How to choose an Electric tootbrush
February 11th, 2013
Electric Tootbrushes are amazing. The micro pulses and 3,000 to 7,500 rotating motions in a minute replicate the motion of your hand and for much sensitive tooth, that need longer brushing time to clean the plaque from the gum lines, they eliminate the muscle work. The bristles on these toothbrushes either rotate or move back and forth to help remove plaque and reduce gingivitis. Choosing an electric Tootbrush might be a difficult task, so watch this video to have an insight on how to choose your electric Tootbrush and maintain your oral health.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQCEu01FOwU
Dental Amalgam Fillings (Silver fillings)
April 8th, 2011
Dental amalgam fillings can leach mercury into the oral cavity. 72% of people did not know mercury was a component of amalgam dental fillings. The FDA published a study where 50% of Americans believed that mercury fillings caused health problems. Most dentists do not inform patients of the material composition of the fillings. A dental amalgam filling contains 40% silver, 32% tin, 30% copper, 2% zinc, and 3% mercury.
Mercury in the amalgam filling is treated as a hazardous substance and dentists have a protocol for handling it. When a dental amalgam filling is removed, it is treated as a hazardous waste.
Studies have been done by scientists and researchers outside of the FDA and ADA such as one by Freiburg University in 2005. The university found that mercury from a dental amalgam is responsible for nephrotoxicity (neurobehavioral changes), autoimmunity, oxidative tissue stress, autism, skin and mucosa alterations and possible contributions to Alzheimer’s disease and MS.
The National Center for Health Statistics found that dental fillings correlated with cancer, thyroid disease, mental health problems, MS and other nervous system disorders, urinary system disorders, vision problems, circulation, and respiratory conditions. A product warning from the FDA, stated that pregnant women and children should use caution with mercury fillings
There are many trained dentists now using more natural or less toxic substances to fill cavities. Removing an old amalgam filling is a cautious process and care should be given to prevent further toxic exposure to the blood system.
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Benefits of Dental Implants
March 29th, 2011
Dental implants are a vast improvement over conventional dentures. They’re more stable and user-friendly than many other teeth replacement options, and because the posts that secure dental implants in place are integrated into the jaw, they also help prevent bone loss and gum recession The pressure of chewing on the implant’s crown stimulates the underlying bone and prevents it from deteriorating from disuse.
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Fact Sheet on Periodontal Disease
September 3rd, 2010
What is Periodontal Disease?
According to American Academy of Periodontology, Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
Periodontal health is connected to overall health
In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. In a recent study of Americans aged 30 years and older, half exhibited gingival bleeding at one or more site.1
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
More than one in three people over age 30 have periodontitis. And, by a conservative estimate, 35.7 million people in the United States have periodontitis.2
Warning Signs
Periodontal disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, signs of periodontal disease include:
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Gums that pull away from the teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and the tooth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
Risk Factors
Plaque causes periodontal disease, which means that without proper at-home oral hygiene and regular dental visits, the risk of developing periodontal disease clearly increases. However, even perfect oral hygiene isn’t enough to ward off periodontal disease in everyone. Other risk factors that are thought to increase the risk, severity and speed of development of periodontal disease include tobacco use, general health conditions, medications, stress, genetics, hormonal changes and poor nutrition.
Facts about Periodontal Disease
- Prevalence and extent of periodontal disease is often measured by attachment loss and/or probing depth. Attachment loss is the places where disease has caused damage to the roots of the teeth and gum tissue loss. Probing depth is depth of a periodontal pocket.
- Periodontal disease affects the mass of tissue in the oral cavity, which is equivalent in size to the skin on an arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow.
- Smoking may be responsible for more than half of the cases of periodontal disease among adults in this country.3
- People with diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS/HIV are at increased risk for developing periodontal disease.
- Stress can affect periodontal disease and can make the infection more severe and harder to fight. A recent study found high levels of financial stress and poor coping abilities increase twofold the likelihood of developing periodontal disease.4
- Periodontal disease is major cause of tooth loss in adults.5
- A growing body of research links periodontal disease to heart disease, diabetes, preterm and low birth weight babies, and respiratory disease.
Sources
- Albandar JM, Kingman A. Gingival Recession, Gingival Bleeding, and Dental Calculus in Adults 30 Years of Age and Older in the United States, 1988-1994. J Periodontol 1999; 70: 30-43.
- Albandar JM, Brunelle JA, Kingman A. Destructive Periodontal Disease in Adults 30 Years of Age and Older in the United States, 1988-1994. J Periodontol 1999; 70: 13-29.
- Tomar, SL, Asma, S. Smoking-Attributable Periodontitis in the United States: Findings from NHANES III. J Periodontol 2000; 71: 743-751.
- Genco, RJ, Ho, AW, Grossi, SG, Dunford, RG, Tedesco, LA. Relationship of Stress, Distress, and Inadequate Coping Behaviors to Periodontal Disease. J Periodontol 1999; 70: 711-723
- Oral Health of United States Adults, NIH 1997; August, p. 71.
How to floss and how not to floss
July 10th, 2010
Flossing is as important as brushing your teeth. Food remained between your teeth starts to harden into plaque. Brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, but most often cavities form because of negligent in flossing between teeth, which are hard to reach areas for regular toothbrushes. Flossing helps to remove the bacteria layer that could become plaque and even tartar if it gets harder. Tartar is hard to remove, therefore regular dental cleanings are important to make sure your teeth is not affected. If tartar is not removed it might form into gum disease. Early sign of gum disease are gingivitis, which the signs are swollen gum, or bleeding gum when brushing. Thus, don’t forget to floss after brushing. Here is a video that shows how to floss your teeth properly:
And here is a video that show you how to not floss your teeth improperly:
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Tea, good or bad for teeth?
December 26th, 2009
Tea is good for just about every part of your body, but it can contribute to unsightly stains on your teeth over time.
Having your teeth bleached by a dentist is the most effective way to regain that white smile. However, you could still take a good care of your teeth by doing some preventative care.
Here are a few things you can try at home to whiten your teeth.
Tea, the good and the bad
Does Tea Stain Teeth?
Anything that will stain your clothing will also stain your teeth. Wine, coffee and tea are all culprits. Green tea is less staining than black tea, but over time you may see the effects on your less-than-pearly whites. Drinking tea or coffee stains or discolors the dental plaque, but not the teeth itself. If the plaque is not completely brushed and flossed away within 24 hours, it begins to harden and becomes what is commonly known as tartar. This tartar is porous and further absorbs stains from other food products. When a dentist cleans your teeth, he removes the tartar and plaque. When the tartar and plaque go away, so do the teeth stains.
Tea Staining Tip #1: See A Dentist or DIY?
Now you will ask: Do I have to go to the dentist to have the stains removed? First, you should know that there is a difference between removing stains from teeth and whitening teeth. There are several effective ways to remove stains; true whitening will require chemicals and is somewhat harder to achieve at home.
Tea Staining Tip #2: Minimise Teeth Stains
Here are the steps to keep tea and other beverages from staining your teeth:
- Rinse your mouth with water after drinking tea.
- Brush and floss daily. Flossing will remove the plaque that tends to build up between the teeth, staining the edges.
- Brush with baking soda. Old-fashioned baking soda can remove stains, although it does not actually whiten or bleach the teeth. Make a paste of baking soda and salt, brush it on twice weekly.
- After brushing, rinse with hydrogen peroxide.
- Use a whitening toothpaste.
Finally!
Drinking tea is so good for you. Stains on the teeth are one of the very few unpleasant side effects of drinking this terrific beverage. Green tea contains fluoride which strengthens teeth. It has been shown by scientific studies to kill bacteria and viruses in the mouth which cause bad breath. So overall, it still does a lot of good to your oral hygiene. Use the tips above to reduce tooth staining, and ask your dentist if bleaching is a good alternative for you. Keep drinking your tea every day – the rest of your body will thank you!
Read the full article: Tea Staining and Teeth, 5 Whitening and Removal Tips
Better Smile, Better Dates
December 14th, 2009
Here is an excerpt from an interesting article on body language, smile, and how it could be translated to better dates. You could apply same settings to sales presentation or any other encounter.
When you meet someone for the first time, it takes that person 3 to 7 seconds to make her judgement about you. I do it. You do it. We all do it… Unconsciously.
Basically, we decide how comfortable we are with that person. Remember, we are wired for self-preservation.
Body languages affects communication
In a nutshell…– perception of a possible pain/danger from that person = not very comfortable
– perception of safety = comfortable.Once that first assessment is made we adapt our feelings, posture, language, and tone. These first few seconds alone can make or break a relationship whether when influencing someone in a sales or presentation situation, or when flirting with a man or a woman…
And the most crucial body language signal to influence our first impression is the smile. This is also the most recognised signal in every country and every culture.
The Smile
Smiling indicates happiness… and a friendly attitude… Smiling indicates we want to communicate with someone. It shows interest. But there is much more to it…
Smiling is a learned phenomenon. Young babies don’t smile naturally. They mimic the expressions of those looking at them… But by the time we reach adulthood, it has become a signal critical to making a good first impression.
Smiling also has an actual impact on your physiology…
Source: Body Language Signals
I don’t feel comfortable smiling :(
The best advice for you would be to do a research on your own, and find out how much a smile makeover has changed people’s life. Our goal is always to bring you a beautiful smile. Interested to find out about procedures and how you could achieve the smile you always wanted? Have a consultation appointment and you will have a one on one time with Dr. Rostami to address all your questions and concerns on how your smile could be enhanced.
How to Brush Teeth
December 14th, 2009
Brushing your teeth is very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to brush your teeth properly is essential to maintain your beautiful smile. Toothbrushes have a long history, and now we are witnessing all modern toothbrushes with electric vibrations, rotations, and even smart toothbrushes. However, knowing how to operate your toothbrush plays a crucial role in your dental hygiene. Wrong brushing might leave bacteria, or even worse, push the bacteria into your gum which will cause periodontal disease. Moreover, if not brushed properly, or change your toothbrush on a regular basis, your toothbrush might make your gum sensitive to brushing, and in some cases cause them bleed. Therefore always ask your dentist to show you proper way of brushing your teeth, and most dentists would love to share it with you. Don’t be ashamed to ask your dentist, even if it is as simple as brushing your teeth, or what kind of toothpaste is recommended for your teeth. Here is a video that will guide you on how to brush your teeth properly.
And of course, don’t forget your regular dental cleanings. Routine dental cleanings are ways of removing plaque and tartar that get built on your teeth overtime, and regular toothbrush and toothpaste are not capable of removing. By visiting your dentist on a regular basis you could prevent tooth cavities and decay.
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