Questions About Family or Cosmetic Dentistry?
- How often should I visit the dentist?
- How often should I brush and floss my teeth?
- What is the proper way to brush my teeth?
- What is the proper way to floss?
- What is plaque?
- What is periodontal (gum) disease
- What are the signs of periodontal disease?
- How can I prevent periodontal disease?
- Why do our teeth turn yellow?
- What are the different types of teeth whitening options?
- How long does teeth whitening last?
- What can I do about bad breath?
- Tooth Sensitivity; Prevention and Treatment
- Why has my dentist recommended a Bite Guard
1.Firstly, make sure to use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
2. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gumline. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
4. Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Finally, don't cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.
1. Take 18" of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand .You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1-2 inches in between for cleaning.
2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gumline as well. Repeat this for the other tooth.
4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.
- gums that bleed while brushing
- red, swollen or tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- bad breath that doesn't go away
- pus between your teeth and gums
- loose teeth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
In-office teeth whitening
In-office teeth whitening works by producing a significant color change in your teeth in short amount of time, usally within an hour. The procedure is done at the dentist's office applying a high-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth after they have been protected with a special shield.
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits
These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for longer periods of time. Usually the trays are worn a couple hours a day or overnight for a few days or weeks depending on the product.
Over the counter whitening
Over the counter teeth whitening kits are store-bought and use a lower concentration gel than both in-office bleaching and take-home kits purchased from your doctor. While they are cheaper, they typically are less effective than methods that can be performed by your dentist because of the low concentration gel. Additionally, over the counter trays are not custom fit for your teeth, which can result in irritation to your gums while wearing the trays.
Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups to the dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
Good oral hygiene is your best defense. Allowing plaque to build up and harden into tartar can cause gums to recede around teeth. Gum recession exposes the roots of teeth, leaving your teeth more susceptible to sensitivity. Because the root surface is softer than enamel it is more susceptible to tooth decay as well.
- Always brush with a soft bristle brush
- Clean between you teeth with floss
Treatment for sensitivity may include a densensitizing toothpaste or a prescription fluoride for use at home. In office treatments may include fillings to restore sensitive areas. Sometimes sensitivity is very severe and root canal therapy may be suggested.
Every tooth has an extremely hard coating of enamel. This outer layer is thin but very important because it protects the softer inside of the tooth, which is called dentin. When enamel is worn away and dentin is exposed, teeth may become sensitive and be more susceptible to tooth decay.
Dr. Maggiore will check your teeth for wear. Little facets or flat spots on a tooth may indicate a problem. If Dr. Maggiore suspects that you are clenching or grinding your teeth, he may recommend an occlusal guard. An occlusal guard or bite guard is an appliance which is typically worn at night and will protect the teeth from any further wear.
Severely worn teeth may require restorations.