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Chessington Dental Practice Blog

The Causes of Sensitive Teeth

If you brush vigorously or too hard, you could be setting yourself up for sensitive teeth. It could lead to enamel erosion and exposure of dentin leading to sensitive teeth.

Key takeaways:

  • Using too much mouthwash could be a problem leading to a sore mouth or worsening of already sensitive teeth.
  • Acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes as well as acidic drinks will cause erosion of tooth enamel.
  • Receding gums such as in periodontal disease may expose tooth pulp leading to sensitive teeth.
If you brush too hard or don't use a soft brush, your gums can pull away from tooth roots. This can also wear away your enamel and expose dentin (yellow). Holes in the dentin are the tiny tubes (blue) that allow hot, cold, and sweet foods to affect tooth nerves. Ouch!

Read the full story here

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-sensitive-teeth-causes

What Are The Advantages Of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are made of titanium which is a durable and non-corrosive material. Titanium provides a good foundation for teeth replacement.

Key takeaways:

  • Dental implants fit snugly and feel like natural teeth. They replace missing teeth without affecting the adjacent teeth.
  • Dental implants are more convenient than dentures since they do not require adhesives and don't need to be removed..
  • Dental implants help to improve self esteem since they restore the natural smile.
Dental implants help patients to speak easily and to eat their favorite foods without any fear or hesitation, says the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. They can perform other activities such as smiling, yawning, kissing, laughing and coughing, and the dental implants stay in place.

Read the full story here

https://www.reference.com/health/benefits-dental-implants-733fc154dad6e408

Habits That Destroy Your Teeth

Habits such as playing sports without a mouth guard could cause tooth loss or chipped teeth. You should get a custom-fitted mouth guard from the dentist to wear when playing.

Key takeaways:

  • Cough drops are laden with sugars which encourage plaque buildup and growth of bacteria that leads to cavities.
  • Piercings in the mouth or tongue will raise the risk of infection and sores. Biting down on the metal studs may cause cracked teeth and damage to gums.
  • Teeth grinding caused by stress or poor sleeping habits damages the teeth. Using a mouth guard could help prevent damage to teeth.
For example, there are only 10 more grams of sugar in orange soda than in orange juice. Fruits are naturally sweet, so look for juice that has no added sugar. You can also reduce the sugar content by diluting juice with some water.

Read the full story here

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-teeth-wreckers

6 Mistakes Made When Brushing Your Teeth

Young woman brushing cleaning teeth. Girl with toothbrush in bathroom. Oral hygiene.

It is important to take good care for your teeth and overall for the oral cavity. Common problems such as gum disease have been associated with heart disease.

Key takeaways:

  • Electric brushes move water and toothpaste better and at greater speed ensuring effective removal of plaque. The brushes also help people to avoid over-brushing.
  • The toothbrush should be positioned and held at a 45-degree angle into the teeth and the gums to remove any buildup that could lead to gum disease.
  • Dentists recommend fluoride toothpastes to prevent cavities.
You have to remove plaque in order to prevent disease, reminds Martins, adding: ?Any floss is better than no floss.? So keep up with the practice, making sure your floss hugs your teeth on either side, she notes.

Read the full story here

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/6-mistakes-youre-making-every-time-you-brush-your-teeth

Old Skulls Could Help Us Understand Why We Have Crooked Teeth

Old man holding glass with alcohol dring and laughing laudly

Human fossils can tell us a lot about human characteristics in the different ages. Researchers want to study the human skulls to find out when and why crooked teeth appeared.

Key takeaways:

  • People from distant ages did not have dental problems. These people had straight and symmetrical teeth as evidence from fossils and skeletons indicates.
  • There is no proper answer why people have crooked teeth despite millions of dollars used on retainers and braces in an attempt to get a perfect smile.
  • Some significant change must have happened during the Industrial revolution marked by a shift to urban lifestyles. People now have narrower mouths.
Mouths are narrower today, Monge says, but we have the same number of teeth as always. And so the idea goes: that causes crowding, an overbite, snaggle teeth or wisdom teeth that have no room to grow in.

Read the full story here

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/health-science/item/96934-could-old-skulls-help-us-understand-why-we-have-crooked-teeth

Brushing Tips for Your Patients

toothbrush2Brushing your teeth properly and regularly helps to minimize visits to the dentist. This information will help you practice effective brushing.
Key takeaways:

  • Taking care of the teeth is often forgotten about. The teeth are important for oral health as well as for your general health and well-being.
  • Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice every day with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Brush your teeth the last thing before jumping into bed and on one other occasion during the day.
Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste not only helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it can also prevent bad breath.

Read the full story here

https://www.bda.org/brushing

Older Adults at Risk of Physical and Mental Disability Due To Tooth Loss

Portrait of happy senior manThe effects of tooth loss on overall well-being have been unknown. A review of gerontological data from Japan found the following.

Key takeaways:

  • The maintenance of good oral health is important for older adults to prevent disability and a host of other health problems.
  • Older adults who had significant tooth loss were less functional when compared with people who lost fewer teeth.
  • Older adults should receive the necessary support required to maintain good oral health self-care practices and to access adequate dental care.
Tooth loss is associated with future decline in higher-level functional capacity. IPW models suggest that treatment for tooth loss attenuates decline in higher-level functional capacity.

Read the full story here

http://neurosciencenews.com/aging-tooth-loss-mental-health-5042/

How to Carry Out Mindful Brushing

It is recommended that you should brush your teeth twice everyday in the morning and the evening. Mindful brushing becomes a good way to commence the day and retire for the night.

Key takeaways:

  • Immediately after beginning to brush, relax the neck and the jaw and breathe through the nose slowly and deliberately.
  • Loosen your grip on the toothbrush and feel the bristles move over the teeth and the gums. You should feel the taste of the toothpaste.
  • Breathe deeply through the nose as you rinse the mouth. Feel and take note of the clean teeth.
  • Feel gratitude for your teeth and for the tasks they allow you to accomplish such as chewing, speaking and smiling.
Mindful brushing, says Dr. White, gives your brain a chance to rest and ?sets a peaceful tone for the day ahead or the night ahead.?

Read the full story here

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/21/well/mind/how-to-be-mindful-while-brushing-your-teeth.html?

Coffee Not Only Prolongs Life but Also Strengthens Teeth

Coffee discolors the teeth enamel causing staining. The extra work to keep the teeth clean is worth it due to the nutritional benefits of coffee.

Key takeaways:

  • Review of research indicates that coffee may prevent bone loss in the jaw offering better support for the teeth.
  • Green coffee has antibacterial activity that will help protect the gums.
  • Coffee in moderation will confer a number of nutritional benefits such as alertness, protecting the liver and reducing cancer. People should limit their intake to five cups.
Some of the health benefits of coffee ? which may lower the incidence of metabolic disorders and prevent cell damage ? can be attributed to the high chlorogenic acid content, which has antioxidant properties.

Read the full story here

https://comparethetreatment.com/we-have-the-skinny-on-coffee-not-only-can-it-prolong-life-it-can-also-strengthen-teeth/

Learn More of the Value of Sealants

denti di bambinoChildren from low-income familes are less likely to receive dental treatment and sealants. In the U.S., several states are offering sealants programs in schools to guarantee good oral health.

Key takeaways:

  • Dental sealants are recommended for children when their first molars grow at between 5 and 7 years and yet again when the next set of molars grows at 11 through to 14 years.
  • A study indicates that children without dental sealant treatment had cavities in 77 percent of their teeth compared to 27 percent of teeth in those with sealants.
  • Resin-based sealants and glass ionomer sealants are the most common with the difference being the resin based lasts longer.
The review estimated that in a population of cavity-free children with a 40 percent chance of getting a first cavity over the next two years without sealants, application of sealants would reduce the rate to just 6 percent.

Read the full story here

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/upshot/defending-your-childrens-teeth-and-dentists-the-value-of-sealants.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=1

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