What type of toothbrush and toothpaste should I use?
A toothbrush with soft bristles is the best. With a medium or firm bristles toothbrush, you can damage your teeth and gums. You choose between a powered toothbrush and a manual toothbrush. Both are equally good. Manual brushes with mixed height bristles are better than flat or even bristled brushes. If you have trouble using manual brushes, you can opt for powered brushes. Brush your teeth 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes. You should replace your brush every 3 to 4 months. Most kinds of toothpaste will flush away bad bacteria and acids from your mouth. However, ADA (American Dental Association) sealed toothpaste has fluoride in it and this ingredient helps in strengthening your teeth. There are other toothpastes available that are made without fluoride but with only natural ingredients without ADA seal and testing. If your feel sensitivity to cold or hot foods, visit your dentist and use recommended toothpaste only.
Do I need to floss?
There is no alternative to floss. Flossing helps in the deep cleaning of your mouth by removing food and plaque from your teeth and gum line. If you don’t floss regularly, the plaque will turn into tartar. Tartar can lead to wedges formation which widens that space between teeth and gums and finally causes pockets. With time, gums will pull away and teeth will fall. You can choose between waxed or unwaxed flossing. However, floss picks or interdental brushes are good alternatives.
Does a rinse or mouthwash help?
A good mouthwash can help in many ways. It can help prevent cavities, sensitivity, and maintain fresh breath. It is very helpful when your regular brushing or flossing routine. But using just a mouthwash is not a good idea. Your dentist can recommend the best type according to your mouth health. Few people may need to use mouthwash twice a day to maintain their gum health and some people may need to use alcohol-free washes to avoid dryness in the mouth. Mouthwashes are not recommended for kids under 6 years of age. This may lead to swallowing of gums.
What are the early signs of dental problems?
There are various early signs of dental problems. You should see your dentist if you see any of their problems or you have trouble chewing food, soreness in the mouth, sensitivity.
- Sores
- Jaw Pain
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Swollen face
- Broken teeth
- Redness
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food
- Tooth sensitivity
- Dryness in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Bad taste
An early checkup can prevent some serious infections or dental problems.
Should I do dental exams regularly?
Regular dental exams can detect early signs of problems that prevent some serious infections and costly treatments later. A dental hygienist begins by deep cleaning your teeth. With their special tools, they clean buildup from teeth gum line where your toothbrush can not reach. You may experience soreness and sensitivity in your tooth if you don’t do dental exams regularly. It is recommended to get at least one dental exam every 6 months. If recommended by your dentist, maybe more than one. Find yourself a good dentist like AIMS dentistry that makes you feel good and knows exactly what to do.
Are dental X-rays safe and required?
Dental experts study to make proper use of x-rays. They set the proper limits for their safety Medical and patient’s safety. A good dentist tries to take as minimum x-rays as possible. Sometimes, x-rays are the only way to diagnose a problem. Thanks to the advancement in technology that has made x-rays safer than in the past because they release less radiation. You can expect x-rays during your first visit to check the overall health of your teeth and gums. Especially, if you are suffering from gum disease, dentists prefer taking x-rays every 6 months. For healthy teeth, or regular check-ups, you can expect x-rays every 2 years, but it depends on your dentist. Usually, kids have to go for more x-rays than adults.
Do teeth need fluoride/fluoride toothpaste?
Fluoride can make your teeth stronger and prevent tooth decay. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (American Dental Association – ADA), kids should use toothpaste with fluoride. However, it should not be swallowed. Fluoride is also good in preventing various diseases in adults.
Which foods stain teeth?
Artificial sugar and acid present in fizzy drinks can damage your teeth’ enamel and cause dark stains on the teeth’ surface. Other than that Coffee, Red wine, some starchy foods such as pasta or potatoes can create conditions that cause staining.
What are my options on how to fix bad breath?
Bad breath is an indication of poor dental hygiene caused by small, decaying food particles lodged in crevices in the mouth. It can be treated by regular flossing, brushing your tongue, using mouthwashes that contain antibacterial agents. Keep in mind that a bad breath also indicates a medical disorder that needs to be treated.
How do fillings work?
Fillings are required to close cavities. If cavities are left untreated, they can break through the enamel surface and get bigger and bigger. While filling, your dentist with numb your mouth first. Thereafter, they proceed with drilling and preparation for cavities. A white mix (combinations of strong materials) which is called composite goes into the prepared area and then hardens when dries. You may experience little pain or pressure during the procedure. Once done, it can last a long time. It requires repair if they break or wear down over time.
What do sealants do?
Sealants can protect your teeth against cavities. Kids between the age of 6 to 12 years can have sealants on chewing surfaces like back teeth or molars to prevent cavities. For adults, if they do not have fillings, can get sealants to protect their teeth. It is painless and lasts around 2 to 4 years.
What’s the best way to whiten my teeth?
There are many whitening products available in the market. However, nothing is as best as procedures done by your dentist. Opt for ADA seal products, if you are trying to do it by yourself. Consult with your dentist before trying a new whitening product. Do not use any whitening product for a long time, this could damage your teeth.
How can I fix my teeth and smile?
There could be many possible ways to fix teeth and smile depending on the issue. Using caps and crowns to cover the problem teeth is very common. In this procedure, your problem tooth is covered by surrounding them in material and it looks the same as your real tooth. Your real tooth is used as a root and inside of the tooth as a base to build on. Then, a special white material, cement, is used to attach and form teeth. A veneer is another way to improve the smile. Discuss with your dentist what works best for you.
Are sweets and ice bad for my teeth?
Yes, sweets are bad for your teeth. Foods like candy and soda that have acidic material in it, could stick to the teeth’ surface. This can lead to cavities. Smoking and tobacco can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Ice can break your teeth and stress your jaw.