Since baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent ones, baby teeth don’t really matter, right? Wrong!! That is a misconception, because taking care of the first set of teeth is important. Children should learn proper dental hygiene from the start, so that those good habits will last a lifetime. The same threats apply to both baby teeth and adult teeth, so you should learn how to prevent problems early. Also, unhealthy teeth in childhood can cause low self esteem, infections, pain, and nutrition and growth issues.
What are some dangers to your child’s teeth? Sometimes things that you haven’t even considered will put your child’s oral health at risk. Here are some hidden dangers to children’s teeth:
- Eating or drinking after brushing teeth at bedtime
- Sleeping with a bottle or sippy cup of juice or milk
- Drinking too much fruit juice during the day
- Eating unhealthy snacks between meals, such as sugary foods, chewy items, hard candy, and chips
- Eating sticky snacks like candies, fruit snacks, and raisins
- Getting lots of extra sugar from sugary cereals, chocolate milk, or unhealthy snacks
- Not getting enough fluoride, commonly a problem when your child only drinks bottled water instead of fluoridated tap water
How can you avoid these dangers? Either brush or help brush your child’s teeth, and don’t allow any more eating or drinking after bedtime brushing. Encourage healthy snacking and avoid items known to increase tooth risks. Ask your dentist about whether your child is a candidate for fluoride supplements. Finally, develop a routine of taking your child to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
Dentist in Toronto for kids.
It’s estimated that gum disease affects approximately 80% of adults in the US. Many people will need to undergo periodontal therapy, a treatment regime designed to restore gum tissue to health. Once therapy is completed it’s important to take care of your gums at home. Without the right treatment, gum disease will continue to progress, eventually developing into periodontal disease which can permanently damage gum tissue and bone. Although your dentist in Toronto can provide treatment to help repair damaged tissues, it can be quite costly and lengthy.
The following suggestions will help you maintain healthy gums:
Meticulous Brushing and Flossing
Most people understand the importance of twice-daily brushing but not so many are vigilant about flossing. It’s essential to floss every day as your toothbrush can’t reach the contact areas in between teeth. These areas are particularly vulnerable towards plaque and tartar buildup, increasing the risk of gum disease.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Your hygienist or dentist in Toronto may suggest more frequent checkups after treatment for gum disease. This will allow your gums to be closely monitored, giving them the best chance to remain healthy. Make sure you attend all scheduled appointments and put them in your calendar so you don’t forget.
Make Smart Choices about Tooth Care
When choosing toothpaste or toothbrushes, pick items that have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. These products will have been rigorously tested to ensure they are safe and effective.
Talk to Your Dentist about Any Oral Health Concerns
It’s possible you may experience tooth sensitivity after periodontal therapy which could make it unpleasant to brush and floss. This sensation should be temporary, but your dentist can recommend products to minimize discomfort. It’s vital to continue brushing and flossing as this will help your gums to heal.
Live Healthily
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of exercise and a balanced diet will help you enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Regular brushing and flossing can do a lot to keep teeth clean and healthy, and free from decay. However sometimes it’s not enough. The chewing surfaces of your back teeth have tiny grooves and fissures that can be extremely tricky to clean. Often a toothbrush cannot reach right into the grooves to remove plaque and food debris. The solution is to ask your dentist in Toronto to apply dental sealants. These are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, sealing the tooth so it cannot decay. The procedure for dental sealants is quick and painless, and this simple technique can give your oral health a boost.
How Can Dental Sealants Help Me?
Dental sealants completely protect the vulnerable chewing surfaces of your teeth against decay. They can only be applied to healthy teeth, but sometimes it’s possible to cover-up the first signs of decay, preventing it from getting any worse.
Who Should Have Dental Sealants?
Children are more at risk of developing cavities, so dental sealants should be applied to their adult teeth as soon as they erupt. Adults with healthy back teeth can also benefit from dental sealants. They cannot be used if the tooth has already been filled.
How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
The dental sealant is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the tooth so it fills in all the grooves and fissures before hardening.
Why Aren’t Dental Sealants Used on All Tooth Surfaces?
The liquid bonds extremely well with the intricate chewing surfaces of your teeth, but will not stick to smooth surfaces. This is why dental sealants cannot be used on the front, back and the sides of your teeth.
How Long Will Dental Sealants Last?
Dental sealants can last anywhere between five and 10 years before they need to be reapplied. Your dentist in Toronto will check their condition at each appointment and will reapply them as necessary.
Are Dental Sealants the Best Way to Prevent Tooth Decay?
Dental sealants are just one solution, but they are not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing. In addition, you should be having regular checkups and eating a healthy diet.
General dentist in Toronto.
No matter what kind of tobacco you use, the truth is that regular exposure to tobacco can negatively affect your health. This does not only mean your overall health, but your oral health as well. Some effects might be considered minimal, such as bad breath or discolored teeth, but some outcomes can be fatal such as oral cancer.
Statistics
The most serious danger to your oral health from tobacco use is cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that 90 percent of oral cancer patients have used some form of tobacco. The death rate of patients with this type of cancer is high, making it between 40-50 percent of all cases. The risk for oral cancer is six times higher for smokers than non-smokers. A person’s individual risk increases with the length of time the person has used tobacco products.
Periodontal disease
Gum disease, whether it’s the beginning stage called gingivitis or the advanced stage called periodontitis, can be caused by tobacco use. Your gums may become tender, inflamed, red, painful, and bleed. Bone loss is a potential outcome because the bone supporting your tooth roots can deteriorate, as well as tooth loss. Studies have shown that smoking is linked to over 50 percent of periodontal disease cases.
Type of tobacco
There are oral health risks with any form of tobacco, whether it is smoked, inhaled, or chewed. It is considered to be a myth that chewing tobacco carries less risk than smoking, and pipe smokers are even at risk from holding the pipe in the same location on the lip over and over.
Tips for protection
The most obvious suggestion for lowering your oral health risk is to quit smoking. The longer you remain off of tobacco, the lower your risk gets. Brushing and flossing properly is another way to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. Tobacco users must be especially careful to perform hygiene tasks properly because of the damage that heat and carcinogens in tobacco can do to your mouth and gums. Regular dental checkups are very important, because early detection of problems makes a huge difference in treatment and recovery.
Dr. Cruz offers dental care for the entire family in the Toronto area.
Even in these days of advancements in dentistry, millions of people still experience tooth loss. It can be related to poor oral hygiene, neglecting dental visits, diseases, decay, or trauma to the mouth. In the past, replacing teeth relied solely on getting dentures or bridges. With the advent of dental implants, that is no longer true.
Designed to look and feel like natural teeth, dental implants offer a great solution. They are made from titanium and fit right into your jaw, making them a part of your body during the healing process. The implants fuse with your jaw bone to create a permanent foundation, and then an artificial tooth is securely placed on top to complete the restoration.
Dental implants provide a number of benefits to patients. Unlike dentures, implants are comfortable and won’t slip in your mouth. You can eat whatever you like without concern for your restoration, and your speech is not affected by the implants either. The success rate of implants is very high, and with proper care they can last a lifetime.
One thing to note is that dental implants are not a good choice for everyone. The patient must have healthy gums, sufficient jaw bone structure, and good overall health since surgery is required. People who smoke, have diabetes or heart disease, or have undergone radiation treatment may not be good candidates for implants.
If you have missing teeth and would like to learn more about dental implants, ask your dentist for an examination to help determine if they are right for you.
If you are looking for a dentist in Toronto for dental implants, contact our office today.
There is hope for teeth that are discolored, misaligned, chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged. Dental veneers are thin porcelain covers that are placed over your real teeth to hide flaws. Veneers are a great solution to obtaining an attractive smile, but they will be only as good as the professional who does the restoration. To get the smile you want, it is best to find a qualified and experienced professional to do your dental work.
It is worth taking the time to find the right person to do your dental veneers. First, you should determine if you are a good candidate for this type of restoration. Visit your regular dentist to discuss your goals and have a thorough examination. If your dentist believes veneers are right for you, ask for recommendations for a dentist in your area. Because your dentist knows you and your teeth, it is likely that you can get a reliable recommendation for a dental veneer expert to meet your needs.
Another step to take in finding the right dentist is to ask friends, family, and coworkers. Often you will learn that these sources have first-hand experience dealing with this type of specialist. Personal recommendations from people you trust can really impact your decision.
Once you find a professional that you are considering, make a consultation appointment so that you can meet the dentist and staff, see the offices, and ask questions. Typical questions that patients contemplating dental veneers ask include details about the procedure, pain medications, sedation options, office policies, timeframe for the entire process, and dentist qualifications and experience. Also, ask to see before and after photos of patients who have received dental veneers. It is vital that you are comfortable and confident in the work and care you will receive. If not, continue looking for the right professional to provide your dental veneers in Toronto.
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