Sunday, December 9, 2012
How to prepare for the dentist ...
Seeing your dentist twice per year for dental cleanings is important to your long term health as well as your short term health. Once you have your dental appointment scheduled, there are a few things that should be done to prepare for the dental visit - points that should be addressed especially the day before your dental appointment.
It does not matter if your dental appointment is for a routine dental exam, dental cleaning, or if your dental appointment has been scheduled for the purpose of a more advanced dental procedure. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth during the 24 hours prior to your dental appointment and, on the day of your dental exam, brush your teeth prior to your dental visit. While most dentists and associated dental staff readily say they do not mind if your teeth have not been brushed prior to your visit, the truth of the matter is - no one likes to look at a dirty mouth. Therefore, out of consideration to your dental and staff, brush and floss before your visit.
In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth, prior to your dental visit you will want to make a list of all dental and oral health questions you may have for your dentist. Because dental visits can lead to some degree of anxiety, we often forget some of the most important dental related questions we may have when we arrive in the dental office. Take some time, in the 48 hours prior to your dental appointment, to jot down the questions you have so you'll be prepared to make your dental appointment most effective.
Know your dental insurance plan. This is an important part in preparing for your dental visit. While most dental insurance plans cover standard treatments at the same rate, there are some that will contain pre-existing dental clauses, some that will not insure dentists who are outside of their dental PPO network, and even some that will exclude specific types of treatments from coverage. Know your dental plan before you go to the dentist and be sure you have reviewed the dental coverage materials well.
Prior to your dental appointment, it may be prudent to make note of your medical history especially any information pertaining to your cardiovascular system, metabolic system, and information related to any prescriptions you may be taking. Because your oral health impacts your physical health, and vice versa, your dentist will be very interested in knowing what the elements of your physical health may be. Again, because dental exams can be somewhat unnerving, we often forget to provide key health information at the time of the visit so be prepared by writing down these points in the 48 hours prior to seeing your dentist.
And, finally, be sure you get enough sleep and rest prior to your dental appointment. Because it is well known that adults defer seeing a dentist out of fear and based on anxiety, you can help in alleviating your own fears and anxiety by getting plenty of sleep prior to your dental appointment. Dental appointments are typically uneventful and do not involve pain. However, if you do require a procedure in the dentist office that may be of some discomfort, having enough rest and sleep on the evening prior to the appointment can help you managing your pain and stress better. Fatigue often leads to greater anxiety which is easily resolved by being well rested.
Sources: Journal of Oral Hygiene, 2002: 3; 46-51.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
10 tips for a healthier mouth!
1. Brush regularly and as soon after eating as possible - even after snacking. Brushing keeps small food particles from becoming giant feasts for unwanted bacteria. If possible, brush a full two minutes. Divide the teeth into quadrants and spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant. Use the sulcus technique, angling the bristles and gently inserting and cleaning underneath the gum line while you brush. If you are not sure how to do this, ask your hygienist.
2. Select a good dentifrice and stick with it. You don’t need much and when the mouth fills with foam, many people will spit it out and consider themselves finished brushing. There are many, many toothpastes and powders on the market all touting claims from being the best whitener to being the most natural. Try a powder with a good mixture of baking soda and flavoring - you’ll never go back to pastes! Fluoride? You won’t need it if you keep to a strict hygiene routine. Hydrogen peroxide? Good old baking soda is proven to be a better anti-microbial without the risk. You will be surprised how clean your teeth feel after using a baking soda-based powder. Just can’t deal with the powder? Keep your eye on a new paste called TheraSol being developed. This may be one of the most effective toothpastes to hit the market, but may only be available through dental offices.
3. Brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper. Why do a great job on your teeth only to have them come in immediate contact with the microbes living on the surface of your tongue? As an added benefit, your breath will be MUCH better!
4. Floss at least once a day. Flossing further cleans and removes calculus where your toothbrush cannot reach.
5. Learn how to irrigate the teeth and gums and do it daily. Oral Irrigation serves several purposes; it helps to remove food particles trapped below the gum line, using the right antimicrobial fluid in your irrigator can help remove the ‘biofilm’ which harbors bacteria dangerous to your oral health and irrigating massages the gums resulting in increased circulation. Short on time? New irrigators can now be attached right to your faucet or shower outlet allowing you to clean your teeth while you do the rest of your body. ShowerPik and QuickPik II are two such appliances new on the market.
6. Irrigate deep pockets with a cannula tip and good antimicrobial solution. This measure is one of the best things an individual can do, on his or her own, to assist in stopping decay where pockets have formed between the tooth and gum. Before you buy an oral irrigator, make sure you select an irrigator such as the Via Jet, which can accommodate the tiny cannula tips. Not all do. When irrigating a deep pocket, the cannula tip is small enough to deliver the antimicrobial solution deep, where the regular irrigator tip cannot reach. Ask your dentist for help in this. If you have the right dentist, he’ll be supportive and informative in your personal hygiene efforts.
7. See your dental professionals regularly, but choose them wisely. There are good offices and bad ones and you need to seek a good hygienist as well as a D.D.S. Make sure your hygienist is allowed a good 45 minutes to an hour - enough time to properly work on your teeth. Listen to your hygienist when she tells you about a problem area and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be on time for your appointments. Talk to your dentist about ‘periodontal anti-infective therapy’ involving home irrigation and antimicrobial solutions. This is cutting edge science and a little effort on your part might keep you away from the ‘specialist.’ Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If your professional won’t take the time to answer you in a way you can understand or gets offended by your questions, it may be time to move on.
8. White teeth do not necessarily mean healthy teeth. While your biggest concern right now may be your smile, make sure that smile will be there, in good shape, years from now. Tooth whitening is tremendously popular today and many companies are catering to the market. While tooth whiteners remove staining, to some degree, they do not necessarily do the cleaning job required by your other efforts.
9. Nutrition is half the battle. A demineralization and remineralization process is taking place constantly as the teeth are being bathed in healthy saliva (See article on ‘demineralization’ at www.mizar5.com/demin.htm ). The body is equipped to care for itself as long as conditions are right, and as everything else in the body requires good nutrition, the teeth and gums are no exception. Staying away from sugar is fine, but don’t forget carbohydrates; cakes, breads, chips… Vitamin C has long been known as important for healthy gums and a good colloidal mineral supplement will provide the calcium and phosphorus your teeth need. Your strong autoimmune system is one of your best defenses against poor oral health and GOOD food is your best source of essential vitamins & minerals.
10. Finally, allow the time, use the time, and be on time. These are YOUR teeth. How you care for them will determine how they will care for you down the road. Your attention to your good oral health could even save your life.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Today's funny ...
How to Floss
What is the Right Way to Floss?
Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach — under the gumline and between your teeth. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended.
To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:
Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with
Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.
Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue
Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth
To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.
What Type of Floss Should I Use?
There are two types of floss from which to choose:
Nylon (or multifilament) floss
PTFE (monofilament) floss
Nylon floss is available waxed and unwaxed, and in a variety of flavors. Because this type of floss is composed of many strands of nylon, it may sometimes tear or shred, especially between teeth with tight contact points.
While more expensive, single filament (PTFE) floss slides easily between teeth, even those with tight spaces between teeth, and is virtually shred-resistant. When used properly, both types of floss are excellent at removing plaque and debris.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
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