We’ve all been told since we were children that flossing is important and helps prevent tooth decay, but most of us have never been told WHY flossing is so important and that it does much more than prevent decay. The most common place for tooth decay is between two teeth and flossing once a day definitely decreases the likelihood of such cavities. Many patients only have a few cavities throughout their life and some never get a single one! These patients will often ask why they should bother to floss and fortunately, there are good reasons.
Flossing is so important because it helps prevent inflammation of the gum tissue (gingivitis). Inflammation is evident when your gums are red, swollen, and/or bleed easily. They are also tender and sometimes even painful to the touch which is why people who don’t floss often have difficulty or pain during dental cleanings. When inflammation of the gums is left unchecked it can progress into bone loss around your teeth (periodontal disease). Once you lose bone, it does not grow back. Most patients nowadays do a good enough job brushing and are concerned with the appearance of their teeth so less teeth need to be removed because of tooth decay. Instead, dentists and surgeons are forced to remove more and more teeth because of periodontal disease. Disease that could easily have been prevented by flossing!
Thankfully, our lifespan continues to increase and if you floss, there’s no reason why the lifespan of your teeth won’t do the same. Speaking of lifespan, there’s more reason to floss. Currently, much research is being done to understand exactly how, but we already know that the health of your mouth is directly related to your overall health. If you want to be healthy, FLOSS!
Are your teeth sensitive to cold? Do you have receding gums? You may be suffering from toothbrush abrasion, an erosive process caused by improper brushing. We all learn to brush at a very young age and unfortunately most of us learn to brush the wrong way and sometimes with the wrong kind of brush and paste. If you scrub your teeth back and forth then you are brushing incorrectly. You do not need to apply much pressure and should stroke up and down or in tiny circles. If your brush bristles are bent out, you are brushing too hard and need a new brush.
Only use a “soft” or “ultra soft” bristled brush, never “medium” or “hard” and get a new brush every few months. The improper scrub technique that most people use is a difficult habit to change so an even better brush to use is an electric. An electric brush will do a better job of removing plaque and for most people will change the way they brush. With an electric brush you simply move from one area to another, no scrubbing needed.
You might also need to change the kind of toothpaste you use. Many of today’s pastes are too abrasive. Most “Whitening” and “Tartar Control” pastes simply contain more pumice making them more abrasive. A simple fluoride paste is best for most people. If you have sensitivity issues, try Sensodyne. It is less abrasive than most other kinds of paste and has the extra minerals your teeth need to reseal and insulate from cold.
If you think you have toothbrush abrasion ask your dentist what he or she recommends so you can eat and drink those refreshing cold treats this summer without having to worry.
Most people have heard the abbreviation “TMJ”. This stands for tempromandibular joint and every person has two of them. These are the joints of your jaw, located right in front of your ears. If you clench or grind your teeth this is called bruxism or TMD (tempromandibular disorder). Most clench or grind at night while they sleep, but it sometimes becomes habit during the day as well.
Symptoms of this disorder vary, ranging from barely noticeable to severe and can include one or more of the following: tooth pain, excessive tooth wear, loose teeth, jaw muscle pain, TMJ or ear pain, frequent headaches, neck pain, “clicking” or “popping” sounds in the TMJ, and or the jaw gets “stuck” when opening or closing.
Often the cause of bruxism is unknown, but most times it is believed to be from something all of us have; STRESS. This can be severe emotional stress or the regular old daily stress. This explains why some estimate that about one third of the population suffers from some degree of bruxism. Other causes are trauma to the jaw or head and infection.
If you think you are clenching or grinding you should ask your dentist if you need treatment and if so which is best for you. The most common treatment is called an occlusal appliance. Other names include night guard, bite guard, or occlusal splint. These are a hard or soft acrylic device worn usually at night over the teeth of either the upper or lower arch. They prevent excessive wear of teeth and take much of the strain away from the TMJ and muscles of opening and closing, therefore alleviating pain.
Other treatments available are physical therapy or pain management by medications, ice, heat , or massage. Rest is important so avoid hard or sticky foods and especially chewing gum. In some extreme rare cases a surgical procedure may be required.
Missing teeth for a six year old are often described as cute, but for an adult not so much. The ways to replace missing teeth can sometimes be confusing and vary depending on the patient’s situation, but without a doubt the overall best method is a dental implant. A dental implant is a titanium post or “screw” that is surgically placed into the jaw bone and later used to support one or more false teeth.
There is a lot to consider when deciding how and if to replace missing teeth and dental implants are equal to or have the advantage over other options in all categories: function, esthetics, longevity, hygiene, and how the remaining teeth are affected. Other options, such as a removable prosthesis (denture) or fixed prosthesis (bridge) may seem more affordable, but from a long term perspective implants will usually cost less because dentures and bridgework need repair or replacement more often. Dentures and bridges rely on the remaining teeth for support sometimes compromising them, requiring even more dentistry or worse, shortening their lifespan. Implants are multifunctional, replacing one tooth, many teeth, or sometimes even the entire dentition. They can also be used to support a denture or bridge which improves fit, chewing ability, and comfort; therefore eliminating embarrassing moments with a loose denture.
A six year old will eventually get new teeth, but you will not and the worst option not yet mentioned is no replacement at all. This may cause your teeth to shift and eventually more may be lost because of it, so if you or someone you know is missing one or more teeth you should ask your dentist about dental implants.
