Fluoride was added to many city water supplies  across the United States. Although fluoridation sparked a controversy that has lasted for the past 60 years, current studies have confirmed the most effective source of fluoride to be water fluoridation.

While many people many know the basic tips for staying healthy and feeling well is by having a balanced diet and exercise.  However did you know your oral health can play a big roll in your overall health?  By having good oral health care habits you can maintain not only good oral health but over all wellness.

Dental implants can be are useful in several ways in order to replace missing teeth.  A single implant can be used to replace a single tooth missing tooth.  Where as if you are missing several teeth, or even all of your teeth, dentures or dental bridges can be attached to dental implants. Compared to tooth-supported bridges and gum-supported dentures, using dental implants to support these restorations provides optimum stability, comfort and function.

In previous posts we talk about what dental tartar is and now it can effect your teeth and gums.  However there are ways to prevent tartar build up and that starts with you at home.

1) Brush your teeth correctly.  Note a quick 30 second brushing in the morning and night is not good enough. You want to brush your teeth for at least two minutes.  Use a soft bristle brush that can easily reach all areas in your mouth. Be sure to brush those are to reach surfaces that are behind your teeh and rear molars.

2) According to some studies electronic or powered toothbrushes may be more effective then manual toothbrushes in removing dental plaque. Though regardless of your choice of toothbrush make sure to choose a toothbrush with the ADA seal of approval.

3) Pick a toothpaste that is tartar-control and with fluoride.

4) Do not forget to FLOSS.  Regardless of how diligent you may brush your teeth brushing if you are not flossing you are only doing half the job needed to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Flossing daily will remove the plaque between your teeth and prevent tartar formation in these difficult-to-reach areas.

5) No Smoking. According to studies done people who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products are more likely to have tartar on their teeth and under their gums.

There are many people that have some aspect of their smile that they would like to improve.  Cosmetic dentistry is a way to achieve a beautiful as well as healthy smile that you can feel confident about.  If you do not like to smile simply because of the way your teeth look consult a cosmetic dentist about the possible smile improvements that can be made.

Once dental tartar forms on teeth it makes it more difficult for you to be able to brush and floss effectively. When this is the case, the acids released by the bacteria in your mouth are more likely to brake down your tooth enamel. Which then leads to tooth decay.

Tartar that forms above the gum line is even more serious.  That is because the bacteria it harbors may start to irritate and damage your gums. Given time this can lead into gingivitis which is the initial stages of gum disease. Gingivitis can usually be stopped and reversed with careful brushing, flossing and by having regular professional dental cleanings.  If gingivitis goes untreated gum disease will start to develop. Gum disease will have serious consequences if left untreated.  Studies have shown that bacteria in gum disease may contribute to heart disease as well as other health conditions.

One of the main reason you should see a dentist once every six months is to remove tartar build-up.   But do you know what tartar is?

It has been made clear though many studies that our oral health is intricately linked to overall well-being. So it is important to understand what tartar is and how to prevent tartar build-up.

Even though you may have the best oral hygiene habits, there is still bacteria in your mouth.  Bacteria along with proteins and food by products, will from a sticky film called dental plaque. This film coast teeth. Plaque is mostly in area that are hard to clean such as the back teeth, along the gum line and around filling and other dental products.

When you eat these bacteria secrete acids that can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Yet,  if you remove plaque regularly with proper hygiene practices, you can prevent this assault on your teeth from leading to permanent tooth decay.

The bigger problem is when plaque is not removed and then hardens into tartar. Because the plaque has  mineralized onto your teeth, tartar is far more difficult to remove than plaque.

Question:  I was told by a dentist that I needed to have a root canal on on of my back teeth.  That was a little over nine months ago.   I did not have it done then for two reasons the tooth in question did not hurt me and I did not have the money for a root canal and crown.  With that said it is starting to hurt me a little now I still do not have the money for a root canal and crown.  Is it dangerous to wait longer until I can save up the money?

Answer:  If you do not have dental insurance right now then get some.  Buying a low cost HMO dental insurance plan or even a dental discount plan will help you reduce the cost of having the needed dental services.  And yes it is dangerous to put off  having a root canal when needed.  Besides the pain,  if your tooth gets infected (abscessed) the infection can go though out your body.  There have been cases where people have died due to lack of needed dental care.

Believe it or not dental problems can begin early. One of the bigger concerns is Early Childhood Caries (BBTD or Nursing Carries) Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk of tooth decay.    Early Childhood Caries can be preventable, with proper at home dental care habits for your child and regular dental visits.  The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems.

There are a few reasons why a tooth can be loose.   If you have a loose tooth always check with your dentist to confirm why. With that said here are some reason a tooth can be loose.

1) All natural teeth have a slight amount of mobility that cushions them slightly when you chew. They are attached to the bone by a thin ligament layer, and they will move slightly in the socket. This is nothing about which someone should be alarmed

2) For a tooth that suddenly becomes very loose, it may be a cracked root.  Normally you can not save a tooth like that but see a dentist right away.

3) You can get a loose tooth from an impact injury to the mouth. If the mobility is minor many times it will heal without treatment. however  significant looseness may require the tooth to be splinted in order to heal properly. Please see your dentist right away for proper diagnosis and care.

4) Advance Gum Disease. Gum disease is the number one reason for adult tooth loss. In advance gum disease cases dental treatment is fairly involved and requires cooperation on your part with home care and diligence and in keeping teeth cleaning appointments every two to four months, depending on the severity, so that your teeth are kept free of tartar.

BBTD or Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is cause when a child is left with a baby bottle that has any liquid other the water.  To avoid  BBTD do not put your baby to bed with a bottle. Milk, formula, fruit juices and other such drink all have sugar in them.  If sugary liquids stay on your baby teeth for long periods of time it can lead to tooth decay.   Other habits to avoid would be giving your child bottle or sippy cup filled with sweet drinks to carry around with them throughout the day.  Teach your child to drink from a cup as soon as possible. (Normally around their first birthday.)

Having good dental care habits at home is important however it does not delete the fact that you still need to have regular dental cleaning done by a dentist.

Upon entering the dental office for your basic cleaning you can expect that the dental staff will first have you complete a medical and dental history questionnaire.   This information is vital since your oral and physical health are interconnected. Therefore it is important to share this information with your dentist as it can influence the types of treatment and dental cleaning services provided to you.

If you are new to the dental office you may expect to have a dental examination including X-rays in order to determine what is appropriate for your oral health condition.

A typical dental cleaning will go something like this: First the dentist or dental hygienist will clean the teeth with a dental cleaning agent that will clear away the deep level plaque that has developed around your teeth and gums.

Next, the dentist or dental hygienist may begin to engage in some deep level cleaning by scraping along the teeth and gums, removing away more difficult plaque build-up. Flossing is another service normally provided by the dental hygienist during your dental cleaning.

Question: I am 13 and have very bad teeth. Not cavity wise but just how they look and the fact that they are crowed and crooked. I really hate my teeth and I do not smile.  My mom is taking me to see a dentist next month but I worry that I will not get them fixed. I know my mom said she may not be able to afford braces but we would see.

Answer: I think it is important that you see what your dentist is going to say first. It sound like you may need braces. Yet that does not mean you can not have your teeth fixed.

Depending on if your mom has dental insurance for this type of service or whether or not she can afford it may be a factor. If that is the case try being understanding to that issue. There are low cost options such as going to a dental clinic or a dental school, buying a low cost dental discount plan will also help save money on the cost of braces.   If cost is a factor try looking into some of these options

In the mean time have good daily dental habits by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. You want to maintain healthy teeth.

Having healthy baby teeth is just as  important as healthy adult teeth.   Healthy teeth and good oral habits starts with you.  Children need healthy teeth in order to help them chew and to speak clearly.  Baby teeth also hold the space for their adult teeth to come in correctly.  Make sure you are taking proper care of your baby teeth.  If you are not sure talk to your dentist.  Your dentist will be glad to show you proper dental care for your child.

Question:  I love drinking coke and a few other sodas. However my dentist tell me I need to give them up. I know I will not stop drinking sodas but I do not want to have bad teeth either.  What else can I do.

Answer: Soda like Coke over time can start to eat away your tooth enamel. You may be having this problem if your dentist is advising you to stop drinking soda. Soda is not the only thing you can drink that will do this, drinks such as energy drinks, coffee, and fruit juices can also have the same effect on your tooth enamel.

Since you stated clearly that you are not going to stop drinking your soda try to do so within reason. Drink more water. Water is good for the body and does not harm your teeth.  Other things you can do is drink your soda though a straw.  You want to reduce contact with your teeth.  When drinking soda do not baby it.  Sipping on soda for a long to increases the contact with your teeth.  Have your soda with a meal and chew on surgar free gum afterwords.

After having your wisdom teeth extracted it is important to follow your dentist after care instructions. However here are some tips that may help you reduce the swelling, and alleviate the discomfort to some extent.

1) Cold Compress:  you can place some ice cubes in a plastic bag.  From there you may want to put the bad in a clean towel. Hold it against your cheek for around 20 minutes. This will help to reduce the swelling. You may also want to use crushed ice inside your mouth in order to numb the area and reduce the swelling

2) Another cold press option: Instead of a bad of ice you can also use frozen veggies such as peas or corn. Frozen veggies mold easily to the shape and size of your face.

3) Pile on the pillows while sleeping. This would cease the bleeding sooner than when the individual lies without propping pillows.

4) If you have swelling that is more severe, you may want to opt for antibiotic.   Anti-inflammatory drugs which prevent the jaw and gum tissues from swelling are proven effective for wisdom tooth pain relief.  Talk to your dentist to see if this is best advise for you.

It is important for your child oral healthcare to have proper dental care habits. You want to begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth.  Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad.  By doing so it will remove plaque and residual food that can decay erupting teeth.

At one time or another you may have experienced a mouth burn while eating or drinking something too hot.  These burns to the roof of your mouth can be very painful.  In order to help to sooth the pain and avoid further damage here are some helpful tips.

1) You should put and ice cube in your mouth immediately after the burn. (do not chew it)  press the ice cube against the roof of your mouth to cool the burn down.

2) Time is required for healing. It can take up to a week for a burn to fully heal.

3) Eat soft foods such as yogurt, rice, mash potatoes, ice cream, cold water, ice tea. Avoid hot foods until your burn is fully heal.

4) Also avoid food that is too hard or has sharp edges like chips as well as any food that is spicy or acidic since these type of food will only aggravate the burn.

When teeth first start to come in, for some babies they may have sore or tender gums. To help ease their teething pain, gently rubbing your child’s gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad.   You can also give the baby a clean teething ring or a frozen baby cloth to chew on. If your child is still cranky and in pain, you may want to consult your dentist or physician. Generally children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old.