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Many people do not see a dentist on a regular basis. They only go when they have a problem. This is known as "crisis treatment" versus "preventive treatment". While these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in dollars and time. This is because many dental problems do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages of the disease process. An example is tooth decay. It is typical to hear, "Nothing hurts... I don't have any problems".
Tooth decay often does not hurt until it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge cavity who has never felt a thing. The dentist can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it develops any symptoms. This early detection can help you prevent root canal treatment or even loss of the tooth.
Always spend two to three minutes brushing your teeth. It takes that long to get rid of the bacteria that destroy tooth enamel. Do not brush too hard. It takes very little pressure to remove bacteria and plaque. Floss at least once a day. Flossing is the only way to get bacteria from between your teeth.
Watch the sugar you eat. There is sugar in candy, fruits, crackers and chips. These are the foods that the bacteria in your mouth like best. Be mindful of foods like raisins and peanut butter that stick to your teeth. They can provide a constant supply for the bacteria eating into your teeth. Try to minimize the times during the day when sweet items are eaten and brush your teeth afterwards.
If you cannot brush after a meal, rinse your mouth with water - which can help to remove food from your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum after a meal can also help. Chewing stimulates the flow of your saliva which acts as a natural plaque-fighting substance. And do not forget your regular dental visits. Good dental habits will go a long way toward a no-cavity visit.
Flossing reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. There are millions of these microscopic creatures feeding on food particles left on your teeth. These bacteria live in plaque which can be removed by flossing. Brushing your teeth gets rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth. Flossing gets rid of the bacteria the toothbrush can't reach. That's the bacteria hiding in the tiny spaces between your teeth. If you do not floss, you allow plaque to remain between your teeth. Eventually it hardens into tartar. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing. Only the dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.
Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you the proper way to floss. You will notice the difference at the next cleaning appointment.
Make it fun! If you are enthusiastic about brushing your teeth, your children will also be enthusiastic. Children want to do the things their parents do. If your children see you brushing your teeth and displaying good dental habits, they will follow. Ask us for other creative ways to get children to brush their teeth.
Getting your children to brush starts with taking them to the dentist at an early age. All children should be seen by their first birthday or 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth.
Periodontal disease is inflammation and infection of the gums and supporting bone structure, which if left untreated, can cause permanent jaw bone destruction and possible tooth loss. Untreated periodontal disease has been linked to increased risk for conditions such as heart disease, stroke, low birth weight babies, pre-term delivery, respiratory disease, and prostate cancer. An advanced stage of periodontal disease exhibits inflamed gums pulling away from your bone and teeth. Other signs of periodontal disease include:
- Bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Loose teeth or teeth that have moved
- Sensitive teeth
- Pus coming from around the teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
Treatment of early periodontal disease can be performed in-office. However, advanced stages may require surgery. Periodontal disease can be prevented and treated successfully by seeing your dentist and dental hygienist regularly and following recommended care plans.
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and in water. Some natural sources of fluoride are brewed tea, canned fish, cooked kale and spinach, apples, and skim milk. Some city water contains fluoride, so by drinking tap water you will acquire fluoride. If drinking water does not have fluoride, supplements are available.
The lack of exposure to fluoride places individuals of any age at risk for dental decay. Fluoride is important to dental health because it helps prevent tooth decay by making your tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria in your mouth.
Studies have shown that children who consumed fluoridated water from birth had less dental decay. Fluoride can reverse early decay and help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that causes degenerative bone loss. Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about whether you're getting the daily amount of fluoride you need.
Shopping for toothpaste can be overwhelming. There are many different brands and types of kinds of toothpaste out there, and making a wrong choice could end in a trip to the dentist. How can you determine which one is best for you? To help you answer that question and to simplify things a little, here’s a look at the top toothpastes recommended by dental professionals.
Types of Toothpaste
Before you learn about the top toothpastes, it’s important to know about the different types of toothpastes. One of the more common types of toothpaste is fluoride toothpaste. Because fluoride strengthens your teeth and prevents decay, dentists recommend it for children and adults.
There are also toothpastes designed for tartar control. If the plaque on your teeth hardens, it turns into tartar. Combatting that, tartar control toothpastes remove plaque before it can harden.
Sometimes, people have issues with teeth sensitivity. Eating or drinking hot and cold foods can be painful. Teeth sensitivity is usually due to weakened enamel or an exposed root. That’s where toothpaste for sensitive teeth are useful. The toothpaste offers relief for the pain that comes with sensitivity issues. You can even find whitening or cavity protection toothpaste for sensitivity.
Finally, there are whitening toothpastes. Although they use different ingredients, they all have some whitening agent to make your teeth look whiter. The ingredients either fight stains or lighten the colour of your teeth. Some whitening toothpastes also prevent tooth decay. One detail that you should be aware of is that no whitening toothpaste can replicate the effect of a teeth whitening procedure. No whitening toothpaste can live up to the dream of blindingly white teeth.
Today, you can find just about any type of toothpaste you can imagine. There are toothpastes that accomplish a single goal, and ones that do it all. You should pick a toothpaste that fulfills your oral health needs. If you are prone to cavities, you should look for one that offers great cavity protection. If whitening is your primary concern, you should opt for a whitening toothpaste.
What About Charcoal Toothpastes?
Though toothpastes containing activated charcoal are becoming increasingly trendy, there has not been a lot of research about the long term health effects. However, a 2017 review of the current research cautions dentists against suggesting charcoal toothpastes.
Patients who are considering switching to a charcoal toothpaste should know that they are too abrasive for everyday use, and many brands don’t contain fluoride. They may also actually stain your teeth instead of whitening them. Charcoal toothpastes are also typically only able to remove surface stains and can wear down your enamel, making your teeth appear yellow and increase tooth sensitivity.
The Top Toothpastes
All of these top toothpastes have earned a spot on this list for different reasons. Some are for whitening, some are for sensitive teeth, and some do it all. But they are all highly recommended by dentists.
1. Colgate Total
If you want a toothpaste that fights plaque, Colgate Total is a great option. It fights plaque for up to 12 hours. The formula is very effective at fighting gingivitis. Best of all, there are different types of Colgate Total that provide the same plaque-fighting ability while accomplishing other things. The Advance Whitening whitens, Daily Repair fixes damage to your teeth, and Deep Clean (not surprisingly) deep cleans teeth.
2. Crest Pro-Health
One of the only toothpastes accepted by the ADA in six categories, Crest Pro-Health, does it all. In addition to whitening teeth, it reduces sensitivity, prevents cavities, fights plaque, prevents gingivitis, and combats bad breath. For all-around oral hygiene, this toothpaste is a winner.
3. Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
People with sensitive teeth shouldn’t be limited to one type of toothpaste. Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening toothpaste gives individuals with sensitive gums and teeth a chance to whiten their teeth. It also hardens weakened enamel, and in doing so prevents tooth decay.
4. Arm and Hammer Dental Care Advance Cleaning Mint Toothpaste w/Baking Soda
Preventing tooth decay is a tough job. But this Arm and Hammer toothpaste is up for the task. The fluoride in the toothpaste repairs damage done to your teeth and the baking soda adds another element that removes plaque. And, as a bonus, the mint flavor is refreshing.
5. Tom’s of Maine Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
If you’re into natural ingredients, Tom’s of Maine toothpaste is a staple. Their Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste contains natural ingredients but doesn’t eliminate the one ingredient that is extremely effective- fluoride. It fights cavities and isn’t loaded with ingredients that you can’t pronounce.
6. Crest Tartar Protection
No one likes cavities. Crest Tartar Protection Toothpaste protects your teeth from tartar, the hard deposit that plaque can form on teeth. Tartar damages your teeth and can cause bad breath and gum inflammation. However, this toothpaste prevents plaque from calcifying and keeps your mouth healthy and fresh.
7. Tom’s of Maine Simply White Clean Mint Toothpaste
It’s not easy to make a natural toothpaste that whitens, but Tom’s of Maine has done just that. Their Simply White toothpaste provides a natural whitening ability, brightening your teeth while fighting cavities.
Many factors work to destroy the naturally white smile with which you were born. Tobacco, certain foods, and certain drinks actually stain teeth. These substances continually work on our teeth causing our white smile to gradually fade. Hot coffee and tea are especially hazardous to your smile because they change the temperature of teeth. This temperature change - hot and cold cycling - causes the teeth to expand and contract allowing stains to penetrate the teeth. Cutting down on coffee and tea can go a long way to creating a great smile. Foods that are slightly acidic are also dangerous to your white smile. These foods open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to move more easily into the tooth.
We can help you with more tips on keeping a white smile.
Commercial whitening toothpastes vary greatly in their ability to whiten teeth. They work by removing surface stains from the teeth with the use of mild abrasives. However, unlike professional whitening, some whitening toothpastes do not alter the intrinsic colour of the teeth. Overuse of toothpastes that are effective in removing stains can also destroy tooth enamel in the process. Some toothpastes use harsh abrasives. With repeated use, harsh abrasives begin to damage tooth enamel and can contribute to increased tooth sensitivity. If you would like to try a whitening toothpaste, consult with your dentist first.
If you whiten your teeth, the length of time you can expect it to last will vary. If you smoke, drink red wine or coffee, or consume other acid-containing foods, your bright smile may begin to yellow more quickly than you expect. In general, a teeth whitening procedure can last up to a few years. And even though the results can fade, occasional touch-ups can be done to regain lustre.
Ask the experienced staff at Beacon Hill Dental Centre about the long-term benefits of teeth whitening.
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when the dentist examines the mouth. An X-ray examination may reveal:
- small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
- infections in the bone
- periodontal (gum) disease
- abscesses or cysts
- developmental abnormalities
- some types of tumours
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and often unnecessary discomfort. Dental radiographs (X-rays) can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam. If you have a hidden tumour, X-rays may even help save your life. The dentist will evaluate your need for X-rays based on the conditions present in development. There are many benefits to having X-rays taken. Any additional questions or concerns should be discussed with your dentist.
The Canadian Dental Association cites sealants as an effective weapon in the arsenal against tooth decay. Sealants are a thin coating adhered on chewing surfaces of molars and, sometimes, premolars. Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting your teeth against decay-causing bacteria.
Sealants have proven effective with both adults and children, but are most commonly used with children. Despite the fact that sealants are a fraction of the cost of fillings, only a small percentage of school-aged children have sealants on their permanent teeth. Ask your dentist whether sealants are a good choice for you or your children.
We all have to have a little fun sometimes!
You may have heard that dental implants can last for about 25 years or more. This is true as long as you take adequate care of them. Note that the longevity of your dental implant depends on several factors, which include:
Your oral practices. How well you take care and maintain your dental implant, like brushing and flossing at least twice daily and making a biannual visit to the dental office, will influence how long your dental implant will last.
How you use your teeth. Chewing or biting hard on hard items, and also opening crown cork with your teeth will negatively affect the lifespan of your implant.
How skillful the dentist who managed the implant is. If your implant surgery is handled by a well-trained and experienced dentist, your dental implant would last longer. This is because professional dentists know how to place the implant perfectly, evaluate the osseointegration progress and determine if your jawbone has completely fused with the implant.
Location of the implant. The location of the dental implant in your mouth will also determine the longevity of your dental implant. For instance, implants positioned at the back of the mouth will receive more pressure due to chewing than those positioned in the front. As a result, the implant at the back of the mouth may fail more quickly than those at the front of the mouth.
Your general oral health and lifestyle. Patients who smoke or drink heavily are at a higher risk of experiencing implant failure than non-smokers and non-drinkers. Hence, in order to ensure that your dental implant lasts as long as possible, refrain from smoking and drinking heavily before and after the placement of the implant.
If you have further questions about the dental implant procedure, contact us or schedule a visit with any of our professional dentists for answers. We are always here for you.
As stated above, dental implants are actually designed to be a permanent tooth replacement option when properly maintained. However, there are some factors that can possibly cause the dental implant to fail prematurely. Diabetic patients or patients suffering from pre-existing medical conditions like cancer are at a higher risk of having dental implant failure.
Poor oral hygiene practices can also lead to dental implant failure. As with your natural teeth, you must maintain your dental implants by brushing and flossing them regularly. Poor oral hygiene practices can lead to gum disease – gingivitis or periodontal disease, which can subsequently lead to dental implant failure. Gum disease causes the gingiva to recede, thereby exposing the roots of the teeth and gradually damaging the gingival tissues that secure them within the jawbone. Preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease can greatly increase the longevity of your dental implants.
Inflamed gums, bleeding, and pain while brushing or flossing are some of the signs and symptoms of gum disease. Don’t hesitate to visit a professional dentist as soon as notice any of these symptoms to ensure the longevity of your natural teeth and dental implant.
If you want to learn more about dental implants and proper oral hygiene practices, feel free to contact us. Our network of specialist dentists are well trained to handle your implant surgery effectively, and once your implant is placed, we will ensure that you receive a beautiful dental restoration. Kindly contact us today to schedule a dental implant appointment with our top and renowned specialists.
