Month: April 2020

Most of you know your toothbrushes aren’t meant to last forever, but it can be tough to notice when your bristles are nearing the end of their natural lifespan. It’s quite easy to know when to replace worn-out shoes or faded clothes, but when it comes to toothbrushes, it all depends on your health, usage, and preferences. Before you brush again, check whether it is time for a new toothbrush or not.

When to Get a New Toothbrush?
Many dental experts recommended changing your toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months or sooner if the bristles are worn out. No matter what kind of toothbrush you utilize, its bristles can become frayed and worn out in time. A new toothbrush can remove more plaque compared to the worn out, assuring that your brush is working adequately to keep your teeth healthy and clean.

You can also consider getting a new toothbrush sooner if you get sick, particularly if the toothbrush is stored close to other toothbrushes. If you’re in doubt, check the bristles. Children brush more rigorously compared to adults, and they may require their toothbrushes replaced more frequently.

Types of Toothbrushes
There are mainly two types of toothbrushes available in the market; electric and manual. You should select what feels comfortable and makes you want to brush your teeth properly. A manual toothbrush is highly portable and ready to use any time you need it. It makes no noise, and you can have complete control over the pressure it puts against your teeth and gums.

An electric toothbrush needs changing and is slightly ponderous to carry along when you’re travelling. Although, the proper rotating movement of the bristles makes it quicker and easier to clean between your teeth and at the gum line. Most electric toothbrushes have in-built sensors to ensure your brush long enough and don’t press too harshly.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Usually, it’s common for toothbrushes to have a lot of bacteria in between their bristles. You are responsible for your toothbrush, but you don’t know how well other people care for their belongings. If you see your toothbrush touching another toothbrush, it’s better to change it and avoid swapping bacteria with someone else.

Sometimes you’re not genuinely aware when was the last time you bought a toothbrush, during such times, it’s better to get a new one. They are essential for your overall health and not that expensive so you can easily invest in a new toothbrush after noticing these signs, if not every 2 to 3 months.

Moreover, maintain your toothbrush no matter which kind you use and store it in a vertical position. Avoid storing your toothbrush in a closed container as it can lead to building bacteria. It is important to get into the habit of buying a new toothbrush, if you want keep good oral hygiene. Don’t wait for your current toothbrush to be worn out, and keep a new, fresh toothbrush waiting in the bathroom cabinet for every family member.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Have you ever wondered what element is differentiating your teeth from those of others, the brighter one, all following the same routine of brushing and flossing? Even after taking care of dental hygiene as much, your parents have taught you, what remains is the inclusion of Fluoride in your oral care.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in the Earth’s crust in many forms like foods and water, varying in amount from area and area. As far as the relation of Fluoride with teeth is concerned, it is part of the remineralization process that means redepositing the minerals to the enamel layer through the foods and water intakes. Without this, the teeth get prone to tooth decay. The positive effects of Fluoridated water have been noted since the 1930s.

What are the benefits of Fluoride?
The basics of tooth decay lie in the formation of plaque and the accumulation of bacteria. These bacterias need to be restricted from the fundamental level, and the teeth have to be saved from any attack. This is where Fluoride comes into the picture. Once the Fluoride is in your mouth, it mixes with your saliva. Whenever your teeth are coated in that saliva, the teeth enamel absorbs the mineral. Then begins the real game, when this Fluoride bonds with the existing Calcium and phosphate and creates fluorapatite, which is a strong material known to combat the cavity-causing bacterias.

These are the ways Fluoride can be helpful:

• Fluoride makes the tooth withstand acid attacks.
• It opposes tooth decay at the early stages.
• Intake of Fluoride in children helps in the development of their permanent teeth.
• Taking Fluoride causes tooth sensitivity.

What Are the Sources of Fluoride?
Fluoride is safe and has shown the practical results, provided it is taken in the right amount. Like anything taken in an inappropriate amount is harmful, an excessive amount of Fluoride, especially in children, causes discoloration of teeth. The exact term for the results by overuse of Fluoride is dental fluorosis. Thus, you have to be careful about the amount of FluorideFluoride, your children receive.

Now, where can you get this Fluoride from? Apart from drinking water, Fluoride is found naturally in foods like tea, coffee, potato, shellfish, grapes, etc. you can also apply it directly to the teeth through fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. However, the intake of a higher amount needs a doctor’s prescription.

In some places, your water has a natural amount of Fluoride, while at other sites, the suppliers add Fluoride to it. In any case, you need to take care that your child receives a small amount of fluoride toothpaste until he or she turns 7.

So, Fluoride is as essential as brushing and flossing to the teeth. Thus, make sure you take enough of it in any form. You can also ask your dentist to apply the Fluoride in the form of a gel, foam, etc. With this, you ensure healthy teeth and a brighter smile.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Baby teeth are very important as they form the basis for the permanent teeth. Any issue with them may lead to a significant effect on adult teeth. The problems include impacted tooth, misalignment, tooth decay, and other life-threatening infections. Baby teeth are also important because they:

• Help the child to eat and chew comfortably.
• Help in child’s face formation
• Assist him in talking clearly
• Make room for the permanent teeth

So, you need proper maintenance to get shiny, healthy teeth for your baby. Thus, stay conscious and protect his teeth.

Basics of baby bottle tooth decay
It is no more an unusual thing to have a baby with decayed teeth. When the infants invite decay at such an early age, it is termed as baby bottle tooth decay. Well, the reasons leading to the baby teeth issues are many, but one significant cause is the long exposure of the baby to sugary liquids like milk, formula or juices, etc. When you let the baby sleep with the milk bottle in mouth, you are inviting bacteria in his mouth, to prepare acids and attack on the teeth. It is more dangerous at sleep time because of the flow of the decreased flow of saliva. Though the upper front teeth of your baby are more prone to baby bottle tooth decay, other teeth may also get affected.

Symptoms and causes of baby bottle tooth decay
As this baby decay affects adversely on all the teeth of your baby, this needs early attention. The very first symptoms may include white spots either on the surface of their teeth or on the gum line. These spots will be followed by pain. The teeth at this stage may also suffer through sensitivity towards a specific temperature. Severe symptoms in the further stages include:

• black or brown spots on the teeth
• bleeding in the gums
• swollen gums
• fever
• bad breath

Though the broad cause of baby bottle tooth decay has already been discussed, you need to know how it processes. It can start with cavity-causing bacteria that are passed through the saliva from a mother to the child when she takes a milk feeding spoon in her mouth. The bacteria may also develop on their own when the baby is left with a milk bottle in his nap time. Keep in mind; if your baby is not receiving an adequate amount of fluoride, he has an increased risk for tooth decay.

Possible preventions
The good news is that it is curable and also can be prevented with some simple rules and steps:

• Clean your child’s gums after every meal with a soft damp cloth. Make sure, it doesn’t hurt him.
• Start brushing his teeth as soon as the first teeth appear. Again, use the brush with soft bristles.
• Limit his exposure to sugary drinks from the very beginning.
• Don’t make them sleep with a bottle having milk or any other sweet fluid in their mouth.

Do not make any delays, if your child is complaining to you of tooth sensitivity and pain. Your prompt action can prevent him from lifetime pain.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.