Electrical toothbrush By Jonas Bergsten [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to toothbrushes, the choices are bountiful. Electric, standard, long, short, soft hard, there are so many styles and types of toothbrushes to choose from. Toothbrushing is an imperative part of everyday preventative dental care, so while the choice of a toothbrush may seem inconsequential, maybe it’s a decision we should make with more care. Electric toothbrushes are recommended by most dentists for optimum dental health. Even with electric toothbrushes however, you must choose the appropriate head. So here’s some tips on choosing the best toothbrush for your needs, preferences and dental health.

Bristle Texture

Soft bristled toothbrushes are recommended most often by dentists, because they are gentle on the teeth and gums. Depending on your level of tolerance however, sometimes medium to hard bristled toothbrushes can be useful for occasionally brushing away stains. If you do like a medium or hard bristled brush to occasionally give your teeth a hard scrub, and you have healthy gums, and strong enamel, use a medium to hard bristled brush no more than once a week. No matter if you’re using an electric toothbrush, or a standard toothbrush, for everyday use, and overall best preventative dental care practice, a soft bristled brush is your best bet.

Head Size

It’s pretty much unanimously agreed among dentists that smaller heads on toothbrushes are best. The reason small-headed toothbrushes are superior, is simply because they’re able to get into places that large headed toothbrushes won’t fit, like behind your molars. This is another reason electric toothbrushes are great, their tiny, fast-spinning heads can get in nearly all over your mouth and get your teeth cleaned at a nearly professional level. Big headed toothbrushes may have their uses, but the general consensus among dental professionals is, small headed toothbrushes are best.

Keeping it Clean

Toothbrushes are an imperative part of preventative dental care, and overall dental health. While they are the most important part of dental hygiene, they can also be a hotbed for microbial activity. In order to avoid bacterial growth, there are some simple preventative measures you can take. Never share your toothbrush, because other people’s mouths have different germs. Mixing these microbes, can completely change the microbial balance in your mouth, leaving your mouth vulnerable to new infection. Keep your toothbrush stored somewhere open, with airflow, prevents bacterial growth. Keeping a toothbrush in a closed, moist environment, creates the perfect environment for bacterial growth, so don’t do it often. Make sure to switch your toothbrush, or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush, every three to four months. A clean toothbrush is a key part of maintaining your preventative dental care regimen.

Conclusion

So next time you’re in the market for a new toothbrush, keep these things in mind. A soft-bristled small-headed toothbrush is ideal, and keep it clean. If you aren’t in the market for a new toothbrush, but your toothbrush has been shared, stored in a closed container, or is three to four months old, maybe you should be. Preventative dental care is the first step to lasting dental health, so pick the right toothbrush, and use it twice a day!

]]> http://www.dentistintigard.com/blog/tips-on-choosing-the-best-toothbrush/feed/ 0 http://www.dentistintigard.com/blog/the-benefits-of-implants-over-dentures/ http://www.dentistintigard.com/blog/the-benefits-of-implants-over-dentures/#comments Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:20:10 +0000 editor http://www.dentistintigard.com/?p=1197 Choosing between dentures and dental implants, is a huge decision based on many contributing factors. Of course, sometimes dentures are the only option due to finances, but if you’re on the fence about it, be sure to be informed about both options. Often, implants are a wise investment. Perhaps the best information one could possibly gather is speaking with someone who’s had to choose.

“They fell out when I talked, I couldn’t taste my food — in fact, I could hardly chew.” Mr. Panko, the owner of a small-business from Woodridge, Ill. remembered.

“It was the most miserable time of my entire life.”

Mr. Panko lost his teeth due to genetic periodontal disease. His experience with dentures was a negative one, and he opted for implants eventually. Of course, not everyone who has dentures has a bad experience. Many people wear dentures for years without being victim to any of those negative symptoms. That said, implants are quickly becoming the preferred method for those who can afford it.

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), implants are successful about 95% and there’s nearly 50 years of research behind them. So if money and insurance coverage aren’t an issue, implants appear to be the best choice. If you consider implants as an investment rather than an expense, then the cost may see, less daunting.

While implants aren’t an investment in the sense that they will make you money. They’re an investment more in the way that a nice reliable car is an investment. Implants will last for a long time, and they have the potential to greatly improve your quality of life. If you lose your teeth at a fairly young age, then implants are even more practical. Early onset tooth-loss is something you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life, so the more comfortable your solution to the problem is, the better your life will be.

Food is not only necessary for survival, it’s one of life’s  most simple and integral enjoyments. Without teeth, or with dentures that aren’t a proper fit, eating becomes laborious and downright uncomfortable. The best way to avoid implants or dentures altogether, is to take proper care of your teeth. Brush and floss daily, and be sure to visit your dentist bi-annually. If tooth-loss is already an issue for you, be sure to get all of the information possible before making this life-altering decision.

As the case with any activity, you can begin to develop bad habits when brushing that can leave your teeth and gums more susceptible to cavities and gum disease. To ensure you maintain your oral health, make an effort to avoid these common toothbrushing mistakes.

Using the Wrong Brush

You need to consider several factors when selecting the right brush for you that includes more than just color. First, think about the size of your mouth. If you often find yourself straining to open your mouth wide enough to allow the brush to easily fit in, your probably using a brush that’s too big for the size of your mouth. The handle of a toothbrush should comfortably in your hand, and should feel similar to holding a fork while eating. The more comfortable you are with how a brush feels in your hand and mouth, the more likely you are to brush correctly.

Selecting the Wrong Bristles

While you probably don’t give it much thought, the bristles on a brush can have a huge impact on the health of your teeth. Hard, inflexible bristles can wear down tooth enamel, eventually exposing the soft, delicate center known as the dentin. Hard bristles can also irritate gum tissue, which can lead to gum recession and tooth loss over time. When purchasing a toothbrush, look for brands that feature American Dental Association recommended soft-bristles, which are strong enough to remove plaque without causing tooth or gum damage.

Not Spending Enough Time Brushing

The ADA recommends that twice a day people spend at least two minutes brushing, a number that most people fall well below. For many, the average time spent actually brushing is around 30 seconds, or one minute a day. This equates to only a quarter of the amount of time you should spend brushing daily.

Since it can be difficult properly judging how much time goes by, dentists recommend that patients keep a clock in or near their bathroom so they can keep an eye on how much time they spend brushing. Dentist also recommend that patients divide their mouths into four sectors, and that they spend 30 seconds brushing each of these areas of the mouth.

Aggressively Brushing

Even though it’s commendable to take your oral care seriously, brushing too aggressively can actually damage the health of your teeth. Brushing until your gums become sore or begin to bleed can cause your gum tissue to become inflamed, which can lead to gum recession. Brushing too aggressively with a toothbrush that has hard bristles can also speed up how quickly you damage your teeth’s enamel.

Not Brushing Correctly

In addition to spending the right amount of time and using the right amount of pressure, it’s important that you brush the entire surface of your teeth. That includes the front, back, and sides of your teeth. The majority of people only brush the surface of the their teeth that is visible when smiling, and forget to brush the less noticeable areas of the mouth. Unfortunately the plaque on these hard to see areas is just as damaging as plaque that builds up on the front of your teeth, and needs to be removed.

One of the many oral health problems that patients frequently encounter is tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, and even sour foods and drinks. Tooth sensitivity can cause sharp bolts of pain that seem to radiate from the root of a tooth out to the rest of the jaw. Tooth sensitivity occurs after your gums have started to recede from the base of a tooth, which exposes the thousands to tiny tubules that run from the roots of a tooth into its nerve center. Whenever outside stimuli, such as hot or cold, irritate these sensitive tubules, it causes a sharp pang of pain to originate from the tooth.

A variety of factors can cause the development of sensitive teeth that include:

Excessive Mouthwash Use

Using mouthwash to help keep your breath minty fresh is fine when done in moderation, but excessive use could cause you to experience sensitive teeth. Some brands of mouthwash contain high levels of acidity that can make already sensitive teeth feel even worse. Instead of irritating already tender teeth, talk with Dr. Williams about finding a neutral fluoride rinse to use instead.

Diet High in Acidic Foods

Do you consider yourself a lover of all citrus, fruit juices, tomatoes, and other acidic treats? Just as with mouthwash, these types of foods and drinks contain high levels of acidity that can slowly begin to erode your teeth’s enamel, exposing the delicate dentin located underneath. If life without these types of foods and drinks seems unbearable, try consuming them with a piece of cheese or make sure to drink a glass of milk after eating. Both can act as a neutralizing agent to the acids these items contain.

Teeth Bleaching

Few parts of your appearance draw the kind of attention as a brilliantly white smile. To help people smile brighter, a number of products have hit the market that offer to whiten teeth. However, for some patients, tooth whitening gels and toothpastes that contain peroxide-based bleaching agents can cause tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, the sensitivity caused by these types of products often go away once you quit using the product.

Aggressive Brushing

While brushing at least twice a day remains an integral part of maintaining your oral health, brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with rough bristles can wear away the enamel on your teeth, exposing the dentin underneath. Aggressive brushing can also cause your gums to become irritated, which could lead to gum erosion and recession over time.

Cracked Teeth

Even though our teeth seem nearly indestructible, they can suffer damage when subjected to frequent bad habits, such as munching on ice or using your teeth to open plastic bags, and can be chipped or broken. Once a tooth become cracked, the nerve-filled pulp located inside the tooth may become irritated when chewing causes the cracked pieces of rub together A crack tooth can also fill with bacteria, which could lead to the development of an infection, resulting in even greater pain.

Bruxism

More commonly referred to as teeth grinding or jaw clenching, bruxism is often an unconscious habit that wears away tooth enamel due to the continuous strain placed on your teeth. Over time, this constant grinding can wear away tooth enamel, and expose the sensitive nerves of your tooth. If you suffer from bruxism, talk to Dr. Williams about potential treatment solutions.

Tooth Decay

Dental decay exposes the root of a tooth to a variety of irritants, such as hot, cold, sweet, and even just brisk air. Practicing quality oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet, and reducing the frequency of snacking can help to prevent tooth decay. You also need to schedule regular checkups with Dr. Williams in order to ensure you maintain your oral health.

Injuries to the face that effect a person’s teeth and gums occur fairly commonly, especially for athletes who play extremely physical sports. Because around 80 percent of all dental injuries affect one or more of the front teeth and often cause gum damage, these types of injuries can affect a person’s ability to smile, eat, drink, and talk.

Prevention Tips

Sports injuries ranks at the primary cause of tooth and mouth injuries to teenagers and adults, causing approximately 40 percent of all dental injuries to these age groups. To prevent a sports-related injury, kids and adults should consider using:

• Mouth guards: By far the most effective way of preventing injury when participating in a sport is by wearing a mouth guard. The use of a guard provides additional protect to your teeth that can prevent cracking, breaking, chipping, or knockout if struck in the face.
• Face Cages: Offering even more protection against face trauma then a mouth guard, face cages can prevent anything from directly striking the face during a sporting contest, and work especially well for kids who play ice or field hockey.
• Helmets: Even though wearing a helmet won’t directly protect the health of the athlete’s teeth or gums, it does protect the head, and can help to prevent concussions. Concussed players may lose the facilities to protect themselves while engaged in a sporting activity, which could expose their head and mouth to further damage.

Repairing Sports-Related Injuries

The most common question asked about sports related injuries is whether or not knocked out teeth can be repaired. Fortunately for those suffering tooth loss as a result of a sporting injury, knocked out teeth can be repaired.

The teeth that have the highest chance of being restored are those brought to Dr. Williams’ office and returned to their socket within one hour of becoming displaced. When a tooth gets knocked out, carefully rinse off any debris that has accumulated on the root of the tooth, and place it back into the socket. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, hold it in your mouth until you reach the office. If you have no other options, store the tooth in a shallow cup of milk until arriving at Dr. Williams’ office.

Even in cases where a tooth cannot be restored, you have options that will restore your smile. Dental implants act as an anchor for freestanding artificial teeth referred to as dental crowns. The implant is anchored directly to the jawbone, and the crown fits to the implant to provide a replacement tooth that looks exactly like the rest of your teeth. Once the crown has been installed, you should have no problems with eating, chewing, or looking your best.

If you have any questions about how to protect your or a family members’ teeth while playing sports, talk with Dr. Williams’ during your next appointment.

These problems can include:
• Darkened teeth. A lifetime of eating and drinking foods and beverages that stain can cause, to some extent, the dentin (the bone-like substance the lies underneath your teeth’s enamel) to change color.
• Loss of taste. Even though getting older causes most people to lose a little of their sense of taste, certain medications, diseases, and even wearing dentures can also contribute to a loss of taste.
• Gum disease. Whenever you eat or drink, plaque (a sticky bacteria that lives in your mouth) starts producing acids that begin to eat away at your teeth’s enamel. Over time, these acids can begin to cause permanent, long-term damage in the form of tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions can be made worse by the use of poor-fitting dentures, diets high in sugar, and such diseases as cancer, anemia, and diabetes. Gum disease is a problem senior adults frequently deal with.
• Tooth loss. The leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease.
• Uneven jawbone. This condition is caused by tooth loss.
• Stomatitis caused by dentures. Poorly fitted dentures and practicing bad dental hygiene can lead to a buildup of the fungus Candida albicans, which can cause stoatitis, an inflammation of the gum tissue underneath dentures.
• Root decay. Gum disease can cause your gum line to recede, which can expose the root of your tooth to harmful plaque acids that cause root decay.
• Dry mouth. A reduction in the flow of saliva can cause individuals to experience dry mouth. Cancer treatments that use radiation, and a number of diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause a decrease in the amount of saliva your mouth produces.
• Thrush. Several types of diseases and prescription medications that affect the body’s immune system can cause Candida albicans to grow in the mouth.

While age by itself is not the sole or predominant factor that determines a person’s oral health, a number of medical conditions associated with aging can make it difficult for seniors to take proper care of their teeth and gums. Arthritis in the fingers and hands, for example, can make it difficult for seniors to brush or floss properly, and certain medications that seniors take may negatively affect their oral health.

Dental Tips for Seniors
The key for quality oral health is brushing and flossing daily. Plaque can buildup quickly in the mouth of seniors, especially when they neglect their oral hygiene needs, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

To keep teeth and gums healthy and strong, individuals of all ages need to follow these three steps.
• Brush at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Floss at least once a day prior to brushing
• Schedule regular visits to see Dr. Williams for routine cleanings and oral examinations

By following these steps, seniors can help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, and enjoy a great looking smile throughout their golden years.

Ax the Anxiety

Dr. Williams understands that for many of his patients, the idea of sitting down in the dentist’s chair makes them feel anxious and uncomfortable. To help easy any dental anxiety, Dr. Williams creates a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for his patients to help them let go of any uneasy feelings they may have during their appointment. If you find yourself uncomfortable when visiting the dentist, try bringing headphone and music player to your next checkup so you can listen to a few relaxing tunes during your cleaning. Also, work on not tensing up and holding your breath during the examination and cleaning, as that only makes you more anxious. Try focusing on maintaining a comfortable rhythm with your breathing instead.

Floss Before You Brush

Flossing helps to remove any food particles or plaque that get stuck between your teeth, or in places where your brush can’t reach. Since flossing helps to remove these items from hard to reach places, it only makes sense to floss before you brush. That way you can brush away any food particles from your teeth that you dislodge while flossing.

Careful Picking Away

Dislodging food particles stuck between your teeth after a meal will prevent them from starting to decay, which can cause bad breath. If you don’t have any floss handy after a meal, a toothpick will work just fine. However, you need to be gentle when using a toothpick around the base of your gums. Pressing too hard can cause gum damage, or could lead to you breaking off a piece of the toothpick below the gum line. So while a toothpick works great in the pinch, don’t think you can replace flossing by just picking away.

Say Goodbye

The toothbrush is your most important tool in the fight against plaque. However, even the best tools eventually wear out. When your toothbrush’s bristles become frayed, flattened, and worn out due to use, the time has come for a replacement to step in. The American Dental Association recommends that you replace a toothbrush every three to four months, or before if it begins to show excessive wear. If you use an electric toothbrush, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about when to change the head.

Get Cheesy

Cheese contains casein and whey protein, both of which can help to prevent wear on your teeth’s enamel by reducing demineralization. Cheese also contains an abundance of calcium, which helps keep your teeth and bones strong. To ensure your body absorbs plenty of calcium, make sure your diet includes plenty of foods that contain vitamin D, such as fish, milk, and egg yolk.

Stain Fighter

Certain foods and drinks, like blueberries, red wine, and coffee, can stain your teeth a darker color. To prevent your teeth from becoming permanently darker, take the time to brush after consuming these types of items whenever possible. If you don’t have the chance to brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

Tongue Depressor

If you suffer from frequent bad breath, the culprit could be the bacteria that grows on your tongue. While brushing, take the time to give your tongue a scrubbing to help remove any foul smelling bacteria. A tongue scrapper will also help to remove any odor-causing compounds.

According to recent estimates, one out of five Americans have one or more untreated cavities, and the poorer the person, the more likely they are to fall into the 20 percent that goes untreated.

African-Americans and Mexican-Americans account for a large number of those not receiving care for their cavities. This lack of care frequently leads to tooth loss, as 60 percent of African-Americans have lost at least one tooth, an especially high number when compared to just under 50 percent of white and Mexican-Americans have lost a tooth.

A recent report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, using data compiled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2008, paints a pretty detailed picture about the oral health problems of millions of Americans.

Oral Health by Age Group

• For children between the ages of five to 11, 20 percent have at least one untreated cavity. For teens between the ages of 12 and 19, the number drops to 13 percent.
• For adults between the ages of 20 to 44, 25 percent have at least one untreated cavity.
• For adults over the age of 60, 20 percent have at least one untreated cavity.
• Fifty-two percent of teens and 30 percent of children have had some kind of dental restoration procedure performed, such as a filling or root canal.
• Nearly 90 percent of adults over the age of 65 have undergone at least one restoration procedure.

Oral Healthy by Poverty and Ethnicity

• Thirty-four percent of African-Americans and 31 percent of Mexican-Americans have untreated cavities compared to 18 percent of whites.
• Adults between the ages of 20 and 64 were more than twice as likely to have untreated cavities if they lived below the poverty line (42 percent to 17 percent).
• Of teens and children living in poverty, 25 percent have untreated cavities
• Among adults, nearly 90 percent of whites have had dental restoration, compared to 68 percent of Mexican-Americans and 73 percent of African-Americans.
• Children and teens living in poorer households were much less likely to have sealants than children and teens in higher-income families (20 percent vs. 32 percent).
• Sixty percent of adults in households living in poverty have lost at least one permanent tooth. Thirty-two percent of African-Americans over 65 had lost all their teeth, compared to 22 percent of whites and 16 percent of Mexican-Americans.

Lessons Learned

What these statistics show is how important regular checkups with Dr. Williams and his courteous staff are to the long-term health of your teeth. While brushing and flossing daily will help prevent tooth decay, even the most ardent oral health enthusiast can develop the occasional cavity. Without undergoing routine cleanings, you can have a cavity for years that goes undetected. Once the tooth decay damage becomes too severe, saving your tooth may not be an option. So to ensure your continued oral health, make sure you keep scheduling checkups every six months. Your smile will thank you.

The high mortality rate associated with oral cancer has little to do with the difficulties of discovering and diagnosing the disease, but speaks more to how late in its progression oral cancer is generally uncovered. Confoundingly, the technology and methods used to detect oral cancer have never been better. So why do so many cases of oral cancer go unnoticed until it’s too late? Unfortunately, many patients fail to schedule regular oral cancer screenings, and don’t know how the early signs of the disease manifest themselves so they can alert Dr. Williams about their concerns.

What to Look For

To the untrained eye, oral cancer can appear as a harmless looking lesion that often goes unnoticed. In its early stages, oral cancer appears as a tiny, white or red blemish or sore that can form anywhere on the oral cavity, including the lips, gums, lining of the cheeks, and tongue. Because the early signs of the disease look so innocuous, most patients don’t become alarmed enough to have any suspicious lesions looked at by their dentist. Patients who fail to schedule regular checkups with Dr. Williams miss the opportunity to undergo routine oral cancer screenings that could detect the disease before it has the opportunity to metastasize.

Oral cancer also presents more obvious signs that patients need to stay aware, and can include:

• Sores that easily bleed and do not heal
• A change in color of oral tissue
• The formation of a lump, rough spot, or crusted area anywhere in the oral cavity
• A felling of pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouths or on the lips
• A difficulty moving the jaw or tongue that makes chewing, speaking, or swallowing difficult
• A shifting of the teeth that causes them to fit together differently

Certain risk factors can also increase a person’s chances of developing the disease. Frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing lip cancer, and while smoking and the consumption of alcohol can also greatly increase a person’s risk, oral cancer can occur in individuals who don’t smoke or engage in other known risk factors.

What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screenings include an inspection of the entire mouth, and are a routine part of a dental examination. During your exam, Dr. Williams will check your lips, gums, tongue, and the rest of your oral tissue for any suspicious looking lesions or sores. If Dr. Williams sees something of concern, he might elect to perform a test on the area, such as a brush test, to determine if the lesion is cancerous. A brush test collects cells from the suspect area of your mouth so they can be sent to a lab for testing. If the results show the area contains precancerous cells, the lesion can be removed through surgery.

The number of patients who receive an oral cancer diagnosis has increased five-fold in recent years despite the continued advances in detection and treatment. Help to lower your risk of oral cancer by staying vigilant of any early signs of the disease, and by maintaining a regular schedule of checkups and cleanings. Because when it comes to oral cancer, prevention can make all the difference.

 When should I start dental care?

The most efficient dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Did you know that teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of a pregnancy? At birth the baby already has 20 primary teeth, hidden inside the jaw. That is why we recommend when the baby is done feeding; rub a damp washcloth over his or her gums. This can prevent the buildup of bacteria.

My Baby is teething, HELP!

Teething will happen to all babies. However, some experience more discomfort over others. The pain is new for the child and unexpected this causes more discomfort. A trick we tell parents, to help ease the pain, is to rub a baby’s gums with a clean finger or wet soft washcloth. Don’t forget to give your baby regular oral cleanings after each meal. This will help establish good dental habits early on.

When should my child start flossing?

The best time to start flossing your child’s teeth is when the two teeth touch each other. They will learn good dental care hygiene from you, and you can help them learn how to floss. I is a good idea to stay with them and so you can floss together. What should I do if my child doesn’t want to brush their teeth? We understand that getting your child excited about brushing their truth isn’t always easy. But there are many things you can do to make it easier and more exciting for them. You can show and tell them the benefits and why we brush our teeth. You can get creative with how you show your child the importance of brushing teeth with an experiment or turn it into a game.
If you have more questions about your families oral health care give us a call.