Dental Care for Children - What Does Fluoride Do?

Enamel, the outer layer of our teeth, protects our teeth from cavities and decay. Fluoride in toothpaste and in our drinking water makes the enamel even stronger. During routine dental visits, your dentist will give you a special fluoride treatment that helps to further strengthen the enamel. The frequency of fluoride application depends on the child's age and their cavity risk which is assessed by a pediatric dentist. Fluoride is often brushed on teeth in a foam or a liquid form and comes in a variety of kid friendly flavors. Once teeth are developed, fluoride makes the tooth structure more resistant to decay.

Fluoride acts topically in a process called remineralization. The calcium and phosphate in the fluoride helps to rebuild any weakened tooth enamel. Rebuilt enamel is more capable of resisting the tooth decay process.

How do you know if your child is getting enough fluoride? Chances are they are getting a sufficient amount from tap water and fluoride toothpaste. However, The American Dental Association warns parents against offering their children too much bottled water which often doesn't contain the same levels of fluoride found in tap water. Too little fluoride leaves teeth susceptible to cavities.

The American Dental Association recommends that children start using toothpaste with fluoride around the age of two or three. Prior to this, parents should clean their child's teeth with water and a soft bristled toothbrush. Children should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day or after every meal. Flossing and regular dental checkups should also be part of the regimen.

Good oral habits, such as daily brushing and flossing, combined with regular dental visits beginning at age one will help children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Since children emulate their parents, set a good example by flossing regularly and using positive reinforcement to motivate your child.
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The Many Options For Whiter Teeth

Americans are notorious for being obsessed with their appearance. This obsession extends to teeth as well. To help this, the cosmetic dentistry community has made great strides in improving the options for tooth whitening. There are now multiple options for whitening one's teeth. These include:

· In-office bleaching

· At-home bleaching

· Whitening toothpastes

In-Office Bleaching

There are now many simple, non-invasive options for whitening teeth in the dentist's office. For millions of people, this has become part of ordinary dental care as many people are unwilling to eliminate coffee, tea, red wine, and other foods and drinks that stain teeth completely from their diets.

Tooth whitening can be an effective way of adjusting the color of a few or all of a person's teeth. Unfortunately, the current technologies are effective only when applied to natural tooth enamel. This means that people with crowns or caps cannot have their caps or crowns whitened. What they can do, however, is replace old fillings, etc. with new, whiter fillings and then have the remainder of their teeth whitened to match.

The most popular option for in-office whitening is Zoom! This procedure has an in-office component and then a take-home portion as well. In office, a whitening gel with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. Then, a special, noninvasive, light is aimed at the teeth which activates the gel and accelerates the process. All told, the whole procedure takes around an hour to complete.

At-Home Bleaching

There are two options for at-home bleaching. The first is dentist-prescribed and the second is over-the-counter. Dentist prescribed at-home bleaching options require a dentist to make specially fitted bleaching trays for their patient and then write a prescription for a prescription-strength bleaching agent. This option is still cheaper than in-office bleaching.

Prescription options require that the bleaching gel be placed in the bleaching tray. The tray is supposed to be worn for a prescribed amount of time a prescribed number of times a day. Another advantage of this option is that it allows the patient to re-treat his or her teeth whenever they feel it is needed. It does take longer than in-office options but the majority of people that have used this option feel that it achieves the same end result.

Over-the-counter remedies to stained teeth have become increasingly popular. These options include the entire line of Crest's Whitestrips as well as Listerine's new quick-dissolving strips. This is the least expensive option for tooth-whitening that is actually effective. In addition, there are whitening trays that are sold over the counter.

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes are inexpensive but they are also rather ineffective. They are gritty which is abrasive to the enamel on teeth. They have been shown to remove surface stains but they won't actually improve the whiteness of teeth.

Another option in the dental care arena involves whitening mouthwashes. As these are still relatively new, it is too early to tell if they are effective.
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Natural Treatment For Bad Breath

Do you find people turning away from you when you try to talk to them? Are you embarrassed because people seem to want to tell you your breath stinks; but instead they keep their head turned away from you. Bad breath is caused by the growth of bacteria that comes about from food particles left un-flushed in your mouth. The bacteria usually thrives under your tongue in between your teeth or in the root of your gums as the food builds up during the day; which eventually leads to bad breath. This articles is geared towards providing you with useful information that you can begin using today to begin natural treatment for bad breath.

Proper Oral Hygiene: Getting rid of bad breath is as easy as flossing and brushing on a regular basis. You should always brush your teeth twice a day; if possible you should also brush your teeth after each meal. Flossing every night after before you go to bed will help remove any bacteria between your teeth so that they do not remain in your mouth while you sleep. Remember when you are brushing your teeth to brush the top of your tongue to help remove any bacteria that is accumulating there.

Use Mouthwashes: Using mouthwashes after you brush and floss your teeth is a great ways to get rid of bad breath by attacking the volatile sulfur compounds that are the culprit for causing stinky breath. Pick a mouthwash that you like and can stand to have in your mouth for at least 20 seconds while you gargle. You can have your dentist recommend one if you are not sure which one you should be using.

Drink Plenty Of Water: You should be drinking plenty of water because if you mouth remains dry; it is an ideal home for odor-causing bacteria. Keep your mouth moist throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. The water is also known to stimulate the flow of saliva and can even wash away the food particles that are left un-flushed in your mouth. The most important thing to remember when you are trying to use a natural treatment for bad breath; the more water you drink the better of you will be because the bacteria will not remain in a moist mouth.

Regular Check Ups: A dental check up is important and vital for maintaining proper oral health. If you want to get rid of bad breath or want to avoid the problem then this is the most important part of the steps. With regular check ups your dentist can help you identify the cause of your bad breath and will take care of any preventative work that requires attention before it escalades into a big problem. You should begin taking your children at an early age so that they will become comfortable with going to the dentist.
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Don't Wait!

Don't wait until it's too late to realize the many benefits of regular dental care. Your dentist will tell you that your oral health can affect your overall health in a variety of ways. And, let's face it, if your teeth are decayed or missing, or you have oral pain, then you may not be able to eat the range of foods necessary for maintaining good nutrition. That will only lead to more problems!

So, what does "regular dental care" actually mean? It means seeing your dentist every six months for a scale and polish, and an examination of your gums, teeth, and oral cavity. Your dentist may be the first person to suspect a serious health problem, like oral cancer, or they may recognize early warning signs of diabetes, heart disease, or other systemic illnesses that can be treated. And, you know that early treatment of these conditions can make a big difference in the outcome.

Gum disease, or periodontitis, can not only cause tooth loss but can signify other problems. Periodontitis can usually be prevented by having regular dental care and good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing. Regular exams will keep this problem a very low risk.

Hate to go to the dentist? Have no insurance? Can't afford the staggering costs? There are answers. Try dental tourism-take a short holiday a couple of times a year and get high-quality, low cost dental care on a regular basis. Keep your risk of dental problems to a minimum, and enjoy some time away from home all at once.
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The Importance of Flossing in Dental Care

I was diagnosed with early-stage periodontal disease (gingivitis) recently and I was shocked to hear the implications of letting this go untreated. I had suffered from mild gingivitis for a while but like most people I was reluctant to visit a dentist.

Family pressure forced me to do so and now my dentist says I have Periodontitis.

This disease is initially is seldom painful and causes relatively minor signs, such as red, swollen and bleeding gums. It slowly progresses into a serious infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth, and eventually may cause tooth loss.

What's more, long-term periodontitis can lead to even more-serious problems, including higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Gum disease may even affect your unborn child.

Yet periodontitis is both preventable and treatable. Although factors such as smoking, heredity, medications and lowered immunity make you more susceptible to gum disease, the most common cause is poor oral hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings can greatly reduce your chances of developing periodontitis.

Flossing in particular is extremely important and it cleans out debris from between teeth and inhibits the growth of Plaque and tartar that are leading causes of gum disease.
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Teeth Whitening Guide

Teeth whitening term refers to a cosmetic dental procedure performed to whiten teeth. This in fact, is the most frequently applied dental procedure. The teeth whitening process usually involves bleaching of teeth in order to remove stains and brighten the patient's smile.

Teeth Discoloration Causes

Many different factors contribute to teeth discoloration, but one of the most common causes is the food and beverages you consume. Certain foods and drinks like berries, red wine, coffee, tea, and soda will discolor your teeth if frequently consumed over a long period of time. Some antibiotics, most notably tetracycline can stain your teeth as well. Another reason for tooth discoloration is smoking. Keep in mind that some people have naturally yellowish teeth, and in this case the color of their smile is determined by their genetics.

Teeth Whitening Options

There are many different teeth whitening options available on the market, due to the popularity of tooth whitening. The whitening procedure can be performed in a dental office or in the comfort of your own home. The in-office teeth whitening usually yields better and quicker results compared to the at-home whitening. If you whiten your teeth in a dental office, it is very likely to see results right after the procedure has been completed. Many people do not feel comfortable in a dental office and if that's the case the at-home teeth whitening can be a better choice. You can whiten your teeth with over the counter products like whitening strips or trays with whitening gel. You can also use a whitening product prescribed by your dentist, which is usually a mouth tray with strong bleaching gel. If you decide to whiten your teeth at home, make sure that you follow the application instructions your dentist provided or the instructions that come with the over the counter whitening product.

Teeth Whitening Costs

Teeth whitening cost vary greatly depending on the method of whitening you choose. Obviously in-office teeth whitening performed by dentist will be the most expensive option and it may from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Over the counter products are cheaper teeth whitening alternative with a price tag starting at $30.

After a Teeth Whitening Procedure

Teeth whitening results do not last forever - on average you can expect between several months and a year. However the good news is that you can prolong the effects of teeth whitening by simply avoiding foods and beverages that stain teeth and smoking. Such foods and drinks include but are not limited to coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. If you decide to consume these foods then brush your teeth immediately after.

Teeth Whitening Results

If the same teeth whitening procedure is applied to two different persons, most likely the results will be different. Not all teeth respond to whitening equally well. For example if teeth have yellow shade, chances are that they can be whitened fairly easily. If the teeth are gray in color, then whitening might be much harder, if not impossible. If you are thinking about teeth whitening, then is advisable to consult your dentist first, as they can recommend the best teeth whitening treatment for you.

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