If you’re reading this article, you’re likely someone who takes their oral health seriously, which is great! So, what is a gum stimulator, and why aren’t they more popular? Why is gum stimulation important anyway? We’re here to outline what we know about this simple tool and how to use one.
What Is a Gum Stimulator?
If you’re not familiar with gum stimulators, they may look unusual to you with their silicone or rubber tip attached to a long metal arm. As the name suggests, this affordable tool may help strengthen your gum tissue by stimulating it, though it can also be used to remove plaque or food debris.
These tools aren’t considered necessary for those with healthy gum tissue, but you may still find them to be beneficial to your daily routine. They are generally recommended specifically for those with gum disease to help prevent it from worsening or spreading.
Gum stimulators can be purchased online or at many drug, convenience, or grocery stores in the dental section. If you’re unsure whether a gum stimulator would be a good addition to your oral care regimen, consult your dental professional for expert insight.
What Does a Gum Stimulator Do?
Gum stimulators are not meant to replace other parts of your oral care routine but to supplement it. Gum stimulators can help clean between your teeth, especially for those with wide gaps or missing teeth.
Gum stimulators benefit your oral health in two main ways:
Massaging your gum tissue, helping to avoid gum disease or prevent it from worsening.
Helping to clean between your teeth, removing food matter and plaque to prevent gum disease and cavities.
When these simple devices stimulate your gums, what exactly are they doing? Theoretically, part of what they do is help increase blood flow, allowing more oxygen to access an infection or your gum tissue. While the research on gum stimulators' effectiveness is still emerging, oxygen has been shown to help treat some cases of gum disease, according to ORAL & implantology. How much this relates to gum stimulators remains to be seen.
If you find gum stimulators make your life easier when it comes to cleaning between your teeth, this will undoubtedly positively impact your oral health. Trapped food matter and plaque also can contribute to cavities and other dental problems, so anything you can do to remove them is a safe bet.
How to Use a Gum Stimulator
One important step in ensuring your gum stimulator retains its effectiveness is to replace the tip as it wears down. Fortunately, the tips are designed to be replaceable, so you should be able to stock up on tips without having to buy a new handle.
A good rule of thumb with all types of dental care is not applying too much force to your teeth or gums to avoid aggravating your tissue or damaging your enamel. It’s important to be gentle when it comes to brushing and using flossing devices; the same advice also applies to gum stimulators.
To use a gum stimulator, you should:
Brush your teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush
Clean between your teeth using floss, a flossing device, or an interdental brush
Use the tip of your gum stimulator to massage your gum tissue along the gumline gently
Slide the tip between your teeth to remove any remaining food matter or plaque
Rinse using mouthwash or antiseptic mouthrinse
Gum stimulators are simple tools enjoyed by many as a supplement to their daily oral care routine. While the research supporting their effectiveness is still catching up, they’re generally considered safe if used gently and properly. A gum stimulator may be just the tool you need if your dental professional recommends one for gum disease, or you find them helpful to best clean between your teeth.
How long will it take to heal after a tooth extraction? The recovery time differs from patient to patient, but you can take steps to ensure a healthy healing process. A wisdom tooth extraction may take longer to heal, and patients with certain health conditions may also experience symptoms for a prolonged period. Here are some guidelines on what to expect regarding tooth extraction healing time and tips on making a speedy recovery.
What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?
The socket left in the gum after a tooth extraction passes through three stages as it heals. An article in the Journal of Dentofacial Anomalies and Orthodontics explains that the first stage is the inflammatory phase. The gum becomes inflamed, a blood clot forms inside the socket, and granulation tissue forms over the wound. New tissue usually replaces the clot within a week after the procedure. This process is followed by the proliferative phase, when the wound begins to close. The final stage is the maturation phase. The cells in the site form new structures and bony networks, along with connective tissue (called collagen), which populates the healing area.
Total Tooth Extraction Healing Time
After three or four days, you'll likely still experience some swelling and mild discomfort, as the University of Utah explains. After the fifth day, patients typically have reduced swelling and can begin to resume a normal diet. However, it may take up to two weeks for the swelling to fully disappear. At the two-week mark, you will typically visit your dental provider again for a post-operative check-up. At that time, they will assess your healing to ensure you're having a successful recovery.
Each individual undergoing a tooth extraction will experience a different healing time. As the Journal of Dentofacial Anomalies and Orthodontics article notes, certain factors may affect your recovery and total extraction healing time, such as:
Type 2 diabetes
Oral radiation treatment
Your biological profile
Certain medications
HIV or another condition causing a weakened immune system
If you are concerned about any of these factors or are worried your extraction site is taking too long to heal, speak with your dental provider.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Healing Time
The healing time following a wisdom tooth extraction may last several weeks, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. After removal of these large molar teeth at the back of the mouth, the gums and bone will take some time to fully heal, and the soft tissue may be sensitive for a few weeks. Some patients may only experience discomfort for a few days, while others may feel little to no discomfort.
Tips for a Speedy Recovery
To speed up your tooth extraction healing time, you can take measures to protect the open socket and avoid disturbing the blood clot. The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSU Health Shreveport) recommends not rinsing your mouth or drinking through a straw for 24 hours after the extraction. On the second day, gently rinse your mouth with a solution of one teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. By the third day, the University of Utah recommends resuming brushing your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing, but avoiding vigorous spitting or rinsing.
Don't avoid eating, but choose soft foods and chew on the side of your mouth that is opposite from the extraction site. If your cheek swells up, LSU Health Shreveport advises that you hold a cold pack to the site for half an hour, then remove it for half an hour. If the swelling continues for longer than 24 hours after the extraction, use a hot pack in the same way. You should not smoke or use any tobacco products for at least three days following the procedure.
A tooth extraction is traumatic to your mouth, but your body begins the healing process quickly. After a few days, you may even momentarily forget that you've undergone the dental procedure. Treat the site of the extraction gently and follow your dentist's advice for the fastest healing and best outcome.
A chipped tooth can result from a variety of incidents, such as using your teeth to open packages (something you should never do) or even eating especially hard foods. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: a chipped tooth can cause pain and make you feel self-conscious.
Fixing a chipped tooth as soon as possible ensures your mishap doesn't cause any further problems. But what are your options? The restoration method you and your dentist choose is specific to your chipped tooth, so you'll need to make an appointment as soon as possible.
What to Do First
It could take a day or two before you're able to see your dentist and explore restoration options. In the meantime, you can treat your chipped tooth by taking over-the-counter pain medication to keep the pain and swelling to a minimum. Rinsing your mouth can also help remove food particles that often get stuck in the jagged ends of a cracked tooth; just be sure to avoid temperatures that may set off sensitivity due to the exposed pulp. Moreover, rinsing with a mouthwash is a painless way to help keep your mouth clean if brushing the chipped tooth causes more discomfort.
Does the pain persist while you wait for your appointment? Apply an ice pack indirectly (to the outside of your cheek, not directly to the tooth). This can help reduce swelling and some of the pain that accompanies a chipped tooth without aggravating the nerves. Keep in mind, however, that fixing a chipped tooth isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Your dentist must always first examine the extent of the damage before helping you choose a solution that best suits your needs.
1. Bonding
For small and uncomplicated chips, your dentist will probably suggest bonding. This is a simple procedure where a composite material is moulded over the healthy area of the tooth to correct the chip. Your dentist will first roughen up the remaining enamel and shape the composite to create a natural-looking extension. He or she then sets the composite using a blue light that instantly hardens the material. With proper care, bonding can last up to 10 years. It is ideal for small, cosmetic chips.
2. Veneers
If your cracked tooth poses a more severe cosmetic issue, you may want to opt for veneers. These restorations are essentially porcelain covers on the front of your teeth that produce a smooth, natural look when fully applied. You can have one or several veneers installed, but they can be expensive in large quantities. Nonetheless, according to a 2012 study published in the International Journal of Prosthodontics, veneers last 10 to 20 years. As such, they may be the right solution if you have cracked a bonding several times or are hoping to repair your tooth colour and shape at the same time following a chipped incisor.
3. Crowns
Like veneers, crowns are also porcelain covers for the teeth. The difference between crowns and veneers is that a crown shields the entire tooth, whereas a veneer only covers the forward-facing part of the tooth. Crowns are more appropriate when a cracked tooth causes the loss of a large portion of the original tooth. They can correct the tooth's shape and repair your smile quickly, while preventing further damage, such as cavities and exposed nerves.
4. Dental Implants
If your tooth has cracked just below the surface of the gumline, the American Dental Association (ADA) suggests you have the tooth removed and replaced with a dental implant. After removing the tooth and allowing the space to heal, your dentist can add a metal post in the gumline prior to installing an implant that looks and feels like a real tooth. This will help you avoid any gum or tooth problems and a future root canal. Just remember, it may also be the most time-consuming procedure, as your mouth will need proper time to heal between the extraction and the implant.
A chipped tooth is a fairly common dental issue, but that doesn't mean your repair should be run-of-the-mill. Deal with the problem quickly by making an appointment and discussing your options with your dentist. With the right care and restoration, you'll be back to a healthy, chip-free smile in no time.
When you are suffering from any dental health problems then toothaches are very painful. Generally, a person can visit or call the dentist to get the solution for the toothache problem. However, the problem becomes very grave when the toothache problem arises at night. Here, a person finds it difficult to approach their dentist or other dental experts for minimizing the pain. Some people do not know the pain of the toothache until they experience one. However, a person always needs to be prepared and educate themselves about the solution for the toothache problem with proper tooth care.
Toothache is really a painful experience that needs instant relief. How to get relief from toothache? Knowing the cause of the pain is important to get a proper solution. However, to get instant relief you can do certain things like taking medicines, food particles removal from teeth, salt water rinsing, using peppermint tea bags, etc.
What can be the causes of getting toothache at night?
There can be any of the reasons for causing toothache at night. Mostly, the toothache occurs to the disturbed tooth. Here are some of the reasons for toothache at night:
Habits like teeth grinding at night can cause the problem for a person.
An increasing amount of cavity on the tooth is one of the most common causes of the toothache problem.
When the food particle gets stuck in the teeth, it can cause discomfort and toothache.
Gum disease can also cause a toothache problem.
A forceful bite on the decayed tooth can cause toothache.
These are some of the common causes of toothache at night. Apart from these, there can be many other reasons too for the toothache.
How to get rid of toothache at night?
Toothache at night can really be very painful. So, some knowledge on proper treatment is essential to reduce the pain and get some relief.
One of the problematic things experienced is getting a toothache at night. It is not possible to visit the dentist, so getting instant relief is very important. How to get rid of toothache at night? Some of the natural ways involve saltwater rinsing, removing food particles from teeth, applying cold compresses, etc. If you have the related medicines then you can use them.
Natural ways to help Toothache
It is not possible to visit the dentist immediately on some occasions when you are going through a toothache. There are some natural ways to help toothache problems on these occasions. Some of these natural ways include applying peppermint tea bags, rinsing with saltwater, removing food particles from teeth, and different other methods.
Here are 9 methods to get rid of toothache at night:
1. Removing food particles stuck
If, in case, the toothache is caused due to a food particle stuck in the teeth then it is essential to remove it immediately. If the food particles are not viewable then you can take a small mirror, put some light in your mouth and remove it gently. This can reduce the pain caused due to it. Also, after removing the food particles have proper rinsing.
2. Taking proper medication
If your dentist has recommended any medication for the toothache problem then taking those medications can minimize pain. If you do not have any medications then go to the medical shop and ask for the same.
3. Rinsing with saltwater
Take mild-warm water then add some salt in it and rinse the mouth with the saltwater solution. It can reduce the inflammation in the tooth or gums and heal oral wounds. Take care that all the water is spat out properly as it contains different germs and bacteria.
4. Use cold compresses
Cold compresses from the outer side of the toothache can be helpful in relieving the pain. A piece of ice must be wrapped in the cloth and compression for about 20 minutes must be given. This will help to reduce the pain and feel comfortable.
5. Rinsing with guava solution
The leaves of the guava have many anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. The solution of the guava or their leaves mixed with water must be used for rinsing. It can give much relief from the pain. Eating fresh guava leaves can also be an effective solution for toothache.
6. Peppermint tea bags
The peppermint tea bags have nice numbing properties that can help to numb the area around the tooth for some while. Cooling these tea bags a little can help to give quicker results. The sensation caused after putting this can help to take your mind away from the pain caused by toothache for some duration.
7. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide
If the toothache is caused due to a cavity-ridden tooth or gum disease then using hydrogen peroxide can be beneficial. They help in reducing the plaque and other bacteria levels from the teeth. This solution must be swished properly in the mouth and then spat out.
8. Acupressure technique
Some of the experts suggest trying the Acupressure technique, as it can release some endorphins from the body. This will help to reduce the level of pain due to toothache and provide some relief.
9. Using clove oil
Clove oil has been used since ancient days for reducing inflammation and treating dental pain. It has natural antiseptic properties that can heal wounds and reduce pain. Here, a small amount of clove oil must be put on the cotton ball and put on the painful tooth. It can provide more relief after a while for the person. These are some of the ways through which you can treat the toothache caused at night or on any occasion. These are some of the most effective remedies that can reduce pain naturally. Make sure that after applying these remedies, you visit the dentist soon to get a permanent solution. This will help to avoid toothache problems from occurring again with proper dental treatment.
If the roof of your mouth (palate) is sore, it can make eating and drinking uncomfortable and difficult. You may also have problems speaking normally.
Several things can cause a sore palate, including very hot coffee, infections, allergies, and injuries. In most cases, it's not a serious condition and typically goes away by itself. However, if the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days, contact a medical professional.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a sore palate vary depending on the cause. You might experience:
Pain
Burning or tingling sensation
Difficulty eating or drinking
Bad breath
Swelling
Redness
Visible sores
4 Possible Causes of Roof of Mouth Pain
Here are four potential causes of palate pain:
1. Burns
The roof of your mouth is a delicate and sensitive area that can burn easily. Eating or drinking something too hot can cause a burn.
Burn pain is usually immediate and can be severe. It typically goes away within 3 to 7 days without treatment and commonly heals by itself.1
Other Symptoms
Pain
Blisters
Redness
Swelling
Peeling skin
Dry mouth
Treatment
Cool or frozen foods and drinks such as ice pops, ice cream, and yogurts may ease discomfort from a mouth burn. It’s wise to avoid crunchy, hot, or spicy foods until the burn heals.
Your dentist can also recommend mouth rinses that promote healing.
2. Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can develop on the hard palate or anywhere on the soft tissues in the mouth. They’re usually white or yellow with a red border and can make eating and drinking uncomfortable.
The lesions may resemble cold sores but don’t occur on the surface of lips and are not contagious.
Doctors are unsure why some people experience canker sores. It may be a combination of factors, including a vitamin B-12 deficiency, stress, hormonal shifts, infections, or minor injuries. Doctors also link them to immune system conditions.
Canker sores are rarely serious. However, more severe symptoms can still arise in some cases.2
Types
There are three different types of canker sores:
Minor — most common type; usually small and oval-shaped with a red border. These may take 1 to 2 weeks to heal without scarring.
Major — less common type; usually round with irregular, well-defined borders. These are extremely painful and may take up to 6 weeks to heal. They can also leave extensive scarring.
Herpetiform — uncommon type; develop later in life but are not caused by the herpes virus infection. They are usually pinpoint in size and can occur in clusters of 10 to 100. However, they can merge into one large ulcer and may take 1 to 2 weeks to heal without scarring.
Triggers
Some common causes of canker sores include:
A minor injury to the mouth from dental work or oral trauma
Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Food sensitivities, including chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese, and spicy or acidic foods
A diet lacking in vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid), and/or iron
An allergic response to specific bacteria in your mouth
Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria that causes peptic ulcers
Hormonal shifts during menstruation and pregnancy
Mental stress
Canker sores may also occur because of certain conditions and diseases, such as:
Celiac disease — a serious intestinal disorder caused by a sensitivity to gluten
Inflammatory bowel diseases — such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Behcet's disease — a rare disorder that causes inflammation throughout the body
A compromised immune system — attacks healthy cells instead of pathogens
HIV/AIDS — which suppresses the immune system
Other Symptoms
Shallow, round, or oval sores
Burning or tingling sensation
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes3
Treatment
Treatment may include:
Topical anesthetics to ease pain
Mouth rinses
Corticosteroid ointments
Antibiotics for recurrent canker sores
A doctor may recommend dietary changes or specific vitamins or supplements if nutritional deficiencies cause a canker sore.
3. Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)
The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. If the roof of your mouth hurts and you can see blister patches, they could be cold sores. These mouth sores usually appear on the lips but can also develop on the hard palate.
Most people contract the virus as children, but the sores don’t always appear immediately. Instead, the virus can lie dormant for years until a trigger such as stress, illness, or a weakened immune system causes an outbreak.4
Triggers
Some common causes of fever blisters include:
Viral infection or fever
Hormonal changes, such as those related to menstruation
Stress
Fatigue
Exposure to sunlight and wind
Immune system changes
Skin injury
Certain conditions and diseases can also trigger cold sores, such as:
HIV/AIDS
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Cancer chemotherapy
Anti-rejection drugs for organ transplants
Signs and Symptoms
A cold sore usually passes through 3 stages:
Tingling, itching, and burning for a day or so before a small, hard, painful spot appears.
Small fluid-filled blisters typically erupt along the vermillion border of the lips. These blisters can also appear around the nose, cheeks or inside of the mouth.
The small blisters may merge and then burst, leaving a shallow, open sore.
Other Symptoms
Ulcers in and around the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes
Soreness
Flu-like symptoms
Treatment
It’s impossible to cure the herpes simplex virus that causes mouth sores. Once someone has the virus, it stays in their body forever.
The cold sore blisters usually heal on their own within 14 days. During healing, drinking cool drinks and eating frozen foods like ice cream may ease discomfort.4
If you develop cold sores more than 9 times a year or are at high risk of serious complications, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take regularly.
4. Oral Cancer
Although the causes of a sore palate are typically harmless, some, such as oral cancer, are more serious. Mouth cancer causes cells to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. It can develop on the tongue, gums, palate, or anywhere else in the mouth.
Identifying mouth cancer early is the key to successful treatment. Therefore, if your palate is still sore after 10 days, see your doctor or dentist for an evaluation.5
Symptoms
A sore that doesn’t heal
Pain that doesn’t go away
A lump or thickened tissue
White or red patches
Numbness
Swelling
Treatment
Treatment for oral cancer may depend on your overall health and the location and stage of cancer. Options include:
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
Palliative treatment
How Long Will the Roof of my Mouth Hurt?
Most causes of a sore palate are not serious and resolve within about 10 days. However, if the roof of your mouth still hurts after this time, make an appointment with your doctor.7
They can perform a physical assessment and take a medical history to help diagnose your condition.
A “diastema” is an area of extra space between two or more teeth. The two front teeth of the upper jaw area is where diastema is most frequently seen. Many children experience diastema as primary teeth fall out, though in most cases these spaces close when the permanent teeth erupt.
Diastemas may also be caused by a tooth size discrepancy, missing teeth or an oversized labial frenum, the tissue that extends from the inside of the lip to the gum tissue where the upper two front teeth are located. Secondary reasons involve oral alignment issues such as an overjet or protrusion of the teeth.1
What are My Treatment Options?Once your dentist or dental specialist has determined the reason for your diastema, a treatment plan will be discussed. Options may include:
Keep the diastema.
Orthodontic treatment to move the teeth and close the diastema.
Use porcelain veneers, very thin pieces of porcelain bonded to the outside of the teeth.
Crown and bridge work or replacement of teeth with implants (adults only).
If you have an oversized labial frenum, you may be referred to a periodontist for an oral consultation and surgical procedure called a frenectomy.
This procedure involves cutting the frenum and then repositioning to allow for more flexibility. If the frenectomy is conducted on a child, the space may close by itself. If it is a teenager or adult, the space may need to be closed with braces. A consultation with your dentist is essential to determine which option is the right option to treatment for you.
Having good oral hygiene habits is more than just brushing your teeth all day every day. It means making sure you give your teeth and gums all the tender loving care they require. Good oral hygiene means:
Your teeth are clean and free of food stains when you smile or talk,
Your gums are pinkish and do not bleed easily when you brush or floss
You don’t have issues with bad breath
It is important to keep good dental health due to a few reasons we will discuss in this article, as well as eight oral hygiene habits that you can and should adopt to cover all your bases and improve your self-care routine.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT TOOTH DECAY?
As the first contact point for all food and beverages you consume every day, your mouth is home to billions of bacteria.
Many of these bacteria cause dental-related diseases such as cavities (tooth decay) and plaque, which may worsen into periodontal diseases.
These bacteria feed on the leftover sugars in our mouth, leaving a form of biofilm known as plaque.
Plaque allows all these microbiomes to stick around longer in your mouth, making acids that will eventually wear your tooth enamel down and cause cavities.
The bacteria that forms near your gums produces toxic waste, entering the gum and causing gingivitis.
Without proper intervention, gingivitis will cause bone and tissue loss around your teeth, after which extraction is imminent.
Because our daily diet consists of sugary foods such as bread, cereal, and sweets, it’s highly probable for dental plaque to form if proper measures are not taken, subsequently eroding our gums, making them more sensitive and susceptible to gum diseases.
Hence, good oral hygiene habits must never be taken lightly as we each only get two full sets of teeth in our lifetime.
Once we reach adulthood, we only have that one well-aligned set to take care of for the rest of our lives.
PICK THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE
According to the Oral Health Foundation, adults should choose a toothbrush with a small to medium-sized head, as long as it is small enough to reach into the crevices of your teeth and gums where food debris usually remains after mealtimes.
There are smaller brushes for children out there in the market today as well.
For most people, a soft-bristled brush is the most comfortable choice as medium and hard bristles can damage your enamel and gums and cause them to bleed if you brush too vigorously.
Are Electric Toothbrushes Better Than Normal Toothbrushes?
So what about electric toothbrushes? Do they clean better?
Studies have shown that there are not many differences between electric and normal toothbrushes in removing plaque, although a rotation oscillation toothbrush (where the bristles go-round, back and forth) is the most effective and it is particularly useful for those with limited arm or hand movement.
For your choice of toothpaste, you will also notice many varieties such as “total care” that includes ingredients to freshen breath as well as reduce plaque build-up, or “whitening” that are somewhat effective in removing stains but not strong enough to actually alter the shade of your teeth.
Whichever variety you choose, always opt for one with fluoride as it helps strengthen and protect your teeth, preventing tooth decay.
We would encourage adults to use fluoridated toothpaste. On the other hand, we would also advise children to use fluoride-free toothpaste unless they have active cavities. This is to prevent fluorosis.
BRUSH REGULARLY THE RIGHT WAY
Brushing is one of the most common ways to build good oral hygiene habits and twice a day after meals are plenty enough for most people.
Brush well using the right method following this four-step process:
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
Move the brush back and forth gently in short, circular strokes.
Brush the outer, inner tooth surfaces, as well as the top areas where chewing often occurs.
Hold the brush vertically and use the tip to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using gentle up-down strokes.
Remember to change your toothbrush every two to three months as worn-out bristles may not clean your teeth well and may even damage your gums.
Many people tend to coat the entire head of their toothbrush with toothpaste when only a pea-sized amount is needed.
Some even say to spit instead of rinse after brushing to keep the fluoride staying on your teeth for a longer period of time.
DON’T FORGET THE TONGUE
Bacteria live in every corner in your mouth including on the tongue. Although brushing removes bacteria from your teeth and gums, it can still remain on your tongue, causing bad breath from odour-causing germs.
Keeping your tongue clean also boosts your immunity levels and gut health as you get rid of toxins that initially occur in the mouth. So how do you brush your tongue?
You can start by brushing the back, moving towards the front before rinsing. For more thorough cleaning, opt to use a tongue scraper that is sold at most pharmacies these days.
Made of either soft, flexible plastic or metal, the scraper helps to rid your tongue of mucus-looking waste.
Just be cautious not to scrape too hard as it may cause soreness and even bleeding.
FLOSS, FLOSS, FLOSS
Even if you brush regularly, there is still a chance of food particles remaining between your teeth and gums.
Flossing is important as part of one’s oral hygiene habits because it reaches into your crevices that are hard for a brush to reach.
Studies have also shown that people who brushed and flossed regularly were less likely to have bleeding gums and gingivitis.
Flossing is also a more convenient alternative to brushing your teeth in the middle of the day.
Here’s how to floss effectively:
Use about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand, hold it taut between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing movement.
At the gum line, curve the floss against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and tooth.
Move the floss in an up-down motion, conforming to the shape of the tooth.
Repeat this for the rest of your teeth.
CONSIDER USING MOUTHWASH
In addition to brushing and flossing, an antimicrobial mouthwash can increase oral hygiene.
Although using mouthwash is not part of a regular oral care regime for many, they do contain active ingredients such as chlorhexidine that prevents plaque buildup and gum disease.
Another benefit of mouthwashes is that they can reach crevices in your mouth that brushing and flossing can’t.
According to Listerine, the infamous American brand of antiseptic mouthwash products, the right method of using mouthwash is to pour 4 teaspoons into a cup, empty the solution in your mouth without diluting it, swish it around in your mouth and gargle for 30 seconds, and spit.
WATCH YOUR DIET
Yes, the foods you choose to eat can affect your oral health. As explained, tooth decay happens when plaque comes in contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to form and eroding teeth and gums.
Hence, if you consume too many sugar-filled snacks, there is a higher risk of bacteria forming in your mouth especially when you eat sugary foods as a midnight snack and sleep without brushing.
On the other hand, eating fruits and vegetables help to protect your teeth. These healthier options tend to stimulate the production of saliva, cleansing the mouth and reducing the acid.
Even chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Dental plaque is a known risk factor for developing gingivitis and other general health issues. However, when plaque build-up in your mouth, it can turn into an even greater threat to your dental and overall health, known as calculus. Calculus creates a conducive environment for dental bacteria, and its action can pose a severe threat to your general health.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk of developing these dental bacteria-related health problems. One of the most effective methods is a regular scale and clean. In this blog post, we will discuss how bacteria in your calculus can cause you general health issues and how regular scale and clean can help avoid those issues.
What is Calculus?
First things first, it is important to understand what calculus is before discussing some of its negative effects on general health. Simply stated, calculus is calcified bacterial plaque that forms on the teeth’ enamel and below the gum line. Calculus cannot be removed by normal brushing and flossing. One will need to see the dentist for its removal.
How can bacteria in your calculus cause you general health issues?
• Stroke
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death globally. It is caused by a number of factors, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, and age. However, one of the most important risk factors for stroke is dental bacteria.Dental bacteria can damage arteries in your neck and brain. They can also cause inflammation, which can lead to artery blockages.
• Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia and across the world. There are several factors that can heighten your risk of developing heart disease, including smoking, being overweight, and having high cholesterol levels. Dental bacteria can also play a role in increasing your risk for heart disease.
It can cause inflammation and infection in the heart. Inflammation can lead to atherosclerosis, which is a plaque build-up on the inside of arteries. A build-up of plaque can block blood flow to and from the heart and cause a heart attack.
• Respiratory Illnesses
The bacteria on calculus can easily travel from the mouth to the lungs aggravating the respiratory system. This can lead to complications such as infection, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
• Pregnancy Complications
There are a number of pregnancy complications that can be caused by dental bacteria. These can include pre-term birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. In some cases, the infection can go ahead and spread to the baby’s brain and cause serious problems. If you’re pregnant, it’s vital to talk to your dentist about your risk factors for dental bacterial infections and how to protect yourself from them.
How regular scale and clean can help avoid general health issues?Oral health is a vital part of life, and it’s important to ensure your teeth are healthy. Everyone should practice brushing and flossing daily. However, apart from brushing and flossing on a daily basis, it is vital to have a scale and clean at least twice a year. It helps remove plaque and calculus and thus prevents severe general health issues, as discussed above.
Here are some of the benefits of Scale and Clean:
• Plaque Removal
Professional dental scales and cleaning can help to remove plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and other general health problems. It also helps to restore your teeth’s natural color and clarity. It is quite difficult to remove plaque from your mouth, and that is why you need a dental scale and clean.
• Calculus Removal
Unlike plaque, calculus is hard and cannot be removed by brushing and flossing at all. You will require a dental scale and clean to remove it. The dentist has special dental tools that can reach every nook and cranny of your teeth and remove plaque. When you leave calculus to sit on your teeth and below the gum line, it means you are giving bacteria a chance to thrive. And apart from these bacteria ruining your smile, they might also bring you some general health complications.
• Protects Your General Health
Professional dental scaling and cleaning can help protect your overall health. Removing harmful bacteria and debris from your teeth and gums can help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other general health issues.
Bottom Line
There you have it; dental hygiene is a very important part of your life. Poor dental hygiene can lead to calculus formation, which in turn can damage your oral and general health. Therefore, it is important to visit your dental professional at least twice a year for a dental scale and cleaning.
It is never too early to start a good oral hygiene routine. It is important to start caring for your child’s teeth from the moment they appear.
Recent studies have shown that almost a third of UK parents think it is acceptable for a child to have experienced tooth decay before they reach their teenage years. However, as tooth decay is almost always entirely preventable, it is surprising to find that such a high percentage of parents accept tooth decay as a normal or inevitable part of childhood.
Here at Ringmer Dental we have put together some top reasons why you should protect your children’s teeth from day one.
Reduce dental fear
If a child has painful toothache or has to undergo dental treatment at a young age, this can give them a negative experience of dental care, no matter how good the dentist is in ensuring they are treated painlessly. A bad childhood experience is one of the main reasons adults give for avoiding dental treatment in later life. By ensuring that your child’s teeth are well looked after you can help to promote positive experiences when visiting the dentist, putting them in a good position for years to come.
Improve self-confidence
A healthy smile helps to improve self-confidence and self-esteem. Once in place a good oral hygiene routine is likely to continue into adulthood. A key life skill everyone needs!
Allows a varied diet
It is important that children eat a wide and varied diet. If a child is missing teeth, it can affect their ability to chew certain foods and can therefore restrict their diet. This could mean that they miss out on certain key nutrients they need for their growth and development.
Helps speech development
Teeth are needed to help form certain sounds and to pronounce words correctly. Missing teeth caused by decayed teeth being extracted could hinder young children’s speech development and in older children can cause speech issues such as a lisp, which may affect their confidence.
Tips to ensure your children keep their milk teeth healthy
Brush their teeth, for at least two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste suitable for their age
Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes and wherever possible look for sugar free alternatives
Take them to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears and then as often as the dentist recommends.
Hundreds of different bacterial species can live in the human mouth. While you likely don’t have each and every species inhabiting the area around your teeth and tongue, you probably have one to two hundred at a time.
While bacteria are the big bad that can cause cavities and plenty of dental dilemmas, they are also an essential part of the oral environment. Your mouth supports the growth of so many species of outside invaders for a reason.
Before you try to wash away each and every species that’s made its way around your teeth, take a look at what you need to know about the good and bad of oral bacteria.
Where Do Oral Bacteria Come From?
Like other types of bacteria, the oral kind come from the outside world. Oral bacteria aren’t present in your mouth before birth, but most infants are quick to pick up these microbes from mom during the childbirth process. As you grow and are exposed to more people, stressors, medications like antibiotics, and illnesses, the bacterial population shifts and changes.
Are Oral Bacteria Bad?
In general, most people characterize bacteria as bad. Your mouth certainly has plenty of microbes that can cause potentially serious issues. The sticky film that can coat your teeth (called plaque) contains bacteria. The bacteria feed on the sugars that you eat. The more carbohydrates you have, the more plaque you’ll find in your mouth, unless you brush, floss, and wash the sticky stuff away.
Even though most of the time you won’t even notice the bacteria in your mouth, when they grow out of control, you will likely start to notice issues. Dental caries (also known as cavities) are the common result of too much sugar and too many bacteria. As the bacteria digest their food, they produces acids that eat away at the enamel.
How Do You Balance the Oral Bacteria?
Brushing and flossing are primary ways to remove the bacterial overgrowth and reduce the risk of developing cavities. Along with these regular dental activities, some people choose to use mouthwash. While in some cases mouthwashes can reduce the amount of cavity-causing oral bacteria, it can also throw off the balance of your mouth’s microbes.
Not all bacteria are bad or disease-causing. This is especially true of the bacteria in your gut. Without the good intestinal bacteria, your body feels off-balance. The result is often illness or, at the very least, discomfort.
While you don’t need supplements (such as the ones available to restore intestinal health) to give your mouth bacterial balance, you also don’t need to decimate the entire colony. Some research indicates that a blanket type of bacterial destruction can throw off oral balance — creating a less-than-ideal oral environment.
How Do You Care for Your Mouth?
What does the idea of balancing your oral bacteria really mean? To start with, it doesn’t mean that you should abandon your dental routine. You should absolutely brush at least twice a day for two minutes a time. Along with morning and night brushing, cleaning your teeth after meals (especially those that contain sugar) can help to stop the bad bacteria from taking over and causing dental decay.
Instead of trying to destroy each and every mouth microbe, stick to your regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-up schedule. Don’t worry about brushing dozens of times a day or constantly flushing your mouth with mouthwashes containing alcohol. If you overdo your dental self-care, you can risk sore gums and a bacterial imbalance.
If you’re confused about your mouths bacteria content or need help creating balance between the good and bad, talk to your dentist. The professional is there to help.
