6 Oral Care Tips for Naturally Healthy Teeth and Gums

We are all aware of how important our dental health is, however in most cases, we seek expensive orthodontic treatments to make sure our teeth and gums are in good shape. But the good news is that understanding the importance of oral hygiene isn’t going to be heavy on your pocket and instead requires you to make a more conscious effort at home.

Here are 6 simple rules that will keep toothaches and gum diseases at bay.

Eating Right for Healthy Teeth

You probably know that super size-sodas and candy are not good for your teeth. But did you know that starchy foods from pizzas to crackers can also cause tooth decay? If you’re looking for the culprit that causes tooth decay, look no further than the sugar and starches. Substitute foods that promote good oral health like fresh fruits and vegetables that are low in sugar and higher in water and fiber. The fiber acts as a natural toothbrush and helps to reduce the effects of sugar on your teeth. Choose foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits and unsweetened juices. The folic acid in spinach and broccoli also contain calcium that promotes strong teeth and bones. Dairy products are great for your teeth too. Not only do they include calcium, they have vitamin B 12 which helps strengthen your gums.

Salt Water Gargle

A salt water gargle is a well-known remedy for your oral health issues. A simple salt water gargle maintains the natural pH of your throat and mouth. By doing so, you are maintaining the natural bacteria and preventing the unwanted bacteria from residing in your mouth, while keeping infections away.

Regular Brushing and Flossing

Brushing regularly keeps prevents problems like plaque buildup and infected gums. When brushing your teeth, it is a good idea to use a brush with soft bristles which is gentle on your gums. First, brush the chewing surface of your teeth with a back and forth motion as well as in a circular motion with the bristles at a 45-degree angle to remove food particles. Flossing removes the plaque that forms on your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. These areas are, along the gumline and between your teeth.

Benefits of Tongue Scraping

One of the most profound and simple techniques of Ayurveda is tongue scraping. When you wake up in the morning, you would find your tongue a little coated. A tongue scraper and scrapes off any undigested food off of your tongue which also stimulates your digestive process.

Importance of Regular Dental Visits

Paying regular dental visits can detect early signs of dental problems like gum disease, periodontal disease, or dental caries that may affect the long-term health of your teeth. It also detects signs of overall systemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and oral manifestations that can be picked up during a dental exam. Dental exams also include signs of oral cancer. Not a lot of people look under their tongue or at the back of their throat.

Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a very old ancient technique that requires you to swish oil back and forth in your teeth. Making it a regular practice will aid in curing tooth decay, heal bleeding gums, naturally whiten your teeth, strengthen your jaw muscles as well as prevent conditions like gingivitis and periodontal disease.

What Are Zirconia Crowns?

Cosmetic dentistry is a successful field, because who doesn't want a beautiful smile? When patients require a cap of their tooth, zirconia crowns are one option a dentist may recommend. Read on to learn more about zirconia, how it compares to a porcelain crown, and the advantages and disadvantages. If you do opt for this type of crown, how do you care for it and what are the costs as opposed to other types of treatment?

What Is a Zirconia Crown?

Zirconia is a metal classified as a member of the titanium family and is mined around the world. It is found in dinnerware and electrical fixtures among other products. It's known for its durability, making it an ideal product to use in dental crowns, especially posterior crowns that require a lot of strength for chewing and grinding food, notes a study published by The Open Dentistry Journal.

The metal has become popular as a crown material, since it is supplied to dental offices in the form of a block, which is then milled by a computerized cutting machine (CAD CAM) into the shape of a tooth. Then, once it is fitted, it is cemented in the patient's mouth. Since that whole process can be accomplished in one dental appointment, it has become widely used by dentists, since patients can have a crown shaped and cemented in much less time than the traditional porcelain crown, which may take a few weeks to manufacture, and requires a cementation visit in addition to the initial visit.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Many dental offices may charge less for a zirconia crown as opposed to a porcelain crown, since it does not have to be outsourced to an outside dental lab. Additionally, with today's hectic pace of living, many patients prefer the one appointment for its convenience, since it means less time out of work. The crowns can be easily adjusted by the dentist chairside on that day and cemented once the fit is perfect for the patient.

Zirconia as a material is not as translucent (allowing light) as porcelain crowns, so patients may not like the appearance of them, says Dental Economics. Advancements are being made to improve the color and look of zirconia crowns, so in the future, the appearance may be a non-issue. One of the best qualities of zirconia is its strength. The adjustment process on the day of the crown fitting in some instances can take a little longer that traditional porcelain crowns, but the sophistication of new milling machines streamline that process, according to Dentistry Today

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How Do You Care for Zirconia Crowns?

To care for your zirconia crowns, brush and floss daily like you normally would. Brush with a toothbrush , which removes bacteria from teeth, tongue, cheeks and gum. It is available in soft and medium bristles.

Zirconia crowns can be a good option for many patients undergoing crown treatment, and great oral care habits can help ensure years of satisfaction and dental health for patients everywhere.

ROOT CANALS

Overview

Root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The procedure involves removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp) and cleaning and disinfecting it, then filling and sealing it. The common causes affecting the pulp are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth or trauma to it. The term "root canal" comes from cleaning of the canals inside the tooth's root.

Decades ago, root canal treatments were painful. With dental advances and local anesthetics, most people have little if any pain with a root canal today.

Understanding

Root canal treatment consists of a number of steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. These steps are:

The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then local anesthesia is administered to the affected tooth.

A dental dam is usually placed over the affected tooth to isolate it and keep it free from saliva.

The endodontist makes an opening through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar to remove the diseased pulp, called a pulpectomy.

Next, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned and shaped in preparation for a filling.

The endodontist fills the root canal with gutta percha material.

If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits. The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal are permanently filled with gutta percha into each of the canals and is sealed in place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for structural support. In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance. If the tooth is broken, a post may be required to build it up prior to placing a crown.

Planning

Many people worry that a root canal will be painful, something that was true in the past. Today, with advanced anesthesia options and surgical techniques - a root canal is as comfortable as getting a filling. An infected tooth (pre-root canal), is usually what causes tooth pain, and a root canal is the solution to this problem. In fact, infected tooth pulp can cause a tooth abscess and can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth.

A treated and restored tooth can last a lifetime with proper care. Root canals have a high success rate and are significantly less expensive than the alternative, tooth extraction and replacement with a bridge or implant.

But tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, so good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.

To determine the success or failure of root canal treatment, dentists typically compare new X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or is being regenerated.

Sometimes root canals are not successful because an infection develops inside the tooth, or the original infection was not fully removed. In these cases, an apicoectomy, a procedure where the infection and the root tip are removed and a filling placed, is done. Other times a second root canal is recommended.

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.

The most common causes of pulp damage or death are:

A cracked tooth

A deep cavity

An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past

Once the pulp is infected or dead, if left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain

How is a Root Canal Done?

Root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. These steps are:

First, an opening is made through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar.

After the diseased pulp is removed (a pulpectomy), the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped in preparation for being filled.

If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits.

The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A tapered, rubbery material called gutta-percha is inserted into each of the canals and is often sealed into place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for structural support.

In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance. If the tooth is very broken down, a post may be required to build it up prior to placing a crown.

How Long Will the Restored Tooth Last?

Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.

As there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive, root-treated teeth can become brittle and are more prone to fracture. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to crown or fill a tooth after root canal treatment.

To determine the success or failure of root canal treatment, the most relied-upon method is to compare new X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or is being regenerated.

Tooth pulp damaged by a deep cavity. 

The pulp is removed and the root canals cleaned before filling. 

The chamber is filled and sealed.

BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

Overview

Even though we’ve been brushing and flossing our teeth for years and years, many of us are surprised to learn that we’re not doing it properly. Case in point: Did you know that proper brushing takes at least two minutes? Most adults do not come close to brushing that long.

These four steps are the best and easiest ways to help you remember how to care for your mouth, teeth and gums:

Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes, especially first thing in the morning and before bedtime.

Floss every day – usually at bedtime.

Limit the number of times you eat snacks each day.

Visit your dentist every 6 months for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

Understanding

Research suggests that the exposure to acidic food and drinks during meals softens the enamel of your teeth. Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods and drinks increases the chance of enamel erosion. To help prevent dental erosion, drink or rinse with water immediately after eating or drinking. It is recommended that you avoid brushing for at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks, or, better yet, brush your teeth before consumption.

Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes helps to remove food particles and dental plaque that can damage teeth and gums over time. Flossing daily helps to remove food that’s stuck in crevices or between the teeth, and also plaque, which can severely impact your oral health, if persistent.

To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns, implants or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:

Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth.

Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth.

Clean the chewing surfaces of all the teeth.

For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue at least once a day, too.

Brushing

Place the toothbrush at a 45°angle along the gum line. Move the toothbrush in a back and forth motion, and repeat for each tooth.

Brush the inside surface of each tooth, using the same back and forth technique.

Brush the chewing surface (top) of each tooth.

Use tip of brush to brush behind each tooth — front and back, top and bottom and up and down strokes.

Be sure to brush your tongue to remove odor causing bacteria.

Flossing

Pull 18 to 24 inches of dental floss from the floss dispenser.

Wrap the ends of the floss around your index and middle fingers.

Hold the floss tightly around each tooth in a C shape; move the floss back and forth in a push-pull motion and up and down against the side of each tooth.

Tooth Brushing Techniques That Get The Job Done

1. Bass or Sulcular Technique

The key to preventing and controlling gum disease is brushing around and under the gumline where bacteria and plaque tend to accumulate. In the Bass method of brushing,  the toothbrush bristles reach under the gums to scrub off plaque before it hardens into tartar and causes gum disease:

Place the toothbrush parallel to your teeth with the bristles toward the gums.

Tilt the brush to a 45 degree angle and move the bristles slightly under the gumline.

With firm but gentle pressure, and while maintaining the bristles under the gum tissue, wiggle or vibrate the brush back and forth or use a small circular motion 15 to 20 times, before moving to the next area. The brush should cover two to three teeth at a time.

Brush the entire outer surface of the teeth and then continue the same technique on the tongue side.

To brush the insides of the front teeth, hold the toothbrush in a vertical position and use the bristles on the toe of the brush, but make sure they are getting under the gum tissue.

Brush the chewing surface of the molar teeth and don't forget your tongue.

2. Stillman Technique

The Stillman method of brushing is similar to the Bass technique; however, it may help clean more debris from between the teeth. The Indian Dental Association provides some helpful diagrams.

To implement this method, follow the Bass technique, but after vibrating the brush under the gum area, move the brush toward the chewing surface of the tooth and use short back-and-forth strokes.

3. Charter Technique

If you have spaces between your teeth, see exposed root surfaces or have had periodontal surgery or gum recession, your dentist may recommend the Charter method of brushing,. This technique is also effective for people with orthodontic appliances or fixed partial dentures.

Place the bristles on the gumline at a 45 degree angle pointing toward the chewing surface or crown of the tooth. This position is the opposite of the Bass and Stillman technique.

Gently vibrate the brush for 15 to 20 counts, using short circular strokes or small back and forth motions, and then reposition the brush to the next area.

Move around the mouth in the same pattern, brushing all tooth surfaces, both inner and outer, as well as the chewing surfaces of the molars.

Modifications

This may sound daunting, but there are modified versions of the Bass, Stillman and Charter techniques. You simply follow the basic technique of whichever method you choose, but after brushing an area, you roll or sweep the bristles toward the chewing surfaces. This action sweeps out debris stuck between the teeth and cleans the entire tooth surface. The sweeping motion also helps prevent damage to the sulcus (the space between teeth and gums).

Tools of the Trade

Using an effective brushing technique is a step up, but to do a good job with any task, you need the correct tools. 

Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Worn, frayed brushes don't clean well, and older brushes can harbor bacteria. Don't forget the fluoride toothpaste, which strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay. And floss at least once a day to clean where your toothbrush doesn't reach.

Getting a handle on dental disease is easy: it starts with putting your hand around a toothbrush. So if you would like to try one of these tooth brushing techniques, but aren't sure which one, check with your dentist or dental hygienist. They can customize any of these methods just for you, and along with a one-on-one lesson, you'll be ready for some serious tooth brushing action in no time.

Four Common Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth | Tacoma Oral Surgery

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when the third molars erupt through the gums and out into the open. Most people assume that when their wisdom teeth are impacted, they require immediate oral surgery. There are four common types of impaction we see . Depending on which type you experience, it may or may not require surgery and removal.


Understanding the different types of impacted wisdom teeth is helpful. You will know how and when to take immediate action in event it happens to you or your child.

Horizontal Impaction


This is the most painful type of impaction to have. The molar lies horizontally and is being pushed into the molar next to it. Picture a very slow-moving bulldozer with a brick tied to the gas pedal. If you suffer from this kind of impaction, you’re going to be in a lot of pain unless you get it taken care of by an experienced Tacoma oral surgeon.


An X-ray can determine if you have horizontal impaction. If so, your dentist is likely going to recommend you go in for oral surgery. If you wait and put it off (or until the pain is too unbearable), then you run the risk having the impacted molar cause damage to the surrounding teeth.


It’s important to find an dedicated oral surgery clinic with experience dealing with this kind of impaction, The potential for ancillary damage is high as the surgeon cannot see the impacted molar without the help of an X-ray. This means that the surgeon is basically flying in the proverbial dark during the surgery.


The procedure should be performed while you are under general anesthesia or IV sedation. After it is over, you’re going to require a prescription for pain killers and maybe even antibiotics to reduce the risk of complications while you heal.
Distal Impaction


Distal impaction is the least common of the four types of impactions. The wisdom tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth. Extraction will depend on the degree of the angle of the tooth. If the tooth is angled at or near 0 degrees, your dentist or oral surgeon may take upwards of 1-2 years to make a determination if it should be removed.


If it’s around a 90 degree angle, there is a very good chance it will eventually hit bone and will not erupt fully. At this point, it’s up to your oral surgeon to determine if they are going to leave it be or remove it.
Vertical Impaction


This type of impaction is where the tooth is in an almost near vertical orientation. It may be slightly or almost touching the tooth next to it. The chances of this tooth erupting normally is very high and this type of impaction very rarely requires surgery.


If surgery is required, it’s due to the tooth causing pressure on the underside of the molar in the back of the mouth or front of the bones.
Mesial Impaction


This impaction is where the tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth. It is the most common type of impaction and the angle at which the tooth resides determines whether or not it’s going to become an issue.


A partial eruption most commonly occurs as the back of the tooth will poke into the gums. These types of impactions are usually monitored by dentists over a period of time as it could go either way.
Five Common Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth


If you think you suffer from an impacted wisdom tooth, a visit to your family dentist or Tacoma oral surgeon is the only way to really tell for sure. If you’re a “dental chicken” and wait until last minute, here are five common signs that you might have an impacted wisdom tooth:
Gums are bleeding and swollen.
Swelling around the jaw area
Extreme, excruciating pain in the back of the mouth.
Headaches
Neck and shoulder glands swollen


If it gets to the point where you’re in extreme physical pain, it’s usually too late for anything but immediate surgery. You must call our oral surgery clinic as soon as possible for an emergency wisdom teeth extraction.

How laser technology can treat periodontal disease

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the supporting tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place. Generally affecting adults in their 30s and 40s, periodontal diseases are caused due to a number of reasons, such as poor oral health, genetic susceptibility, chronic illnesses like diabetes, smoking, and certain medications.

Typical treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing (SRP). This is a nonsurgical method that includes cleaning the surfaces of teeth and their roots, which may be exposed due to gum recession.

Laser treatment is a tissue-preserving, regenerative, and bone-building procedure. In general dentistry, the dentist uses a laser to access an infected pocket to kill the infected tissue and bacteria. Once the infected tissue is removed and the root is exposed, the calculus is removed with an ultrasonic root cleaner instead of scraping with hand tools. Lastly, laser energy is used to warm the stem cell that contains blood in the pocket, which creates a seal of tissues against the tooth root.

Laser treatment ensures that no tissue is subtracted or gum tissue is reduced to a lower level on purpose. It also stimulates stem cells in the tissues to form new connective tissues, bone, and collagen. The body’s healing process then regenerates the lost ligaments and bone around the tooth.

6 benefits of laser technology for gum disease treatment

1. Limits bleeding

Numerous gingivitis patients suffer from severe gum bleeding and bone loss. Therefore, it’s critical to remove bacteria from the teeth and gingival pockets. Lasers provide the benefit of not only removing the bacteria but also killing them. This helps reduce bleeding and swelling of gums. It may even eliminate the need for further gum disease treatment such as gum surgery.

2. Can be optimized for patients

Based on the varying levels of periodontal disease, the wavelengths and power levels of the laser beam can be adjusted. This gives dentists ultimate control over the procedure and allows them to provide a dental treatment that is uniquely designed for individual patients and their long-term requirements.

3. Shorter healing time

Laser treatment causes little trauma to the gum, tooth, and surrounding areas. This means healing time is drastically reduced compared to traditional surgery. Patients will recover quicker and the whole process will be much faster.

4. Minimally invasive

Lasers are less invasive and eliminate the need for drills. This reduces the pressure that patients feel, which means there’s little or no need for anesthesia. The overall result is less pain and discomfort for patients. With minimal discomfort, patients will feel less anxious and relaxed during treatment.

5. Preserves healthy parts of the teeth

Since laser treatments are extremely precise, the technology can be used to preserve the healthy parts of the teeth while removing cavities. For patients with severe bacterial infections, preserving any healthy teeth will help ensure stronger outcomes in the long run.

6. Minimizes risk of bacterial infection

Because there are not multiple tools in use for a procedure, lasers help in sterilizing the area you work in and lower the risk of bacterial infections. Laser therapy helps offer better clinical results with shorter treatment times while reducing discomfort and the need for more invasive therapies. You can do this treatment with traditional surgeries or as a stand-alone treatment. You can make this decision based on the type and extent of the periodontal disease.