How Your Teeth Develop

Although the exact timing differs, everyone develops teeth in a similar way. There’s usually a specific pattern to tooth eruption, and certain elements of each tooth. It’s interesting to not only know how to take care of your teeth, but also how you got them in the first place.

Here are some facts about your teeth:

• People have two sets of teeth. Primary (or baby) teeth develop first, followed by permanent (or adult) teeth later.
• Teeth usually erupt like a mirror; for example, the top molar on your right side should appear at about the same time as the left one.
• Teeth begin to form long before they can be seen or felt. Even though a baby’s first tooth appears at about six months old, it began developing during the second trimester of pregnancy.
• A tooth’s crown develops first, but its roots keep growing after the tooth comes through.
• By age 3, the 20 primary teeth have usually grown in and remain in place until about 6 years old. They then start to fall out to allow permanent teeth to erupt.
• Between 6 and 12 years of age, permanent teeth develop. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth.

There are two main parts of each tooth: the crown is the visible part, and the root is below the gums. The root holds the tooth in place. Your teeth have four kinds of tissue, each performing a unique role. These include:

• Enamel – the covering on the outside of the tooth’s crown. It is very hard, and protects the tooth from decay.
• Dentin – the layer under the enamel. Even though it looks like bone, dentin is not as hard as enamel. It is at more risk for decay if the enamel wears away.
• Cementum – the tissue covering the tooth’s root and helping to anchor it to the bone. It is soft and light yellow, but is usually covered by the gums. Taking good care of your gums is important so that the cementum is not exposed to plaque and bacteria.
• Pulp – the tissue located at the tooth’s center. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves, which allows delivery of nutrients and signals to your teeth.

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Helping Your Baby with Teething

Seeing your child in pain is difficult for any parent, so we all try to protect our kids from hurting. Unfortunately, teething is a normal part of your baby’s development; however, this time can be trying for both children and parents. Understanding the process and discovering how to soothe your little one can make teething go more smoothly.

When do children start teething?
Most of the time, baby teeth come in between the ages of three and 12 months. The bottom front teeth erupt first, followed by the four upper front teeth.

How can I tell if my child is teething?
The most common signs include fussiness, drooling, slightly swollen gums, and changes in appetite. Generally, the peak of unpleasantness hits between four and six months. After this point, babies tend to become accustomed to the teething sensations.

What can I do to comfort my baby?
Hard, cold teething rings will help sore gums. Make sure the toys are put in the refrigerator not the freezer because frozen objects may cause tissue damage. Gently massaging your child’s gums may also provide some pain relief.

Should I be worried if my baby doesn’t have any teeth yet?
Typically, your child will cut his or her first teeth by 12 months. Often, the age that the first tooth breaks through is hereditary, so if you or your spouse got teeth at six months, your baby will likely follow suit. If no teeth have appeared by 14 months, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist to make sure there are no problems delaying the eruption of the primary teeth.

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Creative Uses for Toothpaste

The main purpose of toothpaste is to clean your teeth and prevent cavities. Currently, you can walk down any supermarket or drugstore aisle and find a plethora of choices. What many people may not realize is that toothpaste has other applications. You can use toothpaste to:

Erase scuff marks
To take off the scuffs from your favorite leather shoes, rub a small amount of paste on the area and then wipe it clean with a damp rag.

Remove gunk from an iron
Sometimes, your iron develops dark goop that can ruin clothes. Scrubbing with non-gel toothpaste can make the iron plate as good as new.

Polish your diamond jewelry
For extra sparkle, use an old toothbrush and paste to make your favorite jewelry shine!

Deodorize baby bottles
After a while, these bottles can start to smell like sour milk. Apply a little toothpaste to the bottle brush and clean the inside like normal.

Clean chrome fixtures
Instead of buying expensive cleaners, just smear toothpaste on your chrome and polish the surface with a soft, dry cloth to produce a gorgeous shine.

Erase crayon marks from walls
If your little Picasso has used your living room walls as a canvas, toothpaste can get rid of these drawings. Grab a damp rag and apply a little paste to the wall. The abrasive nature of the paste will take off the crayon.

Eliminate drain odors
Just as it helps remove the unpleasant smells in your mouth, toothpaste works similarly in your kitchen sink. Squirt the toothpaste into the sink, let it sit a few minutes, and then run the warm water for a clean smell.

Schedule your next dental cleaning at Comfort Dental Weymouth MA

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Repair Your Teeth with Dental Crowns

Your oral health and comfort can be jeopardized when your teeth sustain damage. Deep cracks, severe pain, and possible tooth loss can occur if you don’t receive treatment for a structurally unstable tooth. If your tooth needs more than a regular filling to restore its integrity, your dentist may choose a dental crown. Also called a cap, a dental crown fits securely over any tooth structure above the gum line.

Depending on the extent of damage and the location of the tooth, your dentist will place a ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or metal crown. Usually, porcelain crowns are recommended for teeth that are visible when you smile. Because the human bite can exert about 50 pounds of pressure in the back of the mouth, the chewing force can be as powerful as 200 lbs, which could destroy a ceramic crown. Typically, all-metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia crowns are used for back teeth.

Sometimes, damage occurs to a tooth that doesn’t need a crown, but is too severe for a filling. Inlays and onlays offer a good solution. Constructed from solid ceramic or metal materials, these partial crowns are stronger than traditional fillings. Inlays cover the cusps (bumps) on top of a tooth; onlays fit over a cusp and down the side of the tooth.

Crown placement usually takes two appointments. At the first visit, your dentist will remove the damaged tissue, reshape the tooth, and take impressions for the custom restoration. Your doctor will also place a temporary crown. Final placement will occur at the second appointment, once the dental office receives the permanent restoration.

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Oral Health Issues in Adolescence

During the teen years, your child will need to continue to brush, floss, and visit the dentist in order to enjoy good oral health. At this time, cavities and gum disease can be real threats to your teen’s smile. Adolescents also face other concerns that are very prevalent in their age group:

Piercings
Although your child may see this choice as artistic expression, piercings can lead to allergic reactions, cracked or broken teeth, nerve damage, infection, and other health problems.

Mouth guard use
If your teen participates in any contact support, including soccer, basketball, or football, purchase a mouth guard and have your child wear it during each game. Mouth guards can significantly reduce mouth and facial injuries.

Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating can wreak havoc on your mouth. Though a teen may hide these issues from their loved ones, dental professionals can often identify the telltale signs such as enamel erosion, dry mouth, excessive cavities, and trauma to the roof of the mouth.

Smoking
Start talking with your teen as soon as possible about the damage caused by smoking. Bad breath, stained teeth, gum disease, and oral cancer are just a few of the affects smoking can have on your mouth.

Orthodontic Care
Many teens will need braces at some point. With orthodontic treatment, it’s critical that your child take good care of his or her teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing may be more difficult, so remind your child about the need to practice good home hygiene.

Comfort Dental Weymouth. Shahram Moghaddam, DMD

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Oral Health Care as You Age

Thanks to modern medicine and improved health, people are living long, active lives. In the 1800s, people were lucky to make it into their 40s or 50s. Currently, the average life expectancy in this country is approximately 77.9 years. Part of enjoying your full potential during your later years is taking care of your smile.

Protect your teeth and gums by remembering these tips:

Be diligent about your daily oral care
If you want to keep your teeth, you need to take time to brush and floss. For individuals who have trouble with dexterity, look into an electric toothbrush and flossing aids that will make the task easier.

Don’t skip dental visits
Schedule your routine exams every six months and keep those appointments. Your dentist will evaluate your mouth and look for any indications of problems. If you notice something unusual, like bleeding gums, a sore that doesn’t heal, or recurrent pain, contact your dentist right away.

Update your dentist
During regular checkups, let your dentist know about your current medications and any medical conditions you are currently dealing with so that the provider can tailor your oral care accordingly.

Eat well
Your diet impacts your oral health, so select healthy options like lean meats, low-fat diary, fruits, and vegetables.

Replace missing teeth
Even with valiant effort, you may still lose a tooth. Don’t just leave the empty space in your smile. Remaining teeth can shift and create other oral health issues. Dental implants and dentures can restore the integrity and beauty of your smile.

We care about your dental health at Comfort Dental Weymouth. Shahram Moghaddam, DMD Weymouth Endodontics

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How to Fight Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can make you feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. Often, people try to mask bad breath with mints or alcohol-based mouthwashes, which can actually worsen your halitosis. Caused by the oral bacteria, food debris, and decay of human cells, bad breath can hurt your professional life and limit your social interactions.

Though we all experience periods of bad breath, certain issues cause chronic halitosis. Contributors to consistent bad breath include:

• Advanced gum disease
• Decreased saliva production
• Lactose intolerance
• Post-nasal drip
• Tobacco use
• Underlying conditions like diabetes and acid reflux

Halitosis occurs because of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the odorous compounds that result from the breakdown of bacteria and food particles in your mouth. To address bad breath, you need to neutralize the acidity in the mouth and decreases VSCs. The following tips will help you curb bad breath:

Develop good hygiene habits
Use fluoride toothpaste, brush twice a day, and don’t forget to clean your tongue. As well, floss daily so that you remove food particles from between teeth.

See the dentist for checkups
At your regular appointments, your dentist will exam your mouth and look for any issues, like gum disease or dry mouth, that could cause halitosis.

Cut out tobacco products
Though it can be tough to kick the habit, giving up smoking will improve your breath, oral health, and overall wellness. Ask your dentist for suggestions to help you quit.

Drink plenty of water
Keeping your mouth moist ensures adequate saliva production. Sugarless gum or hard candy can also help achieve this goal.

Fight Bad Breath – Comfort Dental Weymouth Shahram Moghaddam DMD

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Understanding Veneer Options

When you have chips, gaps, or stains on teeth, you may feel self-conscious about your appearance. Porcelain veneers can erase flaws and transform your smile. In just two to three visits, your dentist can give you a completely new image. Before considering porcelain veneers, talk with your dentist about the pros and cons of these smile enhancements.

What are porcelain veneers?

Crafted from thin shells of porcelain, veneers permanently cover imperfections so that you can enjoy a flawless smile. Because the materials have a translucency that mimics enamel, porcelain veneers create aesthetically-pleasing restorations.

How can veneers change my smile?

With porcelain veneers, you can cover stains, close space, and create uniformity. Veneers provide an excellent way to attain the polished image you desire.

What are minimal-prep veneers?

Brands like Lumineers and DuraThins are minimal-prep veneers. Unlike traditional porcelain veneers, which are customized for your smile, these restorations are ultra-thin wafers that require little or no enamel reduction for placement. Minimal-prep veneers offer patients another option for transforming their smiles.

How do I choose the right veneers for my smile?

During your initial consultation, your dentist will talk with you about smiles that you like and what you want for your new look. After evaluating your whole mouth, the dentist will make recommendations about whether traditional veneers or minimal-prep veneers will produce the desired results.

Will caring for my veneers be difficult?

Durable and stain-resistant, veneers are designed to give you lasting beauty. To protect your investment, care for your veneers as you would your original teeth. Make sure to brush, floss, and see the dentist regularly.

It’s about time you treated yourself to a beautiful, new smile! Shahram Moghaddam, DMD Weymouth Family and Cosmetic dentist

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Taking Care of Your Dentures

Without a full set of teeth, your oral health and confidence suffer. Dentures are one way to restore the beauty and vitality of your smile. Constructed as false teeth on a gum-colored base, full or partial dentures can fill in missing teeth and give you a complete smile. Once you have dentures, you need to take proper care of these prosthetic devices to ensure that they last.

Give your dentures a break

To let your mouth tissues recover, remove your dentures for six to eight hours a day, either at night or at another convenient time.

Keep them clean

Stains and bacteria can still build up on dentures, so they need regular cleaning. Most drugstores sell products designed to clean dentures, but you can also use mild dishwashing detergent, regular hand soap, mildly abrasive toothpaste and dental paste as well.

Protect your investment

Most of the time, dentures aren’t cheap, so you need to handle them with care. Safely store them when they are not in your mouth, and clean them with a soft brush. Don’t leave your appliance in reach of pets or small children.

Care for your entire mouth

Though you may have lost your teeth, you need to look out for your gums. Make sure to rinse your mouth after removing your dentures. You should also massage gum tissue with a washcloth or soft-bristled brush. Patients with partial dentures need to brush and floss daily.

Visit the dentist

Even if you have no original teeth left, you still need to see the dentist at least once a year. These appointments allow your dentist to examine your mouth and look for any issues with gums and soft tissues.

Shahram Moghaddam, DMD Weymouth Family and Cosmetic dentist

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Oral Health and New Moms

When you welcome a new baby into your life, everything changes. Your routine is disrupted, sleep is limited, and things are pretty chaotic. During this time, you need to take care of yourself as well as your little one. An area that often gets overlooked is oral health care. As a new mom, remember these key points about why you need to make dental health a priority:

To keep your baby safe

While you were pregnant, your baby grew and developed in a utopian environment. Once your newborn arrived, he or she was exposed to millions of germs. Because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, new babies are more susceptible to infection. The bacteria in your mouth can be easily transmitted to your newborn, so keep up your oral care habits.

To ensure a healthy smile

Before your baby arrived, you probably had a regular daily schedule that included brushing and flossing. Getting up all night with round-the-clock feedings can throw off your routine and contribute to late-night snacks, which can increase the risks of tooth decay and gum disease.

To protect against dental problems

During pregnancy, many women experience swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums, a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. Once you give birth, it can take some time for your hormones to level off and return to normal. In the mean time, keep up with dental care to decreases your odds of gum disease.

To serve as a role model

As a mom, you have a little one who will watch your every move. Demonstrating good home care habits will encourage your child to adopt those same behaviors.

At Comfort Dental Weymouth, we care about your smile! Shahram Moghaddam, DMD Weymouth Family and Cosmetic dentist

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