Teeth Facts

Teeth help us bite and chew are food, but how much do you really now about your teeth. Most likely if you don't work in the dental field you have very little knowledge on what your teeth are made of and the different types of teeth we have!

Babies start teething around 6 to 12 months old and by the time they are 3 years old they should have a full set of 20 milk teeth, also known as baby teeth. Once they have reached 6 years old the child's teeth Begin to fall out making way for the adult teeth.

By the age of 14 most children have lost all their baby teeth and have their adult teeth. Adults have 32 teeth total. Around the age of 17 we start to gain four more which are called the wisdom teeth. If you experience any pain when the wisdom teeth are coming through consult your dentist, these may have to be removed.

There are four different types of teeth:

• Incisors- The four front teeth top and bottom. Used for cutting and chopping.
• Canine teeth- The pointy teeth on each side of the incisors top and bottom. Used for tearing.
• Premolars- Also known as bicuspid teeth. These are located next to the canine teeth. Used for grinding and crushing.
• Molars- Strongest teeth, work along side the tongue to help swallow your food, helps with the mashing of the food.

Different types of mouthwash can help various types of dental health.

There many types of mouthwashes available in today's market. Every single one claiming to be optimal for perfect dental health. Is that really the case? Here are some things to look for when choosing a mouthwash.

First you want to check and see if it has alcohol or is alcohol free. Alcohol dries your mouth and can cause burns to your gums and inside of your cheeks. Alcohol free is the better option.

Depending on what you and your dentist have came up with for your area of dental focus can sway your decision of what mouthwash to get. It is based on the ingredients in the mouthwash.

Area of Focus:                                          Ingredient:
Better Gum Health                                Cetylpyridinium Chloride
Dry Mouth                                              Biotene
Cavity Protection                                   Sodium Fluoride
Teeth Whitening                                    2% Peroxide

These are just a few examples of ingredients in mouthwash that can help you in whatever area you are wanting to focus. You dentist or hygienist should be able to direct you as to which they product they recommend. Always remember that mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing and flossing.

Could Your Toothbrush Make You Sick?

With the temperatures dropping, change in the weather the flu and cold season is among us. We all know getting a flu shot, washing our hands and avoiding people who are sick will help keep you healthy but that's not always the case.

Many people just getting over the flu/cold usually forget one small detail and that is changing out their toothbrush. Toothbrushes can harbor bacteria, even after is been rinsed. Its recommend that a toothbrush that has been used during a illness be discarded to avoid reinfection. If
the toothbrush is not discard it is possible for the already weakened immune system to allow the flu/cold strain to come back, I'm pretty sure you wont want that either.


Here are a few toothbrush tips to help prevent a cold or flu this season:

1. Replace your tooth brush every 3-4 months or after an illness
2. Thoroughly rinse the toothbrush after brushing and allow to air dry in an upright position
3. Wash your hands before and after brushing/flossing to prevent bacteria from entering the mouth
4. Never share toothbrushes
5. Keep all toothbrushes separate from one another to prevent cross contamination
6. Sterilize the toothbrush once a week

The Unexpected Way Running Affects Your Teeth

We all know that exercising is great for your health. One of the primary reasons for running is that it helps lose weight, fight heart disease and relives stress. However running can also have hidden negative effects on one of the most important parts of your body; Teeth.

When you add all the carbs, sports drinks and protein bars that are likely consumed during or after a work out, your mouth has the perfect environment for cavities. Sugar feeds decay-causing bacteria and our defenses against this bad bacteria lives in our saliva.

While most runners breath through their mouth, the mouth is usually dry during the entire run which slows saliva rates and makes it harder for the mouth to clean its self. Therefore, when the mouth is dry, your teeth are at risk.

Here are a few things you can to save your teeth during a workout!

1. Stay hydrated
2. Pop a sugar free mint or a piece gum after a workout (helps your saliva glands to start working again)
3. Brush and floss regularly

Remember oral hygiene is very important!!

Get Sensitivity Relief -Like Never Before-

The other day I was looking through one of my magazines and I came across this new ad for Crest Sensi-Stop Strips. It caught my attention since I have tooth sensitivity, and I wanted to learn more about this new product.

Crest Sensi- Stop Strips is a new way to take care of your tooth sensitivity. These thin, flexible strips deliver a key ingredient for 10 minutes right where it is needed to provides sensitivity relief up to one month of protection.

This unique strip is designed to cover the outer gum line of your sensitive teeth for just 10 minutes, giving the special ingredient time to build a lasting barrier that helps stop sensitivity pain by blocking tubules.

* Remember ask your dentist before starting anything new*

Why Do I Need A Full Mouth Debridement?

Have you been meaning to go to the dentist but things keep popping put - work, school, kids. Before you know it, years have passed.  You finally made your dentist appointment and they tell you they need to do a full mouth debridement, you are probably wonder what this is right?

A full mouth debridement is the removal of plaque and calculus that interfere with the ability of the dentist to preform a comprehensive oral evaluation.

Full mouth debridement takes longer than a normal cleaning and you may need to undergo periodontal treatment if periodontal disease is apparent.

After having a full mouth debridement your dentist will have you come back about 2-3 weeks later, after your gums have healed so he can properly exam your mouth. Now your dentist will be able to detect any cavities, if periodontal treatment is needed and many others!

Remember it's not to late to get your smile back on track!!

Healthy Teeth - Fact Or Fiction?

Sweets rot your teeth?

• Fiction - It's actually a byproduct of the bacteria on your mouth that creates the pores in your tooth structure that we call "cavities".  Starchy foods attract those acid-producing bacteria just like sweets do.

We've all read about what the bacteria that flies around our bathrooms...keeping my toothbrush covered or in a case keep it cleaner?

• Fiction - Covering your toothbrush or storing it in a closed container actually creates a better environment for those microorganisms to flourish than the open bathroom air.

Discolored teeth can be just as healthy as pearly whites?

• Fact - Discolored teeth are not necessarily unhealthy. Sometimes when the enamel becomes thinner by age, the darker layer shows through.

It's normal for your gums to bleed from time to time?

• Fiction - Bleeding is not OK. Bleeding is the sign of infection, and if the infection is not treated the infection can become worse.

If it does not hurt, there's probably nothing wrong?

• Fiction - Most infections of the mouth and teeth (gum disease and tooth decay) don't hurt. By the time something starts hurting, the treatment can often be much more expensive  and treatment can be more extensive.

Flossing is as important as brushing?

• Fact - Flossing is just as important as brushing. Flossing helps remove plaque and food from between the teeth and under the gums.

Kids don't need to go to the dentist until they have teeth?

• Fiction - The ADA recommends babies see the dentist with the eruption of the first tooth r by the age of 1.