Question: Is it normal for a teen to get deep cleaning?

Reply: A person can have a deep cleaning at any age.  You will normally need to get a deep cleaning whenever you have too much tartar attached to your teeth under the gum line.  Age is not a factor for that.   To help avoid having to have a deep cleaning brush and floss your teeth at least two times a day.

It is not hard to teach your child or children as the case may be good at home dental care habits.  I sure you may have heard the saying “Monkey see Monkey do”  When it comes to teaching your kids dental care habits it really is a case where leading by example is good advise.

Heed the hygienist’s or dentist advice by brushing frequently (in the morning, at night, and after meals), floss daily, and put a cap on sugary drinks and snacks.  By doing so you will help to instill the same tooth-friendly habits in your kids. With infants, clean your baby’s teeth with a soft cloth or gauze pad as soon as they start to come in, you can switch to a soft toothbrush when more teeth emerge

Question: I grind my teeth any tips on how to stop?  

Reply: If stress is causing you to grind your teeth you may want to try attending stress counseling, or  starting an exercise program to help relive stress

Other tips include

Avoid caffeine
Avoid alcohol.
Do not chew on pencils or pens
Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
Train yourself to stop grinding your teeth. If you notice that you are grinding your teeth during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth.

Sharing is Not always a good idea when it comes to your oral health.  Many adults want to teach their children to share, and for the most part sharing is a good thing to learn. However when it comes to your and their oral health do not over share. If you have young kids, avoid sharing utensils with them or tasting food before serving it to them. Also make sure to cover your mouth when you sneeze.

Question: Can a dentist put in permanent vampire fangs? This may seem odd to many people but it is something I always wanted to have done.

Reply: Although I am sure there are people that have gotten permanent fangs it may be hard for you to find a dentist willing to do the work. At best just start making phone calls to your local dentist that dose regular dental implants. See if that is something that they would offer.

I do not want to come off like I am telling not to do what you want to do with your teeth. However have you looked into having some very good fake ones made. There are many good sites for that.

Mouth rinse are not use just to fight bad breath issues. If a cavity has already formed then you will need to see a dentist for a filling. However, for early-stage decay, your dentist can prescribe mouth rinse with chlorhexidine, a powerful antiseptic that fights off bacteria and can prevent decay from developing into cavities.

Question: What is the average cost of a dental implant?

Reply: On average, dental implants cost approximately $1500 to $3500 per tooth replacement. That is if you do not need any bone grafts.  The  cost may vary depending on the type of implant required and the dentist doing the implant procedures.  Many providers offer discounts for patients receiving more than one dental implant at a time. So when it comes down to it you will need to shop out the best price for you.  Trying finding dental office that will give you a free consultation.

Although many adults know that seeing their dentist regularly is an important part of maintaining good oral health, nearly half of adults skipped the dentist.   However if you do not go for yourself you may want to go for your kids, to keep from passing on a dental cavity. Make sure to make and keep your dental appointment, every adult needs to be screened for tooth decay.

While warning signs such as tooth sensitivity, pain, or visible holes in teeth are cavity clues, one of the biggest mistakes often made is to avoid the dentist until you are in pain. Regular cleaning’s can help prevent tooth decay from turning into cavities and reduce levels of cavity-causing (and cavity-spreading) bacteria in your mouth.

The following herbal remedies are recommended in controlling bad breath

Chewing sunflower seeds after meals, Yogurt, eaten for six weeks at a stretch, is supposed to be an effective remedy for bad breath, as is chewing fresh mint leaves. Mint leaves will freshen up your breath almost instantly. Cloves, cardamom, as well as parsley, on chewing help to keep your breath fresh.

Hot tea without any sugar or milk in it also acts as a mouth freshener. Unsweetened lemon water and pineapple juice, both help to keep your breath fresh, as does chewing fenugreek seeds. Chewing on apples daily also helps to remove the bacteria from your mouth that causes bad breath.

However, if these remedies fail to give relief, then you should see a doctor as it implies a far more serious affliction that requires treatment.

Many people know that colds, chickenpox, and even yawns are contagious, However did you know that dental cavities can be contagious too?  Sugar-laden candy bars are not the only cause of tooth decay. Tooth decay actually results when bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris and produce acid as a byproduct. This mix of food, acid, saliva, and germs clings to your teeth as a filmy substance called plaque, which can erode teeth enamel and cause cavities to form.

No matter what you eat, cavities will not form without the help of such bacteria. These germs can spread from mouth to mouth via shared food and utensils, sneezing, kissing, and more, according to Edward “Trey” Wilson, DDS, a dentist in private practice in New York City and New Hope, Pa. — making cavities contagious.

Having bad breath is a common complaint that afflicts many people. It is caused by the presence of bacteria in the oral cavity. Bacterial growth can occur due to many reasons, and in many places that may cause a foul odor to emanate from your mouth. Usually the most common reason is infrequent brushing leading to bacterial decomposition of leftover food particles in your mouth and in between your teeth.

Also, certain kinds of food like garlic and onion tend to make your mouth smell as they themselves have strong odors. The disintegrating food particles may cause foul odors to emanate from your mouth, from the skin of your tongue, the gaps in your teeth from under the gums.

Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors, the primary one being the breakdown of proteins from food particles in the mouth by bacteria. Certain kinds of food and drink are also responsible as they have strong smells as well, like onions, cheese, tobacco, and garlic.

Bad breath may also be caused by throat infections, dental decay, worms in the intestinal tract, constipation, gum diseases, gastritis, and accumulation of food between the teeth. In short, any sort of bacterial build up in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to bad breath.

Choosing and maintaining your tooth brush tips.

1) When choosing a toothbrush you want to pick one with soft or extra soft bristle. The hard the brush bristles, the greater the risk of harming your teeth and gums. Therefore unless advised by your dentist soft bristled toothbrushes are the better pick.

2) Another good tip is to make sure you pick a toothbrush that has the seal of approval by the American Dental Association.

3) Keep in mind the type of brush you use is not nearly as important as brushing the right way and twice a day. Any approved toothbrush will be a good tool, but you have to know how to use it.

4) Change your toothbrush regularly. Throw away your old toothbrush after three months or when the bristles start to flare, whichever comes first.

5) If you notice that your toothbrush bristles flare sooner than every three months, It may be that you are brushing too hard. Therefore try easing up.

Question: I am on a tight budget but need some basic dental care that is affordable. I call around to a few dentist for cost of check up, X-rays and cleaning and getting quotes that range form $150 – $250.  I like to pay no more then 50-75 since that is about the max I can afford. Where can I get affordable dental care.

Answer: It not really so much where,  as it seem as if what you need first is dental insurance that will help make dental care affordable.  I suggest a dental HMO insurance plan since it dose not seem as if you are locked into seeing any one dentist. HMO insurance plan are affordable running as low as $8.00 a month to $19.00 a month for an individual.  With most HMO dental insurance plans your preventive care such as your check ups, X-rays and cleaning are normally free or at very low cost to you. You can see how this helps make the very dental services you are looking much more affordable.

Do not short change your time when it comes to brushing your teeth. Two minutes is the minimum time you need to clean all of your teeth.  If you need to set a timer or brush to a song on the radio. But do not skimp on brushing time. While brushing your teeth make sure to  brush each tooth thoroughly.

Question: I have braces must I wear a mouth guard when playing sports like soccer?

Reply: A mouth guard is an important to wear in order to protect your teeth from a sports related accident.  When you have braces it is even more important that you do wear a mouth guard. If you play any contact sports  like football, hockey, soccer, volleyball any sport really that has the potential that you may get a blow in the face even without braces this will hurt.  With braces and no guard there is a potential of sever damage to your mouth.

When brushing your teeth make sure not to brush too hard. Doing so can damage your gums. Brushing too hard can cause your gums to recede. Plaque attaches to teeth like jam sticks to a spoon. It can not be totally removed by rinsing, but a light brushing will do the trick. Once plaque has hardened into calculus (tartar), brushing ca not remove it. If you think you might brush too hard, hold your toothbrush the same way you hold a pen. This encourages a lighter stroke.

Question: In CA want a dental insurance plan without any waiting periods.

Reply: If you are looking for a dental insurance plan that dose not generally have any waiting periods, then the plan type you will want to review will be the dental HMO’s. Dental HMO’s plan normally do not have any waiting periods for the services that are covered under the plan. However still make sure to read the plan terms and conditions as each plan is different. There are a few dental PPO’s plan that also may not have waiting periods but they tend to have either a lower maximum dollar limitation or reduce coverage’s within the first year of the plan. So also make sure to read each plan terms and conditions carefully.  If you have any questions about the different dental insurance plans we offer call our member services at 310-534-3444 as we be happy to help

It is important to brush your teeth for good oral health care but over brushing is not helpful. Therefore brush no more than three times a day. Brushing after lunch will give you a good midday cleaning. But brushing too often can damage your gums.

Question: I have a niece that is six years old and I caught her eating toothpaste once and her mom said she caught her doing that too. She tell her to stop but dose not see it as such a big deal either.

Reply: If she are using tooth paste with fluoride. Fluoride is toxic. On most tooth paste with fluoride you can read a warning label. If her daughter is eating toothpaste then she should keep it out of reach from her daughter and make sure she is with her when she brushes her teeth. Until her daughter stops. You can note the warning label as posted below.

ADA POSITIONS & STATEMENTS

ADA STATEMENT ON FDA TOOTHPASTE WARNING LABELS

The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs believes that one part of the warning now required on fluoride toothpastes by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could unnecessarily frighten parents and children, and that the label greatly overstates any demonstrated or potential danger posed by fluoride toothpastes.

The label language, “If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately” is now required on all fluoride toothpastes. But the ADA, in a letter sent to the FDA last year, pointed out that a child could not absorb enough fluoride from toothpaste to cause a serious problem and that the excellent safety record on fluoride toothpaste argues against any unnecessary regulation.

Recent media coverage has focused attention on the safety of fluoride toothpastes, but the coverage has not revealed that the ADA limited the amount of fluoride allowed in ADA-Accepted toothpaste years ago for this reason.

In addition, back in 1991, the ADA began requiring that toothpaste manufacturers include the following language on all ADA-Accepted toothpastes: “Do not swallow. Use only a pea-sized amount for children under six. To prevent swallowing, children under six years of age should be supervised in the use of toothpaste.” The new FDA labels are consistent with the ADA statements, with the exception of the poison control warning.

The ADA warning labels were required to help reduce the risk of mild fluorosis, which is a cosmetic defect noticeable as very light spots on permanent teeth and develops only while the teeth are still forming. Fluorosis only occurs when more than the optimal daily amount of fluoride is ingested.

Through its ADA Seal of Acceptance program, the toothpaste manufacturers must submit clinical data to the ADA in order to meet its guidelines on safety and effectiveness. Additionally, all products with the ADA Seal must submit the product’s advertising and packaging for review so that consumers and dentists have assurance that the claims the product makes are supported by the clinical data.

One of the first oral health care tip is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. One of those times should be just before you go to bed. When you sleep, your mouth gets drier. This makes it easier for acids from bacteria to attack your teeth. Then when you wake you will want to brush your teeth after breakfast. That way, bits of food are removed. But if you eat in your car or at work, or skip breakfast, brush first thing in the morning. This will get rid of the plaque that built up overnight.