Q. I see so many toothpaste and mouthwash products on store shelves. Do any of them really protect me against gum disease?
A. Brushing and flossing, plus getting regular cleanings, are critical to preventing gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease linked to bacteria in the mouth that can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
The toothpaste that you buy should contain fluoride, which helps prevent cavities by several mechanisms, including remineralizing tooth enamel so it can be more resistant to the acid produced by decay-causing bacteria. Toothpastes with higher fluoride concentrations are also available by prescription from your dentist, if needed.
Newer toothpastes on drug store shelves contain an ingredient called stannous fluoride, which can help reduce plaque (the soft, sticky film on your teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease). Some brands with this ingredient include: Crest ProHealth Advanced Extra Gum Protection, Crest ProHealth Clinical Plaque Control, and Parodontax. But stannous fluoride has the potential to stain teeth, so those products also contain scrubbing and whitening ingredients.
Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent in Colgate Total, has been found to be particularly effective against plaque, but it has also been linked to hormonal changes in animals and may be contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance.
According to the American Dental Association, at least part of the anti-plaque effect comes simply from the mechanical action of brushing and the cleaning power of toothpastes that contain mild abrasives.
What about mouthwash?
Likewise, some mouthwashes contain ingredients that kill bacteria, inhibit plaque formation, and thus help protect against gingivitis. If you have periodontal disease, your dentist may prescribe a rinse with chlorhexidine (such as Peridex or Perioguard), which is most effective against plaque.
“I don’t recommend using chlorhexidine long term, however,” cautions Mazen Natour, D.M.D., a Manhattan-based prosthodontist and a clinical professor at New York University College of Dentistry. “We typically prescribe chlorhexidine mouth rinses for one week prior to dental implant surgery and two weeks after. If you use them for longer than that, you may stain your teeth permanently.” Chlorhexidine can also temporarily impair tastebuds.
If you have a lot of plaque buildup or gum inflammation between cleanings, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter rinse. Crest Pro-Health Multiprotection CPC Antigingivitis/Antiplaque Mouthwash and Colgate Total Gum Health both contain cetylpyridinium chloride 0.075 percent, a safe alternative to chlorhexidine.
The bottom line
Whether you choose to use over-the-counter products to try and prevent gingivitis or not — and Natour says those OTC products can be used on a regular basis — the game changes if your gums should bleed. In that case, you should always see a dentist as soon as possible.
“Bleeding gums indicate you have inflammation in your mouth, and it may not be because of gingivitis,” he says. “It could be caused by periodontitis [gum infection]. By using a toothpaste or a rinse instead of seeing a dentist, the problem could become more severe.” In fact, you could lose a tooth, he warns.
Are your teeth not quite pearly or white? Don’t worry, we have five easy solutions to make your teeth whiter and brighter.
Did you know that one-third of Americans are unhappy with their smile? That statistic includes more than teeth discoloration but having yellow teeth was definitely a complaint from survey respondents.
Are you one of that 1/3? Have you tried or looked at trying commercial whitening strips in the past, but found them too expensive or inefficient? If yes — that’s because there are better ways to fix teeth discoloration, like by talking to your dentist about it.
Want to know what your dentist would suggest if you asked them about yellow teeth? Read about the dentist-approved methods below.
1. Reduce Consumption of Staining Foods
While you can’t go back and time and un-eat or un-drink all the things you’ve consumed in the past, you can prevent your teeth discoloration from getting worse. This is especially important if you use one of the more efficient teeth whitening methods below, as you’ll want to protect your investment.
Some of the worst foods that turn your pearly whites into yellowy whites are…
Black Coffee
The issue with coffee isn’t so much its dark color, but its high acidity. That acidity hurts your enamel, which, in turn, allows the color to discolor your teeth.
We’re not suggesting you stop drinking coffee. We know that’s unrealistic and mean to suggest. Instead, try adding a little more milk or creamer to your cup of joe. Milk and creamers (and some plant milk) have fats in them, which reduces the effect of the coffee’s acidity on your teeth.
Red Wine
Alas, it’s true. Dark wine can discolor your teeth if you drink enough of it. Instead of turning them yellow, however, they get a little blue. Just ask the French, who have this problem often.
If you’re going to keep drinking red wine, make sure to rinse by drinking water afterward and ask your dentist for a neutralizing mouthwash recommendation.
Cutting back on wine, coffee, and other foods that are bad for your teeth won’t retroactively whiten them, but they can help you keep your new teeth (see below) healthy for longer.
2. Get Regular Cleanings
It’s possible that you have naturally white teeth but that they’re hiding under all that plaque. Plaque is a substance that builds up on your teeth when you eat, drink, and just generally live your life.
It’s a film of bacteria that builds up and can be taken care of by regular brushing and flossing. If it builds up for too long or you’re not doing a good job brushing, it can cause tooth decay, discoloration, gum disease, and increased tartar build-up.
Plaque and tartar are what your hygienist removes from the cracks of your teeth when they use the scraping tool during cleanings.
If you’re thinking, “but I do brush my teeth!”, it’s possible you don’t brush them well. You should be brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
Ask your hygienist or dentist if you’re missing a certain area of your teeth while brushing to improve your technique — no one is perfect, and they’ll respect you for asking!
3. Get a Professional Whitening Done
The most effective way to fix tooth decoloration, at least, without getting “new” teeth, is to get professional whitening done at your local dentist office.
Your dentist will prescribe a specific treatment strength and length for you, based on the types of teeth stains you have and your sensitivity levels. Those are two things you won’t get from at-home whitening kits, which are made to be much stronger than they need to be.
If you’ve ever used one, you probably remember having heightened sensitivity or even pain after going through a course of at-home whitening treatments. While in-clinic treatments aren’t perfect, they’re a lot less likely to cause you pain — during the treatment and after.
Think that getting your teeth professionally whitened will take too long? Our clinic prides itself on being fast and efficient, without losing quality. We’ll get it done as quickly as possible so you can get back to your day, with your teeth shining.
4. Veneers
Sometimes whitening isn’t the best option. Either it would take too many treatments to fix the types of teeth stains that are part of your tooth discoloration issues or you have sensitivity issues.
If that’s the case, look into getting veneers. They’ve come a long way since you heard about them (or even got them) as a child and the process is getting more pleasant.
If you have white stains on teeth, veneers are a better option than whitening, as whitening teeth can just make those stains whiter.
The veneers we use are custom porcelain, which we custom-shape to your teeth using CAD/CAM technology.
Additionally, the coating on our veneers is stain-resistant, so you don’t have to add that much milk or creamer to your coffee as we suggested above.
Are you dealing with more issues than just teeth discoloration? Veneers are multi-use. They can help create the appearance of closing gaps between teeth, reshape a crooked tooth without painful drilling, and aren’t as involved as getting dental implants (though those are sometimes necessary).
Veneers are something our dentists specialize in, so let the team know if you’re interested in them at your next appointment or by calling our office staff.
5. Full Mouth Restoration or Smile Makeover
Technically these are two different procedures, but people use the terms interchangeably. To clarify, a full-mouth restoration includes more than addressing cosmetic damage and may include dental implants, extensive dental work, and possibly surgery.
A smile makeover, on the other hand, is mostly cosmetic. It could include braces, teeth whitening, getting veneers , or a combination of the three.
Your dentist will help you decide which treatment is right for you based on your specific concerns. Call today to set up a quick consultation and squeeze in a cleaning while you’re at it — you know you’re due for one (most adults are).
Addressing Teeth Discoloration: The Root of the Problem
Part of fixing teeth discoloration is figuring out what made it possible in the first place. Of course, some age-related discoloration is normal, as our teeth age over time.
But if you think your teeth are more yellow or you have more teeth discoloration than other people your age, talk to your dentist about it. They can help you whiten your smile and keep it from getting re-discolored after treatment.
Noticing gum recession? It could be a result of your brushing habits.
At our practice, we care about more than just your teeth—when you visit us for a regular checkup, it’s important that we examine your gums to ensure well-rounded oral health.
#1: Gums should not bleed when you floss.
If you don’t floss regularly, chances are you notice a little bit of blood around your gums when you do. Intermittent flossing can lead to gum disease and recession, as well as excessive plaque around your teeth. For proper oral health, we recommend flossing each day to keep your gums healthy.
#2: Bad breath can be an indicator of poor gum health.
Bad breath doesn’t always revolve around your last meal! In some cases, it can be indicative of your gum health. When gum disease is in the early stages of forming, bacteria can grow between your teeth and gums, leading to an infection that can contribute to bad breath.
#3: Brushing too hard and too frequently can cause gum recession.
One might think that the more they brush their teeth, the better their oral health is. However, this notion is wrong. Brushing too frequently can actually do damage to your gums, causing irritation and recession. Treat your gums the best by brushing every morning and night for two minutes each time.
Your flight is booked. Your carry-on is packed. You're ready for a change of scenery and things like "gum disease" might not be the first thing on your mind. But, whether you're on business or on holiday, sometimes travel can make your oral hygiene more likely to fall to the wayside.Here's how your oral health can take a hit while you're travelling, as well as some tips for keeping your smile healthy - even when you're off on an adventure!
1. Disrupted hygiene routines
When you're at home, you likely have a set schedule. Daily routines make it easier to brush and floss your teeth, helping keep issues like tooth decay and gum disease at bay.
Travelling means you’re more likely to go through time zone changes, which can make it tougher to know exactly when you last cleaned your teeth. Considering the long distance between Australia and many international destinations, you may require a stopover or two. During all this travel time, you might start to develop that “fuzzy tooth sensation.”
What to do
Always remember to pack a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss in your carry-on. Then, either set alarms every 10 hours or so as a reminder, or simply brush your teeth 20 minutes after each meal. If you do forget your toothbrush or floss, you can usually find what you need in airport shops or at your hotel’s front desk.
2. Hasty hygiene
When you finally do manage a break to brush your teeth, it's often in unfamiliar environments like cramped plane bathrooms. Considering these areas are high-use and can have people waiting on the other side of the door, you may end up feeling a little rushed.
What to do
Remember that a good brushing takes two minutes and that flossing should be part of the routine. Set yourself a timer and do the job justice - then be sure to thank the next person waiting in line as you leave!
3. Dietary choices
If you’re going away on holiday, it’s usually time for celebration, fun and maybe even a bit of indulgence.
For many of us, that means more dinners out at restaurants, as well as desserts, snacks and alcohol. While it’s nice to have a well-deserved treat, extra sugar and acidic ingredients can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
Even if you’re not on holiday, travelling for work tends to involve a lot more room service and catered meals than you’d usually eat.
What to do
You don’t have to be strict all the time, but consider occasionally choosing a healthier snack like almonds or fruit. If you do indulge, try rinsing your mouth with water immediately after you finish.
If you’re enjoying a sugary or acidic beverage, sip it through a straw to help minimise contact between the beverage and your teeth.
4. Dehydration
Dehydration is not at all uncommon during long flights. The recycled air and tiny water bottles can all contribute to you feeling wrung out and dehydrated by the time you land.
Water and your natural saliva help wash away food particles. This means a dry mouth can be a fantastic breeding ground for bacteria.
What to do
Grab a massive water bottle and keep it full before you board your flight. You can also bring a pack of sugar-free chewing gum to help stimulate the production of saliva.
Try to avoid drinking alcohol right before or during your flight - it can dehydrate you even more.
5. Dental emergencies
Dental emergencies like knocked-out teeth and toothaches are inconvenient even when your usual dentist is nearby. A dental emergency in an unfamiliar place can result in even more questions, like where to go or what your insurance covers.
Your travel destination will dictate a lot of your dental options, especially if you’re somewhere remote or in a location that has different clinical standards than those in Australia.
What to do
Here, your best protection is prevention. Try to maintain regular dental check-ups – your dentist may be able to catch issues that could make an emergency more likely. If you plan to participate in any sports or activities that have a high risk of impact, consider asking your dentist about a custom-fitted mouthguard.
You can also ask your dentist if they have any advice on dental clinics or professionals near your travel destination.
The secret to a great smile is great teeth and keeping your teeth in great shape is also vitally important for your overall health. We all know how essential regular and thorough brushing is for our dental health, as well as flossing, but it’s still all too easy to find you’re harming your teeth without even realising it.
1. DRINKING HOT LEMON WATER
What we drink can have a noticeable effect on the way our teeth look; for example, if you regularly drink red wine or coffee, you could find that they stain your teeth in the same way that cigarette smoking does. Fruit drinks can also lead to staining, but they can also cause structural damage. Drinks such as hot lemon water or orange juice are certainly refreshing, and we may feel that they are a healthy option because of their vitamin content, but they are also high in natural acids which can attack tooth enamel.
2. AT HOME WHITENING
We all love shiny white teeth, but as sugary drinks, wine and cigarettes aren’t the only things that can stain them. It’s no wonder, therefore, that so many people are opting for teeth whitening treatments at home. Using a home whitening kit can be risky, however, as it’s all too easy to accidentally damage your teeth and gums. On the other hand, we offer a number of teeth whitening procedures here at AP Smilecare, carried out by trained experts with years of experience. You’re in safe hands with us!
3. BRUSHING AT THE WRONG TIME
You know that you have to brush your teeth, but did you know that over brushing or brushing them at the wrong time can do more harm than good? Over vigorous manual brushing can damage the gums, which is why electric toothbrushes can be a smart purchase, and if you brush your teeth within half an hour of eating acidic food or drinking acidic juices, you could actually be brushing the damaging acid into your enamel. Always give it at least half an hour before you brush your teeth after eating, to protect yourself from this sort of accidental damage.
4. FORGETTING FLUORIDE
Fluoride is one of the greatest assets in the fight against plaque and dental diseases, but are you getting enough of it? Look for toothpaste that has at least 1,400 parts per million, by which we mean fluoride content of at least 0.14%. This can help to strengthen your teeth and fight the bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and loss.Using high-quality toothpaste with adequate fluoride content, cutting back on acidic fruit drinks or neutralising them with neutralising calcium-rich products, and brushing correctly and at the right time can give you better teeth for the rest of your life.
When it comes to brushing your teeth, there is such a thing as proper technique. Brushing too hard — or using the wrong toothbrush — can damage your teeth and gums, leading to problems like enamel wear and receding gums, which can, in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity, says Gene Romo, DDS, a Chicago-based dentist and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association (ADA). “People tend to brush aggressively, thinking it’s the only way they can get their teeth to feel clean and look whiter,” Dr Romo says. “That’s counterproductive because not only does it cause recession of your gums, but you’re also wearing away the white, glossy enamel on your teeth, making them look yellow and darker.” And when that happens, you’re putting yourself at risk for developing sensitive teeth.
Not sure if you’re brushing too hard? Take a look at your toothbrush. If you’ve been using it for three months or less, it should still appear relatively new. “If it looks beat up and flat, that’s a sign you’re brushing way too hard,” Romo says.
The Proper Way to Brush Your Teeth
It requires a lot of mindfulness, but you can change your hard-brushing ways, Romo says. Follow these tips to brush correctly to help relieve tooth sensitivity and prevent damage to your teeth and gums:
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Choose one with the ADA seal and replace it every three months — or sooner if it frays.
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. That way, the bristles can reach and clean underneath your gumline, Romo says.
Gently move the brush back and forth. Use short, tooth-wide strokes to clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth, the ADA recommends. (If you have a lot of gum recession, your dentist may recommend you try the roll technique. Instead, Romo says.) If you’re using an electric toothbrush, let it do all the work and just lightly glide it over your teeth instead of pushing it against them. To make sure you’re using a gentle grip, try holding your toothbrush in your non-dominant hand.
Slow down. Dentists recommend that you brush for two full minutes — 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth — twice a day. Use the timer on your phone or choose an electric toothbrush that alerts you every 30 seconds. “For people who have never tried it, it can feel like an eternity. You don’t know what two minutes feels like until you brush that long,” Romo says. But when you’re not rushing to finish, it will keep you more mindful about brushing too aggressively.
Sticking with these tips can help you keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthy while eliminating symptoms of tooth sensitivity.
How you take care of your teeth affects your overall health. Indicators of your well-being are a healthy set of teeth. Thus, it isn’t a surprise that many people today consider oral health as one of their top priorities for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
While good oral health can be accomplished by taking a few minutes for yourself daily, irreversible damage can be done with the wrong practices. There is an enormous amount of advice available online regarding tips for appropriate oral care. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to taking care of your smile. The message can sometimes get crossed with new developments that are happening in healthcare every day. Dental myths can make your oral health deteriorate instead of making your teeth healthy.
The following are some common dental myths and the truth behind them.
Myth: “You will clean your teeth more thoroughly if you brush harder.”
The truth: A too abrasive toothbrush or brushing your teeth too hard can erode some of the hard enamel that has a function of protecting the insides of the tooth from decay and cavities. Instead of keeping your teeth cleaner, this will actually harm them. Doctors always recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Myth: “Flossing creates spaces between your teeth.”
The truth: Flossing prevents tooth decay between your teeth, it does not create spaces between them. When flossing, you remove food debris around your hums and teeth, and by removing the harmful bacteria you keep your mouth healthy. When you start flossing your teeth, you might experience bleedings gums, but a few weeks into the routine the bleeding will go away. If the bleeding continues to happen, you might have a more severe case of gum disease and we recommend making an appointment at the dentist. Your dentist will help you determine the reason and develop a treatment plan.
Myth: “If you brush your teeth really well before going to the dentist, no one will be able to tell you haven’t been regularly brushing your teeth”
The truth: Hard tartar will form around your teeth if you don’t regularly brush and floss them, and it will no longer be possible to get it off with brushing your teeth. After tartar and plague have accumulated over a long period of time you can’t undo the inflammation in your gums. The amount of tartar and the bleeding gums are a dead giveaway to bad oral hygiene.
Myth: “Only sugar causes cavities.”
The truth: Sugar itself doesn’t cause cavities, although it can contribute to it. As the sugar breaks down, it feeds the bacteria that creates plaque in your mouth and it makes the acid that wears away the enamel of your teeth worse. Even if you don’t consume sugar, you will still be risking cavities if you don’t brush and floss properly. Sugar produces more acid and increases the chances of cavities if it stays longer in your mouth, so you should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after eating sugary food. Also, sugar isn’t the only cause for tooth cavities. Sugar-free carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus fruits, and starchy foods can also be blamed for damaging your teeth. In order to prioritize your oral health, you should replace these foods with vegetables and fruits that have a lot of fiber in them. These types of food will restore the mineral in your teeth by generating the flow of saliva.
Myth: “You don’t need the dentist if you aren’t experiencing a toothache.”
The truth: When it comes to oral health, people who don’t visit the dentist regularly end up paying the price. Even if everything seems normal, you must visit the dentist on a regular basis in order to prevent oral health diseases. You won’t be able to see some oral health problems at the begging. For example, when cavities are starting to form, you won’t feel any pain immediately. The best way to maintain good oral health is to do dental exams every six months because that’s how you can spot the trouble before it even starts.
Myth: “White teeth are healthy teeth.”
The truth: It is a common misconception that teeth that are pearly white are healthy. People don’t have the same natural color for their teeth, so having white teeth isn’t the standard for good oral health. Natural tooth color varies in lightness and is especially dependent on our age. It doesn’t mean that a person has better oral hygiene if they have whiter teeth than another. Primary indications of good oral health are zero cavity and fresh breath.
Myth: “Chewing gum is like brushing your teeth.”
The truth: Chewing gum cannot replace brushing your teeth. While chewing gums can promote better breath and cleaner teeth, it cannot replace regularly brushing and flossing your teeth.
Parents, in particular, want to know: does DNA predetermine dental health? It’s the classic nature vs. nurture question that dentists get asked often, but the answer doesn’t simply boil down to one or the other. The scary truth is that many dental problems are indeed “inherited”–but not from genetics alone! Harmful habits that run in the family can also play a huge role in the health of your child’s smile. Find out which oral issues you could be passing down, and what you can do about them.
DNA-Driven Dental Issues
Even before birth, the stage has already been set for certain aspects of your child’s oral health. Ultimately, your child’s genes dictate the likelihood for common issues such as:
Jaw-related Disorders: The size and position of one’s jaws, as well as overall facial structure, are hereditary traits that can cause a number of bite complications (or “malocclusions”). Overbites or underbites caused by uneven jaws can lead to chewing and speech difficulties, and result in chronic pain and/or Temporomandibular Jaw Disorder (“TMJ”) if left untreated.
Tooth Misalignments: Spacing problems, either due to missing or overcrowded teeth, are oral issues that have been hardwired in a person even before the emergence of teeth. Cases where people lack some (“Anodontia”) or all (“Hypodontia”) permanent teeth can threaten gum and jaw health, as can instances of “supernumerary” teeth, in which extra teeth erupt.
Weak Tooth Enamel: Though rare, it is possible for tooth enamel to be defective, or develop abnormally. Dentin, which makes up the protective enamel covering of teeth, may not be produced or mineralize at normal levels, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay, sensitivity and damage.
Predisposition To Oral Cancer: Genetic mutations and the presence of oncogenes, a type of gene that transforms healthy cells into cancerous ones, can increase the risk for cancer by interfering with the body’s ability to metabolize certain carcinogens.
From serious conditions such as a cleft palate, to occasional aggravations like canker sores, many other oral issues may be linked to genetics. Keeping track and sharing the family’s health history with your child’s dentist can help detect and treat inherited conditions as early as possible.
Behavioral Risks
DNA may deal your child some unavoidable complications, but when it comes to tooth decay and gum disease, learned habits and tendencies shoulder much more of the blame, including:
“Oversharing”: Harmful oral bacteria from a loved one can easily colonize and overtake your little one’s mouth from something as simple as sharing food, utensils, or kissing. The inadvertent swapping of saliva can put your child at increased risk for cavities and gingivitis.
Diet Choices: Satisfying that sweet tooth with sugary, refined treats, or turning to soda and juice for refreshment can create an unhealthy addiction that’s as dangerous to the mouth as it is to the waist. Sugar and acid can eat away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities and tooth sensitivity. Exposure to certain chemicals and ingredients can also cause discoloration.
Bad Hygiene: Last, but certainly not least, lacking a good dental routine can wreak havoc on teeth and gums. Failing to follow through on brushing and flossing twice a day (or as recommended by the dentist) can create a haven for cavities and periodontitis, not to mention halitosis.
Leading by example is an easy, effective way to teach your child the importance of oral health while benefitting the whole family.
Stay One Step Ahead
Every parent wants the best for his or her child–including a healthy smile. With so many potential problems that can be passed down, protecting your child’s oral health is not easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Seek the help of your child’s dentist for optimal professional and at-home dental care. Treating existing issues early on and teaching your child to make dental-friendly decisions can provide lifelong benefits to his or her health.
