Tooth Care Tips: The Best Dental Routine For Peak Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to general health and quality of life, according to the  World Health Organization, but taking care of a mouth full of bacteria presents an interesting challenge.
If you want to maximize healthy teeth and gums and minimize your chance of developing painful problems down the road, follow these tips and tricks for impeccable dental health.

Brushing

• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, spending about 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth.


• Hold your toothbrush at a slight slant — about a 45-degree angle —  aiming the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum.


• Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth.


• Know when to replace your toothbrush, and keep other oral hygiene equipment clean.

Flossing

• Floss at least once a day with about 18 inches of dental floss, wrapping each end around your fingers and gently lowering it in between your teeth.


• To avoid damaging your gums, be gentle and follow the curve of your teeth.


• Use clean floss — as you move to the next tooth take the dirty floss with one finger and unwind the clean floss from the other.

Mouthwash

• Rinse your mouth with mouthwash containing flouride after you brush and floss your teeth.


• Swish a small amount of wash around in your mouth for about 30 to 40 seconds before spitting it out.

Tongue Cleaning

• Clean as much of the tongue as you can without gagging and rinse your mouth.


• If you’re using a toothbrush to clean your tongue, use a little toothpaste and brush in circular motions. You can also use floss or a tongue scraper to scrape it clean.

Dentist Visits

• Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.


• During your next appointment, talk to your dentist and try to understand your personal oral needs.

Additional Tips

• As long as you do a thorough job, it doesn't matter if you brush or floss first.


• Eat a healthy balanced diet, low in sugar.


• Avoid using toothpicks or other similar objects. They could injure your gums and let in bacteria. 

Source: Mayo Clinic, 123Dentist
http://www.medicaldaily.com/tooth-care-tips-best-dental-routine-peak-oral-hygiene-395850

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If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

Why You Need To Visit A Dentist Now?

I don’t have any reason to visit a dentist, my teeth are perfect and healthy!

That is what everyone says when being asked to visit a dentist. But really, it is not until you start having serious pains in your teeth before you consider visiting a dentist.

Here are four reasons why you should consider visiting a dental care clinic now:

#1. Correction of Wrong Dentition

Most of us grew up with having more than enough teeth in the mouth and we see it as a normal thing even though they overlap each other.

A dentist will help find corrective measures in helping your teeth have the best dentition you never thought you could have.

#2. Mouth Cleaning and Cleansing

Most people have tartar (an incrustation that forms on the teeth and gum) formed underneath their teeth and close to the gums.

These harbor lots of microorganisms that later affect the oral health. A dentist would notice the tartar and carry out what is called scaling and polishing to remove every traces of the tartar before it gets to its worse stage.

A dentist will help you to remove food remnants that hides between the teeth. Food remnants that hide in the teeth include remnants of meat, fish, vegetables and they keep decaying in between the tooth.

You don’t have to wait till it decays and destroy your oral health, visit a dentist who will help you floss the teeth with a waxy thread.

#3. Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases

A dentist takes note of everything that might lead to a chronic disease and takes care of before it gets out of the primary stage.

It is advisable to visit a dentist at least once in every three months. Being busy is not an excuse anymore, so just make time within that three months to see a dentist.

#4. Placing fillings or administering anesthetics

Dental fillings or restoration are used to fill in the cavities caused by tooth decay. Instead of removing the tooth after suffering a tooth decay, your dentist will help check what the possible solution to it might be so you get relieved of the pain as soon as possible.

It is either placed with fillings if the tooth is not decayed to a bad extent and might be extracted if the condition of the tooth is bad.

Is that all a dentist can do? Of course not.

A dentist can also help in diagnosing oral diseases, creating treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of patients, interpreting x-rays and diagnostic health, monitoring growth and development of the teeth and jaws.

Source: The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adeyemi-adetilewa/dental-care-why-you-need-_b_11707700.html
_________________________________________________________________________________
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

Tips For Oral Hygiene

A better, more confident you begins every morning and ends every evening if you stick with a consistent oral hygiene routine. This, in addition to regular dentist office visits, helps develop not only strong teeth and gums, but also overall good health. You'll feel good, look great, avoid unnecessary bills, and experience an improvement in many of your day-to-day social interactions. It's easy once you understand the basic routines required to maintain good dental hygiene. Get started with some basic dental education and a thorough awareness of the steps that should and should not be taken toward great, long-term oral health.

Oral hygiene benefits

Daily cleaning of your teeth, gums, and tongue, combined with annual check-ups helps ward off harmful bacteria and microbes that may cause tooth decay, bleeding gums, and oral infections. Proper oral hygiene is also important in helping you stay healthy, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes and heart problems. Plus, oral hygiene elevates your sense of self-esteem. This is especially true for teenagers and adults who frequently interact with others at work or in social situations. Maintaining proper oral hygiene ensures that you won’t experience embarrassing conditions, such as plaque, tartar, and bad breath. It also lowers the need to treat dental problems that could otherwise be inexpensively prevented. For example, according to Kaiser Health News reports, dental costs make up approximately 20 percent of a child’s total health care expenses, and the costs are escalating rapidly.

Oral hygiene for kids

Enforcing good oral hygiene habits early in a child’s life is essential for his overall well-being. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cavities in children between the ages of two and five has escalated by 15 percent. Proper oral hygiene habits must start as early as the child begins to bottle feed. This is when babies are prone to tooth decay if they are given a bottle filled with sugary liquids, like milk or juice, when put to bed. While baby teeth should be cleaned using a washcloth, young babies should eventually have their teeth and tongues brushed using soft brushes. It is important for parents to teach children the proper way to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, to take them for regular dental check-ups, and to serve foods that will help strengthen teeth. These include milk, cheese, and vegetables.

Oral hygiene for adults

Many adults experience significant dental problems that could be prevented through basic oral hygiene practices, like regular dentist appointments. For example, in 2009 alone, CDC data indicated that only 62 percent of adults surveyed had visited the dentist. To maintain optimal oral health, adults should brush their teeth at least twice a day, preferably after each meal and before going to bed. Flossing is also an essential part of an adult’s daily oral hygiene regimen. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent unpleasant conditions, such as plaque and bad odor. However, over-brushing or flossing may result in mouth bruises and bleeding, which can lead to infections. Adults should visit their dentist regularly for routine check-ups and before using over-the-counter medication.

Oral hygiene facts

Poor oral hygiene can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Professional teeth cleanings will reduce the bacteria that cause inflammation and eventually lead to heart disease (Veterans General Hospital in Taipei).
According to the American Dental Hygienists Association:

• A major cause of tooth loss in children is cavities; while periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
• Eating healthy snacks such as celery, carrots, or apples help clear away food loosely trapped in-between teeth.
• The leading oral health problem for infants is baby bottle tooth decay, which can be caused when babies are given a bottle filled with sugary liquids, like milk or juice, when put to bed.

Oral hygiene statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Roughly 78 percent of Americans have had at least one cavity by age 17.
• 80 percent of the U.S. population has some form of periodontal (gum) disease.
• In 2007, Americans made about 500 million visits to dentists and spent an estimated $98.6 billion on dental services.
• Between 2005-2008, 16 percent of children ages 6-19 and 23 percent of adults 20-64 had untreated cavities.
• Dental fluorosis (overexposure to fluoride) is higher in adolescents than in adults and highest among those aged 12–15.
• Most adults show signs of periodontal or gingival diseases. Severe periodontal disease affects approximately 14 percent of adults aged 45-54.
• 23 percent of 65-74 year olds have severe periodontal disease
• Men are more likely than women to have more severe dental diseases.
• Oral cancer occurs twice as frequently in men as women.
• Three out of four patients don’t change their toothbrush as often as is recommended. Toothbrushes should be changed every two to three months and after illnesses.

Oral hygiene greatly affects overall long-term health, and promotes a more confident you. When it comes to dental care, prevention through daily cleaning and regular visits to the dentist’s office is better not only for your health, but for your budget. That's why it's important for parents to play a key role in reinforcing smart oral hygiene habits. Kids are likely to follow in the footsteps of those who set positive examples and will carry those healthy habits through their own adult lives. Remember, whatever your age, it’s never too late to take a serious stand in keeping your teeth healthy and your smile confident.

Source: Humana
https://www.humana.com/learning-center/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/tips-for-oral-hygiene
_________________________________________________________________________________
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

The Causes of Bad Breath And Why Flossing is Key

Everyone has bad morning breath, but the idea of stinky odours coming from your mouth all day is something else.

Brushing after each meal can certainly help the smelly situation, but as any dentist or dental hygienist will tell you, flossing is essential to good oral health.

"Flossing allows you to go to two millimeters under the gum tissue to reach where bacteria is colonizing," dental hygienist and owner of Krystal Clean Smile Clinic, Krystal Hurteau tells the Huffington Post Canada. "The reason the floss smells [after you use it] is because that area is hard to reach and the bacteria is aged."

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, there are more than 700 different types of bacteria hiding in the human mouth. Fortunately, not all of this bacteria is bad and some of it is easy to spot  - like sticky plaque that covers your teeth.

While plaque seems harmless, this mass bacteria can actually lead to a lot of damage. After a long period of time, plaque hardens and turns into tartar. To make matters worse, Hurteau says the tartar actually attracts more bacteria due to its rough texture.

And more bacteria means more cavities. "Once the bacteria has settled under the gum, it will continue to multiply until your next hygiene appointment," Hurteau says.

Even if you have good oral hygiene, bacteria you can't reach continues to stay beneath the gum line and can erode the bines beneath our teeth. According to Hurteau, this can ultimately result in tooth loss and can happen at any age.

And it's not just your teeth that harbor bad bacteria, the tongue is covered in it too. However, in the video above by Buzzfeed, the site explains how forceful brushing can result in the receding gum lines while flossing incorrectly can cause bleeding and swelling.

Of course, even if you brush, use mouthwash ad floss, you still may end up with bad breath. According to Colgate, this is caused by many factors including your diet, medical conditions and medications.

By: Joy D'Souza The Huffington Post Canada
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/01/bad-breath-causes_n_9356476.html
_________________________________________________________________________________
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

7 Ways to Prevent Dental Cavities

Cavities, also known as tooth decay, occur when plague, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel.

1. Brush Your Teeth                                 

In the fight against cavities, it is essential that you brush your teeth properly at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.

2. Floss Daily
Food debris gets caught in between our teeth when we eat. If the debris is not removed, it can lead to cavities. Flossing everyday is the best way to remove food debris from in between the teeth.

3. Eat Healthy
Proper nutrition plays an important role in good dental health. Eating nutritional snacks and limiting the amount of sugary drinks will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth.

4. Visit Your Dentist
Many cavities can only be detected by a dentist or a dental X-ray. Visiting your dentist for regular check ups and cleaning are a key factor in preventing cavities and staying on top of good oral hygiene.

5. Have Sealants Placed
Dental sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are more common in children because of the new growth of permanent teeth, however, sealants can benefit adults to.

6. Use a Mouthrinse
There are several antimicrobial mouth rinses on the market that have been clinically proven to reduce plaque, such as Listerine or Crest Pro Health. Rinsing with one of these mouth rinses after brushing or eating can aid in cavity prevention

7. Chew (Sugarless) Gum!
Believe it or not, chewing certain sugarless gums can actually help to prevent cavities by increasing the flow of saliva in your mouth. In 2007, the American Dental Association awarded their Seal of Acceptance to Wrigley's Orbit, Eclipse and Extra chewing gums for helping to prevent cavities.

Source: VeryWell
https://www.verywell.com/how-to-prevent-cavities-1059134
_________________________________________________________________________________
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

First Trip to the Dentist

When should kids have their teeth examined? And how should you prepare? Read on for a fun, fear-free first trip to the dentist.

By 2 1/2 most children have cut all of their baby teeth, so toddlerhood is a great time to instill good dental habits. "Baby teeth are important because they hold space for permanent teeth," says Judy Ann Taylor, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist in Brooklyn. Decay in baby teeth also increases the risk of decay in permanent teeth.

Although dentists now recommend that kids see a dentist for the first time by their first birthday, twice-yearly dental checkups and proper care at home are the keys to ensuring pearly whites throughout childhood. For toddlers, however, the first dental visit can be a scary proposition. Strange instruments, loud noises, and new faces can upset even the most nonchalant 2-year-old. But with careful preparation (and plenty of prizes), a first trip to the dentist can actually be fun.

 

Before You Go

• Your first impulse may be to take your child to your own dentist, but this is not a good idea, unless a sizable part of her practice is children. She can probably recommend a kid-friendly dentist, however. (Friends with children are another good source of recommendations.) Or call the American Dental Association (312-440-2617; www.ada.org) or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (312-337-2169; www.aapd.org) for an accredited pediatric dentist in your area. Then make an appointment to tour the office with your child. Observe how the staff handles children, and make sure you're comfortable with all procedures. "Parents should be in the examining room with the child," says Judy Ann Taylor, D.D.S., "and a dentist should stop working if a child gets upset or nervous." Watch out for cleanliness: Dental tools should be wrapped in plastic, the staff should wear protective gloves and masks, and patients should wear protective glasses.
• Provide the dentist with a list of any medical conditions your child has or medications he takes. Keep your pediatrician's phone number handy, too, in case the dentist needs additional health information.
• If your child has a sucking habit, be it thumb, pacifier, or bottle, let the dentist know, as it may affect your child's teeth and jaw. Also, be aware that sleeping with a bottle of milk or juice can cause tooth decay. "During sleep, liquids in the mouth -- which are full of sugar and bacteria -- pool around the teeth and erode them," says Dr. Taylor.
• Talk to your child about what's going to happen. Practice brushing with your child beforehand, too, so she will be used to having a toothbrush in her mouth.

What to Expect

1. Meeting and Greeting

"To make sure your child feels comfortable, formally introduce him to the dentist on his first visit," says Judy Ann Taylor, D.D.S. A good children's dentist will explain each step of the checkup with your child, show him the tools she'll be using, and assure him that he can sit on Mommy's or Daddy's lap and stop any procedure if he's nervous.

2. Learning the Facts

Using models, an oversize brush, and "cavity creep" finger puppets, the dentist will show your child how to brush with your help. "A dentist may also explain how the cavity creeps come out at night to harm teeth and how eating nutritious meals and drinking plenty of water keeps teeth healthy," says Dr. Taylor. She'll also use this time to address your questions and concerns.

3. Mastering the Machinery

Because the spitting cup may make some scary sucking noises, the dentist will show your child how it works and how to spit into it properly. Then she'll put on a mask and gloves to count your child's teeth, using the model -- or you -- to demonstrate before putting her fingers in his mouth.

4. Cleaning and Polishing

Next, the dentist will polish your child's teeth with a rotary toothbrush. "Make sure the staff provides him with goggles or sunglasses to protect his eyes in case a tool slips or toothpaste sprays," says Dr. Taylor. Letting the child see and hear the brush before it's placed in his mouth helps put him at ease.

5. Finishing Touches

As with the other procedures she performs, the dentist will show your child how the sucking straw works before she uses it to remove extra toothpaste and saliva. As a final step, the dentist may apply a coat of topical fluoride. "I always ask the parent if it's okay to use fluoride," says Dr. Taylor, "but the research shows that periodic fluoride treatments prevent decay." A child should not eat or drink for 30 minutes after a treatment.

6. Picking a Prize

Stickers, finger puppets, crayons, key chains -- the more varied the grab bag, the better. "Prizes are a wonderful way to get kids to think the dentist's office is a fun place," says Dr. Taylor. You may want to let your child pick a prize during the cleaning if he seems nervous. But if he gets genuinely upset, "he may not be ready for his first visit," says Dr. Taylor. "In that case, cut it short and try again in a few months."

Good Habits at Home

Follow these tips to put your child on the road to a bright, healthy smile.

• Stop sucking habits as soon as possible. They lead to potential tooth misalignment.
• Choose a soft, kid-size brush. Replace the brush every three months.
• Use no more than a pea-size amount of toothpaste on your child's brush. This offers adequate fluoride and protection from fluorosis, a damaging oral condition caused by overingestion of fluoride.
• Help your toddler brush after breakfast and before bed. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children under 8 brush with parents' help.
• Avoid starchy and sugary snacks. They stick to teeth and increase the risk of decay.
• If your child is unable to brush, rinse her mouth with water to wash away food particles and sugar.
• Call your community's water department to find out whether your water is fluoridated, and talk to your dentist about the best fluoride treatment.

Source: Parents Magazine
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/health/teething/child-first-trip-to-dentist/
_________________________________________________________________________________
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

Back to School Means It's Time for a Dental Checkup

Some states have gone to great lengths to ensure that children start out the school year on the right foot.

In Illinois, for example, children entering kindergarten, second and sixth grade must have a dental examination performed by a dentist before the end of the previous school year or provide proof that one is scheduled.

"Dental examinations are needed during second and sixth grades as the back teeth, or molars, usually erupt during this time," said Dr. Darryll Beard, president of the Illinois State Dental Society. "This allows your dentist the opportunity to apply dental sealants to these teeth to help prevent future decay."

The Illinois state law requires compliance from students in all public, private and parochial schools. If the child has had a recent dental examination, or one completed within the 18 months of the end of the school year, the requirement has been fulfilled.

"With the undeniable link between oral health and overall health, children will have a much better school year with less absenteeism and more confidence if dental issues are regularly addressed," said Dr. Beard.

The beginning of the school year is an appropriate time for dentists to remind parents and caregivers about some of the risks associated with tooth decay and ways to prevent it.

Decay is on the rise in some children, and many dentists believe that diet and overconsumption of soft drinks are to blame. Allowing children to sip on sugary snacks and drinks for prolonged periods of time can increase the risk of decay.

During a professional cleaning and oral exam, the dentist removes plaque bacteria from teeth to help fix early decay. Dentists can also advise parents about effective preventive measures for children's teeth, such as the use of sealants and fluoride, and brushing and flossing techniques, as well as mouthguards for any sport or activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth.

For more information about dental health, visit ADA.org.
Colgate Care Center
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/childrens-oral-care/article/oral-health-tips-for-summer-0714

_________________________________________________________________________________
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811