Ulcers inside your mouth, called canker sores, are painful and annoying. They affect your ability to eat and talk, and can be embarrassing. More than twenty percent of Americans have canker sores, and they are very common among teenagers. Why are teens the target of this painful problem?
One of the reasons that teenagers get these shallow ulcers on the mucous membranes inside their mouths is the fact that hormones are typically raging inside the body during these years. Teen years bring with them lots of changes in the human body, and the active hormones affect many body systems. One such system is your immune system, which allows you to get sick and feel run-down. When your immune system is weakened, canker sores are more likely to hit.
Braces are another cause for canker sores in teens. This age group wears orthodontic braces more than any other age, and it is common for the dental appliances to poke your mouth and cause canker sores. Also, teenagers eat lots of sweet and salty snacks, which tend to irritate and dry the mouth. Acidic foods are also known to trigger canker sores, such as citrus fruits and drinks like orange juice.
To avoid getting canker sores, try to get plenty of rest and reduce stress so that your immune system remains strong. It may also be helpful to take vitamins to strengthen your system. Avoid eating the foods that you’ve noticed trigger sores in your mouth, and keep dental wax handy to cover any parts of your braces that poke your mouth.
If you get a canker sore, you must be patient and let it run its course. Rinse your mouth often to keep it clean from food particles, and you can try over-the-counter products made to deaden canker sore pain. The main thing is to wait it out, and to try to avoid getting one in the future.
Dr. Yolanda Cruz – Teen Dentist in Toronto – Schedule your appointment today!
The best way to protect your oral health is to faithfully brush and floss your teeth and gums. This means that every single day you should brush at least twice, and floss at least once. Does it matter what kind of toothbrush or floss that you use? Here are some guidelines to follow as you make your selections.
Each person has different needs for these types of dental tools. If you have a small mouth, it’s best to choose a small toothbrush. On the other hand, a brush with a large head is appropriate for someone with a bigger mouth. Look for a comfortable handle so that you can easily control the toothbrush. A brush with a slightly angled handle may provide better access to your back teeth. For any user, most dentists suggest soft bristles to avoid harming your gums or scratching your tooth enamel.
Electric toothbrushes have increased in popularity in recent years. Many experts suggest using electric or manual brushes as desired, as long as you spend no less than two minutes brushing your teeth after meals. Sonic toothbrushes do tend to remove bacteria and plaque very effectively as a result of their fast vibrations, but remember the main thing is to brush using proper technique and timing.
When it comes to dental floss, consider how tightly your teeth are spaced together. If they are extremely close, it may be hard to thread the floss between your teeth. This situation may require a very strong, fine dental floss. Waxed floss is also recommended because it does not shred as easily as other flosses. If you don’t have any trouble feeding the floss between your teeth, it is likely that any type of dental floss will work for you.
Dr. Yolanda Cruz – dentist in Toronto – Schedule your appointment today!
Chances are you would be disgusted at the thought of leaving your eating utensils on your bathroom counter exposed to germs, and never washing them but continuing to eat with them. This is essentially what you’re doing if you leave your toothbrush sitting out, and never sanitize or change it. Let’s talk about how to keep your toothbrush from being a germ-infested threat to your health.
Your toothbrush can be contaminated by bacteria, saliva, blood, and food particles with each use. Even after you rinse it with water, your toothbrush may appear clean but germs linger on the bristles. Some of the sources of bacteria on your toothbrush include:
• Your mouth, which transfers germs to your toothbrush during use.
• The environment, because bathrooms are often the most contaminated room in your house.
• The packaging, since toothbrushes aren’t sold in sterile packages they can arrive with germs already on them.
Here are some tips to guard your toothbrush from germs:
• Before and after you brush your teeth, wash your hands to get rid of germs.
• Rinse your toothbrush well with water, and then allow it to air dry.
• Store the toothbrush upright so that water can drain from it while drying.
• Consider storing your toothbrush in a dry area outside of the bathroom, away from humidity and toilet spray
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or more often if you notice worn bristles.
• Do not share your toothbrush with anyone.
• Do not soak your toothbrush in disinfectant or mouthwash, which can lead to cross contamination
• Do not bother microwaving your toothbrush or running it in the dishwasher, because these tactics may damage your brush.
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It’s no secret that going to the dentist is not most people’s favorite activity. Some patients experience anxiety or fears about procedures, and others have a low pain threshold that makes undergoing treatments very uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry has been developed as a result of issues like these. What are some of the benefits of using intravenous (IV) anesthesia during dental treatments?
Eliminates pain
Similar to general anesthesia during surgery, IV sedation at the dentist office removes virtually all pain during the visit. There is little to no discomfort involved during a procedure performed using sedation techniques. A related benefit to the absence of pain is that patients are more willing to visit the dentist if they are not concerned about undergoing painful treatments. Sedation dentistry patients are more likely to get regular checkups.
Allows complex procedures
Sedation dentistry benefits both the patient and the dentist by enabling major dental results in a shorter time. Because the patient is asleep, the dentist can perform complicated and invasive tasks quickly and efficiently. There is no need to move slowly to consider the patient’s pain level, so often complex procedures can be accomplished in a single sitting as opposed to multiple dental visits otherwise.
Provides anesthesia alternative
Local anesthesia is not always a good solution for every patient. Sometimes local numbing techniques just aren’t effective, as some people have a high resistance to local anesthesia. Those patients have to tolerate high pain levels during procedures, but with sedation dentistry they can avoid pain completely.
Dr. Yolanda Cruz – Sedation Dentist in Toronto – Schedule your appointment today!
If you suspect that your breath is turning people away, you may be right. It is easy to fall victim to this embarrassing problem, but it’s not so simple to cure. Luckily there are some home remedies and hints that may help you avoid bad breath.
You probably already know that good dental care is the basic and most effective solution to bad breath. Food particles stuck between your teeth are the first thing that can cause problems. If you don’t brush and floss properly, any debris left in your mouth can become a breeding ground for bacteria. It will develop between your teeth, on your tooth enamel, and on your tongue. Flossing daily and brushing at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste will help you start protecting yourself from bad breath worries.
Another tip is to watch what you eat and drink. Experts suggest avoiding wine, beer, and other alcohol products. Coffee is another culprit known to impact your breath. Also limit your intake of strong-smelling dairy products, especially strong cheeses like Roquefort and blue cheese. Eating foods with pungent odors like onions and garlic contribute to stinky breath as well.
Some home remedies have proven effective in combating bad breath for some people. First, many herbs and spices can naturally aid your breath. Place cloves, parsley, fennel or anise seeds in a small plastic bag to carry with you. Try chewing on a small amount of one of these herbs after eating. Another suggestion is to make your own natural mouth rinse. Some commercial mouth rinses contain alcohol, which can trigger bad breath, so make your own instead. Combine extracts of sage, myrrh gum, and calendula in equal quantities and seal it tightly in a jar. Try rinsing your mouth with this mixture several times a day.
Dr. Yolanda Cruz – Dentist treating bad breath in Toronto – Schedule your appointment today!
Most people want a bright, white smile and there are many products and choices available today to achieve it. There are options for just about every goal and budget, and treatments may be performed professionally or in the comfort of your own home. If you choose to whiten your teeth at home, some users have concerns that they might overdo it and end up with teeth that glow in the dark. Is that possible?
Home whitening kits oxidize the proteins that stick to your teeth. They only work on natural teeth, not on dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, or bonds. Also remember that you shouldn’t eat or drink any colored items like sodas or coffee within two hours of treatment, or the whitening treatment won’t be as effective.
Even when used correctly, the extent that your teeth will whiten is affected by a variety of factors. These include age, genetics, medication use, and the degree of staining from items like coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
Whitening your teeth at home is safe. Over-bleaching them is rare, usually occurring in extreme cases in which the user does not follow the instructions. However, there is little point in trying to over-whiten your teeth and “beat the system” with home whitening kits. Your teeth will whiten only to a certain point, as they really don’t become truly white. If you feel your teeth have become too bright, you only have to give it some time. After a few months, your teeth will darken slightly to a lesser shade of white.
Teeth whitening dentist in Toronto – Schedule your appointment today
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