Tips and Tricks to Keeping Your Mouth Healthy

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Bottom teeth mouth guard

Americans may care a lot about their teeth but gum disease remains a problem. Nearly 75% of the United States population has gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Almost half (47.2%) of all American adults have some degree of periodontitis, they have mild, moderate or severe amounts of periodontal disease. More than one quarter of adults in the country have untreated dental cavities. One way to combat these problems and promote oral health and hygiene is by flossing or using dental floss picks.

Some people wonder if their oral hygiene regimen is the best for their dental health. Here are some pointers for keeping your teeth looking great.

Make sure you are brushing correctly. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day or after each meal. Make sure the position of the bristles of your toothbrush are at a 45 degree angle relative to the gum line. You need to brush from the gum line up and back down. The outer surfaces of the teeth need to be brushed with an up-and-down as well and back-and-forth motion. Be gentle with this! Often people who complain of bleeding gums are found to just brush too hard. For the inside of the teeth, repeat the same motion as with the outer teeth and at the same angle.

Brush your tongue. Brush your tongue in long stokes from back to front. Rinse the toothbrush after each stroke so that you do not end up redepositing the bacteria on your tongue. Keeping your tongue clean is a great way to deal with or prevent bad breath.

Floss your teeth every day. Here are some tips for flossing your teeth or using dental floss picks:

Floss after you brush. Your flossing or use of dental floss picks is the most effective when done right after you brush your teeth. When you floss, you are able to get to spaces in between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. If you can only floss one time a day, you should do it at night.

Remember, you slide the floss up and down, not back and forth. The best way to floss is to slide the floss up and down the tooth. You should make sure the floss or dental floss picks get as close to the base of the tooth at the gum line and the work back up (or down) to the crown of the tooth. If you are using dental floss, you should use the next unused section of your strand for the next tooth. You can see that the used portion of your floss should be covered with plaque. It is also laden with bacteria and germs so if you were thinking about using it again, you should just throw it away. It really is not worth using another time. One of the points of flossing is to prevent infection but reusing floss is one great way to spread germs.

Be gentle! Just as you did when you brushed your teeth, you should be gentle when you are flossing your teeth as well. Dental floss and even the dental floss picks can cut your gums and cause them to bleed. You can also cause a soft tissue wound if you hit the same spot over and over in your flossing zeal. Some people do go overboard with their flossing. You really need to floss every day for sure but once a day is plenty. Unless you eat something that you know is caught or makes you need to floss a second time.

The very best kind of floss is the kind you know you will use. Different people prefer different kinds of floss. Some people like the dental floss picks. Others really prefer the feel of the dental tape to the thinner dental floss. At the end of the day, the best kind of dental floss is the kind you will use.

Good dental hygiene is not rocket science. It is really just about developing good habits and making them a part of your day, every day. You can do a lot to protect your teeth and your smile through a daily dental cleaning routine.

3 Popular Options for Cosmetic Dentistry You Can Consider

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Dental crowns

Did you know that Americans spend about $1.4 billion on teeth whitening procedures and products every year? And this isn?t even counting yet all the money Americans put into their teeth, period. How our teeth matter, and it?s often one of the parts of a person?s appearance that they are most sensitive about. Not only does the state of your teeth make an impact on first impressions, but teeth are an important part of your overall oral health.

If you?ve been thinking about giving your teeth a much needed ?upgrade,? there are several procedures out there worth considering — and many of them are probably easier to obtain than you should have thought. Here are four popular options for cosmetic dentistry that you might want to consider.

Dental Veneers

Ever wonder how all Hollywood stars seem to have perfect looking teeth? It?s not always the case that it?s something they?re born with. More commonly, these stars have what are known as dental veneers. They are thin, porcelain shells overlaid on the teeth and adhered there. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10 years or longer, and they are capable of covering tooth discoloration, small gaps, chips, and more.

Dental Implants

Have you felt self conscious about a missing tooth? Millions of Americans — especially older Americans — are missing at least one tooth. Although dentures and bridges are one option for tooth replacement, they can be uncomfortable to wear, and sometimes can lead to further issues (bridges often require that the two adjoining teeth are filed down in order to fit the caps that hold the bridge in place). Dental implants are small titanium screws inserted into jawbone; after this is allowed to heal, a false tooth is attached to the top. With a 98% success rate, dental implants essentially look and feel just like real teeth and can last a lifetime with proper care.

Teeth Whitening Procedures

Approximately 80% of Americans report wanting whiter teeth, and this is no surprise — yellow teeth can often make us feel like a person?s mouth is ?dirty? even if it?s, on a technical level, perfectly clean. Teeth yellowing can happen as a result of coffee, tea, smoking, as well as other daily exposures. Teeth whitening procedures are luckily very quick and can be done at the dentist?s in a single session. In most cases, the dentist will apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to the enamel of your teeth. This will remove surface stains and restore the tooth to a more pearly shade. Continue reading here.

Fun Dental Facts

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Straighten

Going to the dentist has been known as one of the least exciting events, but when you take a moment to really learn about your teeth, they’re actually pretty cool! Take a look at some of the fun dental facts below, and you’ll see what we mean:

  • Tooth enamel isn’t a bone, but it’s actually the hardest surface in the human body that is produced naturally. Unfortunately, it can still be damaged by many things! Acids and sugars — like those found in foods and drinks — have been known to cause tooth enamel to erode. And once it’s gone, it doesn’t grow back.
  • Tooth loss is a surprisingly common problem, believe it or not. It’s estimated that around 3% of American adults have none of their natural teeth left. Luckily, dentures and dental implants can provide a very valuable substition! The success rate of dental implants is around 98%, according to recent reports, and the number of Americans who have dental implants is growing by about 500,000 people per year.
  • In fact, it’s estimated that around 3 million Americans have dental implants already!

    • Going to your family dentist may seem like the funnest thing in the world, but it’s very important to do if you want to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy. Around one-third of all Americans admit that they never floss — which means that they’re probably not cleaning their teeth as well as they should be! Brushing and flossing just isn’t enough, even when you make sure to do it every day — your family dentist can provide very valuable dental services that you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy for years to come.

    The One Competitive Advantage Most Job Seekers Overlook

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    Emergency dentist

    In today’s competitive economy, job seekers need every advantage they can get in order to land their dream job. With college degrees becoming less valuable than they once were, it’s important for applicants to make themselves stand out above the crowd through any means necessary. To appear as desirable as possible in a job interview, it’s important to display self-confidence. The easiest way to look and feel more self-assured is through having a bright, healthy smile. Cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly common among American adults as more and more people re-enter the workforce and need a healthy smile to help them achieve their career goals. Is cosmetic dentistry right for you? Check out these facts below.

    In a recent survey, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons found that sixty-nine percent of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal, or tooth decay. Furthermore, seventy-four percent of all adults have had a tooth extracted. If you’re missing any teeth, it can cause you to avoid smiling or showing your teeth when talking. Doing so can make you appear shy, devoid of confidence, or unhappy. Dental implants or other dental restoration techniques can bring your smile back to its original form and bring out any confidence your missing teeth have been covering up.

    Cosmetic dentistry isn’t all about restoring missing teeth, though. Many dentistry techniques are concerned with the color of patients’ teeth. In another study, forty-eight percent of Americans reported that they are unhappy with their teeth, with sixty-four percent reporting discolored teeth as the main reason for being unhappy. If you’re a smoker, coffee drinker, or have discolored teeth for any reason, don’t let those teeth hold you back. Tooth whitening procedures are quick and painless, and have come down in price in recent years. Many family dentistry practices even perform tooth whitening, so you won’t even have to find a new dentist to bring your teeth back to their natural unblemished color.

    Cosmetic dentistry isn’t only for celebrities any more. Due to the demands of today’s highly competitive job market, more and more adults are going in for cosmetic dentistry procedures every day in order to give them a competitive advantage over other job seekers. In today’s economy, can you afford not to have every advantage possible? Call a cosmetic dentist’s office today.

    Happy Hearts, Healthy Smiles

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    Pain free dentistry

    The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but there sure is a lot that can be learned from a person’s smile as well. Your smile is one of the main features that best expresses who you are. And most people want to hang on to a healthy smile as long as they possibly can. About 96% of adults surveyed claimed to believe that an attractive smile can make a person more desirable to potential suitors. And a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry stated that over half of the adult population in the United States think that a person’s smile is one physical attribute that continues to remain attractive as we grow older. Whether it is a matter of being attractive or being healthy or anything in between, striving for excellent oral health should be a main priority.

    From teeth whitening to 6 month braces
    As a general rule of common sense, most people desire a clean bill of health. We want to live long lives and be able to enjoy them. But when it comes to dental health, there is a bit more than just the urge to live long and well. Most people tie in the state of their teeth and gums to their appearance, and there are certainly many people who highly prioritize that, and some who even value it over their health. Whitening your teeth has its benefits, but if you’re deciding between that and dealing with a cavity, it would be wise to wait on the whitening. While many people seem to find braces embarrassing, if you are willing to commit to 6 month braces for the desired outcome of a straighter smile, you may find yourself happier in the long run. But 6 month braces or not, one of the most important factors needs to be how highly you regard yourself, not what others think.

    Valuing your health, and your true self
    A lot of people will go in for dental cleanings before they’ll go in for full dental checkups and screenings, and often because they are more worried about the cosmetic aspect than the health aspect. Almost three quarters of adults, or about 74%, think that having what society deems to be an unattractive smile can significantly damage their career path or their success. And 18% of individuals admit to hiding their teeth when posing for pictures. These percentages are saddening, and far too high. We should aim for pristine oral health because it is good for us, because we will feel better, not because the constructs of society call on everyone to fit a certain mold to be held in high esteem or worthy of our respect and admiration. It should not matter what anyone’s smile looks like, as long as it is genuine, and expressing what it is meant to express: joy, elation, contentment, gratitude, and a number of other good feelings. Not society’s vanity.

    We are beautiful human beings, all of us, and we need to let that shine through in our smiles. Take care of your teeth, visit the dentist, but do it because it is good for you, not because you fear what others will think of your smile.

    Is Sleep Apnea Keeping You Up At Night?

    No Comments Dentist sleep apnea ri Sleep apnea Sleep apnea disorders

    Sleep apnea treatments ri

    How is your sleep? If you live in the U.S., chances are it could be better: roughly 50 to 70 million adults suffer from a wakefulness or sleep disorder. Inadequate sleep is bad news, not only for your mood but your health as well. Remedies to improve sleep can vary from special nighttime rituals, sleep-inducing teas, and colder thermostats. If you have sleep apnea though, you will need something more, perhaps such as a mouthpiece for sleep. While your doctor may have recommendations for your specific sleep woes, read below for a few tips in what to look for in a sleep apnea mouthpiece.

    About 18 million adults deal with sleep apnea every night. They may even have up to 60 apneas in an hour of sleep. An apnea is suspended external breathing, which alerts the body to wake up slightly. The sleeper may not even be aware that this happens. Typically, their bedmate will notice the problem and be concerned.

    You might be wondering how a mouthpiece for sleep can help with breathing. After all, the problem is with the lungs, not the mouth, right? Not quite, actually. Sleep apnea in mild to moderate cases is caused by an obstruction to the airway; it is referred to as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. The mouthpiece for sleep readjusts the person’s mandible, or lower jaw, into a position that opens the airway when they are sleeping on their back. Doing this can help the person breath more easily.

    A mouthpiece for sleep apnea should be recommended after a sleep test that confirms a OSA diagnosis. The mouthpiece needs to be professionally fitted by a dentist, and cleared with the Food and Drug Administration to treat sleep apnea. A mouthpiece for sleep apnea that is not fitted by a dentist, and is not cleared by the FDA to treat OSA may cause discomfort in the wearer. It may not help treat sleep apnea at all.

    Good sleep is a necessity for good health. Many adults suffer from insomnia, night sweats, and other sleep problems. But people do not need to suffer with these problems indefinitely. It is worth a little time and money to find an answer for your sleep woes.

    What to Look for in a Dentist

    No Comments Cosmetic dentistry cost Dentistry Family dentist

    Dentist

    Going to the dentist is nobody’s idea of a fun time, that’s understandable. However, if you can find a family dentist that you trust and is good with your kids, it can make all the difference. Dentistry is an interesting profession and I’m sure dentists see all kinds of interesting situations as people hype themselves up to sit in their chair. It can be amusing but it can also be frustrating at times, especially if the poor dentist is busy or running behind and the patient can not seem to get their head around the appointment! However, a patient dentist makes all the difference. Here are some characteristics to look for when searching for your soul mate in the dentistry world.

    Knowledgeable
    You see a dentist because they can find things in your teeth and mouths that you can not. If you could recognize and diagnose and treat every oral problem you might encounter, there would be no reason to see a dentist. But we can’t, so we go to see them twice a year and trust that they know what they are doing. The dentristy office is intimidating enough, an ignorant dentist could make it so much worse. Find a dentist would can answer your questions and put your mind at ease regarding treatment and care. If they know what they are doing and are confident in their chosen field, it will be a lot easier for you to place your teeth in their hands.

    Honest
    This is huge. You never want a dentist to pretend he knows more than he does. While you do want a knowledgeable dentist, no dentist is going to know the answer to absolutely every question that you ask. A confident and honest doctor will simply tell you that he doesn’t know if you ask him a question he has not encountered before. Chances are, you probably won’t be the first person to go through anything if he has been doing dentistry for awhile but if you are, being able to say “I don’t know the answer to that, but I’ll gladly find out for you.” is so much more admirable than making up an answer that sounds like it might or might not be true.

    Patient
    Patience is a requirement for a good dentist and not just pediatric dentists either. If your dentist gets easily frustrated with your questions and hesitations, it might be time to look for another one. Good dentists understand that not all dentistry techniques are very comfortable and can be downright painful. If you have a panic attack laying in the dentist’s chair, you want to know that your dentist is going to be able to calm your nerves instead of get annoyed at you and just wait for you to ‘finish freaking out.’ Your dentist should never make you feel like your fears are silly; unfounded maybe, which he can inform you of in a sensitive manner, but never silly.

    Genuine
    There’s nothing worse than a dentist that forces conversation. Being overly friendly or chatty or any kind of exaggerated personality can make the patient feel uneasy. Dentists should be confident enough to be themselves and not have to put on a show for their patients. Friendliness and social skills are important but a fake laugh or insincere gesture is quickly picked up by most patients and definitely not appreciated. Look for a doctor that will use their own personality to benefit their practice rather than trying to create a new personality for work that is different than the one they use at home or elsewhere.

    Even if the dentist is great at his or her profession, dentistry is a very social career and they need to be comfortable with people and have good people skills and bedside manner. Don’t hesitate to try out a new dentist if you feel that your dentist is not meeting the standards of quality that you like them to. For example, a cosmetic dentist should be able to explain the benefits of the surgery rather than point out all the negative things about your mouth. Tact is a big part of people skills and it’s important for a dentist to have that ability in his belt.

    Why Aren’t Dentist Interested in Coming to Rural Iowa?

    No Comments Family dentistry General dentist Woodbury dental center

    General dental services

    Citizens of Iowa, get ready — you may need to wait a while before your next dental appointment. According to officials, smaller towns will be the first hit by Iowa?s aging dentist demographic — more than 50% of dentists in the state are expected to retire soon. Experts point out that when dentists move from rural communities into big cities, it can often encourage a downward health spiral for those areas that have to deal with a dental shortage.

    Dentists Aren?t as Interested in Rural Communities

    Part of the issue, according to a local dental office manager Lois Kern, is that dentistry itself is changing — many dentists are going into corporate dentistry, in part due to the high costs of opening practices in small communities. As the price of education continues to rise, many dentists newly out of school simply don?t have the option of taking a salary cut for several years in order to build their practice.

    There is some hope for Iowa, however. Many communities are being proactive about getting dentists back into their areas, and even corporations like Delta Dental are helping out by providing grants to dentists who agree to work in more rural areas.

    If you?re interested in bringing your family to a general dentist, chances are you?ll have multiple options available to you (so long as you?re not in rural Iowa, at least!). In which case it?s not about simply finding a dentist, it?s about finding the best family dentistry for your family?s needs.

    What to Look for in a Family Dentistry Clinic

    What should you look for in a dentist? If you have children, you?re going to want to opt for a dentist with experience working with children — and ideally, a child-friendly office with games or books to keep kids occupied as they wait. Establishing good dental health practices is important early on in life, and for this reason you?re going to want their experience to go as smoothly as possible.

    Not surprisingly, you may have your own concerns for your teeth. About 32% of people agree they?re concerned with how their teeth currently look — whether it?s an issue of whiteness, staining, crookedness, etc. If this describes your current situation, then you?re going to want to look for a dentist that offers cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. This will allow you to get the teeth you?ve always wanted — while getting a checkup at the same time!

    If Nothing Else, Do it For Your Health

    Did you know that numerous studies have indicated that poor dental health is linked to everything from a higher risk of having a stroke, to heart disease? Take control of your dental health today and visit a family dentistry clinic. Take a lesson from Iowa: having a great dentist on call is not something you should take for granted!

    How To Get Your Child Excited About Oral Health A Couple of Quick Tips

    No Comments Dental health Dental services for kids Practice good dental hygiene at home

    Pediatric dentist hixson

    It would certainly be nice if your kids were enthusiastic about the latest in pediatric dental care, and were on board with you helping them develop solid oral hygiene practices and habits. But the truth is, kids tend to resist it as much as they can, and its up to the parents to try to make sure the dental hygienist isn’t disappointed the next time you go to see the pediatric dentist.

    Indeed, kids oral health is actually a much bigger problem than you might have realized. About one in every four kids has never been to the dentist before they set foot in their kindergarten classroom, and more than a third of U.S. schools find it necessary to refer kids to treatment for dental problems. A combination of bad oral health practices and junk food are wreaking havoc on the teeth of American children. Here are a couple of suggestions for how to make oral health more exciting for your child, and instill in them a lifelong appreciation for maintaining their dental hygiene.

    • Make it about family time. If the whole family brushes and flosses together at the same time everyday, it will become a ritual to look forward to instead of a chore. Indeed, making it a game to see who has the least cavities come the visit to the dentist lends an air of fun and competition to the practice good dental hygiene.

    • Use Incentives and rewards. If you child knows that they will be allowed more time to play if they practice quality dental care, they will be much more likely to do it. Keep track of good progress with gold stars and a chart.

    • Get personalized dental supplies for your child to make them feel like they have their own agency over their mouth. Buying a Frozen toothpaste and kiddie floss never did anyone any harm, and will get your kid very excited about their teeth.

    Keep in mind that things like rough play and sports can result in teeth related problems for kids — as many as 39% of dental injuries occur while kids are playing sports. Accidents do happen and 80% of all dental injuries occur occur to one of a child’s two front teeth. Practice serious helmet saftey, keep up on the latest in pediatric dental care, and impart your wisdom on your children!

    Love and Incisors A Look at Oral Health

    No Comments Dental mouth guard Tongue cleaning products

    Dental mouth guards

    The mouth is a complicated network of machinery. Keeping it checked and clean is one of the most important parts of overall clinical health for every age group. Children, of course, have growing mouths that need constant care. Many adults forget that even though their teeth are no longer growing, they’re dental alignment is still subject to shifting and change. Flossing is a must, as is recognizing and dealing with nighttime grinding, a serious detractor to oral health. The American Sleep Association has estimated that 15% of children and 10% of adults grind their teeth while sleeping. It’s a problem that can be hard to detect and affects all age groups. With this idea in mind, it’s worth remembering that there are several components to the oral mechanism, all of which work together behind the visible scenes to keep the individual healthy. Here are some of the major but underspoken players to take care of.
    Tongue
    Tongue cleaning is one of the most important and consistently underrated parts of oral hygiene. In fact, the tongue is one of the largest organs in the mouth and by far the most versatile. Brushing the tongue is as vital as brushing the teeth to prevent halitosis and bacterial buildup. Specific tongue cleaners are sold for this purpose. As the center of taste for the mouth, the tongue plays a role in both keeping the overall orifice clean and functioning. For some sectors of work, the tongue is the physical focal point of creativity, ala cooking. A tongue not properly cleaned can block some taste sensation, not at all conducive when tasting new recipes. Be sure to pay attention to all areas when brushing and a get deep scrub on the tongue.
    Jaw
    While they do sell tongue cleaners, they don’t sell anything to help take care of the jaw. This is mainly a problem in people who grind their teeth when they sleep as the harmful effects of grinding extend past the teeth themselves. For severe teeth grinders, the jaw muscle can be pulled or sore upon waking, al from putting almost 300 lbs of pressure on the teeth during the night. This can make chewing and eating a painful ordeal later on and lead to more general stress in the day. Up to 80% of headaches can occur from muscle tension, some of which is directly related to jaw stress from teeth grinding. Speak with an oral care professional about any headaches or jaw pain that might be stemming from the problem. It’s easy to dismiss but under no circumstances should go without some form of treatment.
    Gums
    Gums are the bed upon which the teeth rest. Many U.S. citizens suffer from sort of gum disease, more than 75% in total. After utilizing tongue cleaners, be sure to floss deep between the teeth and onto the gums. This will be a striking asset in helping fight gum disease later on. Gingivitis is one of the more common ailments in the United States and is easily preventable. Bleeding gums will flossing is a good indicator of early gingivitis and should be looked at by an oral care professional. Since the gums wrap around all the way in the mouth, be sure to clean all the way to the back when brushing. The back gums are easy to miss and can be breeding grounds for bacteria, especially if the wisdom teeth haven’t been removed. Get the entire lining of the mouth, not just the surface. It will only help in the long run.

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