All of your inquiries regarding your oral health and aesthetics can be answered by our staff at Silver Mountain Dental. Important aspects of oral hygiene include brushing and flossing. We may also respond to your questions about dental specialties and define dental jargon.
In people over 35, periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss. Three out of every four adults will experience it at some point in their lives. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is the best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
Bacterial plaque causes periodontal disease and tooth decay. Your teeth's gumline is covered in a white film called plaque. Plaque is constantly growing on your teeth. By carefully brushing and flossing your teeth each day, you may get rid of these germs and reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.
How to Brush Well
Dr. Michael Sherman and Silver Mountain Dental advise using a soft to medium-firm toothbrush. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth converge. Brush your teeth's outer surfaces gently, repeatedly, and softly in a circular motion. Use little pressure, but not so much that you feel uncomfortable, when putting the bristles between your teeth.
Move on to the inside surfaces of the back teeth and repeat the process when you have done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Brush every tooth several times with gentle back-and-forth motions. Do not forget to lightly brush the gum line surrounding your teeth.
The biting surfaces of your teeth should then be cleaned using brief, sensitive strokes. Change the brush's position as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. By checking yourself in the mirror, make sure you've cleaned every surface. After brushing, give your mouth a good rinse to get rid of any plaque that may have come loose.
The most typical location of periodontal disease is between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot get to. Flossing is a very effective way to get plaque off of those surfaces. But mastering the proper approach is crucial. The advice provided below will help, but bear in mind that it will require time and effort.
Start with a floss length of 18 inches (waxing is simpler). Most of the floss should be wrapped around the middle finger of one hand. The middle finger of the other hand should be wrapped with the remaining floss.
To clean the top teeth, firmly grasp the floss with each hand's thumb and index finger. Put the floss between the teeth carefully by moving it back and forth. Avoid attempting to force or snap the floss into place. Create a C-shape with the floss against one tooth by bringing it up to the gum line. Until you encounter a little resistance, slide it in between the gum and the teeth. On the side of one tooth, move the floss up and down. Keep in mind that you need to clean both of the tooth surfaces in each space. Continue to floss between each upper tooth's two sides. Do not cut the gums in the spaces between your teeth. When the floss gets dirty, switch from one finger to the other to acquire a fresh supply.
Guide the floss between the bottom teeth using the forefingers of both hands. Don't overlook the back side of the final tooth on any side, upper or lower.
After that, properly rinse with water to get rid of any food or plaque residue. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or become sore. You might be flossing too firmly or squeezing the gums if it pains your gums to do so. If you floss consistently and remove plaque, your gums should heal and the bleeding should stop.
Making a decision might be challenging because there are so many products available. Here are some suggestions for dental care products that will be effective for most patients.
Automatic and sophisticated electronic toothbrushes are often regarded by patients as being secure and efficient. The use of oral irrigators, which spray water into your mouth, will fully rinse your mouth but not remove plaque. In addition to the irrigator, brushing and flossing are necessary. Electric toothbrushes from Rotadent and Interplak deliver excellent results.
Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip that can be used to massage the gums after brushing. Small brushes called interproximal toothbrushes are used to clean in between your teeth. If you use them improperly, you could damage your gums, so ask your doctor how to use them safely.
When used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes can reduce the risk of tooth decay by up to 40%. Keep in mind that children under the age of six should not use these rinses. Since gum disease starts below the gum line and tartar control toothpastes only remove tartar above the gum line, they have not been shown to slow the progression of gum disease.
Ingredients in anti-plaque rinses that have been approved by the American Dental Association may help control the early stages of gum disease. After using them, floss and brush your teeth.
Daily brushing and flossing can help prevent dental calculus, but a professional cleaning can get rid of any that your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your trip to our office is a necessary part of your gum disease prevention strategy. Keep your teeth throughout your entire life.
Soon after turning two, your child should have their first "regular" dental appointment. Typically, the first appointment to the dentist is quick and doesn't include much treatment. We could ask you to sit on the dentist chair while holding your child during the checkup. In order for your child and the dentist to get to know one another, you could also be asked to spend some time waiting in the waiting room.
Our dentists will carefully examine the teeth and gums of your child. X-rays may be done (to look for cavities and track how your child's permanent teeth are forming under the gums). To assist prevent decay, fluoride may be given topically while cleaning your child's teeth. We'll see to it that your child receives adequate fluoride at home. Most essential, we will discuss with you how to brush and take care of your child's teeth.
This is a question that is commonly posed. We advise you to get your kid ready for their first haircut or trip to the shoe store in the same way you would. Your child's response to his first dental visit can astound you.
No longer must young children suffer from dental decay. At our practice, we place a high priority on all preventive care practices. We use the latest cutting-edge dental sealant technology to protect your child's teeth. Space-age polymers known as dental sealants are affixed to the back teeth's chewing surfaces, which are prone to wear and tear. This is just one of the ways we'll prepare your child for good dental health for the rest of their lives.
Cavities are typically brought on by a diet heavy in sweet foods and insufficient brushing. Limiting sugar intake and regularly brushing your teeth are both recommended. Your youngster is more likely to get cavities the longer it takes them to chew their food and the longer food residue sits on their teeth.
When someone eats, the bacteria in their mouth respond by producing acid as they break down the sugars. It takes roughly 20 minutes to complete this reaction. At this moment, the corrosive environment has the potential to destroy the tooth's structure and cause cavities.
Another factor is saliva consistency; food is broken down and washed away more quickly in thinner saliva. A high-carbohydrate, high-sugar diet causes saliva to thicken, which encourages the growth of more acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.
The first teeth to erupt in the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You'll notice this when your baby is between 6 and 8 months old. The rest of your baby's teeth will come in gradually after the eruption of the four upper front teeth. They typically develop along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 and a half years old.
By the time they turn two and a half, your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6, the first permanent teeth will break through. While some permanent teeth do not replace baby teeth, others do. Every child is unique, so don't worry if some teeth erupt a few months early or later.
Baby teeth are essential because they hold space for permanent teeth and aid with chewing, biting, speaking, and attractiveness. Because of this, it's essential to keep a nutritious diet and frequent hygiene.
Gum illnesses called periodontal disorders gradually destroy the foundation for your natural teeth. There are several ailments, and each one has a different course of therapy. Dental plaque is the main contributor to gum disease in those who are genetically predisposed to it. With regular brushing and flossing, the majority of periodontal disorders can be prevented.
In people over 35, periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss. Three out of every four adults will experience it at some point in their lives. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is the best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease and tooth decay are brought on by bacterial plaque. The gum line of your teeth develops a white film called plaque. Plaque is constantly growing on your teeth. By carefully brushing and flossing your teeth each day, you may get rid of these germs and reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.
Periodontal problems may advance more quickly due to a number of causes. However, the main culprit is the bacteria found in dental plaque, a sticky, white film that frequently forms on your teeth. If plaque is not entirely eliminated with everyday brushing and flossing, it hardens into a tough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar).
Periodontal Disease
Toxins or poisons produced by plaque bacteria irritate the gums and cause them to swell, turn red, and bleed easily. The gums will separate from the teeth if the inflammation persists, creating pockets (spaces). As periodontal diseases progress, the bone and gum tissue that support teeth deteriorate. Loss of teeth will occur if untreated.
The best ways to prevent gum disease are effective daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular expert inspections and cleanings. People may get periodontal disease even with the best at-home dental care. Once this disease has started to progress, professional assistance is needed.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who focus on procedures involving the mouth, face, and jaws. After four years of dental school, surgeons undergo four to seven years of hospital-based surgical and medical training, which equips them to handle a variety of procedures involving both the bones and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and neck.
Dentists that specialize in the diagnosis and management of periodontal (gum) disease are known as periodontists. They have had extensive training, which includes two years of post-dental school coursework. They devote their time, focus, and knowledge to helping patients take care of their gums. Eight dental specialties are recognized by the American Dental Association, including periodontists.
Your dentist has determined that your gums require particular care. To provide you with the best care possible, the dentist and periodontist work together. They'll use their expertise to recommend the best course of therapy for you while keeping each other informed of your development. By referring you to the specialist, your dentist is exemplifying a substantial commitment to your dental health.
Endodontists assess, diagnose, and treat traumas, abnormalities, and diseases that affect the dental pulp and periapical tissues of the tooth.
Endodontists assess patients, review radiographs, and analyze pulp tests to ascertain the pulp vitality and periapical tissue status. They evaluate their findings and suggest a course of action to stop tooth loss.
The prosthodontist evaluates and treats issues brought on by missing teeth and supporting structures. To restore proper mouth, face, and jaw function and aesthetics, they create and carry out treatment plans for the creation of corrective prostheses.
A pediatric dentist needs to complete at least two more years of training after dental school. The additional education emphasizes child behavior, physical development, and the particular requirements of pediatric dentistry. A pediatric dentist, his or her staff, and even the office decor are all created with children in mind, even though any sort of dentist is capable of taking care of your child's oral health requirements. If your child has special needs, you should think about hiring a pediatric dentist.
Disorders of the mouth, teeth, and jaw are prevented and treated by an orthodontist. By employing braces, retainers, and other appliances, an orthodontist assists in realigning the jaws and straightening a person's teeth.
Children with crowded or overlapping teeth, problems with jaw growth, and problems with tooth development are among the many conditions that orthodontists treat. Tooth and jaw problems can result from tooth decay, early dental loss, accidents, or bad habits like thumb sucking. Additionally, these problems may be inherited or genetic.
Your dentist or one of your parents may advise it if they notice a problem with your teeth or jaws. An orthodontist can provide treatment for a child who is dissatisfied with the way his or her teeth look.
