Category Archives: Tooth Enamel

The Most Important Style Accessory for Summer: Your Smile!

31 Friday May 2013

Posted by in cosmetic dentistry, DentistUSA.com, General Dentistry, Sensitive Teeth, Smile, Tooth Enamel

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Can you believe we are half way through 2013? It seems like, just yesterday, we were cheering in the New Year. But here we are, at the beginning of summer.

So, with the weather warming up and people concentrating on their summer wardrobe, I thought we should talk about what your most important summer accessory will be: your SMILE =)

A national survey from the American Dental Association, Crest® and  Oral B® found that the smile outranked eyes, hair and the body as the most attractive physical feature on the opposite sex.  However, “men and women differ when it comes to taking care of their teeth and gums. The nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18 and older found 86 percent of women brush their teeth twice or more a day, yet only 66 percent of men do so,” according to the survey. And everybody needs to floss more “Only half of those surveyed (49 percent) say they floss their teeth once a day or more often.”

How can we brighten up our smiles?

At-home whitening products are very popular. Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., former president of the American College of Prosthodontists suggests whitening toothpaste or white strips. Though, the later may cause tooth sensitivity. He also suggests beginning your teeth-whitening regimen (even whitening strips) a few weeks before your dentist visit. “This way your dentist can address any sensitivity issues,” he says. “And if the product doesn’t work, he or she can determine if the discoloration is more serious.”

The most common in-office whitening procedure involves custom-made trays filled with stronger bleaching solution (than what is available in over the counter solutions) that fit over teeth. A light or heat source is used to speed up the whitening process. This process gives you the best whitening available.

What is the best solution for you? “If your teeth and gums are in excellent condition, you may want to consider an [at-home] whitener,” says Kellee Kattleman Stanton, DDS, a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. But if your teeth or gums are sensitive, at-home whiteners may not be the best choice as they can cause irritation. At that point, it is best to visit your dentist.

What’s the best way to keep that smile shinning? Dr. Ada Cooper, an ADA consumer adviser and practicing dentist in New York City says, “Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep your smile healthy.”

So, instead of hitting the mall and looking for that perfect summer dress, let’s think about our dentists and get that perfect summer smile! Don’t have a dentist? Check out DentistUSA.com. A quick check up can brighten up your smile and help brighten up your summer!

Sensitive Teeth

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in General Dentistry, Sensitive Teeth, Tooth Enamel

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The other day, the weather in my neck of the woods reached 100 degrees. I thought, “What a perfect time for a nice, cold, ice creamy treat.”

I said, “Good idea, brain!” and went to my freezer, pulled out an ice-cold Klondike bar and bit in to that sucker with wild abandon.

Unfortunately, instead of tasting the refreshing coolness of ice cream and chocolate, I felt the knee buckling pain of sensitive teeth!

For anyone who has felt this searing pain, you have learned to stay away from anything cold, like a little kid who has just found out that touching a stove is a bad idea. However, I am not one to give up (or I don’t learn as quickly as a three year old) and I took another bite thinking this was a one time medical issue and I’m sure it has gone away by now.

Nope.

Searing pain…again…

In that moment (a moment of pain and the fear that I might have to give up my unabashed addiction to any and all things ice cream) I decided to fix what seemed to be and oncoming issue with sensitive teeth. (Please note: I’m writing this to tell the story of what I went through to help my teeth. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or pain, see a dentist!)

First, I explored what causes sensitive teeth. Thank you WebMD:

Sensitive teeth occur when the underlying layer of your teeth, the dentin, becomes exposed as a result of receding gum tissue. The roots, which are not covered by hard enamel, contain thousands of tiny tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve center. These dentinal tubules, or channels, allow the stimuli — for example, the hot, cold, or sweet food — to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel.

In other words: I have exposed nerve endings in my teeth and they are not happy.

There are many factors that may lead to sensitive teeth, including:

  • Brushing too hard
  • Hard Bristled Toothbrush
  • Tooth decay near the gum line
  • Recession of the gums
  • Gum disease (gingivitis)
  • Cracked teeth
  • Teeth grinding  
  • Tooth whitening products
  • Your age – Tooth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25 and 30.
  • Plaque build-up
  • Mouthwash use
  • Acidic foods
  • Recent routine dental procedures

The first two reasons seem to be the most obvious culprits for my sensitivity. My wife has told me that I brush, somewhat aggressively and I have come to find out that I have a medium-bristled toothbrush. A double whammy when it comes to sensitive teeth. I have also had some recent dental procedures done. This could be my answer (I’d like to think it was the age factor but I am not between the ages of 25 and 30. Still, my sensitive teeth are starting to make me feel good about myself. Not good enough to make me give up ice cream, mind you).

So what can I do to cure my ailing teeth? What would I do without you, WebMD:

Some steps you can take to prevent tooth sensitivity include:

  • Maintain good oral hygiene.
  • Use a soft bristled toothbrush
  • Use desensitizing toothpaste
  • Watch what you eat
  • Use fluoridated dental products
  • Avoid teeth grinding
  • See your dentist at regular intervals

Since my Klondike incident, I have switched to a soft bristle toothbrush and have started using a desensitizing toothpaste. I have even made an appointment to see my dentist, upping my one check up a year, to two (I would like to say I watch what I eat but most of my food watching occurs as the fork is entering my mouth).

So far, all my dental habit changes have been for the better. I have no pain in my teeth and I can eat as much ice cream as I want… Much to the chagrin of my growing waistline.

The Best Foods For Your Teeth

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in General Dentistry, oral hygeine, Tooth Enamel

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We’ve all heard the adage, “You are what you eat.” Well, the first thing that gets affected by what you eat are your pearly whites. So what are the best things to eat so that smile stays bright and white?  St. John Providence helps us with the answer:

Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables – Fiber-rich foods work like a detergent in your mouth, says the American Dental Association (ADA). They also stimulate saliva flow, which neutralize the acids and enzymes attacking your teeth. Saliva also contains calcium and phosphate, so it helps restore minerals to teeth that have lost them from the bacterial acids. Apples, avocados and broccoli are all high in fiber to help that smile sparkle.                                   

Cheese, milk and other dairy products – Like the fiber above, Cheese makes you salivate. Plus, the calcium and phosphates in dairy products help put back minerals your teeth might have lost due to those nasty bacterial acids. According to the Medicinal Food News, “Aged cheddar, Swiss, blue, Monterey Jack, brie, Gouda and processed American cheese all have been shown to reduce dental caries.”

Green teas – Tea contains polyphenols, which kill or suppress plaque bacteria, preventing them from producing tooth-attacking acid. A Science Daily report said, “Researchers found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums.”

Sugarless gum – Another saliva generator, sugarless gum also helps removes food particles from your mouth. Orbits, Extra and Eclipse have all been given an ADA seal of approval.

Fluoridated drinking water – Most water in the United States has fluoride added to it. So, any product you make with fluoridated water will help your teeth. Dehydrated soups, powdered juices and drinks; really anything using fluoridated water. That’s, of course, as long as they are low in sugar.