Keeping Your Braces Clean

Most of the people in the United States have had braces at one time or another unless you have straight teeth. If you are one of those that had braces and now have a child who has braces, you will be able to guide them along on the path of dealing with the things that come with them. Braces are known to hinder normal chewing that cleans and showers the teeth. There are many other things that will need to be done to keep the teeth and braces clean. It will not do to get cavities on top of having to wear the braces. The brackets and braces that are used will cover the exterior of the teeth but the wires attached to them will be something that will definitely get in the way.

When food gets stuck in the teeth, it will start to form plaque and this will eventually lead to cavities from the bacteria it creates. Diseases of the gum are also included in this because they are also created by bacteria and can lead to gum swelling and infection. To stop all this from happening to the child that has braces, you will need to teach them the right ways to clean their mouths and braces.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Make appointments with your orthodontist every 2 to 6 weeks, based on his assessment of your progress. Delaying your appointments because of other obligations can extend your treatment and also makes it more likely that you may lose a bracket or have a loose wire.
2. Brush and floss after every meal. Use a floss threader to get between the braces and a proxy brush to clear out any food particles. Your orthodontist can provide you with both of these.
3. Buy an electric toothbrush which can spin into the smallest crevices between your braces and teeth and dislodge those small food particles a regular toothbrush might miss. For the best results, brush first with a regular toothbrush and then use an electric toothbrush.
4. Clean removable appliances or sports mouth guards with baking soda and warm water. Use an old toothbrush to brush them gently with the baking soda solution and set them on a paper towel to dry. Keeping your appliances clean ensures that no additional bacteria gets in your mouth and on your braces.
5. Contact your orthodontist as soon as a bracket pops off. If you leave the bracket off for even a day, it can damage other parts of your braces and set your treatment back considerably.

Orthodontics

Years ago, orthodontic treatments were used only for pre-teens and teens having problems with their bite (malocclusion). Today, orthodontic treatments like dental braces are not only for pre-teens and teens, but for adults as well.

No matter what your age, orthodontics can protect your bite (occlusion), maximize your teeth's effectiveness in performing their functions and create a well-aligned smile. Today’s orthodontics involves repositioning of the teeth and underlying roots, providing better support for the crown of the tooth. Orthodontic treatment is now associated with the benefits of greater esthetic appeal, increased comfort and reduced treatment time.

Orthodontic treatment can also rejuvenate your facial appearance by reshaping the jaw, neck and lips, especially when combined with maxillofacial surgical procedures. In addition, well-aligned teeth make oral hygine easier to maintain.

The Orthodontic Evaluation

If you are a candidate for orthodontics, you will likely be referred by your general dentist to an orthodontist for evaluation of your bite. During your first orthodontic visit, your orthodontist may use several methods to develop an individualized treatment plan, including:

• Oral, facial and functional evaluation (examination).
• Intraoral and facial photographs.
• Panoramic and cephalometric X-rays.
• Impressions for models of the teeth and bite.

An orthodontist reviews your dental records, performs a clinical assessment, takes X-rays of your mouth and head and makes models of the teeth by creating an accurate impression of them. The results of this evaluation are studied in order to formulate the best orthodontic treatment plan.

Typically during the second visit, your orthodontist reviews the treatment plan and estimates the number of months for the active phase of treatment. The standard treatment phase is two years. Following treatment, you may be required to wear a retainer for a period of time.

The duration of orthodontic treatment varies based on your age, the extensiveness of the procedure (some people require more work than others) and how closely you follow your treatment plan.

Can chewing gum be good for your oral health

In the past dentists have frowned upon the habit of chewing gum since most contain sugar which increases the chances of developing tooth decay. However, recent research studies have indicated that chewing gum or mints containing the sweetener, xylitol, can actually decrease one’s chances of developing tooth decay!

Discovered in 1891 by a German chemist, xylitol has been used as a sweetener in foods since the 1960s. Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. It has the same sweetness, bulk and caloric value as sucrose without its decay-producing side effect. Xylitol is approved as a direct food additive for use in foods for special dietary needs.

When we chew,this makes the mouth produce saliva.This does a few things.Saliva helps to clean the teeth and remove debris from food. Saliva also helps the remineralization process that is so important for the teeth. This helps to replace the minerals that are lost in the tooth. As long as this is done quiker than they are lost then tooth decay will not occur. Chewing gum makes the act of chewing constant. This way even more saliva is produced than through normal eating making the cleaning and remineralization process even more effective.

The act of chewing itself actually helps to remove plaque from teeth and gums. This is highly useful in a variety of ways. It hels to reduce the staining that plaque can bring. It will help in keeping the amount of bacteria in the mouth low. It will prevent plaque from staining, turning into tartar or calculus deposits. Finally it will also help prevent gum diseases such as ginivitis.

There is evidence to support that chewing gum reduced the urge to smoke. Smokers who chew gum find it easier to cut down and eventually quit. Smoking is highly damaging to the teeth and mouth.

To achieve the best possible results one should chew gum after eating meals. This is the time at which your teeth are most vulnerable. The extra saliva flow will help to remove any remaining food particles that remain behind. It is also important to remember that chewing gum is not in any way a replacement for brushing and flossing. These two things still need to be practiced regularly. Gum will only help aid the process of cleaning not take it over entirely.

Children's Dental Heath

Tooth decay (dental caries) affects children more than any other chronic infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems; such as eating, speaking, playing, and learning.

The good news is that tooth decay and other oral diseases that can affect children are preventable. The combination of dental sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school-age children.

What Parents and Caregivers Can Do

Here are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child:

• Encourage your children to eat regular nutritious meals and avoid frequent between-meal snacking.
• Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride.
  • Use a fluoride toothpaste. If your child is less than 7 years old, put only a pea-sized amount on their toothbrush.
  • If your drinking water is not fluoridated, talk to a dentist or physician about the best way to protect your child’s teeth.
• Talk to your child’s dentist about dental sealants. They protect teeth from decay.
• If you are pregnant, get prenatal care and eat a healthy diet. The diet should include folic acid to prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord and possibly cleft lip/palate.

What are Dental Sealants and How Do I Know if My Child Needs Them?
A dental sealant creates a highly-effective barrier against decay. Sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of a child's permanent back teeth, where most cavities form. Applying a sealant is not painful and can be performed in one dental visit. Your dentist can tell you whether your child might benefit from a dental sealant.

Oral health needs of Pregnant women

Provide Pregnant Women with Key Information


Explain the importance of oral hygiene and oral health care.

Explain that oral health care during pregnancy is safe and effective and that it is essential for the pregnant woman and the fetus.

Tell women that diagnosis (including necessary dental X-rays) and treatment for conditions requiring immediate attention are safe during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Inform women that necessary treatment can be provided throughout pregnancy; however, the period between the 14th and the 20th week of pregnancy is the best time to provide treatment.

Advise women that delaying necessary treatment could result in significant risk to the mother and indirectly to the fetus




The special oral health concerns of pregnant women

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Most women notice changes in their gums during pregnancy. Some women notice that their gums look redder and bleed when they brush their teeth. And some women have severe swelling and bleeding.They can start as early as the second month. The condition tends to peak around the eighth month and then taper off after the baby is born. Pregnancy gingivitis is most common in the front of the mouth. The symptoms are the same as those for gingivitis, but some of the causes are different. Increased hormone levels may be partly responsible for pregnancy gingivitis. Also, your immune system may work differently during pregnancy. This could change the way your body reacts to the bacteria that cause gingivitis.

Pregnancy Granuloma (Pyogenic Granuloma or Pregnancy Tumor)

A pregnancy granuloma is a growth on the gums that occurs in 2% to 10% of pregnant women. It is also known as a pyogenic granuloma or pregnancy tumor. Pregnancy tumors are misnamed. They are not actually tumors and are not cancerous. They are not even dangerous, although they can cause discomfort.

Pregnancy granulomas usually develop in the second trimester. They are red nodules, typically found near the upper gum line, but can also be found elsewhere in the mouth. These growths bleed easily and can form an ulcer or crust over. Pregnancy granulomas usually are attached to the gum or mucous membrane by a narrow stalk of tissue.
Tooth Erosion

In women with severe morning sickness, frequent vomiting can erode the enamel on the back of the front teeth. If you are vomiting frequently, contact your dental office for information on how to prevent enamel erosion.

Dry Mouth

Many pregnant women complain of dry mouth. You can combat dry mouth by drinking plenty of water and by using sugarless hard candies or gum to stimulate saliva secretion and keep your mouth moist.

Excessive Saliva

Less commonly, pregnant women feel they have too much saliva in their mouths. This condition occurs very early in a pregnancy. It disappears by the end of the first trimester. It may be associated with nausea.





During pregnancy:

* Brush teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day,and floss once a day.

* Limit foods containing sugar to mealtimes only.

* Drink water or low-fat milk. Avoid carbonated beverages (pop or soda).

* Choose fruit rather than fruit juice to meet the recommended daily intake of fruit.

* Obtain necessary oral treatment before delivery:

1. • Diagnosis (including necessary dental X-rays) and necessary treatment can be provided throughout pregnancy; however, the period between the 14th and the 20th week of pregnancy is the best time to receive treatment.
2. • Treatment for conditions requiring immediate attention are safe during the first trimester of pregnancy. Delaying necessary treatment could result in significant risk to you, and indirectly to your baby.

* For frequent nausea and vomiting:

1. • Eat small amounts of nutritious foods throughout the day, if possible.
2. • Chew sugarless or xylitol-containing gum after meals.
3. • Rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a cup of water after vomiting, to neutralize acid.
4. • Gently brush teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day to prevent damage to demineralized tooth surfaces.

Oral Health Facts

• Dental caries is the major cause of tooth loss in children; periodontal (gum) disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.
• Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months and after illnesses like a cold or flu.

• Three out of four patients don’t change their toothbrush as often as they should.
• Tongue and lip piercing can cause blood poisoning, prolonged or permanent drooling, damaged sense of taste, toxic shock syndrome, permanent damage to tooth enamel and oral tissue, and transmission of infections such as hepatitis B and HIV.
• Tobacco is the primary cause of oral cancers. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day or using smokeless tobacco quadruples the risk of developing oral cancer.
  
• Oral cancer occurs twice as frequently in men as women.
• The biggest oral health problem for infants is early tooth decay, known as baby-bottle tooth decay. This results when babies routinely fall asleep with bottles filled with sugary liquids such as milk, formula, and juice—anything other than plain water.
• Chewing gum can help eliminate food particles caught between teeth after a meal and also helps prevent plaque build up by stimulating saliva production.
  
• A vigorous rinse with water may help to dislodge food particles and dilute acid produced by plaque bacteria. Rinsing throughout the day supports daily brushing and flossing to maintain oral health.

• Contrary to popular belief, there is no significant advantage of an electric or powered toothbrush over the normal toothbrush except ease of use.
• You should always maintain a distance of 6 feet between the toilet and where you brush. The air borne particles from the flush can travel up to 6 feet.
• There was a sudden massive surge of patients with tooth decay the year coke was launched.
• The swallowing of a fluoride containing toothpaste can cause many harmful effects such as fluoride toxicity.
• The popular practice of placing a cap on toothbrush head actually favors bacterial growth on it as moisture is increased in enclosed containers favoring the growth of bacteria.
• Vigorous brushing does more harm than good. Overzealous brushing can lead to eroded enamel which never grows back causing teeth sensitivity along with other.
• Fluoride is an important tool in the fight against tooth decay and may be found in such sources as community water supplies, private wells and tooth paste.
• Between-meal snacking may contribute to tooth decay. Choosing nutritious snacks that are low in sugar and do not promote tooth decay helps in the fight against cavities. Foods such as apples and raw carrots, and hard cheese have a natural cleansing action on teeth, making good snack food choices.
• Acid production from bacterial plaque occurs most dramatically within 20 minutes of eating, contributing to tooth decay. That is why rinsing your mouth after eating is a good habit.

Tipes of Mouthwash

It looks terrible with plaques on the teeth, it smells miserable with a bad breath and it feels painful with cavities in the teeth. Still most of the people shy away from these problems and never take proper initiatives to get rid of these menaces to get a flawless oral health. Many of them think it is enough to brush the teeth twice daily to maintain the oral health. But the truth of the matter is that, you have to follow a regular regimen to clean between your teeth and for that you need the help of the mouthwashes.

There are many different mouthwash products available today. It is important to find out the product which is suitable for your particular needs and, for that you have to learn about the different types and categories of mouthwashes meant to serve specific purposes.

Mouthwashes may be classified as cosmetic, therapeutic or a combination of the two.



Cosmetic mouthwashes (sometimes called antiseptics) are available over the counter.
Most cosmetic mouthwashes perform the following functions:

• Temporarily mask bad breath (halitosis)
• Rinse away oral debris
• Temporarily reduce bacterial levels in the mouth
• Provide a pleasant, refreshing taste

Therapeutic mouthwashes offer most of the benefits of cosmetic rinses, but contain an added active ingredient that helps prevent or treat certain oral health conditions. These types of rinses are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and voluntarily approved by the ADA. They usually fall into one of two categories:

• Antiplaque/antigingivitis rinse. This type of therapeutic mouthwash has been shown to control bacterial plaque and to reduce and inhibit gingivitis. Many chlorhexidine gluconate and are available by prescription only. They may have an unpleasant taste or may leave a bitter aftertaste in the mouth. These solutions usually include alcohol, although they may be available without alcohol. They are recommended for short-term use only (e.g., six months or less).
• Anticavity fluoride rinse. These rinses include fluoride, which helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. They are available over-the-counter and by prescription (for a higher-concentration level of fluoride). People at high risk of tooth decay, as well as patients with orthodontic appliances, may be advised to regularly use these types of rinses in addition to their daily oral hygiene regimen.