Are Dental Sealants For You?

Even an individual with a fastidious dental hygiene routine can be at risk for cavities and prone to dental caries. But there is another way to help keep the teeth clean – it’s called a sealant.

Even thorough brushing and flossing may not reach all the way into the depressions and grooves of the teeth to extract all food and plaque. Sealants help remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth and add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.

What are Sealants?

These are thin, protective coating made from plastic or other dental materials that adhere to the chewing surface of your back teeth.They have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars which are especially important for the children’s dental health.

How Do Sealants Work?  

They are considered as raincoats of your teeth and is usually placed on the chewing surfaces as these are the areas where you have deep fissures.  Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start and saves you time and money.

A quick and painless process performed by your dentist, sealants will clean and dry your mouth before putting on an acidic gel on your teeth and roughs up the tooth surface. It is bright, white and has a slight tint depending on the dental sealant used.  It can protect teeth from decay up to 10 years! However, you need to have your dentist check it for chipping or wearing during regular dental check-ups.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/are-dental-sealants-for-you/

What You Need to Know About Dental X-Ray

Dental x-rays are also called radiographs. Your age, health, individual needs, and risk factors all affect how often dental x-rays are taken. Your Newport Beach dentist may require dental x-rays if:

1. You’re a new patient or if you haven’t seen him in a while.

2. You are required to have a dental x-ray if you are on a follow-up visit after a particular dental treatment.

3. To show the condition of your teeth, their roots, your facial bones, and your jaw placement.

4. To help the dentist see if you have the periodontal (gum) disease and how bad it is.

5. Dental x-rays also reveal cavities, abscesses, and abnormal growths like cysts and tumors.

6. It can save you time, money and pain. If you have a hidden dental disease, it may help save your life!

Different Types of Dental X-Rays

1. The most common type of dental X-ray is called Bitewing X-ray.  It can determine if there is decay between the teeth which is one of the most common areas where decay-causing bacteria live. This x-ray also will also show bone loss when severe gum disease or a dental infection is present.

2. Periapical x-ray is another type of  Dental X-ray which gives an image to the dentist of the entire teeth to help them evaluate the root structures as well as the bone levels, cysts or abscesses.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-dental-x-ray/

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/