luisa flora flora's blog

The Stinging Teeth

For people who have sensitive teeth life can be miserable with the pain and discomfort from favorite hot or cold foods that are impossible to enjoy. When we say we have sensitive teeth, for most cases we mean that we feel twinges of pain or discomfort in our teeth in certain situations like drinking or eating cold/hot foods, eating sweets and when your upper teeth and lower teeth are touching or your tongue according to Richmond Cosmetic Dentistry. The good news is most cases of tooth sensitivity are easy to treat.

Tooth sensitivity occurs due to fractures, cracks, cavities or consuming too many foods or beverages that contain acids, such as soft drinks or fruit juice that erodes the enamel of the tooth. The habit of vigorous brushing of teeth overtime can cause receding gums making the gum line to be exposed resulting for the tooth to become sensitive.

You might be able to reduce your chances of dentinal sensitivity by regular dental visits. Your dentist can help identify and treat problems in teeth that can lead to sensitivity. Brushing twice a day using a soft or ultra soft toothbrush with a gentle up and down stoke, rather than side to side will help avoid gum recession. Flossing daily and using fluoride toothpaste or a toothpaste that provides protection against sensitivity will also help. If you have problem of grinding or clenching your teeth at night time which is called Bruxism, getting treatment early is important to avoid more complications.

Switch your regular toothpaste to toothpaste that is made for sensitive teeth which are widely available at drug, grocery and discount stores without a doctor's prescription. It will help lessen pain from drinking and eating hot or cold foods or refreshments. Richmond Dentist explains that the toothpaste contain compounds that block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve leaving a relief.

If sensitivity lasts for longer than a few weeks with pain that you cannot tolerate anymore; you need to contact your dentist. The dentist will apply a professional strength desensitizing gel that runs for several treatments before you begin to see some longer lasting results. The dentist may also want to give you some fluoride treatment. If pain is still severe, a root canal may be indicated. During a root canal procedure, your dentist removes the pulp and nerve at the center of the tooth.


Nature's Way Of Taking Care Of Your Teeth

Getting To Know Dentistry

Dentists or Richmond Dentists for example are health-care practitioners properly trained to provide services that maintain, promote and restore good oral health. Dentists in the United States face stiff competition for available spots in dental school, and about 75 percent of graduates eventually establish a solo practice and have their own clinic according to Labor survey. It's a smart career move to be a dentist because of the large number of dentists who are nearing retirement age in our country and demands for new dentists are expected.

Dentists diagnose and treat issues of the teeth and tissues in the mouth, providing quality service to patients to avoid recurrence of dental problems. They provide dental health instruction including diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluorides. They make sure that their patient understood and practice their teachings.

Most dentists can work four or five days a week but there are some who work until evenings and weekends to meet their patients' needs or depending on negotiation between the patient and the dentist. Usually a full-time dentist works up to 40 hours a week but newer dentists work more than the usual working hours. Experienced and established dentists work fewer hours.

If you choose to become a dentist, you need to attend at least two years of college before applying to a dental school and after that you need to finish a four-year curriculum in which during the final two years of dental school they must undergo in on-the-job training. The work experience usually occurs at a dental clinic like Richmond cosmetic dentistry and involves treating patients while a licensed dentist supervises their work.

Specialization in the field of dentistry can include cosmetic dentistry, who improves the aesthetic appeal of their patient's teeth, surgical restoration dentists, who restore and maintain teeth that have been damaged by accident or disease and Pediatric dentistry that handles children.

Dentists are some of the highest income earners in the United States and most can make $100,000 a year. Dentists prefer to work in private practices and the good thing about it you have higher salary, you manage your own time and you can choose the medical benefits you want and for your employees.

Regular meetings and helping patients from all avenues of life and sharing dental health is a fulfilling profession for these dentists, their work bring personal pleasure to them.





Braces: Exlcude These Foods On Your Diet

Go Veges For A Healthy Teeth

In addition to brushing and flossing, a healthful diet that composes of fruits and vegetables protects teeth from decay and keeps the gums healthy. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help keep your teeth smooth and white, and your gums pink and strong necessary to have that perfect smile. Sugary goodies can lead plaque, promoting bacterial growth and dental decay particularly if you don't have a good dental routine. While crisp vegetable sticks and high-fiber fruits can meet snack attacks while shielding teeth from cavities.

Healthy diet especially fruits and vegetables, good oral hygiene and regular visits to your Richmond dentist, will keep your teeth at their best. Here are a few things that you should know about the benefits from eating fruits and vegetables:

By adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, especially those high in fiber, can stimulate saliva flow that helps decrease acidity and clean out debris of foods stuck between your teeth, can damage cause cavity, according to Richmond Cosmetic dentistry. Apple is an example of a fruit that makes your teeth clean and are even referred to as natural toothbrush. Fresh celery and carrot sticks are examples of vegetables that serve a healthy snack and at the same time stimulate saliva, and they don't promote accumulation of bacteria.

A diet high in fruit and vegetable consumption helps prevent oral cancer as they have been known to have high in antioxidants. Cases of oral cancer have considerably increased in the U.S. every year, and what more sad about it is that this type of cancer has a high mortality rate. Increased intakes of both fruits and vegetables were shown to have significant oral cancer prevention value with citrus fruits having higher rank. Some vegetables such as carrots, leafy green vegetables and bell peppers are a source of beta-carotene, which helps the immune system to combat and eliminate potential cancer cells in our body. Bioflavonoid found in apples, onions and grapefruits may also help in reducing the risk for oral cancer.

Diverse vitamins found in fruits and vegetables are good source to protect our teeth and gums from oral diseases. Fresh fruits and vegetables are great source of vitamin C. A deficiency in vitamin C can cause bleeding and swelling of your gums that might lead to infection. Eating citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, broccoli and peppers are rich in vitamin C. Niacin is the other vitamin present in fresh vegetables that deficiency of this vitamin can get mouth ulcers.


Baby Boom Dental Care

Baby Boom Dental Care

Taking care of your children's teeth while they are young is the best way to prevent problems in the future especially when they reach their teens. Help your children begin a lifetime of good dental health by caring for their first teeth, and as they get older, the good practice of taking of their teeth will have them a good benefit and they will carry the good habit of dental hygiene throughout adulthood.

Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in by wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after every feeding according to Richmond Cosmetic Dentistry. By doing this it helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria in the gum that when a tooth appears you can be sure of a healthy tooth. As soon as the tooth appears start using a soft children's toothbrush and water twice a day. Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste with a pea-sized amount. Always supervise young children during brushing because they tend to swallow most of the toothpaste after rinsing.

Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water especially if the baby has new developing teeth. This practice of nursing bottle mouth can lead to cavities to develop from the teeth. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided and should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.

Fluoride strengthens the enamel of the tooth which is important in fighting cavities. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride or have your water fluoridated. If you live in an area that doesn't have fluoride added to the water, your Richmond dentist may recommend fluoride in tablet form but be sure to use it as directed, since too much fluoride can cause tooth stains.

Parents should schedule a child's first dental exam when they reach a year older; it allows the Richmond dentist to screen for any early dental problems and have them corrected. Maintaining a schedule of regular checkups and make every visit fun and positive helps familiarize your child with the dentist and avoid fear of the dentist which is very common among children.

Nutrition plays an important role in good dental health of your child. Many snacks that children eat can lead to the formation of cavities make sure to watch your child's snacks. Choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheese for snacks.


Missing Tooth Is Not At All Irreplaceable

Foods To Avoid When Wearing Braces

Braces can straighten your crooked teeth, while providing you with a healthy-looking smile that you always want to wear. Once your braces are installed, you need to avoid certain foods when wearing your braces. That's why Richmond Cosmetic Dentist advises people wearing braces to be meticulous with their dental hygiene and warns that food can easily get trapped under brackets and wires. Without proper care, damaged braces can require replacement and delay your adjustment. You must pay close attention to the foods you eat because ignoring your diet could lead to broken braces or even tooth decay.

Listed here are the types of foods that you should avoid when wearing your braces according to your Richmond Dentist:

• Sticky foods - can get caught between brackets or damage your wires and could be the source of bacteria to thrive leading to cavities and tooth decay once you missed cleaning your teeth. These foods often are harder to chew, slowly loosening brackets and wires making them ineffective. These sticky foods that you should avoid are bubble gum, hard candy, gummy candy, taffy and caramel.

• Hard foods - can break off the brackets and wires in your braces when you are chewing them. So make sure to avoid chewing ice, nuts, hard taco shells, chips, Jolly Ranchers and other hard foods. Consider slicing hard foods or softening them to be easier to chew. Beef jerky should be avoided because of its tough, leathery texture that can cause damage to the wires and braces and corn chips should be avoided too because it can poke the gums or loosen the brackets of the braces. Other hard foods to avoid include: ice, apples, raw carrots, hard candies, and corn on the cob, corn chips, nuts, and pretzels.

• Anything high in sugar- can weaken your teeth and often can lead to dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay. Limit your consumption of sugary foods when you are wearing braces especially sweets such as cake, cookies and ice cream should be avoided. Limit sugary drinks, such as soda or sports drinks, to one per day and you can substitute fruits for sugary foods. Foods to reduce on consist of: Soda and Candy; it will be hard to resist the lure but just think how good it will taste when your teeth are flawlessly straight after your sacrifice.

Home Kit Dental Bleaching Tray Instructions

There are many reasons why teeth discolor and lose their white appearance that you once have. Some foods, coffee, smoking and even repeated use of certain medications can be attributed to the discoloration of teeth. Many people are turning to whitening procedures or products suggested by dentists like Richmond dentists or do the procedure themselves through home based kit to help them regain their bright smiles. One popular home-based kit is a bleaching tray that is gaining popularity.

ne of the most effective and safest ways to lighten teeth is through the use of home bleaching kits or do it yourself. These kits consist of a mouth-tray, bleaching gel, and sometimes a dentifrice toothpaste. . These are sold commercially to the consumer complete with instructions on how to use it to guide you with the process..

There are actually three types of bleaching trays that you can choose from, which are disposables, heat molded, and custom made trays. Here are some tips on how you can use them:

Because of the widespread availability of over-the-counter teeth bleaching products, many people will be tempted to purchase some of these products. This isn't necessarily a good idea without consulting first your dentist like Richmond cosmetic dentist. A part of your dentist's role is that of dental counselor and It is their professional obligation to provide you with objective advice and opinion.

Purchase a home teeth whitening kit and they can be found at most retail outlets and drug stores. They are also available online you can check out dental online sites if you don't have time to look them from stores.

Do your regular daily hygiene prior to using a home bleaching tray that you purchase like brushing and flossing. Boil some water and dip the tray into the water for about 5 seconds then bite down on the tray to form it to your teeth.

Apply a light strip of whitening gel into a dental tray along teeth impression. Place dental tray with whitening gel over teeth and leave in place to whiten or depending on the instructions of product you are using. You may leave it overnight if suggested by the instructions.



Alleviating Pain From Braces

Brace The Pain Away

Braces can correct unaligned teeth and performed by a good dentist like Richmond cosmetic dentist but the pain associated with braces is often what scares people most about getting them. The day or two after seeing an orthodontist to get wires changed or tightened can be especially painful. It will probably require special care in order to eat, talk and sleep comfortably and adjustment to the wires. Because of metal hardware, braces can rub against the cheeks and gums that in turn, cause painful sores that are constantly being aggravated.

The first week or so with braces usually brings pain and discomfort Here's a helpful guide to help you alleviate the pain:

Take some pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain. Try first take two ibuprofen then when it's time for the next dose; take two tablet of acetaminophen instead. Continue alternating throughout the day to relieve the pain. You can also ask your dentist to prescribe you some pain relievers.

Orthodontic wax is easily available at chemists and drug stores or is free from the clinic like in Richmond cosmetic dentistry. An orthodontist will give you the orthodontic wax that must be placed over the wires or metal to prevent it from poking into the skin. A small ball of wax placed over the metal is all you need to prevent cuts and sores that add to pain.

Anesthetic gels can help soothe sores like over-the-counter brands like Anbesol are safe to use and effective on cuts and wounds. A single application may not be enough because anesthetics work for a limited amount of time. So when the anesthetic wears off just apply another to the affected area.

Chew on a frozen teething ring or ice cube. You can purchase freezable teething rings at any toy store, baby supply store or drugstore at leading stores. Place the teething ring in the freezer for an hour and chew on the teething ring to alleviate the pain.

A weak solution of warm salt water with a consistency of 1/2 tsp of salt per cup of water helps to ease the irritation. Rinse with warm salt water several times per day if possible.

Avoid eating hard foods like pretzels, bagels and hard candy instead eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, rice and cooked vegetables when you experience pain.


How To Floss Correctly

Alleviating Pain From Braces

Braces can correct unaligned teeth and performed by a good dentist like Richmond cosmetic dentist but the pain associated with braces is often what scares people most about getting them. The day or two after seeing an orthodontist to get wires changed or tightened can be especially painful. It will probably require special care in order to eat, talk and sleep comfortably and adjustment to the wires. Because of metal hardware, braces can rub against the cheeks and gums that in turn, cause painful sores that are constantly being aggravated.

The first week or so with braces usually brings pain and discomfort Here's a helpful guide to help you alleviate the pain:

It's all important to understand that some pain is normal in the first few days that the braces have been set. Ask your dentist to prescribe some pain relievers for you, if you find the pain is too much to bear and has affected your sleeping and eating habit. Chances are that your nerves will eventually get used to the braces, lowering the pain gradually or in the process. Common pain relievers that are available over the counter may be all that you need to treat the pain.

Coat the irritated area in orthodontic wax that is usually available for free at orthodontist's offices like Richmond cosmetic dentistry, but it can also be purchased at most drugstores. Pull a small piece of wax from the package and warm it with the heat of your hands and roll the wax into a small ball. Place the wax over the metal that is bothering you. Do not apply too much wax, or it will not stay in place as you talk or move your mouth.

Anesthetic gels can help soothe sores like over-the-counter brands like Anbesol are safe to use and effective on cuts and wounds. A single application may not be enough because anesthetics work for a limited amount of time. So when the anesthetic wears off just apply another to the affected area.

Eat something very cold like ice cream or suck on an ice cube. It will numb your mouth and temporarily relieve the pain.

Rinse your mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide; it will help promote healing if you feel a cut or irritation from your braces. Swish in your mouth for 30 seconds to one minute and do not swallow. Rinse your mouth with cold water afterward.

Avoid eating hard foods like pretzels, bagels and hard candy instead eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, rice and cooked vegetables when you experience pain.


Dental Flossing Make It A Habit

Cavity Protection For A Lifetime

It's essential to fight tooth decay and keep your teeth as healthy as possible in order to keep them for a lifetime. This is possible today now that we have advance dentistry like in Richmond cosmetic dentistry that continue to research for new procedures and ways to combat dental diseases. In spite of these advancements widespread tooth decay and dental disease is still present in many areas of the United States today. Lack of education about the causes of tooth decay and a general lack of interest in cavity prevention, causes the problem of dental decay and disease to be widespread and rampant in our country.

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity, is a disease where bacterial processes damage hard tooth structure namely enamel, dentin, and cementum. The blend of bacteria and food leads to tooth decay and a clear, sticky chemical called plaque that has bacteria is always building on your teeth and gums. As the bacteria feed on the sugars from food we eat, they make acids; these acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating.Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

You can decrease your own risk of cavities and tooth decay by simply following some of the steps listed below:

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste; preferably, brush after each meal and especially before going to bed. You can also use mouthwash after every toothbrush.

2. Do not stop at just brushing your teeth; continue to brush your tongue and roof of your mouth. It will help keep your mouth feeling fresh and bacteria are removed from these areas.

3. Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners, such as the Oral-B Interdental Brush, Reach Stim-U-Dent, or Sulcabrush. The type of floss or brand you use is not important just choose the type and flavor that works best for you.

4. Cut back on sugary foods and try to incorporate healthy fruits and vegetables preferably raw instead of sweets such as chocolate and candies to help maintain healthy teeth.

5. Drink fluoridated water, at least a pint of fluoridated water each day is needed to protect you and your children from tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens your teeth by depositing minerals to the tooth's enamel.

6. Visit your dentist regularly like Richmond dentist for professional cleanings and oral exam at least every 6 months. It is important for you to see your dentist even if you don't have any toothaches to check the status of your teeth.

Dental Cleaning BAsic Info

When you go to a dentist like Richmond dentist for a tooth cleaning, the dentist will clean your teeth, scrape off hard food deposits, perform a gum evaluation and possibly polish your teeth. The main reason of having your teeth cleaned is to prevent or delay the progression of gum diseases.

The frequency of professional teeth cleaning depends on the health of your teeth and gums. The dentist may also wish to take X-rays at this time to make certain no cavities are present if the cleaning is part of a yearly check-up and the dentist himself will perform the cleaning of your teeth. The dentist will normally take a last look, and perhaps perform some difficult plaque removal toward the end of the cleaning, as well as evaluate the gums for gum disease.

There may be no deposits building up on your teeth if you follow correct dental habit like proper brushing and flossing. Your dentist will have to use tools that may be painful and the tools most commonly used to remove hard deposits from teeth are hand scalers and ultrasonic scalers if you have hard food deposits on your teeth. Scalers are used to remove hard plaque, especially between teeth and look a bit like metal hooks. It may feel uncomfortable to painful depending upon one's sensitivity level and pain threshold when the dentist is using these scalers. Other factors that may determine pain is length of time since one's last cleaning and the case of plaque build-up.

Dentists may also employ a device that shoots water into the mouth, so the person can rinse out plaque several times during the process of dental cleaning. In some cases, the dentist may merely use mouthwash for the same purpose.

If you do not want to experience any pain during your cleaning, you can request that you dentist use a local anesthetic. The local anesthetic enables the cleaning to be more thorough and painless. In most cases, there will be some pain during a tooth cleaning however painless cleanings can occur if you do not have hard food deposits on your teeth.

Expect a dentist to inquire about your brushing and flossing routine after the procedure. The dentist like the way Richmond cosmetic dentist do will give advice about proper cleaning and other good dental practices to maintain your healthy teeth.nd ceic like and the case