My teeth are sensitive.

Sensitive teeth seem to be a common issue amongst patients.  Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons.  It is important to determine where your sensitivity is coming from to properly treat it. 

-If you are experiencing sensitivity to cold you may be suffering from a case of recession.  Recession comes from brushing too hard against your gums.  When you brush away your gum the actual root of your tooth is exposed.  Roots are very porous, like a sponge, and will instantly absorb any temperature and shoot it directly to the nerve causing sensitivty.  Your dentist will either fill these spots of recession or put medication over top to block some of the pores.

-If you are possibly experiencing sensitivity in your top molars, you should consider if you are coming down with a sinus infection, or maybe allergies?  These factors cause sensitivity because of the pressure that the maxillary sinus puts on the roots of these molars.  Notice the dark circles above the molars in the image to the left.  In this case, your doctor may recommend an over the counter sinus medicine or an antibiotic to clear up the sinus. 

-If you do not have recession and you are not experiencing any sinus infections, it could be from previous fillings, especially those silver ones.  The silver fillings are a metal and all metals conduct temperatures whether hot or cold.  Try using sensodyne for two weeks, and if you do not like the taste then use a q-tip and just rub the sensodyne around the sensitive area.

If the sensitivity in a particular tooth or teeth does not subside, after a result from any of these scenarios, a patient should consider replacing the fillings or consulting for a root canal.  Always speak with your doctor for advice, and ask questions.

Forget about your mouth, And...

Forget about your mouth, and not many people realize how your oral health can effect the rest of your body.  Consider a patient with a mouth full of bacteria and disease everyday.  Daily, they are swallowing the bacteria that is festering in their mouth.  The bacteria flows into your stomach and eventually into your blood stream resulting in:

STROKE, PNEUMONIA, HEART ATTACK, UNCONTROLLED DIABETES, DEATH

The same bacteria that are present in your mouth have been found in the linings of your heart, causing heart attacks.  Just like the bacteria are found in your heart, they have been found in your lungs and brain.  I recently learned, an old acquaintance died of a heart attack related to dental infection & bacteria.  This was a realization that mouth bacteria and infection are important to treat and to use caution while treating.  Just as you would keep a nasty cut clean of bacteria, you should keep your mouth clean.

Bad Breath, Eh?

40% of the population at some point or another suffers from chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis.

There are many reason that you could develop bad breath:
-poor oral hygiene
-the infamous, gum disease
-certain foods like garlic
-tobacco & alcohol products
-dry mouth, which occurs from different medications or morning breath

The most recognized form of bad breath would probably be morning breath.  "Morning Breath" comes from lack of saliva flow while sleeping.  Your saliva is not washing away bacterias during sleep, they will cause the acids and debris, which form cavities, to putrefy in the mouth, thus causing stench. 

To reduce bad breath, brush twice daily and do not forget about your tongue.  Obviously, go to the dentist for your regular cleaning, and stay away from the onions and garlic.

How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath With Home Remedies

Teeth & Food

Do foods really have an impact on your dental health?  Yes.

One of the worst foods to eat would be popcorn.  Everyone knows when you eat popcorn it gets stuck in not only your teeth but also your gums.  When the husks get stuck in your gums they can cause infections if not removed.  Hard popcorn kernels are the number one reason for a tooth fracture.
Coffee, tea, and wine are all drinks that can stain your teeth.  You may think that choosing a white wine would be better on stain, but not really.  The white wine can cause grooves and rough spots on your teeth that collect stain.

What foods are good for your teeth and gums?
-Fruits, raw vegetable, water, and milk.  Foods containing lactic acid, such as yogurt, have been proven to help gum health.  Unfortunate, I know, but a key to a healthy mouth is healthy food choice. If you eat healthy, not only will your teeth feel better but also the rest of your body.  Everyone knows what foods are the right foods, it is just a matter if you choose to eat them or not.  Patients do not only have to eat healthy food, but if you choose to eat candy, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, then floss and rinse or drink with water when finished.

Fluoride.

What flavor would you like?  Bubble Gum, Strawberry, Cherry, Marshmallow, Mint, Orange, Grape, or... Apple Cinnamen?

Okay, now rinse out all you want.  Remember, nothing to eat or drink for a half hour after you leave here.  Ready?  It is time for your Fluoride Treatment.

-This is usually the following procedure for children/ adolescents (4 - 19) after they have just finished their routine check-up.  For a child, it is often the most dreaded part because fluoride treatments do not taste good, and at times may make the child feel like gagging.  The fluoride is either dispensed as a gel in trays, in the shape of ones mouth, or given as a swish-around rinse.  

Think of fluoride as a suit of armor for your teeth, its' job is to keep your enamel strong.  It is given when you are younger because the teeth in your mouth are new and vulnerable; protect them while they're young.  Some dentists may prescribe a chewable vitamin that contains fluoride, for children with deciduous, or baby, teeth, in hopes that this will strengthen their permanent teeth.  Check to see if water in your city contains fluoride.

As an adult, fluoride helps to possibly restore starting cavities.  Dentists offer a prescription toothpaste containing extra fluoride, Prevident, for patients that develop a lot of cavities.  Also, there are mouth rinses that contain fluoride such as, ACT or Listerine TotalCare.  For those patients with crowns, a fluoride rinse would be beneficial for you.  The fluoride will protect exposed tooth along the edges of your crown.

Fluoride should not be swallowed; if swallowed I am sure you would end up with a stomach ache or some potential long-term effect, if ingested long-term.  I believe it could only help do good than do harm.  Ask your dentist about their opinion if you have concerns about fluoride.

Whitening

Everyone seems to want whiter teeth.  There are many different products to use either over the counter or from the dentists' office.  Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash can be found in stores.  These products work well if your a heavy smoker or coffee drinker because they help to attack stain, but if you do not eat foods that cause much staining, whitening mouthwash and toothpaste may not necessarily be the right product for you.  Good old fashioned baking soda will also help to brush off stain, thus making your teeth look whiter.  Just dab a bit of baking soda on your toothbrush and lightly scrub.  CREST white strips actually will show results, however you must use them as directed.

If you would like to have professional whitening, the dentist can make you specific whitening trays.  After having the trays made you will receive a gel that is quite similar to the crest white strips.  the only difference is the percentage of carbamide peroxide found in the bleach gel.  The blue lights you see on TV for whitening are really just for effect; they do not have anything to do with the whitening process.

<-- UNNECESSARY.

When you do start to whiten you may experience sensitivity.  If this occurs you can use some sensodyne and a fluoride rinse.

There is nothing wrong with whitening, but many patients may have cavities and gum disease.  It is more important to fix cavities and gum disease than it is to have white teeth.  Whitening comes last on the list of to-do's when it comes to oral health.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6861635/