Teeth help us to chew food and also shape our face, but keeping them looking great takes work and the right foods. Teeth are covered with hard enamel to protect the soft material beneath. Bacteria can erode that enamel.

Bacteria are present in the mouth at all times. These bacteria can form a yellowish film on the teeth called plaque. It sticks to the teeth and discolors them. Daily brushing can limit the amount of plaque that settles on the teeth. Some plaques can move below the gum line leading to gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums.

While sugary snacks are usually our first choice, the sugars in these snacks can affect the health of our teeth.

When the sugars break down, they can attract the bacteria in the plaque and form acids. It is the acid that breaks down the hard enamel, and once the enamel is gone, it doesn’t restore itself. Loss of enamel can lead to sensitive teeth, being affected by heat and cold touching them. It can also eventually result in tooth loss.

How to Snack Smarter

Most of us love the taste of sweets, but they aren’t so good to our teeth. To protect the teeth and keep them strong, here are some tips to snacking smarter:

* Choose sugar wisely – While it is all right to snack several times a day, choosing a sugary snack each time can hurt the teeth. Try limiting sugar for after dinner.

* Limit the fat – Too much fat in your snacks is not good for your body and also not good for your teeth.

* Brush your teeth – After a sugary snack, the acids that form can stay active for almost half an hour after you are finished eating. That is 20 minutes that your teeth are under attack. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste can stop the activity of the acid right away. Brush at least twice a day and after sugary snacks.

* Choose a different category of snacks – If you’ve ever eaten sugar then you know that it starts a vicious cycle. You will want more sugar after the blood sugar spike wears off. High fiber snacks are more filling and also healthier for the body.

Here are some examples of healthier snacks:

* Fruit – Apples, berries, oranges, pineapples, tomatoes
* Raw vegetables – Celery, carrots, broccoli, cucumbers
* Grains – Popcorn, bagels, oats
* Dairy – Cheeses, low-fat milk
* Nuts and seeds

Cutting down on sugary snacks may be the key to protecting your teeth well into your later years. This article gives you examples of better, healthier choices for your teeth and your body.

Our dental health is very important. Missing teeth affect not only your smile, but even digestion. If you have lost teeth, you must decide whether you will replace them with dentures or dental implants.

Dentures were designed to replace missing teeth, but while denture material has come a long way, there are still some problems with them that haven’t been resolved yet, such as the strain that the denture places on the natural teeth to which it is hooked.

Dental implants require dental surgery. Implants are used to fill spaces when one, two, or more teeth are missing. The bone is drilled and then a metal implant is screwed into the bone, and you must then wait three months before a crown can be inserted over the metal implant.  In some cases where most of the teeth are missing, four implants are inserted into an upper or lower jaw, and then an entire permanent bridge of false teeth is inserted over them.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of dentures and dental implants.

Pros

Dentures are much less extensive dental implants. You might spend up to $3,000 for a complete set of dentures; it will be less if you need only uppers or lowers.

Of course, there are dentures that are not a full upper or lower set of teeth. They can be in the form of bridges to cover the space where the tooth is missing while being hooked onto the tooth on either side of the space. Partial dentures look like retainers with teeth on them that conform to the roof of your mouth.

Dental implants are a permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth. They are anchored in the bone and help to provide support for that area of the bone. When teeth are missing, the bone no longer has to provide support and it can get weak and break down.

Your teeth can be brushed as normal with implants. You can even floss. Your speech and voice won’t change due to any slipping of the implant.

Cons

Dentures are not very comfortable. Even when they are fitted properly, they can irritate the gum line and rub against the bone when you talk or eat. .

Dentures have to be removed to be cleaned. Using the wrong cleaner or rubbing too hard can lead to cracks in the dentures that can harbor bacteria in your mouth.

Dental implants are very expensive, costing as much as $3,500 for each implant and crown.  And dental insurance plans usually have an annual limitation of $1,500 on restorative work, and some plans will not cover anything toward implants.

Better bonding agents and cleaners have helped people with dentures to live normal lives once their teeth have been removed.

There are pros and cons to both of these dental solutions. Ask your dentist to recommend which they believe will work better for you.

Chewing bubble gum and blowing bubbles used to be a favorite pastime for children, but all of that sugar was a disaster for their teeth.  Is sugar-free gum any better?

First, let’s state the difference between bubble gum and chewing gum. Bubble gum is used for blowing bubbles and the flavor lasts only for a little while and then the gum gets stale. At that point, children take another piece.

All of the sugar in the mouth combines with acids to promote the growth of bacteria that are harmful to teeth, which lead to tooth decay in children and adults.

Chewing gum is for just that – chewing. It usually holds its flavor longer and most people have turned to chewing gum as a result of the tooth problems that are caused by bubble gum.

The Benefits of Chewing Gum

Chewing gum comes in two varieties: sugar and sugar-free. You see more varieties of sugar-free gum on the market today because many sugar-free gums contain xylitol, a sugar substitute made from natural products. Unlike sugar, it does not stimulate the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

In fact, chewing sugarless gum with xylitol actually helps to protect the teeth from decay. It also helps to refresh your breath. Chewing it after eating can restore a pleasant smell to your breath.

Gum has been chewed by people after gastrointestinal surgeries to speed recovery. The process of chewing increases saliva production. This in turn stimulates hormones in the bowel and helps return bowel function to normal after a surgical procedure.

Gum can also increase your metabolism. Chewing on gum can burn about ten more calories an hour. The jaws also get a workout and the muscles learn to stretch more.

If you have an upset stomach, you might reach for the bicarbonate or the ginger ale, but try a piece of gum. Chewing on gum can increase saliva to help neutralize the rising stomach acid.

And don’t forget the fact that chewing gum keeps your ears from popping on the plane.

If you are not you chewing sugar-free gum, it might be a good time to start. There are many benefits you could be missing out on.

Television and movie stars have teeth that seem to shine, in many cases due to teeth whitening. And you too can have whiter teeth with a few different options.

Teeth are white, but not usually as white as we would like them to be. One reason could be the dentin, or middle layer of the tooth. It is normally yellow in color. This can show through the enamel, especially when it is thin.

Antibiotics can also change the color of your teeth. And fillings can leech into the teeth and darken them.

Most often, the culprit of darker teeth is the foods that we eat and the beverages we drink. Over time, they can stain the outer enamel of the tooth.

Here are some options for whitening your teeth. You can do it yourself using home remedies, over-the-counter kits, or opt for the professional approach.

Home Remedies

* Peroxide – Using peroxide in your home is one way to whiten your teeth. However, be careful as you should not swallow it. Peroxide has been used for gargling to fight infections in the mouth or when a tooth has fallen out. Avoid using full strength; mix with water to cut the concentration of peroxide.

Over-the-Counter Methods

* Teeth whitening trays – These trays contain gel that can be worn overnight or for a few hours a day. It takes about a week to see results depending on the amount of peroxide in the gel.

* Teeth whitening strips – Strips are sold by several different companies. They can be placed on the teeth and worn throughout the day or at night just like the trays. They have greater contact with the teeth. The results vary.

* Whitening toothpastes – All of these toothpastes claim to whiten teeth and they all contain peroxide. They whiten by removing the stains on the teeth, but if you have thin enamel, you may not get the results that you want. Even if the stains are removed, the dentin will still show through. Also, some contain abrasive substances that can damage the enamel, creating sensitivities in your teeth.

Professional Approach

* In-office bleaching – This is an option for those who want more instant results. It will not be cheap, but there are advantages. A dentist knows how to approach your teeth best based on your oral health. The procedure may take about an hour and can last for months.

Facts to Consider

Before you decide on teeth whitening, there are a few facts to consider. These products do not work on anything but natural teeth. They are not guaranteed to do anything on veneers or crowns.

If you are looking to whiten your teeth, you can do it yourself, try store products or seek a professional treatment from your dentist.

If you want to reduce the amount of stains that affect your teeth, we have some ideas for you to try. Most teeth look white at a distance. Even up close, they appear fairly white. The person that notices stains the most is you.

Most people have a slight yellowing to their teeth. The outer layer of your teeth is called enamel. It protects the layer underneath. This lower layer, known as dentin, is typically yellowish or even of a darker hue.

That fact alone can lead to a yellowish tint to your teeth. This is what experts call intrinsic stains. They come from the tooth itself. Other stains can enter the inside of the tooth if there are cracks, chips and decay occurring.

Another cause of intrinsic stains is the aging process. As we age, so do our teeth. The enamel can get thin and the dentin layer can show through.

Also, taking certain medications can lead to intrinsic stains; antibiotics are the usual cause.

External Tooth Stains

What can stain the enamel of the tooth? First, there is tobacco. Cigarette smoking can lead to brownish stains on the teeth from the chemicals found in the tobacco.

Juices and wines, especially those of the grape variety, can leave stains on your teeth. Drinking coffee, tea, and even grape juice, cranberry juice and, red wine can yellow your teeth over time.

Preventing Tooth Stains

Now that you know some of the reasons why you may have less than white glistening teeth, you can help yourself by learning to avoid these stains, if you can:

* Stop smoking. This one is going to take you some time, as quitting is not exactly an easy process, but not only is smoking a danger to your internal health, it also will lead to darker teeth.

* Drink beverages that can stain your teeth through a straw. It might not look chic drinking wine through a straw, but you can also limit the amount of red wine that you drink or switch to white wine. As for juices and soft drinks, drinking through a straw keeps the contact with your teeth to a minimum.

* Brush regularly. Daily brushing and flossing can prevent the build-up of foods on the teeth that can stain them. Also, flossing helps remove foods that lead to plaque around the base of the tooth. Plaque that is stained is even more visible than when the enamel of the tooth is stained.

* Use dental stain removers. This can be whitening treatments or stain-removing toothpaste. Be careful with some of the toothpastes on the market for stains, which can contain abrasives that possibly do more damage than good.

Toothpastes for sensitive teeth are made for people who experience pain in their teeth during the normal activities of eating and drinking. If you think your teeth might be sensitive, keep reading.

The Anatomy of the Tooth

What we don’t realize about our teeth is how much they actually do. They are instrumental in forming words in our speech and also in chewing food. We take them for granted something happens, such as developing sensitive teeth.

A tooth is made up of three layers: the enamel, the dentin and the pulp. The outer layer of the tooth is the enamel. It is the thin but hard protective layer of the tooth. Once enamel is removed from the tooth, it doesn’t return. This leaves the inner parts of the tooth exposed to bacteria and decay.

The dentin is the inner layer. It is usually of a yellowish color, but it can be brown or even darker. This layer contains a tubular system that leads into the inner pulp. The pulp is where the nerve endings are in the tooth. People who have sensitive teeth are keenly feeling pain in these nerve endings.

Sensitivity in the Teeth

Gaining access to the nerves is what causes pain. How do certain things affect the teeth and lead to problems? Here are a few causes:

* Brushing technique – They create toothbrushes that are soft, medium and hard. For the sake of your teeth, use a soft bristle brush. This, in combination with a lighter brushing technique, will prevent damage to the gum line and the enamel covering of the teeth. Brushing too hard can also lead to the gums being damaged and receding. The part of the tooth that the gum covers is not covered with enamel and is open to sensitivity issues.

* Gingivitis – This is inflammation of the gums due to tooth decay, plaque and other bacteria. If the gums recede (just as above), the nerves are exposed.

* Tooth decay – This allows bacteria to enter the tooth and begin to rot it. This rot can also affect the gums. As the tooth erodes away, the nerves are exposed and can lead to pain when eating, drinking or even in cold weather.

* Plaque – Plaque is a yellowish build-up on the bottom of the teeth near the gum line due to deposits of food left behind when eating and after brushing. Gums may recede from this, too.

* Grinding of the teeth – Grinding can lead to erosion of the enamel, the protective outer covering. This leaves the more sensitive dentin exposed.

If you are you experiencing more pain in your teeth than previously and it has become bothersome to you, check with your dentist to see what you can do about tooth sensitivity.

Grinding of the teeth is an involuntary condition. It involves clenching of the teeth at night and also creating friction as you move your teeth back and forth over one another. Most people don’t even know that they are doing it until they wake. Then, they often experience headaches, jaw pain and even problems with their teeth.

Grinding can occur at any age. It often occurs in children; however, usually outgrow it once their permanent teeth start to come in.

If it occurs on a regular basis, it can lead to cracked, chipped or worn down teeth. Not only will it affect your appearance, but also your speech and the ultimate health of your teeth. It is best to try and stop the grinding of the teeth before any serious condition arises.

Solutions for Bruxism

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding of the teeth. If you notice that you wake up with a headache or jaw problems, see your dentist. They can do a comprehensive exam of your entire mouth to see if they can discern the cause. If they find that you are grinding your teeth, they can offer ways to help you.

* Cut down on intake of stimulants. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your stress levels, especially around bedtime. Avoid caffeinated drinks and even chocolate before bedtime.

* Cut down on alcohol consumption. It is believed that drinking alcohol increases the incidents of tooth grinding.

* Avoid chewing on objects as a way of dealing with stress. Some people chew on pencils or pen tops when they think. They may also have an oral fixation and need to chew on anything when they are anxious. It creates stress in the jaws, and also makes it easier for you to continue to grind your teeth. Chewing gum is also not a good habit to have if you suffer from bruxism.

* Wear a mouth guard at night. A dentist can fit you for a mouth guard to help you to stop grinding your teeth. You can use this as a last resort if your tooth grinding is getting worse. It may take some getting used to.

* Retrain your jaw. While you work, place your tongue between your teeth to relax your jaw.

* Practice relaxation techniques for stress management. If stress has led to your tooth grinding, then finding ways to manage your stress will help you to relax not only your jaw, but also the rest of your body.

Tooth grinding can lead to more serious dental problems if not treated. Use the tips above to help yourself avoid them.

Sometimes, children need to have braces in order to straighten their teeth. This is a big commitment in terms of time, effort and finances. Preparing your child for brace can be one of the most important steps in the whole process if you want them to have a successful outcome in the form of straight, healthy teeth.

An orthodontist will handle all of the most important procedures, including fittings and sometimes even dental surgery such as tooth extractions. Your general dentist will refer you to an orthodontist if it necessary for your child to have braces.

Because these procedures are long and can involve many strange and perhaps frightening sounds, like that of a drill, for example, kids can be wary of going to the dentist, let alone the orthodontist. They will also likely have self-esteem issues centering around looking different, having ‘tinsel teeth’ and so on.

Their anxiety levels can have a direct impact on how well they get aong with the orthodontist and the whole process of wearing braces. You can prepare your child ahead of time with a few simple steps.

* Talk to them about what will happen – If you can answer their questions before they see the orthodontist, then they may feel more comfortable. He will be a stranger to them since they normally see their regular dentist. Talk about what braces are and what they will do for their teeth, namely straighten them.

* Let them talk to the orthodontist – He can explain, using models of teeth, what exactly will happen during each stage of the process. With braces, there is the molding process, where they take impressions of the teeth. Then there will be the time when they actually have to place the braces on the front of the teeth. Then they will have their wires placed and tightened. It is a lengthy process and he can explain again before he does each step, what will happen.

* Tell them all the benefits of the orthodontic procedures – For braces they will have a much better smile in the long run. Tell them about notable people who wear braces and how they can jazz them up with different color bands.

* Distract them – During the procedure, especially when the braces are being put on, see if you can play a DVD for them in the procedure room so that they can watch and not concentrate on what is going on in their mouth.

* Have a play by play commentary – To alleviate much of the anxiety since they can’t see what is going on, have the orthodontist talk them through it as he is working. Even holding a mirror up so they can see can help them feel better about the entire situation.

* Meet their distress with patience – It may take some time to reassure them that all will be fine. Comfort them in any way that you can until they feel better about having braces.

We concentrated on braces, but any orthodontic work can be distressing to a child. By talking about the procedure and giving them time to adjust, the outcome will be much better.

Our children are precious to us. Part of taking care of them is taking care of their baby teeth. Here are some pointers for the conscientious parent.

You will have two sets of teeth in your life: deciduous and permanent. Deciduous means that they will fall out at some point. They are most commonly referred to as baby teeth, though they will last for many years after infancy. Your permanent teeth will come in later in childhood. But when we refer to baby teeth, we are talking about the first set of teeth your child will start to develop after th first few months and have up until they are about ten years of age.

Begin to look for your baby’s teeth to come in around the fourth through the seventh month. Before then they will just have shining pink gums. You can get them ready for their teeth by caring for their gums during that time.

Babies will either breastfeed, use a bottle, or use a combination of both. There are some sugars in baby formula and cow milk and so it is a good idea to clean your baby’s gums after eating. Before teeth break the gums, bacteria can’t get at them but it is still a way to keep the area healthy and instill good oral hygiene habits for you and baby.

Use a damp baby washcloth or damp gauze to gently rub their gums. This will feel like something new to baby, so they may try to gum your finger, but will eventually get used to the sensation. Using a cold damp washcloth is also soothing to the baby’s gums when the teeth finally start to break through.

Once their little teeth appear you can still use the gauze or washcloth on a daily basis to keep them clean. Baby will begin to use sippy cups and eat food, so there is more of a chance for food to get stuck and decay in the mouth.

With only two or three teeth spread far apart this is not a major concern, but cleaning each individual tooth is still a way to keep them free from acids that can affect teeth and lead to cavities.

When your baby reaches the year mark, try using a little toothpaste on a baby toothbrush to clean their teeth. They will have more of them in their mouth then. Brush them in the morning and at night. When they can hold the brush, you can teach them to do it themselves.

Only use a small amount that doesn’t contain any fluoride. Baby will not be adept at spitting so they need something that is safe for them to swallow.

As they get older you can use fluoride rinses that show them where they missed spots on their teeth, to teach them to brush better for themselves. It’s better to use that at night so they don’t go to daycare with blue spots on their teeth.

Taking care of baby’s teeth is a part of taking care of their overall health. It begins before they even have teeth by taking care of the gums. Teach them good habits that will last for a lifetime.

Wisdom teeth usually start to break through the gum with we are young adults, from 18 years of age onwards. In some cases, they might be impacted, that is, formed in the gum, but not erupting downwards through it. They may grow sideways, for instance, and if they cause causing headaches or pressure, they may have to be removed.

If you think you are having trouble with your wisdom teeth, you should first go see your regular dentist. Depending on the size and position of the wisdom teeth and whether or not they have erupted, you might be referred to an oral surgeon.

Some lucky people never develop wisdom teeth. Others have to have them removed. Wisdom teeth are referred to as third molars and are found way in the back of the mouth. If the wisdom tooth never breaks through the bone and remains completely surrounded in the jaw, it usually doesn’t cause a problem.

Teeth that do cause problems are wisdom teeth that partially show through the bone. These have the crown of the tooth showing and can be subject to tooth decay and other periodontal disease.

When a tooth has to be removed, your dentist will discuss your various options with you. They will tell you how the wisdom tooth is doing and if there are any causes for concern. You may already be experiencing problems to do with pressure or jaw ache, and particularly if you have developed an abscess in one of the wisdom teeth.

An abcess is a painful infection that will require antibiotics to treat it and can also lead to oral surgery.

If you decide to have your wisdom teeth removed, the surgical procedure can take a while depending on how many teeth are being extracted. The procedure can take from twenty minutes to two hours or longer.

Before the surgery, you will be numbed in the gums and around the tooth to avoid any nerve pain during the procedure. This numbing medication is usually a syringe with lidocaine. You will feel a slight prick in the gums and experience a chemical taste. Some doctors might also numb the area with a light rub of lidocaine before injecting you.

Once you are sufficiently numbed, the procedure can begin. If the tooth is partially seen or sideways where it can grow into other teeth and shift them, a cut will be made in the gum to create a tissue flap that will be closed over the hole afterwards. A mature wisdom tooth can have two or three roots, so the orthodontist will have to make sure that he can remove it with all roots intact if at all possible.

Some teeth may need to be cut into pieces to be removed out of a smaller incision to reduce the trauma to the gums. The opening will be sutured closed once the tooth is extracted.

As we have said, the procedure can be simple for one tooth, or more complicated for two or more teeth being removed. Obviously the most extensive surgery will be if all four are removed at the same time.

Once the anesthetic wears off, you may need some over-the-counter painkillers. If you do experience more than unusually sharp pain, ask your dentist for a prescription for something stronger. You might also be required to take an antibiotic for up to a week afterwards to avoid infection.

Having a wisdom tooth extracted doesn’t have to be a terrible process if you know what to expect and are prepared for it. Your dentist can walk you through it ahead of time so there are no surprises. You may experience some pain and discomfort for about a week after the removal of your wisdom teeth, but you might be saving yourself years of pain and ache by deciding to have your wisdom teeth taken out.