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You Won’t Believe How Much Bacteria is Living in Your Mouth

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Most people realize that it is bacteria that eat away at teeth, causing cavities. They also know that bacteria can lead to infection. So, wouldn’t it seem that the goal would be a bacteria-free mouth? Wouldn’t you like to think that you have only a minimal amount of the microscopic beings existing among your teeth and gums?

Well, no matter what you think, what you hope, or how much you brush, bacteria is a fact of life and it can be found in everyone’s mouth at any given time.

There are more than six hundred known species of bacteria and for every inch of saliva filled space, there are approximately two and half billion unwanted organisms. In fact, the only human beings devoid of the microscopic visitors are newborns, but with that first sip of milk, the colonization begins.

Not all of these teeny-tiny species are troublesome. Actually, most serve a good purpose, in that they keep away the unscrupulous types, yet there are always those ‘bad eggs’.

Some of the most common forms of bad bacteria found in the mouth include staphylococci, which are the plaque causing problems, porphyromonas gingivalis, which is associated with periodontitis, and fusospirochetes, which can cause infection if the gums should be nicked or cut. There is other plaque forming bacteria as well, such as the actinomyces, which is rather adaptable and can quickly attach to the surface of teeth.

Want to know more about the inner workings of your mouth? Then, read the full article.

Sucking on Lemons is Bad for Your Teeth!

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It’s sour, it’s a little sweet and it makes the perfect sidekick to many of America’s favorite summertime beverages. So what could be so wrong about taking a quick bite of lemon?

While this suggestion may put a pucker on many faces, there are people in this country that truly do enjoy the citrus flavor so much that they will actually suck on lemon. Even if you are not among them, there is a good chance that you would consider doing the same thing with a slice of orange.

The habit of regularly chewing or sucking on citrus fruits may be good for the body, but it can wreak havoc on the teeth. Because of the high degree of acid in these fruits, they can actually eat away at the protective outer layer of your chompers. This coating of defense protects the under layer called dentin.

Both of these have high concentrations of calcium salts, which are dissolved by acid, such as that coming from citrus or soda. Once the enamel is eaten away, those acids can begin to penetrate the dentin. This can leave the teeth susceptible to further decay, infection, sensitivity and more.

Aside from sucking on lemons, there are other habits that can lead to a similar problem. Drinking excessive amounts of soda, which was briefly mentioned, can also cause the erosion, as can conditions like acid reflux or bulimia.

For more information on how this phenomenon occurs and what to do if you possess one of these bad habits, read the full article.

Which Toothpaste is Right for You?

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You’ve got the perfect toothbrush and you are ready to properly care for the pearly whites that make your smile so glamorous, but how do you know which of the dozens of toothpastes lining the shelf are right for your? Which is going to give you the best clean?

As a general rule, there are five elements that make a toothpaste worthwhile.

The first is an abrasive agent. No, you might not be able to feel the tiny grit when rubbing the paste between two fingers, but it’s there and it is a primary force against plaque and bacteria build-up on the teeth. It also helps remove stuck-on food particles.

Humectants are another important element. One example of this type of ingredient is glycerol. It is intended to keep the toothpaste moist, so it can be applied and used correctly.

Similarly, a person would be less apt to spend time brushing if the paste didn’t taste good, so flavoring is also an essential element. Most frequently, mint is the winner, but this dental tool comes in a wide variety of tastes to fit every palette. Along with that, thickeners are used to keep the toothpaste stiff enough to stick to the brush and ‘detergents’ add the foaming element.

Today many toothpastes also come with a dose of fluoride, an element needed for the health and strength of tooth enamel. However, too much fluoride is a bad thing, so, while these toothpastes are considered superior, this should be used modestly. Some also feature whitening agents or specially designed to cater to those with extra sensitive teeth.

However, regardless of these additives, it is simply important to choose a brand that is ADA approved and that will fit the needs of your family.

For more information, keep reading.

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

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You know you feel awful and your mouth is the source of the pain, but how do you know if it is an abscess? Of course, the most obvious answer would be to schedule the emergency visit with your dentist, but for those who just want to know the warning signs, this article intends to be your guide.

An abscess is an infection in the mouth that exists at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth. It can be very painful, but will also come with a host of other symptoms. The severity of these can vary substantially from person to person, and some individuals will not notice all of them.

In most cases, however, fever will accompany the pain, which will be localized. In other words, you should be able to point to a single area that hurts. This area will also be more sensitive to hot and cold than it would be otherwise. The neck glands can become swollen and sore and the sufferer can also begin to feel ill.

In addition to this, a person with an abscess will typically have suddenly foul breath and may complain of a bad taste in his or her mouth that will not go away. The area of infection may appear red, swollen, or may even have an open sore on the side of the gum.

It is important to get immediate care if you show the symptoms of abscess. This type of infection can kill the root of the tooth and may continue to spread throughout the mouth if not treated.

For more information on this topic, read the full article.

How to Choose a Toothbrush

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The row of colorful plastic and synthetic bristles can almost be mesmerizing. They bend, flex, spin, and shake, but how is one supposed to know what movement, what shape, what brush is the best? If you ask yourself this question each time you are in need of a replacement, you are not alone.

Trying to discern what is best for your teeth is a trying task, but here are a few hints to make the process a little simpler.

Size does matter. When it comes to picking the right dental tool, it is essential that you reach for the one that will comfortable fit in all corners of your mouth. A long handle with an average-sized head is likely the best. Though many toothbrush manufacturers have been creeping toward a trend of larger brushes, these can be difficult to navigate through the mouth comfortably.

It is also important to choose the right style of bristles. Even with electric toothbrush heads, there is often to choice of bristle density. Hard bristles can be harmful to the gums, causing more problems than they prevent, so it is always wise to opt for a softer bristle that will clean without irritation. Bristles with rounded tips are also superior for much the same reason.

The final question you are likely to ask is, ‘manual or electric?’ There are mixed reviews on this topic and for good reason. Electric toothbrushes, which can be costly, do provide more strokes per second, which may mean more plaque busting for your time. Even this point is argued however, as many in the field feel that good brushing habits make either style of brush equally as effective.

Ultimately, it is a decision of preference. Choose the type that makes you happy and stick with it. As long as you brush and floss well at least two times per day, you will be doing fine.

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Ways to Get Your Child to Brush Their Teeth

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There are many parts of childhood that were fun, exciting, and are now thought of with fond memories. However, brushing your teeth isn’t likely one of them. Kids notoriously think little of this routine. If you have kids, then, undoubtedly, you have seen them only chew on the bristles for a few seconds before spitting out the undamaged chunk of toothpaste a time or two in the past.

So, how does one get a person with so many other things on his or her mind to take the time to brush right?

There are a few things that can be done to make this process more fun and rewarding, which would give your child reason to do so. For instance, buying the right kind of toothbrush can be a good start. A favorite cartoon character on the side, one that spins, or even one that plays music may do the trick; toothbrushes, like anything else in their world, are immediately judged on entertainment value.

Try helping. Yes, most kids will put up resistance to a parent’s interference, but there are ways around this blockade. Consider allowing the child to brush your teeth first. Using the ‘if I do it, you can do it mentality’ can often accomplish the goal at hand. However, it is a good idea to let the child brush his or her own teeth for a minute or two each time as well. It is building a foundation for good brushing in the future.

Finally, consider implementing a reward system. It may sound silly, but something as simple as a sticker chart that rewards a child with another sticker each time he or she brushes can prove very effective as well.

For more tips on how to get this job done well, keep reading.

Dental X-Rays Explained

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You’ve likely had them at least one time in your life and if you are a faithful dentist goer, you should have experienced dental x-rays several times. So, you know what happens to you, but did you know that there are several different types of dental x-ray that can be done? It’s true.

Employed for a variety of diagnostic reasons, there are actually four forms that can be used, depending on what the dentist or orthodontist is looking for. With the introduction of digital x-ray a few years ago, these images can even be sent directly to the office computer for quicker feedback.

The Bitewing x-ray is the one that most people will encounter on a fairly regular basis. This captures images of all teeth – front and back, up and down – and is used to track alignment and potential decay between teeth.

The Periapical x-ray reaches slightly further to capture images of the entire tooth, including the root, to seek out potential issues otherwise out of view.

Occlusals can be used to track the progress of teeth not yet broken through the surface. This is often put to work when there is believed to be an extra tooth under the surface, if the jaw is thought to be fractured, or if a cleft palate exists. There are also other, similarly deep set problems that can be found with this tool.

Finally, Panoramic x-rays do not capture just the mouth region, but move beyond that to cast images of the sinuses and the joints of the jaw. Bone abnormalities, infections, breaks, and fractures are easily discerned from these pictures.

For more information on dental x-rays, visit the full article.

What to Do If You Chip Your Tooth

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Frustrating, aggravating, and even a bit scary, chipping a tooth is not something that anyone wants to go through. Nevertheless, this is not an uncommon occurrence. If it does happen to you, pick up the phone immediately and make an appointment to see the dentist. The treatment options will vary significantly depending on the extent of the damage.

Your dentist will likely ask a few questions before recommending anything. He or she will likely want to know how it happened, whether or not you have found the missing piece of the tooth (which should come with you), and may need an x-ray to confirm the severity of the situation. This is due to the fact that it is difficult for the human eye to detect the extent of the damage done to inner layers of the tooth. For the smallest of chips, it may be possible to simply file them down, and otherwise leave them alone. Otherwise, a composite filling (the color of the natural tooth) may be needed to fill the gap and reform the tooth. For larger areas of damage, there may be the need for a porcelain veneer or crown, which would not only improve the aesthetic of the tooth, but also offer structural support.
For those breaks that cause root damage, the situation will likely be different. In addition to the veneer or crown, there may be a need for a root canal to prevent the dying nerve from causing further bacterial infection.

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Why Do My Gums Bleed After Flossing?

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Most individuals have heard that bleeding gums are a sign of trouble, but what if the bleeding only occurs when flossing? That’s normal, right? Not necessarily. Whenever bleeding becomes commonplace, there is reason to consult your dentist. Even though they are provoked, the gums should show very little sign of bleeding. Once cleared by the dentist, then you can take other measures to correct the issue.

Among the first questions that you should be asking yourself in this situation is ‘am I flossing regularly?’ If the answer is no, then the problem could be one of the gums being unfamiliar with the routine. As it is done more and more often, the bleeding should begin to slow and then stop all together.

Even if done regularly, if done incorrectly flossing can cause bleeding. This act should be a gentle one and if done too hard, then the gums can be cut. This will also defeat the purpose, because using the improper procedure will likely fail to remove the plaque and bacteria which are the goal of flossing. To ensure that you are not a cause of the bleeding, wrap a long section of floss around the middle finger of each hand and then pinch each end between the index fingers and thumbs. This act will give the support needed to guide the floss gently into place. You can continue to unwrap and rewrap to reveal new sections of floss as needed. The string should move against the side surface of each tooth and slightly under the gum line. The dentist will be able to help if you are having trouble getting this procedure right.

You should know more, so keep reading here

Could My Teeth Be Causing My Headache

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The short answer is yes. Chronic headache sufferers are on a constant mission to end the madness and find the source of their headaches, but often it takes a very long time to pinpoint exactly what is causing the painful, debilitating sensations. Part of the reason is that doctors frequently overlook dental issues as a potential root of the problem.

In fact, it isn’t a single dental issue that could be causing the headaches. There are several related conditions that could lead to repeat aches and pains that only disappear once the underlying problem is dealt with. Among the top offenders is unconscious grinding. Often people will grind their teeth, either while sleeping or during the day, and will not even realize they are doing it. The same is true of clenching the teeth. Often associated with stress, both of these actions can be excessive pressure on the teeth and jaw leading to pain in the head. Sleeping with a mouth guard and making a conscious effort to notice times when this occurs can help alleviate both problems.

Have your wisdom teeth grown in yet? Have they been removed? If you have answered no, then the headache may be a sign of impacted wisdom teeth. The movement along the jaw line, as the teeth attempt to grow in the wrong direction, and the swelling of nearby tissue can cause the never ending headache. That is until the teeth are removed. Even those who have had wisdom teeth recently removed may not be entirely safe. The headache could be a result of an infection resulting from dry sockets.

Abscessed teeth are also often responsible for head pain. Antibiotics can treat the resulting infection and the dentist can help correct the remaining problem so the headaches can go for good.

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