diabetics due to irregular levels of insulin (the hormone that controls sugar) in blood.
It is very common that diabetes patients present caries, tartar calculi, bacterial plaque, periodontal disease or fungi infections.
Despite of following a good dental cleaning, it is unavoidable they develop dental calculi, especially in the back teeth, where it periodontal disease generally occurs.
As for caries, these are formed when diabetes is not well-controlled and the high levels of glucose in saliva promote the formation of plaque, which if it is not removed regularly becomes solid would produce chronic mouth inflammations and infections.
And periodontal disease also occurs more in patients who do not regularly control their diabetes than in those who do control their disease.
November 09, 2007
What happens when a wisdom tooth comes up partially?
In case wisdom teeth emerge partially, and the rest of them stay submerged, the surrounding gum may get infected and inflamed. This leads to swelling of the cheek and the neck.
Becomes worse in times of stress…
This swelling, called pericornitis, tends to become acute in times of high stress when the immune system is not at its best condition, and when bacteria lie in wait for of infection the crown of the wisdom tooth.
How bacteria get into wisdom teeth
Usually at the end of the mouth, where wisdom teeth are placed, there is a gum flap that may extend over the tooth’s surface. Debris and food may get trapped inside under this gum, and this obviously leads to infection.
When wisdom teeth emerge well or bad
When the wisdom tooth emerges in good position, the flap can be trimmed, so any infection will be avoided. This procedure is called Operculectomy.
When the tooth does not emerge because there is no place for it, then it has to be extracted. A wisdom tooth extraction is done by an oral surgeon.
November 08, 2007
What happens when you got an impacted wisdom tooth - Part I
So when going to the dentist for a wisdom tooth removal, and he/she tells you that this tooth is impacted, but what does this means and how it would affect your dental health?
Here we explain it to you easy if you didn’t catch well the idea at the dentist office…
What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
Wisdom tooth are the third molars, they are usually the most annoying of all teeth and get the most incredible forms and positions.
Here is where the problem comes, when all of our teeth have come up, there is no enough room for some “extra teeth” in the mouth. Therefore, when wisdom teeth try to emerge they get impacted under the bone, and they can not come up completely in the jaw.
What happens, then?
NO EXTRACTION. Most dentists prefer to leave these wisdom teeth alone because according to studies, an extraction would cause severe bone impaction, when actually they do rarely cause any infections neither push other teeth nor produce misalignment when left peacefully underneath the jaw.
November 07, 2007
Valuable recommendations after a tooth extraction
After you have undergone a wisdom tooth extraction there are certain measures you have to take to ensure a successful - fast and thorough- healing of your mouth.
Do’s
- Keep the lint mildly tight in your mouth during 30 minutes
- Apply an ice bag on your swollen cheek for 20 minutes, making some pauses if it feels too cold for you during the first day, maximum two.
- Soft and liquid diet, and chew from the opposite side at least for the first 3 days.
- Sleep with two pillows
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle brush, trying not to reach the affected area. You can use lint or a piece of wool
- In case you bleed more than normal, pout a new dry lint in your mouth and keep it softly chewed
- If there is any complication do not hesitate in calling your dentist
- Do not make any physical effort. No exercises, no computer work, no reading in uncomfortable positions, and do not bend. Just relax
- Do not suck or inhale, do not make gargles or apply mouth wash
- Do not drink hot drinks during the first 24 hours
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol
- Do not chew gum
October 28, 2007
Wisdom Teeth Surgery - Part II
How is a wisdom tooth extraction performed?
When a wisdom tooth has emerged into its expected position it can be removed in a routinary process. This is generally perfomed by a maxilofacial dentist.
The dentist injects local anesthesia just in the area where the wisdom tooth is, until that part of your mouth has got totally numb to prevent any discomfort during the extraction.
Then the doctor proceeds to pull out the wisdom tooth, which usually lasts around 15 to 20 minutes at most. After the wisdom tooth extraction, the dentist will put a piece of lint in the place where the molar was. You have to keep the lint for 30 to 45 minutes to stop the bleeding.
Generally dentists prescribe some analgesics to ease the pain after. Spill the saliva and blood, but do not rinse your mouth or do any gargles during the first hours.
The effects of anesthesia disappear after one hour. Afterwards, you will feel certain pain and discomfort that will fade away in a couple of days.
Please note: When the wisdom tooth has not totally emerged, it is called an impacted widom tooth, to extract it, it si necessary to perform a wisdom tooth surgery.
