Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Cavities are NOT made in one night!
Dental Trivia
- The electric toothbrush was first introduced in 1939.
- The first toothbrush was made by William Addis of Clerkenwald, England.
- The Florence Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts, was one of the first companies to produce toothbrushes in America in 1885. The first model was the Pro-phy-lac-tic brush. This company was also the first to distribute the toothbrushes in boxes to prevent any cross contamination.
- The first American to gain a patent for a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth.
- The natural bristles of early toothbrushes were taken from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.
- The first nylon bristles were introduced in 1938 and soon replaced the
- natural swine bristles.
A tip
Some people think tooth decay is just for children, but did you know you are at risk your whole life? Untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as infection, damage to bone or nerve and tooth loss. Dental infections that are left untreated can even spread to other parts of the body and, in very rare cases, can be life threatening.
Dental Tips
Don’t eat ice cubes. It is the season for this refreshing pastime, but it can result in fractured teeth. The dentist adds that many older fillings are made of silver, which doesn’t bond to teeth like the white amalgams and can cause tiny cracks because of the stress of chewing hard items like cubes, candy or unpopped popcorn kernels. “The older we get, the more brittle our teeth become."
To clean the sulcus (the space between the gumline and the point where gum attaches to the tooth), turn your toothbrush at a 45-degree angleand get the bristles in there.
A normal depth for the sulcus is 2-3 millimeters, but if it reaches 7-8 it’stime to start worrying.
To clean in a particularly deep pocket, try tying a single or double knot in your floss to catch any food particles.
When flossing the back teeth, curve the thread around the tooth and push it underneath the gumline.
When the outer bristles of your brush start to flare, it’s time to change it.
If you eat a sweet snack and can’t get to your toothbrush for a while, rinse with water to delay the sugar’s activity.
Stop smoking. Joel said smoking is so destructive to teeth and gums that many periodontists won’t even treat them because the prognosis for recovery is so poor.
To clean the sulcus (the space between the gumline and the point where gum attaches to the tooth), turn your toothbrush at a 45-degree angleand get the bristles in there.
A normal depth for the sulcus is 2-3 millimeters, but if it reaches 7-8 it’stime to start worrying.
To clean in a particularly deep pocket, try tying a single or double knot in your floss to catch any food particles.
When flossing the back teeth, curve the thread around the tooth and push it underneath the gumline.
When the outer bristles of your brush start to flare, it’s time to change it.
If you eat a sweet snack and can’t get to your toothbrush for a while, rinse with water to delay the sugar’s activity.
Stop smoking. Joel said smoking is so destructive to teeth and gums that many periodontists won’t even treat them because the prognosis for recovery is so poor.
Smoking and Your Teeth
Most of us know that smoking is bad for our health, but did you know that smoking is also a major contributor to many dental problems? Cigarettes aren't the only products only to blame. All forms of tobacco, including cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah water pipes, pose dental health concerns.
http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalhealth/a/smoking.htm
http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalhealth/a/smoking.htm
Mouthwash
History of Mouthwash and how it became known?
The first known references to mouth rinsing is in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, about 2700 BC, for treatment of gingivitis. Later, in the Greek and Roman periods, mouth rinsing following mechanical cleansing became common among the upper classes, and Hippocrates recommended a mixture of salt, alum, and vinegar.The Jewish Talmud, dating back about 1800 years, suggests a cure for gum ailments containing "dough water" and olive oil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouthwash
The first known references to mouth rinsing is in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, about 2700 BC, for treatment of gingivitis. Later, in the Greek and Roman periods, mouth rinsing following mechanical cleansing became common among the upper classes, and Hippocrates recommended a mixture of salt, alum, and vinegar.The Jewish Talmud, dating back about 1800 years, suggests a cure for gum ailments containing "dough water" and olive oil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouthwash
Why is it a good idea to visit the dentist?
Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and has also been linked to heart disease and strokes. If diagnosed in the early stage, gingivitis can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease, called Periodontitis, which includes bone loss, may follow. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting regular dental check ups and cleanings are the best prevention against gum disease.
Fun Teeth Facts
1. A human child will lose their first tooth around 7.
2. The enamel on a humans tooth is the hardest thing in their body.
3. A mammal has 2 types of teeth called primary and permanent teeth.
4. Teeth in humans start to form before they are born.
5. Toothbrush bristles were originally made from the hair of cows.
6. Baby teeth are actually called milk teeth.
7. A Shark has around 40 sets of teeth in their life time.
8. A human baby has 20 teeth which start to grow at about 6 months old.
9. An adult human has 32 permanent teeth.
10. Humans only have 2 sets of teeth in their life time.
11. A humans front teeth are called "incisors"
12. An adult human has 2 "canine" teeth that have points and are used for tearing.
13. A human uses "molars" to grind their food.
14. Teeth are kept alive by blood and nerves.
15. Teeth are fixed into jaw bones and held in place by cement.
2. The enamel on a humans tooth is the hardest thing in their body.
3. A mammal has 2 types of teeth called primary and permanent teeth.
4. Teeth in humans start to form before they are born.
5. Toothbrush bristles were originally made from the hair of cows.
6. Baby teeth are actually called milk teeth.
7. A Shark has around 40 sets of teeth in their life time.
8. A human baby has 20 teeth which start to grow at about 6 months old.
9. An adult human has 32 permanent teeth.
10. Humans only have 2 sets of teeth in their life time.
11. A humans front teeth are called "incisors"
12. An adult human has 2 "canine" teeth that have points and are used for tearing.
13. A human uses "molars" to grind their food.
14. Teeth are kept alive by blood and nerves.
15. Teeth are fixed into jaw bones and held in place by cement.
Flossing
Proper Flossing
Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins.If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask your dental hygienist about the variety of dental floss holders or interdental cleaning devices that are available.
 Wind 18" of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1"- 2" length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth. |  |
| Keep a 1" - 2" length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth. |  |
| Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. Contour floss around the side of the tooth. |  |
| Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss. |  |
--Illustrations adapted by and used courtesy of the John O. Butler Company-- ADHA 5/7/2012 | |
What does heart disease and other medical conditions have to do with periodontal (gum) disease?
Many people are unaware that having periodontal disease (the destruction of gum tissue and bone that hold our teeth in place) can affect your overall health.
Periodontal disease is one of the most common infections; often more prevalent than the common cold! Periodontal disease is not only the number one reason people lose teeth; it can also affect the health of your body!
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and in its earliest stages, it’s called gingivitis. It starts when an accumulation of plaque (a colony of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) is NOT regularly removed from the gums and teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins/acids that irritate and infect the gums and eventually destroy the jaw bone that supports the teeth. When periodontal disease is not treated it can eventually lead to tooth loss!
There are numerous studies that have looked into the correlation between gum disease and major medical conditions. These studies suggest people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic disease and indicate that periodontal disease may cause oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research suggests that periodontal bacteria in the blood stream may:
- Contribute to the development of heart disease
- Increase the risk of stroke
- Compromise the health of those that have diabetes or respiratory diseases
- Increase a woman’s risk of having a preterm, low-birth weight baby
Researchers conclude there is still much research to be done to understand the link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, but enough research has been done to support that infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body.
To ensure a healthy, disease-free mouth, we recommend the importance of regular dental check-ups and cleanings, which include a periodontal evaluation. Also, diligent home care and a proper diet can help reduce the plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
Remember….the mouth body connection! Taking care of your oral health may contribute to your overall medical health!
Why is it important to use dental floss?
Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can’t reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that cause cavities and irritate and inflame the gums. Also, when plaque is not removed above and below the gumline, it hardens and turns into calculus (tartar). This will further irritate and inflame the gums and also slowly destroy the bone. This is the beginning of periodontal disease.
How to floss properly:
- Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.
Daily flossing will help you keep a healthy, beautiful smile for life!
Tooth Brushing Technique
You've been brushing your teeth your whole life, but are you getting the most from your efforts? The following technique will help you get the most thorough clean.
- On the outer and inner surfaces, brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle in short half-tooth-wide strokes against the gum line.
- On chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.
- On inside surfaces of front teeth, tilt brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with toe of brush.
- Brush the tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and freshen your mouth.
Receding Gums
Do your teeth appear longer than usual? Are you teeth sensitive when you drink anything hot or cold? . If yes, you might actually be the victim of receding gums. A condition normally seen occurring with age, but can also occurs in younger individuals. CAUSES 1. Age: Gradual changes of the gingiva due to minor trauma and infection over the years can lead to down ward displacement of the gingiva. 2. Faulty brushing techniques may also result in receding gums. |
3. Abnormally tilted teeth.
4. Strong band of muscles in the mouth may be attached to the gingiva, the constant contraction of which may result in receding gums. e.g. A small strip of muscle band is present between & above the two upper central anterior teeth. If this strip of muscle is too thick it can cause an upward displacement of the gingiva resulting in exposure of the roots of the teeth.
SYMPTOMS
An unsightly smile due to exposure of the roots of the teeth as a result of downward displacement of gingiva.
4. Strong band of muscles in the mouth may be attached to the gingiva, the constant contraction of which may result in receding gums. e.g. A small strip of muscle band is present between & above the two upper central anterior teeth. If this strip of muscle is too thick it can cause an upward displacement of the gingiva resulting in exposure of the roots of the teeth.
SYMPTOMS
An unsightly smile due to exposure of the roots of the teeth as a result of downward displacement of gingiva.
- Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold food items.
- Food getting stuck between the roots of adjacent
teeth.
DIAGNOSIS
The level of the gingival in relation to the tooth diagnoses this condition. If the level of gingiva is below the line, which separates the crown of the tooth from the root, it is diagnosed as gingival recession.
- Food getting stuck between the roots of adjacent
teeth.
DIAGNOSIS
The level of the gingival in relation to the tooth diagnoses this condition. If the level of gingiva is below the line, which separates the crown of the tooth from the root, it is diagnosed as gingival recession.
TREATMENT
Treatment of this condition is by a small surgical procedure. The displaced gingival is repositioned by detaching the gingival and tying it up at the optimal level. - But before this surgery all the regular procedure to create a healthy gingival is undertaken such as regular brushing, scaling, root planning, gum surgeries etc.,
MORE INFORMATION
When more amount of tooth surface is exposed to the saliva in the oral cavity, the rate of tooth to decay is also high. Thus covering of the teeth by the gingiva is very essential.
FAQ
Can receding gum occurring in relation to all the teeth in the mouth be treated?
Receding gum can be treated in relation to a few teeth, but treatment of all the teeth is not possible. But prior treatment will definitely improve the condition and prevent further occurrence.
GLOSSARY
Gingiva - soft thin tissue covering the bone supporting the teeth.
Treatment of this condition is by a small surgical procedure. The displaced gingival is repositioned by detaching the gingival and tying it up at the optimal level. - But before this surgery all the regular procedure to create a healthy gingival is undertaken such as regular brushing, scaling, root planning, gum surgeries etc.,
MORE INFORMATION
When more amount of tooth surface is exposed to the saliva in the oral cavity, the rate of tooth to decay is also high. Thus covering of the teeth by the gingiva is very essential.
FAQ
Can receding gum occurring in relation to all the teeth in the mouth be treated?
Receding gum can be treated in relation to a few teeth, but treatment of all the teeth is not possible. But prior treatment will definitely improve the condition and prevent further occurrence.
GLOSSARY
Gingiva - soft thin tissue covering the bone supporting the teeth.
Customer Testimonial
Dr. Winchester and staff have done extensive root canals, crowns, fillings and bridges on my entire family over the last 15 years. Never any problems and still going strong.
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