What Should
I Do IF I Have Bad Breath?
One of the simplest
solutions for curing bad breath, or halitosis, can be brushing your
tongue. The tongue accumulates
microbial deposits especially in the back of the tongue. Studies have shown that brushing your tongue
can reduce bad breath by 70 percent. It
is also very important to brush your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist
regularly. Drinking water frequently and
using mouthwash are also big helps.
How Often
Should I Brush or Floss?
Brushing
and Flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental
disease.You should brush your teeth
twice daily, especially before going to bed at night. Also daily flossing is the best way to clean
the hard to reach places between the teeth. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from
building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth and bones.
Are Amalgam
(silver) fillings safe?
Amalgam is
a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc bound by elemental mercury. This method has been used for over 100
years. The controversy is due to claims
that exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a
variety of health problems. According
the American Dental Association, over 76% of dentists use silver containing
mercury, and that these silver fillings are safe. There has been no link found between the
substance and any medical disorder.
How often should
I Have a Dental Exam and Cleaning?
You should
have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist
or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.
How Can I
tell if I Have Gingivitis or Periodontitis (gum Disease)?
Four out of
Five people have periodontal disease and don’t know about it. Most are unaware because it is usually
painless in the early stages. Having
regular dental check-ups are a good way to prevent this from going
unnoticed. Periodontal disease begins
when build-up is left on teeth or gums.
The bacteria produce toxins which inflame the gums and destroy the
bone. Brushing and flossing regularly
help prevent this from occurring. Symptoms
include red puffy or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, new spacing between
teeth, loose teeth, pus around teeth, receding gums and discomfort.
Why is it
important to use dental floss?
Brushing
our teeth removes food particles, plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of our
teeth. But it is very hard for a
toothbrush to get in between each tooth.
Flossing is the best way to remove these things from under the gum line.
How can
cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?
Some of the
procedures offered by cosmetic dentist include:
Teeth
Whitening: Bleaching
lightens teeth that have been stained or discolored by age, food, drink, and
smoking. Teeth darkened as a result of injury or taking certain medications can
also be bleached, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of staining
present.
Composite
(tooth-colored) Fillings: Also known as “bonding”, composite fillings are now
widely used instead of amalgam (silver) fillings to repair teeth with cavities,
and also to replace old defective fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are also
used to repair chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. This type of filling is
also very useful to fill in gaps and to protect sensitive, exposed root
surfaces caused by gum recession.
Porcelain
Veneers: Veneers
are thin custom-made, tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the fronts of
teeth to create a beautiful individual smile. They can help restore or
camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth. Unlike
crowns, veneers require minimal tooth structure to be removed from the surface
of the tooth.
Porcelain
Crowns (caps):
A crown is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth
surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and
strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of
restorations. They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken
fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.
Dental
Implants:
Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jaw to
replace one or more missing teeth. Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can
be made specifically to fit and attach to implants, giving a patient a strong,
stable, and durable solution to removable dental appliances.
Orthodontics:
Less
visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth
with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases,
teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that
require no braces.
What are
porcelain veneers and how can they improve my smile?
Porcelain
veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually
crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They are very durable and will not stain,
making them a very popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the
beauty of their smile.
What can I
do about stained or discolored teeth?
Since teeth
whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many
patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter
smile. Many stores offer home teeth
whitening systems, such as a gel or strips. You can also visit your dentist to have your teeth bleached, which may
require multiple visits.
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