For this week’s Ask A Dentist column, our pediatric dentist shares tips on how he gets his young children to brush their teeth. The question was sent in by  blogger and mom Romina C. from California, who recently blogged about National Children’s Dental Health Month.  Here are two of oral health-related questions that she sent over to Smile Generation-trusted dentist Eric Ellis, DMD.(dental air compressor)

R: What tips/tricks have you heard parents use to get young children to brush their teeth?

DR. E:  “Being a father of four year old twins some days were easier than others.  Creating a routine worked well with us.  When they were little we were more successful in the evenings, and we would do everything in the same order before going to bed.  Potty, wash hands and face, followed by singing a song while brushing and flossing our teeth.  Of course some days we did better than others, but the kids eventually understood the routine and became active participants, even in the singing.  For older kids, allowing the kids to pick a special toothbrush or toothpaste from your local retail store may create enough interest to become more successful.”(Dental Implant Machine)

R: What about mouthwash?

DR. E:  “Mouthwash can be effective as well. Mouthwash should be only utilized if the product is designed for children and the child can effectively spit out the rinse. Please only use only as directed by your pediatric dentist and in the guardian’s presence.”

Eat food, when the plaque is left, creating an acid that plaque reacts with the sugar, dissolve the teeth. This is the beginning of tooth decay. But compared to the previous decade tooth decay it has been reduced, and shine leave or row of teeth is poor, risk of tooth decay is higher. When it comes to severe tooth decay will require root canal treatment with root canal treatment equipment.(dental air compressor)

Teeth be present all 28 this, it has to function the engagement normal. Mere is a big mistake to think one and. Have you heard of fluorine? It is the element that has been used for dental caries prevention in the world.

This fluorine, is there action to hasten the repair of a hole before the state in tooth decay. You also caries prevention that incorporates all means fluorine from today. Since the roots of the teeth have been very complex branching, it takes a lot of time to treatment. If you do not remove the cause was part of the inflammation completely, because there is a risk of relapse, you will need to treat patiently until the end.(Dental Implant Equipment)

Dental plaque is a buildup of minerals like calcium in our saliva that come in contact with our residual plaque and form a hard deposit called calculus (more commonly known as “tartar”) that adheres to the surface of the tooth.(oilless air compressor)

Failure to remove dental plaque from the teeth allows gingivitis and periodontitis (gum inflammation and infection) to develop. The only way to thoroughly remove this calculus is with a professional dental cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist every six months.

A professional dental cleaning usually involves five steps. The first step is to measure the depth of the periodontal “pockets” or the space between the teeth and the gums. This helps dentists find and measure pockets of infection, gum recession, root exposure and bone loss.

Usually, your dentist will take a full mouth digital dental radiograph to help find problems below the gumline (such as bone loss, abscesses or fractures). Since the majority of dental disease is found below the gumline, it’s important to use digital radiographs to evaluate the health of your teeth.

The next step is to remove tartar buildup using ultrasonic or pressurized cleaning instruments that act like an electric toothbrush. Following this, dentists will do “hand scaling” and “root planing” with precise hand instruments to remove the stubborn hard dental calculus that adheres to the tooth surface below the gumline and in the spaces between teeth.

The final step is to polish the teeth to remove any residual stains and biofilm. Dentists apply a special fluoride gel or foam to the freshly exposed surface to help strengthen the enamel and prevent tooth sensitivity.(Dental Implant Machine)

Some people have no more anxiety about a visit to the dental office than they do for a hair styling appointment; for others, seeing the dentist is not quite so stress-free. Studies show that about three-quarters of us are at least a little nervous about dental visits, while 10-15 percent of people have a great deal of fear—enough to prevent them from getting dental treatment at all. That’s truly unfortunate, because without routine professional care, they stand a good chance of having more severe (and more expensive) dental problems… or even losing their teeth!(high speed handpiece for sale)

If the thought of seeing the dentist makes you tense or worried, there’s good news: Modern dentistry has a wide range of methods to help you relax and to ease your way though treatment. In fact, one of the most effective isn’t really “modern” at all: It was first used for tooth extractions in the mid-1800’s. This anxiety-relieving medication is correctly referred to by its chemical name, nitrous oxide, but is sometimes still called by its outdated nickname, “laughing gas.”

Nitrous oxide is a sweet-smelling, colorless gas that works to relieve anxiety and promote a feeling of well-being during dental treatment. It is usually mixed with oxygen and administered via a nasal mask — so to take it, all you have to do is breathe. One of its advantages is that the infusion of gas can be easily increased or decreased, so its effect can be precisely controlled during treatment. When the procedure is over, the flow of nitrous oxide is reduced to zero, and its effects wear off within minutes.

Nitrous oxide is often used in a type of anesthesia called conscious sedation. When this is induced, you will remain awake, able to breathe normally and to respond to verbal cues – but you won’t feel any anxiety about your treatment, and you may have little or no memory of it afterward. Because it’s administered by breathing, it’s especially helpful for those who have a fear of needles.

In some procedures, nitrous oxide may be used in combination with another local anesthetic to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort. And because it’s a potent medication, your dentist will take a complete medical history, including all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking, before administering it. Yet through decades of use, nitrous oxide has proven to be safe and effective.

Nitrous oxide is just one among many methods for helping you overcome the apprehension and anxiety that is sometimes associated with dental treatment. Other techniques include practicing stress-relieving exercises; having candid discussions about your fears with your dental care team; taking a more gradual pace with your dental work; and using other medications or types of sedation. If you think one or more of these methods could benefit you, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist about them. But above all, remember that there’s no reason to let fear of the dentist get the upper hand.(Dental Autoclave Sterilizer)

How often in life do we take that first – often hardest step – and then kind of…freeze? The diet we start, the gym we join, the resume we update. We’ve all been there. And we all know that a start without the follow up is not really what you had in mind.

So, let us help you by reminding you what’s next when it comes to your dental care. You signed up, you picked a plan, and you’re saving money, so now what?

Pick up the phone. Call your dentist of choice and schedule a check-up and x-rays for yourself and your family members. At your appointment, you can expect to meet first with the dental hygienist, who will give you a first looking-over and take the necessary images (with a bib on your chest to protect you from the radiation), and then with the dentist, who will take another look and walk you through whatever next steps are necessary based on his/her observations and the x-ray results.(oilless air compressor)
If your first appointment does not include a cleaning, you will schedule one, along with any other necessary follow-up appointments, when you check out. A dental cleaning is a professional removal of harmful plaque (caused by the bacteria in every mouth), a thorough flossing, and a cleaning/polishing of your teeth. Whether you are an A plus student when it comes to your own teeth, or leave something to be desired, this step is critical to your oral and overall health. Even the most thorough and careful among us cannot remove all of our accumulated, harmful debris. We all NEED professional tools, know-how, and experience.
Your dentist and hygienist will have given you tips for healthy self-maintenance: better, more thorough brushing and flossing; perhaps a change to more appropriate products; maybe a recommendation for further appointments either there or with a dental specialist. Please…make the time to follow up properly. Do not let the time you have already spent go to waste. Minutes a day and hours a year will do wonders for your family’s health, smiles, and esteem.
Schedule your next professional cleaning. This isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime or once-a-year event. You’ll need a deep clean at least twice a year. You can schedule the next appointment when you leave and/or ask the office to send you or call you with a reminder when it’s time to head back.
Change your toothbrush every three months. Your dentist will give you a new one, so, as soon as you’re home, toss the old one. Then, in your print or electronic calendar, write in the date to replace it again. It’s good practice to keep extra toothbrushes at home so you have them ready when the time comes. They are inexpensive and are often sold in bulk. Make sure you get the best brand with the most appropriate texture for you. We can’t overstate the importance of using effective, new tools.

Do not be intimidated by any of this. You’ve already done the hardest part. Just keep at it and remember, when it comes to your dental and overall health, prevention and maintenance are key. You know it. Now do it.(Dental Implant Equipment)

So you have acquired a fine set of dentures to replace those troublesome teeth, and you figure your dental issues are finally over?

Well, not quite.

Life with dentures is better, especially if you’ve been embarrassed about your decayed, loose or missing teeth. But your nifty new removable teeth come with their own set of potential glitches. Thankfully, most of the issues that most commonly bother denture-wearers are preventable or easily fixable.（dental air compressor）

The Adjustment Period

When you first get your new dentures, whether they are partials or a full plate, you’ll need to get used to them. Your may have sore spots or irritation on your gums. You may be unable to pronounce certain letters without hissing or whistling. You may be nervous about removing your dentures to clean them. You may also notice that you are producing a lot of saliva, or have a very dry mouth.

If your dentures are more than slightly uncomfortable, or if the discomfort lasts for more than a few days or you develop red spots or sores, head back to your dentist. Your dentures may need to be readjusted for a perfect fit, or the dentist may be able to offer suggestions that can make your first week or two with dentures more comfortable.

If you are having problems pronouncing certain words, take 20 minutes once or twice a day and read out loud to yourself. You’ll almost certainly find that you’ll be speaking more clearly very quickly.

Changes in saliva flow is normal, and will often correct by itself in a few days. Your body may think your new dentures are food, and produce more saliva in response. There’s not much to be done about this, but your body will figure it out quickly.  For dry mouth, sip water often, perhaps suck on sugar free mints. You can also ask your dentist about products that help with dry mouth.

Watch for cracking or irritation at the sides of your lips. This can come as a response to an overabundance of saliva, or it could indicate an oral infection.

A few people find that they gag on their dentures. This is almost always a matter of improper fit. If not, then try to adjust to the dentures over time – perhaps by slowly increasing the amount of time that you wear them. If you do find that you simply can’t wear dentures comfortably, you may want to look into dental implants.

Life with Dentures

Keeping your dentures and your mouth clean and healthy will require a change in your dental hygiene routine. Standard toothpaste and toothbrushes are too abrasive for dentures. Use products that are made for denture care. If you have a partial, you’ll want to use your usual toothpaste and possibly toothbrush on your natural teeth. Or you may be able to use the same, soft brush for your dentures and natural teeth, depending on your preferences and your dentist’s advice.

Your dentist will probably advise you to remove your dentures at night, clean them and store them in water or a denture cleanser. You do want to keep them moist when they aren’t in your mouth or they may dry out, become brittle and very breakable.

Speaking of breakable, even properly cared for dentures are very fragile. Dropping them just a few inches onto a hard surface can easily chip or crack them. Take your time – especially in the beginning when you’re probably a bit nervous – whenremoving or cleaning them, and put a towel onto the counter or floor to protect your dentures if you do drop them. It’s also a good idea to fill the sink with water before you clean your dentures, if you drop them the water will cushion their fall. Figure out what works for you.

Long-term denture issues

Your dentures may need to be refitted after a few years, or you may even need to get a new pair made. This can happen due to bone loss caused by periodontal disease or conditions such as diabetes. Or your gum shape may have changed naturally over the years. Some people who have lost a lot of weight insist their dentures became too big, but medical studies indicate that this is unlikely.

Dry mouth can also cause dentures to not fit well, as saliva helps “seal” the denture to the mouth’s supporting structures.

Check in with your dentist as soon as possible if your dentures start to feel loose or as if they suddenly are the wrong size – too big or too small – for your mouth. You’ll be far more comfortable and confident when your dentures fit properly, plus you’ll avoid the gum irritation and abrasion that loose-fitting dentures can cause.

One last word of advice: do not try to adjust your own dentures, no matter how skilled you are at tinkering. You’ll almost certainly end up spending more money to get them fixed after you’ve messed them up than you would have spent to get them adjusted in the first place.

Buying and maintaining dentures

Medicaid and many dental insurance plans don’t cover dentures. If your insurance does offer coverage, it is unlikely to pay to replace teeth that were missing or fragile prior to your purchase of the insurance plan. You will also have to wait, often up to a year, for denture coverage.

Dental discount plans can help you save on dentures, and there are no restrictions on pre-existing conditions and no waiting periods for procedures once the plan is activated.（Dental Implant Machine）

Children need their space. You may have heard that before in another context, but it’s literally true when we’re talking about teeth. Sometime between the ages of 5 and 13, your child will lose 20 baby teeth and gain 28 permanent teeth. Each of those adult teeth needs a specific amount of space to grow in correctly. Yet there are a couple of things that can crowd in on that space and create potential problems in the bite. Let’s take a look at what they are, and how the right dental treatment at the right time can solve the problem.(dental x-ray machine)

Premature Loss of Baby Teeth

Sometimes a baby tooth is lost too early: It may be knocked out in an accident, or become too decayed to save. Some parents might feel this is no big deal, given that baby teeth are not permanent anyway. But actually, it’s a very big deal. For one thing, your children need all of their baby teeth to eat comfortably and speak properly—and they will need them for many years. Secondly, the baby teeth have another job that many people are not aware of: They hold the correct amount of space for the permanent teeth that will replace them.

If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, that empty space might not stay open long enough to accommodate the tooth that’s meant to grow into it. Why not? Because teeth are not actually rigidly fixed in the bone that surrounds them—they can move very gradually in response to the forces at work on them all the time, such as the pressure from biting and chewing. If there’s a gap in your child’s smile, those forces might cause some of the neighboring teeth to shift into the empty space that is meant for a specific adult tooth. What happens next is that the adult tooth meets resistance from those neighboring teeth as it’s growing in, and it shifts out of alignment.

How can this be prevented? Children who lose a baby tooth prematurely are often fitted with a device called a space maintainer. This often takes the form of a metal band that fits over a tooth adjacent to the empty space, with a wire loop extending across the gap and resting against the tooth on the other side. Sometimes, a crown (artificial tooth) attached to an adjacent tooth may also be used to fill the gap. In either case, your child’s dentist will remove the space maintainer when the permanent tooth erupts.

Inadequate Jaw Size

Sometimes there isn’t enough space for permanent teeth to grow in simply because of heredity: The jaw is just too small to accommodate the full set of teeth that are developing. Keeping an eye on this type of situation is one of the many reasons your child needs to see a dentist regularly. If your dentist sees that tooth overcrowding is likely to be an issue for your child because of jaw size, he or she will likely send you to consult with an orthodontist—a specialist in tooth alignment and jaw development.

There is an orthodontic appliance called a palatal expander that can gradually increase the size of a growing child’s upper jaw. The upper jaw is actually two separate bones that grow towards each other and fuse at the middle of the palate (roof of the mouth). However, this fusion isn’t complete until a little after puberty; so there’s a window of opportunity to influence the size of the jaw by pushing the two bones apart. New bone will grow in between them to solidify the expansion–but this treatment can only be effective if the child is still growing.(Teeth Whitening Machine)

Root canal treatment is one of modern dentistry’s most effective ways to prevent damaged or diseased teeth from being lost—it’s so effective, in fact, that this procedure is performed about 15 million times a year in the United States alone. But sometimes, months or years after a root canal, a treated tooth may become stained or discolored.  Is there any way to restore that tooth to its natural brightness?(dental air compressor)

In many cases, the answer is yes: It can be done with a whitening method called internal (or non-vital) bleaching. To understand how that works, let’s look a little closer at different methods of tooth whitening, and see how root canal treatment affects the tooth’s ability to be whitened.

In most cases of tooth staining—for example, when it is caused by smoking, drinking coffee or red wine, or aging in general—the color change occurs on the outer surfaces of the teeth. This type of discoloration is called extrinsic staining. It can often be moderated by lifestyle changes (need one more reason to stop smoking?), the use of whitening toothpastes, and regular in-office professional cleanings. When that isn’t enough, special bleaching products can be used to lighten the teeth. Whether treatments are given in the dental office or applied at home, these products offer the best (and safest) results when used under a dentist’s supervision.

Some stains, however, don’t arise from surface discolorations, but instead come from deep inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains, and they sometimes occur after root canal treatment. There are two major reasons this may happen. In some cases, when the tooth has lost its vitality due to trauma, it may bleed internally and gradually become darker due to pigments in the blood.  In other cases, the treatment process itself can eventually cause discoloration.  In root canal treatment (which may be needed to save the tooth), the living, infected pulp tissue deep inside the tooth must be carefully cleaned out; the tooth is then disinfected and sealed up. Sometimes, the cements used to seal the root canal treatment can cause the tooth’s structure to darken over time.

The good news is that it’s possible in many cases to alleviate the staining with whitening agents that work from the inside out. This process is called internal or non-vital bleaching, and it may be performed at the same time as a root canal, or afterward. Here’s how it works:

If the tooth is being treated at a later time, it will first need a complete examination (including X-rays) to assess its condition and determine whether this kind of treatment is appropriate. Next, after the area is numbed, a tiny hole will be made on the tooth’s back side. This provides access to the pulp chamber, a tiny cavern-like space at the center of the tooth. The pulp chamber will be cleared of debris and discolored material if necessary, and sealed where needed to prevent any bleach from leaking. Next, the bleaching agent itself is delivered to the pulp chamber, and the access hole is closed. This treatment may be repeated if necessary.

In some situations, the bleaching agent may be placed into the cleared pulp chamber during the initial root canal treatment—especially if the tooth is already noticeably stained. In all other respects, the procedure is the same.(Dental Implant Machine)

When we picture a bright, appealing smile, we focus most of our attention on the teeth. But there’s another component of the smile that’s just as important: the healthy pink gum tissue that surrounds and sets off those pearly-whites. Sometimes it’s not a tooth problem that makes a smile look less than perfect—it’s the gum tissue. Let’s look a little closer at how your gums affect the appearance of your smile… and what you can do if you aren’t satisfied with what you see.(oilless air compressor)

In most people’s perception, there’s an “ideal” ratio between the width of a tooth’s crown (its visible part) and its length: that ratio is around 78-85%. In addition, we expect to see just 1-2 millimeters of gum showing in the smile. If an excessive amount of crown is showing, the teeth are perceived as “long.” (And because gum recession often occurs as we age, making more of the crown visible, it may make a person appear older, or “long in the tooth.”) On the other hand, if more than 3 or 4 millimeters of gum tissue is revealed in the smile, the effect is perceived as a “gummy smile.”

Of course, there is wide variation in normal human anatomy, as well as in the perception of beauty. But if the appearance of your gums is making you unhappy with your smile, there are a number of ways to deal with the issue—including the option of reshaping gum tissue with periodontal plastic surgery.

For example, if your teeth appear too long—or if the area near the gum line looks more yellow than the rest of the tooth because the darker-colored dentin, normally covered by the gums, is exposed—it may be possible to restore healthy gum tissue via gingival (gum) grafting. Grafts can be done via a variety of techniques: using gum tissue adjacent to the tooth with recession; taking a thin layer of your gum tissue from the roof of your mouth or another site; or with safe, laboratory-processed tissue from another source. The high-tech materials and procedures currently used in periodontal grafting are the outcome of decades of research and development. They offer an effective means of treating gum recession—which can be not only a cosmetic concern, but a potential oral hygiene problem as well.

If the issue is a gummy smile, a periodontal procedure called “crown lengthening” can be an effective treatment in many cases. In this procedure (which may be performed via conventional or laser surgery), excess gum tissue and underlying bone is removed and/or re-shaped to reveal more of the teeth. The end result is more pleasing proportions of teeth and gums.

If you’re unhappy with your smile, ask your dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) whether reshaping your gums could help. He or she will carefully evaluate the condition of your gums and teeth, and your oral health in general. Gum surgery can be an important part of a complete “smile makeover,” which can give you the dazzling smile you’ve always dreamed about.(Dental Implant Machine)