5 Tips on How to Maintain Bright and Beautiful Teeth

Would you like to have bright and beautiful teeth? Of course you would! Most people would prefer to have nice-looking teeth if they had a choice. Likewise, dentists and dental professionals strive to promote healthy and good-looking teeth for all of their patients. Bright and beautiful teeth are beneficial for many reasons - but primarily because when teeth look good, it's a good indication that they are also healthy.(Dental Implant Equipment)



When you visit your dentist for a professional teeth cleaning and routine dental exam two times a year, your dentist will want to make sure your teeth are as clean and polished as possible. Also, your dentist will want to make sure you are not experiencing any dental problems, tooth decay, or signs that your gums are not healthy. If you have dental insurance that covers two routine dental visits per year, it is in your best interest to utilize your benefits and take advantage of the preventative dental services available to you. If you do not have an affordable dental insurance plan and you would like to visit a dentist but feel that it would be cost-prohibitive, there are dental discount plans that can help make dental visits much more affordable.



Following are 5 Tips on How to Maintain Bright and Beautiful Teeth:



Brush your teeth after you eat. Sometimes it is not possible to brush your teeth immediately after you eat. However, most dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least two times a day.



Use your dental floss. Using dental floss on a daily basis helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. No matter what type of dental insurance you have, your dentist will advise you to use dental floss every single day.



Get your teeth professionally whitened. Most dentists who participate in dental insurance plans and discount dental plans offer teeth whitening services. Teeth whitening procedures are a great way to acquire bright teeth!



Try to avoid food and beverages that will stain or harm your teeth. Many dental professionals agree that certain foods (such as coffee, red wine, tea, raw lemons, etc.) can either stain your teeth or expose your teeth to enamel-harming elements.



See your dentist twice a year for a professional teeth cleaning, and make a dental appointment if you experience any tooth pain. It's important to take advantage of the preventative dental services covered by your dental insurance plan or offered at a discount by your affordable dental plan. Preventative dental care is an important aspect to maintaining bright and beautiful teeth. In between your regular dental appointments, be sure to call your dentist immediately if you experience any tooth pain or if you accidentally harm your teeth or gums in any way.



Keep your smile looking bright and beautiful with the help of a dentist on your dental insurance plan or from a dentist who participates in your discount dental plan.(Air Scaler)

What Type of Toothbrush Should You Use?

You might be enrolled in a great dental insurance plan or an excellent discount dental plan. But if you don't know about proper teeth cleaning techniques and the optimal type of toothbrush you should be using, you may not be able to keep your teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible. Using the correct type of toothbrush does make a difference in your teeth cleaning efforts. And believe it or not, many dentists who participate in dental insurance plans and dental discount plans do not necessarily recommend the most expensive toothbrush as the best one to clean your teeth.(dental supplies Australia)

Brushing Your Teeth is an Important Step in the Teeth Cleaning Process
You simply cannot rely on your reflection in the mirror to determine if your teeth are clean. If you have not brushed or flossed your teeth within the last 24 hours, your teeth and gums are probably not as clean as they should be. Your teeth may appear clean at first glance, but skipping a brushing or flossing can lead to the build-up of plaque - which can eventually turn into tartar. Additionally, the build-up of plaque and tarter can lead to the development of gum disease. This is why the dentists on dental insurance plans and dental savings plans continuously stress the importance of properly cleaning your teeth every single day.

What to Look for in a Good Toothbrush
Ask most dental professionals, and they will tell you that the most expensive toothbrushes are not necessarily the best. Some of the features of good toothbrushes include the following:

    Bristles that are the correct firmness (your dentist should be able to recommend either a soft, medium or hard toothbrush that will be optimal for your teeth cleaning)
    The correct angle (some toothbrushes are designed to be held at an angle, and others are not. Your dentist should be able to instruct you on the angle that will work best for your specific mouth)
    High quality bristles that won't fall out (inexpensive toothbrushes often lose their bristles after a few uses. This can be bothersome and also not provide the best teeth cleaning experience)
    Not too big, and not too small (toothbrushes come in varying sizes in order to make them comfortable to hold and fit in the user's mouth. Toothbrushes that are either too big or too small might not effectively reach all areas of the teeth, mouth and gums)



Manual vs. Electric or Battery-Operated Toothbrushes
It is absolutely possible to effectively clean your teeth using any type of high-quality toothbrush - no matter if it's manual, electric or battery-operated. The key to success when it comes to teeth cleaning is the technique you use when brushing. For technique tips or for specific recommendations on the type of toothbrush you should be using, contact a dentist on your dental insurance plan or sign up for a discount dental plan so that you have access to an experienced dental professional located near you.(Micro Motor)

Food and Drink for Healthy Teeth and Oral Care

Beyond the Toothbrush – Eating for Optimal Oral Health

It goes without saying that there are a lot of foods out there that are harmful to your teeth. But the good news is, there are many foods and drinks that are not only good for your teeth, but are part of maintaining great oral health (and overall health, too!).  Here we share a list of some of the foods that are good for, or at the very least, unlikely to harm, your teeth. Keep these dental care tips as you think about your next visit with your dentist!(Autoclave Sterilizer)
Plain Milk or Buttermilk

Plain milk and buttermilk are nutritional powerhouses, that can do a lot of good for your teeth. Packed full of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, they have many of the nutrients required for maintaining strong and healthy teeth! However, steer clear of sugar-packed flavored milks – whether chocolate, or a healthy-sounding strawberry, they are likely full of sugar that will increase your odds of developing tooth decay. If you want to add flavor to your milk, consider adding fresh fruit and turning it into a delicious smoothy!
Raw Vegetables

Raw vegetables are low in sugar, and that alone does your teeth a lot of good. As you chew, saliva will be released, which helps to flush away any potentially harmful residue left on your teeth from other foods. And best of all, raw vegetables don’t stick to your teeth nearly as much as more harmful starchy foods, like potato chips, do – so that is yet one more reason to add more of these into your diet.
Plain Yogurt

Similarly to milk and buttermilk, yogurt is also packed full of nutrients such as calcium, that are required for strong and healthy teeth. Just be sure to steer clear of sugar-laden pre-packaged flavored yogurt. Instead, add sugar-free fruit that you prepare yourself to plain, sugar-free yogurt. Your teeth will thank you later!
Cheese

Just like milk, cheese is a sugar-free source of nutrition that contains important nutrients for oral health, such as calcium. And best of all, just like milk, some cheeses have even been found to be protective against tooth decay!
Fresh Salads

Salads are a great way to fill up on nutrients, without damaging your teeth. Add a nutrition punch with the addition nuts or seeds, hard-boiled eggs, and even a sprinkling of fresh fruit for a touch of sweetness without adding a lot of sugar.
Nuts and Seeds

Raw or roasted nuts and seeds are a fantastic snack – the protein helps fill you up so you don’t feel hungry, and they won’t hurt your teeth the way other sugary snack alternatives can. Just beware of nuts and the like with sugary coatings – the best ones for your teeth are either plain, or lightly salted.
Read Labels Carefully

Sugar comes in many forms, and many names. You may think you’re choosing a tooth-friendly food, but find out later upon reading the label that all kinds of hidden sugar was present. Some of the hidden sources of sugar to look out for are:

    corn syrup
    fructose, or crystalline fructose
    sucrose
    glucose
    ethyl maltol
    evaporated cane juice, cane juice crystals, or cane juice
    honey
    high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, or corn sweetener
    syrup
    malt syrup, or diastatic malt
    maple syrup
    molasses, blackstrap molasses
    agave nectar
    barley malt
    brown rice syrup
    carob syrup

If this list seems like too much to keep track of, don’t worry. The easy way to avoid these hidden sugar traps is to stick to fresh foods that you prepare yourself, from scratch!
Eating Food That Can Promote Good Oral Health Will Benefit Your Teeth For Years

Follow a healthy diet as best you can, and don’t eat too many sugary and acidic foods. Keep up with your regular brushing and flossing, plus regular visits with your dentist. If you do all that, you’re well on the way towards keeping your teeth and gums healthy!(dental laboratory equipment)

6 Great Dental Hygiene Practices

Great dental hygiene is key to maintaining great oral health. Make these 6 tips part of your everyday routine!(Portable X-ray Machine)

Keeping your mouth healthy is one of the most important things that you can do for your health.  Poor oral hygiene affects more than just your mouth – for example, gum disease is associated with an increased risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart disease! Of course you want bright white teeth and a healthy smile, too!

The good news is, it’s not hard or time consuming to care for your teeth.  Follow these simple dental hygiene tips for a healthier mouth!
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Use a soft-bristled brush that’s gentle on delicate gums to brush your teeth twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time.  Your toothbrush bristles can wear out though, so replace that brush every 3 or 4 months.

If you really want to be a perfect caregiver to your teeth, brush after every meal too!  And always, no matter what, brush before you go to sleep at night.
2. Use a Toothpaste with Fluoride

The use of fluoride-containing toothpaste reduces the incidence of tooth decay.  Better yet, it can help to reverse tooth decay that’s already started!  Just make sure you don’t swallow any though – rinse well after use.   Once your child is aged 3 years of age or more, and is capable of ensuring that they don’t swallow any toothpaste, you can use a fluoridated one for them too!
3. Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue gets rid of bacteria and helps to maintain fresh breath.  Do this each time you brush your teeth – it only takes a few extra seconds of your time.  And the next time you find yourself talking to someone in a crowded elevator, you’ll be glad you have fresh breath!
4. Flossing Your Teeth is an Essential Dental Hygiene Practice

If all you do is brush your teeth, you’ll miss out on over 1/3 of the surface of your teeth.  So add flossing to your routine, at minimum, once a day.  Pass the time by doing it while listening to music or watching TV.  Floss your teeth before you brush – this is more effective at preventing tooth decay than doing it the other way around.
5. Visit Your Family Dentist Regularly for a Professional Tooth Cleaning

Most people should visit the dentist twice per year for a professional tooth cleaning and polishing.  This helps to catch problems early, when they’re still small and easily dealt with.  In some circumstances it might be advisable to visit more often – your dentist will advise you if this is the case.

Your dental team has tools that do a great job of removing plaque build-up, and can often clean those hard-to reach areas that your best efforts missed.
6. Minimize Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Sugar provides food for bacteria in your mouth that produce an acid that wears away at your teeth, eventually leading to cavities.  Proper brushing and flossing techniques go a long way towards preventing this, but you can give those efforts a boost by avoiding sugary snacks and drinks.  Look out for fruit juice too!  It sounds healthy, but in fact, can contain just as much sugar as some soda pops since many juice manufacturers include a lot of added sugar.
Incorporating These Dental Hygiene Practices Into Your Routine is Easy

New habits often feel like a lot of work at first, but the longer you keep at it, the easier it becomes to stick with it.  And the benefits of using good dental hygiene practices for your dental health are worth it.  You’ll have fewer cavities, fewer complicated dental procedures, and save money too (since the cost of dental care adds up!)(Teeth Whitening Machine for Sale)

Spring Cleaning: Replacing Your Dental Products

It’s that time of year again—Spring Cleaning. The time to de-clutter your home and make room for the new. Just make sure you don’t overlook your dental products. Even those need to be replaced every so often to keep your smile as fresh and clean as your home.(Teeth Whitening Machine)

The best place to start your dental spring cleaning is your toothbrush. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or earlier if the bristles are starting to look worn or frayed. They should also be replaced after illnesses.

Your toothpaste lasts a lot longer. Most toothpastes have a shelf life of about two years after manufacture. If you aren’t sure how long you’ve had yours, check for changes in texture that indicate that a fluoride paste may have lost its efficacy. If the toothpaste is hard to get out of the tube or has lost its original foaminess, it might be time to toss it!

Your mouthwash has an extremely long shelf life due to the alcohol content, so you can keep using the same bottle for years. Mouthwash can typically be stored for three years, but make sure you keep the bottle capped and in a cool dry area for the best results. Capping the bottle prevents the evaporation of water and alcohol, which can cause a change in the taste and effectiveness of the mouthwash.

And remember, no spring dental cleaning is complete without a visit to the dentist.(Portable X-ray Machine)

Effects of Dental Care on Education

Is your child not doing well in school? Parents usually turn to tutors or computer programs designed to improve classroom performance- but have you checked their teeth? A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2012 found that poor oral health, dental disease and tooth pain can all affect how a child does in school, adding academic performance to the list of things that can be impacted by dental health.(dental lab equipment)

Recently, the Contra Costa Times, a California news source, published an article further explaining how children’s teeth may influence how they do in school.

Thinking of the future
According to the news source, dental advocates across the state have been working together to come up with a plan for how to extend access to dental care to all children. Dentists have gone so far as to say that dental disease is at “epidemic” levels among California children.

“The issue is huge,” Gordon Jackson, director of the state’s Department of Education’s Coordinated Student Support and Adult Education Division, told the Contra Costa Times. This group oversees health, counseling and other support programs provided at schools. “Tooth decay remains one of the most chronic diseases for children and adolescents. As we’re having the conversation about California’s future and student academic achievement, we have to have a conversation about oral health as well.”

The news source also spoke to dental hygienist, Linda Cannon, who screens for tooth decay, cleans teeth and applies fluoride varnish and sealants to children at local schools.  She said that she often sees kids whose teeth look as though they have never seen the inside of a dental office before. Of the nearly 400 kids she examined in the past two years, nearly three-quarters of those in elementary school and half of middle schoolers were showing signs of tooth decay.

The Contra Costa Times added that dental issues cost California schools $30 million in attendance-based funding each year due to so many kids missing school because of dental pain. Because of this, schools have vested an interest in improving the health of children’s teeth and getting kids back into the classroom.

Signs of trouble
It’s important for you to spot early signs dental problems in your child before they escalate. The American Academy of Periodontology states that you should examine your child’s mouth to see if he or she has gums that are red, swollen or receding from the teeth, all of which are signs of gum disease. Furthermore, if your child reports that their gums bleed while brushing or flushing, it’s time to head to the dentist.

Make sure to establish good dental health habits early on and take your child to the dentist when their first tooth appears, or by age 1, whichever comes first. Also, serve as a good role model by brushing and flossing regularly and talking about the dentist in a positive tone so that your child is not afraid of the idea of going to a dental health professional. Studies have shown that parents pass a fear of the dentist onto their kids, so keep that in mind next time you want to roll your eyes when the dentist is mentioned.

We may not realize how important our children’s dental care affects other aspects of their lives. Is your school district doing their part? Let us know in your comments below!(Dental Autoclave)

Will Dental Implants Work for Me?

On the surface, you might think that tooth loss is just that - tooth loss in the sense that there is no tooth in the place where a tooth used to be. But tooth loss can have a much more drastic effect on your oral health and your overall physical appearance if it is left untreated. For instance, when you lose a tooth, the bone that supports it begins to melt away, which can cause a "caved in" like appearance to people's mouths if the issue isn't resolved either through dental implants or dentures.（Autoclave Sterilizer）

But that's not all - tooth loss can also take its toll on the remaining teeth in one's mouth. Tooth loss can cause other teeth to shift around in the mouth, impacting the jaw, muscles and joints. Hence, when tooth loss occurs - for whatever the reason - it's important to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible to prevent these aforementioned aftereffects from occurring. And that's where dental implants come into play.
Dental Implants Explained

So just what is a dental implant? It's a corrective tooth device that is surgically connected to the jawbone, essentially allowing a dentist to replace missing teeth with artificial ones. The first step to installing a dental implant is fusing metal posts or frames into the jawbone, directly beneath the gum, to give an artificial tooth a place to be mounted. Once mounted, the implant will provide stability for the artificial tooth, thereby preventing any shifting or slipping within the mouth and eliminating the problems from tooth loss that we mentioned in the previous section.

There are two main types of dental implants:

    Endosteal: These types of implants are surgically implanted directly onto the jawbone and consist of a second surgery to connect a post to the initial implant. Following the second procedure, the tooth is installed.
    Subperiosteal: With this type of implant, a metal frame is fitted onto the jawbone, eventually becoming fixed to the bone as the gums begin to heal from the procedure. Posts are then attached to the frame and artificial teeth are attached to the posts.

Will Dental Implants Work?

The simple answer is "yes" as dental implants are an effective and safe means for correcting tooth loss issues, should your gums be healthy enough and your situation fit for the procedure. But patients should also be aware that they'll likely have to change some of their oral care habits in order to properly care for these implants. For instance:

    Regular dental visits: It's recommended that you visit the dentist at least once every 6 months. That's even more important to adhere to with dental implants.
    Brushing and flossing: You should be brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and also brushing your implants with an interdental brush to properly care for them.
    Stop smoking: Dentists say that smoking is the number one cause of implant-related issues. Therefore, it's strongly recommended that you cease smoking after receiving an implant.

There are also other things to consider before getting an implant. For instance, it's a process that typically takes a few months and multiple dentist visits to complete. Secondly, it's an expensive procedure, especially when compared to other tooth loss remedies. In fact, it's estimated that most insurance plans only minimally cover the procedure. However, it's important to note that the procedure is safe and implants are ideal for best long-term results.

For more information on dental implants and to set up a consultation to see if your particular situation would be suitable for the procedure, contact Dr. Richard Caven's office today.（dental laboratory equipment）