Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Dentists Keep Your Mouth Healthy

 Dental Visit
 
Most people maintain their oral health with regular visits to a general dentist. A general dentistry practice focuses on taking care of your entire mouth, including cleaning teeth, preventing cavities, and evaluating your teeth and gums for signs of problems or infections. A general dentist can provide diagnostic procedures such as x-rays that are needed in preparation for specialized care such as orthodontics, dental implants, or surgery to remove impacted wisdom teeth.
 
 Routine Procedures
 
General dentists often perform routine procedures such as filling cavities and also the dentist or dental hygienist provides tooth cleaning or scaling. Your dentist also serves as a troubleshooter trained to identify early signs of gum disease, oral cancer, or temporomandibular joint disorders, and can coordinate your care with specialists, such as orthodontists if you need braces or endodontists if you need a root canal.
 
Guiding the Patients
 
In addition, they provide patients with guidance and preventive health advice about how best to follow a regular oral health routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing.
 
Additional Information
 
In addition, general dentists can provide many cosmetic procedures such as tooth-whitening, dental veneers, and dental bonding. Cosmetic dentistry is not currently a recognized dental specialty, but general dentists may have pursued additional education in order to perform cosmetic procedures such as bonding, teeth whitening, enamel shaping, and dental veneers. If you're interested in cosmetic procedures, start by talking to your general dentist. He or she can provide advice and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

About The American Dental Association


dentists and nurse
Learn More About The American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) is the largest professional association for dentists in the United States. The ADA's membership includes general dentists and specialized dentists, some of whom may also belong to associations related to their specialty, such as cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics.
Mission
The stated mission of the ADA includes a commitment to the public's oral hygiene and dental care, as well as to scientific advancement and the development and maintenance of the highest standards in the oral health profession through ongoing research and advocacy.
The Beginning
The ADA was founded in 1859 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Today its membership numbers more than 150,000. The ADA also operates the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is the organization recognized by the United States Department of Education to certify dental degrees and dental education programs in the U.S.
What ADA Provides
The ADA also serves as a unifier for state and local dental organizations and provides ongoing support and information for newly licensed dentists. In addition, the organization provides news on research and policy/advocacy issues for its member dentists. This helps members stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in oral care, and also with issues relating to insurance and dental practice trends.
The Right Choice
Choosing a dentist who is a member of the ADA helps ensure that he or she is well-trained and committed to upholding the highest standards of the dental profession.
dentists and nurse
Learn More About The American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) is the largest professional association for dentists in the United States. The ADA's membership includes general dentists and specialized dentists, some of whom may also belong to associations related to their specialty, such as cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics.
Mission
The stated mission of the ADA includes a commitment to the public's oral hygiene and dental care, as well as to scientific advancement and the development and maintenance of the highest standards in the oral health profession through ongoing research and advocacy.
The Beginning
The ADA was founded in 1859 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Today its membership numbers more than 150,000. The ADA also operates the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is the organization recognized by the United States Department of Education to certify dental degrees and dental education programs in the U.S.
What ADA Provides
The ADA also serves as a unifier for state and local dental organizations and provides ongoing support and information for newly licensed dentists. In addition, the organization provides news on research and policy/advocacy issues for its member dentists. This helps members stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in oral care, and also with issues relating to insurance and dental practice trends.
The Right Choice
Choosing a dentist who is a member of the ADA helps ensure that he or she is well-trained and committed to upholding the highest standards of the dental profession.
dentists and nurse
Learn More About The American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) is the largest professional association for dentists in the United States. The ADA's membership includes general dentists and specialized dentists, some of whom may also belong to associations related to their specialty, such as cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics.
Mission
The stated mission of the ADA includes a commitment to the public's oral hygiene and dental care, as well as to scientific advancement and the development and maintenance of the highest standards in the oral health profession through ongoing research and advocacy.
The Beginning
The ADA was founded in 1859 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Today its membership numbers more than 150,000. The ADA also operates the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is the organization recognized by the United States Department of Education to certify dental degrees and dental education programs in the U.S.
What ADA Provides
The ADA also serves as a unifier for state and local dental organizations and provides ongoing support and information for newly licensed dentists. In addition, the organization provides news on research and policy/advocacy issues for its member dentists. This helps members stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in oral care, and also with issues relating to insurance and dental practice trends.
The Right Choice
Choosing a dentist who is a member of the ADA helps ensure that he or she is well-trained and committed to upholding the highest standards of the dental profession.

dentists and nurse
Learn More About The American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) is the largest professional association for dentists in the United States. The ADA's membership includes general dentists and specialized dentists, some of whom may also belong to associations related to their specialty, such as cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics.
Mission
The stated mission of the ADA includes a commitment to the public's oral hygiene and dental care, as well as to scientific advancement and the development and maintenance of the highest standards in the oral health profession through ongoing research and advocacy.
The Beginning
The ADA was founded in 1859 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Today its membership numbers more than 150,000. The ADA also operates the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is the organization recognized by the United States Department of Education to certify dental degrees and dental education programs in the U.S.
What ADA Provides
The ADA also serves as a unifier for state and local dental organizations and provides ongoing support and information for newly licensed dentists. In addition, the organization provides news on research and policy/advocacy issues for its member dentists. This helps members stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in oral care, and also with issues relating to insurance and dental practice trends.
The Right Choice
Choosing a dentist who is a member of the ADA helps ensure that he or she is well-trained and committed to upholding the highest standards of the dental profession.

This post is taken from http://www.oralb.com/topics/american-dental-association.aspx

Affordable Dental Care Options

More About Affordable Dental Care Options
For people with severe financial limitations, taking care of a dental problem or going to a dentist for preventive care may be low on their list of priorities.
 What You Should Know
But the truth is, taking consistently good care of your teeth is more cost-effective than waiting until a serious dental problem occurs. Plus, oral hygiene is important for overall health. So if you or someone you know has been avoiding going to the dentist because they don't have insurance or don't think they can afford it, consider these options: 
 Options To Consider
  • Dental schools. Many dental schools sponsor patient clinics and offer quality dental care at reduced cost. Visit the American Dental Association Web site, ada.org, for a list of dental schools to see whether there is a dental school clinic in your area, or ask at a local community health center.
  • Assistance plans. Use the American Dental Association Web site or a community health center to contact your state's dental society about assistance in paying for dental care for persons in need. The assistance programs vary from state to state, and some states may offer special programs to help pay for dental health care for children. Also, some dentists and dental schools participate in community outreach programs to provide free or low-cost dental care to people who are uninsured.
  • Shop around. You can evaluate the overall cost of dental care by figuring out the cost of getting to the dentist and the convenience of the office hours.
 Do Comparison
If you want to compare fees for services, call different offices and ask for the cost of a standard service, such as a preventive visit that includes a professional cleaning, or the cost of full-mouth x-rays. If you choose a dentist who participates in your workplace's insurance plan, you may be covered for free checkups and cleanings twice a year.

The Four Types of Teeth and How They Function

Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD
 
We tend to take our teeth and oral health (link to basics tab) for granted until something goes wrong. But your teeth play an important role in digestion, speech, and your overall health. By taking care of your teeth and gums today, you can keep your mouth healthy, and protect your overall health in the long-run.
The Development of Teeth
Humans have two sets of teeth, primary (or baby) teeth and then permanent teeth, which develop in stages. Although the timing is different, the development of each of these sets of teeth is similar. Here are some facts about how people develop teeth:
  • Teeth tend to erupt in parallel, meaning that the top molar on your left side should grow in at about the same time as the top molar on the right.
  • Tooth development begins long before your first tooth becomes visible. For example, a baby’s first tooth appears at around six months of age, but development of those teeth actually begins during the early second trimester of pregnancy.
  • The crown of a tooth forms first, while the roots continue to develop even after the tooth has erupted.
  • The 20 primary teeth are in place by age 3 and remain until around 6 years of age when they begin to fall out to make way for the permanent set of teeth.
  • Adult teeth start to grow in between 6 and 12 years of age. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth.
  • Permanent teeth are larger and take longer to grow in than primary teeth.
The Parts of the Tooth
A tooth is divided into two basic parts: the crown, which is the visible, white part of the tooth, and the root, which you can’t see. The root extends below the gum line and anchors the tooth into the bone. Your teeth contain four kinds of tissue and each does a different job. These include:
  • Enamel. Enamel is the visible substance that covers the tooth crown. Harder than bone, enamel protects the tooth from decay. Enamel is made up of phosphorous and calcium.
  • Dentin. Underneath the enamel you find dentin, which is calcified and looks similar to bone. Dentin is not quite as hard as enamel, so it is at greater risk for decay should the enamel wear away.
  • Cementum. This tissue covers the tooth root and helps anchor it (cement it) into the bone. It is softer than enamel and dentin; the best way to protect this softer tissue from decay is by taking good care of your gums. Cementum has a light yellow color and is usually covered by the gums. But with inadequate dental care, the gums may become diseased and shrink, exposing the cementum to harmful plaque and bacteria.
  • Pulp. Pulp is found at the center of your tooth and contains the blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues that deliver nutrients and signals to your teeth.
This post is taken from http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/your-mouth-101.aspx

Choosing a Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric



The electric toothbrush has become very popular in recent years and some say it provides superior dental care. But how does it actually stand up to good old-fashioned manual brushing?

manual vs. electric toothbrush“The idea of a toothbrush is to remove plaque and to stimulate the gums,” explains John Ictech-Cassis, DDS, DMD, clinical associate professor at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. “Most toothbrushes will keep the teeth clean if you know how to use them.”

Manual Toothbrushes: A Classic Route to Good Dental Care

“There are many advantages to the manual toothbrush,” says Dr. Ictech-Cassis. “We’ve been using this toothbrush for many years. It has a good track record.” Advantages include:

Cost and availability. “It’s inexpensive and accessible,” says Ictech-Cassis. “This is the toothbrush that the majority of dentists give away.” Electric toothbrushes may simply be too expensive for many people, so it’s nice to know that you can do a great job brushing with a manual toothbrush.Easy to travel with. “It’s easy to take a manual toothbrush with you when you travel. It’s not bulky like an electric toothbrush,” says Ictech-Cassis. You’ll be less likely to let your good dental care habits lapse on vacation with a toothbrush that you can easily bring along, he adds.Puts less pressure on teeth and gums. “You can feel [how much pressure you're using] as you grasp the toothbrush,” Ictech-Cassis notes. “This helps you to avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth. With an electrical model you can’t feel that as well.” Placing too much pressure on your teeth can wear away at the tooth enamel, causing pain, sensitivity, and an increased risk of tooth decay.Good for kids. Even young children can use manual brushes safely and effectively once they’ve learned how, Ictech-Cassis points out. Electric Toothbrushes: Recommended in Some Cases

Nevertheless, Ictech-Cassis admits that there are some situations where an electric toothbrush has clear advantages. "We recommend it for people who can’t do a good job with a manual toothbrush,” he says. For older people or people who have less manual dexterity, like those who suffer from arthritis, the electric toothbrush may clean more effectively, says Ictech-Cassis.

How to Choose an Electric Toothbrush

Today, electric toothbrushes are outfitted with a variety of features. Though they make nice additions, pressure sensors that tell you if you’re brushing too hard or timers that indicate when you’ve brushed long enough don’t directly affect how well the toothbrush actually cleans your teeth.

Electric toothbrushes “try to stimulate the gums and teeth with different configurations of the bristles," Ictech-Cassis says. “Even the most inexpensive electric models will keep your teeth clean, but you may have to move them a little more to reach the difficult areas.”

Although almost any toothbrush can do an effective job, research suggests there is one electronic toothbrush bristle configuration that seems to be better at removing plaque and preventing gum disease. Electric toothbrushes with bristles that rotate together in one direction, and then switch and rotate in the opposite direction — a process known as rotating-oscillating — appear to be more effective than manual brushes and other electric brushes that spin in only one direction. If you do opt for an electronic toothbrush, a model with rotating-oscillating bristles is probably your best bet.

How Often Should You Get a New Toothbrush?

Whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles and be sure to change the bristles on the electric brush when they become worn down. “Bristles are very important,” Ictech-Cassis says. “Brushes need to be replaced every three months or when the bristles are no longer straight and firm. In that condition, they will not clean the teeth as well as they should.”