Providing oral health education to families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay.  Remember children learn from their parents both their good and bad oral health habits, show them just how important good oral health is by example.

Loss of the enamel layer that covers our teeth results in sensitive teeth and raised risk of cavities, pulp inflammation and other dental diseases. Now, scientists have produced a new biocompatible material that potentially rebuilds worn enamel, reduces tooth sensitivity and is much longer-lasting than current treatments.

Having Twice a year dental appointments/check ups is key to maintaining good oral health.  By having a strict oral hygiene habits at home your teeth and gums will stay healthy.  However, if your oral hygiene habits are lacking then by keeping your twice a year dental cleaning and exam appointments the dentist will be able to detect any dental issues before problems start to escalate, causing the need to have larger dental services and increase dental care cost.

The internet can be an amazing tool in your search for the right dentist. If you want to be an informed decision maker when it comes to your dental health using the internet is a good way to get the information you are seeking.

Many dental office have their own websites that provide valuable dental information regarding services or oral health topics, in addition to information about the practice. Such as how long they been in business what type of insurance plans they may accept and in many cases patients reviews.  They may also belong to social media websites such as Facebook and or twitter.  Which can give you more incite about their practice.

Another step you can take online is to use review sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List, Google and Yahoo to name just a few.  Take your time to find the right dentist for you, in the long run you will be much happier with your dental care if you do.

Root canal therapy is a procedure where a family dentist or Endodontic specialist removes bad bacteria from the pulp of a tooth. That bacteria form inside of the tooth for a number of reasons. Poor dental health is one of the most common causes. Also when someone does not fix a cracked tooth, it is easier for bad bacteria to enter and attack the tooth from the inside out. An untreated infection inside of a tooth makes it painful, discolored and could eventually lead to the loss of that tooth.

One main reason why people chooses having dental implants over dental bridges and or partials is because, a dental implant procedure is the only way to permanently replace ones tooth.   This procedure uses a screw-like implant that is inserted into the jawbone. For the implant to stabilize, the process of osseointegration (implant material fuses to bone) must occur. Once the bone cells and gum tissue heal over an implant. A dentist can attach an abutment, finishing it off with a synthetic crown.

Despite a policy focus on expanding access to care for adults with developmental disabilities, this vulnerable population continues to have significant dental disease. In this month’s issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine report on the first large-scale survey to investigate factors influencing at-home oral care provided by caregivers to adults with developmental disabilities. The study findings suggest that, in addition to addressing access to care, policy initiatives must improve support for caregivers.

Over 10 million dental patients have had their teeth whitened by using one of the Zoom whitening systems. There are two types of Zoom products, the in-office and at-home whitening system.  The in-office whitening system,  During an in-office Zoom whitening treatment, you can whiten your teeth up to eight shades, and the results will last much longer than over-the-counter products and other professional whitening systems. This is possible, because it’s the work of the latest light-activated whitening technology. With the use of this technology, whitening is less messy and a lot more convenient for the patient and dentist, but more so for the patient.

People who have arthritis can often time have limited hand motion and may find it harder to hold and use a toothbrush.  Here are some tips that may help.

*   Use an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. An Electric toothbrush will make brushing easier and now  they are being made lighter so they are also easier to hold on too.

*   Slide a bicycle grip or foam tube over the handle of the toothbrush, do this will make the tooth brush easier to hold

*   Buy a toothbrush with a larger handle.

*   Attach the toothbrush handle to your hand with a wide elastic band.

For the most part it does not take a lot in order to prevent gum disease.  Here are a few things you can do that will help prevent gum disease as well as maintain good oral health care.

*  Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day every day with fluoride toothpaste.

*  Floss at least once a day.

*  Visit your dentist regularly (normally at least twice a year) for a checkup and cleaning.

*  Eat a well-balanced diet.

*  If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease.

Previously, the American Dental Association had recommended kids younger than two years old have their teeth brushed with water, before moving onto a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste through the time they’re six years old.

Now, the ADA says go ahead and give your baby fluoride toothpaste that is about the size of a grain of rice once that first tooth comes in.

This recommended change comes after a new review published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association found that brushing with fluoride toothpaste had statistically significant benefits on preventing decay and cavities.

The new guidance says kids younger than three should just get a “smear” of toothpaste before graduating to a pea-sized amount when three to six years old to prevent cavities and avoid fluorosis. Kids should spit out the toothpaste as soon as they are old enough to do so.

Some of the sings and symptoms of dry mouth can include

* Trouble speaking

* Eating or Tasting food

* Swallowing

* Dry mouth may cause chapped lips

* Persistent cough

* White Tongue

* Fungal infection like  yeast

* Burning tongue

* Gum disease

* Dental decay

Although diabetes can cause many different health issues one effect that it has on your dental care is dry mouth. One sign of diabetes is often chronic dry mouth, which occurs when blood sugars are high and uncontrolled diabetes.

When this occurs, ketones lose fluid or inadequate saliva is produced in order to keep your mouth moist. The end result is severe dehydration and dry mouth as well as difficulty chewing and swallowing food. If you are a diabetic make sure to talk to your dentist about proper dental care in order to maintain your dental health

A poor diet along with bad dental hygiene habits can lead to cavities and decay along he gum line.  This gradual dental decay will result in reduced saliva production beneath the tongue, and eventually chronic and uncomfortable dry mouth, which will exacerbate tooth and gum rot even further.  Make sure to visit your dentist regularly and maintain good dental habits in order to maintain good dental health and avoid dry mouth issues.

A study conducted by University of Manchester researchers finds a toothbrush can contain over 10 million bacteria including E. coli and Staph.

Toothbrush can be contaminated by the water splashed when we wash our hands, or worse, by bacteria from an open-flushed toilet.

Nasties that fall from toilet spray remain airborne long enough to settle on surfaces throughout the bathroom. And if you drop your toothbrush on the floor, the five second rule does not apply.

Think about keeping your toothbrush out of your bathroom. Also you may want to soak you toothbrush in germ killing mouthwash once a week or so.

Prolong dry mouth can start to cause dental issues like bad breath, periodontitis, and dental decay. Certain medications such as chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer are linked to dry mouth. However, the most common culprits as far as drugs are antihistamines and anti-depressants.

If your prescriptions are causing dry mouth, talk to your doctor about swapping to another.  In addition make sure to see your dentist regularly to prevent dental damage due to dry mouth.

Another Dental Healthcare Tip Make sure to drink plenty of water.  Water helps to keep your mouth moist which in turn minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause bad breath. Drinking water is also very good for your over all health care.

One good dental heath care tip if possible,  keep an extra toothbrush and paste at work.  By keeping a spare toothbrush and paste at work you are able to brush your teeth after having lunch.  This is extra helpful if you have eaten food that left a film on your teeth or leaves you with bad breath.

If you travel and want to use your toothbrush make sure to keep it in a plastic toothbrush case. By doing so you will protect the toothbrush bristles from becoming squashed or flattened in your traveling kit.   However keep in mind after brushing your teeth to let your toothbrush dry out before putting it back in the case to help reduce the spread of germs.

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.