Know Your Teeth

Get to know your teeths from these pictures , hopefully its help :D

Teeth Whitening: Do It Yourself For Less

Teeth whitening seems to be all the rage in the last few years. Dental offices and salons are offering high-priced services with custom-fitted dental trays and multiple visits to the dentist's office. At times the pricing for this kind of service has approached $500 and sometimes as high as $1000.

It seems that some people believe that you have to spend a lot of money
to get it done right. That's fine for them, but it's not necessarily true. And I warn you to not fall into that trap, since there are many lower cost treatments that are very effective. Recent years have spawned many DIY kits that are being sold in drug stores, on TV, and online. These kits can range from high-priced to almost affordable. There are a few different methods, from tape strips to DIY dental trays. Each have their pro's and con's. But before we cover the delivery methods, let's talk for a minute about the ingredients.

The ingredients usually contain some sort of peroxide. It could be hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, usually in a gel base, but sometimes in a paste or brush-on liquid. Peroxide is an effective bleach for removing stains. However, peroxide is caustic (that means it will burn) to the gums. So usually a diluted solution is used varying from 10% to 22% strength. At times the other ingredients can act as a buffer to aid in reducing sensitivity.

If you have sensitive teeth there are a couple of things you should do to protect yourself. First, prepare your teeth by brushing for a couple of weeks with a toothpaste for sensitive teeth like the widely available Sensodyne. Second, start with a lower strength solution (for example 12% to 15%) to protect your teeth and gums. Be prepared to use the solution for a longer duration since it may take longer to achieve your desired results. If you still experience sensitivity with a lower strength solution, take a break for a few days and recommence the treatment. As a cautionary note, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, you may want to consult your dentist to get his advice. Some with sensitivities have experienced irreparable damage by jumping teeth first into the higher strength solutions. So a few words with your dentist or a knowledgeable pharmacist certainly couldn't hurt.

The at home solutions range from DIY dental trays to the simple, yet effective, white strips. Dental trays can vary widely in price and effectiveness. Professional dental trays are designed to form to your teeth. The advantage of these trays is that they hold the bleaching solution directly against your teeth and protect the solution from washing off with your saliva. Of course, no matter what the delivery medium, you should never eat or drink while treating your teeth. Other at home trays can vary from reusable molds that you suck to form to your teeth and mail in for a custom mold to temporary reusable molds that don't require mailing.

At home adhesive white strips can vary in quality and effectiveness. Usually you get a set of strips to use once or twice per day. One strip for the top teeth and another strip for the lower teeth. The effectiveness can vary greatly depending on how much you salivate. It's usually not too hard to leave the strips on for 30 minutes to an hour, but eventually they will work their way loose from your teeth and you can just discard them in the trash. The Crest brand white strips get very good reviews from dentists and users alike. You may find that some store brand strips will work well for you.

The brush-on style treatments really suffer the most from being diluted by your saliva. You may find yourself walking around with a silly, plastered on smile to keep your teeth dry to extend the effectiveness of the treatment. In my opinion, don't waste your money on this style of treatment.

The toothpaste based whiteners probably will not damage your teeth or gums, but their effectiveness is measured much more slowly. I find this type of treatment works better in combination with the white strips or dental trays.

The bottom line here is that there are two things you should consider. The first consideration is your level of tooth sensitivity and the second is your level of price sensitivity. If you have physical sensitivities, start at a lower strength solution and work your way up from there being prepared to take breaks along the way to give your teeth and gums a rest. If your sensitivities are price-based then by all means start out with the lower priced store brand treatments and work your way up from there. The store brand treatments will certainly give you one or two shades of improvement over the course of time.

I guess if I had to leave you with one word of caution, I would say this, "Don't expect immediate results overnight." Give yourself plenty of time and be willing to take it easy on your gums and teeth. Extreme solutions could possibly yield extreme problems or irreparable damage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gisela_Harris

Cavities in Children - Does Brushing Alone Prevents Cavities?

From the time of the first tooth eruption, many parents know how important it is to care for their children teeth to keep them healthy.

When the first tooth comes out, it should be cleaned with a wet washcloth, or a soft toothbrush, and water or baby toothpaste. Toothpastes used by adults contain fluoride, and they are not recommended until children learn to spit them out.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child should have the first dental appointment right after the first birthday. The truth is that many dentists refuse to see young children, because of their fidgeting and inability to follow directions. Ask your health care provider for a list of pediatric dentists in your area.

Tooth decay remains one of the most common diseases of childhood, 5 times as common as asthma and 7 times as common as hay fever. Brushing teeth twice a day and regular flossing is crucial to maintain a cavity-free mouth. However, experts say that doing that may not be enough.

Dentists caution that our modern diet full of carbonated beverages and juice contributes to acid erosion of the tooth enamel. Even apparently healthy diets can be full of acidic foods high in ascorbic acid that softens the enamel, such as citrus fruits, berries, and unsweetened lemonade.

Dr. Jessica Meeske, Pediatric Dentist, Diplomat, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends that: "Parents need to minimize the risk of acid erosion in their children, because once tooth enamel is gone, it's gone for good. Contrary to the popular advice that it's best to brush right after every meal, children should avoid brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks because this is when the enamel is still soft. Parents can also give their children a foundation for acid erosion protection by having them brush twice daily with Sensodyne ProNamel for Children, a new over-the-counter pediatric toothpaste that can help re-harden softened enamel and protect against further acid attacks."

Children should not avoid healthy acidic foods, but should be taught by parents the proper tooth care to prevent acid tooth erosion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monika_B._Pis,_Ph.D.

Tips on Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening (TW)?

Teeth Whitening is the process of removing stains and discoloration from teeth and improving their colour through a bleaching process to make them "whiter"

TW Options

1. Laser Teeth Whitening : is a one hour procedure at a cosmetic dental practice

2. Home Teeth Whitening : this is when custom fit trays are made and used at home over 1 to 2 weeks.

Top tips on TW:

1. Find out as much information about Teeth Whitening before going ahead. Find out which system a Cosmetic Dentist uses and ensure that if having Laser Whitening that the correct Laser will be used and not the blue light used to set fillings hard. There are different laser teeth whitening systems out there so do your research before going ahead.

2. TW is a procedure that should always be carried out under the supervision of a dentist. Avoid the beauty salon teeth whitening procedures.

3. Your teeth may experience some degree of sensitivity with hot and cold during the teeth whitening treatment. We recommend you use Sensodyne toothpaste in place of your normal toothpaste whilst whitening your teeth. If you still have sensitivity then also reduce the amount of gel you are putting into the teeth whitening trays. It may take a little longer to whiten your teeth but at least you will be comfortable.

4. Also allow the TW gel to warm to room temperature before use. Again this will help with sensitivity.

5. Do not overload the teeth whitening trays with gel as overflow may cause some gum irritation. The best size of teeth whitening gel is roughly the size of a lentil per tooth.

6. Avoid citrus foods and juices, as this may contribute to sensitivity whilst you are teeth whitening.

7. Try to avoid smoking, eating spicy foods e.g. curry, drinking tea, coffee and red wine as these may slow down the teeth whitening process. Also try to cut down on these after you have finished whitening your teeth as these will contribute to re-staining.

8. Keep your TW trays away from direct sunlight as this can distort the trays.

9. Do not eat, drink or smoke while wearing the TW trays. The teeth whitening trays are custom-made to fit your teeth precisely. Such activities may distort the trays.

10. To get the best result quickly, treatment days should not be interrupted. However, if you miss or skip a day, the treatment days should be extended to compensate.

11. Make sure the cosmetic dentist you see is registered to do TW with the General Dental Council

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rishabh_Kumar_Mahawar

These Toothpastes Can Kill

Before you brush your teeth, be sure to take a long hard look at the toothpaste you're using. You may be using a fake or tainted product that contains a toxic chemical.

This was revealed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that warned against some brands of imported toothpaste that contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and as a solvent.

The FDA said the products contain DEG or diglycol which is also used in contaminated pharmaceutical preparations like cough syrup and acetaminophen syrup. These adulterated medicines have caused numerous deaths in South Africa, India, Nigeria, Argentina, Haiti, and Panama.

The FDA advised consumers to avoid the following toothpastes with DEG: Cooldent Fluoride, Cooldent Spearmint, Cooldent ICE, Dr. Cool, Everfresh Toothpaste, Superdent Toothpaste, Clean Rite Toothpaste, Oralmax Extreme, Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor, Bright Max Peppermint Flavor, ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste, DentaPro, DentaKleen, and DentaKleen Junior.

DEG is a clear, odorless liquid that is used as a solvent for resins, dyes, oils, and other organic compounds. It is also found in some hydraulic fluids and brake fluids. Because of its toxicity, it shouldn't be used in food and drugs.

But that is not the case in some countries where DEG is illegally used as counterfeit glycerin in some nations and sold internationally as a component of cough syrup, toothpaste, and mouthwash.

"Over the years, the poison has been loaded into all varieties of medicine - cough syrup, fever medication, injectable drugs - a result of counterfeiters who profit by substituting the sweet-tasting solvent for a safe, more expensive syrup, usually glycerin, commonly used in drugs, food, toothpaste and other products," according to Walt Bogdanich and Jake Hooker in The New York Times.

The syrupy poison is responsible for at least eight mass poisonings around the world in the past two decades. In 1996, 85 children died after taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) syrup laced with DEG. The same thing happened in 1990 to 339 children in Bangladesh who developed kidney failure as a result of paracetamol syrup contaminated with DEG.

"Panama is the most recent victim. In 2006, government officials there unwittingly mixed DEG into 260,000 bottles of cold medicine - with devastating results. Families have reported 365 deaths from the poison, 100 of which have been confirmed so far," Bogdanich and Hooker said.

In 2007, counterfeit Colgate toothpaste containing DEG caused several people in the United States and Spain to experience headaches and pain. The fake toothpastes had 6 percent DEG and were sold in small discount stores in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Fake Sensodyne toothpaste sold in England also had this toxic chemical.

"Colgate-Palmolive says the counterfeit toothpaste can be easily recognized because it is labeled as 'Manufactured in South Africa.' Colgate does not import toothpaste into the United States from South Africa. In addition, the counterfeit packages examined so far have several misspellings including: 'isclinically,' 'SOUTH AFRLCA,' and 'South African Dental Assoxiation,'" said Miranda Hitti in WebMD Medical News.

Later hotel toiletry supplier Gilchrest & Soames issued a worldwide recall of its complimentary imported toothpaste after independent lab tests found traces of DEG in some samples.

The company supplied the toothpaste to certain hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

The company asked the hotels to destroy the toothpastes immediately and told guests to throw them away in a sealed trash container so children or pets won't get them.

The good news is that no deaths from DEG-contaminated toothpastes have been reported in the United States at this time. To avoid trouble, stick to a product you've been using for years and read the label carefully.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_A_Bell

Sensitive Teeth Solutions

Are sensitive teeth ruining your ice cream social?

Sensitive teeth is one of the number one problems we see in our office. They can make people stop cleaning the teeth in certain areas and avoid cold drinks and ice cream. Some clientele tell my wonderful, sweet hygienist, Lenia to avoid cleaning that tooth or section of teeth. This makes them both pretty edgy. She needs to do her job and the teeth need the plaque film off of them.

So, what is causing it? Teeth have 3 layers - enamel, dentin and the nerve. Even in healthy mouths, gum recession can happen. There is no enamel underneath the gum. The root surface is exposed. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, brushing too hard, or generally how the tooth is positioned in the bone. Another reason sensitivity may occur is due to craze lines in the teeth. Small cracks in the enamel are like cracks in eggs. The cold leaks through the cracks.

When dentin or root surfaces are exposed, there are tiny pores that act like waterslides and shoot the coldness directly to the nerve. What to do? CLOG the Pore. How? Why?

Moast of us have been down the wall of toothpaste aisle looking for something to help with sensitivty. What is most purchased is Sensodyne toothpaste. Something to know about toothpastes is that they are ALL abrasive. Sensodyne works by applying a painkiller- Potassium Nitrate on the root surface. It tells you on the box it is not made for long term use. A six month supply may cost as much as $48 and it is not healing the tooth.

We have varieties of treatments in our office. If it is a root surface that is exposed, we can place a material called a Glass Ionomer at the gum line. This material is called Vanish XT made by the 3M corporation.

We clean the tooth, mix it, place it and shine our light on it. This is not a filling.

Glass ionomers release fluoride into the mouth every time water is drank or you brush with a fluoridated toothpaste. When is a filling necessary? When the tooth is notched from brushing too hard. You can saw your tooth into the nerve creating an abscess. These will need repair. It is best to see a dentist regularly to check which kind of repair is best in your situation.

Another help with clogging the pores of your teeth are fluoride. Fluoride varnishes are the only treatment recommended for children under 6. These are extremely effective. You can eat and drink immediately after placement. Traditional fluoride treatments, in order to be effective last 4 minutes with a waiting period of 30 minutes. This usually entailed those big foam trays, a suction device and a lot of gagging and possibility of being a little sick afterwards becauase you may swallow some of the fluoride. The new varnish will help the sensitivity on the root surfaces and surface cracks.

A non-fluoridated solution is made with a Calcium/Phosphate with or without fluoride. MI paste (among other products) is a Calcium Phosphate made with milk protein, casein. This works by helping strengthen the teeth. It is not a toothpaste and it is not abrasive. Simple application with a pea sized area placed with your finger twice a day will help.

Prescription based fluoride with a sensitivity relief painkiller like Fluoridex generally helps in these areas as well. Patients who Lenia has placed on this toothpaste really have made their hygiene visit easier on themselves. Fluoridex (made by Discus Dental) also has the Potassium Nitrate in it like sensodyne. It appears to be more effective because of the high level of fluoride in the tube. It is low abrasion and it actually comes in a whitening formula, too.

A combination of treatments may be recommended depending upon what you have tried in the past. Let's help you rebuild and strengthen your teeth!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_J._King_DDS,_MAGD

Learning About the Different Types of Toothpaste

If you have made a trip down your supermarket toothpaste aisle recently, you have likely been bombarded by the dozens of different kinds of toothpaste. Not only are there many different brands, but each brand has dozens of different kinds of toothpaste, as well. How do you know which one to use and which ones to avoid? Let's look at some basic toothpaste tips you can follow along with.

The first ingredient you need to look for in every tube of toothpaste you use is fluoride. Fluoride might be the most important ingredient you can have in toothpaste because it helps to strengthen your teeth while you clean them. There is a reason tap water is fortified with fluoride, it does a body good!

If your dentist suggests it, you can look at getting plaque and tartar control toothpaste. Tartar is a substance that can grow on your teeth that is difficult to remove, which is why so many toothpaste brands sell a tartar control brand. If your dentist tells you that you don't have a tartar problem, there probably isn't any need to pay the extra money.

One of the most popular types of toothpaste is one containing whitening ingredients. Everyone wants a brighter, whiter smile, so why not check out a toothpaste that whitens your teeth as you clean them. Just make sure that the whitening toothpaste that you choose has fluoride so that you are protecting your teeth at all times.

There are even many toothpaste brands on the market for sensitive teeth. If your teeth sting and hurt when you eat something cold or something hot, sensitive teeth toothpaste might be just what you need to make the pain go away for good. As you can see, there are many toothpaste options available, so feel free to try as many as you like until you find the one for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Hartford

Choosing the Right Toothpaste to Stop Bad Breath

Proper oral hygiene is absolutely necessary when addressing the problem of chronic halitosis or bad breath. Many people ignore their oral hygiene and then wonder why they have bad breath, or just don't connect the two problems. Unfortunately some oral hygiene products sold today just make the problem worse, not better. So how can you choose the right toothpaste to stop bad breath? And does such a product even exist? Will all toothpastes do the trick, or does one seem to work better than others?

There are a couple of things to remember when discussing the option of choosing the right toothpaste to stop bad breath and that is that most toothpastes are just fine, and the vast majority of the types you see on the shelves of your pharmacy are virtually identical. Some of the name brands might have more ingredients that make them taste more like mint, which makes people think it's working more, but usually this is just the taste of the product and nothing else. When choosing the right toothpaste to stop bad breath don't be fooled by those that promise to address all sorts of problems in the mouth or to rebuild enamel or anything else. Most of these promises are just hype and the product itself does little of what's promised.

The real trick to choosing the right toothpaste to stop bad breath is what products you should avoid having in your toothpaste, not what product you want in there. What that means is that many people choose toothpastes that have baking soda as an ingredient, thinking that this will address bad breath. However, baking soda is a drying agent and usually dries out the mouth and can also wear away at the enamel of the teeth. When looking for the right toothpaste to stop bad breath you want to avoid those that have baking soda or peroxide, as these are the ones that will probably make the problem worse, not better.

When searching for the right toothpaste to stop bad breath remember that no product will do you any good if it stays in the tube. You need to brush your teeth regularly in order to get any benefit from the product, and make sure you rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards to be sure that you leave behind no residue that's just going to make your bad breath even worse.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelvin_Ho_Wee_Min

Choosing the Perfect Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth with toothpaste is a very important part of a dental hygiene regimen. However, there's hardly a "just plain toothpaste" option that you can buy at the grocery store. Toothpastes are made with extra fluoride, baking soda, and other ingredients to help polish up your smile. With all of the choices out there, how can you know what toothpaste will work best for your teeth?

Toothpaste, along with the circular motion that dentists recommend you should move your toothbrush in, works to remove the buildup of plaque that forms on the surface of your teeth. The bacteria that makes up the plaque promotes gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Also, fluoride in the toothpaste helps protect your teeth from future bacterial attacks by making it stronger. Cosmetically, toothpaste polishes your teeth, leading to a sparkly white smile, and cleans the mouth, giving you fresh breath.

Fluoride is a common ingredient in toothpaste, although you can find toothpaste that does not contain the mineral. While it can help strengthen your teeth, fluoride is also poisonous if swallowed in large amounts. Also, too much toothpaste can lead to your teeth having a streaky appearance. Therefore, it can be a good idea to find a toothpaste that as a moderate amount of fluoride.

Toothpastes that tout themselves as extra plaque protection or extended tartar control usually contain chemical compounds such as pyrophosphates and zinc citrate that prevent the buildup of bacteria on your teeth throughout the day. Triclosan, an antibacterial also present in some face washes, is added to some toothpastes to kill any bacteria that might try to live on your teeth.

If you want to feel confident about flashing your pearly whites, you may choose a whitening toothpaste to keep your chompers in tip-top shape. Whitening toothpastes can help remove stains on your teeth by utilizing either abrasive compounds, chemicals, or a combination of the two. A common whitening ingredient in toothpaste is baking soda. Also, keep in mind that the polishers don't usually have bleach, or sanding materials that are more abrasive than normal non-whiteners.

Some people have problems with extra-sensitive teeth. It hurts them to eat overly hot or cold foods, and sometimes their teeth are sensitive to touch. There are certain toothpastes that are marketed for these easily irritated teeth that contain ingredients that help desensitize teeth, such as potassium nitrate and strontium chloride. The chemicals help reduce the pain by blocking nerve passageways. Don't expect instant results, though; some take several weeks to affect your teeth enough for you to notice.

As always, it is a good idea to American Dental Association-approved toothpastes. Keep in mind that the ADA only approves toothpaste with fluoride, so if you are looking for a fluoride-free paste, you need to be extra careful in choosing a legitimately beneficial toothpaste.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

Best Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

The desire to have a pearly white smile has rapidly spread across the appearance of society. The color of the teeth has increasingly been labeled to determine the effectiveness of a smile. While once only those in the public entertainment business could afford to have their teeth whitened through a professional dentist, the teeth whitening options have now become easier and more affordable to those living an ordinary life.

Visiting a dentist for whiter teeth is still an option. In addition, less expensive home whitening kits have also made a break through to the health and beauty aisles of most stores. However, for those that want even cheaper and more convenient whitening treatments for their teeth, whitening toothpastes are a consideration that hit the market.

You can find whitening tooth paste in a variety of brands, flavors, and textures. They are typically located in the same section as all of the other tooth pastes. A tooth whitening toothpaste usually makes use of ingredients such as sodium tripolyphosphate, peroxide and/or baking soda to receive the whiter appearance results. When shopping for and choosing the right toothpaste to help whiten your teeth, it is best look for the ADA seal, which means the paste was approved by the American Dental Association.

Many wonder if using a toothpaste to gain whiter teeth is the right option for them to choose. After using a whitening tooth paste most will agree that the overall appearance of their teeth is a lighter shade nearer to white. However, these paste are only successful in removing stains on the outer layer of the teeth, not changing the actual natural color of the tooth. Therefore, some prefer to periodically use a whitening bleach to change the natural pigment color and then regularly use a tooth whitening toothpaste to maintain the whiter color shade and keep the teeth free from stains. The results of using a whitening tooth paste are seen solely due to stain removal.

For those people needing a boost from dark coffee or other food, beverage, or tobacco stains on the teeth, whitening toothpastes can give quick and noticeable results. They are also safe to use on a daily basis with each brushing. However, those people with sensitive gums may find that a whitening tooth paste is too abrasive for everyday use. It is more appropriate for these people to alternate between a whitening paste and a paste designed for sensitive teeth.

Choosing to use a whitening tooth paste over a regular tooth paste without whitening agents is a wise idea to keep teeth free from stains resulting in a whiter appearance. However, it is important to keep in mind that the color of the teeth is not changing. The darkened areas are simply being cleaned and removed from the teeth.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Hansen

Toothpaste History and Sensitivity

We have all been encouraged to brush after every meal since we were old enough to hold a toothbrush. It seems the desire to have clean teeth goes all the way back to the dawn of man. Recent discoveries show even the cavemen had a obsession for clean teeth and would pick their teeth clean with bones for hours. Even Native Indians used twigs from specific trees to brush up. Of course being a modern civilization we have come up with a whole host of toxic chemicals to brush with.

Toothpaste The Early Years

Early more modern attempts to clean teeth also included the use of urine which was widely used in the Victorian age. Many other exotic ingredients like brick, bone and shells were also ground up and used for abrasive purposes. Prior to the universal use of toothpaste gel, toothpaste powder was also very popular.

Toothpaste and Fluoride

Much of the current controversy around toothpaste is focused on the use of fluoride. Although fluoride can be toxic if swallowed in large amounts it is said to be beneficial to tooth enamel. Interestingly when fluoride was first introduced into toothpaste it was rejected by the American Dental Association, it got approval from the ADA about 40 years after.

Toothpaste Allergies and Sensitivity

Unfortunately many people also find they are sensitive to chemicals in modern toothpaste which can include not just fluoride but calcium phosphate and Hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. Reports of toothpaste allergies are becoming more common. Most toothpaste allergy symptoms include outbreaks around the mouth and nose which appear red or cause contact dermatitis. Sores inside the mouth may also be irritating to those who suffer. Many people who experience allergy like symptoms have switched to more natural toothpastes which are widely available in most health stores.

No matter what type of toothpaste you chose to brush with its important to remember that its the brush and frequency of brushing that is probably more important to cleaning your teeth than the toothpaste that is used.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_K_Smith