Dental Hygiene: Signs, Treatment, and Effects of Fluoride Deficiency

Dental hygiene forms a significant part of good grooming in human beings. It requires consistency to make sure perfect results are achieved. Some things ought to be put into practice to ensure a person's teeth are clean and healthy. Some of these things include brushing your teeth, flossing them often, and avoiding any sugary foods, among others. With these in practice, anyone would assume their mouth is healthy and hygienic. Many are the times; people fail to remember about fluoride deficiency. It is considered a severe deficiency of the mouth and should receive quick attention upon its onset.

What exactly is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is known to exist naturally. It is mainly released from rock into water sources, soil, or air. According to the American Dental Association, the element fluorine is present in the earth's crust as an ion called fluoride. It plays a significant role in the mouth because it works to hinder tooth decay. The process begins when the enamel goes through the process of remineralization and demineralization constantly. Once the enamel loses the constituents of minerals, the process is referred to as demineralization.

On the other hand, the process of regaining those minerals is what is termed remineralization. Saliva transports fluoride back to the enamel, and this poses a relevant process as it helps prevent some conditions in the mouth. Loss of minerals in the mouth could lead to cases of tooth decay.

When to detect you have fluoride deficiency

In most cases, tooth decay represents the onset of fluoride deficiency. Bacteria present on plaques produce acid with the use of carbohydrates and sugars present. The produced acid then destroys the enamel of the tooth, and as a result, damage occurs. People have, however, turned to measures such as fluoridated drinking water as its consumption lowers tooth decay by approximately twenty-five percent.

Is fluoride deficiency treatable?

Fluoride deficiency can be treated. A trained dentist will be able to diagnose it and prescribe the most accurate form of treatment. It is, however, wise to understand that apart from the course of treatment given, it is healthy to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and have regular visits to the dentist. This helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. Here are some of the possible courses of treatment for fluoride deficiency;

• Use toothpaste and mouthwash for cleaning your teeth. These products contain fluorine that helps with the deficiency. They are easy to use and can be used at any time.
• Prescription supplements; Fluoride supplements are readily available only through the prescription of a dentist or doctor.
• Consume foods rich in fluoride; several foods and drinks are very rich in fluoride. Once consumed, the fluoride gets into the body through the bloodstream. Examples of such foods and beverages include oysters, crabs, and black tea.
• Professional fluoride application; dentists can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of varnish, a gel, or foam.
  
  
  

Other concerns related to fluoride deficiency

This deficiency can trigger the overall health deterioration in a person. When a tooth rots or decays, it is most likely going to cause plaque development, which later leads to gum disease. It is a bit hard to diagnose gum disease, which causes the health of a person to deteriorate without their knowledge. This is because the bacteria present from the gum disease fills the mouth, and it may enter the bloodstream and trigger heart disease, stroke, or even cause arteries to clog.

How To Whiten Your Teeth At Home

We have all been through the painstaking process of trying to whiten our teeth from day to day. Most people prefer to have whiter teeth because it is more attractive in most cases to most people. I don’t really know what the science is behind this attraction; perhaps teeth look cleaner when they are white? Well, in some ways white teeth are cleaner because they are free of plaque and tartar, which is a pretty hefty sign of tooth decay and improper oral care. It also might be a good sign that the person is not regularly attending the dentist. Although, I would argue that most people do not regularly attend the dentist. I think that it’s because people are tight for money and the healthcare system in the United States is an absolute dumpster fire, meaning that people would much rather spend money on groceries, rent, and car payments than go to the dentist just to be told they have to brush their teeth more often. However, it is true that people sometimes struggle to keep their teeth looking white and clean. That’s why there are a lot of products available specifically for people who would like to whiten their teeth. It is worth nothing, though, that these products are usually extremely expensive and don’t really do much to whiten teeth beyond the bare minimum. That’s why I have spent a lot of time researching various at-home methods of whitening my own teeth.

After all, I really enjoy having whiter teeth, but I don’t want to pay a hefty price just for some whitening strips from Meijer! That’s why the internet has my back. Honestly, you can find a solution to just about anything if you go looking for it on the internet. What on earth did people do before the internet? There was probably not a whole bunch going on because nobody knew how to deal with anything. Anyways, if you are also like me and are looking for some various at-home methods with which to whiten your teeth, then I have some good news for you. To make it even better, you should know that these methods are super cheap and do not involve a lot of money at all - this is super nice for people on a budget like myself!

Well, you are probably wondering what sort of methods I am talking about since I haven’t gotten around to actually talking about them yet. Well, the first method I have to talk about is with baking soda, believe it or not. No, we are not going to be cooking up anything. Baking soda has actually been used in a lot of different dental products for centuries. Unless the Arm & Hammer commercials have deceived me, I believe that baking soda was even used originally as toothpaste. Well, if that is the truth, it is no surprise that baking soda can effectively whiten your teeth at home too. It’s also super cheap! No need to buy a 10 dollar bottle of mouthwash when you can spend 2 dollars on a big box of baking soda!

In addition to baking soda, hydrogen peroxide is also super effective at whitening teeth. Hydrogen peroxide has been used historically to kill bacteria in the mouth and also whiten your teeth while you’re at it. Hydrogen peroxide is my personal favorite at-home whitening technique.

Easy Ways to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

If you’re reading this, it probably means you struggle with your personal hygiene. Look, you don’t have to be a dentist to take care of your teeth. It’s really not that hard! Not only is it expected of you to be brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day, but dentists even recommend brushing your teeth after especially sugary meals or beverages. This also helps with bad breath and other related issues. It’s also super important to be flossing your teeth at least once a day. This is something that a lot of people overlook as part of their daily routine. Here’s the deal - if you don’t floss your teeth, you will get mouth cancer and your loved ones will have to watch you suffer for years due to your negligence. In other ways, people tend to neglect the color of their teeth. Sometimes teeth can get really stained over time. Some gradual discoloring is normal, but there are definitely ways to prevent your teeth from looking like the side of a gravel road! Here are a few home remedies that can help to whiten your teeth and remove surface stains. No dentist needed!

One way to remove stains and whiten teeth is to use a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Let’s face it, whitening strips and mouthwash are generally really expensive, and for what? They contain usually 1 or 2 common ingredients that you can find for much cheaper and will do the same thing; however, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste will not taste very good, especially if you are comparing it to some name brand toothpaste or mouthwash. Using this trick can help whiten your teeth at home and won’t necessarily break the bank. Now you can look all pearly fresh on your next date with Jane from HR. Just don’t let it slip that you used baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to clean your teeth, because that’s a little embarrassing.

Another way to whiten your teeth and start looking all nice and fresh is to bleach them. Now this is very important - bleaching your teeth does mean you swish some clorox around in your mouth and hope for the best. In fact, that’s a really good way to find yourself back at the dentist or even in the emergency room. Bleaching your teeth usually means getting a special gel or serum that one applies to their teeth with the help of a mouth guard or retainer. My girlfriend Hannah does this with her teeth and they look really good! She’s a cutie. Anyways, this trick can help whiten your teeth but is a bit more expensive than the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide method - it’s also a little harder to get the supplies for it.

Another way to remove surface stains on your teeth and keep those pearly whites shinin is with apple cider vinegar. Now, keep in mind that apple cider vinegar is one of the most repulsive things that you can put in your mouth. My roommate in college drinks a shot of apple cider vinegar every morning, and I just think that’s a perfect way to ruin your day right from the get go. However, apple cider vinegar is said to do wonders for removing stains from your teeth. Simply put some in  your mouth and swish it around like you would a nice minty mouthwash.

The time I had my wisdom teeth removed

When my dentist told me I needed to get my wisdom teeth removed, I was scared. I don’t like going to the dentist for one. The metal tools scraping on my teeth and having someone’s fingers shoved in my mouth, I’m not a fan one bit. I have a terrible gag reflex, so the dentist and I do not get on too well. I do not even want to get into the conversation I had regarding the need for braces. Getting wisdom teeth removed is kind of complicated, but the good thing is that there are people out there who specialize in doing stuff like this. 

As I said, the process of winsome teeth extraction is kind of a complicated procedure. First, the dentist needs to discuss with you how you want to be numbed. You can either get a shot in the wisdom teeth area, or you can be put under general anesthesia or be put to sleep in more simple terms. I chose to be put under general anesthesia. As I mentioned, I do not like the dentist, so this was the best choice I had. Once that choice has been made, you will receive your shot or be put under, and the procedure can begin. They will make a small incision in the wisdom teeth area to expose the teeth. Then the surgeon will cut the teeth to be easily extracted. They will then remove the teeth in sections, and gauze will be applied, and that’s really all there is to it. 

The morning of my procedure, my mom drove me to the dental office where my procedure was going to be done. When we got there, I had to sit in the waiting room and fill out some paperwork. Once that was done, I got called back for my procedure to take place. I was seated in the standard dental chair where the nurses came to get me ready for it. They told me I had to count down from ten to one after placing a needle in my left arm. I began counting, and by seven, I was out. When I woke up, it seemed like a second had passed; I was very loopy at this point. I remember telling them it was like a sword coming out of my arm. 

The healing process was just a time based thing; they gave me antibiotics; if I wanted them, I could take them. I did not ever feel a need for them. I had gauze placed over my wounds after the procedure was done and was told to keep pressure on them. I had to keep biting down so a blood clot would form; this was part of the healing process. After my procedure, I got a smoothie, and that was helpful. The cold felt nice in my mouth, ease the slight pain I felt.

In the end, getting my wisdom teeth removed was not as bad as I thought it would be. I am glad I had the opportunity to be put under general anesthesia, not to feel the pain or consciously knowing I have someone’s fingers in my mouth. The healing process was relatively quick, and I did not feel too much pain. I did feel the scars after a week or so, and I could not stop feeling them; it was an odd feeling. I am glad to have gotten the procedure done as I do not have to worry about the pain that would come if I did not have this procedure done. That pain being headaches and jaw pains. 

Is Healing Cavity at Home Possible?

When you have a pang in your tooth, you assume that it is a cavity, but you cannot be sure until you visit your dentist. However, it can be an early stage of having decay and cavity in the teeth. Moreover, a person cannot repair the damaged tooth or cavity at home, but you can get rid of the sharp pain or the initial decay of enamel. Anyway, when you feel a sudden and deep ache in your teeth, you need to make an appointment with your dentist. You cannot treat the cavity at home without the help of a dentist. However, you can take some precautions and treatments to get relief from the pangs and adapt a few steps to remilitarize a tooth's enamel and stop the decaying at home. Sometimes, you have pain and decay in your teeth due to any other reason, not because of the cavity; therefore, it is better to have an appointment with a dentist and examine the real cause and the treatment.

A person can get rid of the pain and initial signs of a cavity, but once the enamel is fully destroyed, you need a dentist to remineralize it.

Treatment at Home

Well, you cannot know, either your teeth are having a cavity or not. Only a dentist can diagnose it. However, you can analyze the initial symptoms of decay and cavity at home. Moreover, you can practice some steps to get rid of pain and remineralizing the enamel. If you have a cavity/decay, you will see a white spot on your tooth. It shows that your enamel is weakening and start decaying. It represents that your teeth will have a cavity soon, and you will have to lose all the protective layers of the teeth if you leave it untreated.

At this stage, you need to some protective steps at home to reverse the cavity. To strengthen the enamel, you will have to use an antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth. Use it two times a day to eliminate bacteria and stuck food. Moreover, use a toothpaste that has fluoride and calcium. It will repair the enamel and halt the decaying process. Do not do anything extra or unusual without the permission of your dentist. It can make the situation even worse. So, only focus on oral hygiene and paste.

Consult to the Dentist

Many people have pain and decay in their teeth, but they avoid going to the dentist. This can make the situation really bad and damage the enamel. So, if you take precautions at home, still you have pangs and spots, then you must go to the dentist. This is something you cannot treat at home. Your doctor/dentist is the one who can repair the enamel and control tooth decay.

Sometimes, the decay damages the roots and you do not know about it. In such cases, you might need dental surgery. However, if you do have a hole and only, the decay has not damaged the roots yet, then you only need a filling to treat the cavity. First, the dentist will clean the tooth, then he/she will place filling material in the hole to fill it and make it even. Moreover, dentists also remove the stains and spots from your teeth, when you have a cavity. The last step of filling is sealing up of the decayed tooth. It will also prevent the future cavity.

However, if your roots get damaged due to the cavity, then your dentist will apply the root canal treatment. This will fix the sabotaged roots of a tooth, eliminate/remove the decayed nerves and replace it with an implant. This will improve the overall oral health, provide entire cleanliness, and enhance the teeth's functioning.

Dental Bridge - When and Why you Need Its Repair?

Dental Bridge

When one or more teeth are missing, then a person needs a dental bridge to fill the gap. It enhances the smile and gives a flawless shape to the teeth. Sometimes, the false teeth or pontic ties up to the healthy teeth and misalign the entire look, then a fixed device, called a dental bridge, helps the person to balance the shape and fill the gaps in the jaw. Moreover, a person already has a dental bridge, and during a routine checkup, your dentist discovers that it has broken and needs repair. Thus, dentists replace the damaged one with a new entire dental bridge.

Why You Need a Dental Bridge?

When a person has misaligned or missing teeth in the mouth, then he/she needs the application of a dental bridge. Once the dentist places this device on your teeth, it fills the gap and shapes the broken tooth. Moreover, it can last for decades, you do not need to change or replace them after every month. It will need repair or replacement in the only case of some failures. The dental bridge is a fixed tool that protects your teeth and enhances the entire shape.

Why a Dental Bridge Gets Failed?

A dental bridge has two necessary elements in its composition ceramics or porcelain, joined with an underlying metallic frame. These components need care and a healthy hygiene routine. When a person is careless in looking after the oral health, then dental bridges start deteriorating. Poor hygiene and cleaning habits can sabotage the crown and diminish the ceramics or porcelain. Moreover, due to the poor brushing and flossing routine, the crown starts catching bacteria, it produces decay in the abutment teeth. These teeth can also fracture and cause the failure of the dental bridge.

As the placement of the dental bridge needs a metallic frame; however, it can break sometimes. Due to the intense or rough chewing, the bridge and its underlying frame can get damaged. Moreover, sometimes the dental bridge gets loose and needs repair. Due to the structural problem, it starts losing its original color and it does not match with your other teeth. Thus, a person needs repair or the replacement o the dental bridges.

When You Need Dental Bridges and its Fixing?

A dental bridge repairs the missing tooth in the mouth. The placement of this bridge fills the gap and makes the smile perfect. Moreover, it can last for up to thirty years. But, they need repair or fixing, when a dentist discovers a fracture in a tooth, sensitive teeth, or any problem or infection in the gums. The dentists or a person cannot identify the original problem in the dental bridges. They find it needs fixing by examining the gums' health and the overall oral well being. It covers all the teeth; thus, the decay signs are usually invisible to the doctors. However, identifying the repair requirement and the real cause of fixing them could be difficult. A crack in a tooth, looseness in the underlying frame, sensitive teeth, gums infection, bleeding would be a few symptoms that will tell the dentist about the need for dental bridge fixing or replacement.

Treatment of Dental Bridge Repair

The treatment and repair process of the dental bridge depends on the cause o failure. It there is a problem in the abutment tooth, then the dentist will remove the entire bridge and replace it with a new one. Sometimes, there is a fracture in a tooth, the doctor will cement the crooked teeth with porcelain and ceramics. Moreover, in a few cases, the supporting teeth need help and they come out as a result of the failure of the bridge, then the person needs the replacement of the entire dental bridge. To support the newly placed device, a patient will also need implant treatment. So, it will require surgical treatment to fix the implants in the jaw bone.

Five Causes of Bad Breath (Halitosis) in Kids - What you Need to Do About it?

Many children have bad breath or halitosis problem, even they have a good oral hygiene routine. It blows up the parents because they could not find the actual cause. Sometimes, the regular brushing and flossing do not enough for good oral hygiene. Parents need something more to get rid of this unpleasant smell in their little ones' mouths. Therefore, first, you need to find the real reasons that are causing the halitosis problem in your children. Below, five common causes can define the problem of bad breath in your kids. If they have any one of the habits from it, then your child needs treatment.

1. Poor Oral Care Routine

Parents usually think that brushing and flossing are enough for their kids. But, in a few cases, these methods cannot eliminate the bacteria and germs present in the mouth. Thus, they create plaque on the teeth. It can cause halitosis in children without giving you a single sign. The plaque on the kids' teeth is usually invisible or gets ignored. Moreover, if your kid is not having a good oral hygiene routine, then it can develop a cavity in the teeth. This will release the bad breath from your children's mouth. As a parent, you will have to make sure that your child's mouth is bacteria-free. After the recommendation of the dentist, you should use an antibacterial mouthwash for your littles. Moreover, always use a soft-bristles brush for the kids.

2. Infections or Canker Sores

Some kids have canker sores on their gums and in the surroundings of the mouth. They develop because of poor diet and bad digestion. This can cause the bad breath in the children. So, first, you need to be careful regarding their food. Do not give them spicy and oily meals. Moreover, when it comes to the infection in the mouth, it is because of sinus problems. Some kids release bad breath because of the sinus infection. Moreover, due to the sore throat and nasal problem, kids develop halitosis. It needs a complete treatment.

 Some other infections may include swollen tonsils. This can also disturb the enzymes of the stomach and produce more bacteria in the mouth. Thus, your kid has a badbreath problem.

3. Liver Infection

Some Kids have liver diseases by birth, or they develop it later. This causes a white thin line on their tongue and bad breath problem. So, do not do anything on your own if you see the sign. In this case, you need a physician and dentist. It happens in very rare cases, as kids usually do not have liver problems. But, if your child is suffering, then he/she is releasing the bad breath.

4. Something Stuck in the Nasal Pipe

Kids have a habit of putting and pushing things in their nostrils. If the object does not comes out and is stuck in the nasal pipe, it can cause bad breath and breathing issues as well.

5. Use of Pacifier

Some kids have a habit of sucking their thumb and pacifier. This causes dry mouth and releases the nasty smell from their mouth. It can also eliminate the required quantity of saliva and develop cavity and decay. This can generate problems in chewing and grinding the food.

6. Poor Diet

Kids should not eat garlic, onion, and other food items that can release the bad smell. Moreover, meals with high protein, including meat, fish, cheese can cause halitosis. Sometimes because of the eating of eggs and drinking too much milk can also cause bad breath in children. So, limit the foods that have a bad odor. And rinse the mouth after eating everything.