HowToDoThings.com Recent Dental Articles

How To Stop Grinding Your Teeth

marcalex — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:17:42 -0500

Teeth grinding can be an annoying and destructive habit, especially when you do it quite often. This habitual tooth grinding is called bruxism. Occasional tooth grinding is typically not harmful at all, but if done on a regular basis, it could lead to fracturing or loosening of teeth, or worse, the loss of teeth. In severe cases of teeth grinding, dentures or a root canal may be needed to replace damaged or worn out teeth. Bruxism can also affect the jaw and lead to hearing loss and changes in your facial structure. Studies show that possible causes of teeth grinding include stress, an abnormal bite or even crooked teeth.

How To Choose the Best Electric Toothbrush

bronwyn — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:57:24 -0500

We've all been told by the dental hygienist that electric toothbrushes are far superior to manual toothbrushes, and many of us have even acted on this advice - after all, if you can avoid fillings and root canals, why wouldn't you? However, there is a huge range of types of electric toothbrushes in existence, and it can be difficult to find the right one for you. When choosing the best electric toothbrush for yourself, it is helpful to keep a few criteria in mind.

How To Whiten Teeth

bronwyn — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:01:08 -0600

Tooth bleaching has now become the most sought-after dental treatment in the United States, with the number of tooth whitening procedures being performed in dentists' offices increasing by more than 300 percent in the last five year. There are many different options for those wishing to whiten their teeth - from $25 over-the-counter strips to $600+ specialized in-office dental procedures.

Determine if you are a candidate for tooth whitening. Children under 16 years old, those with sensitive teeth or gums, pregnant and nursing women, and those with peroxide allergies should ask their dentist for advice before embarking upon a tooth whitening journey. Also, remember that fillings and crowns will not bleach, and tooth whitening does not work on all stains.

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How To Practice Good Dental Hygiene

jasmin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:04:36 -0600

Good dental hygiene is very important as our mouth is the gateway to our body. We are what we eat. An unhealthy mouth means that all the infected debris and bacteria in and around the teeth enter our body while chewing food. This debris then causes diseases in the digestive, cardiovascular and reproductive systems of the body.

The oral cavity is comprised of the teeth, the gums, the oral mucosa and the tongue. We need to clean them all to have good oral health.

How To Identify Periodontal Disease

jasmin — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:50:52 -0600

The periodontium is comprised of the gums, bones, cementum and the periodontal fibers. The health of the periodontium is as important as the health of the teeth. We can compare the relationship of the teeth, bone and gums to that of a tree in a soil. The tree will survive as long as the soil is good, just as the teeth will survive as long as the periodontium is healthy. Often we erroneously relate good oral health to the absence of caries and ignore periodontal care. Since caries and periodontitis are caused by different strains of bacteria, both the diseases can occur separately or together.

You can recognize the presence of periodontal disease if you notice the following symptoms.

How To Deal with Dental Emergencies

jasmin — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:33:55 -0600

Dental emergencies, like all emergencies, come unannounced and can cause a lot of pain and inconvenience. Sometimes, help is not within immediate reach. As they say, "Forewarned is forearmed." These tips are meant to help you know what to do at home before you are able to consult with your dentist.

Pain: Look for the site of the pain.
- Tooth. If there is a cavity, you can apply a clove oil pellet in it.
- Gums. It is safe to apply gum paint.
A painkiller like Brufen can generally be taken. When pregnant, only Paracetamol can be taken in the case of emergency (at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time possible). Consult your dentist as soon as possible. Do not take over-the-counter drugs from the pharmacy. Home remedies can help, but are not the treatment. Relief in your pain does not mean that you should delay treatment.

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How To Avoid Morning Breath

lepetitprince — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:22:29 -0600

Nothing will wither your morning glory faster than seeing your partner cringe upon that first kiss. Remember that just as testosterone levels are high in the morning, so are the bacteria levels in your mouth. And the sulfur compounds released by these bacteria are what make your breath smell. Here are a few tips to help you avoid morning breath and to increase the odds that your morning wood will fuel her fire:

Tongue cleaners. Admit it, you've seen these at your local health food store and scoffed. But remember that this is the same tongue you're hoping will receive a warm welcome, so you may want to reassess your initial disdain.

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How To Whiten Your Teeth

Staff468 — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:13:00 -0500

Whether you're reentering the dating world after a long hiatus or just finally admitting that your coffee and cigarette routine has caught up with you, you want whiter teeth. You don't want to go the Chiclets route-where your teeth look more like Chiclets than enamel-but on the other hand, that yellowish hue has dulled your smile.

Once you start considering teeth whitening options, you'll begin to notice people's teeth in a way you never have before. Teeth come in lots of different colors, from white to yellow to gray, with stains in a variety of colors as well. You may notice that you're running in a pearly white crowd without the requisite ingredients-the pearly whites, that is.

Here are a few tips on how you can whiten your teeth and how much the teeth whitening process will lighten your wallet:

How To Find a Dentist

Staff468 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:01:00 -0600

Finding a professional dentist whom you trust is essential to your oral health. It would be nice if you could do a simple online search and have the perfect dentist pop right up, but that's rarely the case. While there are many quick and easy ways to search for dentists on the internet, you shouldn't base your decision on who's name appears at the top of the list, or who's office is closest to your house. Quick and easy are not good criteria when it comes to finding a dentist.

There are multiple ways to perform the actual search for a dentist, there are a few red flags that you can look out for while you're searching and there are some final steps you should follow before settling on the dentist. Your dentist is going to be working for you for years to come, so it makes sense to take the extra time to ensure you find a dentist who's the right fit for you.

How To Treat Canker Sores

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 05:18:00 -0500

Even though most canker sores are very small, the discomfort they cause can be quite large. Some people suffer from canker sores once or twice a year, while others have recurrent canker sores, which can last for as long as two weeks. And while the causes of canker sores can be hard to identify, there are some specific treatments that can help prevent them or at least reduce their severity. If you have a canker sore, try some of these remedies:

Try to pinpoint what is causing your canker sores. While you may not be able to define the exact culprit, you may be able to narrow in on some likely causes. For instance, food allergies and nutritional deficiencies could be to blame. In addition, stress and menstrual cycles can also be related.
Take vitamins or nutritional supplements to see if this helps to reduce the frequency and severity of your canker sores.

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