What Fluoride does for you

 If you’re trying to make your smile really shine, you can do so via brushing, and flossing. But what about other ways for you to make your oral care really shine? Well, fluoride is one of those ways.  Here’s what you’ve got to know about this, and why it’s imperative to use fluoride to improve your oral health.

What Fluoride is 

If you’ve ever wondered what fluoride is, you’re not alone. It’s actually something that’s found within the earth, and is in nature. It’s a natural item that’s found in a lot of water and foods, and it’s pretty easy to procure. Many times, fluoride gets added to the water that you drink, in order to make the teeth stronger and reduce the decay of the teeth.

It was found that, as long ago as 1930, that fluoride is helpful, and it’s good for fighting the cavities in your mouth.

It was found that the areas that did drink water with fluoride in it, had better teeth, and less decay. It was also found that when it got added to the water supply in communities, it actually reduced tooth decay in a lot of cases all around the board.

The ADA and the WHO also both agree that using fluoride in the water is not a bad thing. It’s been found to be a natural cavity fighter, so it’s good for you to use. 

How Fluoride Works 

The best way to describe how it works is through the process of remineralization. This is also during the demineralization part of this.

When you have plaque and bacteria, demineralization takes place, and this is basically where the bacteria and the plaque will feast on the teeth. They feed on the carbs and sugar that are there. this creates an acid that’ll weaken the enamel of the teeth.

So how does fluoride come into play? Well, when you want to protect the teeth from the damage that’s caused by this, and other sorts of negative effects, this is it. 

Basically, it comes in here and helps with putting more calcium and phosphate into the teeth. This is the process that’s called remineralization. It’s important because it actually can help with making the teeth stronger, and keeping them stronger.

If you remineralize your teeth too much without replacement, that’s what creates tooth decay, so you have to be mindful of that.

This is good for a lot of children too. When this enters into the bloodstream in very small dosages, it actually helps with developing the permanent adult teeth that you have. It also strengthens the teeth from the outer part, so then the acids won’t damage the enamel that’s there. In essence, this will keep the teeth strong, while also preventing the cavities that are there, and also mitigating the tooth sensitivity that can happen too. 

It strengthens the teeth by helping the enamel absorb all of this. Fluoride also does naturally bond with phosphate and calcium, in order to help create a material that’s called fluorapatite, which is basically a material that resists the cavities that’s there.

Now, the bigger question, is it safe? It is, but if you do have too much, it can prove to be a problem. This can create dental fluorosis, which is basically a type of condition that causes the teeth to be discolored or gray due to too much fluoride. So be mindful of that, and if you're not sure whether or not you're getting enough to your doctor to see as well just what you can do, and if it’s right.

What Fluoride does for you

If you’re trying to make your smile really shine, you can do so via brushing, and flossing. But what about other ways for you to make your oral care really shine? Well, fluoride is one of those ways. Here’s what you’ve got to know about this, and why it’s imperative to use fluoride to improve your oral health.

What Fluoride is 

If you’ve ever wondered what fluoride is, you’re not alone. It’s actually something that’s found within the earth, and is in nature. It’s a natural item that’s found in a lot of water and foods, and it’s pretty easy to procure. Many times, fluoride gets added to the water that you drink, in order to make the teeth stronger and reduce the decay of the teeth.

It was found that, as long ago as 1930, that fluoride is helpful, and it’s good for fighting the cavities in your mouth.

It was found that the areas that did drink water with fluoride in it, had better teeth, and less decay. It was also found that when it got added to the water supply in communities, it actually reduced tooth decay in a lot of cases all around the board.

The ADA and the WHO also both agree that using fluoride in the water is not a bad thing. It’s been found to be a natural cavity fighter, so it’s good for you to use. 

How Fluoride Works 

The best way to describe how it works is through the process of remineralization. This is also during the demineralization part of this.

When you have plaque and bacteria, demineralization takes place, and this is basically where the bacteria and the plaque will feast on the teeth. They feed on the carbs and sugar that are there. this creates an acid that’ll weaken the enamel of the teeth.

So how does fluoride come into play? Well, when you want to protect the teeth from the damage that’s caused by this, and other sorts of negative effects, this is it. 

Basically, it comes in here and helps with putting more calcium and phosphate into the teeth. This is the process that’s called remineralization. It’s important because it actually can help with making the teeth stronger, and keeping them stronger.

If you remineralize your teeth too much without replacement, that’s what creates tooth decay, so you have to be mindful of that.

This is good for a lot of children too. When this enters into the bloodstream in very small dosages, it actually helps with developing the permanent adult teeth that you have. It also strengthens the teeth from the outer part, so then the acids won’t damage the enamel that’s there. In essence, this will keep the teeth strong, while also preventing the cavities that are there, and also mitigating the tooth sensitivity that can happen too. 

It strengthens the teeth by helping the enamel absorb all of this. Fluoride also does naturally bond with phosphate and calcium, in order to help create a material that’s called fluorapatite, which is basically a material that resists the cavities that’s there.

Now, the bigger question, is it safe? It is, but if you do have too much, it can prove to be a problem. This can create dental fluorosis, which is basically a type of condition that causes the teeth to be discolored or gray due to too much fluoride. So be mindful of that, and if you're not sure whether or not you're getting enough to your doctor to see as well just what you can do, and if it’s right.

Genetics and Oral health

You may wonder if your oral health is a genetic problem, or because of your habits. Obviously if you’re eating sugary items, not brushing your teeth, or smoking, that puts you at risk for dental conditions, but is there a chance that your oral health might be because of what you were born with? 

Some people can get the answers to that from their dentist, as they will be able to see if you have a risk for certain conditions.   When they ask you if your family has certain conditions, answering those gives them the picture they need to understand your oral health.

But it isn’t all genetics. Some things are, some things aren’t, and here, we’ll also look at how these two come together. 

 Your Genetic Predisposition 

Some things are based on your genetics, so some of them you can blame mom and dad for.

Those who have a history of gum disease or gum issues may deal with this because of their parents. A parent who has a lot of saliva and a kid who also has that will have similar issues with their gums and teeth, and that’s something you can’t prevent.

There are also instances where you might be more at risk for gum disease because your parents have similar gums that are thin and easily worn down.

Cavities and tooth decay may also happen due to genetics. If you are following a healthy lifestyle but still get them, it might be due to the mouth you were born with, and you may be more genetically inclined to have that bacteria hanging about. 

Of course, you can’t blame everything on genetics, which we are going to talk about. 

Nature and Nurture 

Your nurture, which is your lifestyle habits, also plays a part in it.   Sometimes, you may find out you’re more at risk for certain conditions. Having parents that had bad oral health, such as gum disease and cavities might put you at risk. If they have diabetes and you’re at risk for it, you may inherit that condition if it’s genetic.

But you can’t blame everything on your genetics. The lifestyle and habits that you form can sometimes help with the risks, one way or another.

For instance, if you eat healthily, make sure to drink enough water, reduce your sugar intake, and don’t smoke or drink, you’ll find that even with that predisposition, you can manage your oral health.

Other times, you may be the pinnacle of oral health, and because of your habits, you end up developing cavities.   So they do kind of work together, you just have to be mindful of the current picture of your oral health. 

Get Personalized with your dental Care 

Which brings us back around to our first point. At the dentist office, they see the genetic situation they’re dealing with. If they know you have worn gums and have a genetic history of bruxism, they can offer dental health treatments for this. even if you’re not grinding your teeth right now, they may try to get you a mouth guard to help with this.

Overall, you should understand that your dentist can help you better shape your dental treatment, allowing you to take care of your oral health better. Combining these two means better oral health in the long run, so don’t be afraid to mix them up. know that you may have some genetic problems with your teeth, but also know that you can beat this through proper taking care of your teeth to ensure that your oral health is at tip-top shape.

All about Gingivitis

If you’re someone who has been told by the dentist that you have gingivitis, you’re not alone. This is a mild type of gum disease that’s created by the plaque that builds up within the gumline.  You might feel bad about this, but don’t be. In fact, it’s quite common. But the problem is, if you’re not careful, this creates something worse, so the sooner you take care of the problem, the better that it’ll be.  Here, we’ll talk about this, and tips to have better gum health too.

What Gingivitis Is 

This is basically where a bacteria builds along where your gum line is, and it creates a plaque that’s a film that’s soft and sticky that sits around there.

Plaque in general, when you don’t get it taken off by the dentist, becomes tartar, and this needs to be taken off by your dentist.

They both contribute directly to gum disease, and the early stages of this are called gingivitis.

About half of the adults within the US alone deal with this.  While it’s mild to start with, when you don’t properly treat this, it becomes what’s called periodontitis, and that’s much more severe. It can cause teeth to become loose, and in the worst situations, they might even fall out, which is why when you get a diagnosis for this, you want to treat this immediately. 

The Symptoms 

The best way to get this treated is to talk to your doctor. But if you notice something is wrong, you can go in early on before it gets worse.

The symptoms of gingivitis that you typically deal with include: 

• Gums that are swollen, puffy, or receding 

• The gums feel tender 

• It becomes more red than pink 

• The gums will bleed when you brush or floss 

• You have a bad taste within the mouth

• Your breath is bad 

• The teeth are loose 

If you start to notice this, then you’ll want to talk to your doctor 

The Risk Factors 

There are a few risk factors that you need to be mindful of.

Lifestyle choices, including smoking a lot, not brushing your teeth or flossing, a diet that’s unhealthy, stress, and obesity, are major contributors to this.

Age is another one.  Those who are over the age of 65 develop this in some capacity. 

Medications can also play a major part in this. if you have certain medications, they can dry out the mouth, increasing the risk for gingivitis. 

Finally, there are other diseases that can cause this. diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis, or even pregnancy can cause this to develop in some capacity. 

Preventative Care 

There are a few things that you can do to make this better for you.

First, you want to brush twice daily. If brushing on the regular is already something that you do, look at your technique. You might need to just be gentler with your teeth, and use the correct pressure so that the gums don’t get irritated.

With this as well, you also want to make sure that you floss between each of your teeth once daily, in order to eliminate the bacteria and other things that irritate the teeth, reducing the inflammation that’s there.

Finally, you want to incorporate mouth rinses, so that there is more protection, and it can be used to treat infections, and the growth of bacteria. Talk to your doctor for a good recommendation before you get a chance to do this. 

Gingivitis is not fun, but proper prevention and care can make this easier on your oral health, and make things easier.

All About Incipient Caries

 While you might have a daunting diagnosis of tooth decay, they might tell you that the caries are incipient. This is because usually, initially caries mean filling and drilling.  There are now more non-invasive types of strategies in order to manage decay symptoms early on, and it’ll help with ensuring that the problems get better. 

What Incipient Caries Are 

When you constantly expose the mouth to different acids, which cause the enamel to create a demineralization, there are now new different signs of early decay, which are called incipient lesions, otherwise known as caries. They occur when the plaque has been left, and it grows within the mouth, near the gums, and the grooves of these molars, and also for the current fillings. The incipient caries are something that can start to progress into the softer dentin portion of your tooth, and you start to feel them become less active through the process of remineralization. 

One thing that the Ohio department of Health talks about is that there are active parts where the decalcification of the enamel starts to become chalky and rough when your dentist starts to look at them. If lesions start to heal themselves, they’ll look shiny, and will feel hard and smooth to the touch. 

The Management of This 

Now, based on the current evidence and best practices, one thing the American Association of Dental Consultants are doing, is to remineralizer these techniques, in order to stop, or further reverse this decay process in the initial stages of such. The organization does say that nonsurgical methods are the best ways, and they offer an advantage when you’re preserving the structure of the tooth.

According to a study published by the ADA, they decided that the incipient cavities tend to be non-cavitated, which means that they don’t contain bacteria.  Usually, you can use topical fluoride or sealant treatments as the best types of ways to boost remineralization. Here are a couple of remedies that are non-invasive and provide the users with a unique way to repair this enamel as well. 

• Fluoride: this is a mineral that’s a combination of calcium phosphate, and it’s used within the enamel, in order to make these teeth stronger. Fluoride also does replace minerals lost, so it can stop this decaying process. It’s found in a lot of water supplies, toothpastes, and the like, which are used to fight these cavities. For bigger busts in order to heal the decay that’s incipient, dentists may suggest a topical treatment of some acidulated phosphate fluoride gel, or varnishes. 

• Sealants are used to work on applying to the chewing portions of the molars in order to keep this bacteria and food out of the grooves of the teeth, which offers a chance for remineralization to work. 

• Amorphous Calcium Phosphate, or ACP. This is when you apply this to the enamel of the tooth and will stimulate the enamel decalcification process of this.  it improves the fluoride uptake, enhancing the repair of this, and boosting the abilities of such, which is done according to the dental hygiene theory and practice. It’s also further incorporated into the dental materials, the gums, the cleaning pastes, and whitening systems. 

• Cheese: this is one that’s unlikely, but it can be a remedy due to the fact that they work with remineralization, especially if you eat these after a specific meal. 

• Saliva: Finally, improving salvia flow can help with ensuring that the enamel is repaired.  Chewing gum that’s sugarless or some lozenges can help and prevent the cavities from getting worse too.

What Snap On Veneers do

 Have you ever considered fewer permanent options than veneers, in order to get the smile of your dreams? While traditional veneers are thin parts of porcelain that get bonded to the front surface of the teeth, there’s a purpose there, to give you a realistic, but also an improved sort of appearance.

Snap-on veneers tend to be less-permanent. They’re right over the top parts of the teeth, looking almost like a mouthguard that you can remove whenever you want, without having to see a dentist. 

This is a great solution for those who want a smile that looks better but aren’t ready to commit to the veneers that are permanent. 

How they’re made 

They’re pretty easy and relatively painless. Just like veneers, the dentist will take tooth molds, sending them out to a lab. 

When they’re ready, you get a final fitting to make sure that they fit right. once you’ve gotten the okay to put them on, then there you go! You can go home right after the appointment with the new teeth.

What they Fix 

They can fix a lot of problems, including gapped and missing teeth. It also works well for stained and yellowed teeth.

While they can’t correct crooked teeth or more severe issues, if you want a cosmetic fix, they’re the best out there. 

Why choose these? 

Some may wonder why these are over traditional sorts of veneers.

They’re good for those who want a smile that looks better, but without the possibility of surgery or invasive procedures.   Normal veneers also tend to cost a bit more too and are permanent. They’ll have to be replaced eventually.

They’re also good for those who want veneers but would like to test them out and see prior to commitment. Getting these also means you don’t have to worry about the enamel of the teeth being ruined too, since that’s required for a normal veneer.

Snap-on veneers are good if you’re not ready for the commitment to alteration of your actual teeth.

If you are interested in improving your smile cosmetically, it’s time to talk to a dental pro to figure out if you’re the correct candidate for this. they’ll also be able to go over the pros and cons of this type of veneer within the future. 

Snap-on veneers are probably the best way to correct some of the more straightforward cosmetic dental issues, and without the commitment and performance that normal veneers have.

However, bear in mind that a veneer, despite putting it on, will not fix actual dental issues.   If you have issues you’re trying to mask with veneers, it’s better if you take some time and actually focus on getting those fixed.

You should work to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Brush twice daily, and floss once a day, in order to keep them nice and strong.

Also, don’t be afraid to Schedule out some regular cleaning appointments with the dentist. They’ll be able to get you fixed up and on the right track to correct dental care. you’d be amazed at the difference this will make for you.

For a lot of people, this treatment and growth of one’s Appearance, and also getting the help that they need, will be a great confidence booster.

If you’re thinking about altering the appearance of your teeth and veneers, try these first.   See if they work for you, and then when it’s time to commit to the actual veneers, you’ll have a good idea of just what to expect when you put them on as well.