Healthy Fluids

Remember the old saying: You are what you eat? Well, that is exactly the case when it comes to great dental health and your diet. We all know that the foods we consume affect our overall health, but what you eat, when you eat it, and how often you eat it can also impact your dental health. Consuming a lot of sugary snacks and drinks like soda and energy drinks can put you at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay has become one of the most common diseases today, especially in children and teens.

The best way to avoid partaking of so much sugar is to pay more attention to food labels. Always choose the less sugary option when possible. Even foods that we think are healthy, such as cereal, contain high amounts of sugar. Commercial ads have greatly contributed to this problem, especially when it comes to children. You have most likely noticed that most of the ads are for the breakfast products that are practically devoid of any healthy nutrients, but they appear attractive to our children. This is due to packaging and presentation. These foods are chocolate or disguised as cute cartoon characters and the like, to entice our kids to ask for them. One way to cut down on the harmful effect of sugar is to have a treat with your meal.

If you are unsure of the nutritional needs of you or your children, consult your dentists in Boulder or family doctor. He or she can provide you with information on maintaining a healthy diet for your family. If you have a young child in the home, do not allow them to walk around with a cup or bottle of milk or juice or sleep with it at night. If they must have a bottle to sleep, fill it with water.

Establishing a healthy diet routine is simple if you follow a few guidelines:

1. Follow the outline for a nutritional diet. Your diet should include: a. Fruits and vegetables b. Whole grains c. Low-fat or fat-free dairy products d. Lean protein such as skinless poultry or fish, lean beef, dry beans, peas and legumes 2. Drink plenty of water. 8 glasses a day is recommended. 3. Place a limit on the amount of snacks. If you must snack, pick healthy ones such as cheese or fruits and vegetables. When eaten with a meal, foods cause less harm because more saliva is formed and that will assist to remove foods and also lessen the effect of acids, which lead to tooth decay. 4. Besides a nutritional diet, remember to maintain good dental health habits such as brushing and flossing each day and making regular visits to the dentist.

Following these simple guidelines will help ensure that great dental health and your diet are in alignment.

Cosmetic dentistry has become one of the most popular areas of dentistry in recent years. Many people have a bit of confusion, however, and their question is: Cosmetic Dentistry and Restorative Dentistry Are They The Same? And this is an excellent question! Though there are similarities between the two, there are also a few differences. Whereas a Boulder cosmetic dentist can also be a restorative dentist, the level of expertise between them is what sets cosmetic dentists apart. While restorative procedures mainly ensure the proper function of the teeth, cosmetic dentists focus on that plus the appearance of the teeth and the smile. In a sense, they are rather like artists in addition to being scientists.

Although people may not think that enhancing the appearance of the teeth is a very complicated procedure, it does require a greater understanding of the anatomy of teeth, as well as dental materials. When you consider as well that the dentist must have a full understanding of the patients vision for their smile, they must then relay that vision to a lab technician so that all are on the same page, so to speak. Cosmetic dentistry also requires extensive training in order to comply with the high standards of the field and to keep abreast of new techniques.

While there may be some overlap between cosmetic and restorative dentistry, the biggest difference lies in the fact that restorative procedures are related more to diseases of the teeth, restoring the function of supporting structures, as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Some of these procedures would include periodontics and endodontics. Periodontics concerns things such as gum disease and bone loss. Endodontics can include root canals, bridges and dentures. An endodontist completes two to three years of additional training with a concentration on root canal therapy. One overlap area between the two specialties might be dental implants, which are often provided by both cosmetic and restorative dentists.

Both restorative and cosmetic dentistry specialists require additional and ongoing training in order to keep up with the new technology that seems to appear daily. This should definitely be a deciding factor in your decision making when choosing either type of specialist. Check out their website and see what types of technology they use for the various procedures. Research the newer technologies first so you have first-hand knowledge of the most up-to-date techniques and solutions.

So, back to the question: Cosmetic Dentistry And Restorative Dentistry Are They The Same? The complete answer would probably be no, but they are very similar. It is possible to visit a dentist that practices both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and that would be a win-win. Besides, in reality, isnt every dentist a cosmetic dentist? I dont know of any dentist that would provide ugly dentistry care on purpose, do you?

Oral care has taken a lot of strides in the past century and we are experiencing a very convenient way of taking care of our teeth than our ancestors. Read on and you just might appreciate this era you were born in and be glad that you are only required to see and dentist once a year. And the fact that you can actually see one whenever you need to.

Worms:

Around 5000 BC, ancient Sumerians believed that cavities were caused by tooth worms that caused toothaches by boring holes into the teeth. These were treated by smoking them out with heated beeswax and henbane seed. Most likely, they would have thought the nerves of teeth were worms and included them in the extraction. With no anesthesia.

Dental Braces:

Even around 400 BC, Hippocrates and Aristotle were already thinking of ways to straighten teeth. This has led to centuries of technological development leading to the modern dental braces. Yes, even then, people were already fascinated with our pearly whites and scientists made a big deal out of them.

Ancient Grills:

Around 166-201 AD, the Etruscans were already practicing dental prosthetics by using gold crowns and bridges. They did this by fashioning rings out of gold bands instead of wires which were common in other cultures like the Egyptians. Human and animal teeth were banded together by these gold rings and then attached permanently to the mouth by smoldering the gold bands.

Silver Matters:

The first mention of amalgam was in ancient China during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty. This was around 618 AD and the emperor, rich and powerful as he is, was also not exempted from the torments of dental pain. Has pain was usually treated with extraction, he experimented with tin and silver, melted them, and packed them into the rotted areas of the teeth. This allowed him to get rid of the pain while still saving the tooth thus enabling him to chew his food as he always did.

Guild of Barbers:

By the year 1210, the Guild of Barbers was formed in France. They were categorized into two groups, the surgeon barbers and the lay barbers. The former executed complex surgeries while the latter were left to perform routine hygienic services like shaving, bleeding, and tooth extraction. In 1400, lay barbers were prohibited by a royal decree to perform all surgical procedures leeching and extracting teeth. These days, some people are still scared with the thought of having to see a dentist. Whether it is for a regular check-up or an extraction. Especially an extraction. But imagine if it was your barber you had to go to so you can have an annoying tooth pain treated? Or a leech in your mouth?

As a parent, you may wonder what the appropriate age is for a childs first dental visit. The American Dental Association and The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry agree that the first visit should occur around age one or approximately six months after the eruption of the first tooth. You may be wondering: why so young? The answer is because primary or baby teeth serve an important role in your childs dental health. For one thing, they are necessary for eating and speaking clearly as the child grows. They also act as a placeholder for the permanent teeth.

During that first visit the dentist will gently examine your childs gums and teeth to ensure that there is no dental decay or other problems. Many dental practices will also provide a tour of the office and help your child to be more comfortable prior to the exam. It is important that the dentist develop a good rapport with your child right from the start.

The dentist will also talk to you about your familys dental history as well as explain proper methods of keeping your childs teeth clean and healthy. For most young children, they can begin brushing their own teeth by age two or three. You should always check them afterward and even brush them again to make sure that harmful bacteria do not remain in the mouth. Getting them a special toothbrush or flavored toothpaste often helps in getting them to enjoy brushing.

During your childs first Bee Cave dental visit, you will probably be asked if your child is a thumb or pacifier sucker. This habit can cause malformed teeth and should be stopped around age two or three. Your dentist will be able to provide some tips on how to break the habit if your child does not do it on their own.

To ensure a positive experience for your child at the first dental visit, there are several things you can do in advance. Explain in terms they can relate to what will happen at the visit. There are numerous books and online interactive videos available to help you discuss this with your child. Make sure that you stay positive. Do not share any negative experiences you may have encountered in the past. A trip to the dentists office in advance is often helpful for a child who is anxious about their visit. The most important thing is for you to remember that you are doing the best thing for your child in preventing issues later in life. When you truly understand this, it will come across in a positive way.

After your childs first dental visit it is important to maintain a regular dental regimen with them at home. You should also make sure that they see the dentist for regular checkups so that he/she can detect and take care of any problems early.

Post written by Dental Concepts - visit their site at http://www.dental-concepts.com/. Our oral cavity is such an intricate and complex system that it requires more than one habit to make sure that it is in tiptop shape. We all have been taught to brush after eating and that must have been the most effective campaign material for toothbrushes eversince. However, they are little if not, no popular commercials at all for another important step in dental hygiene: flossing.

Little do we know that flossing, though underrated, is another important habit everyone needs to practice for optimal dental health. Other than removing annoying debris in between teeth, flossing has benefits that transcend what meets the eye.

For one, it reduces the risk of tooth decay. The surface of your teeth extends into those that are sitting on your gumline. And because of the closeness of teeth, toothbrush bristles cannot always reach in between to clean this part of your teeth and that is where plaque usually starts.

Aside from that, plaque not only causes damage to the teeth surface near the gums. It also wreaks havoc on the gums itself. This infection could lead to gingivitis when left untreated which may escalate to periodontitis and other complications.

Dental floss also prevents bad breath. When plaque forms, they have bacteria in them which metabolizes the sugar and the process gives off a bad smell resulting in bad breath. That is apart from the tooth decay and gum problems that plaque causes overtime.

Tartar is the result of the hardening of dental plaque. But unlike plaque which is a colorless film of bacteria, tartar is visible and is made up of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. The latter is a present fluid in the crevicular pockets of your mouth which increases when irritation of inflammation is present. This hardened surface is annoying to see. Tartar removal is also a separate dental procedure as tartar is difficult to remove and may cost you more money than how much you would spend for floss in six months. Taking down the cause of tartar which is plaque is the easiest first step in eliminating the problem.

The state of your oral health can predict almost accurately, your overall health. And taking care of your oral cavity is one of the few things you can do to lessen the risk of more of more complicated systemic diseases. Bacteria from your mouth may find its way to your heart leading to or aggravating present cardiovascular diseases. Gum disease is also a risk when a person is diabetic as there is lowered immunity to infection. That is why proper oral care including flossing must be practiced.

Flossing may not be commercially popular but that does not lessen the importance of the habit. The most expensive thing you can floss is your teeth and your overall health.

Orthodontics refers to a specialized discipline of dentistry which focuses on the alignment of the jaws and teeth so as to improve a ones oral health and smile as well. Orthodontists usually diagnose, treat and also prevent teeth irregularities using braces. The devices can be used in straightening teeth, correcting an irregular bite, closing unsightly gaps and bringing lips and teeth into a proper alignment. The crooked teeth which do not correctly fit together are hard to be kept clean and as a result, they are at higher risk because of periodontal diseases or tooth decay.

HOW DOES ONE KNOW IF THEY REQUIRE ORTHODONTICS?

Only your orthodontist or dentist is capable of determining whether you can actually benefit from orthodontics services. Based on the diagnostic tools which include a full dental and medical health history, plaster models of teeth, a clinical exam and special photographs and X-rays, a dentist can decide on whether to recommend orthodontics and also develop an appropriate treatment plan that is right for you.

In case you have one of the following, then you might seek orthodontics treatment:

· Overbite This refers to a situation where the front upper teeth stick out over lower teeth

· Under bite This is an appearance where lower teeth stick out or where the upper teeth are too far back

· Cross bite This occurs when a tooth or teeth have a lateral misalignment (too close or too far from the cheek)

· Open bite This refers to the upper and lower front teeth that are both flaring outward leaving a vertical gap

· Misplaced midline This occurs when the middle part of upper front teeth doesnt line up well with the that of the lower front teeth

· Spacing These are gaps or even spaces between ones teeth

· Crowding This occurs when there are more teeth than the number which the dental ridge can accommodate

HOW DOES ORTHODONTICS TREATMENT WORK?

Many types of appliances, be it removable or fixed, are used to aid in moving teeth, retraining muscles and affecting the growth of the jaws. These appliances usually work by placing moderate pressure on the jaws and teeth. The severity of ones problem shall determine the orthodontic approach which is likely to turn out to be most effective.

Fixed appliances include:

· Braces: these are the common fixed appliances and consist of wires, brackets as well as bands. Bands are normally fixed around the tooth or teeth and they are used as anchors to the braces.

· Special fixed appliances: These appliances are used in controlling tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. They are attached to ones teeth using bands.

· Fixed space maintainers: In the event that any baby tooth is prematurely lost, space maintainers are used in keeping the space open until a permanent tooth develops and emerges.

Removable appliances include:

· Aligners: This is an alternative to the traditional braces which are used for adults. The serial aligners are increasing being used by several orthodontists to move the teeth in a way which is similar to how the fixed appliances usually work.

· Removable space maintainers: They are made together with an acrylic base which fits over ones jaw. They also have wire or plastic branches between the specific teeth so as to ensure that the space between them is kept open.

· Jaw repositioning appliances: These are also called splints. These devices are normally worn on the lower or top jaw and helps in training the jaw to always close in a favorable position.

· Lip and cheek bumper: These are appliances which are specially designed to keep cheeks or lips away from ones teeth.

· Headgear Headgear is used to slow the growth of the upper jaw. The device also holds back the front teeth.

CARING FOR YOUR BRACES

In case you have braces, dont bite hard things like nuts and ice cubes. Dont chew the ends of pencils or pens. Also avoid the sticky treats such as chewing toffee or gum because they can distort wires, loosen the braces and sometimes pull the braces off your teeth.

CHOICES IN BRACES

Todays braces are less noticeable and smaller. Besides traditional metal braces, there are also tooth-colored ceramic braces which are less noticeable. There are clear aligners which are available for the adults as well. Braces and the elastics can also be multicolored. Visit your dentist so as to know about all your choices for braces.