Preservation of our teeth in a healthy and good condition is the goal of many people; not only to prevent dental problems, but also to prevent other medical problems. Recent researches suggest a strong relation between bacterial types (microorganisms) causing periodontal disease (i.e. gum disease) and heart diseases. Thus maintaining a good oral hygiene is essential for our teeth, gums and heart as well.   Preventive care Besides visiting the dentist every 6 to 12 months for regular dental check-up; we can also make these visits much easier by preventing the problems in the first place. This can be accomplished by daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, which will help stop problems before they develop. Shall I brush my teeth? In my practice many people ask me some common questions as “How many times shall I brush my teeth?”, “Which is the best tooth paste that I should use?” or “What is the optimum way of teeth brushing?” Although the answer to these questions may seem easy for the professional dentist, they might be important for a lot of people who want to keep their teeth in an optimum condition. Regarding number of times we should brush, three times is the optimum, two times is good and once daily is the minimum. Although you may be shocked when you read this, but brushing your teeth once a day is not considered brushing at all unless it is done at night before going to bed.   Saliva is antibacterial When we go to sleep our tongue is not moving and not doing its cleansing motion, and our salivary glands stop producing saliva which is a powerful and efficient antibacterial (i.e. kills microorganisms causing teeth decay); our saliva is an alkaline solution which fight the process of teeth decay. So, this summarizes the answer of this important question “How many times shall I brush my teeth?”   BRUSH BEFORE GOING TO BED Regarding the second question “Which is the best tooth paste I should use?” Actually there are no big differences between different commercial brands of tooth pastes available in the market; all of them contain the amount of fluoride needed to clean and maintain the integrity of our teeth. Some types of tooth pastes are used only with dentist prescription which is needed in some cases like sensitive teeth or bleeding gums. So this answers of this question “Which is the best tooth paste I should use?”   THE TOOTH PASTE BRAND IS NOT IMPORTANT, WHAT MATTERS IS OUR WAY OF TEETH BRUSHING This answer takes us to the third question “What is the optimum way of teeth brushing?” Actually this is the most important part of our discussion about daily dental care. No matter how many times we brush nor the tooth paste we use unless we brush our teeth in a proper way.   Do your tongue too! Brush your tongue but do that gently. This can help reduce any mouth odors and also reduce level of bacteria.   Floss and keep flossing! Flossing is as important as brushing. It can help remove stuck in food pieces and also stimulates the gums and reduces plaque areas the regular brushing may not reach. Do not floss too hard and use floss tapes for sensitive gums. Try to rub the floss tape against you teeth side surface and do not snap or drag it hard against you gums. Floss at least once a day. Always rinse your teeth and mouth after flossing. Mouthwash: DO you need it? Mouthwash can be useful but it is not a must. You can enhance the level of fighting plaque and reach areas that are hard to reach by brush or even floss. You can consult your dentist for mouthwash to use especially for children or if you have any teeth or gum issues. It can also be an easier option for those who cannot floss. Rinse your mouth If you are not brushing after every meal, you can at least rise it with water 2 to 3 times. This can still be vey helpful in reducing acidity and wash your team from food or beverage remains.   Reduce sugar in your diet Sugar can harm your health in many ways, but we will focus here on dental health. Sugar residue that is left in mouth without brushing or rinsing can accelerate tooth decay and can severely impact enamel over time. You do not need to eliminate sugar but you need to be aware of how much sugar you push into your body every day.   A Cleaning Session every 6 months Visit your hygienist twice a year. Some calcium residue requires special tools that can be found only at clinic. It can also help you find out as early as possible about potential tooth cavities or developing issues.   Replace your toothbrush regularly Watch for the quality of your toothbrush. Do not use a toothbrush that is hard on your gums. Replace the toothbrush ever 2 or 3 months. Always clean your toothbrush after brushing and leave it in dry clean air to dry. Covering it in an enclosure can cause bacteria to build up on it. If using a toothbrush is painful due to arthritis or any other reason, consider buying an electric toothbrush.   Do not poke into your gums with sharp tools Use a toothbrush or proper dental care tools to clean your teeth and gums. Do not use sharp tools like tooth picks especially if there is a risk you injure your gums. Do not use other sharp tools to pick food or clean your teeth. Early treatment is less painful Do not wait on developing tooth pain or swollen gums. If your gums bleed when you brush you may have gum disease. The more you wait the worse it will get most probably and the harder the treatment maybe. In early stages you may have more alternatives to address a tooth issue that you may not have if you wait too long. You do not need to be ‘obsessed’ with every pain you may have but also do not let your fear of going to the dentist keep you from addressing a problem before it become a serious one. Some teeth issues may impact your overall health so don’t ignore it.   Beware of the bad stuff It would be stating the obvious here but consider it a reminder that smoking and tobacco products are generally bad for your teeth. Alcohol and drinking can also accelerate plaque formation and tooth decay process. Both smoking and drinking can give colored ugly looking teeth among other types of damaging effects. E-cigarettes are still under study but they seem to have harmful chemicals in general. Mouth piercing can lead to oral injuries. Teeth grinding can lead to damages and you may not be aware of it of it happens during your sleep. Addressing any life stresses can help relief this issue but if you suspect that you have this problem discuss it with your dentist. Not drinking enough water every day can be harmful to your overall health including your oral health.   Clean your dentures daily Using full or partial dentures? Do not ignore cleaning your dentures on daily basis. Use dentist recommended cleaning liquids and brush properly. Do not sleep with dentures in your mouth.   Keep your routine You may know and understand the importance of all the above recommended daily or regular oral care activities but fail to make it a daily habit. This is where you can end up with oral problems while you think you are taking good care of your mouth. You may think that you some times forget of become too lazy but you get back on your routine from time to time. This is a dangerous behavior and can eventually lead to serous issues with your teeth or gums. Make sure you commit to your daily routine and associate with important daily activities. Commitment is the name of the game here. Do not back down or underestimate the importance of sticking to your daily routine. Do not even stop there but encourage your family and your loved ones to follow the daily oral care routine. This encourages ‘group commitment’ and you can push each other to stay committed. The younger you are the better chance you have to have long life healthy teeth if you make these daily routines deeply rooted habits in your life. If you’re older or a senior you can still start and have a better chance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Start now and don’t procrastinate anymore!

• Brush at least twice daily
• Be consistent with your daily routine
• Know your mouth
• Floss
• Use the right tools
• Watch a video  

  Brush at least twice daily  Ideally brush your teeth after each meal, specially after eating sweets or sticky food. If not possible brush in the morning before going to work or school and before going to bed. Rinse your mouth with water in between when possible. The most important is to brush beforegoing to bed, try to make it an obligatory habit for your whole life in order to have health teeth. Be consistent with your daily routine Knowing what needs to be done is different from making it a daily habit. The most important point here is committing your self to your daily routine just like eating and drinking. Encourage yourself to make this part of your daily obligations. This is how you can maintain a long healthy life cycle for your teeth. When you get used to brushing, you will brush automatically after meals or before going to bed. Some people can't go to bed without brushing, others can't sleep without brushing. Know your mouth Not every mouth is the same. You need to be aware of your oral health and your overall health condition. Always be aware of any changes in your mouth and do not delay action. Make sure you learn from your hygienist or dentist how to take care of your teeth and gums especially if you have any condition that can impact your oral health. If you can live with some pain it doesn’t mean you are not harming your body on the long term. Don't rely on analgesics to control oral pain. Taking too many pills to relief pain is not good for your liver, kidneys and certainly not good for your general health. Know your mouth by consulting your dentist. Scheduling regular visits to have a look at your current mouth condition is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Use the right tools Always pay attention to the tooth brush you are using. It is better to use a toothbrush with medium or soft bristles. Use flossing tape at least once a day. Use mouth wash in between if possible. Use electric toothbrush if using a regular one is difficult for any reason or due to a medical condition. Make sure your toothbrush head is at the right size and not small or to big for your mouth. Also, brush your tongue gently and you can use a tongue scraper for this purpose. A water irrigator can help remove food debris that are stuck between your teeth and cannot be removed by regular toothbrush. This does not replace the need for visiting your hygienist at least twice a year to clean your teeth. Is it bad to brush your teeth only once a day? The recommended number of times for brushing your teeth is three times a day, at least two times of brushing is the minimum. The main idea here is to minimise the formation of plaque that harbours bacteria. This bacteria can cause tooth decay and cavities over time. The longer time you allow this bacteria to work on your teeth the sooner you will see decay and cavities forming. Once a day is better that none but not ideal. You can also rinse your mouth with water thoroughly whenever you have a chance. This reduces the acid effect as a result of bacteria doing its work. Always use toothpaste with fluoride and don’t brush immediately after eating or drinking acidic food or beverage. If you brush once daily, try to make it the last thing before going to bed. If you brush once in the morning, this is considered as if you are not brushing at all. If you can brush 3 times a day for about 2 minutes every time that is even better but don’t overdo it. Brushing too many times, too much or using a brush that is too hard on your teeth or gums can also cause damage to your gums or week teeth. The most important advice here: be consistent and commit to the process. This is a daily needed activity not an occasional task.   Baking soda: Is it good for your teeth Baking soda can be used to clean teeth but it can be a risk and it is not recommended to do so. Its abrasive nature can lead to teeth abrasion especially if used with hard toothbrush. Also not everyone will be able to use the right amount to achieve cleanliness without harming gums or teeth. Baking soda can also be used for whitening teeth as it will ‘sand’ the teeth and scrape into the outer enamel layer. However this can come with a side effect of harming the teeth by sanding too much into its enamel layer. It is better to use products that are specially designed for whitening and to follow the proper instruction to achieve desired results without causing harm. If you have any condition or week teeth consult your dentist about the best method to use for teeth whitening for your condition.   How to brush your teeth daily Select a toothbrush that properly fits your mouth and not too hard on your teeth and gums. Soft bristles are more flexible and less harmful. Put the brush at 45 degrees to the gums and move it back and forth across the teeth in a motion like half a circle. Always start from the gums to the teeth and not the opposite. Make sure to brush all sides: outer, inner and eating or chewing surface. Use a toothpaste with fluoride. Do not brush or strike too hard: Your teeth is not the enemy. Brush for about two minutes and do not leave out any spots. Make it more like you’re ‘massaging’ than ‘striking’ your teeth and gums. Oral hygiene routine You need to have a good level of awareness about any potential oral issues you may have. Always notice if you have a consistent pain or discomfort at part of your mouth. Any bleeding or swollen gums is something you should not ignore. Make it a daily habit to take note of these things and be careful with brushing these areas not to cause more damage. Consult your hygienist or dentist about these observations as soon as you can. Don’t ignore an emerging issue with your teeth or gums as it will usually only get worse and more difficult to treat over longer periods of time. If you have any special condition like diabetes or being pregnant for example consult your dentist if you need to take extra steps or actions to make sure you can maintain healthy teeth and gums. How to keep your teeth healthy and strong In conclusion: Brush at least twice daily, keep an eye on any thing unusual emerging in your mouth, visit your dentist on regular basis, and commit to your daily routine. Take action now and change your daily habits.

• Abscessed Tooth
• A Cracked Tooth
• Tooth Decay or Cavity
• Wrong Brushing or Flossing
• Grinding your Teeth
• Hot and Cold Sensitivity

  Feeling pain in your teeth or what we call toothache can be a result of many causes. We try here to list the top six reasons. You will notice that all listed reasons could be minimized or eliminated for a long time by just following the proper daily oral care routine and periodic visits to your dentist. Educate your self on the proper method of taking care of your teeth and gums and be aware and attentive to any growing or emerging issues in your mouth. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into the most common causes of toothaches. Abscessed Tooth An Abscessed tooth is a tooth that suffers from infection in the internal layer and around the root. If the root canal becomes infected it becomes really painful and you may need to have a root canal treatment or even tooth removal. The pain of Abscessed Tooth can reach the jaw, ears and neck if left untreated. It can also lead to bad breath. You may need treatment with antibiotics in case of severe infection as it may spread to other areas. A Cracked, or Misaligned Tooth A fracture can happen to a tooth for many reasons. Tooth cracks can sometime be hardly visible in plain x-rays but still cause pain. The dentist may need three dimensional X-rays in order to detect minute fractures or cracks. If you had a root canal treatment, it can also happen especially if you did not install a crown and can go unnoticed until it is really bad. Other types of incidents can also cause fractured tooth including hard food, sports or any kind of blunt force hitting your jaw or skull. In some other cases a misaligned tooth that is causing pressure on its neighbors can cause pain. A wisdom tooth trying to penetrate the gums or not having enough space to grow can also cause pain. These issues need to be assessed by your dentist so you can get the proper recommended solution that may include braces or surgery. Tooth Decay, Cavity, and bad Fillings Early decay may cause pain with sweets, cold beverages or hard food. As decay eats into your tooth layers you will notice a cavity and the pain will increase. If the decay or damage reaches the core layer of a tooth you may have to run to the dentist as the pain will be unbearable to live with. It is better to tackle decay or cavity issues early as possible to avoid more serious consequences. A tooth filling going bad can expose the inner layers of a tooth to bacteria leading to infection, inflammation, and pain. Fix it as soon as you can before it become a lost tooth case. Wrong Brushing or flossing Using a toothbrush with hard bristles or striking your gums too hard when brushing can result in inflamed, injured, or bleeding gums. The longer you use IMPROPER brushing or flossing methods the worse your pain will get. Consult your dentist on the proper method to brush or floss your teeth. Receding, inflamed, or irritated gums can cause various levels of pain. Using irrigators or water flossing machines at extreme water intensity setting can also cause damage and pain especially.   Grinding your Teeth Having stressful life due to work or personal life issues? You could be grinding your teeth during your sleep as a result of stress and not knowing it, some people even grind their teeth during daytime. This can even cause severe headache when you wake up in the morning, pain in your neck or jaw not just your teeth.  If this is a problem you have, you are not alone. This problem affects millions of people across the world. In some cases, a mouth guard recommended by your dentist could be the solution. Grinding can lead to broken crowns or teeth filings. You need to solve the root cause which in many cases can be stress or anxiety that you are living with.   Hot and Cold Sensitivity Your teeth enamel layer shelters your teeth from hot and cold food and beverages. If this layer gets eroded or becomes too thin or if you untreated cavities you will be sensitive to hot, cold food or beverages and eating or drinking can become a painful experience. Using whitening products or having a decaying tooth can lead to this type of pain. It can be a sign that one or more of your teeth are heading into trouble. One quick solution is using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. You can also consult your dentist on how to regain your enamel layer proper thickness and how to use whitening products safely. How to prevent and treat toothache? Your daily oral care routine can be your best defense against having toothache in the first place. However some toothaches maybe inevitable. Going to your dentist to address and treat emerging teeth or gum issues early on can save your teeth and your overall health. Delaying treatment is your worst enemy. Also, using a sensitive teeth toothpaste, changing your toothbrush to soft or medium bristles toothbrush and making sure you brush your teeth in proper non damaging way can help protect you from developing conditions that lead to toothache. Exercise meditation and other stress relief techniques to stop your self from grinding your teeth at night. Plan for a balanced life style as much as possible which can be positively reflected on your health including teeth health. If you experience fears about going to the dentist be open about discussing this subject with your dentist who can work with you to address these fears. Put the needed effort to live toothache free!

What Are Braces? There are many kinds of braces, but today the focus is on dental braces. This kind of braces is used to realign teeth, fix gaps in between them, and even improve overall dental health. They can be applied to both the top and bottom row of teeth, just either of the two, or a few select teeth. How do I know that my child needs braces? As a general rule, everyone should visit the dentist at least once a year, but in case of children that should be every 6 months. This is to check eruption of their permanent teeth and shedding of their milky teeth. The dentist will check the whole situation and he may need radio-graphic investigations (X-rays) to check the position of the teeth inside the jaw bone. Early loss of milky teeth due to cavities or other reasons may lead to serious problems in the future. On the other hand, late shedding of milky teeth may cause the permanent teeth to get stuck inside the jaw bone, which (if diagnosed later) may need a surgery to restore them back to their normal position. This is why your child should at least visit the dentist to be sure that he/she is replacing milky teeth in a normal pattern parents/ guardians should simply take a look inside their child's mouth and check for any crowded or misaligned teeth. What age should my child start the braces? It is very common to hear the phrase "braces after 12 years" or "braces not before 12 years". This might be true regarding crowding of the permanent teeth, while some other problems may need earlier intervention from the orthodontist which may start from 6 or 7 years, so your dentist may refer your child to the orthodontist before the age of 12 for several reasons such as early loss of milky teeth, late eruption of permanent teeth or abnormal relation between the upper and lower jaws. The problems involving abnormal relation between upper and lower jaws may be apparent when you look at your child's profile. The parents may notice that one jaw is larger than the other. Children suffering from an upper jaw which is larger in size than the lower jaw or the opposite, they need orthodontic treatment which may start from the age of 6 or 7 years. Those kinds of problems can't be treated after 12 or 14 years as the bones of the jaws finish most of their growth at that age, if your child had a problem regarding the relation between upper and lower jaws and was not treated at a younger age then he/she will need a surgery to fix the bone problem. What are the different kinds of dental braces? There are actually quite a few different kinds of these braces, ranging from the standard metal all the way to clear plastic. One of the goals with braces over time has been making braces less and less noticeable, and that trend is quickly clear in the different kinds of braces developed. The most popular one, of course, is the metal kind. Everyone’s seen these braces since they were and, to some degree, still are the most common braces. They use metal brackets, which are the little clumps that attach to the teeth, connected with one another by metal wiring. Over time, they’ve gotten smaller and less noticeable, even becoming not painful to wear. The second type being touched on is a little less common, but still well known. The ceramic braces are almost identical to metal braces, both visually and in their technical ability. They attach to the teeth in the same way as the metal braces, except the brackets are clear or “teeth colored”. They are more expensive than metal braces however, so it is up to the user whether they prefer the discretion or the lower price. Next, there are the Invisalign braces. These are the epitome of discretion when it comes to dental realignment. Invisaligns are custom made whole plastic braces that are completely clear and can be easily applied and removed. They’re not much more expensive than metal braces either, around halfway the cost between metal and ceramic. For most people, this would be the most convenient choice, but for more severe cases of misalignment, this wouldn’t be of much help. For these, no appointment to get them adjusted is needed, just replace them with a new set every two weeks. Lastly, are the lingual braces. These braces are completely invisible, just as the invisaligns are, but in a different way. These braces are attached to the teeth from the inside rather than the outside like all the other braces. These prioritize discretion over functionality since they too wouldn’t work in the more chronic cases. They’re also harder to clean because of their positioning. What is it like having braces? Braces are usually required for quite some time, usually a couple of years. However, some take months while others may take more than a couple of years. With this much time per treatment, getting used to the braces is a necessary step for all users. One of the mundane aspects of living with braces is having to keep food particles out of them at all times. General rule of thumb when wearing braces is to avoid sticky and hard foods, as well as foods that crumb really easily such as chips and hard cookies. Gum should also be avoided because of its stickiness. Another downside to having braces is the irritation caused by them. Braces work by gradually shifting teeth out of their original position and into a spot predetermined by the orthodontist. Of course, slowly forcing the teeth out of their place can be uncomfortable at times. Many suggestions have been made to help soothe this process. These suggestions include keeping light painkillers close by for whenever it becomes too uncomfortable, or special pain relieving mouthwashes for those with braces. Regular use of most things will wear them down eventually, and with braces, they become loose as they’re used, making them less effective. To avoid this situation, anyone with braces must take a trip to their orthodontist every few weeks to get them tightened. For everyone, the length of this time period differs, but it’s usually about every four to six weeks. If this isn’t done, the braces will become loose, and they’ll be rendered useless since they won’t be pulling the teeth into their destined spots. For people using Invisalign braces, they won’t need any tightening, they’ll just replace them every couple weeks until they’ve run out. Although, their treatment will probably take a little longer than others. Alternatives to braces? For most people, invisaligns are the alternative since they function differently and are much more comfortable, look wise and pain wise. They’re clear, which is a really big upside for many, since they might not feel comfortable with the look of the traditional metal braces. They’re even much more comfortable, since they’re not attaching to the teeth and they’re smooth. This means they won’t tug on the teeth or cause any cuts because of a rigid nature. Not needing to realign or tighten them every few weeks is also convenient. However, it does come with a downside, that the treatment will usually take longer to go through, and it isn’t as effective with more severe cases. In conclusion… There’s a lot of different aspects that need to be considered when getting braces, including the kind of braces themselves. Whichever works best will depend on the user, but there’s a reason some are more popular than others. There’s also all the changes in the user’s day to day life to consider as well, ranging from the food that can be eaten, to the dental upkeep required. But, as much as a hassle some of it can be, it’s all worth it in the end. A straightened set of teeth, and the improved dental health that comes along with it, will save the user a world of trouble and headaches in the future.

What is a Crown? In this context it is not the one used on top of a king’s head, but rather it is a covering or cap on top of a damaged tooth. It can be used over a tooth with a relatively large filling or a tooth that had a root canal. In some cases it may be used for cosmetic reasons like making an ugly looking tooth look better. What is a crown made of? Crowns have been known for a long time and have gone through a long history of evolution and improvements. Some older crowns are made of gold and they can withstand time and most type of pressures. However they may look a bit weird and are usually mentally associated with villain movie characters so not everyone is willing to go for it. Porcelain is another material used for making crowns. It looks more like a tooth but it is weaker than metal crowns. Composite crowns made of silicon and plastic components also look natural and they are relatively durable but tend to wear out from chewing. Crowns made of porcelain fused into metal is another type that is more durable than regular porcelain or composite types but sometimes the metal may show at the bottom side.   Living with a crown Crowns are generally durable and should last for a long time. However you still need to care for them and brush your teeth and make sure not bite on them with very hard food or objects as this may cause them to crack. Make sure to check your crowns as part of your regular dentist or hygienist visits. When do you need a crown? If you have a cracked tooth, a crown will not help as they do not heal like broken bones. However, for a broken or a week tooth a crown can help provide the needed protection. A crown is also used to protect a tooth with a relatively large filling or after a root canal operation. It can also be used to cover a dental bridge in place. It can also be used for some cosmetic reasons such as covering a discolored or ugly tooth. A crown is also used after dental implant operations. In children, a crown is sometimes used to cover a week or decayed tooth until it is naturally replaced. A root canal renders a tooth ‘lifeless’ and becomes prone to fracture. A crown can maintain a longer life span for a tooth after a root canal.   When a Crown is not needed? Generally speaking, relatively small fillings, silver, and composite filling for teeth that still maintain most of its structure will usually not require a crown. Discuss your case with your dentist before deciding if you need a crown or not. How it is done Your dentist will take the measure and shape of your tooth. The dentist may need to file or grind 0.5-1.2 mm from the tooth with special tools to create some space for the crown. A tooth impression is then taken to be used to make the crown. The crown is made to match the shape and color of your tooth. Once the new crown is ready, your dentist will install it in place after removing any temporary crown that was used (if any). The dentist will adjust the crown in place, do some chewing test and file the crown to make sure it does not impact your overall teeth and jaws system and to provide you with as natural as possible look and feel. Once you have the crown in place you need to care for it like your natural teeth and make sure to apply your daily and periodic dental care to your teeth in general. Do not apply too much pressure on a crown as it may crack and it is not expected to be as strong as your natural teeth anyway. Crown alternatives In some cases a dentist may offer an alternative to the longer-term crown. A short-term filling maybe used until the patient can afford to pay the more expensive crown or until a final decision is made on how a tooth will be treated. This can buy you some time while providing better protections until the time comes to apply a more permanent solution. Indirect resin crowns (zirconia, E-MAX, CAD-CAM) maybe also used which can provide a quick protection and, in many cases, can be prepared in the same clinic by the doctor as a short-term solution. A provisional crown is also used as a temporary solution until the patient is ready for the more expensive longer-term crow. It is usually prepared in clinic and is ready to apply in a relatively short time.   In Conclusion Several factors come into play when deciding whether you need a crown or not: Cost, durability, and strength. Cosmetic needs also can influence your decision. Looking for a great smile and a discolored or ugly tooth is in the way?  A crown can be an option in this case too. If you need to go through some preparations or tooth treatment before applying a crown, this can increase the total cost significantly. This comes with some inherited risks though. Your tooth will be subject to risk of getting broken or cracked if left without a crown. Always discuss your options with your dentist and learn about available alternatives for short term and long-term tooth protection aesthetics solutions.