Your teeth age right along with the rest of your body, so it’s a natural process for them to lose their whiteness and leave you wondering how to regain that youthful bright smile. Many dentists offer professional teeth whitening and stores sell at-home kits, but try these techniques if you’re looking for less expensive, non-chemical methods.
Treat your teeth right
Brush and floss your teeth carefully and regularly, and visit your dentist as scheduled to keep your teeth in good health.
Avoid foods that stain
Coffee, tea, cola, fruit juices, and red wine are some of the staining culprits because your teeth absorb colored liquids throughout your life. If you do drink dark beverages, sip them through a straw. Also, swishing water around your mouth for about 30 seconds after eating will help prevent stains.
Quit smoking
Tobacco of any kind can discolor your teeth, so either quit altogether or at least limit its use.
Eat crunchy foods
Try eating crunchy, crispy fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and celery. The abrasiveness can help lift stains from your teeth.
Chew gum
Chewing gum increases the amount of saliva in your mouth, which is like a natural cleaner inside your mouth. Also, gum containing the sweetener xylitol may help prevent plaque.
Brush with baking soda
The mild abrasive elements in baking soda polish your teeth, while the mixture of baking soda and water lightens stains. Dip your toothbrush in baking soda and brush with it once a week, or switch to a toothpaste that contains baking soda.
A healthy smile is a valuable asset. Brushing, flossing, and dental checkups go a long way towards preserving your oral health. Dental sealants offer another level of protection. Most of the time, dentists recommend dental sealants for children and teens. In some cases, adults with a high risk for decay on back teeth and molars may need sealants.
What are dental sealants?
Made from clear plastic, dental sealants are applied to the pits and grooves of molars and premolars. The sealants form a barrier to food particles and enamel-eroding acids.
Why don’t dentists apply sealants to all teeth?
With good brushing and flossing habits, you can remove plaque and debris from the smooth surfaces of your teeth. The fissures and pits on back teeth are difficult to completely reach. Saliva, which helps naturally rinse away bacteria, isn’t very effective on these areas either, which makes the back teeth more prone to decay.
What’s the process for applying sealants?
It generally takes just a few minutes for each tooth. First, the dental team will clean and dry each tooth. Then, the dentist will paint the sealant material onto the chewing surfaces. Often, a curing light is used to harden the sealants.
How long do sealants last?
Usually, dental sealants hold up well under normal chewing and will last several years before you need any kind of reapplication. Make sure to brush and floss teeth daily to promote good oral health. During your exams, the dentist will check the sealants to verify that they don’t need replacement.
In many households, the bedtime routine is no fun. One of the trickiest parts for some parents is getting their kids to brush their teeth. However, it’s not a part of your child’s routine that should be skipped. To help make taking care of their teeth fun for children, here are some ideas for parents.
Toothbrushes
Provide your kids with fun toothbrushes! By choosing a brush decorated with their favorite character or color, your children will think of their toothbrush more like a toy than a dental tool. Consider getting more than one toothbrush, so each night they can choose the one they want to “play” with at the time.
Toothpaste
Children are picky about their toothpaste flavors just like their foods. Select toothpaste that you know your kids will like. Some of the flavor options include bubble gum and fruits, as well as the standby mint.
Floss
If they start flossing at a young age, your kids will likely view it as part of their oral hygiene routine all of their life. Try using some of the fun flossing tools on the market today, because they may help get your child interested in flossing. There are many colors and shapes to choose from, so keep trying until you find one that motivates your child.
Rewards
Enticing your children with rewards is often an easy way to encourage them to perform a task without arguing. Consider making a rewards chart and giving them a sticker each time they brush and floss. By the end of a week filled with good dental hygiene, a special reward will await them!
Millions of people wear some type of dentures, and most of them will likely say that it took some time to get used to them. Once you’ve replaced your missing teeth with dentures, you might wonder at first if you’ve made the right choice. But don’t worry, you most likely won’t regret it once you grow accustomed to your new artificial teeth. Here are some tips to help you get used to wearing your dentures more quickly.
Give it time
It takes time for your gums to heal and for you to feel comfortable with the dentures in your mouth. Don’t worry if they feel loose at first and move a little occasionally. After a week or two of wearing them, you’ll get used to them.
Practice
You may be self-conscious at first when talking with your new dentures, but practicing will help you master speaking with them in place. The more you talk, the faster you’ll get used to them. Some people are concerned their dentures will fall out while talking, but that is unlikely. Just keep practicing and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Expect to salivate more
It is common to produce more saliva than usual when you first start wearing dentures. This naturally decreases with time.
See your dentist
Your dentures might bother your gums for the first day or so, but if it continues you may need your dentist to adjust them. Be sure to visit your dentist when you experience discomfort or pain, so that you don’t develop a mouth ulcer or other problems. It’s normal for dentures to require adjustments occasionally.
It’s easy to come up with excuses for skipping your visit to the dentist. Maybe you’re too busy, can’t take time off work, or just don’t like going for a checkup. However, it’s time to put the excuses aside! There are some very important reasons for you to make seeing your dentist twice a year a priority.
Cleanings
The obvious benefit is that you’ll come away with a brighter, healthier smile. Tooth stains can be removed much better than you’re able to do at home, and plaque can be cleared away from hard-to-reach areas. Also, your dentist can remove tartar that you can’t get rid of yourself.
Gum disease
Your dentist will examine your mouth for signs of gum disease. It is the main cause of adult tooth loss, but can be reversed with proper dental hygiene if it’s caught early. Steering clear of gum disease can also benefit your overall health, because it has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
Oral cancer
A screening for oral cancer will be performed at your dental visit. This painless scan of your mouth and tongue can save your life, as oral cancer is very treatable if found early.
Other issues
Your dentist will be able to watch for signs of any other problems that might be occuring that you haven’t even noticed. For example, a professional will notice wear on your teeth and determine if it’s a sign that you grind your teeth. Symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues might also be apparent to your dentist.
Role model
Don’t forget that any little ones in your household are watching you. Set a good example of regular dental visits and proper oral hygiene so that your kids will learn lifelong good habits as well.
Estimates suggest that 45 million Americans currently wear full or partial dentures. These prosthetic devices can close gaps in your smile, restore function, and improve your oral health. If you or a loved one is looking at full or partial dentures, you will need accurate information to make the best decision about how to proceed. The following Q and A will provide the basics about dentures.
Why do I need to replace missing teeth with dentures?
Even one lost tooth can create oral health problems such as shifting, uneven wear, and bone degeneration.
What is the difference between full and partial dentures?
Constructed from tooth-colored materials and placed on a gum-colored base, full dentures replace all the teeth on one or both arches. If you have remaining teeth, a partial denture can fill in the open spaces left by missing teeth. Partial dentures are held in place by inconspicuous metal clasps, while full dentures are secured with adhesives, suction, or implant posts.
Will everyone know I have dentures?
Advances in materials and technology allow your dentist to design a custom prosthetic that looks and feels similar to your natural teeth. After an adjustment period, most denture wearers find that they can eat the foods they love and smile with renewed confidence.
How do I care for my dentures?
With the right treatment, your dentures should provide years of beautiful smiles. Make sure you remove the device at night, soak your appliance in a cleaning solution, and store the denture in a secure location when it’s not in your mouth. If you need an adjustment or think something has broken, contact your dentist immediately. Attempting to fix your dentures at home could lead to further damage and additional expenses.
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