Your
child’s well-being is your biggest concern and their oral hygiene is an
important part of their overall health. The care of your child’s teeth
and gums begins with you - - you can set them on the right path for a
lifetime of excellent oral hygiene.
Oral Hygiene for Infants
Babies
are born with all their teeth - you can't see them because they are
hidden in the gums. Baby teeth start to break through the gums around 6
months but it is important to start good oral care for infants even
before the first tooth comes in. From healthy gums come healthy teeth.
- Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft washcloth after feeding. This helps remove the bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
- Once
they begin to erupt, brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
in an amount no more than a smear the size of a grain of rice - use a
soft-bristle toothbrush.
Please read the entire article, found at DentalCare.com, to see more detailed information on dental hygiene for children.
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Having
your kids brush their teeth before they go to bed each night helps them
learn good oral hygiene practices. And while twice-daily toothbrushing
is good for developing teeth, it always enough to stop bad breath from
occurring. Bad breath isn't always solely an oral health issue, there
can be other causes that need a different solution. Here are five
surprising causes of bad breath in children and how to stop them.
Sinus Infection
Have
any of your kids complained about a sore throat or stuffy nose lately?
It might be a sinus infection. Sinus issues cause fluid to collect in
the nasal passages and throat, making your child's throat the perfect
place for bacteria to gather. The result? Stinky breath that can't be
cured with toothbrushing and mouthwash alone. If you suspect a sinus
infection (potential sore throat, burning nasal passages and post nasal
drip), call your doctor for a visit and see if antibiotics will be
prescribed.
Foreign Objects
It
may not be your first thought, but your child's bad breath could be the
result of something stuck in her nasal passages. Kids are curious, and
their nostrils are just the right size for inserting small items such as
beads, beans, toy accessories and food. Pediatrician Dr. William Sears
explains that when an object gets lodged in a child's nasal passages it
can create a nasty smell. If you suspect this is what is causing your
child's bad breath, you'll need a doctor to help check your child's
nasal passages and remove the object.
To read the entire article written by Jae Curtis , please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Dental
caries (cavities) are the most common form of oral disease known to
man, and the process of getting caries is called tooth decay.
Tooth
decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel -- the hard, outer layer
of your teeth. This issue can affect children, teens and adults. Plaque,
a sticky film of bacteria, is constantly forming on your teeth. When
you eat or drink foods or beverages containing sugars, the bacteria in
plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the
plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth, and over time the
enamel can break down, according to the American Dental Association
(ADA).
The types of caries formed can be broken down into two major groups:
Pit and fissure caries. These
are found most often on the chewing surfaces of the back (molar and
premolar) teeth, and the back of the front (anterior) teeth. Your teeth
are composed of several sections of enamel, and where these sections
meet, pits and grooves can trap plaque, causing decay. The proper
application of pit and fissure sealants, a hard plastic material applied
to seal the grooves and pits when the teeth have erupted, can prevent
this type of dental caries. The sealants also make it less likely that
you will need restorations (fillings) on those surfaces of the teeth.
Smooth surface caries. These
are found most often along the gumline or where two teeth touch
(interproximal or the space between teeth), if plaque forms in those
areas. With the proper use of dental floss, you can prevent most smooth
surface caries in the interproximal area, and using a manual or power
toothbrush along the gumline can prevent caries in that area as well.
To read the entire article written by Richard A Huot, DDS, please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
What is Dry Mouth?
Dry
mouth means you don't have enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth
moist. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, especially if you're
nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most
of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious health
problems or indicate that a more serious medical condition may exist.
That's because saliva does more than just keep the mouth wet -it helps
digest food, protects teeth from decay, prevents infection by
controlling bacteria in the mouth, and makes it possible for you to chew
and swallow.
There
are several reasons that the glands that produce saliva, called the
salivary glands, might not function properly. These include:
- Side
effects of some medications - over 400 medicines can cause dry mouth,
including antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics and
medicines for high blood pressure and depression.
- Disease
- diseases that affect the salivary glands, such as diabetes,
Hodgkin's, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS and Sjogren's syndrome, may
lead to dry mouth.
- Radiation
therapy - the salivary glands can be damaged if your head or neck are
exposed to radiation during cancer treatment. The loss of saliva can be
total or partial, permanent or temporary.
- Chemotherapy - drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, or "ropey," causing your mouth to feel dry.
- Menopause
- changing hormone levels affect the salivary glands, often leaving
menopausal and post-menopausal women with a persistent feeling of dry
mouth.
- Smoking - many pipe, cigar and heavy cigarette smokers experience dry mouth.
To read the entire article , please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Dental
veneers are thin pieces of tooth-colored porcelain cemented to the
front surfaces of your natural teeth, and are an easy way to address a
variety of physical and aesthetic problems. Because they're also
permanent, however, you'll need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of
the procedure before you decide to get them. Here are six things to
think about and discuss with your dentist.
Pro #1: Easily Whiten Your Smile
Years
of drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes or eating highly pigmented foods
eventually take their toll on your teeth, turning them an unattractive
shade of yellow or brown. Stained enamel can be bleached at home or by
your dentist, but it can become stained again. If you're looking for an
easier way to whiten your smile for good, dental veneers may be a good
fit for you. Veneers are largely stain-resistant, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), so you won't have to worry about discoloration or needing to have your veneers whitened.
To read the entire article written by Jennifer Mitchell , please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
A crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed. Many people call it a cap.
Crowns
may be placed for several reasons. Usually the tooth has been broken or
severely damaged by decay. As a result, a filling can't replace enough
of the tooth or make the tooth strong enough. A crown may hold together
parts of a cracked tooth. It also can be used to hold a bridge in place.
Crowns can be used to improve appearance as well. They may be placed to
cover misshapen or badly discolored teeth.
Crowns
can be made ahead of time (prefabricated) or made to order in a
laboratory. Prefabricated crowns are made of plastic or stainless steel.
They can be used on a temporary basis until a permanent crown is made.
Crowns can be made of:
- All metal
- Zirconia
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
- Porcelain fused to zirconia
- All ceramic
Metals
include gold alloy, other alloys (palladium) or a base-metal alloy
(nickel or chromium). The all-metal or PFM crowns are stronger and are
better choices for back teeth than ceramic crowns. PFM and all-ceramic
crowns are the same color as your natural teeth. They look just like
normal teeth.
To read the entire article , please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
Proper
oral hygiene is of course indispensable for maintaining a bright smile,
but there is one other important bit of advice: Watch what you eat and
drink. Certain foods and beverages can discolor teeth. If you want to
protect your pearly whites, read on for some common culprits that stain
your teeth.
Pasta Sauce
Because
of their acidity, bright red hue and tendency to cling to the teeth,
the tomatoes in pasta sauce can leave your teeth vulnerable to staining.
Dine on some dark green veggies, such as broccoli, kale and spinach,
beforehand to create a protective film over the teeth. The film will
ward off tomatoes' staining effect, so spring for a green salad as an
appetizer.
Curry
Curry,
a spice that works well in Indian food and exotic dishes, is also a
cause of discolored teeth. Its deep pigmentation can yellow teeth over
time. Due to its high staining factor, curry is something you may want
to limit in your diet. Whenever you dine on curry-spiced food, mix in
fresh fruits and vegetables that prevent stains, such as apples,
carrots, cauliflower and celery.
To read the entire article written by Margie Monin Dombrowski , please visit Colgate.com
417 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-7714
