People have two sets of teeth in their lives, the primary teeth (also called the baby, milk or deciduous teeth) and the permanent teeth (also called the adult or secondary teeth). Children have 20 primary teeth; they are replaced by the permanent teeth by about age 13. Adults have 32 permanent teeth. Teeth are used to bite and chew food- they are the first step in the digestion of food. The long, sharp canine teeth tear up food (like meat). The wide, flat molars grind and mash up food. While we chew food, the tongue pushes the food to the teeth and saliva helps digestion and wets the food.Teeth also help us say certain sounds. The shape of the arch inside the mouth helps you talk. Many letters of the alphabet can't be sounded without the help of teeth
Article
How to Brush
Regular, thorough brushing is a very important step in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing removes the bacteria that promote tooth decay and the plaque that can cause gum disease.
Ideally, you should brush after every meal, because the bacterial attack on teeth begins minutes after eating. At the very least, brush once a day and always before you go to bed. Brushing your teeth isn't complicated, but there is a right and a wrong way. We do it every day without thinking too much, but there are some important points to remember when brushing your teeth.
Ideally, you should brush after every meal, because the bacterial attack on teeth begins minutes after eating. At the very least, brush once a day and always before you go to bed. Brushing your teeth isn't complicated, but there is a right and a wrong way. We do it every day without thinking too much, but there are some important points to remember when brushing your teeth.
Orthodontics
Tips & Suggestions for maintaining your Braces
Braces collect food and dental plaque very easily. If proper oral hygiene is neglected during orthodontic treatment both tooth decay and periodontal disease can occur easily.
Braces collect food and dental plaque very easily. If proper oral hygiene is neglected during orthodontic treatment both tooth decay and periodontal disease can occur easily.
Root canal treatment
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure in which the diseased or damaged pulp (core) of a tooth is removed and the inside areas (the pulp chamber and root canals) are filled and sealed.
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure in which the diseased or damaged pulp (core) of a tooth is removed and the inside areas (the pulp chamber and root canals) are filled and sealed.
Gum Disease
Eight Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
- Gums that are red, swollen or tender
- Gums that have pulled away from teeth
- Infection including purulence (pus) between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any changes in the fit of your partial denture
- Bad breath
- Itchy sensation
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
- Gums that are red, swollen or tender
- Gums that have pulled away from teeth
- Infection including purulence (pus) between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any changes in the fit of your partial denture
- Bad breath
- Itchy sensation
Dental Implants
The modern method of replacing missing teeth. Research shows that 85% of people who wear full or partial dentures experience some related discomfort and difficulty. Dental implants can eliminate those problems, restore self-confidence and improve the quality of life. From a single missing tooth to an entire set of teeth, dental implants can provide a permanent alternative to problem dentures, and help prevent the premature loss of remaining teeth. Dental implants can last a lifetime and are an excellent investment in oral health
Wisdom Teeth
The Pro's and Con's of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Some Pro's of Removing a Wisdom Tooth:
- Wisdom teeth may be hard to access with your toothbrush or floss. Over time, the accumulation of bacteria, sugars and acids may cause a cavity to form in the tooth. If it is not restored with a filling, the cavity may spread and destroy more tooth structure causing severe consequences to the tooth and surrounding supportive structures.
- Due to the difficulty of keeping these teeth clean with your daily home care (brushing and flossing), bacteria and food debris remaining on the wisdom teeth may produce a foul smell-causing bad breath.
Some Pro's of Removing a Wisdom Tooth:
- Wisdom teeth may be hard to access with your toothbrush or floss. Over time, the accumulation of bacteria, sugars and acids may cause a cavity to form in the tooth. If it is not restored with a filling, the cavity may spread and destroy more tooth structure causing severe consequences to the tooth and surrounding supportive structures.
- Due to the difficulty of keeping these teeth clean with your daily home care (brushing and flossing), bacteria and food debris remaining on the wisdom teeth may produce a foul smell-causing bad breath.
Tooth Whitening
Want Whiter, Brighter Teeth?
The best way to keep your teeth white is to brush twice a day, floss daily, see your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings, and limit stain-causing foods and habits. These include: tobacco, certain foods and beverages (such as coffee, tea and berries), some drugs (such as tetracycline), or trauma to a tooth. As well, your teeth may become stained or discoloured naturally as you age. Your dentist can give you the best advice about whitening your teeth.
The best way to keep your teeth white is to brush twice a day, floss daily, see your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings, and limit stain-causing foods and habits. These include: tobacco, certain foods and beverages (such as coffee, tea and berries), some drugs (such as tetracycline), or trauma to a tooth. As well, your teeth may become stained or discoloured naturally as you age. Your dentist can give you the best advice about whitening your teeth.
Veneers
Can I Improve My Smile?
Are you too self conscious to smile because your teeth are chipped, discolored, or poorly spaced? Cheer up, your dentist may be able to apply a porcelain laminate veneer to your teeth and give them a whole new appearance. Veneers are strong, thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the teeth. They are used to repair chipped, decayed or stained teeth and for closing gaps between teeth. With a bit of contouring, veneers can also rectify crowded or overlapping teeth. If your teeth have discolored with age, a veneer may improve their appearance. Veneers can also be used for cosmetic reasons instead of crowns, which are more often used for badly damaged or decayed teeth.
Are you too self conscious to smile because your teeth are chipped, discolored, or poorly spaced? Cheer up, your dentist may be able to apply a porcelain laminate veneer to your teeth and give them a whole new appearance. Veneers are strong, thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the teeth. They are used to repair chipped, decayed or stained teeth and for closing gaps between teeth. With a bit of contouring, veneers can also rectify crowded or overlapping teeth. If your teeth have discolored with age, a veneer may improve their appearance. Veneers can also be used for cosmetic reasons instead of crowns, which are more often used for badly damaged or decayed teeth.
Cosmetic Bonding
As children reach their teen years, the appearance of their teeth can do much to promote a healthy self image and confidence.
Unfortunately, sometimes minor injuries occur, or cavities develop in front teeth, and in the past, the only solution was to fix or fill with typical amalgam, or go through an expensive capping or crowning process in order to restore the teeth to a more natural appearance.
Modern technology has changed this. Cosmetic bonding is basically the process of filling or fixing teeth with a tooth-colored filling material in order to maintain appearance by way of a beautiful and natural smile. Tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are much less noticeable and much more attractive than other types of fillings.
Unfortunately, sometimes minor injuries occur, or cavities develop in front teeth, and in the past, the only solution was to fix or fill with typical amalgam, or go through an expensive capping or crowning process in order to restore the teeth to a more natural appearance.
Modern technology has changed this. Cosmetic bonding is basically the process of filling or fixing teeth with a tooth-colored filling material in order to maintain appearance by way of a beautiful and natural smile. Tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are much less noticeable and much more attractive than other types of fillings.
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