Dental Tips from Signal Hill Dental Centre

Oral Health Care Tips

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With spring time comes cleaning, and we don’t just mean house cleaning. The AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) has recommended five crucial tips for great oral health. MADISON, Wis. (March 18, 2013) — Annual spring cleaning rituals should also include taking inventory of teeth cleaning routines, according to experts at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The following are five habits dentists recommend that adults do each day to keep oral hygiene in top shape. 1. Use an Electric Toothbrush At more than 30,000 strokes per minute compared to the average of 100 strokes per minute with a manual toothbrush, electric toothbrushes work harder by pushing fluid between teeth and around the gum line, which provides a more effective cleaning. Dr. Kellee Kattleman Stanton, a Minnesota cosmetic dentist and Sustaining Member of the AACD says, “Regardless of whether or not you have cavities, using an electric toothbrush over time prevents gum inflammation, gingivitis and periodontal disease.” 2. Floss at Night The CDC reports that nearly 65 million Americans—one out every two adults ages 30 and older—have gum disease. Therefore, flossing once a day is crucial to avoid plaque and tartar, a hard mineral deposit that can cause gums to become swollen and inflamed, leading to gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease.

A common inquiry at the office with many of our patients is “What are receding gums?” Simply put, receding gums are a result of gum disease which cause your gum line to have a receding appearance. How are they caused Receding gums can because caused by a number of factors. Most commonly it is because of the bacteria that accumulates in your mouth from gum disease which starts to form plaque. A build-up of this plaque causes an inflammation of the gums which leads to an erosion of the gum tissue – resulting in a receding appearance. The build-up of bacteria can occur when there is improper or insufficient flossing and brushing. A secondary reason to receding gums is overaggressive brushing. Brushing too often or too harshly can wear away enamel at the gum line, leading to receding gums.

Anxiousness with dental visits is a problem that many patients experience. There are several reasons that could cause this anxiety, and with that several techniques that we could suggest to overcome or cope with it. Dental anxiety could arise from a few different reasons. Some patients feel that they have a lack of or no control during procedures. This could be because of the physical position they are in during dental visits, reclinedback and in a vulnerable state. It could be caused by the sense of not being able to communicate, with hands, tools, and devices in their mouths. It could be caused by the feeling of claustrophobia with a dental team physically leaning overtop of the patient. Or referring back to our most recent blog post, dental anxiety could be triggered by a traumatic experience in the past. No matter the reason for this anxiety, the team at Signal Hill Dental is knowledgeable and prepared with techniques to overcome and cope with these stresses. Coping Strategies with the Dental Team: 1. Hand signals or gestures: Before beginning your dental procedure, discuss with your dentist a simple hand signal or gesture. This could be something as simple as lifting a hand to indicate pain or your request to stop. This will help you gain more control during the procedure.

Signal Hill Dental Centre - children dentistry Many adults are unsure of when to start bringing their children in to the dentist. If the teeth are not bothering the child and he or she has good overall health, parents may not see it necessary at all until a later date. It is a good precautionary step to bring your child to the dentist when he or she reaches the age of two. Most often, treatment is not needed but these visits allow for the child to become acquainted to the dentist and the dental environment in a calm and friendly way. By introducing your child to the dentist in this manner, your child will establish a stronger more trusting relationship with the dentist and be more at ease with each visit. If a child has their first dental experience only when they have their first toothache, the pain and unfamiliar surroundings are traumatic and may create fearful and uncomfortable associations with subsequent visits. These negative associations can carry-through until adulthood, causing perceived dreadful visits to the dentist.

Snoring is a big problem for many sleepers, and an even bigger problem for their sleeping partners. However snoring can be a sign for an even bigger problem, OSA. OSA stands for obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep due to the narrowing and or total closure of the airway. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control your tongue and throat. Soft tissues at the back of your throat sag, and can cause a narrowing in the airway. Not only does this cause blocked airway cause a loud and disturbing snore noise, but it significantly affects your general health by the lack of oxygen entering your body. When your brain detects a lack of oxygen, it prompts a momentary arousal of sleep to draw breath. That is why many patients suffering from OSA wake up feeling tired and unrested. Other long term consequences of sleep apnea are diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression, and death. A frightening 40 - 80% of stoke sufferers also suffer from OSA. Patients of OSA are also four times more likely to have a heart attack. A surprising 1 in every 5 people are affected by OSA, and an even more shocking 90% of those patients go undiagnosed. How can this problem be solved?