Signs of Trouble in Your Mouth

When you schedule regular checkups, your dentist will examine your mouth and look for any issues at these appointments. Catching problems early on makes it easier to repair damage and preserve your oral health. If you notice the following signs, let your dentist know right away:

•    Bleeding gums. You wouldn’t ignore bleeding on your arm or leg, yet most people don’t pay any attention to bleeding gums. This symptom is frequently an early sign of gum disease. Without treatment, gum disease can result in bone degeneration and tooth loss, as well as contribute to overall health issues like heart disease and osteoporosis.

•    Sores that don’t heal. Some people develop canker sores or cold sores, which usually clear up in 10 to 14 days. Your dentist should check out any spot that doesn’t heal after two weeks. Oral cancer can begin with a sore that won’t go away, so you should not ignore this issue.

•    Areas of white, creamy patches. A yeast infection of the mouth, thrush can crop up because of certain medications such as steroid inhalers for asthma. Additionally, it can indicate a disease like diabetes, so mention this issue to your dentist if you notice any signs of thrush.

•    Hairline cracks in teeth. People who suffer from problems such as TMJ dysfunction or bruxism, which is clenching and grinding of the teeth, may develop small cracks in their teeth. Stress, fatigue, and injury can contribute to these types of problems. Your dentist can recommend treatment to correct any misalignment and relieve discomfort.

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Exploring Options for Missing Teeth

When you lose even one tooth, you increase the odds that 20 percent of subsequent teeth will be lost in the next five to eight years. Missing teeth can create dental health problems, cause chewing difficulties, and make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. With modern dental therapies, your dentist can restore the strength and beauty of your smile.

Replacement options include:

Fixed bridgework
By permanently joining to remaining teeth, a fixed bridge closes the gap left by a missing tooth, or teeth. With a bridge, the false tooth is fused between two porcelain crowns. The entire bridge is cemented into place and cannot be removed once it is in your mouth.

Dentures and Partials
If you have lost all your teeth, you could replace them with a full set of dentures. These rows of prosthetic teeth attach to a gum-colored base. Dentures are secured either by suction or adhesive creams. When you still have teeth left, the dentist may suggest a partial denture, which fits into the open space like a puzzle piece and completes your smile.

Dental Implants
The closest prosthetic to nature, a dental implant contains a small, metal post that acts as an artificial tooth root and a prosthetic crown. One implant post is inserted into each empty socket by a skilled surgeon. Your mouth will need about three to six months for healing. During this time, the bone will fuse to the posts in a process called osseointegration. When the time is right, your dentist will affix the permanent crowns, creating a solid attractive appearance.

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Dealing with Gingivitis

The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding teeth. Because gingivitis is often painless, many people don’t realize they have a problem. Without treatment, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that leads to bone degeneration and tooth loss if it isn’t stopped.

What are the signs of gingivitis?
Usually, the initial symptoms are mild. Swollen, red gums and bleeding when you brush are common indicators that you may need to talk to your dentist about a periodontal evaluation.

Are there any risk factors for gingivitis?
This condition is very common and almost anyone can develop gingivitis. You may have an increased risk for gingivitis because of poor oral health, tobacco use, older age, certain medications, hormonal changes, dry mouth, and substance abuse.

What causes gingivitis?
One of the primary contributors to gingivitis is plaque, the sticky, colorless film that regularly forms on teeth. As the plaque builds up, it irritates the gums and can cause damage. If plaque remains on teeth for more than a couple days, it will harden into tartar, which can only be removed by your dentist or hygienist.

How do I prevent gingivitis?
Good oral hygiene is a key part of keeping gums healthy. Remember to:

•    Brush at least twice a day to remove plaque
•    Floss regularly to get between teeth
•    Have teeth professionally cleaned to remove tartar
•    Schedule twice yearly checkups
•    Use a prescription rinse to improve gum health

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What You Should Know about Dentures

When people are missing teeth, their self-assurance disappears and oral health diminishes. Dentures can allow you to once again live life to the fullest. Designed to look and feel more like natural teeth, modern dentures can rejuvenate your smile.

Patients who need replacement teeth on both your upper and lower jaw will require a full denture to cover one or both arches. If healthy teeth remain, your dentist will likely recommend partial dentures, which fit like puzzle pieces into the gaps left between your teeth. After an adjustment period, most people revel in the stability and confidence they enjoy with their new dentures.

What are traditional dentures?
With this type of prosthesis, the dentures are fabricated in the lab, but the device isn’t place until the swelling has subsided. Waiting gives the gums a chance to heal and ensures that the dentures feel comfortable.

What are immediate dentures?
Placed right after removal, immediate dentures allow patients to have a new set of teeth right away. Sometimes, the fit may not be quite right, so modifications may be required.

Do I need to worry about brushing?
Absolutely. Clean the tongue, cheeks, and gums to remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth.

Can I eat whatever I want?
Generally, you should be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods. When you first receive the dentures, adjusting to their fit can make eating a little tricky.

Will dentures impact my speech?
Initially, you may need to get used to talking with your new appliances, but eventually you should have no trouble communicating with others.

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Help for Sensitive Teeth

If taking a bite of ice cream causes discomfort in your mouth, you may be experiencing teeth sensitivity. Often, people feel unpleasant sensations when they eat anything that is hot, cold, or sweet. Teeth sensitivity can be caused by enamel wear, tooth damage, overzealous brushing, and whitening products.

To remedy your sensitivity and give your mouth relief, follow these tips:

Use a good toothpaste
Several companies make toothpaste designed to lessen your discomfort by desensitizing your teeth. Apply the paste directly to the teeth and allow it to sit for several minutes for the best results.

Watch what you eat
Acidic foods and drinks, like tomatoes, sodas, and orange juice, can erode enamel, which contributes to teeth sensitivity.

Resist the urge to over whiten
You can attain a brilliant smile, but don’t go crazy with teeth whitening. One side effect of these products is sensitive teeth; however, the issue tends to resolve itself once you finish the treatment course.

Take care when you brush
If you brush for too long, too harshly, or use hard bristles, your teeth may become sensitive.

Talk to your dentist
When sensitivity persists, mention the problem to your dentist. Sometimes, a sensitive tooth can indicate a cavity, so your dentist may want to check your mouth to rule out decay.

Avoid extreme temperature
Stay away from anything that is really hot or really cold because these temperature changes can exacerbate the situation.

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Finding a Good General Dentist

A good percentage of dental consumers don’t currently have a general dentist. If you are looking for a dental provider for yourself or family, the task may seem overwhelming. It’s important to select someone you feel comfortable with and who fits your personality. You can make the search process easier with these helpful hints:

Ask others
Talk with friends, family, and co-workers about which dentists they use. Referrals are a great way to get the process started. You can also use the Internet as a valuable resource in your search.

Make a consultation appointment
Establishing a good relationship from the beginning is important, so schedule a consultation to meet your top choices and get a feel for their offices. This appointment is your opportunity to ask questions and gather basic information.

Evaluate the dentist’s skills and knowledge
Find out what professional organizations the dentist belongs to and how much importance he or she places on continuing education. Dentists are required to take a certain number of hours, but good providers generally exceed those levels. Some even make the time to teach, such as Dr. Yolanda Cruz, who is a clinical instructor and the faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto.

Check the dentist’s work
Most providers will have testimonials from satisfied patients. They may also have Before and After photos that will give you a chance to see some of the doctor’s handiwork. For example, you can view pictures of actual patient dental work on the website of Dr. Yolanda Cruz.

Start small
After your consultation, schedule a cleaning. During this visit, observe how the dentist and staff respond to you. Are they attentive to your needs? Do they make you feel valued and welcome? Feeling at ease with the dentist will help you commit to achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.

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Eating Right for Healthy Teeth

Your diet impacts your overall wellness. Making good choices will keep your body healthy, including teeth and gums. We all know that you should get plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Certain foods and beverages provide particular benefit to your mouth.

Milk and yogurt
Low-fat milk and unsweetened yogurt are low acid foods. These options reduce the acid erosion that can weaken tooth enamel. Dairy choices, including cheese, also have the calcium you need for strong teeth and bones.

Green tea
Several benefits come from green tea. The antioxidant plant compounds, called polyphenols, in the tea prevent plaque from sticking to teeth, reducing your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Green tea may also help control bad breath.

Onions
Because onions contain powerful antibacterial compounds, they kill various bacteria that inhabit your mouth. Raw onions offer the most benefit.

Apples, celery, and carrots
These crunchy foods massage gums and clean between teeth, promoting a healthy mouth.

Sesame seeds
High in calcium, sesame seeds help build enamel, and they also slough off plaque, lessening the chances of cavity development.

Animal protein
Lean cuts of chicken, turkey, and beef, as well as eggs, contain phosphorous, which works with calcium to strengthen our bones.

Water
Drinking H2O keeps your mouth hydrated and helps with saliva production. Saliva acts as a natural cleanser, washing away food debris and bacteria from your mouth.

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Coping with Halitosis

Though bad breath, also called halitosis, isn’t a life threatening issue, it can wreak havoc on your personal and professional life. From time to time, most people experience bad breath. Usually, something you eat or nasal congestion will cause episodes of less than fresh breath. Unfortunately, some people have chronic halitosis, which can be quite frustrating. Consistent problems with bad breath usually occur because of poor oral hygiene, certain medical conditions, dry mouth, and lifestyle choices such as smoking.

Follow these tips to help keep your breath fresh and clean:
•    Prioritize daily oral care. Make sure you brush after each meal and floss at least once a day to remove food debris, a major contributor to bad breath, from your mouth.

•    Don’t forget your tongue. Often the germs that produce unpleasant odors linger on your tongue. Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper can help.

•    Avoid temporary fixes. Mints and mouthwashes can actually dry out your mouth, which will make bad breath worse.

•    Drink lots of water. By consuming enough water, you will increase saliva production and reduce dry mouth.

•    Change your tooth brush regularly. Replace the brush every three to four months because old toothbrushes harbor bacteria.

•    Chew sugarless gum. Like water consumption, chewing sugarless gum promotes saliva levels.

•    Stop smoking. Although this is difficult, dropping your nicotine habit will give you fresher breath and improve your health.

•    Talk with your dentist. In some cases, your doctor may recommend special toothpaste and rinses that are formulated to address chronic halitosis.

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Vitamins That Help Your Teeth

Healthy teeth are maintained not only by proper hygiene, but also by eating a nutritious diet. Certain vitamins and minerals promote oral health. In order to keep your smile strong and attractive, try including these ingredients in your diet.

Vitamin A
Your tooth enamel contains a protein called keratin, which needs vitamin A in order to form. This means that vitamin A strengthens your enamel. It also boosts your immune system, helping to fight infections in your mouth. Some foods with vitamin A are beef, eggs, liver, salmon, fortified milk, and some cheeses.

Vitamin C
Also called ascorbic acid, vitamin C is vital in developing, maintaining, and repairing your body’s tissues, bones, and teeth. Studies show that people consuming lower amounts of vitamin C are more likely to have gum disease. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, it is washed from the body once it has all it needs, making it necessary to access this vitamin daily. Some sources of vitamin C are fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in helping your body absorb and use calcium, which is responsible for strong, healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D can be supplemented or received through exposure to sunlight. It is also found in some foods like fortified cereals and milk, egg yolks, and fish.

Calcium
Calcium is a crucial mineral needed to create and maintain your teeth and bones. You must supply your body calcium in your diet to ensure good health. Calcium is obtained in foods like cheese, milk, leafy green vegetables, and yogurt.

Vitamin K
This vitamin strengthens your tooth enamel by helping to bind calcium to your teeth and bones. It can also avert tooth decay by preventing acid from hanging onto your teeth. Vitamin A is found in soybeans, dairy products, and green vegetables.

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Medications and your Dry Mouth

It’s often bad enough that you have to take medicine in the first place, but it’s even worse when they have uncomfortable side effects. Many medications affect your oral health, with one of the most common negative side effects being a dry mouth. It’s important to be aware of what medicines might dry your mouth out, and ways to relieve that symptom if it develops.

What medicines can cause dry mouth?

There are over 400 medicines that have been known to cause dry mouth. The most common types of medicines that promote this side effect are:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• High blood pressure medicines
• Antidepressants
• Sedatives
• Pain relievers
• Parkinson’s disease medicines
• Antacids

Can dry mouth hurt my teeth?

Having a consistently dry mouth can negatively affect your oral health. Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria in your mouth. If you don’t have enough saliva to help clean your mouth, you’ll be more likely to develop tooth decay and gum infections.

What can I do to relieve my symptoms?

The first thing you should do is ask your doctor if there are medication alternatives that would treat your medical problem but not promote dry mouth. It that isn’t possible, here are some ideas about how to relieve your symptoms of dry mouth:

• Sip water or another sugarless drink often during the day.
• Reduce or cut out caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and tobacco since each of these contributes to dry mouth.
• Drink water or sugar-free drink while eating to aid chewing and swallowing.
• Suck on sugarless candy or gum, which encourages saliva production.
• Avoid spicy and salty foods, because they can cause pain in a dry mouth.
• Use a humidifier while sleeping.
• Ask your doctor or dentist about artificial saliva products.

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