Regular brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy by getting rid of sugars and food particles that team up with bacteria to form plaque. Plaque produces acid that damages tooth enamel, causes cavities and sets the stage for periodontal, or gum, disease.
Now, a growing body of research is finding that certain foods may be good for teeth, too. Just as so-called “functional foods” may keep your heart healthy, for instance, others may promote oral health, according to Christine D. Wu, a pediatric dentistry researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Here are eight teeth-friendly foods that show promise. Read more
What is Hyperdontia?
/in About Orthodontics, Orthodontics For Adults, Orthodontics For ChildrenSometimes children are born with supernumerary, or additional, teeth, which is an oral condition called “hyperdontia.” Extreme cases are very rare, and the majority of cases are limited to only a single tooth. The standard number of primary teeth is 20, and the standard number of permanent teeth is 32. The first set of teeth to erupt in a person’s mouth are the primary teeth. Typically these appear by the age of 3, and are shed by the age of 12. Permanent teeth are usually erupted by the age of 21, and take the place of those primary teeth. If a person develops more than 20 primary teeth, or more than 32 permanent teeth, the condition is known as hyperdontia.
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Do I Need Braces?
/in Do I Need Braces?Five Signs that a Child, Teen, or Adult Needs Braces
Although these fall in no particular order of importance, I’ll highlight five signs you may need braces, regardless of your age.
You may need braces if:
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5 Surprising Ways to Banish Bad Breath
/in Oral Hygiene, Tips & TricksBy Douglas Main
Just as nobody likes a whiner, nobody likes bad breath. It’s a powerful way to make a bad first impression. But the good news is that there are relatively simple ways to take care of halitosis.
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Chew on This: 8 Foods for Healthy Teeth
/in General Care, Healthy LivingRegular brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy by getting rid of sugars and food particles that team up with bacteria to form plaque. Plaque produces acid that damages tooth enamel, causes cavities and sets the stage for periodontal, or gum, disease.
Now, a growing body of research is finding that certain foods may be good for teeth, too. Just as so-called “functional foods” may keep your heart healthy, for instance, others may promote oral health, according to Christine D. Wu, a pediatric dentistry researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Here are eight teeth-friendly foods that show promise. Read more
Mouth Guards for Sports
/in Living With Braces, Preventive CareMouth guards are U-shaped pieces of plastic that fit between the upper and lower teeth, protectively molding around the upper teeth. Use of a mouth guard can prevent dental and jaw injury during sports. Dental injury may lead to misalignment of the teeth (malocclusion). Although some amateur sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, and boxing, require the use of mouth guards, Dr. Biermann recommends mouth guard use in any sport that may cause dental injury.
Different types of mouth guards are available. Read more
Too Old for Braces? You Might be Surprised
/in Do I Need Braces?, Orthodontics For AdultsAlthough adolescence is a common time to get braces, there’s no reason for adults of any age to have to deal with crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, or other dental issues. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists notes that demand for orthodontic treatment in adults continues to grow, with adults representing 20% of new patients.
You’re never too old for braces or other orthodontic appliances, but it’s important to consider the following:
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19 Habits That Wreck Your Teeth
/in General Care, Preventive CareRead about the many common habits that wreck your teeth. Avoiding or limiting these unhealthy habits in the long run can save you money on future dental and orthodontics care, and keep your smile bright and beautiful! Read more
Best Foods to Eat With New Braces
/in Caring For Your Braces, Healthy LivingWith new braces, you may notice that your mouth feels a little different after they’re first put on. To make your transition a little smoother, you may want to change your eating habits for the first few days while you get used to your new braces. Here are our top 5 suggestions for the best kinds of foods to eat when you first get braces:
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Best Toothbrushes for Braces
/in General Care, Oral Hygiene, Preventive CareBy: Dalvir Pannu, D.D.S.
Brushing your teeth is necessary to having a healthy mouth, but when your brush is old, it can’t do its job. Toothbrushes with bent, worn or frayed bristles aren’t going to clean well between your teeth. Take a look at your toothbrush. If you see bristles that are flat, broken or no longer standing straight, it’s time for a replacement. Toothbrushes are also a breeding ground for germs – in fact, researchers at England’s’ University of Manchester found that an uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, some of which are linked to colds, stomach flus and variety of other illnesses. So even if your bristles look fine, it may be time for a replacement.
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Oral Hygiene for the Orthodontic Patient
/in Caring For Your Braces, Oral HygieneBy: Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
If you thought brushing and flossing were important before you got braces…well, you were right. But people undergoing orthodontic treatment need to be even more dedicated to good oral hygiene. Read more about how to properly care for your braces, including brushing & flossing techniques, eating right, and caring for your retainer.
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