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Cosmetic dentists are specially trained to fix your smile. He or she is focused more on the appearance of your teeth and the enhancement of your smile than retaining function or curing an oral disease. The practice is part science and part art, and the result is mostly about aesthetics and restoring your self-confidence.

What To Expect During Your Visit

A good cosmetic dentist will ask you to describe in full detail what you like and do not like about your smile. If you have been in an accident, or your smile has fallen into disarray over time, providing the practice with a photo of how you previously looked can help. You may also bring a picture from a magazine or of a celebrity to give the cosmetic dentist an idea of what you wish to look like after treatment.

After assessing your damage and discussing what you would like done, the cosmetic dentist will explain each of your treatment options to you. This is when he or she will discuss prices and the length of treatment with you, and you can decide if the procedures are right for your needs. Afterwards, he or she will conduct a brief oral exam since many cosmetic issues like missing or yellowing teeth can be a consequence of other health problems. Once that is squared away, he or she will begin the process of restoring your smile.

Types Of Procedures

There are many different procedures that these highly trained professionals can perform to improve your smile, but here is a brief list of some of the most common ones:

Bonding - Composite resin is attached to teeth to improve appearance.

Veneers - Hard shells are made to mimic tooth enamel and mask dental imperfections.

Crowns - Porcelain caps are made to cover heavily damaged teeth.

Whitening - Your teeth, along with a cleaning solution, is placed in a custom mouthpiece for hour-long visits.

Braces - Brackets made of metal, ceramic, or plastic are bonded to teeth and wired together to guide misaligned teeth to their correct positions.

Implants - A surgeon implants synthetic teeth surgically into the jawbone to replace those that are missing.

Bridges - False teeth that replace those missing by using those that are nearby as anchors.

Choosing An Office That You Can Trust

The best way to find a cosmetic dentist that you can trust is to contact the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry(AACD) for information. They are the leading national organization for the profession. Many times they will be able to verify the credentials of the office that you are considering, and can give you broad details about the dentist's schooling, advanced training, and certifications.

One of the most common reasons people get toothaches is because they eat or drink things that cause discomfort or pain. Hot and cold beverages are known triggers, as are hard snacks like peanuts. But what most patients do not know is why these edibles cause pain. More often than not, the explanation their family dentist provides leaves them scratching their collective heads about tooth sensitivity.

What Is It?

As hard as they may be, your teeth have nerves that are extremely sensitive. And when exposed to certain stimuli like hot and cold drinks, they can bring the strongest man to his knees. The sensation is often a shocking one that sends pulses of pain throughout the entire jawline. Although it may only last for a moment or two, most consider it a serious disorder that must be dealt with.

Causes

The most common cause of tooth sensitivity is gum disease that results in recession. When this happens, the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing their nerves. In extreme cases, a patient must avoid any food or liquid that may reach these areas. Other cause of sensitivity include:

- Age-related wear and tear. Acidic foods, tooth grinding, even excessive brushing can break down the enamel of your teeth over time. When this happens, the nerves inside them will be vulnerable to certain stimuli.

- Cavities near the gum line that expose nerves.

- Gum diseases. Periodontal disorders like gingivitis may cause the gums to recede and expose the roots of the teeth.

- Bruxism. A fancy term for grinding your grin, bruxism can wear down dental enamel in no time, exposing sensitive areas.

- Whitening products. Although generally safe, whitening products can cause gum irritation and inflammation that may cause gum recession.

- Age. No matter how healthy they may be, our pearly whites are more sensitive between the ages of 25 and 30.

- Plaque and tartar deposits. The presence of plaque on or near the root of a tooth can cause increased sensitivity.

- Excessive mouthwash use. Your family dentist may dissuade you from using certain mouthwashes because they contain acids that may irritate inflamed areas.

- Acidic foods. Because it wears down the enamel that protects vulnerable nerves, acidic food intake should be restricted.

Treatment Options

In most cases, mild sensitivity can be addressed without a specific dental procedure. Here are a few of the things you can do to help control the problem:

- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush 
- Use a type of toothpaste that's made for people with sensitive teeth 
- Use a mouth guard to prevent bruxism 
- Visit your family dentist every six months 
- Limit acidic food intake

If, after making those changes, your pearly whites are still bothering you, talk to your dental professional. He or she may recommend a procedure that corrects the problem once and for all. Bonding, fluoride varnishes, and dentin sealers are the most popular options for folks with extremely sensitive teeth.

Dentophobia may be a fairly uncommon word, but the condition it describes is not. Millions of American adults freely admit that they're afraid to go to the dentist. This fear may range from mild jitters to outright terror at the thought of sitting down in a dentist's chair. According to a recent survey, about one in four people experience apprehension as their appointment draws near. It is no wonder dental professionals have unusually high cancelation rates.

The Dangers

This wouldn't be much of an issue were it not for the fact that human beings cannot take care of their teeth on their own. No matter how often some folks brush, floss, and gargle mouthwash, they can still get cavities. Tooth decay is a degenerative disease, meaning it tends to worsen over time, no matter what you do at home. It takes the skilled hand of a dental professional to repair this damage and improve overall oral health. In other words, you must visit your dentist on a regular basis!

The Solution

Also known as sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry uses medications to help patients relax during office visits. Although usually conscious, most patients do not remember much about the procedure they went in for. Because some folks have severe fear, sedatives can be used for tooth cleanings and other non-invasive procedures. Most of the time, however, sedation is required when painful procedures, such as root canals, force a patient to experience extreme apprehension and fear.

Who Needs It?

Because all medications carry with them certain risks, dentists must determine if sedation dentistry is appropriate in each individual case. A dental professional may administer medications to patients who have

- An extremely low threshold for pain 
- Problems sitting still in the dentist's chair 
- Unusually sensitive teeth and/or gums 
- A sensitive gag reflex 
- A need for extensive dental work

Who Performs It?

Most dentists are trained to administer minimal sedation, such as pills or nitrous oxide. But only a relatively small number have experience with moderate or deep sedation dentistry. These are levels of sedation that may require the administration of intravenous (IV) drugs or general anesthesia. Because these medications can be dangerous, dental professionals should complete the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) program in general anesthesia and deep sedation before administering them to patients.

How Safe Is It?

As we mentioned, all drugs have possible side effects. This is particularly true with anesthesia, which can be somewhat risky for certain people. Those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or are obese, for example, should consult their doctors before scheduling sleep dentistry. It is also extremely important to make certain your dentist has the training and experience needed to administer the medication you require for your procedure.

Sleep dentistry can help patients who suffer from dental phobia get the treatment they desperately need.

Straight teeth are not only desirable for good looks - the benefits extend far beyond vanity. Whole-body health is improved when you correct a severely misaligned bite. The following are additional reasons to invest in straight teeth and revitalize your overall wellness.

Efficient Digestion

Teeth play a crucial role in the first step of the digestive process. When the mouth suffers from extreme misalignment, it can take significant additional energy to properly chew food before swallowing. When food is inefficiently broken down, the body must work harder to process waste and absorb nutrients, potentially leading to gastrointestinal issues and general indigestion.

Easier to Clean

Properly aligned teeth are simply easier to keep clean. Straight teeth will have less debris stuck in between them, and without the awkward angles involved in brushing and flossing with a crooked smile, you can quickly and efficiently rid your teeth of plaque and bacteria each morning and night. Plaque that is not removed within 24 hours starts to turn into tartar, which must then be removed at a dentists' office. Removing plaque immediately can prevent gum inflammation, serious periodontal disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.

The occurrence of periodontal disease has been linked to an increased risk of other, more serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and high cholesterol. One of the fastest and most rewarding immediate paybacks from undergoing orthodontic work is a cleaner bill of tooth and gum health after a regular dental checkup.

Reduced Risk of Abnormal Wear

Accelerated tooth wear is common among people with teeth out of alignment. Teeth that scrape or jut against others may experience premature enamel degradation. This leaves the tooth at a higher risk of developing decay. Also, a misaligned bite can create stress points in the jaw. This can lead to the development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which results in jaw, neck and shoulder pain.

Mental and Emotional Confidence

Whether or not you are consciously affected by misaligned teeth, a straight smile encourages confidence in your physical appearance, releasing mental stress and stabilizing emotions surrounding your impression on others. Straight teeth can also help cure speech impediments that may have been worsened by a tight jaw or teeth out of position. The ability to clearly communicate while showcasing your newly straightened smile can transform your personal and professional life.

Pain Relief

A severely misaligned tooth or jawbone could result in frequent injury to the tissues in the mouth. People who continually bite their tongue, inside of their cheek or lips due to misaligned teeth may find orthodontic work to straighten their bite worth the pain relief it provides. In addition, a smile that is out of alignment can cause you to unconsciously clench your jaw, directing stress to the neck and shoulders and contributing to chronic headaches. Those who elect to relieve the anxiety and the pain they feel through tooth position correction will gradually see an improvement when orthodontic services are complete.

The health benefits of straight teeth can facilitate digestion, improve psychological outlook, reduce or eliminate pain, prevent future dental disease and assist you in properly caring for your teeth on a daily basis.

When considering dentistry for children, there's much more at stake than just the child's dental health. Dentists, parents and all other interested parties must also consider the attitude ingrained in children concerning dental health care. The reason is that such an attitude will have a crucial impact on the compliance of such a child to dental care later in life.

You shouldn't be worried that you might not have any control on the type of attitude your child develops concerning dental health care. It's actually possible to develop a positive dental attitude in your child through specific behaviour guidance techniques. Such behaviour guidance techniques, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), involve pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological methods.

One pharmacological-related method of developing a positive dental attitude in your child is pain management.

How Pain Management Can Help Your Child Develop A Positive Dental Attitude

Anything that you may not like as an adult also would often not be liked by kids. However, you might not fully comprehend how extensively a painful experience can affect your child. Being an adult, you might have developed a good number of coping strategies to manage pain, but a young child would have a very hard time coping with similar pain.

Indeed, a 2008 report by the "Pain" journal actually affirmed this common sense understanding that pain can have far-reaching adverse effects. The report identified pain in past dental visits as possibly contributing to patients' fear or behaviour problems. Hence, pain management is critical in preventing your child from developing a negative attitude towards dental health care.

Once the aspect of pain has been effectively handled, it's so much easier for a dental practitioner to build trust with the child. This will make the child more willing to comply with the necessary dental health care requirements. Definitely, any parent would love to see his/ her child being excited about a forthcoming dental visit, rather than protesting.

Regarding this aspect of pain, parents as well as dentists must guard against the all-so-convenient habit of comparing one child with another. Just because one child isn't protesting loudly like all the rest, doesn't mean that he/ she are feeling less pain than the rest. Of course, every mother would know that each child is uniquely special and the way children react to pain is completely different. Having a better understanding of a child's personality would give a clearer insight into what the child is actually experiencing, which would be far better than simply comparing one child's reaction with that of another.

Even as the evidence of pain between on child and another differs based on their personalities, it would also differ based on age difference. The 4-year-old age-group, in particular, would have a much lower capacity to communicate their sensitivity to pain, yet they actually have greater sensitivity to painful stimuli. This is something that a specialized paediatric dentist would understand and know how well to detect the reception of painful stimuli in children of different ages.

Just as it's said that "the customer is always right" in business, so also would it be said that "the patient is always right" when dealing with pain in health care. An expert medical professional would know better than to make assumptions of the extent of pain felt by a patient, since it's only the patient who knows how much it hurts.

With the back-to-school rush upon us, many of our patients are preparing for preseason sports practices and an exciting fall sports season. While many students in our community are focusing on grabbing the latest trends in sportswear and equipment, I have been fielding a lot of questions from parents (OK, and the occasional conscientious student) about mouthguards. As I frequently tell parents, because all the research points to the protective benefits that a mouthguard can provide, any student athlete playing contact sports should wear a mouthguard during practices and games.

Benefits of a Mouthguard

The mouth and face of a child or young adult can be easily injured if the proper precautions are not taken while participating in sports or recreational activities. The stats are staggering... Student athletes have a 10% chance of suffering a facial or dental injury while on the playing field and almost one-third of all dental injuries are sports-related. The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable... According to the Acadeny of General Dentistry, an athlete is 70 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a mouthguard.

Wearing a mouthguard provides cushion during an impact and can reduce trauma to the teeth, lips, tongue, face and jaws. Most frequently, a mouthguard prevents broken and chipped teeth, reduces the likelihood of teeth being knocked out and lowers instances of jaw fractures.

Mouthguards are Especially Important When an Athlete is in Braces

Wearing a mouthguard is especially important for student athletes in braces. In fact, sports injuries can be exacerbated by braces when there is contact between the soft tissue in the mouth and the braces. A mouthguard can act as a barrier between the braces and the cheeks or lips, which reduces the risk of soft tissue lacerations (like cuts that can cause bleeding) or more significant injuries. For this reason, orthodontists generally recommend special mouthguards that are designed to fit over braces, so a student athlete can continue on the road to a beautiful smile without giving up the activities he or she loves.

Younger Athletes may also Benefit from the Protection of a Mouthguard

According to the American Dental Association, "more than half of the 7 million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by children as young as 5 years old... The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF) forecasted that more than 3 million teeth would be knocked out in youth sporting events" on an annual basis. We recommend that our patients begin to wear a mouthguard during contact sports as soon as their permanent teeth begin to erupt in the mouth, typically around 6-7 years of age (around the age most kids first visit an orthodontist). Depending on the type of activity, mouthguards may be advisable even earlier, so parents should consult their children's pediatric dentist or orthodontist.

Think of a Mouthguard as an Important Piece of Sports Equipment

While snagging a good football helmet, hockey stick or soccer cleats may be your student athlete's focus, a mouthguard is one most important (and inexpensive) pieces of sports equipment available. If you want your student athlete to smile like an All Star, it is strongly recommended that you add a mouthguard to your back-to-school list.

Who wouldn't love to have teeth that shine like pearls and brighten our smiles? Unfortunately, for most of us, our teeth often end up bearing the brunt of our fast paced lifestyle. This involves staining due to the constant consumption of tea, coffee or cigarettes.

Even if your teeth aren't stained as a result of the above, they don't really stay as white as we'd like them to be. This could be because of hereditary reasons, aging, poor dental hygiene, antibiotics, climactic conditions, infections, etc.

But all is not lost. If you want to restore your teeth to their pearly white glory, here are a four simple steps you can follow.

Brush and Floss well and regularly

Bacteria thrive on sugars and convert it to acid that causes enamel decay and yellowing of the teeth.

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing them will ensure that all food particles from in between are removed. This is very important for clean, healthy and sparkling teeth and gums and is actually the most inexpensive way of getting white teeth.

Flossing is essential for good dental health and also helps remove stains from between your teeth, where many whitening kits can't reach. In fact, if you practice good oral hygiene, you won't even need to purchase teeth whitening strips and waste any money on them nor will you face any dental issues such as tooth decay and smelly breath.

Consume food items that help whiten teeth

Studies suggest that you can actually whiten your teeth naturally by consuming crunchy fruits and vegetable like carrots, apples, celery as well as nuts. These foods are naturally abrasive and help scrub teeth clean naturally. Fruits like pineapples contain bromelain, which breaks up plaque on the teeth and apples are known to contain malic acid, a chemical which is also used in teeth whitening products to dissolve stains.

Apart from the above, leafy green vegetables like spinach, lettuce and broccoli, contain iron that forms a film over the teeth thus making them acid resistant and protects the enamel. Some more foods you can add to your diet, are raw onions, shitake mushrooms and basil minimise the bacteria in your mouth. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and thus, also good for your dental health.

Some studies suggest that eating a little cheese after meals prevents decay, helps repair teeth and keeps acid level in the mouth low. This along with the fact that dairy has calcium, which is essential for strong teeth also prove its importance for healthy teeth.

Mix up that Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking soda, an ingredient easily found in most kitchens, is actually an amazing, natural teeth-whitening product. Even if you do not happen to have these ingredients, you can easily purchase them from your local pharmacy or supermarket.

Mix a little hydrogen peroxide with some baking soda and make a paste. Using this, brush your teeth like always, making sure you brush all your teeth properly and reach every corner possible.

Hydrogen peroxide being an anti-bacterial agent, works really well as a total mouth and gum cleaner and helps keep the mouth free from germs and bacteria. Baking soda on the other hand is a gritty substance somewhat like sandpaper, so be cautious and use only a little bit while brushing. Also, ensure that you don't scrub your teeth too hard as that might lead to enamel damage, which is irreversible.

Avoid any food that may damage your pearly whites

Vitamin supplements such as chewable Vitamin C and multi vitamins are also damaging since they contain enamel-hurting acids that cling to the teeth. This is why you should always brush your teeth after chewing vitamins to minimise such damage.

"Often, consumption of food or drinks results in teeth stains. These stains develop from drinking coffee, tea, wine, or other dark or staining liquids. It's a good idea to rinse or brush your teeth after consuming these liquids to prevent staining," says Sherri Worth, DDS, a reconstructive dentist in Newport Beach, California.

Drinking a lot of water along with a couple of cups of green or black tea while avoiding acidic or sugary food items will further help the cause. If you use all of the above mentioned tricks, you will definitely restore your teeth to their former dazzling glory.

Temporomandibular joint syndrome is a pain that occurs in the jaw. This problem can travel through the entire joint which goes right up to the ear. Not only can it cause a lot of discomfort in the face but it could also spread to the neck and the ear.

Common Signs of TMJ Syndrome

Severe pain or discomfort in your jaw is the most common sign of TJM syndrome. Some of the common signs that you should look out for include:

• A loss of ability to open your mouth wide 
• The feeling that your jaw is locked or stuck in a certain position 
• Pain in any area of your face, especially around your mouth or through your face when you are chewing or talking 
• Swelling around your face 
• A tired feeling in the facial region 
• Funny noises that come from your jaw like a clicking or a grating sound

Diagnosing and Treating TMJ Syndrome

The difficult part about diagnosing this disorder is that there are a number of other problems that show similar signs. The best way is to visit a dentist and tell them exactly what has been happening. When you visit them, your joints will be checked properly for any tenderness. The dentist may also ask you to take an X-ray, MRI or CT scan in order to get a clear picture of what the problem is. By studying these results, it will be possible for the dentist to diagnose the problem and then treat it accordingly.

In severe cases, surgery may be required for this problem. However, you will usually be able to treat TJM disorders with a few home remedies. Application of ice packs and heat packs usually help to loosen the jaw. Medications are prescribed by dentists in order to ease the pain and relax the muscles. A splint can be designed to stop you from grinding your teeth in your sleep and night guards are also given to some patients. A little bit of regular dental work like filling your teeth, replacing old crowns and balancing the biting surface can also make a huge difference in the amount of pressure that is put on the jaw. By taking care of your teeth and watching what you eat and how you move your mouth, you can minimize the pain and treat the problem.

Preventing TJM Syndrome

Most of the time, this problem can be prevented by changing certain habits in your lifestyle. For example, if you have a habit of chewing gum and you start feeling an occasional pain in your jaw, you should avoid the gum as much as possible. You should also stay away from very chewy food and try to stop other bad habits like biting your fingernails or chewing the tips of pencils. To prevent your jaw from locking, you should place one hand below it whenever you yawn.

If you have certain habits that cannot be controlled like grinding of your teeth, you should take a trip to the dentist. Splints are often made for people who clench their jaw or have the tendency to grind their teeth when they sleep.

Periodontal Disease is caused by Bacterial Infection

Family dentists diagnose and treat periodontal disease to help you avoid losing teeth from a serious infection that spreads through soft tissues inside the mouth. Periodontal disease rarely occurs when you visit a dental professional on a regular basis to have plaque removed from teeth along with having cavities filled. Plaque is a hard substance that collects toward the base of teeth or in difficult to reach areas, and it contains bacteria that destroy dental enamel. Without quick intervention from a dentist, the bacteria multiply to invade your dental pulp and gum tissue.

Gingivitis Symptoms Begin

First Before developing this disease, you will have gingivitis that affects only the gum tissue with symptoms such as:

• Swollen tissue at the base of your teeth

• Reddish or purplish gum tissue

• A foul taste in your mouth

• Your gum tissue may look shiny

• Chronic halitosis despite daily dental hygiene

• Pain while drinking beverages or chewing food

• Bleeding from the gums while brushing or flossing your teeth

What Leads to Gingivitis?

You might be predisposed to gingivitis because of an inherited tendency, but in most cases, it is caused by poor dental hygiene, mental stress or bad habits such as smoking cigarettes. Poor diet may also increase the likelihood of developing gingivitis if you seldom consume vegetables or fruit that contains essential vitamins. If you have misaligned teeth, then removing plaque from tight spaces is often difficult, leading to bacteria that infects soft tissues in the mouth.

How It Is diagnosed

When you fail to seek assistance from a dentist for gingivitis as quickly as possible, the condition progresses to become periodontal disease. Cosmetic dentists can find evidence of this infection with a visual examination using a probe. In addition, X-ray images will show where there is infection inside the gum tissue. A diagnosis of periodontitis is serious because it can lead to infection in ligaments and alveolar bone that causes loss of teeth.

Dental Professionals Must Classify Periodontitis

There are seven levels of infection that family dentists look for to classify periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the first classification and is treatable with removal of plaque during a thorough dental cleaning. During this stage of periodontal disease, a patient often takes antibiotics to eliminate infection lurking in the oral tissues. The highest level of infection from periodontitis involves seeing abscesses on gum tissue. A dentist must also determine exactly where the infection is located by inspecting six areas around each tooth. When 30 percent of these sites are infected, the condition is considered localized, but if more are infected, then the periodontal disease is diagnosed as generalized. The last measurement of periodontitis infection is determining the amount of ligament loss.

How It is treated

It is important for you to realize that pain and loose teeth are the last or most severe signs of periodontal disease, and family dentists must intervene immediately with invasive treatment to remove the infectious tissue. The first treatment includes scaling the teeth with an instrument to remove calculus before debridement or removal of infected tissue. When X-rays reveal calculus on the roots of teeth, you require a root planing. For this procedure, you are anesthetized as the dentist inserts a curette to scrape infection from sensitive dental roots.

The best New Year’s resolutions are the ones that bring you a lasting reward, such as caring for your teeth.

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Related Posts: 5 Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays

Here are five ways you can improve your dental health for the New Year.

• Brush and Floss Daily
  You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, which is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing at least once a day will help remove plaque buildup between your teeth and gums. It’s crucial to maintain good oral health since mouth diseases can spread throughout your body. If you neglect cleaning your teeth and gums, it can lead to gingivitis and gum disease.
• Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 
  Fruits and vegetables are a high source of nutrients, antioxidants and fiber, which form the basis of a healthy diet. Not only will fresh produce like apples and carrots clean your teeth and freshen your breath, it will help your immune system fight against bacteria, inflammation and various diseases.
• Keep Alcohol Use Limited
  The Academy of General Dentistry warns that excessive alcohol use increases the changes of gum recession. Too much alcohol can also lead to addiction and overall poor health.
• Avoid Tobacco Products
  The dangers of smoking cigarettes are obvious, even without reading the cancer warning label. People who smoke cigarettes not only damage internal organs, they develop horrid looking stained teeth. By staying away from all tobacco products completely you will be protecting your own health as well as others in your circle.
• Visit Your Dentist Regularly
  Seeing your dentist at least twice a year will help catch dental health issues early. Regular visits amount to record keeping that lets a professional review your dental health progress. These visits will also help prevent problems such as pain, discomfort and expensive treatment.

Today, a broad variety of dental or orthodontic alternatives are available for anybody who wishes to have their teeth corrected. For example, if you're suffering from a misaligned bite or your teeth are crooked, you can have you teeth straightened using braces and dental retainers.

In Australia, most general dentists do carry out basic dental alignment although orthodontists have been specially trained in the correction of teeth irregularities. Most of these specialists belong to the Australian Society of Orthodontists and have been certified by the Dental Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

How Do They Work?

Braces operate by the continuous application of pressure on your teeth over time to gradually shift them in a specific desired direction. The shape of your jaw bone changes as your teeth move due to continuous pressure being applied.

Types Of Braces

If your orthodontist or dentist decides that braces are the ideal solution for your dental needs, they will prescribe a suitable dental appliance that is specific for your requirements. There is no single method that works for everybody. It is good to ensure that your orthodontist is using braces that have been approved by the Australian Government's Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health.

Caring For Your Metal Braces

If the decision is finally made that you need to be on braces, you need to note some care aspects.

• Proper teeth care is important at all times, but this takes special significance when you are on braces. Go the extra mile and give special care to your oral hygiene.

• Steer clear of chewy foods, soft candies plus crunchy or very hard foods that possibly could cause damage to your braces.

• Regularly visiting your orthodontist or dentist allows for timely adjustments to your whenever required and it also accords you the chance of having any issues or questions clarified.

How Long Do You Need Braces?

The time you will need to be on braces depend on a number if very diverse factors and varies from one individual to the next. However on average, they typically last between one to even three years depending on the problem severity.

Will Braces Stop You From Taking Part In Sports?

When you are on braces, you may go on taking part in any sport of your choice. If there is a possibility of getting your mouth hit, you may need to put on a special mouth-guard. Made of durable plastic, the head gear has been designed to snugly fit over the braces, protecting your soft mouth tissues.

Do You Need To Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly?

You will need to visit the specialist nearly each month to ensure your teeth are getting steady amounts of pressure from the braces. If there's any need to create more pressure and tension on your teeth, your dental specialist may now and then make the needed wire, band and spring adjustments of your braces.

Depending on how severe are the needed changes, braces may in some special cases be inadequate in straitening your teeth or shifting yourjaw. In such situations, it may become necessary to use some external appliance like a headgear they you may need to wear at home.

We are living in a hectic and busy life, and hence we all tend to fell prey to various bad habits. Most of the time we fail to find the harm behind these habits. Most of the time, these habits initially appear less harmful to our health but when we look at these bad habits on a long term perspective, we might feel alarmed about the potential threats these bad habits can have on our health. By the time we realize it, we might be too late to reverse the damage created on our body and health.

There are a lot of bad habits and small actions that has a negative effect on our teeth. Our tooth is one of the most important part of our body and if it gets damaged or infected, the pain associated with that will be very much terrible. So we always needs to make sure that we maintain proper cleanliness for the better state of our teeth on a regular basis. We also need to get rid of certain bad habits and rectify certain actions that we do on a day-to-day basis.

Here are 10 of the common habits that can be harmful for your teeth's health and which needs to be notified and get rid off at the earliest.

1) Utilizing Your Teeth as a Tool 
Our tooth is one of the best tools for consuming food, but we often end up using it as our primary tool for several activities. We often use our teeth to open a bottle, prick out our nails, take out hard surfaces of raw food etc. Actually our tooth is not to be used as a primary tool as it will severely start damaging the teeth and its surrounding cells in a bad way. This will make you end up with teeth that are not strong and often you will start feeling the pain.

2) Biting Your Nails 
Biting the nails is one of the most common habits that is found these day and this is a habit that can prove harmful to your teeth in the long run. It can very much damage the lust and shape of your teeth and once it starts affecting your teeth, you will start experiencing severe teeth ache. So better avoid such a bad habit and make sure that your teeth remains healthy and strong.

3) Use of Tobacco 
Tobacco is one of the deadliest bad habits that can even make you pay your life for it. Tobacco use has a lot of serious health issues and most of these issues are life threatening. The use of tobacco will also make sure that you have gum problems on a regular basis, which will also damage your teeth. So stay away from tobacco for a better health, teeth and smile.

4) Chewing of Ice 
Chewing of ice seems to look interesting and most of us love to indulge in ice chewing activities. But the irony is that chewing of ice is not a good habit for your throat, as well as your teeth. Your teeth and its roots will always stand a chance of getting damaged by the regular chewing of ice. You might get some pleasure while chewing the ice, but at the same time you are risking the health of your teeth.

5) Usage of Toothpicks in an incorrect way 
Whenever we eat certain type of food materials, especially chicken or meat, a lot of the good residue will get stuck in the gaps of our teeth. This will be distracting for us and hence we will seek the help of tooth picks to get rid of those food materials from our teeth. If you are not using the tooth pick in the proper way, then you are certainly going to damage your gum and teeth in a bad way.

6) Consuming Too Much Sugary Foods and Beverages 
We all love sugary foods and beverages and at times we cannot resist ourselves from having such food items. Sugary foods and beverages might taste good, but it is very much harmful to our teeth and damages our teeth drastically. A continuous consumption of sugary foods and beverages might damage your teeth causing gum infection and tooth ache.

7) Not Brushing Your Teeth Regularly 
Brushing our teeth is one of the most basic actions that lead to a better and healthy teeth. Majority of the people make sure to brush at least twice in a day to make their teeth shine better and remain healthy. If you are not brushing your teeth regularly, you will be again risking the health of your teeth and the chances of it getting decayed becomes higher.

8) Grinding Your Teeth 
Some of us have the habit of grinding our teeth even while asleep and this is something that can take a toll on the enamel, leading to other dental health problems. So if you are serious about the health of your teeth, then it is better to make sure that you avoid the habit of grinding your teeth.

9) Using a Tooth-Brush That Has Hard Bristles 
Tooth-brushes are an essential part of maintaining the cleanliness of our teeth and hence it is something that we cannot compromise upon. Most of the time we might be using a tooth-brush having hard bristles, which are very much harmful to our gums. Always make sure that you use a tooth-brush that have soft bristles and do not damage the gums in any ways.

10) Regular Use of Soda 
Soda is a drink that we often consume to get rid of our thirst. It is fine to drink soda once in a while, but if it becomes a regular habits, it can become harmful to your tooth. Soda can easily damage the enamel and make your teeth weak and infected in the long run. So better stay away from soda and other carbonated drink whenever possible.

The above tips can be very much beneficial for maintaining the overall health of your teeth and remember that once you starts losing your teeth, life will not be the same again even though you can compensate it through various implants.

Definition

Dental Specialty means a dentist attaining a specialty in a particular field of dentistry. The specialist requires training in an advance graduate program. Once training is complete, the dentist is granted a certificate of specialty.

Dental specialties are recognized in order to protect the people and improve the quality of care. There are nine official dental specialties identified by the American Dental Association (ADA). They are currently the main specialties followed all over the world.

We are about to learn all of them.

1. Dental Public Health

They focus on achieving optimal dental health for their community. The idea is to treat the "community as a whole rather than an individual". Other responsibilities include studying patterns, causes and control of oral health problems.

2. Orthodontist

These dentists are trained to specialize in the development, prevention and correction of malocclusion (misaligned bite) using dental braces and retainers. They also have specialized training in facing abnormalities and disorders of the jaw.

3. Endodontist

They are mainly concerned with the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp (tooth nerve). An Endodontist is useful in performing difficult root canal therapies or other such surgical root procedures.

4. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist

The main function of a Radiologist is to interpret all types of X-ray images. The specialist analyzes all the data used in the diagnosis of diseases in the oral or maxillofacial (jaw and face) region. This specialty was introduced in 2003.

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

An oral surgeon operates and diagnoses on diseases, injuries and defects in the mouth, jaw and face through surgical extraction and reconstruction. They also perform biopsies, tumor removal in oral cavity, fractured cheek repair, jaw bone repair, and complex jaw realignments.

6. Prosthodontist

A Prosthodontist specializes in making/restoring prosthesis and fake teeth. The Prosthodontist uses ceramic crowns, dentures and bridges to replace the missing teeth. They can also be helpful in the treatment of facial anatomy abnormalities (head and neck deformities).

7. Periodontist

The Periodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases related to tooth structures like soft tissues of mouth, gums and teeth bones. They can also treat bacterial infections affecting gum tissue (periodontal disease). In addition to this, deep pocket cleanings, crown lengthening procedures, and bone grafting can also be done by a Periodontist.

8. Pedodontist

Dentists who are specialized in the treatment of children from "birth to adolescence" are Pedodontists.

9. Oral Pathologist

A pathologist deals with the identification and management of disease that affect your mouth and face. They rely on clinical, radiographic and microscopic examination for diagnosis.

Apart from these, there are four more specialties that are recognized in the United Kingdom only.

• Oral medicine - diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases 
• Special care dentistry - dentistry for developmental and acquired disabilities 
• Forensic Odontology - the gathering and use of dental evidence in law 
• Oral microbiology - it is the study of microorganisms of the oral cavity

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) includes OSA and is part of the scope of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Not to consider SDB would be ignoring an important factor in the pathology of TMD. Successful treatment of SDB can not only add years to a patient's life, it can also greatly improve quality of life.

The most common treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy prescribed by a physician. A CPAP mask is worn over the nose (and sometimes also the mouth) and the mask is connected to a hose that gently provides air pressure into the throat to keep the airway open during sleep. However, studies have shown that more than half of all patients who use a CPAP machine stop using it within a year due to discomfort.

As an alternative to CPAP treatment for OSA treatment, oral appliance therapy (OAT) is often deployed by dental sleep medicine practitioners, working in partnership with referring sleep physicians. With OAT, the patient wears a mandibular advancement splint, which is a mouth-guard-like appliance that positions the lower jaw forward to open the airway continuously through the night. Studies have shown that patients comply better with OAT than with CPAP. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral sleep appliances as first line treatment options for those with mild and moderate levels of sleep apnea as well as for individuals who are CPAP intolerant.

Overnight pulse oximetry monitoring is essential in pre-confirming the effectiveness of OAT for OSA treatment. A pulse oximeter monitors a patient's heart rate and blood oxygen saturation in arterial blood. According to the AADSM and the AASM, overnight pulse oximetry has been shown to be an effective sleep screening tool used to evaluate the response to OAT prior to sending patients back for follow-up polysomnography (PSG) testing at a sleep lab.

As a specialist in Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine, my patients are referred to me for temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), headaches or sleep apnea. After my patients have been diagnosed by a board-certified sleep physician, I use overnight pulse oximetry screening to manage the MAS that I typically prescribe. Specifically for this case study, I used the Nonin Medical WristOx2® wrist-worn pulse oximeter and Nonin's nVISION® data management software to verify the appliance's effectiveness before my patients return to their physicians for a final PSG. I have found that the WristOx2 is the best device for this purpose.

The need for diagnosing and treating SDB, including OSA, is critical due to the volume of potential patients affected, the associated health risks (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression) and the potential for reduced quality of life (poor concentration, fatigue, increased risk of accidents).

Diagnosis and treatment of OSA should not have to wait until patients' symptoms are bad enough to drive them into their doctor's office. Dentistry has, as part of its treatment structure, a yearly recall of patients. This presents an opportunity for sleep disorder dentists to partner with sleep physicians to improve patient quality of life and lower healthcare costs by working together to diagnose and treat OSA appropriately.

Pulse oximetry sleep tests are useful to dentists for managing MAS appliances but not for diagnosing or confirming resolution of OSA. Only a sleep physician who is board certified in sleep medicine can diagnose or confirm resolution of OSA. MAS is reimbursable, and overnight pulse oximetry sleep tests can be included as part of the cost-of-care delivery.

Oximetry sleep tests are easy and inexpensive for dental sleep practitioners to employ using a pulse oximeter. Training is minimal, and patients appreciate the fact that their oxygen saturation levels are being monitored for verification of MAS effectiveness before they return to their physician for a final PSG. Performing these tests lets the physician know that the dental practitioner is serious about OSA treatment and knowledgeable about how to make treatment 
effective.

Medicine, like many other branches of academics has always been reinventing and improvising itself by each passing day. One such branch of dentistry which has attracted many young students to take up dentistry as their stream of study is the branch of Cosmetic Dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry consists of any work which helps in improving the appearance of a person's teeth and/or gums. Dentistry, today, is not restricted only to the extraction of teeth and filling but includes a wide range of treatments which help in making the teeth look beautiful and attractive.

Further Classification

There are two special sub-branches in Cosmetic Dentistry, namely, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics respectively. While Prosthodontics, which is also known as Dental Prosthetics or Prosthetic Dentistry and deals with the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance of the patients like treating patients with missing or deficient teeth; orthodontics deals with specifically with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of wrongly positioned teeth and jaws. Medical practitioners dealing with this subject matter are known as Prosthodontists and Orthodontists respectively. There are many affordable dentist who provide all kinds of dentistry.

Treatments Offered

Some of the treatments which are or get covered under this branch of dentistry are:

• Whitening of teeth or teeth bleaching as it is also known as is a popular procedure which helps in lightening discolored teeth; 
• Tooth re-shapening which helps in removing the enamel of the tooth in order to improve the appearance of the tooth; 
• Bonding, which is a process in which enamel like dental composite material is used on the tooth's surface and is then sculpted to shape and polished. 
• Dental bridges which help in fusing the gap left by missing teeth with the help of porcelain crowns; 
• Dental implants which are nothing but prosthetic replacement for missing teeth; 
• Gum Lift procedure helping in raising and sculpting the gum line; and 
• Bite Reclamation, by which the vertical dimension of the patient's teeth can be reclaimed and any unwanted wrinkles can also be removed.

Raw Materials

Previously, for dental fillings and such other tooth restoration methods, gold, amalgam and other metals were used as an affordable dentist treatment, which were veneered with porcelain. However today, dental work is entirely made out of porcelain or other composite material which gives natural teeth like appearance to the entire set. This is one of the reasons why dental surgeons today, are increasingly opting for porcelain based fillings.

Your teeth are your precious assets. They are the most exposed bones of your body and hence, it is extremely vital for you to take care of those 32 lovely set of pearls which have been gifted by God. Today, science has advanced so much that it can help you in practically almost every single way in correcting any irregularity which you may be suffering from as far as your teeth are concerned. So go ahead and treat yourself to a beautiful set of sparkling white set of teeth and be an owner's pride and a neighbor's envy.

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Who isn't on the quest to acquire the perfect set of teeth?

It was Hippocrates and Aristotle who wrote about repairing decaying teeth and fractured jaws centuries ago, and today, cosmetic bonding and cosmetic dentistry are all the rage. Many of us looking for the perfect smile will waste no time in thronging their dentist's office with such requests.

Having a great set of pearly whites can boost your self-confidence like few other things can. However, keeping your teeth in great shape will require you to put in a little time and effort on an everyday basis.

The daily brushing-and-flossing routine is a must for maintaining dental hygiene. Additionally, making sure that you stick to the following oral-hygiene tips and tricks will help you protect and care for your teeth better.

1. Keep Stains Away

Can't keep away from your cup of black coffee, but want to avoid those ghastly stains on your teeth? The good news is that you can lighten and remove most teeth stains.

With technological advancements, several teeth-whitening procedures have been developed that can treat tooth discoloration effectively. While most are performed at the dentist's, taking a few precautionary measures yourself can help you avoid these stains all together.

Sip your dark-colored soda, red wine, and coffee with a straw in small quantities, instead of drinking them from a glass/mug as doing so can ensure that your teeth never stain.

2. Keep Your Teeth Naturally Clean and Strong

Woke up late and rushing to work? Seems like flossing isn't going to be possible today? No worries! Munch on fibrous fruits and veggies like apples and lettuce for breakfast. Fiber prevents the buildup of tartar and plaque on your teeth, thus making them appear cleaner.

Fibrous foods also serve as exfoliating agents and prevent stain molecules from attaching themselves to teeth. Also, because these crunchy foods require a lot of chewing, they keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

3. Subscribe to Natural Breath Fresheners

While Tic Tac, Altoids, and Ice Breakers may be your run-to mints before an emergency meeting or an upcoming date, do not underestimate the benefits of natural bacteria busters like parsley, cilantro, mint leaves, and cucumber that contain odor-fighting phytochemicals. Chew on them to experience an instant burst of freshness in your mouth as well as get minty-fresh breath.  

4. Opt for a Teetotal Mouth Wash

Using a high-quality mouthwash can go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums in great condition. However, you need to pick one with care. Research has linked using mouthwashes containing alcohol to a higher likelihood of developing mouth cancer. This is because alcohol makes it easier for cancer-causing agents to permeate the mouth's lining. Some mouth washes contain alcohol concentrate of up to 27%.

Further, it is best to avoid mouthwashes that come in tones of dark red, green, and blue as these can damage and stain your teeth, rather than keep bacteria at bay.

5. Avoid Foods That Lead to Bacteria Accumulation

Did you know that foods like ketchup, soy sauce, candies and sodas can damage the enamel coating of your teeth and eventually change their color? Minimize their consumption to keep your teeth looking good.

Additionally, make it a point to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after consuming citric fruit juices to protect the tooth enamel.   

Caramel sweets and sweet soda contain huge amounts of sugar, which is instrumental in creating optimum conditions for bacterial growth in gums and teeth. Avoid these. If you have an unavoidable sugar craving, opt for dark chocolate as it has a high concentration of cacao beans. The higher the concentration of cacao beans in chocolate, the better it is for your teeth.

6. Opt for Cheese and Spices

Peppers, chillies and all things spicy could be good for your teeth. Spices stimulate glands that produce saliva, which contains chemicals that naturally fight bacteria in the mouth. Plus, saliva helps clear out food particles stuck between teeth, which automatically keeps the mouth clean and prevents buildup.

Cheese has magical properties that help maintain oral health. Eating it creates a protective layer around teeth, which prevents dental erosion.

Cheese is alkaline in nature and it transfers these properties to the mouth too. This can be highly beneficial to the well-being of the teeth. This is because eating cheese increases the pH levels in the mouth, thereby balancing the acids. A recent study states that cheese reduces cavity formation in teeth as it neutralizes the plaque acid that attacks teeth enamel and causes cavities.

7. Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

The secret to good teeth lies not only in brushing them regularly, but in brushing them the right way. Brushing correctly keep your teeth sparkling white, and mouth squeaky clean. Invest in herbal toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush and cleanse those pesky tooth troubles away.
 
A Popular Westchester dentist explains exactly how brushing should be done. "Brushing too hard can scrub the enamel off the teeth. Hence to maintain teeth health, brush your teeth softly and use gentle circular strokes on the upper and lower teeth. Also remember to brush upper to lower rather than left to right. Reach between your teeth and brush your tongue for a good fifteen minutes too. Rinse your mouth with water."

You will do well to floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day for a clean and healthy mouth.

To Conclude

While concepts such as aesthetic dentistry and dental implants are great technological breakthroughs in the field of dentistry, most dentists recommend taking good care of teeth and mouth the old-fashioned way, i.e. like a regular chore than an occasional occurrence. So, brush regularly, take care of your teeth and pay a visit to your dentist every six months. Being proactive and going for regular dental check-ups rather than waiting for something to go wrong with your teeth and mouth will give you a set of pearly whites to be proud of.

You might think that choosing the right toothbrush is not that a big deal for a healthy mouth but honestly it is really important to select the right one. It is really difficult to select whichtoothbrush should be used. The reason why it is difficult to choose your toothbrush is because there are certain toothbrush that ensures teeth whitening, fresh breath and deep cleaning. But only your dentist can tell you which one is best suited for you. However if you feel that you do not want to consult your dentist for selecting them then there are certain things that you need to keep in mind.

Things to look for in a Toothbrush

Selecting the right toothbrush will help you avert any bad dental hygiene and turn them into good dental hygiene. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once will ensure that your mouth is free from Dental Plaque, Tooth Decay and any Gum Disease. So read the points mentioned below which will be pretty handy for you:

1. Softer bristles are better: Remember that your teeth are not utensils which need hard and rigid bristles. Soft bristles work easily on your teeth and gums. Soft bristle toothbrush will not only ensure that your teeth are cleaned but also ensure that your gums do not bleed.

2. Opt for a Nylon Toothbrush: You may find two options - Nylon and Natural. Always opt for Nylon one because Natural bristle toothbrush has not been tested for any adversities or benefits and natural bristles toothbrush costs more than Nylon bristles.

3. Smaller head is better: We generally have this mindset that bigger is better but the fact is size doesn't matter. A small headed toothbrush is easier to use on your teeth. The reason is that it is easier to maneuver inside your mouth hence ensuring proper cleaning.

Point To Be Noted:

It is always advisable to change your toothbrush once in 3 months. The reason is that with regular use your toothbrush will become prone to germ attack and fungus attack. No one wants that. Right? So make sure to keep changing your toothbrush every 3 months and if you are suffering from flu then it's more important to consider changing it.

Technology has grown by leaps and bounds and at this time there is no sector which has not been affected and influenced by new inventions. Dentistry is no different. For your convenience there are Electric Toothbrush which are very common these days. These toothbrushes have received mixed reviews from dentists and patients. Some dentists say that they are not effective at all while patients say that they are. The best part of these toothbrushes is that they will alert you when you have brushed your teeth for 2-3 minutes.

So I guess I have made things easy for you to choose the best possible toothbrush. Be sure to ask your dentist about anything related to your dental health.