Health and Beauty tips

Given today’s skyrocketing dentistry prices and the fact that most people cannot afford private dental plans, it may be time to consider becoming your own dentist. Of course, this doesn’t mean taking courses for do-it-yourself root canals, but there are some basic tips that can make your pearly whites look better.

• Try whitening toothpastes. Make sure the toothpaste has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval and has been clinically proved to whiten teeth effectively. Very few whitening toothpastes have undergone any type of clinical trial, and ones that are too abrasive can damage teeth or make them very sensitive. The most important thing is to brush your teeth at night.
• Flossing regularly after supper and before you brush your teeth is also a must.
• Fluoride-based mouthwashes have also been proven very affective in fighting cavities and gum disease.
• When you are brushing your teeth, you haven’t finished the job until you brush your tongue. Your tongue harbors germs and bacteria that can cause bad breath. You can brush your tongue with regular toothpaste.
• There are some types of food that stain teeth like coffee, tea, red wine, and others that work on the teeth like detergents. Food that require a lot of chewing like apples, celery, and carrots whiten teeth naturally. Vegetables like spinach, lettuce and broccoli prevent staining by creating a film on the teeth that acts as a barrier.
• For whitening effect use strawberries or lemon peels which have gentle cleansing and bleaching properties and help remove coffee and tea stains from the teeth. They should be massaged over your teeth.

All these procedures really don’t take longer than five minutes at a time. Keep that in mind the next time when you find yourself waiting in your dentist’s lobby for three new cavities that surely could have been avoided.

Plaque is the main threat to your teeth which can affect gums and the sulcus, the v-shaped crevice just below the gum line. At this stage, the infection is called gingivitis; if it progresses, it’s called periodontitis. Both are forms of periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease include:
Spaces developing between the teeth
Pus between teeth and gums
Loose teeth
Receding gums
Bad breath that won’t go away
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Painful chewing

The primary reason for periodontal disease is plague. If not removed within 26 hours, plaque turns into tartar, which causes periodontal disease. You can prevent plaque by practicing good oral hygiene - brushing and flossing regularly; visiting the dentist for regular check ups and cleanings; and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Other factors can increase the risk of periodontal disease, including:

Smoking and chewing tobacco as major causes of periodontal disease.
Genetic predisposition.
Hormonal changes in girls/women which can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
Diabetes.
Stress.
Medications (antidepressants and some heart medicines)
Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.

Once periodontal disease has been detected, further extension of disease can be prevented with continued care of the mouth at home. Ideally, the mouth should be cleaned after every meal. Dentists suggest brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Gentle movements within the crevices dislodge decay-causing material, and firm strokes over the teeth remove plaque. Flossing is recommended to clear plaque from between teeth. After brushing and flossing, vigorously rinsing the mouth with mouthwash containing an antimicrobial agent can also help eliminate bacterial growth, but mouthwash alone cannot prevent plaque formation. For self-checking, a dental mirror provides a view of the teeth and gums in the back of the mouth.
In advanced cases, a dentist may scrape the affected tissue pockets and apply antiseptics every few months in an effort to kill the bacteria. Should this procedure fail to check the spread of the disease, surgery by a periodontist may be needed to remove deep pockets in the gums. Once the bacteria have been eliminated, good oral hygiene should control the disease.

The word disease always sounds scary, but we all know perfectly well that toothache is one of the most terrible things that can happen in our life. However, the good news is that since most dental problems are provoked by poor oral hygiene, they can easily be prevented. Effective preparation for oral self-defense should begin with knowing your enemies.

Here’s a list of the most widespread dental afflictions:

• Dental plaque is a sticky, soft and colorless film of bacteria that builds up on the surfaces of teeth and gums. If tooth plaque bacteria are not removed from the mouth regularly, this can lead to tooth decay and dental cavities (caries) or periodontal problems (such as gingivitis and periodontitis). Dental plaque is not only a cosmetic problem. It also may cause inflammation of gums and lead to gum recession and gum disease.
• Dental Calculus or Dental Tartar is a yellow or brown layer of mineral deposits on the teeth surface created by hardened dental plaque.
• Tooth Decay or Cavities or Dental Caries is one of the most common dental problems which is caused usually by the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel. Cavities are most likely to develop in pits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, in between teeth, and near the gumline or at the unprotected root. If left untreated the tooth decay can cause tooth loss.
• Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque and tartar. Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a more serious disorder that causes gum recession, and eventually destroys tooth.
• Dental erosion (tooth erosion) is a slow progressive process that leads to the loss of the protective hard tissues of the tooth caused by a continuous exposure to acids. Dental erosion can cause mild tooth problems, such as tooth discoloration and mild sensitivity, to more severe dental problems, such as indentions in the teeth, severe tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth and tooth loss.
• Stained Teeth is a very common dental problem that makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable when they talk or smile. Discolored teeth require teeth whitening treatment. The main reason that makes teeth to lose their natural white color is the acquisition of colored substances onto the tooth pellicle.
• A dental abscess (or abscessed tooth) is a painful infection characterized by swelling, redness, and pain. It may develop as a complication of tooth decay, or from an infection in the gums. If left untreated, a dental abscess can cause serious health complications.
• Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD) are two stress-related disorders that can cause pain in the teeth and jaw. Signs of these disorders include tenderness or tension in the cheek muscles, a clicking, cracking, or popping sensation when you open your mouth, and an inability to open your mouth wide. These disorders most commonly strike women in their 20s and 30s, but can affect anyone of any age.