Clean Your Teeth
It goes without saying that if you want to take care of your teeth you have to clean them. Brushing and flossing are the most important home based practices that will maintain the health of your mouth including your gums and teeth. Generally speaking, dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, recent evidence suggests that brushing immediately after meals can actually increase the likelihood of tooth problems. Many foods and beverages contain acids or abrasives and brushing your teeth directly after meals can remove enamel. Instead, it is best to wait at least an hour after meals before you brush so that your saliva has time to neutralize acids and abrasives in food. Use a medium or soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for best brushing results. The goal of brushing is to remove plaque and bacteria that ultimately lead to cavities and gum disease.

Similarly, you need to floss you teeth every day. Many people will admit to being a bit lazy when it comes to flossing, but taking just 10 minutes a day to floss can have a major impact on your teeth. In fact, if you don’t floss, you are essentially not cleaning almost a third of your tooth surface. Sometimes, dentists will also recommend fluoride or antimicrobial mouthwash to further prevent cavities and oral disease. Also, be sure to choose products that are recognized by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). Mouthwashes, toothpaste, and even tooth brushes that have earned the seal of recognition from the CDA are always the best.

Practice Healthy Eating
Healthy food is good for your body and your teeth. Obviously, foods high in sugars can break down the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities and ultimately more serious problems. But nutrients that are found in fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods help to maintain strong, cavity-free teeth. Indeed, because sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities, you should try to limit your intake, especially of processed or refined sugars that are found in soft drinks, candy, and sweet desserts. Also, try to limit your consumption of foods that are high in acid, as these can also cause the breakdown of enamel.

Avoid Tobacco
Tobacco is one of the main contributing factors to stained teeth, but can also lead to missing teeth, infected gums, and halitosis. Smoking or chewing tobacco is also associated with an increased risk of oral cancer along with heart disease and many other forms of cancer. Without question, all forms of tobacco are bad for your health. Snuff, chewing tobacco, and cigarettes cause mouth, tongue, and lip cancer. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, your dentist can direct you to some resources that will aid in your goals to stop.

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Recent research suggests there are strong links between oral health with a wide range of disease from diabetes and heart disease to stroke and respiratory problems. Gum disease and other dental issues can exacerbate health problems, and while we are just beginning to understand the correlation between health teeth and a healthy body, one thing is certain, like other diseases, oral health problems must be treated professionally. Taking care of your teeth helps to prevent chronic infections that will inevitably lead to tooth decay, gum disease, oral pain, and missing teeth.

When it comes to maintaining your oral health, there are 5 steps that should not be overlooked. Regular dental visits, proper tooth cleaning, a healthy diet, vigilance, and avoidance of tobacco products can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Visit the Dentist
Regular dental visits are one of the key components to maintaining a healthy mouth. Dentists can not only track the signs of oral disease and help you understand the behaviours that will prevent future dental problems, but they also provide professional cleaning services that can stop oral disease before it starts. Oral disease can often go unnoticed because warning signs may not be clear to the layperson. In fact, early signs of dental problems including receding gum lines are not often associated with noticeable symptoms. However, your dentist knows what to look for. He or she will also be careful to check for dental health problems that may be associated with more serious health problems. Remember, a qualified dentist has the skills, training, and expertise to treat infections and gum disease so that you can avoid losing teeth and more serious issues.

Obviously, dental visits are just one element of complete oral care. In part 2 of this article, we will discuss what you can do at home to make sure that your dental visits go smoothly. Healthy behaviours can help you avoid the need for expensive and sometimes painful dental procedures; after all, maintaining your health, whether you are talking about dental health or not, starts at home.

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Treatment
Treatment is easily the most expensive aspect of orthodontic braces. Depending on the difficulty of your case and the amount of time it will take to achieve the desired results, costs will vary considerably. Moreover, whether you have chosen traditional stainless steel braces, gold-plated braces, or more advanced technologies such as Invisalign, your costs will vary. Remember that even the office you are working with will provide different costs and payment options. For example, some dental offices offer an all-inclusive fee, while others break down the cost to different services. Will you pay for each appointment? Are x-rays and photographs included in their quote? Will you have to pay for adjustments? These are all important questions to ask during your initial consultation.
When it comes to treatment time, your cost will most likely be based on the type of treatment. Traditional braces using metal brackets and wires and rubber ties will be the cheapest. These are often the go-to treatment for children as aesthetic concerns are not as important. However, adults may want clear or ceramic braces in order to hide the treatment as much as possible. Remember that as the technology for your braces becomes more advanced, the cost will increase.

Maintenance
After your treatment is complete, your dentist will remove your braces, but you must work to maintain the results you have achieved. Most people who wear braces will use a retainer overnight to stabilize their teeth and ensure that the teeth do not migrate to their original positions. Retainers are custom fitted to individual patients, and your dentist should instruct you as to when and how often you must wear your retainer. During the maintenance phase of treatment, you will have fewer dental visits, but you should expect to see your dentist at least on a yearly basis so s/he can track the progress and effectiveness of your treatment.

As you can clearly see, there are many factors that influence the cost of braces. It can be incredibly difficult to provide an estimate of the costs associated with orthodontic treatment without having a clear idea of your individual case. In most circumstances, braces should cost no more than $6000, but with very complicated treatment comes increased cost. Speak to your dentist in advance about all the components of treatment and how that will affect the total cost including consultation, diagnostics, treatment, and maintenance.

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If either you or your child requires orthodontic treatment, you are probably asking yourself about the cost. Today’s dental technologies are considerably advanced to treatment options in the past, and as such costs tend to vary widely. Regardless of the treatment option recommended by your dentist, the cost of braces will be considerable and will likely range between $4000 and $6000. Factors such as patient age, complexity of treatment, type of braces, and even geographic location can have a significant impact on the final cost.

For example, adult treatments are generally more expensive than child treatments. The most obvious reason for the difference in costs for adults and children is that adult treatments usually take longer. Moreover, adult treatments may require more materials than child treatments, and adults are more likely to opt for more expensive orthodontic braces for cosmetic reasons. However, simple, traditional metal braces are going to be much cheaper than the most advanced treatments such as Invisalign.

It is important to remember that orthodontic treatment is really an investment in your long-term oral and overall health. The benefits of braces certainly outweigh the costs as straight teeth are easier to clean and keep clean, they function better in your mouth, and the forces applied to straight teeth are more balanced so you can avoid uneven wear on your teeth. The total cost of orthodontic braces will include an initial consultation, diagnostic records, installing braces, final consultation, and maintenance treatment.

Initial Consultation
Your first visits with your dentist or orthodontist will involve clinical examination of your teeth and jaw to determine the best treatment options. Your dentist should discuss with you all the treatment options available, as well as approximate treatment times and basic costs. Remember, not every dentist will provide the same treatments so you should plan to visit with at least 2 or 3 recommended dentists so that you know you will get the best braces for your condition at the best price. During your initial consultation, you should also get an idea of what aspects of treatment are covered by insurance and how this will affect your out of pocket expenses. Materials, special appliances, treatment durations, and payment plans can all be discussed in your initial consultation.

Diagnostics
In order to prepare the most effective treatment plan, you dentist will need to conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation. This will involve gathering diagnostic records from your previous dentists and will likely require new diagnostic tools. Your orthodontist will use photographs of your teeth and face, impressions of your teeth, and x-rays to get a clear picture of the current state of your teeth and how best to treat problems with alignment or bite.

After completing your initial consultation and gathering all your diagnostics, your dentist and you can decide on your preferred treatment plan. The final components that impact the cost of braces are of course the treatment itself and the cost to maintain said treatment.

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When your dentist begins to prepare your teeth for porcelain veneers, he or she will use a dental tool much like a grinder to contour and smooth the surface of your tooth. Impressions of your teeth and your bite will be taken so that your porcelain veneers can be made. Temporary veneers will be constructed using an acrylic material and will be attached to your teeth with a temporary cement. These temporary veneers will resemble your natural teeth but they are not as finely finished as your permanent porcelain veneers. Temporary veneers will not be shaded as accurately and they may have a rougher feel than porcelain veneers. The reason your dentist will use the temporary veneers is to protect your teeth from sensitivity, but they are temporary. As such, you should take care when biting or chewing food and you’ll want to avoid eating gum or sticky candy. Unlike your final porcelain veneers, temporary veneers may also be damaged from biting your nails and may be stained easily by food or beverages with darker pigments.

The Final Application
Your permanent porcelain veneers will usually be ready within 7 and 10 business days. Your dentist should inspect these final porcelain veneers for any damage and to ensure that they match the colour of your surrounding teeth. Once you have also approved of your porcelain veneers, your dentist can permanently cement them to your teeth using a strong dental resin.

Caring for your Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are designed to be a permanent treatment and behave like natural teeth. In most cases, they will hold up to your normal everyday activities, but it is important to remember that they are not actually your natural teeth. As such, it is not recommended to use your teeth to open difficult items, as this may cause your porcelain veneers to break or chip. Moreover, while resistant to staining, porcelain veneers can pick up darker pigments; and as they cannot be treated with tooth-whitening gels or toothpastes, you will want to be careful to clean your teeth regularly after meals. Otherwise, your porcelain veneers can be treated like your natural teeth with regular brushing and flossing.

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Dental implants also help support your facial structure. When teeth are missing, the shape and position of other teeth begins to change and facial structures may also change. Missing teeth will obviously impact the health and aesthetics of your teeth. Bone resorption is common when a tooth is removed and other teeth begin to cave toward the gap. Dental implants will help to maintain the integrity of your jaw bone and subsequently your teeth.

The Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of your dental implants can vary widely from one dentist or surgeon to another. As is the case when you seek any professional assistance, you should screen potential dentists carefully and even seek quotes. In some cases, the fees for a single implant range from $500 to $6000, which is obviously a lot of variability. The average cost of a dental implant is in a somewhat smaller range of about $1500 to $2500. If you need more than one implant, many dentists will offer a modified fee that is slightly lower than the cost per implant, but this obviously needs to be discussed with your dentist.
There are two significant costs associated with dental implants. First, the implant must be manufactured and placed and this is a significant portion of the total cost of the procedure. The second cost is associated with the creation and anchoring of the implant. Some dentists will offer both procedures and some will offer only one of the two. You should take some time discussing your options with potential dentists.

Caring for Dental Implants
Dental implants and their tooth restorations basically act and look exactly like natural teeth. As such, caring for your implants is the same as caring for natural teeth. Brush and floss your implants at least twice a day, but dentists generally prefer that you brush after every meal. Your brushing procedure will not differ from natural teeth either; using a soft bristle brush you should clean your teeth thoroughly ensuring to clean every surface of every tooth. Finally, it is important to remember that dental implants, like natural teeth, can stain over time. In addition to your brushing and flossing you should visit your dentist twice a year in order to maintain optimal dental hygiene.

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More specifically, oral cancer screening involves looking for signs of cancer in the lips, oral cavity, and oropharynx.  In addition to the lips, oral cancer may be found in these areas:

• Oral Cavity:
• The front of the tongue
• The gums
• The lining of the cheeks
• The bottom of the mouth, under the tongue
• The palate at the front of the mouth (hard palate)
• Behind the wisdom teeth
• Oropharynx:
• The pharynx
• The back of the tongue
• The palate at the back of the mouth (soft palate)
• The side and walls of the throat
• The tonsils.

As such, oral cancer screening involves diagnostic tests that screen these regions.  During routine medical or dental check-ups, your doctor or dentist will start by searching for lesions in the oral cavity and oropharynx.  Oral cancers usually start in the thing, fat cells that line these oral regions.  Abnormal white patches of cells (leukoplakia) and abnormal red patches of cells (erythroplakia) that form on the mucous membranes may become cancerous; so if your doctor finds these lesions the tissue will need to be tested.
There are four basic methods of testing oral cells to determine if they are cancerous.

• Toluidine blue stain
• Fluroescense staining
• Exfoliative cytology
• Brush biopsy

A diagnostic procedure in which oral cells are covered with a blue dye is known as a toluidine blue stain.  Areas that are darker are more likely to be or become cancer.  With fluorescence staining, lesions in the mouth are inspected under a certain type of light after the patient has rinsed with a fluorescent mouth wash; normal tissue can be distinguished from cancerous tissue using this test.  Exfoliative cytology involves collecting cells from the lips and/or oral cavity with a piece of cotton, a brush, or small wodden stick.  Cells are scraped from the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat and viewed under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.  Finally, a brush biopsy procedure involves removing cells with a brush designed to collect cells from a lesion; again, cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are cancerous.

More than half of oral cancers have already spread to the lymph nodes by the time they are discovered.  As such, it is important to have regular check-ups from a dentist that includes oral cancer screening.

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There are different types of dental bridges, each appropriate for different parts of your mouth.  The first type of bridge commonly used in cosmetic dentistry is the traditional fixed bridge.  Fixed bridges,un like dentures can not  be removed from your mouth.  In this standard form of a dental bridge, the pontic is attached to crowns which are similarly attached to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.  One or more missing teeth can be replaced by a traditional fixed bridge.

In addition, the resin bonded bridges are another common form of dental bridge.  Resin bonded bridges are mostly used to replace missing front teeth and tend to be less expensive than other types of dental bridges.  The resin bonded bridges provide an especially effective treatment when the bridge is formed between healthy teeth that do not have fillings.  In the case of the resin bonded bridge, the pontic is attached using metal bands that are bonded to healthy teeth with resin that is virtually invisible.  Resin bonded bridges tend to be easier to prepare and have less of an impact on adjacent teeth.

Finally, cantilever bridges are used in areas of your mouth that are under the least amount of stress.  Similar to resin bonded bridges, cantilever dental bridges are good for your front teeth and are especially effective in situations where the gap is next to only one healthy tooth.  Cantilever bridges require that the pontic is anchored to one or more natural teeth on just one side.

Dental bridges can be an excellent, cost reducing treatment for missing teeth.  When compared with dental implants, dental bridges are a more temporary solution but they are also less expensive.  Furthermore, dental bridges provide a natural appearance and the procedure usually requires only one or two visits.  While dental bridges look real and can last up to 10 years, they can increase temperature sensitivity for the first few weeks after treatment.  In addition, proper oral hygiene becomes more important when you have a dental bridge as the build up of bacteria on teeth and gums may become infected.
If you have missing teeth but otherwise good oral hygiene, you should speak to your dentist about dental bridges.  Spaces left open in your mouth may cause your teeth to drift out of position, not to mention the stigma attached with having missing teeth.

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Recent research published in a variety of medical journals including General Dentistry has pointed to the negative effects of consuming sports drinks on dental health. While sports drinks provide athletes with necessary electrolytes and fluids to rehydrate, sports drinks are linked directly to tooth damage. Unfortunately, sports drinks can cause irreparable damage to dental enamel and ultimately compromise the overall health of your teeth and gums. In fact, because of high levels of acid and sugars in sports drinks, the damage from these beverages can be as high as 3 to 11 times worse than damage caused by cola-based drinks.

Scientists recently attempted to determine the effects of drinking sports drink on tooth damage by immersing teeth in sports drinks as well as water. In their results, these researchers found that the citric acid level in sports drinks caused significant corrosion in the teeth when compared to water. Furthermore, multiple studies have gone on to replicate these results leading to the International Association for Dental Research in Miami to take a hard stance against sports drinks as a casual beverage option.

In another similar study, researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry placed halved teeth in either a sports drink or water bath and compared the effects after approximately 90 minutes. Results clearly showed that the citric acid in sports drinks was strongly linked to the erosion of tooth enamel. Indeed, within 90 minutes dozens of small holes became apparent in the teeth immersed in the sports drink while there was no damage to teeth immersed in water.

In yet another example of the link between sports drinks and tooth damage was revealed in a study by researchers at the University of Maryland Dental School. After continuously exposing cavity-free molars to a variety of popular beverages including sports drinks, energy drinks, fitness water, and non-cola beverages like lemonade and iced tea, researchers found a significant link between many of these beverages and damage to dental enamel. Indeed, the worst offenders were lemonade, energy drinks, and sports drinks.

The conclusions of these studies are important for influencing our beverage choices, especially considering the fact that brushing your teeth immediately after drinking sports drinks may actually make the problem worse than better. Acid in sports drinks soften your teeth making them vulnerable to the abrasive effects of brushing.

Certainly, we need to be careful when we go to the fridge for a drink. The obvious choice is water as no ill effects have been reported with regards to tooth damage when consuming water. However, there is a clear and almost inarguable conclusion that sports drinks will invariably lead to tooth damage. As such, athletes and the average person alike are advised to consume sports drinks sparingly and only for the purposes of rehydration when engaging in rigorous activity.

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If you’ve been wondering how to stop teeth grinding, you are no doubt concerned about the many negative results of the condition. From tooth and jaw problems to more serious symptoms such as TMJ and hearing loss, grinding your teeth is certainly serious enough to warrant visiting your dentist. Because teeth grinding may be the result of stress or anxiety, in addition to improper bite or poorly aligned teeth, your dentist may be best suited to correcting the issues and stopping the problem before it gets serious.

Before we discuss the dental treatments for teeth grinding, it is important to remember that teeth grinding may also be the result of other illnesses or medical conditions. Nutritional deficiencies, allergies, hormonal disorders, and even psychological factors may lead to teeth grinding. As such, it is also important to seek the advice of a doctor in addition to your dentist.

In order to treat or prevent teeth grinding in children and adults, there are a range of actions you can take. First and foremost, consider your stress levels and take steps to reduce your stress. Current research suggests that stress is not the main cause of teeth grinding, but it is important to your overall health to maintain low stress levels. Perhaps the best way to reduce stress levels is to exercise; but a relaxing bath with a great book might do the trick just as well.

Your dentist may advise that you try a dental device or dental treatment to treat your teeth grinding. A splint or customized mouth guard are popular treatment options designed to stop you from grinding your teeth. If your dentist determines that you are grinding as a result of an improper bite, he may even employ braces to realign your teeth. Some dental treatments may be required to correct a bite after chronic teeth grinding. Crowns, overlays, and other correctional methods can reduce problems with chewing and improve your oral health. Whether for prevention or treatment, dental treatments are not always completely effective in stopping teeth grinding. However, these treatments may be your best chance of preserving your teeth and jaw.

Recently, behavioral therapies have also become popular. Teeth grinding, especially during the day, may be a learned habit. Some people are more likely to grind their teeth when performing rigorous activities or at emotional times. Learning to avoid teeth grinding in associated situations can help reduce the consequences of the condition.

While you may be able to self-diagnose your own teeth grinding based on apparent symptoms or because a loved one has pointed it out, treatment will ultimately depend on the underlying cause. Your dentist and doctor are best equipped to determine the best course of treatment to help you overcome your teeth grinding.

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