A Beautiful Smile Can Change Everything

Have you ever heard of how a smile is all it takes to turn a stranger into a friend? You never get a second chance to make a first impression, is your smile all that it could be? With the advancement of dental technology, there is no worry about creating a miracle – a set of yellow, broken teeth can be turned into a set of pearly white teeth that attracts all and puts people at ease.

Whether you have your own business, work for a company or even freelance, there is no denying the power and impact of a beautiful smile. Take Angeline Jolie for instance. She seems to be always smiling. And yes, smiling makes a lot of difference in our daily lives.

Imagine meeting a prospective business partner or an employer and smiling, showing yellow, broken or misaligned teeth. Yes, it can be a turn off to see a person’s unkempt teeth. If you were in the other person’s shoes, it might make you think about the person’s personality or character.

How could he or she not have enough time for personal hygiene? That might be the thought running in your head if you were the other person. Now if you are meeting a potential date with such an off-putting smile, it might be a disaster from the very beginning. So if you currently have truly dark yellow teeth, don’t worry.

With scaling or teeth whitening, a capable dentist can solve your problem. Now if the problem is slightly broken or chipped off teeth, the dental expert may propose veneers. For teeth that are badly broken or chipped off, he may suggest dental implants instead. In the case of those with badly misaligned teeth or jetting teeth, he may suggest braces.

Don’t fret about wearing braces because of your age. Honestly, it does not matter. But if you do, there is a great solution – Invisalign. It is akin to a clear mouth guard. So even if you were to wear it, nobody is really going to notice!

What’s more, you can take it off easily and quickly on your own for that all-important meeting or date. It all depends on the actual condition of your teeth. Getting the right dental treatment is very important. This is to ensure that there are no unwarranted future dental problems due to wrong application of procedure or treatment. In other words, make sure that you go to a qualified and capable dentist, one who has years of dental experience and your best interests at heart.

Why Your Gums Are So Important to Your Health

Many people think oral hygiene only has to do with the teeth and forget all about the gums. Gum hygiene is very important not only for your dental health but overall health as well. The blood vessels, which run through your entire your body are also in your gums. So there is a possibility of disease spreading to your entire body via your gums.

To start with, how do you practice good gum hygiene? Use a good mouthwash to rinse your entire mouth including your gums properly at least twice a day. Remember that food can get stuck in your gums too. Why is gum hygiene important to your teeth?

Have you ever heard of gingivitis or periodontitis? Gingiva is actually another word for gum. To put it simply, gingivitis means gum inflammation or disease. If gingivitis worsens due to lack of care and treatment, then it becomes periodontitis, which is bone loss around the teeth.

What causes gingivitis? Many things such as the body’s hormonal changes and plaque can cause gingivitis. If there is plaque on your teeth, it is merely a matter of time before gingivitis develops. Increase in the number of bacteria can cause swelling or inflammation of the gums.

If you see blood while flossing or brushing your teeth, don’t panic. This blood might be due to the swelling of your gums or gingivitis, which is not really dangerous. All you have to do is visit your local dentist and practice good oral hygiene until you get rid of gingivitis. Don’t leave it like that.

It can worsen and become periodontitis. When gums and bones start to pull away from the teeth, periodontitis occurs. Food remains begin to gather in the newly formed pockets or spaces between the teeth and gums. Bacteria, which is always present in the mouth starts to act on this plaque.

As time goes on, the bacteria increases in number and begins to spread, causing a reaction from the body’s immune system. Enzymes are let loose to fight the spreading bacteria. As a result of this fight, toxins are released. These toxins destroy the connective tissues and bones that keep teeth in place.

Consequently, teeth begin to loosen. If periodontitis were to worsen, teeth become very loose and finally fall out. Findings show that periodontitis or gum disease is the main reason why tooth loss occurs among American adults. To prevent any kind of gum disease, take good care of not only your teeth but your gums as well !

Dental Tips While Traveling

Imagine traveling to a foreign country only to find out that you’ve got a bad tooth
problem. Indeed it is true that emergencies do happen without any warning whatsoever.
But there is a saying, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. So here
are some dental tips for travelers.

It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling within the country or out of it. If you are
planning to travel for some time or make a long distance trip, go for a dental checkup
at a decent dental clinic. This is indeed important especially if you are thinking of going
out of the country. Finding a good dentist in a foreign and unfamiliar country is not going
to be easy.

The dental cost might even be much higher than you bargained for. The dentist, whom
you visit prior to your travel, will be able to do something if there are signs of your teeth
or gum condition worsening. But this doesn’t mean there will be no emergency. What if
you fell down and broke your teeth?

Anything can happen at any time. So before you travel, sign up with associations like
IAMAT, which is short for International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.
Don’t worry; you don’t pay a single cent to become a member. With this membership,
you will gain access to the worldwide network of dental and medical personnel.
The other thing you can do is to contact the American Embassy or Consulate in the
specific country and request for a dental referral. Don’t take a risk by walking into the
very first dental clinic you come across at the expense of worsening your teeth or gum
condition. There could be a risk of serious disease in the event of non-sterile dental
practices.

That covers the part of any unprecedented emergency. But what about the items you
need to take along for your trip? Well, if you are going overseas for a few months, then
do take along at least two toothbrushes with soft bristles, fluoride toothpaste, floss and
mouthwash. If you wear dentures or braces, don’t forget to take along the cleaning
solution and orthodontic wax.

If your trip includes hiking, skiing or any other similar dangerous activity, do think about
bringing along a mouth guard with you. The mouth guard will protect your teeth and
gums in the event of a fall. Also, while you are traveling, no matter how tired you are, don’t
forget to practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with the
mouthwash at least twice per day and floss your teeth once per day.

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Dental Care for Diabetic Patient

It doesn’t matter whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Greater dental care compared to those without diabetes is very much necessary. If you are wondering why, it is mainly because of your blood sugar level.

Poorly managed blood sugar levels result in white blood cell issues. White blood cells fight against bacteria to protect the body. Without the aid of these cells, there are higher risks of dental and gum problems. Because of diabetes, a person may experience certain conditions like dry mouth.

This can cause tooth decay, ulcers or other issues if not taken care of. In a diabetic patient, blood vessels are thicker, resulting in slower transfer of waste products and nutrients to and from cells. This further weakens the power of the cells to fight against bacteria. So if you didn’t follow proper dental care, there might be risks of gum diseases like gingivitis or even periodontitis.

When food remnants aren’t properly removed, there are chances of plaque forming. If this plaque is not removed, it turns to tartar. And if tartar is left than just like that, gingivitis forms. Gingivitis refers to the condition of bleeding and swollen gums.

Left untreated, gingivitis worsens to periodontitis, which damages bones and soft tissues that sustain the teeth. As a result, teeth become loose and finally fall out. Another concern about not following proper dental care is in terms of tooth decay. If starchy food is not removed through proper brushing or flossing, bacteria act on this food and forms plaque.

The acid in plaque works on the tooth’s enamel causing a cavity. When this cavity is not filled properly, tooth decay eventually happens. So what can you do to prevent dental issues due to your diabetic problem? To start with, find a soft toothbrush and toothpaste which has fluoride.

Then practice brushing at least two times every day. The best practice is to brush your teeth after each meal. Flossing your teeth is also important to remove whatever food remnants that may have stuck under the gum line or in between your teeth. If you have problems maneuvering the floss, then get a floss holder.

Some people may have problems brushing their teeth properly with a toothbrush because of shaky hands. If you face the same problem, just get hold of an electric toothbrush. Most importantly, make it a point to visit a qualified dentist regularly. Considering how vulnerable diabetic patients are in comparison to those who have regular blood sugar levels, oral hygiene experts advise a dental visit of every three to four months instead of six months.

Advice from Ben Franklin about your health !

We’ve all heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” from Ben Franklin but are we really applying this to our life ? Dental care is an area where this saying is especially true. You can think you are all fine by brushing every day, but that is not enough !

In order to really make sure you are preventing future trouble with your teeth and mouth, you need regular visits to the best dentist you can find. Hammer and Bonin Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Santa Rosa invites you to come in and experience all that modern dentistry has to offer. And even though we use the latest in technology, it is the caring manner and time we take with every patient that keeps people coming back.

We’re confident that if Ol’ Ben was living in Santa Rosa, we’d be seeing him fairly often and we would be making sure all areas of his dental care were up to date.

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Do Animals Practice Dental Care ?

Have you ever wondered if animals practiced dental care? No, I’m not referring to your pet dog or cat that you take care of. I’m talking about wild animals, wild cats, wild dogs, crocodiles, elephants and so on. How do crocodiles keep their teeth sparkling white and clean?

Don’t they get tooth decay like we do? But then, they don’t take carbohydrates such as starch and sugar like we do. What are the chances of them getting tooth decay when their main meal is nothing but raw meat and bones? According to a senior wildlife researcher, Adam Britton, crocodiles have their very own way of ensuring their teeth stay clean and white.

They expose their teeth while in water. The water washes their teeth. And later the Sun sterilizes their teeth when they are basking in the glory of the Sun with their jaws open. But that’s not all.

Crocodiles are lucky enough to be endowed by Nature with 40 sets of teeth throughout their life. And most crocodiles die before the limit of 40 sets is reached. Another unbelievable happening is the symbiotic or two-way relationship between the Nile crocodile and Egyptian plover.

While resting on land after a meal, the Nile crocodile leaves its jaws open, enough for the Egyptian plover to enter into its mouth. The Egyptian plover has no fear of entering the crocodile’s mouth and performing the work of a dental hygenist, ‘scaling’ the crocodile’s teeth. The bird eats whatever food remains that are stuck on the crocodile’s teeth! That’s an amazing wonder.

 What about wild cats, wolves and wild dogs? To start with, wild cats and wild dogs don’t take mushy and soft food like pet cats and pet dogs. Their main diet consists of raw meat and bones. Wolves, wild dogs and wild cats clean their teeth when they gnaw on the bones of their kill.

The other thing about these wild animals is that they don’t live that long, not long enough to suffer from excruciating tooth pain or very bad tooth decay. And of course, these smart creatures abstain from taking sweet and starchy food, the key culprits for tooth decay in humans and pet dogs or cats. In the case of wild animals, cavities happen because of injury.

But in our case, it happens because of food trapped in between our teeth. So what is it that we can learn from wild animals and their ‘dental care’? Practice good oral hygiene and abstain from taking too much sugary or starchy foods to prevent tooth decay.

If you are human, we recommend visiting http://www.mysantarosadentist.com/ .

Dental Care for Teens

Life as a teenager can be pretty tough indeed. With one foot in adulthood and another still in childhood, you might be more self-conscious than a child or an adult. So if you happen to have misaligned teeth, don’t opt for the wire and metal thing.

Why go for something that is sure to proclaim to the world at large that you have misaligned teeth and you are in the process of correcting them! The same thing applies if you are looking for methods to improve the cosmetic appearance of your teenage child’s teeth. If not for metal braces, what else is there?

Well, there is something called Invisalign for your teeth. You get to eat what you please. And you spend less time and energy taking care of the aligner or cleaning your teeth. The reason for this is very simple –you can remove the Invisalign aligner on your own!

It looks something like a clear mouthguard. So even if you were to smile, the aligner wouldn’t look obvious. You don’t have to feel self-conscious about smiling or laughing, do it to your heart’s content. The first step to getting your aligner is visiting a good dentist for a smile analysis.

Yes, that’s right. There is something called a smile analysis – the dentist will look at the overall condition of your teeth. Is there any chipped, crooked or missing tooth? Do your teeth have plaque or tartar?

Are your teeth stained? Most probably, the answer will be yes to both questions. Don’t worry, there is a good solution – cleaning & polishing and teeth whitening! Once you’ve got your Invisalign aligner, don’t forget to observe good oral hygiene.

It may seem like a cliché but honestly, do brush all your teeth a minimum of two times each day – once before you sleep at night and the other when you rise in the morning. Flossing your teeth daily is also wise. Now if you’ve got a sweet tooth like me, it is imperative that you brush and floss as mentioned earlier.

In addition, rinse your mouth with water at the very least after eating any kind of sweet food. Perhaps, you may think what the heck. Just remember this: the effects of poor oral care wouldn’t be obvious now but later on in life! What’s more, it’s not only about the condition of your teeth but your gums as well.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease or bad breath. Do you want people to keep their distance from you because of your teeth or gums? So don’t wait anymore. Start taking good care of your teeth now!

Confused about your Dental plan ?? What is covered ?

Anna finds her Dentist in Santa Rosa, CA.

What are the Best Alternatives to Candy for Better Dental Health ?

By now, most of you probably know how sugar candies can trigger tooth decay. Perhaps you think that since you religiously floss and brush your teeth twice daily, there is hardly any possibility of tooth decay happening. But actually this depends on what kind of candies you take, how often, when and so on.

So the wisest course of action especially if you already have cavities (filled or otherwise) is to abstain from taking sugar candies altogether. Yes, doing so might seem very difficult more so if you have a sweet tooth. So the trick is to take the best alternatives to candy for better dental health.

One great alternative is chewing gum that is free of sugar. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean there is hardly any sweetness. This kind of gum is actually sweetened by using Xylitol. Xylitol is extracted from vegetables or fruits. So there no possibility of tooth decay with this sugar alternative.

Instead it helps to prevent bacteria that cause tooth decay from growing. Another thing about chewing gum is that you exercise your mouth, which is said to be good for your overall dental health. Now if chewing gum does not appeal to you, there is another great option – dried fruits like dates and raisins but in moderation.

 

Packed with fiber and vitamins, both dates and raisins will make wonderful snacks not only to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings but also for your overall body health. Raisins are said to be rich in anti-oxidants. This means you also enjoy the benefit of great looking skin. If you don’t like them dry, then take fresh fruits like ripe watermelon, banana and apple.

Not only are they good alternatives to candies but they are also packed with fiber, minerals and vitamins for your overall body health. For those who want something similar to candy, consider making your own sweets made of manuka honey. Recent findings indicate that manuka honey has antibacterial characteristics, which can help to prevent plaque and cavities.

Taking manuka honey also helps to neutralize whatever acid that was produced by other foods in your mouth. So there are less chances of tooth decay. Taking alternatives to candy especially for those who love sugary foods or have a sweet tooth will reduce the risk of tooth decay. But that doesn’t mean you should stop visiting your dentist.

Bear in mind that oral hygiene specialists advise a trip to a good dentist every 6 months. But if you happen to have diabetes or poor dental health, then it is wiser to visit the dentist sooner, perhaps every three months or so.

more information at http://mysantarosadentist.com