Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrush

While choosing from a vast array of available toothbrush options can be confusing, the addition of electric toothbrushes have also proven to be a headache.

But are electric toothbrushes better than the traditional ones? Let us discover the pros and cons of the electric toothbrush as presented by your Newport Beach dentist:

Pros

• The distinct advantage of an electric toothbrush is that it’s fun to use especially for children.

• Electric toothbrushes can be a  time saver as this provide a cleaning job of delivering 6,000 and 30,000 strokes per minute.

• For those who do not have the ability or grip to operate a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush is a great option. It is comfortable to hold and takes care of the rotating action for you.

• Powered toothbrushes are far superior to manual brushes when it comes to plaque and stain removal.

• Because the brushing motions are controlled, there is less likely for you to get dental abrasions caused by too much force exerted during brushing.

• Other features of electric brushes that make it superior to manual toothbrushes are built-in timers, pressure sensors, and even UV sterilizers.

Cons

• On the other hand, even a cheap electric toothbrush can cost more than a manual toothbrush.  That means that these can be pricey,  as the heads should be replaced just as frequently as a manual toothbrush should be depending on the toothbrush model type.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/pros-cons-electric-toothbrush/

Causes and Treatment of Sensitive Teeth

Are you trying to avoid eating cold food or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are sensitive? It may be time to get to the bottom of this painful condition and get recommendations from your dentist on how to resolve this!

A common dental health concern that causes teeth sensitivity is the exposure of the dentin on your teeth due to receding gum tissues. When hard enamel does not cover your teeth and its roots, sensations will go straight to the nerve in the center of the tooth resulting in dental sensitivity. According to studies, various factors can cause teeth sensitivity.

1. Use of a hard brush and aggressive teeth cleaning.
2. Tooth erosion caused by foods and beverages with high acid content.
3. Receding gums that leaves root surface exposed
4. Teeth grinding at night and cracks or decay in the teeth.
4. Post dental treatment sensitivity like procedures of crowns, filing, and tooth bleaching.

Having a dental treatment with your Newport Beach dentist is always the initial step in finding relief from your discomfort.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/causes-and-treatment-of-sensitive-teeth

How Smoking Affects Your Dental Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 15 percent of the entire US population or about 36 million people smoke.

The numbers declined over the years, but admittedly, those who are at risk still comprise a large number of people which is quite alarming.

Tobacco smoking hurts your teeth in many ways:

1. Discoloration. The chemicals found in cigarettes cling to the enamel of your teeth causing discolorations or stains.

2. Bad Breath. Particles of tobacco cling to the mouth a long time after you finish smoking. Bacteria also thrive on the smoker’s mouth, and no amount of gargling or brushing can rid you of the bad breath because the smell originates from the oral sores, decay, and possible gum disease affecting your mouth.

3. Gum Disease. Your mouth loses its ability to fight off bacterial infection if you are smoking. Eventually, the infection will find its way to your gums. Untreated gum disease may cause periodontitis, where smokers may find themselves with gums, bone, and tissues holding the teeth, are pulling away from it.

4. Delayed Healing. Smoking delays the body’s ability to recover from dental surgeries and procedures.

5. Oral Cancer. The American Cancer Society also reported that 90 percent of those with mouth, lips, tongue, and throat cancers are smokers and they are six times more likely to develop these cancers compared to those who don’t smoke.

Oral cancer sufferers experience difficulty in chewing or swallowing, ear pain, numbness on the jaw and may have either a red or white patch in their mouth.

How Can you Quit Smoking?

1. Your dentist in Newport Beach will either recommend nicotine gum and patches to ease your nicotine cravings.

2. Herbal remedies like oats, ginger, cayenne pepper, radish, and licorice stick can also help.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/smoking-affects-dental-health/

Bad Habits That Can Affect Our Teeth

Healthy and sparkling teeth are forever considered the biggest blessings. They not only add value to your being but also makes the job of chewing food quicker.  It is said that diligence in oral hygiene is the cornerstone of a healthy smile.

In maintaining the health and shine of the teeth, brushing and flossing the teeth at least twice a day is needed. Regular visits to your dentist in Newport Beach is also a must. However, there are many things we do which put all efforts into a downward spin. Here are the most common but damaging behaviors that may affect your teeth:

Using the Wrong Toothbrush.  A toothbrush that is too hard can cause your gums to recede.  Abrasions may also damage the dental root surfaces. Using a soft-bristled, or medium high-quality brush is recommended.

Forceful brushing may irritate gums, hurt the teeth and may also damage the roots of the teeth.

Nail Biting. This nervous habit uses “parafunctional”  bite force which can wear down the teeth. It can also cause small fractures and chips.

Crunching and Sucking. Biting cold and brittle things can leave microscopic cracks or linear fractures on your teeth.

Eating food that is too cold is harmful to the teeth and weakens the enamel which may result to major teeth problems.

Excessive Mouth Dryness. Saliva is essential for the teeth. It contains some minerals which ensure the protection of your teeth.  Moreover, the presence of saliva neutralizes the acidity of the mouth that deteriorates enamel.Dry mouth severely affects your teeth and multiplies the risks of bad breath, tooth decay, and enamel erosion.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/bad-habits-that-can-affect-our-teeth/

How to Whiten Teeth Naturally

Having great teeth is considered critical in our culture today. Your teeth are one of the first things people notice; They’re a sign of health, hygiene, and confidence.

Teeth become discolored (becomes yellow,  beige or even brown in color) due to the development of stains both the surface of teeth (extrinsic stains) and the deeper in the teeth’s structure (intrinsic stains).

Though there may be numerous products in the market to choose from when it comes to whitening your teeth, the excellent way to whiten your teeth naturally according to your dentist Newport Beach is to brush your teeth after eating or drinking.

Although food does not stain teeth, coffee and cigarettes can discolor the teeth over time due to the thinning of enamel. Stains and discoloration may need to be cleaned fro the teeth every three months, or you can try any of the natural remedies listed here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/how-to-whiten-teeth-naturally/

Effects of Piercings to Oral Health

As a dentist in Newport Beach, you may not like it, but piercing is a popular form of self-expression nowadays. It reflects individual styles and attitudes often considered daring and fresh. However, people interested in this trend should be aware that it is not without health risks.  

Tongue splitting certainly looks cool but can be dangerous to your health and could lead to more serious infections like hepatitis or endocarditis. Here are some immediate effects after oral piercing you have to know:

What can Oral Piercing do to your mouth?

Inflammation. When the tongue is swollen, it can affect our speech, as well as the way we chew and swallow. The lymph nodes become enlarged or tender and can last from three to five weeks.

Localized Infection. Since our mouth is a moist environment, it is an ideal place for infection. If infection occurs, it can become a life-threatening condition if not treated immediately. Seek professional attention if the infection progresses after two days.

Hypersensitivity. Oral Piercing likewise could block your airway and can also cause allergic reactions at the pierced site, especially those who are hypersensitive to metals.

Gums and Teeth. Playing or biting your oral piercing can damage your teeth and may also affect your dental fillings. You might experience chipped, cracked or dental sensitivity. Gum injuries and numbness of the mouth after piercing may also be experienced. It may also affect your sense of taste, or how you move your mouth.  In various cases, the oral piercing can cause severe nerve damage that could either be temporary or can be permanent. Excessive drooling may be felt after tongue piercing and a likely increase in saliva production.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/effects-piercings-oral-health/

The Crucial Role of Saliva to Oral Health

The role saliva plays in our oral health has long been overlooked. Although composed mainly of water, it also contains substances that are crucial to:

• keep our mouth moist
• help us chew, taste, and swallow our food
• prevent bacterial build up in our mouth
• protect us from tooth decay and gum disease
• keep dentures in place

What happens if you have too little saliva?

Your mouth becomes very dry if you don’t produce enough saliva, a condition known as xerostomia. Aside from it being an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, it can also cause swelling of the gums, tongue and other tissues. Also, tooth decay and gum disease quickly develop if a person has dry mouth as saliva’s role is to clear food debris from our teeth. Without saliva, food becomes less palatable too.

Certain factors cause dry mouth syndromes like HIV, saliva duct obstruction, chemotherapy, smoking, and dehydration. In such cases, your dentist Newport Beach will recommend that you rinse your mouth with artificial saliva. It is in the form of liquid or spray which can be bought over the counter. It can keep the mouth moist however it doesn’t have the essential substances that aid digestion.

What about too much saliva? http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/crucial-role-saliva-oral-health/