Foods That Clean Teeth Naturally

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admin

Your mouth never feels as clean as it does after a good dental cleaning; however, you can go a long way toward preserving your dental health and replicating that feeling by eating well. There are several foods that actually work to clean your teeth between dental visits.

herbal-teaHerbal teas contain antioxidants and compounds that help your mouth fight back against plaque and tartar build-up. These types of teas, such as green tea, can also help prevent cavities and gum disease while building up the strength of your tooth enamel.

A number of dairy products have also been shown to provide major dental health benefits. Yogurt and milk cause little damage to teeth because they contain only small amounts of naturally occurring acids. They also contain plenty of calcium to help make teeth stronger and more resistant to damage. Cheese is another dairy product that helps teeth. Chewing a piece of good cheese after meals actually helps keep the pH level of the mouth in check, which keeps bacteria from forming and attacking the teeth.

Fruits and vegetables also have major dental health benefits. Apples, carrots, and broccoli are natural tooth scrubbers and help clean teeth as you eat them. They also contain vitamins and minerals the body needs to help preserve the strength and integrity of your teeth and gums. Even proteins can be beneficial to the mouth. Chicken, beef, turkey, and even eggs contain large amounts of the mineral phosphorus, which helps build and maintain your teeth and bones.

While these foods do a good job of keeping your teeth clean between twice-daily brushing and flossing, they are no substitute for routine dental care. Visit Dr. Mon-Han Young at Silver State Dental for your annual check-up and cleaning, as well as for any routine or restorative care between visits. Dr. Young is experienced in everything from fillings to cosmetic dentistry, and he and his staff can always meet your dental health needs.

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10 Poor Oral Health Habits

Posted on May 6, 2013 by admin
  1. iceChewing ice: Ice is refreshing, but it’s not good for your teeth. Chewing ice can cause fractures in your teeth and even cause injuries to your gums.
  2. Sucking on lemons: A slice of lemon is a delicious addition to your water or iced tea, but leave it in the glass when you’re done. Lemons are highly acidic, and acid damages tooth enamel, exposing the vulnerable dentin underneath.
  3. Drinking sugary drinks: Sugar doesn’t directly cause cavities, but it does provide plenty of fuel for bacteria to grow. Avoid or limit fruit juices, sodas and sports drinks.
  4. Grinding your teeth: Chronic grinding or gritting your teeth can cause many problems, including premature wear, tooth fractures, broken fillings and even jaw injuries.
  5. Chewing on pencils or pens: Chewing on pencils and pens damages those writing implements – and your mouth. You could end up fracturing or otherwise damaging your teeth.
  6. Brushing too hard: Scrubbing might seem like a good way to get your teeth extra clean, but brushing too hard is not wise. It can damage enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay.
  7. Using your teeth as tools: Never use your teeth for things like cutting tape, snipping plastic tag hangers, or opening bottle caps. You might end up with chipped or fractured teeth.
  8. Drinking carbonated drinks: You might think sparkling water or club soda is a good alternative to soda. However, any carbonated beverage can damage your smile. Carbonated drinks contain a lot of acid, and acids eat away the enamel on your teeth.
  9. Smoking: Smoking is bad for your lungs and your mouth, causing bad breath, staining, increased risk of gum disease, and increased plaque and tartar build up.
  10. Constant snacking: Diet experts often recommend eating several smaller meals a day. It might be a good weight loss strategy, but it’s terrible for your teeth. Constant snacking leaves food particles in your mouth throughout the day, which gives bacteria more fuel to multiply.
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BENEFITS OF DENTAL VENEERS

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

veneers

There are many cosmetic dentistry techniques that can help a person’s mouth become more aesthetically pleasing after damage occurs, but veneers are one of the most popular. Veneers are thin layers of either composite or porcelain material that can be applied to a person’s teeth. There are several ways of doing this, but either of the outcomes carry several benefits along with them.

Built for Individual Mouths

It’s no surprise that veneers aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” Everyone’s teeth are obviously different. Luckily, veneers are meant to match a person’s natural teeth when it comes to coloring, size and shape. Composite material can be applied directly onto a damaged tooth while porcelain veneers will be created from molds taken from a person’s tooth. Both of these methods ensure that a veneer looks like it belongs in a person’s mouth.

Corrects Discoloration

One of the greatest benefits of veneers is the fact that they can correct discoloration. These veneers, as mentioned above, will exactly match a person’s teeth, and they’ll have the color that a person’s teeth should naturally have. In addition, porcelain veneers are stain resistant. As long as an individual cares for their veneers, they shouldn’t have any problem with past or future discoloration.

Relatively Simple 

Many cosmetic dental procedures require significant work to make a person’s teeth as aesthetically pleasing as desired. This can sometimes include removing a tooth or performing reshaping techniques on it. Veneers, on the other hand, can either be easily built up on an existing tooth or built in a laboratory and then bonded to a person’s teeth. Either way, veneers are a much simpler process than many other cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic dentistry is meant to give people the confidence of having the teeth that they really want. Veneers are an amazing tool when trying to achieve this. The aforementioned benefits are only a few examples, and the list simply keeps going. From filling in gaps to correcting awkward tooth sizes, veneers can almost do it all.

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HOW TO PREVENT CAVITIES

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

Most people fail to realize that, beat out by only the common cold, cavities are the second most commonly experienced disease in the U.S. Cavities are actually what is known as tooth decay. These cavities form when a lack of oral hygiene leads to the development of plaque in a person’s mouth. Unfortunately, when this plaque mixes with the sugars in many foods, it creates an acidic substance that eats away at the teeth.

brushMost people know the common “brush twice and floss once a day” method of helping prevent cavities, but there are actually several other ways that a person can lessen their chances of experiencing tooth decay.

Enjoy Tap Water

People are more and more turning to bottled water, but this actually comes with a negative consequence. Tap water has fluoride mixed into it, and that goes towards preventing oral issues that can lead to tooth decay. So while bottled water may seem more healthy, it’s less so for oral hygiene.

Fluoride Mouthwash

As just mentioned, fluoride goes a long way in preventing tooth decay. It’s important to point out, however, that tap water isn’t the only way to get a blast of fluoride. Many mouthwashes have this ingredient, and choosing a product with fluoride will provide the food particle removing benefits of all other mouthwashes with the added advantage of killing off bacteria.

Visit the Dentist Regularly

Many people only visit the dentist when they have an oral problem, but that may actually be the reason that they experience oral issues. Unfortunately, regardless of how well a person performs personal dental hygiene, plaque will eventually form on their teeth. Everyone should visit a dentist at least twice a year to have this plaque, or even tarter, removed by a professional cleaning.

Dental issues, unlike other medical conditions, are usually 100 percent preventable. Avoiding cavities is essential in oral health, and luckily, the steps involved in preventing this form of tooth decay also go a long way in protecting against other dental problems.

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TIPS FOR HEALTHY GUMS

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin

healthy_gumsPeople always focus on having white teeth, but healthy gums are just as, if not more, important. Unhealthy gums can lead to inflammation, tenderness, gingivitis and a host of serious periodontal issues. These problems can lead to tooth decay and loss, but the other symptoms of gum disease are scary in and of themselves.

Gum Disease Symptoms

  • Bloody or bright red gums
  • Plaque between the teeth that is visible
  • Recession of the gums
  • Pain in the teeth and gums

Luckily, these symptoms and gum diseases in general can be fully prevented by simple preventative maintenance. As long as a person puts a little time into keeping their gums healthy, they can avoid serious dental issues.

Drink Green Tea

Many people already drink green tea for their overall health, but few actually realize that it can help their gums stay healthy as well. Green tea acts as an antibacterial solution and helps prevent bacteria from developing and staying in the mouth. This will greatly reduce bacteria’s chance of causing plaque buildup, and this is healthy for a person’s gums and their entire oral cavity.

Maintain Proper Brushing and Flossing Regimen

Dentists cannot reiterate enough how important it is to brush and floss daily. It’s recommended to brush after every meal, but if this isn’t possible, a person should brush at least twice a day. In addition, it’s imperative to floss at least once a day as well. Brushing and flossing is a person’s first line of defense against the bacteria that can lead to serious periodontal issues.

Drink Water

Drinking water is a simple way to prevent gum disease. Drinking water after meals helps wash food particles from between the teeth and gums. Dislodging these food particles after a meal helps prevent bacteria and plaque buildup in the mouth.

Gum health is essential for a person who wants to maintain an overall healthy body. Gum disease can eventually lead to the necessity of oral surgery, so preventing the issue in the first place is much more cost and health effective than treating reactively. Luckily, the aforementioned tips in addition to periodic visits to the dentist for plaque removal are more than enough to maintain sound gum health.

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HOW TO PREVENT GINGIVITIS

Posted on February 20, 2013 by admin

Gingivitis is a serious periodontal disease, and it usually comes along with poor oral hygiene. The condition will destroy the tissues whose job it is to support a person’s teeth. These tissues include tooth sockets, ligaments and the gums in general. This is caused when plaque is allowed to build up and turn into tarter, and this can cause a person’s gums to become infected.

Serious Ailments related to Gingivitis

Most people would assume that gingivitis could cause swelling or redness of the gums; this, however, would seem almost common sense since the gums are infected. There are several more serious symptoms, however, that a person may face.

  • Sores in the mouth
  • Bloody gums
  • Tender or shiny gums
  • Abscesses in the jaw bones or gums
  • The painful bacterial infection known as “trench mouth”

Preventing Gingivitis

There are several things that a person can do to help prevent gingivitis and the aforementioned painful consequences.

Brush and Floss Everyday

It’s imperative for everyone to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Dentists actually recommend brushing after every meal, but twice is considered the absolute minimum. This will help prevent bacteria from forming and causing plaque. Since this plaque is what leads to infection, a person has a much better chance of not getting gingivitis when they brush and floss routinely.

Use Mouthwash

Many people think that brushing and flossing is sufficient for preventing gingivitis, but using a mouthwash like Listerine helps get any spots that a person missed while brushing and also washes out food particles left over from flossing. It’s important to rinse with these washes for at least 30 seconds.

Visit a Dentist at Least Every Six Months 

It’s possible to do the bulk of preventative care against gingivitis at home, but it’s still necessary to visit a dentist at least twice a year. This frequency should definitely be increased for those who have prior dental issues. Dentists can remove plaque and tarter buildup that managed to sneakily develop in spite of a person’s oral health routine. This is a vital step in preventing gingivitis.

Use Baking Soda

Mixing baking soda with a small amount of water will create a paste that can then be used as a sort of toothpaste. This baking soda mixture will stop the spread of bacteria and plaque. In addition, it also helps to whiten teeth, so there are actually a few benefits to using baking soda.

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Cavity Prevention for Your Child

Posted on June 12, 2012 by admin

As a Mom or Dad there are so many things you worry about when it comes to your children and their overall health. On a daily basis there are many factors to juggle to make sure you child is their healthiest. One very important factor that can not be forgotten is proper dental health and cavity prevention. Proper dental care should begin with regular visits to a dentist. Children should have their first visit to a dentist by the time of their first birthday. A visit to the dentist at an early age will help to detect any dental issues or deviations from normal dental development. Children and people of all ages should see a dentist every 6 months for a check up and cleaning.

It is important to start taking care of your child’s teeth and instill healthy dental hygiene habits in your child before their permanent teeth come in. Once your child has 2 adjacent teeth, flossing should become part of their daily oral hygiene routine. You should begin using fluoride toothpaste on your child’s teeth once the primary teeth have come in. Fluoride helps keep teeth and the enamel strong and hard to prevent cavities from acid. Most cities have fluoride in the water as well but you should still use fluoride toothpaste with young children.

Poor teeth brushing can also lead to cavities due to a buildup of food and bacteria in the mouth. Large amounts of sugar can cause cavities, it is a good idea to limit your child’s consumption of sugar and to have children brush their teeth after they eat sugary foods and snacks. Make sure your child brushes their teeth a minimum of 2 times a day with regular flossing. Proper care of their teeth will keep them healthy and the cavities at bay, giving you one less thing to worry about.

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