Toothspot - All About Teeth

  Canker Sores The terms "canker sores" and "cold sores" are often used interchangeably. While both are painful sores of the mouth, there's a difference. Canker sores are found on the inside of the mouth and are not contagious; however, cold sores can be found on both the inside and outside of the mouth and are contagious. Canker Sore Producing Foods to Avoid apples milk soy barley nuts tomatoes buckwheat oranges vinegar cheese pineapples  whole wheat chocolate rye lemon  shellfish Watch What You Eat Studies show that what we eat may play a large role in determining whether we get canker sores. Consumption of the following foods can lead to canker sores; avoiding them may help to reduce the number of sores you get. In particular, citric fruits and chocolate seem to be common triggers for canker sores. We've noted that many patients relate experiencing canker sores soon after consuming citric fruits or j

A List of Tips to Keep Your Breath At It's Best! At some point, everyone fights bad breath at some point or other, here's some suggestions to help you tip the odds in your favor: Eliminate the causative agents - bacteria and food particles. Floss, then brush your teeth, gums and tongue after each meal. You can make this easier on yourself by keeping floss, toothpaste and a toothbrush in your desk and car. If you can’t brush and floss after every meal, at least rinse your mouth with water to dislodge food and moisten your mouth. Learn the proper way to brush. Use an oral irrigation device such as a water-pik to remove particles of food wedged between your teeth. Avoid mouthwashes which contain alcohol; Instead, try a mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide. Unlike conventional mouthwashes, the chlorine dioxide actually neutralizes the odor-causing sulphur compounds. Baking soda is an effective odor eliminator; if you can handle the taste, try brushing with a mixtu

Sports Dentistry     Sports Dentistry is the treatment and prevention of oral / facial athletic injuries. Dental injuries are actually the most common type of facial injuries sustained during athletic participation. Mouthguards A mouthguard is a plastic appliance worn in the mouth during physical activity which helps in preventing injuries to the teeth, tongue, lips and jaw. Sports related dental injuries are often very traumatic; not only are they painful, but costly as well. Mouthguards offer excellent protection at a relatively small price. No matter which variety you go with, what's important is that it fits and is comfortable. It's estimated that an avulsed (knocked-out) tooth will run you between $10,000 -15,000 in dental bills over your lifetime. .. .not to mention all those enjoyable hours in the waiting room! The Three  Types of Mouthguards  Stock Mouthguards: These are the least expensive of the group, available at most sport stores

The Jaws and Dental Arches The teeth are arranged in upper and lower arches. Those of the upper are called maxillary; those of the lower arch are called mandibular. The mandible is a horseshoe shaped bone which articulates with the skull by way of the temporomandibular joint, or the TMJ. Dentition Dentition is a term that describes all of the upper and lower teeth collectively. Clinically, there are three types of dentitions: The primary dentition consists of 20 teeth in all: ten upper and ten lower. Primary teeth are also called 'baby teeth, deciduous, or 'milk' teeth. Primary teeth begin to appear at about six months and are entirely replaced by permanent teeth by 12 to 13 years of age. The mixed dentition is the stage from ages 6 to 12  and is composed of both primary and permanent teeth. The permanent dentition is composed of 32 teeth in all, 16 upper and 16 lower. Types of dentition Homodont - Teeth that differ from each other only in size.

Plaque   Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria, salivary proteins, and food debris that forms on teeth every day. It is the main cause of cavities and gum disease. While it's still in a soft state, you can clean it off with a toothbrush and floss. However, once the plaque has calcified into calculus (commonly known as tartar), only your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to remove it. Plaque forms rapidly after cleaning regardless of your diet, however increased sugar has been shown to speed up the process. Plaque is actually composed of several species of bacteria. Different types of bacteria are associated with different dental conditions (decay, gingivitis, periodontitis, etc.) The types of bacteria most commonly found in plaque are Streptococcus mutans and  Streptococcus sanguis. It's been shown that there are over 160 different types of bacteria in gingivitis (Actinomyces, Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, etc.) Similar bacteria have been identified in peri

Anatomical Background of Cavities Your teeth break the food you eat into pieces that can be readily swallowed and digested. Teeth are alive. The pulp at the heart of each tooth contains blood vessels and nerves that sense heat, cold, pressure, and pain. A hard substance called dentin surrounds the pulp. On the crown (the part of the tooth above the gum), the dentin is covered by a layer of enamel. The root of the tooth lies below the gum and and is covered by a protective layer of a bone-like material called cementum. In health, the gums fit tightly around the teeth; the roots of the teeth fit into sockets in the jaw bone. A shock-absorbing material, periodontal ligament, lines the socket of each tooth and protecting the skull and jawbone from being jarred. Enamel is the hardest material in you body; however, acids produced through bacterial action can erode enamel and lead to decay, If left unchecked, decay will progress through the dentin and into the pulp resulting in pulpa

What’s A Dental Emergency? Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked-out (avulsed), forced out of position and loosened (extruded), or fractured. In addition, lips, gums or cheeks are often cut or traumatized. Oral injuries are often painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Teeth If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, so as avoid damaging any of the periodontal fibers on the root surface (these are what will help reattach it once it is reimplanted). The tooth may be placed back into the socket if possible,  stored in a zip-lock bag filled with milk, or (as long as you don't swallow it) it can be stored in your mouth - between your cheek and gums. Survival rates for knocked out (avulsed) teeth drop sharply after 30 minutes. So, try to make it to your dental office within the first 30 minutes. Many parents and teachers could and should manage to push the tooth back into the socket. It doesn’t matter

How to Encourage Your Kids to Brush Although tooth decay is not quite as common as it once was, it is still one of the most common diseases among children. While fluoridated drinking water and fluoride containing toothpastes have helped to improve the oral health of both children and adults, regular brushing is still very important to maintaining good oral health. The key to establishing good brushing habits is starting early. The American Dental Association suggests that you begin cleaning your child's mouth the first few days after birth. Starting early gets your child accustomed to having a clean, plaque-free mouth. It also makes it alot easier to brush their teeth later once they've become accustomed to you fiddling in their mouth. They're also more likely to maintain their oral health once they're used to the feeling of  a clean, plaque-free mouth. After each meal, take a wet washcloth and gently wipe your baby's gums. This will removes any plaque that

What foods Are Best For Your Teeth When you serve the occasional sweets, try to combine them with meals. Increased salivary flow during meals aids in neutralizing the damaging effects of sugar. When combined with starches such as toast and cereal, milk will actually neutralize tooth-damaging acid. Avoid soft, sticky sweets which remain on and between tooth surfaces (ie. toffee). Sticky foods that are retained in the mouth longer give bacteria additional time to dine; as a result, they produce more cavity-forming acid. If you can't brush after every snack and/or meal, at least try to rise for a few seconds with water. The key is to cut down on the acidity of the mouth. Avoid giving your child foods rich in sugar that stay in the mouth and prolong the acid attack (ie. hard candy, lollipops, gum). Instead, try offering snacks which are low in sugar. By offering your child a variety of foods such as grains, milk and milk products, meat, vegetables, and fruits you can often a

What Are Sealants? Over 80% of all childhood cavities occur on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Bacteria settle here and use food particles to create cavity-causing acid. Sealants are thin coatings of resin applied to the chewing surfaces of these back teeth. They act as a physical barrier to prevent bacteria and food from collecting in the grooves and fissures. Sealants are usually applied to the permanent first molars which erupt around the age of 6 and second molars, erupting around the age of 12. It's important to have the sealants applied as soon as these teeth erupt.  Even if the sealant is lost, the material which has penetrated the enamel continues to provide protection. They're easily replaced if lost and are nearly 100% effective in preventing decay. Foods that stay in the mouth for long periods of time, such as sucking on lollipops or sipping juice, give the bacteria (plaque) present in the mouth more time to produce acid that causes tooth decay.  Dent

Pacifiers and Teeth If you notice that your child is beginning to suck their thumb or fingers during their first 3 months, you can introduce them to a pacifier. However, it’s important to buy a pacifier with a nipple made of rubber to avoid any trauma to the gums. Don’t allow them to use the pacifier around the clock; allow them to use it only when necessary.  It’s a good idea to check the pacifier daily for signs of wear. Like everything else, they don’t last forever. Your child could potentially choke on a piece of ripped pacifier. Also, it’s a bad idea to hang the pacifier around your child’s neck with a string. They could easily become entangled and choked. Choosing a Pacifier  Only purchase pacifiers which come as a single molded piece. Avoid using pacifiers assembled from multiple parts; should pieces become loose, there’s a risk of choking.   You should choose a pacifier which resembles the natural nipple as closely as possible. In rare cases, pacifier use can

How to Avoid Cavities in Your Kid's Teeth Children 6 to 8 Months Avoid using the bottle as a means of comfort. Also, avoid prolonged periods with the bottle in their mouth. The longer the teeth are in contact with sweet or acidic foods or drink, the greater the likelihood of decay.  Ideally, water should be given for thirst. Always consider the acidity and sweetness of anything you place inside your child's bottle. Cleaning Teeth - As soon as their first tooth erupts, start cleaning their teeth everyday. Teething - Stay away from using lemon juice on the gums once your teeth begin to emerge. The high acidity will lead to demineralization of the erupting teeth and put your child at an early disadvantage for decay.  For more info., see my blog on teething.  Pacifiers - Don't dip them in any food stuffs (ie. honey) or liquids.  Their first cup - Consider introducing the cup between the ages of 6 to 8 months. Children 18 to 21 Months Ideally, water should

First Visit To The Dentist Your child's first visit to the dentist should be before their first birthday . Bringing your child early to the dentist can lead to a lifetime of good oral care habits by properly acclimating your child to the dental office. There’s alot you can do to ensure your child’s first visit to the dentist will be a pleasurable one. Children are often full of questions on their first visit to the dentist. Entertain their curiosity by talking about the upcoming visit. Whatever you do, Don’t mention ‘needles’ or ‘that it won’t hurt’ - this may frighten your child. Instead, tell them that the dentist will count their teeth to see how many there are and maybe take some pictures of their  teeth as well. Your dental office or local library may have a book or two which you can read to your child about their first visit to the  dentist. Meeting the Dentist: Allow your child to accompany you when you visit the dentist. The dentist may have time to offer yo

Dental Conditions Abscess An abscess is an infection around the root of a tooth. An abscess on a deciduous (baby) tooth can affect the development of the permanent tooth. It is often referred to as a gum boil. An abscess generally appears as a pimple on the gum around the affected tooth. When pressed there may be a discharge of pus. The child should be taken to a dentist to have the tooth treated. Aphthous Ulcers Aphthous ulcers occur in approximately 20 per cent of the population and are characterized by painful, recurrent solitary or multiple lesions or ulcerations. They are usually a few millimeters in size. There is no preference for age, sex or race. Aphthous ulcers usually heal spontaneously in two to three weeks. If multiple lesions resembling aphthous ulcers occur, accompanied by a fever, an infection with the herpes simplex virus should be considered. This is often seen in babies and small children. Treatment for apthous ulcers is limited and confined to restric