Fun Dental  Pumpkins

Fall is upon us. I absolutely enjoy early fall weather with the mild temperatures, and the beautiful colors that transform our trees into living works of art. It is also the season of pumpkins!

Here are some really cool pumpkins with a dental spin to them.

I thought this was a fun way to highlight flossing!

That is one interesting dentition

Happy Jack

Oral Hygiene pumpkin

Great Brace Face!

Happy Smily Brace Face

Happy Autumn months!

Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth can affect your day to day  lifestyle. Just being able to enjoy your favorite desert to simply brushing your teeth can become extremely painful. While sensitive teeth are usually as a result of a cavity, there are many other reasons why teeth can become sensitive.

Usually a sensitive tooth is the body's signal to alert you that something is wrong with the tooth. Sometimes the reasons for a tooth being sensitive is minor and other times it might require a trip to the dentist.

Common things that could cause sensitivity include

Sore Gums.

1. Food impaction: This could be a result of food impaction, or food stuck between teeth, which could cause the gums to get irritated. Simply flossing and getting rid of food debris could improve symptoms
2. Gum inflammation: Excessive plaque could lead to red irritated gums, which bleed easily. Improving oral hygiene habits could improve symptoms
3. Periodontal disease: Continuous proliferation of plaque bacterial and tarter left on teeth could lead to further breakdown of gum tissue and surrounding bone  leading to loose teeth and progressive gum infections. Periodontal disease requires continuing care by a dentist.

Painful teeth

1. Recession or root exposure. it is common to have root sensitivy due to lack of enamel on the root surfaces. Enamel serves as a natural insulator
2. Discoloured tooth: Could be that tooth has a cavity, or has an infected pulp
3. Fractured tooth: This usually is noted by pain on chewing. 
4. High dental filling or restoration. It is important to have these restorations adjusted to alleviate symptoms
5. Worn down teeth, exposing dentin which is more porous than enamel.: This could be due to mechanical means, i.e brushing too hard and grinding of teeth or chemical means which include excessive consumption of acidic food or regurgitation.

It is important to visit the  dentist as early as possible to address issues with tooth sensitivity.

ANCHOR FAMILY DENTISTRY NEWS LETTER

www.anchorfamilydentistry.com

JUNE 2016

Tips for Choosing the Correct Toothpaste

 

When it comes to choosing toothpaste, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of your options on the market. There are dozens of different types on shelves that claim to whiten your teeth, decrease tooth sensitivity, prevent cavities, protect against tartar, and/or all of the above. Toothpaste in its entirety doesn’t just polish teeth; it also removes the bacteria that cause dental plaque and bad breath. It’s important when shopping for toothpaste to select a brand that is approved by the American Dental Association. Since there is no generic toothpaste for all ages and mouths, it helps to acquire some tips so you select the one that will meet your individual needs. 

Types of Toothpaste

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.
• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste helps reduce oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.
• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.
• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exact what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.
• Whitening: This toothpaste contains chemicals that are able to help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

The list doesn’t even end there. There are toothpaste types for children that are non-toxic and great for those who are new to brushing and may swallow the toothpaste while cleaning their teeth. Additionally, there are toothpaste types for smokers, maintaining gum health, fresh breath, and even organic toothpaste.

How Do I Know Which One Is Right For Me?

Today there is toothpaste to meet the oral needs of everyone, but while all of the products on the shelf might seem the same, with a little help from your dentist you can determine which is right for you. It is important to schedule dental checkups and professional cleanings twice a year to prevent tooth sensitivity, gum disease, tartar buildup, and tooth decay.