Visiting the Dentist

You cannot go it alone. No matter how well you care for your teeth at home, you still need regular checkups and cleanings, and in the rare case of a dental emergency, you'll be glad the professionals are around.

The Checkup

Has fear kept you away from the dentist for so long that your teeth hurt just thinking about it? If so, fight your fear with facts. A checkup is certainly nothing to worry about, and knowing what's going to happen should allay your fears. Here are a few things you can expect when you visit the dentist for your semi-annual cleaning and exam:

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. A dentist is an important partner in keeping your teeth clean and healthy, so don't let your anxiety keep you away.

Cleaning. A professional cleaning involves more than a simple brushing and flossing. Your dentist has special instruments and techniques to clean your teeth more thoroughly than you can at home.

First, your dentist or dental hygienist removes the tartar, or calculus, that has built up on your teeth. This hardened plaque is removed with a sharp tool called a scaler. Some dentists use a device that can remove the tartar with ultrasonic sound waves instead of a scaler, but both methods do the same thing.

After the tartar buildup has been removed, your teeth are polished with a special paste and a rotating rubber polisher. The polishing process not only brightens your teeth, but it also gives them a very smooth surface, making it difficult for bacteria and plaque to take hold.

In addition to these steps, children may also receive an extra treatment to make their teeth stronger and more cavity resistant. A fluoride wash is a topical application of fluoride that can protect the tooth enamel.

Examination. After a thorough cleaning, the dentist checks on the health of your teeth and gums. This part of your visit includes:

• Examination of the soft tissue, during which the dentist checks the interior of your mouth for signs of any disease.
  
  
• X rays to get a more accurate picture of any suspected decay, to examine teeth that have not yet emerged, or to assess the progress of periodontal disease. They can also locate any cysts or lesions on the jawbone. (X rays are usually considered optional unless it's your first visit to that particular dentist or regular examination reveals a problem that requires a more extensive evaluation.)

Most dental disorders can be kept away simply by observing good oral hygiene practices. You have lots of good motivation to take good care of your teeth and gums, from freshening your breath to keeping away tartar, cavities, and periodontal disease.

Your teeth need lots of care and attention to ensure life-long good oral health. Visit the links below for more information about protecting and caring for your teeth.

• If you're not vigilant in your oral hygiene, an assortment of afflictions can attack your teeth and gums. Learn more in How Dental Disease Works.
• Do you wish your teeth had just a bit more sparkle to them? How Tooth Whitening Works takes a look at procedures you can undergo to brighten your pearly whites.
• When you have an ache in your teeth, getting rid of it is the only thought in your head. In How to Relieve a Tooth Ache, find out how to deal with dental distress.

An Anticavity Diet

There is no perfect diet that will keep your teeth from all harm, but what you eat can have an effect on the health of your teeth and gums. Eating right has benefits on two fronts: By supplying your body with the right nutrients, a healthful diet strengthens your teeth from the inside; and by limiting the foods that promote bacterial growth, it protects your teeth from outside invaders. Building strong teeth

Teeth are essentially a kind of bone. They are harder and more durable because they are on the outside, but the same nutrients that promote a strong skeleton promote strong teeth.

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Calcium is necessary to maintain strong bones and teeth.

Calcium. The primary component of strong bone tissue is the mineral calcium. It gives the skeleton structure and hardness. It may seem that teeth, once they are fully grown, don't need any more calcium. Indeed, the most important time to ensure a proper amount of calcium in the diet is when teeth and bones are forming, but even after they are fully grown, teeth and bones still need to have an adequate supply. The body constantly takes calcium from bones and teeth and replaces it with new supplies. You should make sure that your body has plenty on hand.

Getting enough calcium in the diet can seem difficult for those who don't want to get too much fat. Good sources of calcium without too much fat are nonfat and low-fat milk, low-fat and nonfat yogurt, some dark-green leafy vegetables, and calcium-fortified orange juice.

Vitamin D. Vitamin D works hand in hand with calcium. It doesn't add to the hardness of bones and teeth in itself, but it promotes the deposition of calcium in the skeleton. Without it, it wouldn't matter how much calcium your body had available, because the calcium would not be absorbed into bone tissue.

Vitamin D is added to almost all commercial milk, and many other foods are now fortified with it. Your body has the ability to make its own vitamin D also. The vitamin is produced in the skin when your skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It takes just 15 minutes a day of direct sun exposure on the skin to get the vitamin D your body needs.

Vitamin C. Almost every ailment has been said to be "cured" by vitamin C, but here there is a real connection -- connective tissue. Vitamin C is vital to the health of connective tissue such as your gums. In fact, one of the first symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, is weak, sore gums that bleed easily. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits and some vegetables such as broccoli and brussels sprouts.

Fluoride. The one nutrient that affects the health of your teeth the most is also one of the most controversial. The mineral fluoride has been proved to make teeth harder and more resistant to decay. Study after study has shown that people living in areas where fluoride is added to the water have fewer cavities than those who do not. Although many of us do get our fluoride from fluoridated drinking water, some don't have that option in their communities. Ask your doctor or dentist if you are concerned.

Problem Foods

Because plaque formation is the start of virtually all types of dental disease, and plaque bacteria feed on leftover sugars, it stands to reason that cutting down on sugar -- in all of its forms -- will help prevent cavities. Easier said than done.

Sugar is one of the most insidious ingredients in the modern diet. If you look at almost any prepared food's ingredients, somewhere in that list will be sucrose or one of its close relatives (such as glucose, maltose, lactose, fructose, galactose, dextrose, corn syrup, molasses, brown sugar, raw sugar, and so on). Even honey, no matter how unrefined, contains simple sugars that serve as a banquet meal for plaque bacteria. The same goes for fructose (naturally occurring fruit sugar).

Complex carbohydrates can also provide food for bacteria in your mouth. In fact, some researchers suggest that starchy foods may be even more detrimental to your teeth than simple sugars. Starches are more sticky than sugar; the saliva that usually dissolves and washes away small amounts of sugar on the teeth might not be able to contend with the clumps of potato chips or crackers stuck in and around molars. Starchy foods that stick to your teeth and stay there for hours provide plenty of fuel for enamel-eroding microbes.

This doesn't mean that you should avoid starchy foods. On the contrary, they are part of a healthful diet. It only means that you must be more conscious of how these foods affect your teeth and more conscientious about cleaning them after you do enjoy those snack chips. Although no other nutritional component besides sugar has been positively linked to tooth decay, the rest of your diet cannot be overlooked in your effort to maintain healthy teeth and gums. A diet that is full of sugars and overprocessed foods (or one devoid of vitamins, minerals, and crunchy fruits and vegetables) can eventually lead to decay, even in the mouths of the most avid brushers and flossers.

Don't let anxiety keep you from visiting the dentist -- professional care will help you keep your teeth clean and healthy. Go to the next page to learn more about the importance of a trip to the dentist's office.

Your teeth need lots of care and attention to ensure life-long good oral health. Visit the links below for more information about protecting and caring for your teeth.

• If you're not vigilant in your oral hygiene, an assortment of afflictions can attack your teeth and gums. Learn more in How Dental Disease Works.
• Do you wish your teeth had just a bit more sparkle to them? How Tooth Whitening Works takes a look at procedures you can undergo to brighten your pearly whites.
• When you have an ache in your teeth, getting rid of it is the only thought in your head. In How to Relieve a Tooth Ache, find out how to deal with dental distress.

Teeth Whitening Options

The teeth whitening is the number one cosmetic dental procedure nowadays. Many people are searching for ways to brighten up their teeth, which in turns lightens their whole face and gives them more self-confidence. There may be a mixture of reasons why your teeth are not as white as they should be. Some people have been affected by taking antibiotics such as tetracycline. Others are affected by nerve damage, or may have yellowing due to dental trauma.

It may be that your personal lifestyle is the reason for your teeth discoloration. Your diet and your dental hygiene all play a part in how white your teeth are. One thing that cannot be helped is teeth staining caused by aging. It is said that no matter how great you look, when you open your mouth the color of your teeth will tell your true age.

There are several choices for those who are looking to white teeth and a few of them can be performed at home, but for more strong and lasting results there are a few cosmetic dentistry options you may want to think about.

The Option of Veneers
If you have teeth that are worn down, not in alignment or severely discolored, getting veneers may be an option for you. Not only will your teeth look considerably whiter, it will also change the structure of your teeth. If you are not happy with the way your teeth look not counting the color, then this may be the cosmetic dental procedure you should chose. An additional benefit of getting veneers is that they have a coating of stain resistant material and will practically stay white for the rest of your life.

What about Bonding?
Bonding is meant for procedures that are considered to be a touch up. It can help out to whiten one or two teeth that are discolored, mend any chips in your teeth and help to fill a gap that is wide. Bonding is not like veneers as they typically stain just like your regular teeth do. The good thing about bonding is that it is typically covered by your insurance as it is not just for cosmetic purposes.

Having Your Teeth Whitened by a Professional
When you are looking for lasting improvements to the look of your teeth then having your dentist do a professional teeth-whitening procedure may be the answer. Insurance does not cover the procedure, but if you count on your appearance for your livelihood, then perhaps you should look into the various methods available. Typically a dentist will use a bleaching agent to whiten your teeth. It can take just one visit or several depending upon the severity of discoloration. There is a quicker method using a laser along with whitening gel-containing crystals, this is costly, but results will be instant.

At Home Teeth Whitening
A less costly method to getting your teeth whitened is to use an in home tooth whitening kits. Some use bleaching methods and the instructions will guide you step-by-step through the process so you are confident of doing it right. Though your teeth will not be as white as they would be if you had it done professionally, commonly people are happy with the results they get for the money they paid. 

Also, there are teeth whitening strips you can buy. They are reasonably priced and do work, but may not provide the exact results. The strips have the exact dose of carbamide peroxide preapplied on them. However, the whitening strips will only whiten the teeth they come in contact with. The strips commonly cover the six teeth, eyetooth to eyetooth. So, you will not get a full mouth of white teeth using whitening strips. You are well advised to do some research before buying any home teeth whitening kits as reading reviews of the various products available will steer you to the best ones.

Home Teeth Whitening Tips

Everyone looks attractive with sparkling white teeth. So let us work for them. Teeth’s whitening is not going to be effective without our own efforts at taking care of the teeth. People can help themselves to whiten teeth just by brushing and flossing thoroughly twice a day. 

Also, there are some home remedies and advices to whiten teeth and keep the effect. Raw fruits and vegetables are a health food, chewing them regularly will help in cleaning teeth. It is possible to whiten teeth by mixing some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste and use this mix once a week. Be careful, if your gums hurt after this procedure, then give it up or reduce the application to once a month. 

Using some row salt before brushing will help to delete and reduce yellow stains and whiten teeth. One more method that assists to remove some kind of stains is to rub the teeth with a bay leaf several times a week. These methods are inexpensive and easy to use. 

If nothing acts then you can whiten teeth by taking any other option. Due to variety of teeth whitening methods and products available, it seems that people can get prompt results in improving of the teeth color and appearance. However, for deciding how to whiten teeth, it is necessary to identify the cause of teeth discoloration. 

Sometimes teeth darken occurs due to natural reasons like aging, genetics and excessive fluoride from environment. The other reasons of teeth discoloration are the results of way of life, including taking certain kind of foods and drinks like coffee, tea, wine. Smoking stain teeth as well. Some diseases, trauma, infections can affect enamel and dentin discoloration. Sometimes some courses of treatment like head radiation and chemotherapy can entail darken of teeth color. Also, use of antibiotics tetracycline can cause to gray color to teeth. 

Some causes of tooth discoloration may be prevented by avoiding foods that stain teeth and improving dental hygiene as well. When teeth darken causes by smoking, foods, drinks, the stains are removed with using home teeth whitening or dental bleaching. For fast results during an hour you can head for dental office. If you choose to whiten teeth at home, result is expected after 1 to 3 weeks of treatment. This depends on the product and method of whitening selected. There are several options of home teeth whitening available to achieve a beautiful white smile. 

If discoloration causes other reason it is necessary to consult a professional dentist who recommends a different treatment depends on the case. 

Users often feel sensitivity in their teeth and gums after whiten teeth. This usually lasts few days. Some teeth whitening producers offer an agent to reduce sensitivity during the whitening process and afterwards. 

The duration of teeth whitening effect can vary. Sometimes it is only needed to whiten teeth once a year, whereas, in other cases the whiteness fades after month. However, it is likely that development of chemistry will improve stability of teeth whitening result. In any event whitening effect does not keep forever and depends mostly on after treatment care

What is Teeth Whitener?

Teeth whitener is a product made to whiten teeth by deleting stains and enhancing brightness of teeth. Firstly, teeth whiteners were used by dentists for professional teeth whitening treatment. Nowadays, commercially available products are generally accepted to be alternative to the professional ones. 

Teeth whiteners are carefully designed to be effective and safe. However, teeth whitener is still an object of any uncertainty. Teeth whitener is achieved chemically with bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide and physically with abrasives like carbonates. Due to acting of chemical agents that oxidize teeth stains, some people are concerned if excessive use of these agents may harm tissue, gums or damage enamel.

So let us have a look at compound of teeth whitener’s and how it works. The main problem while creating composition of teeth whitener formula is to prevent any possible incompatibility between bleaching agent and the other ingredients. It is important to choose compatible thickeners as well. Also, raw stocks are analyzed to be confident they meet specifications required.

Demineralized water composes the largest part of teeth whitener’s composition and works as diluent for the other ingredients. Chemical detergents being surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate provide foam and help cleaning. Some agents included in the structure of teeth whitener such as Irish moss, gum tragacanth, magnesium aluminum silicate act as thickeners to increase the viscosity of the product. 

Humectants like glycerin and propylene glycol provide to keep moisture and prevent formation of crusting in case the cap is left of the tube for some time. 

What is more, teeth whitener provides medicinal effect due to therapeutic agents attended. Thus, sodium citrate prevents activity of pathogenic bacteria and reduces gingivitis; and pyrophosphate controls of tartar’s appearance. Preservatives like propyl paraben and sodium benzoate work to block of onset of bacteria in teeth whitener. Taking into consideration that the low pH deteriorates solubility and efficiency of the whitening agents, the formula of teeth whitener includes titanium dioxide to improve whitening effect and sodium bicarbonate to control pH. The finished product is revised for pH and viscosity. Some teeth whiteners are constructed with a pre-rinse solution to delete remains found on the tooth surface. 

Additionally, flavors help to enhance commercial attractive of teeth whitener’s structure. They include peppermint, spearmint, anise and others. Also, such supplement as saccharin aids to improve the taste of the product. 

The teeth whiteners are packed in containers equipped with mixers that stir the substance avoiding flowing of excess of air to prevent the formation of bubbles in the product. The quality of teeth whiteners are under strict monitoring during production process. The finished product is also checked to be free from microbial contamination.

Finally, if the mixture of the components is under control, the formula provides stability for the useful life of product.

Natural Teeth Whitening Tips

There are many causes for teeth darkening. The most common are genetics, aging, consumption of staining substances (smoking, coffee, tea, and colas), antibiotic treatment, excessive fluoride, and old fillings. Some more about cases of frequent occurrence:

Age. There is a close relationship between tooth color and age. Over the years, teeth get darker as a result of wastage and scratching. As early as the twenties, our teeth usually grow yellow, natural teeth whitening may bring good results.

Bad habits. Smoking behavior, red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colored drinks and foods lead to yellow teeth. 
Smoking habits. Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration. If you smoke, natural teeth whitening is necessary for you.

Drugs/chemicals. Antibiotic treatment, tetracycline in particular, makes dark grey or brown ribbon stains. It is usually very difficult to remove these stains.

Grinding. Avoid scrunching (boiled sweets, bones, nutshell), keep in mind: micro-cracking in the teeth can cause the biting edges darkening.

Injury. Falls and other traumas can cause that some little bit s will come off. These abruptness almost momentary become dark.

Natural teeth whitening can usually remove dental plaque on the outside of the teeth. Before falling back on dental teeth whitening, make every endeavor to keep your natural teeth white color. Keep in mind: any whitening is unchancy for your teeth. Any whitening is harmful for your teeth to a greater or lesser extent.

So maintain your ermine white smile:
• Keep your normal mode teeth cleaning;

• Visit your dentist even once a year (a peccant tooth or gum increase a number of saprogenic bacteria);

• Eat as few dark-colored foods and drinks in particular a week right after whitening;

• Prefer to drink all dark-colored beverages with a straw;

• Support an excellent oral hygiene (brush teeth after meals and at bedtime, use antiplaque dentifrice and mouthwash, floss, all these procedures are natural teeth whitening).

As a whole a natural teeth whitening procedure is a requisite component of maintaining your dental health. Using of teeth whitening products can be an excellent way for a person to safely and effectively cleaning of your teeth from soiling and dental plaque. At the same time think twice before falling back on special teeth whitening or bleaching.