Electric Toothbrush

hi your mouth stinks, yaks if anybody pass such comment on you just imagine what you will feel.Most of them they even dont tell directly to you but they start avoiding you and this may result in the failure of your life may be ur business partners may be ur friends and may be ur family members. So dont let you expirence such a situation in your life. The thing what i want you to concentrate is your oral hygiene.
Oral cavity is the gateway to good health at the same time millions of micro-organism do travel and do reside in oral cavity as we use the oral cavity every second of our life time , so its our responsibility and only ours to maintian it.From ancient days this act is being followed by various modes and methods in different places, considering the civilised colony on the earth nowadys people are using toothpaste with various contents and various brands to maintain the oral hygiene. but this is not enough, if it is done in proper way it really makes a difference. I must, no not only me but the each and every individual which do clean their teeth must be thankful to the rapidly developing techno world which gave a unique product like ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH.
Elcetric toothbrush have more advantages than the manual toothbrushes.In manual toothbrushes we guide the toothbrush to make the movement on the tooth surface considering that it had done a great job of completley cleaning the teeth but some where has gone wrong such as you are in hurry and just did brushing for one min rinsed and finished. This is not possible in Electric toothbrush as its movements are guided by the small motors in it and the time can be adjusted for toothbrush to make brushing for nearly two to three minutes as required by the norms by the Dentist. There are various Electric toothbrush manufactured by various companies like sonicare, baurns and much more with various fancy items richt from childhood to old age and right from home to travel toothbrush.In short to achive your desired goals in your life you have to be physically fit and fine, and the basic and the key of it starts from your oral cavity which you have to maintain it through out the life i would say that oral cavity is the gateway to the good and healthy plus wealthy life. So dont waste the time if you havent sticked up with various new products to maintain the oral hygiene then go on and act accordingly.

Pregnancy and oral care

Pregnancy is a special time to take extra care of your teeth and gums. During pregnancy your hormonal balance is altered and your gums become more susceptible to disease.
BEFORE YOU BECOME PREGNANT:It is important to establish good oral hygiene practices now so that when you become pregnant you will have already established a daily routine. Dental plaque(bacteria) needs to be cleaned from the teeth and gumline by brushing and flossing everyday. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Use dental floss daily to clean between your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. You can check how well you remove plaque by using special plaque disclosing tablets or solution. These are available from the chemist.
VISIT YOUR DENTIST:It may be more comfortable for you to complete any dental treatment required before pregnancy especially as you may experience nausea and vomitting or become tired as your pregnancy progresses.
NOW THAT YOU ARE PREGNANT:
MORNING SICKNESS: (nausea and vomitting) may be experienced during the first term of your pregnancy. The stomach contents are acidic and may dissolve some of the tooth enamel. To avoid tooth damage after vomiting or gastric reflux dont brush your teeth if you have just vomitted. Instead wipe a smear of fluoride toothpaste over the teeth and rinse with water.
GAGGING: Can aften occur while brushing your teeth.If this makes you feel sick, try to concentrate on your breathing as you clean the back teeth. Brushing without toothpaste can also help but return to using fluoride toothpaste as soon as possible.
CRAVINGS: You may experience cravings for certain foods. Frequent snacks and drinks especially sweet ones can lead to dentalcaries (decay). Choose a wide variety of snacks which are low in sugar, fat, and salt and high in fibre.Drinks such as milk and water are recommended.
YOUR GUMS: may be easily irritated by dental plaque. When you become pregnant the hormones in your body change. These hormones can cause your gums to become inflamed and bleed. Clean your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing each day to reduce the irritation and keep the gums healthy. During pregnancy ask your dentist to check the condition of your gums and advise you further on how to care for them.
BRUSHING: Its is important. To avoid plaque build up it is important to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums twice a day. Remember each tooth has five surfaces a front, a back, two sides and a top. The only one sure way to prevent dental disease is to clean every surface.
FLUORIDE: Strengthens the teeth and helps prevent decay. Fluoride is found in most toothpastes and your dental professional may recommend you also use of fluoride mouthrinse or have a professional topical fluoride treatment. For your baby there is no clear evidence that taking fluoride tablets during pregnancy will strengthen the baby's developing teeth or help to prevent decay for the baby's teeth. If your your water supply is not fluoridated then your dentist may advise that the baby have a fluoride supplement.
DENTAL AND MEDICAL VISITS: If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, it is important to tell your doctor or dental professional when you visit. Practitioners are carefull in prescribing medicines to pregnant women and only advise those which are really needed. Certain medicines such as the tetracyclines antibiotics can affect your baby's developing teeth. If possible dental x-rays should be avoided during pregnancy however if your dental professional considers if essential for you to have an x-ray special care and protection will be taken.
OLD WIVE'S TALE : There is no truth in the old wive's tale that says a tooth is lost for every pregnancy. Good oral hygiene procedures will ensure that you have healthy teeth and gums during pregnancy.
CALCIUM : it is very important. When you are four months pregnant your baby's teeth and bones begin to calcify. The calcium and phosphorous needed comes from what you eat and if neccessary from your bones. These minerals do not come from your teeth. When you are 7-9 months pregnant your baby needs more calcium and phosphorous. These minerals are best obtained by eating more dairy foods.
Milk and milk products are an excellent source of calcium. Chosse those that are low in fat and sugar. If you dont drink milk or eat milk products such as cheese and yogurt chosse other products that are high in calcium. If you are having difficulty see your doctor or dietician for advice. They may recommend calcium supplements.
LOOKING AHEAD : At first your newborn baby does not have decay causing bacteria in its mouth. As the teeth come through the gum the bacteria that causes decay is passed to the baby by the main carer. Usually the mother, by kissing, food tasting or by cleaning the dummy in their own mouth. It is important that carers thoroughly clean their own teeth and have all their own decayed teeth treated so that they will have low levels of bacteria.This will reduce or greatly delay the transfer of these bacteria to the baby.
ORAL HEALTH GUIDELINES: Plaque is essentially made up of bacteria. By using antibacterial products you can help control plaque formation.
* Visit your dentist before you become pregnant and during your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and gums stay strong and healthy.
*Brush twice a day and floss thoroughly everyday.
*Use an antibacterial rinse such as COLGATE PLAX before you brush to reduce palque and make your brushing routine more effective.
*Use a soft toothbrush and a proven antibacterial fluoride toothpaste such as COLGATE TOTAL.
*Change your toothbrush regularly.
*Eat a nutritious diet from wide variety of foods.
*Increase your calcium intake.
*Avoid frequent snacks that contain sugar.
"PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE"

Babies oral health

TREATMENT FOR CHILDHOOD TOOTH DECAY
Its an article for a lay person on the various options available for treatment of children teeth according to the problem faced by your child.
TREATMENT FOR CHILDHOOD DECAY :
1.Restorative treatment or restoring the lost tooth structure: When a child needs to have his or her tooth restored(or a filling done) the treatment modality will be decided by the dentist, according to the extent of the tooth decay and the symptoms experienced by the child(eg. pain, swelling, difficulty in eating etc.). here are some of the options of restorative treatment for children which you can avail of for your child as per the instructions of your dentist. *COMPOSITE: Composite refers to a substance made up of an acrylic resin filled with inorganic substances, silicate quartz or tricalcium phosphate. The composite is usually but not always applied to the tooth in a plastic i.e pliable form and sets either by itself or with the use of blue light( ultra violet light ). A technique called acid etching i.e etched preparation of the tooth surface is usually used to improve the stabilty of the filling in the cavity. Other techniques such as computer generated restorations forms and indirect composite restorations.i.e where filling is made on the model of the tooth and then fitted in the mouth are also now being used. Composite filling materials are used most commonly in the restorations of anterior(front) teeth because they have very good aesthethic properties. They are easy to colour match and come in many shades and brands. They are also now used extensively in posteriors(molars) because they are aesthethically more pleasing than amalgum( silver fillings) and also have adequate strength.
*SILVER AMALGUM: Also called as silver filling restorations, dental amalgum is a mixture of alloy of metals including mercury, silver copper and zinc which are combined to form soft and silvery looking paste which hardens on setting. This filling material is used for restoration of the form and function of teeth. Dental amalgum has been used extensively for many years in dentistry as a choice material for fillings though in recent years there has been much debate about the safety of the material and more specifically about the safety of mercury used in the mixture. Over a years , amalgum has proved to be a stable and useful restorative material. Your dentist will advise you on whether he still recommends the use of this material for filling or not.
*COMPOSITE RESINS: Aesthethic results using tooth coloured composite resin filling materials are excellent. Therefore composite resin mainly used for front teeth and small holes in the back teeth. Under suitable circumstances composite resins may also be used to change tooth colour shape and size to improve the smile.
*GLASS IONOMER CEMENTS(GIC): GIC is another type of tooth filling material which is commonly used for baby teeth filling close to the gum and root area. It bonds the tooth structure and releases fluoride to help strengthen teeth and prevent decay. However the problem with GIC is that it is weaker and wears faster than composite resins and amalgum. It is also not as effective as composite resins in terms of colour.
2.INFECTED TEETH.
PULPOTOMY : A pulpotomy or a coronal pulp amputation(pulpectomy) are types pf treatment which involve the removal of part of vital pulp. The pulp is living part of the tooth which contains nerves and blood vessels amongst other things. A pulpotomy removes infected tissue and leaves healthy tissue behind to allow healing or growth of the root. In pulpectomy the tissue of the root canal is removed as well. It will be recommended to you, If the dentist thinks it is the treatment of choice.
EXTRACTION:extraction means the removal of a tooth from the jaw, usually using instruments called forceps or elevators. An extraction can also be carried out surgically when the dentist needs to make extra incisions or remove some bony tissue to get the tooth to come out. Surgical extractions are carried out when a normal or straightforward extraction is not possible. There are few guidelines to be followed if your child has had a tooth extracted.
*The mouth should not be rinsed out vigorously for some time(usually 24 hours afterwards)*The mouth should be kept clean and the remaining teeth should be brushed as normal.
*You may be given advice on how to stop bleeding from the socket afterwards.
3.MISSING TEETH:
SPACE MAINTAINER: A space maintainer is a removable or fixed appliance designed to maintain a space created by the early loss of a primary tooth in the mouth. Space maintainers are usually fitted in a child's mouth when he or she has lost a primary tooth early and the gap left needs to be held open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt in the correct position. There are many different designs of the space maintainer and the materials normally used are metal or acrylic.

Cavity Prevention Tips

Providing proper care and oral hygiene during pre-school years can mean a lifetime of good oral health.Research shows that children who develop cavities in their baby teeth are more likely to develop cavities as an adult. So how can parent determine if their child is at risk for cavities? It all begins with that first trip to the dentist. The first dental visit should include an exam to determine if the child is at low, moderate or high risk for cavities and will help decide which oral hygiene program best suits him or her. The dentist will be able to explain to the parent how often the child should be brushing as well as provide flossing instructions for the child.
Brushing should begin when the first tooth erupts. Parents should be in charge of a childs brushing untill the child is able to tie his or her shoes or write their own name clearly-usually five or six years of age.
Children whose parents are prone to cavities and tooth decay need to be extra careful. We know there's a genetic predeposition to tooth decay. Children at high risk for cavities should be discouraged from eating starchy snacks such as crackers and chips. In fact one good way to dtermine if a snack is good for child is to check their teeth 20 minutes after consumption. If the teeth are still filled with food the snack should be discontinued.
Regardless of what food is eaten regular efforts have to be made to clean the teeth before decay can begin. This means things like brushing and using non-sugary beverages in bottles or sippy cups.
Even if your child is not at risk, it is always good to routine dental check-ups and to limit your child's intake of sugary food's.Essentially all children are at risk to some extent or another. So the basic principles apply- controll of exposure of cavity inducing food and through cleaning of the teeth. Even if decay is a low risk for an individual child they can still develop gingivitis or other problems if home care is inadequate.

Wisdom Tooth

WHAT IS THE WISDOM TOOTH? : The teeth known as wisdom teeth appear around the age of 18 or later unlike others which erupt during childhood. Thus the name wisdom tooth-not that an individual has quite gained all the wisdom of a lifetime by then, but certainly more so than when other teeth erupt.
The wisdom teeth are in fact a set of third molars which usually have to be extracted, since they often do not grow fully, appear in wrong position or remain embedded in the bone. These problems usually occur due to the decreasing size of the jaw. Apart from this there are a number of very real reasons why wisdom teeth need to be removed.
REASONS WHY WISDOM TEETH NEED TO BE REMOVED: Wisdom teeth can be hard to clean to since they are often awkwardly placed and thus prone to decay. Bacteria can affect the tissue surrounding partially erupted molars and cause gum diseases.Crowding can cause damage to adjacent teeth and the jaw bone. If teeth are impacted , cysts can form and destroy the surrounding bone.
MYTHS RELATED TO WISDOM TEETH: There is a myth amongst the general public that removal of the wisdom teeth affects vision. This is in fact only a myth and a ridiculous one. If removing teeth were to affect the vision, then a person with no teeth would be blind. Vision is not affected in any way by extraction of teeth or for that matter, by any dental procedure.
HEALTH HAZARDS RELATED TO TEETH : It has been thoroughly researched and documentated that poor dental health especially poor gingival health leads to heart problems. This happens because the bacteria from the mouth travels via the medium of blodd to the cardiac tissue and leads to cardiac disorders.
Besides this, it is also important to bear in mind that in patients with diabetes, the blood sugar level rises with any infection to the mouth and vice versa. Therefore a high blood sugar level gives rise to weak gums and loose teeth. Also remember that there are certain medicines which have an adverse effect on the teeth, amongst them blood pressure medicines and medicines used in renal diseases which might give rise to gingival enlargement. Apart from this some medicines may bring about the condition known as dry mouth which may again lead to an increased tendency towards cavities.

Sanitizing toothbrush

With the cause of numerous contaminated toothbrushes there is no doubt within the dental community worldwide that the importance of cleaning and sanitizing the toothbrush is a topic which cannot be overempasized. Research in the US suggests that lingering colds and sore throats are often due to re-infection from contaminated toothbrushes. Even more serious links currently being inspected which imply that bacteria involved in chronic oral infections may play a role in heart attacks, diabetes and premature birth.
Gums Terminator a new device launched in the US may free toothbrushes totally of germs that live in their bristles and cause infections with bacteria like streptococcus mutans, staphylococcus aureus, porphyromonas gingivalis, Herpes simplex virus and candida albicans. Dental hygienists always speak about the importance of good oral hygiene but its more than just brushing and flossing. If bacteria from your own mouth, from multiple toothbrushes stored in the same cup or even bacteria from the bathroom are allowed to build up on the toothbrush you use every day when the simple act of brushing can propel germs into your bloodstream possible triggering infection.
The germ terminator functions to eliminate 99.999% of these germs. After brushing the toothbrush which is placed in the germ terminator along with pure water, is exposed to steam and dry heat which does the trick. The sanitizing action of the device is modeled after the sterlization equipment used in dental offices and is said to be safe, economical and easy to use.

Dental Erosion

Dental erosion is the break down of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth. Dental enamel is the thin outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape while protecting it from decay.Frequently consuming foods with a low pH value such as soft drinks fruit juices pickles fresh fruit and yogurt can lead to irreversible dental erosion. A low pH environment in the mouth helps contribute to dental erosion.pH( potential of hydrogen) is a standard way to measure the acidity of a substance. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. A lower pH means that a solution contains more acid. Higher the pH its more alkaline(or non acidic). when a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it has pH of 7 which is neutral.
When food or drink that is acidic is consumed the enamel will soften for short amount of time. Typically, saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid found in the mouth. If foods high in acid are consumed on an excessive basis, the mouth cant repair itself and the greater the chance for dental erosion. As the availability of soft drinks increase so does the amount of erosion in our population. The primary action can take to decrease their likelihood of erosion is to reduce consumption of sugary sodas, fruit juices and sport drinks. Vegetarian diets and diets in which fruit comprises more than 66 percent of total food intake also makes patients more susceptible to erosion. Erosion can also be caused by stomach acids introduced into the mouth through vomiting acid reflux. These findings are important and suggest that caution should be exercised when consuming certain foods over a long period of time.
ACIDS FOUND IN COMMON FOODS :
*soft drinks- Phosphoric acid
*fruit and fruit products- Citric and malic acids
*Fermented products(yogurt)- Lactic acid
*Grapes and wines- Tartaric acid.
After eating or drinking chew sugar free gum to stimulate saliva flow , there are certain chewing gums which decrease the ph level of the mouth. And also rinse with water for 30 seconds. And most important use fluoride toothpaste.

Sensitive Teeth

For millions of people sensitive teeth can make life miserable. The pain and discomfort make even hot or cold foods impossible to enjoy. All is not lost. In many cases sensitive teeth can be successfully treated bringing long sought after relief.
*WHAT CAUSES SENSITIVE TEETH: Usually tooth sensitivity presents as temporary tooth discomfort or pain after eating or drinking cold things and aslo sometimes while breathing the cold air. If the pain is very high in intensity and prolonged see your dentist because this may be sign of an unhealthy tooth nerve.
Most commonly the problem begins when the gum recede. Like a protective blanket, the gums cover the roots of the teeth. As gums recede the underlying tooth roots are exposed. Gums commonly recede for one of two reasons
*Improper heavy handed brushing of the teeth .
*Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque build up around the teeth and gums and after a long time it gets turned into tarter which eventually recede the gums exposing the root surfaces.
*PREVENTING SENSITIVE TEETH : The key to preventing tooth sensitvity is to keep the gums from receding. Reducing the pressure when we use to brush the teeth helps tremendously. The problem with this is that our tooth brushing is an unconsiously ingrained habit reinforced after decades of brushing and therefore nearly impossible to change. We advise people to use and advanced electric toothbrush (plaque remover) like the Braun 3D excel or sonicare. These toothbrushes feature pressure sensors that stop the brush when you apply too much pressure. Another option is the alert toothbrush which activates a warning light when you brush too hard. Preventing gingivitis and periodontal disaese with proper oral hygiene is also crucial in preventing gum recession, remember, it takes 2 to 3 minutes to properly brush all your tooth surfaces. Most people spend less than 45 seconds leaving areas untouched where plaque and tarter can bulid up. Flossing is crucial in order to reach the 35 % of the tooth surfaces where brushing cannot reach.
*TREATING SENSITIVE TEETH: What can you do once you already expirence sensitive teeth? A major advance in treatment has been the introduction of sensetivity toothpastes containing STRONTIUM CHLORIDE . These products, like sensodyne and a host of others, coax the minerals in your saliva to crystalize and cover the pores on your exposed roots so that cold stimulli can not reach the tooth nerve. After a few weeks of use the sensitivity usually goes away. Unfortunaetly, the same heavy handed brushing which caused the sensitvity in the first place can brush away the pore covers created by the toothpaste. This will cause sensitivity to return. For this reason we suggest that people use the alert toothbrush while using sensitvity toothpastes. Additionally highly acidic foods(citrus, soda pop, tea) can increase sensitvity and work against the sensitvity toothpaste.Sensitivity toothpastes containing POTASSIUM NITRATE can also help reduce tooth sensitvity. These toothpastes desensitize the tooth nerve directly. Treating teeth with fluoride mouthwashes also can help reduce tooth sensitivity. If you cannot get relief by brushing gently and using sensitvity toothpaste your dentist has several options for relief. Your dentist can use oxalate compounds that when rubbed on the root will reduce if not eliminate the sensitvity. Many dentists prescribe high fluoride content mouthwashes which can help reduce tooth sensitivity. Dentists may also apply ' bonding agents' to close the pores of the tooth root.

Teeth Grinding or Bruxism

Teeth grinding is a habit that usually occurs in the sleep. Also known as BRUXISM in medical circles. Bruxers could be grinding their teeth (at night) and may be totally unaware of it . Many dentist's feel that bruxism is dental manifestation of a psychological problem. If you are aware of theeth grinding in yourself or in anyone else around you, then talk to your dentist about it
*SHOULD I BE CONCERNED IF I HAVE BRUXISM? : Yes, bruxism is a serious disorder if you let it continue for too long. Grinding can cause teeth to become painful or loose. Patients can grind away parts of their teeth, leaving worn surfaces or fractured enamel. The exposed teeth then become sensitive to hot or cold sensations. Bruxism over a period of time can result in chipped, broken or reduced teeth and receding gums. Many bruxers often experience pain in the jaw muscles and continious grinding may even cause the jaw move out of proper balance. Consult your dentist and find out what is to be done.
WHAT CAUSES BRUXISM : It is a disorder that can affect all ages of people from both sexes. Stress is a major cause of bruxism. Often when you are angry or hurt you find yourself clenching your teeth. The use of tobacco, alcohol or caffeine tends to aggrevate the problem. Another cause of bruxism is the use of some medications, In particular anti-depressants. SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM :
* Teeth grinding, severe or very loud that occurs during sleep.
* jaw clenching
* jaw pain or ear ache
* Abnormal alingment of teeth
* Jaw muscle contraction
* Anxiety, stress and tension
* suppressing anger
* In addition bruxers may aslo bite their fingernails, pencils and chew the inside of their cheek.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT BRUXISM? : To cut down on bruxism the first step is to eliminate or decrease stress in your life. Cut out smoking and alcohol and reduce your consumption of coffee. Specific treatment for bruxism, will be determined by your dentist or physician based on:
* your age, overall health and medical history
* Extent of the disease
* Your tolerance for specific medications procedures or therapies
* Expectations for the course of the disease
* Your opinion or preferance
The Objective of therapy is to get the bruxer to change behaviour by learning how to rest the tongue , teeth and lips properly. Call your dentist if bruxism occurs especially if it is associated with pain in the jaw or ear or if the teeth appear misalinged or if there is difficulty with the bite. About one in three people suffer from bruxism which in most cases can be successfully treated. The treatment may involve.
* BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: Teaching the patient how to rest his or her tongue, teeth lips properly and learning how to rest the tongue upwards may relieve discomfort on the jaw while keeping the teeth apart and lips closed.
* MOUTHPIECE : A specially fitted plastic mouth appliance may be worn at night to absorb the force of biting. This appliance may help to prevent future damage to the teeth and aid in changing the patients behaviour. Do not ignore bruxism , consult a dentist if you notice it continuing over a period of time. Timely intervention can save you from major treatment, suffering and expenses which will occur if the conditon is not treated at the initial stages.